Santa Monica.
Outside the parking lot of Daenerys Entertainment headquarters, Simon and Amy got out of the car. Jennifer and Amy's assistant, Vanessa, also got out of another car. The four walked into the company's office building together.
Simon was still discussing the movie with Amy: "I've thought about it. Since CAA suddenly changed its mind, forget about Robin Williams. You give this script and the outline of my ghost movie to Robert De Niro. It would be best if we can sign him for both films at once".
Amy confirmed: "The one Bruce Joel Rubin is writing, 'The Sixth Sense'?"
During their last meeting with Bruce Joel Rubin, the screenwriter of 'Ghost', Simon was reminded by the story of 'Ghost' and thought of another ghost movie. This was precisely 'The Sixth Sense', which was a box office hit in 1999 in the original timeline. This cleverly conceived dramatic thriller was second only to 'Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace' at the box office that year, grossing over $600 million worldwide, even more successful than 'Ghost'.
Simon nodded and said, "Yes, De Niro will certainly be very interested in trying out both the teacher and psychologist roles".
Amy smiled and said, "Actually, De Niro was the first person I thought of too. However, in that case, the budget for both movies will definitely exceed $10 million".
Although Simon, deep down, really wanted to break free from his reliance on superstars, he also understood that with Daenerys Entertainment's current strength, it would be impossible to challenge Hollywood's traditional rules in the short term.
"Let it exceed if it has to. No matter what, ensuring film quality is always the top priority," Simon said, then remembered something else and added, "The negotiations between the Writers Guild and the Producers Alliance broke down again recently, didn't they?"
"Yes, there will probably be another strike this year", Amy said, understanding Simon's meaning. "I will urge Robert Harling and Bruce Joel Rubin to complete the scripts for 'Steel Magnolias' and 'Scream' before the strike".
Listening to Amy's relaxed tone, Simon suddenly realized that no one in Hollywood at the moment probably anticipated the seriousness of the upcoming strike.
The 'Basic Agreement' between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the Writers Guild is renegotiated every three years, and disputes almost always arise, but they are usually resolved quickly.
Except for the first major writers' strike in Hollywood history in 1960, which lasted 151 days, other strikes were very short, with the most recent strike in 1985 lasting only 15 days.
However, the Hollywood writers' strike in 1988 lasted 155 days.
Simon had originally considered using this strike as an opportunity to expand Daenerys Entertainment's television production business. Now, with Hollywood's optimistic attitude at the time, if handled properly, the benefits Daenerys Entertainment could gain would definitely be more than just that.
Arriving on the second floor, Amy took Vanessa and went to her office.
Simon looked at Jennifer, who was following him, and noticed that her hair was loose again today. He remembered how his female assistant's hairstyle always changed between shoulder-length and a ponytail these days, looking quite conflicted. He smiled and teased, "Are you also starting to adjust your hairstyle based on your mood, like Amy?"
After spending a long time together, Simon noticed that Amy Pascal had a small habit of changing her hairstyle according to her mood.
Jennifer didn't expect Simon to notice such details. Remembering Janette's words that night, she suddenly felt that he was so annoying that he must have noticed.
Her cheeks started to flush again, unsure how to respond, so she simply lowered her head, pretending not to hear.
Seeing his female assistant silent, Simon didn't press, just smiled and said, "Still, tie it up. I like the way you look with it tied up".
Tie.
Tie it up.
Like riding a horse.
You jerk, don't even think about it!
Jennifer bravely looked up and glared at Simon with little impact, but subconsciously quickened her pace and quickly fled into her office.
Simon watched Jennifer close her office door, utterly bewildered. He was very puzzled, it was just a casual joke, it couldn't have that much impact, could it?
Arriving at his office, Susan in the outer office told Simon that Ms. Bigelow had been waiting for more than ten minutes.
Pushing open the door, Kathryn was sitting on the sofa in the reception area, flipping through a script. Today, the woman was wearing a dark green military-style jacket, bootcut jeans, and black high-heeled ankle boots. Just by her profile, she looked resolute and spirited.
Noticing Kathryn about to stand up, Simon quickly stopped her: "No, just stay seated".
Kathryn was somewhat confused but still stood up.
Then.
The woman's height immediately surpassed Simon's, and combined with her attire today, it instantly made Simon feel like, "You don't need to ask, I won't tell even if you kill me".
Kathryn felt Simon's gaze, and somewhat unnaturally, held up the script in her hand and said, "Do you want to take a look first?"
Simon walked over and took the script, his gaze still on the woman in front of him, whom he couldn't quite figure out. He smiled and said, "Can you take off your jacket? I'm afraid you'll hit me if I find fault with the script later".
Kathryn gave Simon an annoyed glance, but simply sat down again on her own accord.
Simon walked over and sat on the long sofa next to Kathryn, crossed his legs, and placed the script on his lap. He glanced at the title, 'Blue Steel'. It was Kathryn's second theatrical feature film after 'Near Dark' in the original timeline.
It came as no surprise. The screenwriter for 'Blue Steel', Eric Red, was also the screenwriter for Kathryn's previous film, 'Near Dark'. In some previous communications, Kathryn had mentioned that she was working with Eric Red to perfect this script, but the title of the story had only recently been finalized.
Simon remembered having seen this movie, and his biggest feeling was that this time, Jamie Lee Curtis must not play the female lead. Simon was very attracted to many androgynous actresses, but he always felt that Jamie Lee Curtis wasn't androgynous; she was simply a man.
As Simon opened the script, the atmosphere in the office suddenly quieted.
Kathryn gazed at the focused profile of the young man next to her, reading the script. After a moment, she realized, quickly picked up the coffee from the coffee table, took a sip, and wanted to find a random topic, asking him how he had been lately or something similar.
However, since the end of October, his every move seemed to appear in the newspapers.
He suddenly made so much money, almost got investigated, and even during the holidays, he didn't stop, giving a big company like Motorola a hard time.
Little rascal.
And.
He didn't even bother to initiate a conversation.
It must be deliberate.
After a moment of silence, she raised her coffee cup and asked, "Do you want some coffee?"
Simon looked up and said, "Sure".
Noticing him looking at her cup, she suddenly remembered that morning and inexplicably worried that he would lean over and snatch the coffee cup from her hand, and then... So she quickly got up: "I'll get it for you".
When she reached the door, she realized he had actually locked the office door from the inside. He must have been planning something naughty.
Little rascal.
She cursed softly in her heart again, then went to the outer room to brew a pot of coffee herself. Returning to the office, she hesitated for a moment, silently found a random excuse, and then locked the door again.
She poured him a cup of coffee, sat down again, and after a moment of thought, said, "You must be very busy, right? Why don't I go back first, and you can just give me a reply whenever you finish reading it".
Simon shook his head: "No, I'm not. This afternoon is just about you".
Listening to his matter-of-fact tone, she had no choice but to pretend to take a sip of her coffee. Then she noticed the distinctly annoying smile at the corner of his mouth, so she extended her leg, raised the heel of her sturdy boot, and lightly tapped his instep.
She didn't use much force, but her boot was caught between Simon's feet. Subconsciously, she retracted her leg, leaving the black ankle boot on his side.
Looking at her boot, she really wanted to go over and snatch it back, but she didn't dare to get close. Instinctively, she felt that if she got closer, she might not be able to come back whole.
"You, you can't do this".
"Hmm?"
"I'll tell Janette".
"Hmm".
"Give me back my shoe".
"No".
"Little rascal".
"Thanks for the compliment".
After a moment of stalemate, she felt herself getting angrier and angrier, yes, it must be that, and then she couldn't help but get up, leaning over to try and snatch her shoe back.
Then.
Indeed, she was completely captured.
Who knows how much time had passed. On the long sofa, Simon was still sitting in the same spot, but Kathryn was lying on her back on the other side, one arm covering her face, her chest still rising and falling rapidly. The military-style jacket that had given Simon a sense of oppression was now off, revealing a form-fitting black turtleneck wool sweater. Both her feet were now only covered in thin stockings, resting weakly on the man's lap.
Simon continued to flip through the script of "Blue Steel" for a while. When the woman calmed down, he tentatively asked, "Want to come to my place tonight?"
"No", Kathryn instinctively refused, then paused before adding softly, "With you around... if I get discovered, I won't be able to face anyone. And, Janette".
Simon remembered the paparazzi almost constantly around him and felt a bit troubled. Hearing Kathryn mention Janette, he was silent for a moment and then said, "I'll be honest with Janette. I'm too greedy, I can't be a good man".
Kathryn immediately said, "You're not allowed to tell her".
Simon said, "Janette is very smart".
Kathryn insisted, "Anyway, you're not allowed to tell her".
"Alright", Simon smiled helplessly and said, "I'll be going to San Francisco soon for location scouting for 'Basic Instinct', and some other things. How about you come along? If we're a little careful there, we shouldn't be discovered".
Kathryn's arm was still covering her face, and she shook her head, saying, "No, I don't want to cooperate with you on something like that".
Simon gave a wry smile and said, "Then what should we do? You don't want to be here, you won't go to San Francisco, and you're afraid of being discovered if you come to my place".
Kathryn lightly kicked Simon's leg: "It has nothing to do with me, that's your problem".
Simon couldn't help but raise his hand and tickle the sole of the woman's foot, which resulted in him getting kicked a few more times. He had no choice but to say, "Forget it, let's talk about the script. What do you want to express with this story?"
"I don't want to talk right now".
"Hmm, then let's not talk".
Simon nodded, stroking the woman's calf resting on him, occasionally turning a page of the script, quietly passing the enchanting afternoon.