Beverly Hills.
In a cafe near WMA headquarters on Camino Street, Simon and Jonathan sat down again after seeing the other two off.
Simon flipped through the novel 'Dances with Wolves', whose film adaptation rights had just been settled, and glanced at the paparazzi outside the window, saying to Jonathan, "ICM must be nervous. You just signed Robert De Niro, and now you're going after another one of their stars".
ICM (International Creative Management) is a talent agency in Hollywood, ranking behind WMA and CAA, with big-name stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Eddie Murphy. Its strength is not to be underestimated.
The two who had just left were Michael Blake, the author of 'Dances with Wolves', which Simon held, and Kevin Costner.
In the era before Simon's rebirth, most people's impression of Kevin Costner might only be his role as Superman's adoptive father, Jonathan Kent, in 'Man of Steel'. But in reality, with blockbuster works like 'Dances with Wolves' and 'The Bodyguard', Kevin Costner was one of Hollywood's hottest male stars in the 1990s.
Kevin Costner is currently a client of ICM. Although not as big a star as he would later become, he was already somewhat famous.
Jonathan Friedman had successfully signed Robert De Niro last week. Hearing Simon's words, he shook his head and smiled, "Kevin and Bob are both actors with a more introverted style. I'm not as greedy as CAA; signing one is enough. Speaking of which, Simon, counting 'Dances with Wolves', you've bought eight copyrights in this period. Are you going to continue?"
Simon sensed the dissuasion in Jonathan's tone but said, "If there's something good, of course I'll continue."
Although he said that, Simon felt a bit helpless.
Among the eight copyrights for various novels, remakes, or original screenplays he had acquired, Simon was only truly interested in two: 'Dances with Wolves' and 'Forrest Gump'. The others were just casually collected as smokescreens.
Due to technological limitations, 'Forrest Gump', which once won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, definitely couldn't be filmed in the short term.
'Forrest Gump' had only just been published last year, and its author, Winston Groom, was somewhat known in the industry. However, compared to the author's other works, the sales of 'Forrest Gump' could only be described as a failure.
From last year until now, 'Forrest Gump' had sold less than ten thousand copies in total.
After Jonathan contacted the author, Winston Groom initially proposed various attached conditions. But when Simon raised the price to $200,000, Westeros Company successfully acquired the film and television adaptation rights for the novel for 10 years.
As for 'Dances with Wolves'.
In the original timeline, this film not only grossed over $400 million worldwide on a production budget of $22 million but also won a series of major awards, including Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars.
This film did not have the technical barrier of 'Forrest Gump'.
However, Simon also couldn't rush into this project.
Daenerys Entertainment currently lacked the operational strength to support a global blockbuster grossing $400 million, and Simon couldn't transfer the various distribution rights for this project to other film companies again.
During this time, Jonathan was mainly negotiating the copyright term with Michael Blake, the author of 'Dances with Wolves'.
Michael Blake wrote this novel at the encouragement of his friend Kevin Costner. Because of this, he insisted that Kevin Costner play the male lead, even emphasizing that this clause should be written into the contract.
In addition, if the copyright was sold to Westeros Company, Michael Blake and Kevin Costner naturally hoped that 'Dances with Wolves' could start filming as early as possible.
This was something Simon could not agree to.
After several weeks of negotiations, the two parties barely settled on terms. Daenerys Entertainment purchased the adaptation rights for 'Dances with Wolves' for three years at a price of $100,000. Michael Blake did not overcharge for the copyright. However, if Daenerys Entertainment failed to launch the project within three years according to the terms agreed upon in their contract, Daenerys Entertainment would have to compensate Michael Blake $500,000.
Aside from 'Forrest Gump' and 'Dances with Wolves', many other film copyrights in Simon's memory were either unobtainable or untraceable.
Moreover, Simon couldn't make this too public; he could only slowly acquire them in secret.
The eight copyrights had only cost Simon a little over a million dollars. Jonathan's mind flashed with the tens of millions of dollars the young man had already accumulated. Seeing that he had no intention of heeding his advice, he said nothing more and changed the subject, "Simon, I was thinking, since 'Sally' can't be for Sean, can she try for Sally's friend Mary's role?"
The Sean Jonathan mentioned was clearly Sean Young, who played 'Rachael' in 'Blade Runner'.
Some time ago, Simon had just decided to produce 'When Harry Met Sally', and Jonathan recommended Sean Young.
Simon, giving Jonathan face, had a dedicated conversation with Sean Young, which even sparked some rumours. However, Simon already had his own plans, and the impression Sean Young left on him was honestly not good, so the matter was dropped.
Hearing this now, Simon said, "Jon, didn't she join Oliver Stone's 'Wall Street' crew?"
Oliver Stone won the Oscar for Best Director in March for 'Platoon' and had already started filming his new movie, 'Wall Street', a business war film invested in by Fox Pictures, last month.
Jonathan smiled wryly and nodded, saying, "Sean plays Michael Douglas's wife in the movie. However, neither Oliver nor Michael likes her much. It was originally just a small role, less than ten minutes long, and her screen time in the final cut will likely be even shorter".
"Sean is too beautiful and not suitable for the role of Mary. Besides, Jon, you don't think she'll get along well with everyone in the 'When Harry Met Sally' crew, do you?" Simon could only shake his head and refuse. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Actually, Sandra, Liz, and Nicole, they all have a lot of potential. Jon, Sean's harsh and eccentric personality simply isn't suited for this industry. You don't need to spend too much effort on her".
Jonathan noticed that Simon hadn't mentioned Courteney Cox, whom he had known earliest, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional, but he explained, "Sean's father, Donald Young, is a TV producer. When I was still working in New York, we were good friends, and Donald helped me more than once".
Favors can kill you.
Simon thought this to himself, but he couldn't casually give in and let in a character who might make the entire crew uneasy.
After chatting for a while longer, Simon said goodbye to Jonathan and rushed to the De Laurentiis Entertainment Group headquarters, also located in Beverly Hills.
Today was May 13th, Wednesday.
After more than a month of intense post-production, 'Near Dark' was officially completed. Kathryn called yesterday to invite Simon to watch the finished film.
Speaking of which, Simon had originally wanted to do as much as possible to help Kathryn with the post-production of 'Near Dark'. However, after he and Janette broke up, the woman seemed to have a guilty conscience and had been refusing Simon's help during this time, only occasionally contacting him by phone with some questions.
So, Simon hadn't seen the two women he was most familiar with since returning to this era.
Leaving Camino Street, Neil Bennett drove the Chevrolet SUV for less than five minutes before parking it under a three-story office building on nearby Alden Street.
Before Simon even got out of the car, he noticed another burgundy Range Rover parked in front of his vehicle.
Compared to his Chevrolet SUV, the Range Rover, known as the British royal family's dedicated off-road vehicle, was definitely several notches higher. The bright burgundy body was likely a custom model.
Most importantly.
After knowing her for so long, if Simon couldn't detect Janette's preference for burgundy, then he would be a complete failure.
Sure enough.
After getting out of the car, Simon walked a few steps forward and found Ken Dixon, who was leisurely sitting in the driver's seat reading a newspaper. This was the bodyguard who had stayed with Janette after Simon and Janette 'divided their assets' last month.
Noticing Simon's appearance, Ken Dixon quickly pushed open the door and got out, greeting, "Mr. Westeros".
Simon nodded at him and asked, "Where's Janette?"
Ken Dixon pointed to the office building by the roadside and said, "Miss has already gone inside".
As the two spoke, the paparazzi, who had clearly discovered a 'major situation,' had already surrounded them, snapping photos of Simon as he spoke to Ken Dixon. Neil Bennett promptly stepped forward to separate the paparazzi who wanted to get closer and ask questions, and Ken Dixon also skilfully blocked Simon's other side.
Ignoring the various chaotic questions from the paparazzi during their photo-taking, Simon quickly walked into the De Laurentiis Entertainment Group office building, but he couldn't help but wonder if he would never be able to get rid of these guys.
As Simon entered the office building, Edward Feldman, the producer of 'Near Dark', and another tall, blonde woman in her thirties were already coming to greet him. After introductions, Simon learned that the blonde woman was Martha Schumacher, the president of De Laurentiis Entertainment Group.
After a brief greeting, Edward Feldman noticed Simon's questioning gaze and proactively explained, "Kathryn was just here, but Miss Johnston pulled her inside. Simon, let's go upstairs".
Simon nodded and followed the two upstairs.
In a spacious office on the third floor, Janette and Kathryn were originally sitting on the sofa in the reception area, chatting quietly. Seeing Simon walk in, the two women immediately stood up.
Edward Feldman smiled and said he would go prepare the sample reel for playback, then left with Martha Schumacher. Kathryn stepped forward and hugged Simon, then also found an excuse to leave.
Soon, only Simon and Janette were left in the office.
After everyone left, Simon looked at Janette, who was still standing. The woman had permed her hair into large waves, with a long fringe swept across her forehead. She was wearing a wide-checked blue long-hemmed shirt and white casual pants, with high-heeled sandals on her feet.
After being scrutinized by Simon for a while, Janette finally couldn't take it anymore. She took two steps forward, slightly raising her chin, and extended her hand to Simon, saying, "Hello".
Simon glanced at the beautiful hand extended to him, raised his hand to take it, but instead, directly grasped Janette's fair wrist.
Suddenly caught by the wrist by Simon, even though the man exerted no force, a sensation almost engraved deep into her bones instantly surged through Janette. Her whole body felt a little weak, her cheeks flushed, and her watery eyes glared at Simon without any malice, her voice soft and sweet, "You little rascal, you're bullying me".
Simon had originally just wanted to scare Janette, but feeling that the woman was clearly about to melt, he quickly stepped forward and hugged her. Janette immediately clung to him like a koala, even kicking off her sandals onto the floor with two soft thuds.
Simon held Janette's soft body, feeling the woman's delicate face rubbing against his neck, full of deep affection. Finally, she nibbled lightly on his neck like a little mouse, as if confirming something.
So he whispered, "Are we still broken up?"
Janette didn't answer the question, her voice still soft, murmuring, "Little rascal".
Simon carried the woman to the sofa, intending to put her down, but Janette's arms and legs, wrapped around Simon, immediately tightened, showing no intention of letting go. Simon had no choice but to turn around, sit on the sofa himself, and put his arms around her waist, testing the feel. He laughed and said, "You've gained weight. Looks like you haven't missed me at all during this time".
Janette shifted her position, pressing against Simon, a hint of playful displeasure in her voice: "I don't want to miss a little rascal like you who's always doing bad things".
Simon argued, "I haven't done a single thing, really".
Janette burrowed her little head into Simon's neck and said sarcastically, "Hmm, useless".
Simon could only smile, inhaling the woman's pleasant scent, and said, "Come to my place tonight?"
Janette twisted her body slightly before saying, "Palisades".
Simon nodded: "Alright".
After a moment of quiet embrace, Janette initiated a topic: "What do you think of Noah?"
Simon shook his head honestly: "Not familiar. What about him?"
Janette said, "After you met last week, he called me and said you were very difficult to get along with".
Simon turned his head and pressed his face against Janette's turned cheek, saying, "I don't know what it is, but I just feel like I can't get along with him."
Janette paused, then suddenly burst out laughing. Her small hand scratched at Simon, saying, "Lion".
Simon was puzzled: "Huh?"
Janette lifted her face from Simon's neck, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, a deep smile on her face, her voice still soft, saying, "A lion, an adult male lion, can accept many females around him, but he will never tolerate another adult male lion in his territory".
Simon said helplessly, "Well, that sounds pretty reasonable".
Janette was still smiling, and buried her face back into Simon's neck, enjoying the feeling of intimacy, saying, "Noah called me again this morning, little rascal, have you really bought 3700 S&P 500 long positions?"
Simon nodded: "Yes".
Janette said, "Noah said you're crazy".
Since last week, the S&P 500 index has mostly stayed between 270 and 275 points. Simon has been instructing Noah Scott to continuously buy long contracts for the S&P 500 index futures for September.
Now.
With a cumulative 3,700 contracts, calculated at a margin of approximately $13,600 per contract, Simon has already spent over $50 million. If the $20 million loan remaining in his personal account as backup is not included, Simon's current position ratio has reached as high as 67%.
Stock index futures contracts are divided into March, June, September, and December. Simon did not buy the nearest June contract, but rather the September contract, four months later, to play the long game.
Noah Scott had clearly seen this point.
Most stock index futures traders cautiously maintain a long-term position ratio within 30%. Simon directly raised his position to 67%. Such a high position ratio could easily lead to a complete loss of capital.
No wonder he was considered crazy.
Thinking this, Simon gently patted Janette and said, "So, do you think I'm crazy?"
Janette nodded: "Mhm".
"Alright, it seems I really am crazy then".
"Hehe," Janette chuckled, her arms wrapped around Simon, with unconcealed certainty, she said, "You're my boyfriend. Janette Johnston's boyfriend, how could he be normal?"