[200 POWER STONE = 1 Extra Chapter]
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Los Angeles.
The Bel Air neighborhood, adjacent to Beverly Hills. It was Saturday night.
Yesterday, after formally signing the overseas distribution contract for Run Lola Run with Warner, Simon received an invitation from Warner Bros. Pictures CEO Terry Semel to attend a party he was hosting that evening.
"This is a very clever romantic comedy called When Harry Met Sally. It tells the story of the protagonists Harry and Sally's emotional journey over twelve years—from meeting, disliking each other, getting along, understanding one another, to finally falling in love. The story is somewhat similar to Woody Allen's Annie Hall, but without Woody Allen's neuroticism, making it warmer and more fun."
At the party site in the mansion's courtyard, Terry Semel held a cocktail, smiling as he listened to Simon finish, but shook his head. "Simon, for Annie Hall, what audiences love is precisely Woody Allen's neurotic intellectualism. From your description, When Harry Met Sally is another romantic sketch driven by dialogue and emotional shifts. Films like this, without Woody Allen's prowess to support them or big-name actors involved, struggle to generate much audience interest."
Simon also held a cocktail, standing across from Terry Semel. Hearing this, he still smiled, neither humble nor arrogant. "Terry, perhaps you should take a look at the script first. If Warner is interested in this film, I could even shoot a sample reel upfront. This is absolutely a movie worth investing in."
"Simon, if you paid a little attention, you'd notice that Hollywood hasn't had a hit romance in ten years, let alone a plot-light romantic sketch." Terry Semel still shook his head, then shifted gears. "Simon, you're a very talented screenwriter. So why not try writing scripts like Beverly Hills Cop or Lethal Weapon—those are the trends in Hollywood these past few years. If you have ideas in that vein, feel free to contact me anytime."
Beverly Hills Cop was Paramount's North American box office champion in 1984.
Lethal Weapon belonged to Warner; the film had been released a month ago.
Warner buying the script for $250,000 had caused a minor stir in Hollywood at the time. Though it had been firmly suppressed by Run Lola Run since its release, Lethal Weapon had already grossed nearly $40 million in North America, with projected total domestic box office likely exceeding $60 million.
Relative to its $15 million production cost, Warner had made a hefty profit.
Since partnering with Warner, Simon had taken the opportunity to learn more about this one of the Big Seven film companies.
The result was that Warner Bros., which he had imagined as very powerful, had actually been in worse shape than Fox in recent years. For example, last year, Warner's highest-grossing film, Sylvester Stallone's Cobra, had only totaled just over $49 million in North America.
Learning this, Simon was no longer surprised why Warner had paid a relatively high price for the overseas distribution rights to Run Lola Run.
In this era, overseas releases for films were typically delayed by three to six months or more.
Warner undoubtedly had a very comprehensive global film distribution network, but right now, the studio itself had no films worth distributing worldwide under its own banner. Maintaining all those overseas branches without films to release was clearly a massive waste of resources.
Thus, Run Lola Run became an excellent choice.
With Run Lola Run's projected North American box office exceeding $200 million, overseas distribution carried no risk of loss whatsoever. If handled well, the film could easily gross at least $100 million overseas. The video and TV broadcast cycles were a bit longer, but they would surely bring in very substantial profits.
With these thoughts in mind, Simon could only nod to Terry Semel. "If I have similar ideas, I'll definitely do that."
"Well, that's it for now," Terry Semel said, then turned to Janet beside Simon. "Miss Johnston, your negotiations these past days have been truly impressive. Interested in working at Warner?"
Janet smiled and shook her head. "Terry, are you offering me your position?"
"Heh, that's not something I can decide," Terry Semel chuckled, raising his glass lightly to the two. "Enjoy yourselves, have fun."
With that, Terry Semel turned and walked away.
Simon watched Terry Semel's departing figure, noticing Janet's eyes flickering beside him. He smiled and said, "You've been dealing with studios these days; you must know Universal's president Frank Price, right?"
Janet nodded, puzzled.
Simon continued, "Back when Spielberg wanted to make E.T., Frank Price was very skeptical of the project. He thought Spielberg's idea of making a kids' movie was crazy. In the end, it was Universal's parent company CEO Sid Sheinberg who personally approved it, and the project went through."
Janet's lips curved up. "And then?"
"What happened next, everyone knows—E.T. had a production cost of just $10.5 million, but global box office exceeded $700 million."
Janet had become increasingly familiar with many things in Hollywood during this time. Now, she couldn't help but say, "$10.5 million, how interesting."
Hollywood blockbusters typically had production budgets that were relatively loose round numbers. $10.5 million, with its precise figure, was enough to show how stingy Universal had been with E.T. back then.
"Indeed. So after E.T.'s success, Spielberg publicly announced to all of Hollywood that he would never work with Frank Price again. For projects like Back to the Future where he served as executive producer, Spielberg even specifically wrote that clause into the contracts."
Janet smiled and linked her arm with Simon's. "In the future, we'll write all those who rejected you into our contracts too."
"I wouldn't do something so pointless," Simon shook his head. "Speaking of which, I just wanted to tell you that in Hollywood, everyone gets rejected, and everyone has to get used to being rejected."
Terry Semel had invited Simon tonight simply to build a connection with this promising young Hollywood filmmaker. But with the external overwhelmingly negative reviews still bombarding The Butterfly Effect, Terry Semel wouldn't rashly commit to any collaboration with Simon. Moreover, When Harry Met Sally wasn't even a script Simon had written himself.
The two stayed at Terry Semel's party until around nine-thirty before excusing themselves and leaving.
Back at the Palisades mansion, the answering machine light in the villa's living room was still flashing. Janet ran upstairs to change, while Simon listened to the message from Amy Pascal and simply called her back.
Janet came downstairs again at some point, wearing a loose white sweater and jeans. She went to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee, then returned and curled up on the sofa like a kitten, watching Simon on the phone.
Simon and Amy talked on the phone for a full half-hour before he hung up.
He walked over, picked up the coffee Janet had poured, and relaxed back into the sofa.
Janet had already overheard most of it from the side. Now, leaning sideways toward him, she said, "New World Pictures rejected it too?"
Simon nodded.
New World Pictures was the film company that had acquired Marvel Entertainment last year, originally founded by the king of B-movies, Roger Corman. It had been in rapid expansion in recent years. Though it didn't have as many hits as Orion, due to inheriting Roger Corman's cautious management philosophy, New World's operations were much stronger than those of similar second-tier studios like Orion or Cannon.
These days, Simon and Amy had been separately seeking investors for When Harry Met Sally, with New World Pictures being one of the potential partners.
Now, obviously, it had failed again.
Hearing Simon's confirmation, Janet frowned slightly. "So what now?"
"Now isn't a good time to seek partners for When Harry Met Sally. I've told Amy to pause for now," Simon said, without the concern in Janet's tone. "Next week, we'll see The Butterfly Effect's first-week box office and second-week drop. If things improve, Amy and I will contact some independent film investment funds. Once we secure funding, finding a distributor will be easy. Finally, if it really doesn't work out, we'll invest ourselves—but that would definitely push shooting to the end of the year, and subsequent distribution wouldn't be easy either."
Janet fiddled with the fabric on Simon's shirt shoulder, listening to him lay it out so clearly. In a soft tone, she said, "Goldberg these past two days has been acting like he's about to be boiled alive, and David and Brian are all very anxious too. Simon, do you really not care about those bad reviews? I don't even dare look at them; they're too much."
Simon sensed something unusual in Janet's tone and pulled one of her small hands into his, holding it. "Do you want to see me pretend to be worried?"
Janet's eyes flickered, and she shook her head. "No."
Simon set the coffee cup back on the table in front of him and gently pulled. Janet followed the motion and lay down, her head pillowed on his lap.
Gazing at the woman in his arms with her eyes shimmering, Simon brushed aside the blonde hair covering her neck and looked down at her earnestly. "Including those doubts from a while back and the media's bad reviews now—honestly, I don't feel much about them at all. Because I know exactly who I am, what abilities I have, and what I can achieve in the future. Those people's petty actions might delay my steps, might cause me some trouble, but no matter what, they can't stop me from moving forward. To use a slightly arrogant metaphor, The lion doesn't concern himself with sheep."
"Simon..." Janet lifted her hand, carefully touching the man's face, and whispered, "You will truly conquer the world."
"Yeah," Simon turned his head to kiss her palm and smiled. "So when that time comes, show some mercy and don't destroy my world, okay?"
"Mm."
Janet nodded very seriously, still gazing up at the man above her. Suddenly, her eyes held a hint of reluctance as she asked softly, "Simon, what about us? Our future?"
"Us?" Simon's fingertip traced her delicate cheek, his voice gentle. "It's still a bit early now. In a few years, we'll get married. Then, have a few kids—you be the good cop, I'll be the bad cop, and we'll raise them together."
Janet's eyes held longing as she listened to Simon finish, but then she shook her head, catching one of his hands and hugging it to her chest. "No, that's not it. It shouldn't be like that. Simon, you're a lion, the king of the savanna, destined to conquer the world. How can you be held back by a little cat and turn into a mediocre man guarding his tiny home? It shouldn't be like that."
Simon sensed Janet's emotions growing increasingly off. He lifted her up and placed her on his lap, gazing into her eyes that had unknowingly dimmed. A surge of pity rose in his heart. Earnestly, he said, "Jenny, did something I said just now make you misunderstand? If so, I apologize."
"No," Janet shook her head, leaning in to kiss his lips, then nestling against his chest, hugging him tightly as she murmured, "Simon, last time on your birthday, I said I wouldn't become a burden to you."
Simon hugged the woman in his arms just as tightly, firm. "You aren't, of course not. How could a little cat burden a lion?"
"But that's exactly the case," Janet said dreamily. "You know, Simon, I love you so much. This isn't some clumsy love at first sight, because from a very young age, I knew that in this life, I'd either be free and alone forever, or I'd love just one person forever. I always thought the first option was more likely. But at 27, I suddenly fell in love with a young man. He's smart, strong, lonely, mysterious, crazy, determined, but at the same time, he indulges me when I act up, spoils me when I'm willful, protects me when I'm drunk, trusts me when I'm working. I know it's because a lion doesn't care himself with a kitten's antics, but I fell in love anyway. I'm not like Kate, hesitant and timid, so since I love him, I have to grab this man tightly."
Simon reached out and pinched her crystalline earlobe gently, his voice soft. "It's not nice to talk about Katherine behind her back like that."
Janet's earlobes were very sensitive. Pinched by Simon, her cheeks flushed immediately, but she didn't pull away, still nestled against his chest as she continued, "Then, Simon, after really being together, I quickly discovered your flaw."
"Ah, that," Simon's face showed concern. "Keep it to yourself; don't go spreading it around."
Janet laughed softly, then revealed the answer directly. "Simon, I discovered that deep down, you're the type who likes to indulge those around you, especially the people who love you. You always find it hard to refuse them, always treat them doubly well, and even feel like you haven't done enough."
Simon weakly retorted, "That shouldn't count as a flaw, right?"
"Of course it is," Janet rubbed her cheek against Simon's chest. "Like with me—I always knew you weren't really ready to accept a relationship, but after Christmas Eve last year, you still acknowledged my status." At this point, Janet suddenly looked up at Simon. "Last time in Arizona, Simon, did you sleep with Kate?"
Simon shook his head. "No."
"See, that's it," Janet nestled her face back. "You clearly like Kate more, and Kate actually has feelings for you too. I think you wouldn't even need any sweet talk—just carry Kate to your room in Arizona and pin her to the bed, and she wouldn't resist much. But you didn't do it. That's the burden—my burden on you."
"That's what I should do," Simon patted Janet's back. "If any other man dared carry you off, I'd definitely kill him."
"You won't get that chance; I can kill him too," Janet said, patting his shoulder. "Don't interrupt."
"Okay."
Janet continued, "And these adjustments to the Run Lola Run revenues lately—that supplemental contract. Simon, I can feel your guilt. You want to accumulate more capital quickly, but you feel it's unfair to me, that you're not giving me enough, that doing this makes you seem selfish. But how could that be? Simon, I only put in $400,000 initially, but now I can get back $67 million. A 168-fold return—what kind of greedy person would think that's not enough? So, Simon, that's your flaw, a very fatal one. I can sense your detachment and indifference toward the world; it's hard for you to actively love someone. But toward those who love you, you're too soft-hearted, too indulgent."
Simon forced a smile. "Jenny, you're not disappointed in me now, are you?"
"Of course not," Janet shook her head immediately, looking up at him earnestly. "I love you, Simon. I love your strength, your mystery, your indifference. But if you were truly cold and heartless to everyone in the world, I might love you, but I definitely wouldn't want to be with you. Your flaw actually makes me love you even more. But at the same time, your flaw has made me your burden."
Simon couldn't help interrupting. "Jenny, it's not like that."
Janet lifted her hand to press against Simon's lips and continued, "Last month, in the Malibu villa, I asked if you wanted to marry me quickly so you could have half my fortune. I could feel your panic then, yet you still joked with me as if nothing happened. Just now, you were able to calmly tell me that in a few years, you'd marry me, have a few kids—you be the good cop, me the bad cop. Clearly, you've thought about this more than once during this time. You know I look forward to things like that, because I'm 27 now—a 27-year-old woman definitely looks forward to marriage. Since I love you, I do look forward to it. And I have no doubt you'd fulfill your promise, because you would. But this makes me realize even more that you're only 19 right now. A 19-year-old boy should be flying free. And my king, my lion king of the savanna, needs to conquer the world unburdened, not hastily consider marriage and kids because of a little cat's hold, rushing back to family life."
Janet said this, not waiting for Simon to respond, and hugged her boyfriend tightly. Quickly, she added, "So, Simon, let's start over. From the state of our first meeting that evening in Burbank. That day, standing by the roadside, you said you came from Watsonville Mental Hospital. I thought then, this boy is so cool."
Simon felt the woman in his arms tremble slightly after saying this. He gently patted her waist. "Jenny, I think we should go take a bath together now, then get a good night's sleep."
Janet didn't let go, whispering, "Simon, I'm not breaking up with you. Loving one person for a lifetime—how could we break up? I just don't want to be your burden. So, let's be like Harry and Sally, starting over as friends. I won't disturb your life, won't interfere with your work—if you need, I can still help manage the company. But for now, we're not lovers, okay?"
Simon shook his head. "No."
Janet acted as if she hadn't heard his answer, continuing on her own. "I'll move back to Malibu tomorrow. Before meeting you, I always wanted to open a gallery, but I was too lazy—even my little studio was a mess. Now, heh, I have motivation. After Run Lola Run's release, people have been contacting me because of that painting in the movie."
Simon didn't know what to say for a moment and simply remained silent.
Janet finished speaking on her own and fell silent for a good while too before saying again, "Simon, I'm a little scared."
"Hm?"
"When the lion conquers the entire savanna and becomes the true king, will he still care about that little cat from the beginning?"
"Of course," Simon said with certainty. "That's a very selfish lion; what's his will always be his."
"Then why don't you try to keep your little cat right now?"
"Would it work?"
"No."
"Then I won't." Simon patted her. "But you stay here; I'll move out."
"Why?"
"If the paparazzi hear about this, they'll go crazy. I don't want them bothering you. This place is more private than Malibu."
Janet's lips curved up a bit, her eyes glistening. "Then you can stay in Malibu; I'll lend it to you as a friend."
"No."
"You can pay rent."
"Actually, I prefer villas with a more modern style."
Janet thought of her European-style villa in Malibu and the current Mediterranean mansion, hugging Simon's waist even tighter. "You've always been indulging me."
"Yeah, now I don't have to."
"Ugh, little jerk," Janet seemed a bit displeased, reaching to pinch him but with no force at all, softly saying, "If you stay in Malibu, they won't know we—we're temporarily apart."
Simon thought for a moment and nodded. "Okay."
Janet paused, sensing her own wavering, and quickly shook her head. "No, forget it. Stay wherever you want—even run off to live with Kate right now, I don't care. We, we..." Janet murmured a couple of times, then suddenly broke free from Simon's embrace, standing up and stepping back two paces, firm. "Simon Westeros, I'm officially informing you: we're breaking up."
[GodOfReader: If you read my Translator Notes on Chapter 70 i think? you'll know what's gonna happen between them.]