Chapter 113: Truly Lazy

Lately, I've been finding myself inadvertently paying a lot of attention to matters related to Simon Westeros. Listening to Meg Ryan claim disinterest in Simon's films, Courtney Cox quickly remembered her role as the designated leading lady in "When Harry Met Sally."

So she was somewhat scornful.

If she wasn't interested in his films, why agree to star in "When Harry Met Sally"? Although Simon wasn't directing or writing it, he was sure to serve as the most influential producer.

Jonathan Friedman watched Meg Ryan leave before turning to Courtney, asking, "Have you seen Simon?"

Courtney nodded, a trace of regret on her face, "He's been rather busy."

Jonathan looked at the young woman, pausing slightly, his tone carrying the usual gentleness, "Then later, try to find more opportunities to talk with him. You two were among the earliest acquaintances, after all."

Having worked in this industry for over twenty years, Jonathan had seen countless actors miss their chances. However, he was still somewhat sentimental about the vicissitudes of fate.

Had Courtney seized her opportunity back then, things would surely be different for her now.

Now, among Jonathan's clients, Sandra Bullock had become famous overnight with "Run Lola Run," and Elisabeth Shue had risen to the top with "The Butterfly Effect." Both women were around Courtney Cox's age and had a similar status. Coupled with Nicole Kidman, who Simon had recently recommended, it was clear he could no longer afford to focus too much on Courtney.

The two chatted a bit more, and before they knew it, dusk had enveloped everything around them, the lights coming on to truly showcase a world of glittering superficiality.

The crisp sound of a bell ringing came from the direction of the villa, and everyone quickly quieted down.

Jonathan and Courtney looked towards the sound. Simon was standing under the porch leading to the backyard, holding a champagne glass. Once he had everyone's attention, he handed a spoon he had just used to tap his glass to a nearby waiter and then began to give a speech for the evening's party.

Apart from "Final Destination" which was being filmed in New York, "Run Lola Run," "The Butterfly Effect," "Pulp Fiction," and "When Harry Met Sally," the main and supporting actors, both on-screen and behind the scenes, and staff from WMA, Orion, Fox, and other invited companies, along with their partners, totaled over two hundred attendees at the party.

At this moment, hundreds of eyes were fixed on the young man under the porch. The air was also filled with a myriad of emotions.

Although "Run Lola Run" and "The Butterfly Effect" had successively achieved unexpected box office hits, Simon's influence in Hollywood was still relatively limited. Many viewed the three ambitiously produced films by Daenerys Film Industry as having an uncertain future.

Perhaps by next year, the young man at the center of everyone's attention would realize the reality that no one can be perpetually successful in Hollywood.

But everyone couldn't ignore one fact—Simon Westeros was only 19 this year.

A 19-year-old who had, in just one year, directed and written films that collectively grossed over $300 million in North America, a feat unprecedented in Hollywood film history. And through two films, this young man had demonstrated a cinematic talent surpassing that of most directors in Hollywood. Nobody doubted that, in the long future, Simon had many more opportunities to create box office miracles like "Run Lola Run."

Moreover, the most important point.

With "Run Lola Run," many of his peers hadn't even started considering their futures yet, while Simon had already accumulated tens of millions of dollars, enough to evoke envy and astonishment in many.

Hollywood's recent surge in high salaries only came with the industry's overall expansion and the promotion by agencies. Thus, the over $40 million that Simon earned from "Run Lola Run," even after high taxes, was enough to surpass the entire fortune amassed by most top Hollywood stars over several years.

In Hollywood, a place that revolves around fame and fortune, everyone was after these two things.

A young man had achieved what many might not attain in their entire lives by the time he was 19.

After Simon's brief thank-you speech, the night's revelry officially began.

The area opposite the villa by the pool was turned into a dance floor, and the music in the air soon became more lively as people mingled in and out of the villa and the yard, making the scene exceptionally lively.

Simon, along with Janet, made a round of social calls among the crowd, and before they knew it, more than half an hour had passed.

Returning to the villa, sitting on the sofa chatting with Sandra, Nicole, and others, and resting for a moment, Catherine came over with two others, the owner of De Laurentiis Entertainment, Dino De Laurentiis, and the president, Martha Schumacher.

After

 greetings, Dino De Laurentiis said, "Simon, can we talk alone?"

Simon, reading the expression on the other's face, guessed what was coming and nodded, "Sure, Dino, let's go to the study."

Janet, seeing Simon had business, also stood up and said to the others, "Then, why don't you all come to my studio to see some new paintings I've completed recently."

Dino De Laurentiis, seeing Janet was leading the others away, added, "Miss Johnston, perhaps you could join us as well."

Janet blinked but simply smiled, "Simon's decision is my decision."

Saying this, Janet led Sandra, Nicole, and the others to her studio in the villa.

Simon then led Dino De Laurentiis and Martha Schumacher to the study typically used for hosting guests.

Dino De Laurentiis's purpose was indeed as Simon had guessed—the pair were interested in the massive earnings Simon and Janet had obtained from "Run Lola Run."

Since its release on June 19, "Night of the Living Dead" had grossed $11.56 million in its first week, far exceeding the initial expectations of De Laurentiis Entertainment.

However, due to Simon's involvement, the film's cinematography and technical details were excellent, but the story was somewhat mediocre. Based on the box office trend these days, the film's final gross was expected to be between $30 million to $40 million.

Compared to the $5 million production cost, this box office performance was certainly outstanding. But even with the pre-sales income from later distribution channels, this film's earnings couldn't save De Laurentiis Entertainment, which had expanded too ambitiously in recent years, from the brink of bankruptcy.

Dino De Laurentiis, nearly a septuagenarian, had been a producer in Hollywood since the golden age and had a modest reputation in the industry.

In 1983, Dino De Laurentiis reorganized his long-operated De Laurentiis Film into De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, capitalizing on the favorable overall economic situation in North America and the supportive policies for the media industry from the Reagan administration to rapidly expand.

Since its establishment, De Laurentiis Entertainment had acquired several small film companies and established its own filming base in North Carolina. In just a few years, it had continuously invested in producing more than twenty films, including high-budget films like Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Frontline Warrior" and Diane Keaton's "Sins of the Heart," and acclaimed films like David Lynch's "Blue Velvet."

However, the highest-grossing film among all these was "Sins of the Heart" starring Diane Keaton, which grossed $22 million in North America but had a production cost of $20 million. Other films generally only brought in a few million in box office revenues.

In recent years, even Orion Pictures, which had produced and distributed hits like "Terminator," "First Blood," and "Amadeus," nearly faced receivership last year, highlighting the dire situation of De Laurentiis Entertainment, which had invested in over twenty films without a single box office hit.

Now, Dino De Laurentiis was not ready to give up and thus hoped Simon would inject some funds into De Laurentiis Entertainment to pull the company back from the edge of bankruptcy.

$80 million for 25% of the shares.

This was Dino De Laurentiis's proposal. He also promised to help distribute films produced by Daenerys Film Industry.

Simon had indeed considered how to establish a distribution channel for Daenerys Film Industry. Acquiring other film companies to instantly gain a seasoned distribution team seemed like the best option. However, he didn't regard any of Hollywood's second- or third-tier film companies highly.

Since De Laurentiis Entertainment could push "Night of the Living Dead" into the competitive summer slot, its distribution capability was undoubtedly much stronger than that of emerging companies like New Line and Miramax. But Simon couldn't possibly spend $80 million for just 25% of the shares.

As for the major studios, even a declining MGM could sell for $1.5 billion, which Simon certainly couldn't afford.

So, recently, Simon had been considering more self-reliant options.

Although North America's theater resources were strongly monopolized by the major studios, if Daenerys Film Industry's productions could consistently be hits, opening up North America's domestic theater channels wouldn't be too difficult. As for international markets, those would have to be tackled step by step.

Thus, regarding Dino De Laurentiis's invitation for collaboration, Simon could only decline.

After talking for over twenty minutes and seeing that he couldn't persuade Simon, Dino De Laurentiis and Martha Schumacher had to leave disappointed.

Leaving the study with Dino De Laurentiis and Martha Schumacher, Simon stopped at the exit of the corridor near the living room. He waved to take a glass of wine

 from a waiter's tray and leaned against the wall to take in the scene.

The living room had most of its lights turned off, and an old phonograph played soothing music. Some guests were either standing or sitting around, while couples in the center of the room danced slowly in each other's arms.

...

Disliking the noise of the backyard, I sought refuge here, rebuffing several advances before finally settling into quietude.

Sitting alone on a sofa in a corner, holding a glass of wine, I occasionally wondered where he might be at the moment.

Then I saw him appear.

Leaning against the entrance of the corridor, hiding in the shadows, holding a champagne glass, seemingly deep in thought.

Clearly, he hadn't noticed me.

Yes, just an inconspicuous girl like me.

Feeling somewhat forlorn.

So I continued watching him, worrying and hoping to be noticed.

Minutes passed.

Yet I remained unseen.

There was no disappointment, instead, a feeling of compassion emerged.

For some reason, I could distinctly feel that when he became quiet, he seemed to exude a loneliness as if he was isolated from everything around him, like a mere observer, not truly belonging to this world.

The first time we met at Venice Beach, I sensed this aura from him. But back then, we were strangers, and I couldn't just walk up and ask, "Hi, are you okay?"

Now.

Without realizing, I stood up, slightly nervous, and approached him, whispering, "Hi, do you... want to dance?"

Hearing my voice, Simon turned his head and saw Jennifer Rebel wearing a light blue silk evening gown, her hair down today, covering her pretty neck.

After graduating from Yale in May, Jennifer had moved to Los Angeles to work at the law firm of George Norman. During this time, Simon had seen her more than once, mostly for work, but today was their first private encounter.

Upon hearing her, Simon smiled and nodded, "Sure."

He set his glass aside and reached out to Jennifer, leading her to the dance floor. Following others' examples, he placed his hands on her slender waist, and she rested her arms on his shoulders, her eyes downcast as they gently swayed to the music.

Seeing the girl's shy demeanor, Simon initiated a conversation, "How's your bar exam prep going?"

Although she had earned a Juris Doctor degree, Jennifer wasn't yet a lawyer; she needed to pass the California bar exam in July to obtain her official license.

Feeling his hands on her waist, like a deer caught in a trap yet without the will to escape, she looked up briefly then lowered her gaze again, softly saying, "I don't know if I can be a good lawyer."

"That's certain," Simon confidently replied, "You're a Yale graduate, after all. If you can't make it, there aren't many in the entire country who can."

"I mean," she pondered, then added, "I might not be able to treat being a lawyer as just a profession, like my parents and uncle do."

Simon understood her somewhat vague explanation.

In the US, lawyers are among the highest-earning groups, and they can transition into politics or business anytime. However, if you aspire to be a top-tier lawyer, you often have to set aside your sense of justice, purely advocating for your clients' interests, whether they're a pedophile or a murderer.

With that thought, Simon suggested after a moment, "Jenny, why don't you come work for me?"

Jennifer paused, then looked up suddenly before her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her gaze again, "Me, you, what kind of work?"

Simon, smiling, replied, "My assistant."

She immediately thought of the recent rumors about him asking an actress to be his secretary at his company. Her cheeks grew even redder, but she involuntarily said, "I don't really understand Hollywood stuff, I don't know if I could do well."

Simon, still smiling, reassured her, "Let's settle on that then. Actually, I've been looking for an assistant for a while, but haven't found the right one yet."

Seeing his eagerness, she felt like a little rabbit pinned by a big grey wolf, or like Little Red Riding Hood who let the wolf into her grandmother's house.

In any case, the endings for those stories were quite grim.

Yet she found herself not wanting to resist.

Even feeling a bit excited.

So she asked again, "Really, can I?"

"Of course," Simon nodded, "Many top executives in Hollywood come from law backgrounds, like Disney's CEO Frank Wells. Maybe you could be the president of Daenerys Film Industry one day."

Reassured, she smiled, looked up at him briefly, and asked, "What about Amy?"

"Amy will definitely be promoted."

"And you?"

"I'm the boss, of course. The best would be if I didn't have to work at all

."

"Truly lazy."

"Ha, remember to remind me to add a clause in the employment contract—mocking the boss results in a pay cut."

"I won't remind you."