Chapter 102: Harlem

In the morning, Charles Carpe was lying in bed in Britney Spears' bedroom, chatting with her.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom, one could see the distant skyline of Midtown Manhattan and the beautiful park scenery nearby.

"I bought this limited edition Audemars Piguet men's watch for you from Europe. Isn't it gorgeous?" Britney took out a box and revealed a silver-black Royal Oak Series watch.

Charles picked it up, looked at it, and nodded, "This is exactly my style, thank you!"

After speaking, he set the watch aside and kissed the lady. After they kissed for a while, Charles held her close to the head of the bed and asked,

"Have you noticed that there's been less gossip about you lately?"

Britney leaned her face against Charles' chest, tracing circles on his abs with her hand, and replied, "I rarely read entertainment news now. Anyway, I've been on tour abroad, so let them write whatever they want. Besides, Mrs. Carpe said she would handle anything for me and that I should call her if I have any issues. She even stayed abroad with me for a while this year!"

Charles nodded and reminded her, "Don't let Justin exploit you anymore. He's got a nasty scheme. Janet Jackson's music career basically ended because of him this year."

Britney was startled and looked up in surprise, "Janet Jackson's singing career is over?"

"Pretty much. There was that slip-up during the Super Bowl halftime show, broadcast live on TV, and now we're in special times," Charles didn't elaborate further because he knew Britney wouldn't understand.

First of all, she's Black; and secondly, she's Michael Jackson's sister, and Michael Jackson was globally infamous at that time because of the child molestation case.

Janet Jackson was indeed targeted. Compared to Madonna's antics during her concerts, Janet faced much harsher consequences.

"I know, Mrs. Carpe has briefed me on how to handle interviews," Britney's mind really couldn't handle too many complex things.

Charles changed positions and embraced her, asking, "Your concerts this year haven't been too sexy, right?"

"No, Mrs. Carpe instructed that now was not the appropriate time," Britney Spears looked at Charles and whispered, "In the future, I'll keep my sexiest side just for you, okay?"

"Of course, dear!" Charles said, giving her another kiss. 

At noon, Charles left for the Focus Features office, much to Britney's reluctance.

"Brokeback Mountain faced a lot of opposition and protests from conservatives," James Schamus, sitting next to Charles on the sofa, handed him a cup of coffee.

Taking a sip of coffee, Charles smiled, "That's to be expected, but it's election season, and the movie has a lot of support from liberals!"

"If we win something at next month's Venice Film Festival, it will be great publicity for the movie," analyzed James Schamus.

Charles set down his coffee and smiled, "Such taboo-breaking movies are always darlings of film festival juries. Fahrenheit 9/11 did win the Palme d'Or at Cannes, didn't it?"

"Let's hope so," James Schamus smiled and asked, "Charles, interested in going to Italy too?"

"Haha, but unfortunately, the Euro Cup is over. Otherwise, I'd like to go too!" Charles had a lot of work and didn't want to travel abroad unnecessarily.

"Oh, God, do you plan on winning a few hundred million euros from Italy?" James Schamus laughed heartily.

When Charles left Focus Features, it was already evening. He drove north along Third Avenue in East Harlem.

Charles was heading to Harlem, located at the northern edge of Central Park. East Harlem is situated north of the Upper East Side, adjacent to Harlem.

After reaching 124th Street, he drove west, crossing Lexington Avenue, Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Fifth Avenue before stopping in front of a mansion.

Charles was visiting Chris Gardner, the real-life inspiration for The Pursuit of Happiness, a Black man in a suit with a bald head.

"Good evening, Mr. Gardner."

"Charles, come on in. God bless you!"

Following Chris Gardner into the house, they went to the study to discuss the movie adaptation of his personal story.

Charles thought these things could be easily settled, but Gardner wanted to hear the specific ideas for the movie adaptation of his life.

Since Will Smith was busy with his movie Hitch, only Charles could come to see Chris Gardner.

By the time Charles left Chris Gardner's house, two hours had passed. He found it easy to convince Gardner to authorize the adaptation.

Driving his Mercedes SLR, he headed east toward Madison Avenue, then south to return to Soho.

As he passed the corner of Marcus Garvey Park, he noticed two young men robbing a passerby's backpack, illuminated by Charles' headlights.

*****

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