Chapter 311: Blockbuster Late Fees

Brad Pitt seemed to have opinions about working with Tom Cruise on Interview with the Vampire. Arthur could understand, after all, Tom Cruise is a very self-centered person; However, in this situation, he couldn't say to breach the contract.

Indeed, Tom Cruise doesn't like being overshadowed, and Brad Pitt certainly posed a threat to his uniqueness.

Halfway through the party, Arthur left with Catherine Zeta-Jones, letting the cast of Se7en enjoy the revelry to the fullest!

"I'm planning to go back to the UK, Arthur," said Catherine Zeta-Jones, who had just taken a shower, sitting on Arthur's lap at the Beverly Hills villa.

"So soon?" Arthur thought she would stay for a few more days.

"Yeah, there's still work to be done in the UK," Catherine Zeta-Jones said, wrapping her arms around Arthur's neck, "You should come to the UK if you have time. An exceptional British film Four Weddings and a Funeral and a French film Fanfan brought Galaxy to the forefront this year!"

Arthur smiled, "I'll see if I have the chance."

Then, he pressed Catherine Zeta-Jones onto the bed...

...

On the other side, Eli Broad and Edward Roski Jr., the real estate giants of Los Angeles, acquired Arthur's real estate project in Koreatown.

Eli Broad was 60 years old, and Edward Roski Jr. was 53. Together, they acquired the housing and commercial street project in Koreatown from the California Pacific Real Estate Fund.

Eli Broad, who loved collecting art, was admiring a painting and spoke to Edward Roski Jr., sitting on the sofa, "Do you think we've offended the youngest billionaire in Hollywood?"

Edward Roski Jr. waved his hand, "As long as we don't obstruct his new arena in downtown, he won't pay attention to us. Arthur Smith's focus isn't on real estate, though his plan for a new arena is indeed ambitious!"

Eli Broad shook his head, "We should still be cautious. Why did Donald Sterling sell the Clippers to him? It's quite intriguing. He is a big shot in Hollywood now, and young too. If he gets impulsive, the consequences could be severe. So, we should quickly fulfill our promise to help him get the permit for the downtown arena!"

"Relax. The new arena's construction actually benefits us too," Edward Roski Jr. smiled, as they also owned land in downtown. With the economic boost from the new arena, the value of their land would also rise.

"Plus, this matter isn't quite related to us. It was Donald Bren who offended Arthur Smith, especially from their previous conflicts over control of the Irvine Company," Edward Roski Jr. was genuinely not too worried.

...

As Thanksgiving approached in late November, Arthur took Yu Feihong to the Thanksgiving Day Parade in West Hollywood.

On Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, the atmosphere was lively, and the crowd was bustling. Although the temperature in Los Angeles had dropped a bit, it didn't dampen the festive spirit!

With neon lights flashing, colorful and bright, Yu Feihong and Arthur leaned against the car, "It's so bustling here. Just a month until Christmas, and many places have begun Christmas celebrations."

Yu Feihong, wearing a long trench coat and crossing her arms, was quite curious about this way of celebrating.

Arthur was surprised, "Didn't you see this kind of scene last year?"

"I hadn't been here long last year. I was busy learning English and getting acquainted with the environment. I spent most of my time in the dorm or at home. How could I join American parades or celebrations?" Yu Feihong explained.

"I see," Arthur wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her directly, "From now on, you can always join these activities."

"Mm," Yu Feihong immediately wrapped her arms around Arthur's neck and responded proactively.

After the kiss ended, they got into the car.

In the evening, after celebrating Thanksgiving at a restaurant in the Grove shopping center, Arthur and Yu Feihong strolled around the nearby La Brea Tar Pits Prehistoric Park.

"Do you know about the VCD players from the last time you went back home?" Arthur inquired.

Yu Feihong linked her arm with Arthur's, "I saw it on the news. VCD players are at least half the price of LaserDisc players and VCRs. Moreover, the price of VCDs is only one-tenth of LaserDiscs and videotapes. Right now, Wanyan Company is aggressively promoting VCDs, acquiring more than a dozen video stores, and launching various karaoke discs. Once VCD players are mass-produced, the price will drop even further!"

Arthur smiled, "Looks like the days when VCDs will replace LaserDiscs and videotapes aren't far off."

Yu Feihong glanced around the nearby streets, "There are video rental stores everywhere in America. I reckon they'll all be stocking VCDs by then!"

The two of them walked to a nearby pedestrian street. Arthur pointed at a Blockbuster store not far away, "There are about 9,000 video rental stores like this one in the US. The three largest chains are Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, and Movie Gallery. Especially Blockbuster; it alone has 3,700 brick-and-mortar stores!"

"That's a lot. Americans love renting videos on weekends," Yu Feihong understood this well enough. Almost every American household owns a VCR.

Arthur shook his head slightly, "A significant portion of these video rental stores' revenue now comes from late fees. You know, duplicating videotapes isn't cheap. How many copies can a store prepare for each movie?"

Blockbuster's rise was due to its barcode catalog and large-scale stockpiling of movies, which led to many mom-and-pop shops being swallowed up by Blockbuster. How could small chains afford to stockpile so many films?

"Let's go back," Arthur checked his watch; it was getting late.

"Yeah, Thanksgiving isn't as lively as Christmas," Yu Feihong also wanted to head back.

Once in the parking lot, they kissed as soon as they got in the car. "Mmm," Arthur embraced Yu Feihong, feeling the softness of her body.

"Honk, honk, honk!" A beeping sound interrupted them. Yu Feihong quickly got off Arthur and sat in the passenger seat, adjusting her clothes as she said, "Let's just go home!"

Arthur grumbled a couple of complaints internally, then started the car, giving way. He rolled down the window to see what had disturbed them.

"Fuck," a big bearded head emerged from the window of a Chevrolet, cursing at Arthur and flipping him off!

"Son of a bitch..."

"Shit..."

Yu Feihong knew Arthur had a temper and couldn't bear insults, quickly comforted him, "Arthur, let's just go, ignore them."

"I really can't let this slide. Just wait for me in the car for a moment." Arthur took a deep breath and got out of the car.

The other man, who had been cursing, stopped the car and got out with a sneer as he saw Arthur approach.

A burly white man, accompanied by a black woman who kept yapping away!

"You dared to get out, huh? I'll teach you..." The man hadn't finished when Arthur's fist connected with his face.

"Bam!" Arthur's punch knocked the man onto his car, but Arthur wasn't satisfied and followed it up with two more heavy punches to the man's kidneys.

"Ohh," the man moaned in pain. Arthur then grabbed his hair and slammed his head against the car door a few more times, "That's for your filthy mouth and flipping me off."

The black woman started rushing towards Arthur with her sharp nails out, screaming. But as she got close, Arthur turned and, with a fierce punch, sent her flying two meters away.

She lay on the ground, spitting blood and teeth, her face swelling visibly.

Arthur glanced at the bloodied man leaning on the car, then delivered a final knee to his kidneys.

"Ah..." The man collapsed to the ground, twitching.

"Ah, that felt great," Arthur thought to himself. He felt like he could take on three to five big guys easily.

"Hurry, let's go," Yu Feihong urged as Arthur got back in the car. "Aren't you worried? Even though no one saw, what if they had more people or guns?"

Arthur smiled, opening a hidden compartment in the car, revealing two pistols.

"I always check things out first. Otherwise, why would I get involved directly? I usually have bodyguards with me."

"Don't worry, it's a small matter. I just need to avoid being photographed by reporters." Arthur wasn't too concerned since this wasn't the smartphone era where anything and everything could be recorded. As long as he was mindful of his surroundings, he would be fine.

Even if such news surfaced, not many newspapers would dare publish it. Any small paper that did would be out of business the next day.

"You have such a bad temper," Yu Feihong wondered why Arthur sometimes loved to throw punches.

Arthur patted her leg, "Mainly because that guy wouldn't shut up, constantly swearing."

*****

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