Jack Valenti resisted being continuously controlled by the young man in front of him, saying, "Simon, the answer to this question is obvious".
"Yes, it's obvious, screenwriters want to get more pay and better treatment", Simon answered for Jack Valenti, then continued, "However, this is fundamentally because screenwriters and the Producers Guild have completely different positions. Different positions lead to conflicts of interest, and conflicts are bound to cause losses, even mutual destruction, just like the past six months".
Jack Valenti felt Simon's calm and sharp gaze and suddenly felt that he was indeed getting old.
"I understand what you mean, Simon, but this is definitely not a wise choice. You cannot fight against all of Hollywood".
Simon shook his head and said, "Jack, you don't understand. I have no intention of fighting against all of Hollywood. Although I am not afraid of that, right now, we are discussing the issue of position".
Jack Valenti asked doubtfully, "The issue of position?"
"That's right, the issue of position, Jack. I don't dislike the Rating Board's differentiated review strategy. It's an instinct for vested interests to protect their own privileges in any industry. The traditional seven major film companies are the vested interests of Hollywood. Even Orion is actually in the same lineage as the seven majors. They are the 'players' in this industry, the rule-makers. Small independent production companies can only submit to the rules like 'pawns'. This is very unfair, but also very fair. The current problem is that Daenerys Entertainment already has the strength to become a 'player' in Hollywood, but some people still treat this company as a 'pawn', which is pushing Daenerys Entertainment to a completely opposing position".
Jack Valenti listened quietly and said, "Simon, since you understand this, you should also know that the transition of identity and class is never an easy thing. You cannot expect Daenerys Entertainment to be accepted by the traditional Hollywood forces so quickly".
"Whether voluntarily or forced, people always have to face reality", Simon leaned forward slightly, looking at Jack Valenti, and slowly said, "Next Monday, Daenerys Entertainment will resubmit 'Scream' for rating review. This is the last time this year, and it will also determine Daenerys Entertainment's position. If 'Scream' still cannot pass the R-rating review, I will face reality, cancel the film's release plan, and confirm my 'pawn' position. Then, I will stand on my own position and lead other 'pawns' to resist the MPAA Rating Board's long-standing unfair treatment of independent filmmakers".
Jack Valenti leaned back in his chair imperceptibly, but did not avoid the young man's gaze, saying, "Simon, do you think no one has ever done this?"
"True 'pawns' are caught in the game, so it's naturally difficult to resist the rules. Daenerys Entertainment is different. The production cost of 'Scream' is 10 million US dollars, which for many independent filmmakers might be an investment that determines the company's existence. If they encounter similar suppression, they usually can only bow to the major film companies and voluntarily hand over distribution rights to the seven majors to avoid losses.
But I don't care, Jack. 10 million US dollars, even if it's all lost, is insignificant to me. Hollywood should not be able to find a second person richer than me", Simon said, then suddenly emphasized, "But I will never be willing to bear this loss. If they push a 'player' who is fully capable of breaking the rules onto the chessboard, then don't blame me for wantonly breaking the rules. If 'Scream' still fails to pass the review, first, news releases about the film's unfair treatment during the rating process will immediately appear in major North American media, but this is just the beginning.
Then, I will invest another 10 million US dollars to produce a documentary about the unfair treatment of Hollywood independent filmmakers since the advent of the 'voluntary film rating system', Jack, I have already had people list over 30 similar films, which I plan to focus on for this documentary's research. The list is in the folder in your hand".
Jack Valenti subconsciously reopened the folder in front of him. After the rating review memos for 'Basic Instinct' and 'Scream', there was indeed a long list of film titles and information, many of which were well-known.
Simon continued without waiting for Jack Valenti to respond: "By simply comparing similar plots in films produced by the seven majors with these films, it's very easy to prove the unfair ratings these independent films received. As a 'player' pushed into a 'pawn' position, I will lead all 'pawns' to change this extremely unfair film rating system. Since our positions are different, I believe that an organization like the Rating Board should not be controlled by the MPAA.
It should either become a federal official agency or be led by an association with a broader membership system, such as the Film and Television Producers Guild, to maintain its independence and fairness as much as possible. If necessary, I can put out another 10 million dollars to lobby the federal government on this matter. I believe that once this issue is raised, those long-suppressed independent filmmakers will certainly contribute their strength to the process.
Finally, I can even initiate the establishment of a special foundation to sue the MPAA for huge compensation for films that suffered commercial box office losses due to excessive ratings over the past 20 years. Even if the lawsuit isn't won, I will persist. By then, I am very curious whether the MPAA's annual budget will be able to sustain the expensive litigation costs. Jack, do you want me to continue?"
Jack Valenti felt a thin layer of sweat unknowingly form on his back.
If the documentary Simon described really appears, the MPAA would immediately be in a very passive situation. Not to mention the list of 30 films in the document, just the two rating review documents for 'Basic Instinct' and 'Scream', which show very clear differential treatment, once released, would be enough for Daenerys Entertainment to completely dominate public opinion.
Once the storm arises, the federal government would have to take it seriously, which would create the possibility for Daenerys Entertainment to lobby.
Finally, establishing a special foundation for a lawsuit barrage, this somewhat rogue but very effective method, no company, enterprise, or industry association can withstand such a war of attrition for long.
Public opinion offensive, financial strategy, litigation barrage.
Combined, these three are sometimes enough to overthrow a regime, let alone an industry association like the MPAA, which is ultimately supported by only a few companies.
For a moment, Jack Valenti even had a strong doubt: how did this twenty-year-old young man come up with these confrontational strategies, which were more incisive and seasoned than those of many veteran politicians?
There was clearly other information after the list of 30 films in the folder, but Jack Valenti found himself a little afraid to turn the page. He re-closed the increasingly heavy folder and looked up at the young man opposite him: "Simon, doing this won't do you any good".
"I understand", Simon said with a serious expression, "But this is a matter of principle, and it's some people's own choice. Jack, an elder just taught me not to easily break the rules a while ago, and I really don't want to do that. But, since they chose opposition, this is the inevitable outcome".
"Just for one 'Scream'?"
"If this problem cannot be thoroughly resolved, Daenerys Entertainment will face more similar situations in the future. So, Jack, I will not back down".
Jack Valenti pondered for a moment, then said, "Simon, you shouldn't really be telling me these things".
"You are the chairman of the MPAA, Jack. You have an obligation to lobby the federal government for bills that benefit the Hollywood film industry, and you also have an obligation to make the major Hollywood film companies understand their situation. Besides, the old men are very concerned about their reputation. If I say these things to their faces, I'm afraid they'll be too embarrassed, or even fly into a rage. So, all things considered, I'm still a very good junior".
"An aggressive yet respectful junior", Jack Valenti twitched his lips and said, "Simon, haven't you noticed that I'm also an old man now?"
Simon shrugged: "I'm sorry, Jack, but this is your job".
A few half-joking words eased the previously tense atmosphere considerably. As lunch was served, Simon even initiated some lighter topics. However, Jack Valenti couldn't relax at all in his heart.
After lunch, Jack Valenti and Simon walked out of the restaurant together.
Looking at the young man standing at the restaurant entrance watching him leave in the rearview mirror, Jack Valenti picked up the car phone and dialled a number as soon as the car turned a corner. When the call connected, he glanced at the folder on the passenger seat and said seriously, "Lou, I'm afraid we need to talk, a detailed talk. I'm coming to your place now".
Simon waited for Jack Valenti's car to drive away, but he didn't get into his own car parked by the road. He simply walked casually south along the north-south street outside the restaurant, sorting out many recent events in his mind.
Simon had no intention of bluffing during lunch.
After this, if 'Scream' still couldn't get the rating it deserved, Simon would not hesitate to stir up a storm, demonstrating Daenerys Entertainment's existence to all of Hollywood.
As for the outcome, he would do it first and then see.
As he strolled, he unknowingly reached the end of the street. In front of him was a low highway overpass, which was the 101 Freeway cutting through Burbank.
Looking at the overpass in front of him, Simon suddenly recalled his first visit to Los Angeles after his rebirth. He got on the bus in Watsonville, entered downtown Burbank along this highway, and even had to stay overnight in the valley because he underestimated the lack of public transportation in Los Angeles.
Two years had passed, and the situation back then felt like a long time ago. Los Angeles's public transportation hadn't improved at all in these two years, but he was no longer the down-and-out teenager he once was.
The two women he first met had also, unknowingly, become the closest people to him.
Noticing a public phone booth on the street, Simon suddenly wanted to call Janette or Kathryn.
He walked to the phone booth but found he had no coins, only a few crisp hundred-dollar bills in his wallet. He had paid for lunch, of course, but even the tip was settled with a credit card. Simon couldn't even remember the last time he bought something with cash.
Janette took care of his life so meticulously that Simon had discovered Janette's 'little conspiracy' long ago: she wanted him to completely lose his ability to live independently and become increasingly reliant on her. Having lived two lives, Simon naturally couldn't truly become someone who knew nothing about daily life, but he rarely bothered with these trivial matters anymore.
Neil Bennett, who had been slowly driving alongside Simon, noticed his boss's actions and stopped the car somewhat puzzled, wondering why Simon didn't use the car phone but instead walked to the public phone booth. Noticing Simon checking his wallet, Neil Bennett opened the door, got out, and handed Simon a few coins.
After a phone call yesterday, Janette, who had just toured Europe, was currently staying in the mansion in Cannes, France.
During this time, Janette had personally inspected all the properties selected by Sophia Fessey, confirmed everything, and was currently dealing with loan issues.
A total of sixteen
Even though he planned to buy all the luxury homes, Simon didn't intend to pay in full; he didn't have that much cash available right now.
However, with Simon's current net worth, if he wanted to take out a loan, banks in both North America and Europe would be happy to lend him money. After all, this loan would be very secure for the banks, as Simon's billions of dollars in assets meant he had more than enough ability to repay it.
Even in the unlikely event that Simon couldn't repay the loan, the properties themselves could be used as collateral.
Although he clearly remembered the phone number in Cannes, the public phone in front of him couldn't make international calls. Simon put the coins into the phone and had no choice but to dial Kathryn's number at her New York apartment.
After that absurd night, Kathryn had been staying in New York. The reason the woman gave was for the production of 'Blue Steel', but Simon could sense Kathryn's discomfort with the relationship between the two or three of them, and thus she deliberately avoided him.
It was afternoon working hours in New York, and he didn't know if Kathryn was home.
'Blue Steel' was mostly finished, but Simon knew Kathryn's life wasn't monotonous. New York at the moment was still the base for American independent films, and Kathryn got along well with that circle. Recently, after finishing the post-production of 'Blue Steel' she also served as a producer for another independent film.
He didn't expect it, but the call surprisingly connected.
"Kathryn, it's me", hearing the woman's voice, Simon held the receiver and turned to lean against the phone booth's glass, looking at the traffic on the road: "Nothing much, just here in Burbank, thought I'd give you a call. What are you doing at home at this time… Oh… Janette is coming back in mid-next month, so, do you want to come to Los Angeles… I'm standing by the road, of course there's car noise, I didn't expect you'd change the subject too… Haha, why can't I stand by the road…
Really nothing, just had dinner with Jack Valenti, thought I'd take a walk down the street to help digest… No one's watching, it's quiet here, I'm a little disappointed, I should go to Rodeo Drive… Since you don't want to come back, how about I secretly fly over tomorrow night? Hmm, it's happily decided then… Alright, alright, then I'll go some other time… So, a kiss… They don't know who you're kissing… Why don't you take the phone and hide in the bathroom… Haha, alright, bye bye".