Chapter 52

As night fell, street lamps lit up, and neon lights flickered on the Santa Monica Pier. The Ferris wheel shimmered with a vibrant display of colorful lights.

Elizabeth walked along the beach path to the parking lot where Charles was sitting in his car, talking on the phone.

"Boss, the movie adaptation rights for the novel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants are with the producer. Warner Brothers is interested in developing it, but they haven't greenlit the script yet."

After reading the novel, Charles called Dona at the office to check the records of the rights transaction for the novel. Rights for various literary works post-1970s are stored in the copyright database established in the USA, making it easy to find.

All transaction information and rights holders are recorded.

"Warner Brothers, huh?" Charles thought. "It's always the case with a bestseller; the movie adaptation rights get snapped up."

Dona analyzed, "Warner Brothers may not be too optimistic about it. The producer is probably still trying to persuade investors. If other capital joins in, it will speed up the process."

"Got it," Charles replied and hung up. Did he need someone to tell him that? The average development time for a movie project is two and a half to three years. The process of screenwriting and seeking investment takes time.

Forget it. The budget for The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants wouldn't be less than 20 million dollars, considering they'd need to shoot in many different locations.

"Charles, finished reading the novel?" Elizabeth asked as she saw Charles hang up the phone and walked closer.

Charles nodded, rubbed his forehead, and spread his hands, "Read it thoroughly. It's already dark."

He opened the car door for Elizabeth to get in, then smiled and asked, "How about the others? Still at the bar?"

Elizabeth adjusted her tight, low-cut T-shirt and responded, "Yeah, just chatting and drinking!"

As Charles kept one hand on Elizabeth's thigh while looking into the distance, he said, "The nightlife in Santa Monica is way more enticing than the day!"

Elizabeth leaned in closer, "More enticing than the Santa Monica night view?"

Charles turned and kissed the woman, the sea breeze of Santa Monica couldn't disperse the hormones in the air.

By the time they drove back to the small bar, half an hour had passed. Charles took his card back and led the group towards the A-cup Club.

Nine people spent 355 dollars, and Charles wrote a bill for 400, leaving a 45-dollar tip, making the waiter very happy.

The A-cup Club was located in the northern Santa Monica mountains near Palisades, and Charles' beach house was also on the Santa Monica Palisades coast.

Once inside the A-cup Club, the hot atmosphere could be felt immediately. A California-style band played on stage and three dance floors of varying sizes were scattered indoors.

Men and women were swaying their hips to the music under the dim lights, with the intoxicating scents of alcohol and smoke filling the air.

Vodka, champagne, tequila, and whiskey got the students excited again.

Watching them excitedly rush to the dance floor, Charles finished his whiskey in one gulp. These guys didn't seem to drink much this afternoon!

"Camille, your book!" Charles returned the borrowed novel to the short-haired beauty.

"Why aren't you dancing?" Charles poured Camille a glass of champagne and himself a glass of whiskey.

"Neither are you," Camille replied, winking at him.

"Taking a break?"

"Huh?"

"Elizabeth came back without wiping her lips clean," Camille pointed out, noticing Elizabeth had touched up her makeup.

Charles leaned in and said, "When she came to find me, she insisted on having ice cream. I was reading!"

Charles shrugged, whether you believe it or not, that's what happened, and he believed it himself.

"So, how was the novel?"

"The novel?" Charles smirked, "Definitely for the ladies - deep friendships in the midst of growing up, expressed through a pair of jeans, pretty novel concept!"

Was Camille someone who enjoyed quiet and liked literature?

"Well, definitely can't talk about these types of novels with you guys!" Camille changed the subject.

"What do you think of the Iraq War?"

Wow, Camille had quite a few interests! From literary novels to current politics?

"War, huh?" Charles took another sip of his drink. "Let me tell you a story: An Iraqi civilian dies, and his soul meets God. God asks him, 'Did you see clearly who killed you?' The man replies, 'I couldn't see. They stood on the moral high ground, shone in holy light, radiating like you. I couldn't make out their faces!'"

Camille looked seriously at Charles, a bit surprised, "Charles, you should take a philosophy course!"

"Come on, let's drink to those damn war initiators going to hell!"

Camille raised her glass and clinked it with Charles', tossing her head back to take a swig.

"Phew, don't they need freedom? The Iraqi leader is very brutal?"

"Freedom?" Charles said mockingly, "If I break your legs and give you crutches, I'm the one who made you stand and gave you freedom!"

"Alright, let's dance," Charles didn't want to talk politics with these freedom-obsessed folks anymore.

Holding Camille, they entered the dance floor. Her sexy denim shorts and fitted top clung to Charles as they danced.

*****

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