Made in Hollywood

After sending Tina Fey away, Frank Pearson returned to the study, sat behind the desk with a gloomy expression, and opened the document handed by the other party. After reading a few pages, his face became even more ugly, but He has worked hard in this circle for many years, can control his emotions, and continue to watch.

Two million dollars, not worth mentioning for a director like Duke, means something completely different to him.

Although he is the vice chairman of the rotating committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Frank Pearson's income is not as high as the title of this position. Not a small number for him either.

He is a director and screenwriter. His most brilliant moment was in the 1960s and 1970s. His most successful work was the remake of "A Star Is Born". Even at this stage, the income brought by his two careers was not very high. Being able to have today's status is more dependent on the accumulation of seniority.

Frank Pearson is a man who has taken many years to get to the top. He is naturally conservative, and he is one of the core members of the Academy's conservative group.

In fact, he is almost eighty years old, and his financial requirements are not too high, but behind every successful father, there are always a few unsatisfactory sons. He invested two million US dollars just for his own sake. son considers.

Investing in such a project, once successful, will undoubtedly get a long-term meal ticket.

Indeed, no one can guarantee the success of a film, but although Frank Pierson chose Tim Robbins in "Saving Private Ryan", he never underestimated Duke's business ability.

In his eyes, Duke's commercial blockbuster is not only a guarantee of a hot box office, but also a booster for peripheral products to sell well, as long as the investment is successful. The share of the proceeds obtained one after another is enough to ensure the most basic life of that unsatisfactory son after he completely ages.

But Frank Pierson never imagined that Duke Rosenberg would send his personal assistant to take the initiative to bring this information, and also brought some information-Duke found that there was a problem with the project he was talking about, They may all have fallen into an elaborate trap.

Pearson wasn't overly suspicious. More than a week ago, the exact news came out that Duke paid Christopher Rockencourt a deposit of one million dollars in advance, which already involved the vital interests of the other party, and there was absolutely no need to deceive himself in this matter. .

Gently closing the document, Frank Pearson suddenly laughed, but his smile was a bit bitter. Then leaned back on the chair.

Although he didn't like each other's film style, he was pretty sure Duke wouldn't make such a joke.

At the same time, there was an extremely complicated taste in my heart, who could have imagined it. He has known each other for more than four years, has made extensive friends in Hollywood, and has a certain reputation, but he is actually a super scammer who has been in business since ten years ago!

If the person who sent the information is not the same as him. All were members of the Hollywood Jewish Club, he really didn't want to believe it.

After all, that person has been in Hollywood for ten years. There are so many celebrities, big and small, as friends. As far as he knows, the other party has also dated the daughter of the president of a country.

Is such a person a fraudster?

Frank? Pearson has been credulous once, will not be credulous a second time.

He picked up the phone. Called the number of retired old friend Arthur Miller, Monroe's ex-husband not only

The film director and the former president of the academy are as simple as they have extensive relationships, and because of Hollywood's special relationship with the federal government, there are some ties to certain departments in Washington.

Frank Pearson wouldn't have asked him, who was already sick and bedridden, for help if it weren't for the stakes.

After making the phone call, he hurried out of the house and rushed to Arthur Miller's convalescent villa in Santa Monica.

Some things, from scratch, will consume a lot of time, and with clear data, it is often much easier to verify the authenticity of the data.

Just three days later, Frank Pearson was informed by an old friend that the information was more than 90% true.

Fact trumps any illusion, Frank Pearson is sure that many, including him, have been enchanted by Christopher Rockencourt's ten years of carefully crafting the emperor's coat.

Frank Pearson sat in the study, opened the document again, and saw the names of very familiar people...

This is no longer his personal business, and even related to the honor of the Hollywood circle. The Academy does not only exist because of the Oscars. It also maintains the glamorous side of Hollywood in the name of art and avoids the filth and stench in the circle. Too much exposure to the public.

Most of the people involved in this matter, including Duke, are basically members of the Academy, including many senior people like him, as well as directors such as Soderbergh who are valued by the Academy.

Sitting here thinking for a long time, Frank Pearson picked up the phone and dialed a number that he hadn't dialed much.

It was a woman who answered the phone, and then a somewhat unfamiliar voice that he vaguely remembered.

"Duke." Frank Pearson said solemnly, "Thank you."

"You're too kind, Mr. Pearson." Duke left the beach lounge and walked to the beach alone. "I'm also a victim. If the other party succeeds, I'll lose more than a million dollars."

"We were all blinded by the benefits he promised."

At the age of Frank Pearson, some words are no longer necessary to hide, "forget the prudence and investigation that must be done before investing."

"Fran..." Duke looked at the empty sea, and the words were true or false, "When I first contacted, I asked the lawyer and accountant to check him, but there was no problem, and he was very patient when negotiating. , stick to the bottom line, no matter how you look at it, it doesn't seem to be a problem, I am also lucky..."

Where Duke couldn't see, Frank Pearson nodded lightly. Before investing, his lawyers and accountants had also checked, and they couldn't find any problems at all.

"As you should know, I have always had a good relationship with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department."

This is a well-known fact in Hollywood, and some people who hate the police have also scolded Duke for making two films that praised the Los Angeles police, "When I was partying with Sheriff Carter, I met a former FBI employee who opened a detective agency. , I just thought of this matter, and I asked the other party to help check it, but the result was completely beyond my expectations."

In the face of a veteran academy member like Frank Pearson, Duke would not say outrageous words. More than 90% of his words were true. Even if Frank Pearson asked about it, there would not be many problems.

"The information I only got last week, in order to prevent mistakes, it was sent to you after thorough confirmation."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a while. Just when Duke thought Frank Pearson wanted to hang up, the other party's voice rang again, "Duke, what are you going to do?"

Duke is very on the road. "I think I should listen to other people's opinions. After all, I am not the only one who has been deceived."

"What do you think, Frank?" Duke asked.

"It's not appropriate to speak out for the time being. I'll contact these people privately first, and then call the police."

In any case, this is indeed more than just him, Duke deliberately paused for a while before saying, "I agree with your opinion, Steven and a few other people I am more familiar with, I have already asked people to The information was sent."

The so-called familiar, of course, is Jewish.

"I'll call them and notify the others."

After hanging up the phone, Duke let out a sigh of relief. He knew very well that in the eyes of the old school of the academy, he was a veritable business director. Knowing that critics aren't going to watch him swept away during awards season.

Movies are just the foundation, and what we are doing now is a necessary aid.

Looking back at the few people chatting under the umbrella, Duke did not go back. Instead, he stood here, looking out at the sea. The future is as vast as the Pacific Ocean in front of him, and he still has a long way to go.

The phone rang again, and Duke listened to it and said with a smile, "Steven, you're too kind, we're all victims."

The caller was Steven Soderbergh.

In the hours that followed, Duke's phone would ring every now and then.

"Ben, you don't need to be so polite, we still think about how to deal with that guy."

"George, I heard that you have some connections in the political world. It's best to let people stare at him first."

"Daniel, I haven't thanked you for that kick back then. Don't be so polite, we should be united."

When the sun turned to the sea, Duke received another call from Frank Pearson, "Don't worry, Frank, I will cooperate with you here."

These calls are not just as simple as thanks. Duke is very clear that what happened today will affect their choices at the necessary moment.

How to guide after two years, it depends on the means of Panney Kelly and Nancy Joseph. What they do is to deal with people.

Now that things have developed, Christopher Rockencourt is no longer useful. In the next period of time, he is bound to endure the anger of many people after they suddenly realized, and it is not difficult to guess where he will end up in the end.

Now with Frank? Pearson, the veteran leading the coordination, Duke doesn't need to spend too much energy.

Handing over the phone to Tina Fey, Duke gave Ivanka Trump a reassuring look and returned to Wallace Lee, who was facing him.

"Where did you just say, Li?" He patted his head, "Yes, the story of werewolves and vampires!" (To be continued ~^~)