Chapter 359: Each Takes What They Require

Los Angeles, in a private club in Westwood.

Charles gently stirred the coffee in front of him with a coffee spoon, sitting across from him was Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corporation.

"Did you get some payback for Harvey Weinstein this time?" Rupert Murdoch asked with a smile.

Charles looked up, "Isn't the bigger issue that Hollywood's reputation is in the gutter this time? Hillary, the leading female candidate, lost millions in donations too. Turning Hollywood into a place where people are constantly on edge does curb their ambition to engage in political activities, but eventually, it damages Hollywood's prestige, doesn't it?"

Rupert Murdoch hadn't expected this young man to complain first, who was supporting women's rights? Who was shouting about respecting women and kicking out the toxins of Hollywood?

"This farce needs to end, for the sake of Hollywood itself. A chaotic Hollywood ultimately harms our interests!" Rupert Murdoch hadn't anticipated things would spiral out of control to this extent; it certainly surpassed manageable boundaries.

"You guys want to protect Harvey Weinstein, the savior of modern cinema, the king of indie film?" Charles asked with a smile.

"Charles, you're a big player now; you should know that blowing Harvey Weinstein's issue out of proportion will only create more problems, involving more people. Today it's Harvey Weinstein, tomorrow it could be Morgan Freeman, and the day after, Woody Allen.

Is there anyone clean in Hollywood? You know this too. Harvey will leave Hollywood; the bottom line is, he doesn't go to prison!"

Listening to Rupert Murdoch, Charles realized that for Hollywood, handling the matter this way was indeed best. If it went public, the damage to Hollywood's reputation would be too great.

"It's already getting a lot of attention; just letting it cool off may not work," Charles, as part of Hollywood's elite, enjoyed the perks and would not ruin these unspoken rules.

The matter was stirred up by News Corporation; Charles merely fanned the flames, taking Hollywood scandals down a notch for the dizzy stars.

At least, now the Democrats had stopped using celebrities for flamboyant fundraising.

Don't forget, the Democrats' mouthpiece CNN, which vies with Republican Fox News, is owned by Time Warner.

Rupert Murdoch's move caused significant losses to Hollywood, and the pressure was high.

"TV actor Bill Cosby, the 'America's Dad' figure in American hearts, has drugged and assaulted many women over the years. The Hollywood Women's Club could go after him; the evidence is easy to find," Rupert Murdoch wanted to ensure Hollywood's stability, aiming the outlet at a major TV figure.

Bill Cosby, a seventy-something African American TV comedy star, "America's Dad"!

Charles didn't speak, just smiled. Whether it was feminism or anything else, Charles didn't really care. What about his interests?

"Charles, we're on the same side now. Without Harvey, the king of indie films, apart from the six major studios, your Capet Pictures is the strongest. You've gained quite a bit. You and I need to stand against the pressure from within Hollywood!"

Charles nodded, "Two conditions: first, I need support from 20th Century Fox to replace MGM as the seventh MPAA member. Second, I'm eyeing The Weinstein Company. Let them sell it to me. With money, he can resolve these troubles too.

Universal and Sony both support me gaining an MPAA membership seat. With 20th Century Fox's vote, that's three. Mr. Murdoch, you have a good relationship with Viacom's Sumner Redstone; convincing Paramount to support me shouldn't be hard!"

The mask falls off; Charles had done all this aiming for an MPAA membership!

Without an MPAA membership, Capet Pictures could never be counted among Hollywood's top players. Now that Hollywood's stability required his efforts, Hollywood should grant him the status and position he deserves.

"MPAA is a community of shared interests. Capet Pictures joining is also good for us. 20th Century Fox can support you and help lobby Paramount," Rupert Murdoch considered Charles' conditions and knew Capet wanted to join MPAA for a long time.

"However, for Hollywood's stability and to compensate for some losses, The Weinstein Company will be sold to new investors. Bob Weinstein will still manage the company. Dimension Films, the most important asset, is off-limits. Besides, you already have Matrix Pictures, you don't need Dimension."

It was a settled matter that Capet Pictures would replace MGM. Last year, MPAA Chairman Dan Glickman strongly pushed for Capet Pictures to become a full member.

But they collectively blocked it since MPAA membership would significantly boost Capet Pictures' development.

However, to make Charles Capet stop the excessive pressure on Harvey Weinstein, making Capet Pictures an MPAA full member was acceptable.

Charles nodded, showing a sunny smile typical of the West Coast, "I am part of Hollywood too, and I'll definitely contribute to maintaining Hollywood's status as the world's movie capital. Hollywood's stability is tied to our interests. Feminism needs an outlet; if Bill Cosby isn't enough, we can target some European directors.

Roman Polanski, Bernardo Bertolucci - which international directors don't have a history of molesting or assaulting actresses? Roman Polanski still has an American arrest warrant. Redirecting the scandals to Europe would reduce Hollywood's spotlight."

Now having gotten what he wanted, Charles began to offer ideas. No matter how dirty Hollywood's inside was, the facade needed to stay clean!

"Alright, the priority now is to stop those pointless reports. After you go back, handle the Hollywood Women's Club matter," Rupert Murdoch said, looking at Charles.

"And no more actions against Harvey Weinstein!"

Harvey Weinstein was a typical Hollywood figure; his downfall would only prove how filthy Hollywood was.

Knowing is one thing, reporting it is another.

"Relax, notify that fat guy to quickly use money to settle those women; Hollywood's reputation is already badly tainted by him alone," Charles stood up, waving his hand.

"If he can't handle the trouble, I'll handle the troublemakers!"

*****

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