It was December 31st, the last day of 1988, at the headquarters of Daenerys Entertainment.
Simon welcomed a special guest that afternoon: the current Chairman and Publisher of Marvel Comics, and the creator of superheroes like Captain America, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four, the venerable Stan Lee.
Due to work, Stan Lee still resided in New York, and his trip to Los Angeles this time was for a vacation.
In the months since acquiring New World Entertainment, Simon had met Stan Lee several times, but they hadn't yet had the chance to discuss Marvel's future development plans.
With "Batman" about to start filming, Stan Lee, who had always been keen on adapting Marvel superheroes into film and television, took advantage of his year-end vacation to specially visit Simon and discuss this matter.
"Stan, Daenerys Entertainment will definitely develop Marvel superhero movies, but now is not the right time. We all know that compared to 'Superman' and 'Batman,' Marvel superheroes like 'Spiderman' and 'The Fantastic Four' are very difficult to film".
"But we can start with some easier projects, can't we?" When it came to business, the 66-year-old man, no longer as humorous as usual, said seriously, "Simon, 'The Punisher' is good. He has no superpowers and doesn't require special effects. Why cancel this project?"
Jennifer brought in a pot of coffee at this moment, and Simon continued talking, "Stan, you must have read the script. It's completely a 'Rambo' style gunfight movie, completely losing the essence of 'The Punisher's' story".
Stan Lee took the coffee from Jennifer, thanked her, and then said, "Simon, scripts can be modified".
Simon took a sip of coffee and said, "Then the original project would need to be completely scrapped and started from scratch. And, frankly, Stan, I'm not optimistic about 'The Punisher's' box office prospects".
Stan Lee couldn't help but shake his head and said, "I really don't understand what you're thinking, Simon. You now own all of Marvel's superhero copyrights, but you're going to film DC's 'Batman'".
"I had already started preparing 'Batman' before I acquired Marvel".
"Then what about 'Superman' and 'Wonder Woman'?"
Simon looked at the visibly emotional old man and smiled, "Stan, don't you think it's a very fulfilling thing to be able to hold the copyrights of several heavyweight DC superheroes in your hands, in addition to Marvel?"
Stan Lee thought for a moment, then smiled, but then said, "Alright, Simon, but how long do we have to wait on our end?"
"Five years", Simon said. "After five years, Daenerys Entertainment will start planning Marvel superhero film and television projects. Before that, I hope to accumulate some technology and experience through DC's superheroes".
Simon was now the boss of Marvel, and since his mind was made up, Stan Lee didn't press the issue further. The two then continued to chat about some of Marvel Entertainment's operational trivial, and an hour passed without them realizing it.
As closing time approached, Simon escorted Stan Lee out of his office. Jennifer, who was sitting in the outer office, handed Simon a prepared invitation.
Simon handed the invitation to Stan Lee and said, "Stan, this is an invitation to Daenerys Entertainment's New Year's Eve party tonight. It starts at seven o'clock, at Palisades. If you're interested, you can come".
Stan Lee took the invitation and said cheerfully, "I'll definitely be there on time".
After seeing Stan Lee off, Simon glanced around the outer office, which was temporarily occupied by Jennifer.
Susan Landis had been dismissed last Friday, and the two scripts Simon had prepared earlier, 'The Rocketeer' and 'Fire Birds' had now fallen into the hands of Paramount Pictures.
There was no possibility of misunderstanding regarding this matter. After selecting those two scripts, Simon had simply placed them in his office and had not contacted the copyright holders of the two scripts, nor had he told anyone else about it.
It wasn't until last Friday, when Simon had Jennifer make a few probing calls, that the two projects, which had previously been unassigned, were suddenly picked up by Paramount. This clearly couldn't be explained by coincidence.
Susan Landis had served as Simon's secretary since the founding of Daenerys Entertainment, and some friendship had accumulated. Since the other party hadn't caused any loss to Daenerys Entertainment, Simon had no interest in making an example of a small fry and simply fired her.
However, reminded by this incident, Simon also began to pay more attention to confidentiality.
Tonight was New Year's Eve. After Stan Lee left, Simon also left work early and rushed to the mansion on the hillside of Palisades.
Daenerys Entertainment's New Year's Eve party started at seven in the evening. When Simon arrived, it was not yet half past five. He got out of the car in the courtyard, asked a few questions to the party company staff who were busy around, and quickly found Janette and Kathryn on the second floor of the villa.
Seeing Simon appear, Janette, who was choosing a dress, dismissed the stylist who was quietly advising her, came over and kissed Simon, and said, "You've come at the right time. Help me see which dress is suitable for tonight".
Simon looked at Kathryn, who had already changed into a silver long dress that perfectly suited her personal temperament, and said, "Just don't wear the same dress as Kathryn".
Janette also glanced at Kathryn and said with a smile, "I wouldn't choose a dress that makes people afraid to approach".
Kathryn retorted in a low voice, "How do I make people afraid to approach?"
Janette pointed at Simon: "Look, he's afraid to approach you".
Kathryn immediately glanced at Simon with a hint of guilt and faint resentment.
Simon smiled and walked to the nearby sofa and sat down, saying, "It's just that you're here, affecting my performance".
Janette picked up a dress from the hanger and held it up in front of her, casually glancing at Simon: "Do you want me to leave first and give you some alone time?"
"Not too long, an hour will do".
"Little rascal".
Kathryn blushed: "If you two keep this up, I'm leaving".
After a few playful exchanges, Janette quickly chose a dress, ultimately settling on the burgundy one she quite liked. After trying it on, she didn't take it off again, and called back the blonde female stylist who had secretly winked at Simon after seeing him, and went to the next room to touch up her makeup.
Perhaps she didn't want to go, Kathryn stood in the distance, haphazardly tidying the dresses on the hanger, as if she could clearly feel the gaze of the young man behind her.
Soon, a pair of large hands wrapped around her waist, and the man's breath drew closer and closer. Kathryn then softly said, "Janette is here".
Simon just hummed softly, caressing the woman's smooth silk dress, and leaned in to kiss Kathryn's neck, saying, "How about taking off your high heels? When you wear high heels, I really don't dare to approach you".
Kathryn's original height was 180cm, and wearing 5cm high heels, she immediately surpassed Simon, who, although he had grown a bit taller, was still only a little over 1.8 meters.
"Little rascal, no, I won't accommodate you".
Kathryn murmured softly, but still obediently kicked off her high heels, her body feeling a little weak as she leaned on the clothes rack.
After six o'clock, the mansion began to liven up.
Janette stood at the front of the villa, greeting the guests who were converging from all over Los Angeles. At half past six, seeing Simon appear beside her, the woman maintained a smile and greeted the recently arrived lead actress of 'Steel Magnolias', Jessica Lange and her husband. After they entered the villa, she reached out and unceremoniously pinched Simon's waist: "You rascal, you really did mess around for an hour".
Simon held Janette's small hand and squeezed it, lying effortlessly: "No, we were just chatting".
"Pfft".
Janette glared at Simon, then released him when she saw Robert Rehme and his wife approaching from nearby.
At seven o'clock, the party officially began.
Compared to previous parties at this mansion, the scale of this party was not the grandest, but it definitely had the most A-list attendees. Due to the series of miracles Daenerys Entertainment had created in the film and television fields this year, many top Hollywood stars who had previously been reserved began to actively associate with Daenerys Entertainment.
Moreover, compared to before, at tonight's party, most of the guests found it difficult to dwell on Simon's age in front of him, and instead generally showed more reverence. After all, producing six films that grossed over $100 million in one year, without a single failure, and all six films destined to be among the top ten highest-grossing films of the year, was an unprecedented feat in Hollywood.
Perhaps, apart from Simon Westeros himself, it would be difficult for Hollywood to break this record again in the future.
"Ms. Pfeiffer, the lead actress for 'Flying High' needs that American sweetheart style. You're too beautiful, and your temperament leans more towards cold elegance, which isn't suitable for this role".
On the lawn in the backyard of the mansion, the sky had completely darkened, and the brightly lit courtyard was bustling with people.
Simon was standing by the buffet table, originally intending to pick some food to appease his rumbling stomach, when Michelle Pfeiffer, wearing a light blue low-cut evening gown tonight, walked over and initiated a conversation with him.
Speaking of which, ever since Simon entered Hollywood, Michelle Pfeiffer's name was often mentioned. Michelle Pfeiffer, who had just turned thirty this year, was also at the peak of her beauty. Before this, Daenerys Entertainment and Michelle Pfeiffer had several potential collaboration opportunities. Simon had even auditioned her for the role of Mia in 'Pulp Fiction', but it never materialized.
"In that case, Simon, do you think there are any other roles suitable for me in Daenerys Entertainment's projects?"
Michelle Pfeiffer looked at Simon, and after saying this, she brought a glass of red wine to her lips and took a small sip, clearly hinting as she glanced over.
Simon was just a little hungry, and he had indeed just been 'fed' in certain aspects, so his resistance to women was at its strongest. He simply said, "If there are, I'll definitely contact you".
Michelle Pfeiffer didn't see the expected eagerness in Simon's eyes. Seeing that he was still holding a plate, she had no choice but to say, "Well, Simon, how about we dance? Are you really that hungry?"
Simon spoke truthfully: "Yes, but, Michelle, don't you have a male companion?"
He vaguely remembered that this woman should be married.
Michelle Pfeiffer shook her head and said frankly, "I just got divorced recently".
"Oh, that's really a shame".
"It's nothing", Michelle Pfeiffer said. "Since two people can't continue to be together, it's better to separate".
After chatting for a few more sentences, seeing that Simon still didn't show much interest, Michelle Pfeiffer wisely walked away.
As soon as Michelle Pfeiffer walked away, Sandra Bullock walked over, arm in arm with Courteney Cox.
Simon had just finished selecting food and was about to leave. Looking at the two women's intimate appearance, he immediately remembered the joke he had made with Sandra a few days ago. Could this girl really have started to act on it?
However, after carefully observing Courteney's expression for a few moments, Simon realized that the two women were not as close as he had imagined.
"Hey, what were you just talking about with that woman?"
Simon smiled and said, "Between a man and a woman, of course, they discuss things about men and women".
Sandra, hearing Simon's evasive answer, immediately rolled her eyes and unceremoniously snatched a shrimp ball from his plate, eating it in small bites and saying, "I heard you recently had two scripts stolen?"
Simon had not only not hidden the matter of the two scripts, 'The Rocketeer' and 'Fire Birds', but had privately released the news. He hoped that through this incident, Hollywood would understand one thing: even if a project Daenerys Entertainment was interested in was stolen, it might not achieve the same success as Daenerys Entertainment, and might instead end in complete failure.
In fact, this phenomenon of success depending on the person is very common in Hollywood. Just like superhero movies with similar widespread recognition, some explode to an enviable degree, while others flop miserably.
Of course, these things could not be explicitly stated to Sandra and Courteney.
Simon led Sandra and Courteney to a nearby seat and sat down, saying in a relaxed tone, "It's just two scripts. If they're stolen, they're stolen".
Sandra saw Simon speak so casually, but her eyes held a hint of suspicion. She didn't believe he was truly that relaxed. Based on her understanding of Simon, there must be some inside story she didn't know.
After Simon finished speaking, he proactively changed the topic and started chatting with Courteney.
Compared to Sandra's casualness in front of Simon, Courteney was noticeably much more reserved.
Everything that had happened over the past year had made her lose even feelings like regret. Instead, she felt somewhat fortunate to still maintain some friendship with this young man.
Just now, seeing Simon chatting with Michelle Pfeiffer, Courteney couldn't help but recall the time she and Simon had talked about that actress.
At that time, both she and the young man in front of her were unknown nobodies. His situation could even be described as somewhat down-and-out. However, when she dreamed of becoming a big star like Michelle Pfeiffer, he was very nonchalant, even expressing with interest that he could try dating Michelle Pfeiffer in the future, which naturally earned him some ridicule from her.
Just now, she realized that Michelle Pfeiffer, whom she could only look up to back then, completely failed to display any big star demeanour in front of this young man, instead showing obvious flattery.
Now, he had indeed reached a point where most people in Hollywood could only flatter and look up to him.