Taking off the black cocktail dress, Sandra Bullock changed back into the plaid shirt and jeans she had been wearing earlier.
She looked at herself in the mirror and found, to her dismay, that she still looked better in this outfit.
However, if she were to attend the 'Run Lola Run' celebration party dressed like this, she would inevitably be sensationalized by the media as a tomboy, and might even have her sexual orientation questioned.
Suddenly famous, she suddenly realized that the media was so full of imagination. Every move she made, every word she spoke, could be interpreted in all sorts of messy ways.
But, thinking of that guy, her own experience was already quite good.
Thinking of this, she ran out of the bedroom and, from the compartment under the coffee table in the living room, pulled out a large stack of recent newspapers, flipping through them with great interest.
"Simon Westeros leaves 'Near Dark' crew early, producer Edward Feldman thanks him for his contributions to the film".
"Simon Westeros moves into mysterious girlfriend's Malibu mansion, beginning sweet cohabitation."
"Janette Johnston's identity revealed: daughter of a mining magnate, family wealth exceeding $2 billion."
"Simon Westeros reaches new film collaboration with Fox Pictures, with a $20 million box office guarantee".
"Rumours of poor internal test screening results for 'The Butterfly Effect', Simon Westeros remains silent when questioned by media".
"'The Butterfly Effect' scheduled for Easter, Simon Westeros attends press conference".
"Simon Westeros meets with well-known Hollywood female publicist Pat Kingsley".
"Columbia girl's shrewd investment: Janet Johnston holds 61.5% stake in 'Run Lola Run', projected to earn over $30 million".
"Simon Westeros views properties in Palisades, plans to move out of girlfriend's mansion, relationship rumoured to be in trouble".
"..."
"..."
Sandra was flipping through with great interest when the door opened and an ordinary-looking brown-haired girl walked in, holding a shoebox.
Seeing Sandra still in her original shirt and pants, she widened her eyes and said, "Sandy, why haven't you changed yet? It's already past six, and the party starts at seven".
Reluctantly putting down the newspaper, Sandra stood up and spread her hands at Gina Krolos, the assistant Jonathan had recently hired for her, saying, "Gina, I still think I look better in this".
"And then be ridiculed by a bunch of media tomorrow?"
Gina Krolos grumbled this, then pulled Sandra back into the bedroom, handing her the shoebox she was holding.
"Hurry and change. I've already called a car for you. We leave in ten minutes, and I'll help you touch up your makeup in the car".
After a busy moment, she finally changed into the black low-cut cocktail dress, put on black high heels, and hurried out of her West Hollywood apartment, heading to the InterContinental Century City Hotel in Century City, Beverly Hills.
Today is Saturday, March 7th.
In the week from February 27th to March 5th, 'Run Lola Run' earned $15.56 million from 536 screens, easily taking the top spot on last week's North American box office chart.
Having already topped the weeks box office, Orion Pictures yesterday expanded 'Run Lola Run' across the East and West Coasts of North America, increasing the number of screens to 1176.
It was said that the film's reception in the East Coast states and counties, where it had its first large-scale opening, was also very strong.
So, at that guy's suggestion, Orion Pictures chose to hold a celebration party for 'Run Lola Run' this weekend.
Arriving outside the InterContinental Century City Hotel, Sandra and Gina, sitting in the specially rented limousine, were both a bit dumbfounded.
Although there was no red carpet, the area outside the hotel was still packed with media reporters.
The two women were momentarily unsure whether to get out of the car.
The crowd of reporters also clearly noticed the hesitant limousine and swarmed around it, immediately starting to take photos of the closed car doors.
Fortunately, after a brief stalemate, several security guards from inside the hotel proactively came over, escorting Sandra and her assistant into the hotel.
Even standing in front of the media photo wall in the hotel lobby, Sandra still felt a lingering awkwardness, yet she had to patiently display a proper smile.
After signing autographs and taking photos, she finally arrived at the hotel's banquet hall.
She had clearly arrived a bit late; the banquet hall was already bustling with people.
However, she still spotted a certain guy at a glance.
Simon, accompanied by Janette, was talking to Mike Medavoy.
Noticing Sandra's arrival, he nodded to Mike Medavoy and walked over.
Coming closer, Simon gently hugged Sandra and said with a smile, "Sandy, you look really beautiful today".
"Thank you, Simon," she replied somewhat shyly, then quickly turned and hugged Janette, casually glancing at the expensive burgundy evening gown the girl was wearing, and added, "Jenny looks beautiful today too".
Although she said this nonchalantly, Sandra felt a pang of bitterness and even a sense of being an ugly duckling.
Suddenly famous, her public attention seemed to have increased dramatically, and she had received a flood of film offers these past few days.
But in reality, her finances were very tight; the evening gown she was wearing was actually rented.
If her parents hadn't temporarily lent her twenty thousand dollars for emergencies, she wouldn't have been able to afford an assistant now.
Ugh, that annoying guy, he earned so much but only gave her $5,000 for her acting fee.
Scrooge!
She mumbled in her heart, but found that no matter what, she couldn't show it, and was even stupidly joking with him.
So foolish.
After chatting for a while, Simon noticed a woman in her thirties, wearing a dark blue evening gown with a capable aura, entering the banquet hall.
So he said something to Sandra, and was about to leave, then thought for a moment and whispered to her, "Sandy, when 'Run Lola Run' starts making money, I'll give everyone a bonus. However, if you're short on cash recently, you can also come to me in advance".
She was immediately stunned, and felt incredibly guilty.
Oh my god.
He must have seen through her thoughts.
How embarrassing.
She quickly shook her head: "No need, Simon, I, uh, I don't have as many places to spend money as you do".
Simon just smiled, patted Sandra's shoulder, and said, "Then you enjoy yourself. I have some other things to do".
Watching him leave with his girlfriend, she felt a slight warmth on her bare shoulder.
She looked around.
It seemed no one was paying attention to them.
Suddenly, she felt a bit wronged and wanted to confide in someone.
Mom, he touched me.
Simon left Sandra and went to the woman he had just seen.
Looking at the woman he had been at loggerheads with for three full days, he smiled and extended his hand, saying, "Good evening, Amy, are you here alone?"
The woman's name was Amy, Amy Pascal, currently Vice President of Fox Pictures.
More precisely, she was the Vice President of Production, similar to Peter Sanders before her.
Simon had specifically inquired about it.
Fox Pictures was headed by Ronald Goldberg, followed by a series of Vice Presidents.
Among them, those closely related to film included three Vice Presidents of Production, two Vice Presidents of Marketing, and others such as the Vice President of Administration, Vice President of Facilities, and so on.
Perhaps realizing that Peter Sanders was not up to the task, Ronald Goldberg had dispatched Amy Pascal to discuss the specific contract with Simon for 'Final Destination'.
An $8 million production budget, a $20 million North American box office guarantee, absolute control over the project, 10% of North American box office revenue, and 5% of video sales revenue.
These terms had already been finalized.
However, there were still a host of details to discuss regarding the film's future release date, screening scale, marketing investment, and other aspects.
Starting from Wednesday, for three days, Amy Pascal's shrewdness, competence, and sufficient assertiveness left a deep impression on Simon, especially compared to Peter Sanders.
Moreover, Simon also had some understanding of the future career trajectory of this female executive.
In the original timeline, Amy Pascal was one of the few female heads of major film studios in Hollywood, controlling Sony Pictures for over a decade.
Simon was recently looking for a professional manager for Danerys Entertainment, and this capable woman in front of him was just perfect.
Amy Pascal had been somewhat puzzled by Simon's invitation to tonight's party, but she still came.
After shaking hands with both Simon and Janet, and hearing Simon's question, she replied, "My boyfriend is on a business trip to New York, so I had to come alone".
Simon nodded and said, "Then let's go inside and chat".
The three walked into the banquet hall together, greeting people and chatting casually.
After a while, Amy Pascal took a glass of champagne that Simon personally handed her.
Seeing his girlfriend discreetly walk away, she then said, "So, Simon, can you tell me why you invited me to this party? I imagine our interactions over the past few days weren't exactly a pleasant experience for you".
"That's your job. If you couldn't argue strongly for your employer, perhaps I wouldn't have extended this invitation".
Amy Pascal raised an eyebrow slightly, then said with some regret, "Unfortunately, I didn't manage to secure many favourable terms for my employer".
Simon shook his head: "That's not something you could change. Within your scope of authority, you did well enough".
Listening to Simon's words, Amy Pascal vaguely anticipated something, yet found it hard to believe.
So she looked directly at the young man, waiting for him to continue.
Simon no longer beat around the bush and said directly, "Amy, here's the thing: how about coming to work for me?"
Somewhat enlightened, yet also surprised, Amy Pascal looked Simon up and down.
She didn't immediately refuse, but instead said, "Give me a reason, Simon, why should I work for you?"