The people present were all intelligent. What Mike Medavoy could think of, everyone else naturally had some premonition. Considering the impending public opinion storm, the atmosphere became silent.
After a moment, Simon was the first to speak, pulling everyone back to reality from their thoughts, saying, "Everyone, there's no need to be too stressed. All we need to do now is try our best to solve the problem. As for the outcome, let's leave it to God. So, Pat, you have more experience in this area, you go first".
As Simon spoke, the others also relaxed a little.
Pat Kingsley reorganized her thoughts and said, "Simon, although it's not appropriate to respond immediately to The New York Times article, we must get involved immediately to prevent a one-sided public opinion situation from developing".
Simon pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's right, let's muddy the waters first".
The other three, hearing Simon's description of "muddying the waters," also showed understanding expressions and couldn't help but feel that the analogy was perfectly apt.
The current situation was very clear.
Doubts had already emerged. If Simon responded immediately, providing evidence that 'Run Lola Run' was indeed his film, under the manipulation of those with ulterior motives, the result would undoubtedly be more doubts. But if he didn't respond, one-sided doubts would only lead the situation to collapse, and by then, it would be impossible to explain.
Therefore, the best approach was for their side to also operate behind the scenes, indirectly responding to those doubts through the media, turning the purely questioning into controversy, and even into a major media discussion about "whether or not 'Run Lola Run' was directed by Simon Westeros". After this controversy lasted for a while and the topic cooled down, Simon would then personally come forward with a series of sufficiently solid evidence, and this storm would be safely weathered.
Once the strategy was decided, the subsequent matters became much easier. After discussing for nearly an hour, everyone came up with an initial response plan.
The rest was execution.
If it had been before the release of 'Run Lola Run', Simon might have been powerless to counterattack in the media.
But at this time, due to the box office success of 'Run Lola Run' and the impending release of 'The Butterfly Effect', WMA, Orion Pictures, and 20th Century Fox, backed by the giant News Corporation, would all invest sufficient public relations resources in him.
Moreover, even without the assistance of these parties, Pat Kingsley, the public relations manager Simon had just hired, also had no shortage of media connections.
This woman had been working in media public relations since the 1960s. After the assassination attempt on Reagan, it was with Pat Kingsley's help that Jodie Foster survived that difficult period of media bombardment and gradually resumed her acting career.
Now, with the combined efforts of several forces, even while they were still discussing the detailed response plan, several news articles attempting to "join the fun" had already been intercepted.
They remained busy until noon. After lunch, no one left.
North American evening newspapers were usually distributed at 2 PM. Information was already coming back from the East Coast, and Pat Kingsley and others were still busy analysing and responding. Simon, however, took the opportunity to bring Amy Pascal to the railing by the cliff in the backyard.
Leaning against the railing, facing the warm afternoon breeze, she enjoyed gazing at the azure sea under the gentle spring sun. After a moment, Amy Pascal opened her slightly narrowed eyes and looked at the relaxed young man beside her, saying, "Simon, several newspapers in New York have already reacted, and things are clearly as we expected. Aren't you worried at all?"
In this world, being innocent is never enough to clear one's name. Just like Michael Jackson could never clear himself of paedophilia suspicions until his death, because it couldn't be cleared.
Simon nodded and said, "I am a little worried. However, what needs to be done must continue. So, Amy, what have you decided?"
Amy recalled her interactions with Simon over the past few days, no longer looking at the distant sea view. She turned slightly to face the young man beside her and said, "Honestly, Simon, I haven't made up my mind yet. My intuition tells me I should accept, because you're a guy who can create miracles. But my reason advises against it, saying such a decision is too crazy. I'd have to give up the position I fought seven years for and start from scratch".
Upon hearing this, Simon also turned, carefully observed Amy for a moment, and then suddenly extended a hand to her: "Come".
Amy was a little confused but instinctively reached out her right hand, which was then grasped by a warm and strong hand.
"See, you've already made your decision, haven't you?" Simon smiled, squeezing Amy's hand gently, then released it as Amy looked on in surprise, saying, "That was a little psychological test. Since you responded by accommodating, it means your heart has actually agreed".
Amy looked bewilderedly at her slightly raised arm, then looked at Simon again, her eyes gradually brightening, and a smile appeared on her face as she said, "Simon, is there really such a psychological test?"
Simon, being stared at intently by Amy, only held out for a second before shrugging and saying, "Okay, I made it up".
Amy immediately burst into laughter, finding it funnier the more she thought about it. Finally, she even leaned on the railing, burying her face in her arms and laughing heartily.
After more than a minute, Amy finally looked up again, her face still flushed from laughing so hard. She looked at the big boy beside her and asked somewhat abruptly, "Simon, besides the base salary, what kind of bonus clauses do you plan to give me?"
Simon answered without hesitation, "5% of the net profit of all projects you handle over the next two years."
Amy's eyes flickered, and she pressed, "And after two years?"
Simon immediately offered another proposal, saying, "Alternatively, 5% of the annual net profit of Daenerys Pictures, which will continue after two years".
Amy seemed to be relentless, saying, "Is there a difference between the two?"
Simon shook his head and said, "Well, I don't know either, because there will definitely be many details involved. In the end, perhaps the former will be more, or perhaps the latter".
Actually, both parties were well aware of the distribution results of these two plans.
These were two common compensation schemes in Hollywood.
However, the former was more suitable for ordinary senior executives of a film company, who would receive a commission based on the number of projects they managed, and even if they left, they would still receive a share from the operation of related projects.
The latter was more suitable for the head of a film company, who oversaw the overall situation and naturally benefited from the overall situation. Of course, once they left, there would be no more financial ties between the two parties.
Amy stopped pressing this time, her eyes regaining their shrewdness. After a moment of quick thought, she said, "Simon, two years is too short; I don't think much can be accomplished. So, I can sign a four-year contract with you, with a base salary of $250,000 and 5% of Daenerys Pictures' annual net profit. Additionally, after four years, whether I leave or not, I must receive an equity award equivalent to the net profit share I received during the previous four years.
Furthermore, during these four years, if certain circumstances arise that prevent me from continuing this job, I have the right to resign with one month's prior notice. As compensation for breach of contract, I will forfeit that year's salary and bonus, as well as the final equity award clause. However, if you proactively terminate my contract during these four years, I will need a lump sum cash compensation of $1 million, as well as the corresponding equity award for the net profit share already received before the termination of the contract, after the original four-year contract period".
Simon listened intently to Amy, then reached out without hesitation: "Deal".
Amy hadn't expected Simon to agree so readily, but she quickly extended her hand as well, smiling and saying, "May we have a pleasant collaboration, boss".
After shaking hands, Simon added, "If Fox requires a termination fee, I can also pay it for you".
"No need," Amy shook her head and said, "However, I'll need a month before I can start. Of course, if I can get Mr. Goldberg's understanding, it might not take a month".
Simon thought of the resignation clause Amy had just proposed, understood, and said, "No problem".
"Also," Amy added, "Simon, after I start, you must pay me one year's base salary in advance".
Simon nodded again: "Naturally".
Back at the villa, everyone was still busy dealing with the public opinion crisis. With things settled, Simon originally wanted to go back, but seeing that Amy wasn't making any move to return, he stayed with her, leaning back against the railing.
After thinking for a moment, Simon proactively brought up a topic, saying, "Amy, I'm very curious, why did you suddenly agree?"
Amy once again enjoyed gazing at the distant sea view, saying, "Simon, over the past few days, do you know what your biggest impression of me was?"
"Hmm?"
Amy said directly, "A workaholic, and a workaholic who is like a robot. From last Wednesday, for three whole days, we were talking about work, arguing over every detail of the contracts for 'Final Destination.' At the party on Saturday, you tried to recruit me, not talking about ideals, only about pros and cons, still with the tone of a business-like workaholic.
Until this morning, when we met again, we were still talking about work. Honestly, Simon, after that Saturday night, I've been considering your offer, and I've been getting more and more tempted. But I also couldn't help but wonder, is working for someone like you really the right choice? Simon, I don't dislike workaholics; I myself work very hard, otherwise I wouldn't have reached my current position. But I don't like working for a cold machine".
"I understand, there must be a 'then' to this," Simon nodded solemnly, then continued, "Then what?"
Amy laughed again, gave Simon a sidelong glance, and said, "Then, when you just now seemed to be at your wit's end, trying to coax me with that inexplicable psychological test, I realized that you're ultimately just a big boy, and perhaps, you might even be a very interesting person".
"Not 'might be,' it's a fact. You'll understand once you've spent more time with me," Simon replied without modesty, then hesitated before cautiously saying, "Amy, although you don't like to talk about work, don't you think that if we could release the news of you joining Daenerys Pictures as soon as possible, it would definitely help with this incident?"
Amy saw Simon's feigned cautious demeanour, rolled her eyes, and released the railing, saying, "Let's go over there. I'll call Mr. Goldberg first. Since I've made my decision, I definitely can't be responsible for the remaining work on 'Final Destination' at Fox".