Chapter 512: The Death Row and the Bad Boys

[Chapter 577: The Death Row Inmate and the Bad Boys]

In late November, The English Patient held its premiere at the Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, Los Angeles.

At the same time, Yahoo was listed on Nasdaq in New York, soaring to a market value reached 1 billion. After dilution, Arthur's California Pacific Investment Company still held more than 30% stake in Yahoo.

Las Vegas,

In the afternoon, Sheldon Adelson accompanied Arthur to the construction site of the Venetian Resort, which was undergoing demolition. "The scenes where your crew used a plane to crash into the hotel back in September were pretty shocking," Sheldon joked.

Arthur smiled wryly, "It was just a junked plane being towed for shooting purposes."

"Give it less than three years, and the Venetian will rise here," Sheldon said, glancing at Arthur. "Your investment is sure to pay unexpected dividends."

Arthur nodded; by then, the Venetian would have 400 rooms managed by the Ritz-Carlton.

...

After spending three days in Las Vegas, Arthur returned to Los Angeles.

In the office at Galaxy MGM, Arthur leaned back in his chair. "I don't know whether to call Barry Weiss useless or just call him trash."

This September, Death Row Records' rapper 2Pac had been killed in Las Vegas; everyone knew it was part of the East Coast-West Coast rap war, and 2Pac had certainly been taken out by the bad boys of the East Coast.

Bad Boy's boss, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and his notorious star undoubtedly bore some responsibility for this. Yet the heads of Death Row Records and Galaxy Records, Barry Weiss, seemed to be taking his time with any action? 2Pac's albums had sold exceptionally well; Death Row was basically Galaxy's cash cow.

That evening, Barry Weiss ran into Arthur at a club in Westwood. "Death Row Records is already working on a response. We won't let this go lightly - that East Coast crew will surely pay for this."

Arthur waved his hand dismissively, "I'm not concerned about whatever chaotic East Coast rap gang stuff is going on. I just know that Death Row's performance has taken a nosedive. That's unacceptable. After giving them so many resources and channels, they can't even handle a little thing like this? That's a colossal failure. If a East Coast label that's only been around for three years, Bad Boy Records, can surpass them, Galaxy would be embarrassed."

Barry Weiss nodded, "We'll have news soon."

It wasn't surprising that Arthur felt this way; Death Row Records, backed by Galaxy Group, had almost no competition in the entire West Coast rap scene. Given that their marquee artist had been gunned down by the East Coast, it would be unacceptable for them to remain quiet!

"All a bunch of gangsters, pretending to be good people with me?" After Barry Weiss left, Arthur couldn't help but curse the top brass at Death Row Records.

...

After a while, Arthur called in Carl Anderson and gave him a few instructions.

"Arthur," at that moment, Catherine Zeta-Jones approached, looking ecstatic, and hugged Arthur, showering him with kisses.

"What's going on? You seem really happy?" Arthur asked as he embraced Catherine Zeta-Jones.

"I signed a contract for a role today with Sony Columbia for The Mask of Zorro, the female lead. The producer mentioned that I was recommended by you!"

The Mask of Zorro was a serious blockbuster, with Steven Spielberg as one of the producers. The director was Martin Campbell, who had previously directed GoldenEye, and the male lead was none other than Spanish heartthrob Antonio Banderas.

Arthur smiled, "That's perfect for you. I've always said your classic look is beautiful, with a kind of noble wildness!"

"Yeah, I heard MGM invested in Titanic. Aren't you worried about it flopping?" Catherine Zeta-Jones asked, wrapping her arms around Arthur's neck. "The papers aren't optimistic about this film, plus the lead actress is Kate Winslet, who, if I recall, had a role in Sense and Sensibility."

Arthur reached over and caressed the soft fabric of Catherine Zeta-Jones's top, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "James Cameron has a preference for full-figured women. I've seen Kate Winslet, and yeah, she's rather voluptuous, but not as pretty as you."

Catherine Zeta-Jones smiled, "There's nothing wrong with a curvy woman, right?"

"Hmm," Arthur leaned in directly to kiss her because, after all, Monica Bellucci was also on the fuller side, and Arthur certainly preferred that!

*****

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