Sending away Tina Fei, Frank Pearson returned to the study, sitting behind the desk with a gloomy expression, and opened the copy of the information that the other party had personally sent. After only a few pages, his face became more ugly, but He worked hard in this circle for many years, was able to control his emotions, and forcibly kept watching.
Two million dollars is not worth mentioning to a director like Duke, but it means 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 post. Every year, especially during the awards season, there are indeed a lot of figures, but two million dollars. It is not a small number for him.
He is a director and screenwriter. The most glorious moment was in the 1960s and 70s. The most successful work was the remake of "The Birth of a Star". Even at this stage, the income from his two careers was not very high. To have the current status, more depends on the accumulation of qualifications.
Frank Pearson is a man who has only managed to reach a high position for many years. He is naturally a conservative, and he is one of the core members of the conservative school.
In fact, he is almost eighty years old, and his requirements for money are not too high. It’s just that behind every successful father, there are always several unsatisfied sons. He puts out two million ∷, US dollars to invest, just for Considered by own son.
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 Pearson chose Tim Robbins in "Saving Private Ryan", he has never underestimated Duke's commercial ability.
In his eyes, Duke's commercial blockbuster is not only a guarantee of box office boom, but also a booster for peripheral products, as long as the investment is successful. The income that he has successively obtained is enough to guarantee the basic life of that unsatisfied son after he is completely old.
But Frank Pearson never expected that Duke Rosenberg would send his personal assistant to come to the door to send this information, and also brought some information-Duke found that there was a problem with the project in question. They may all fall into a well-designed trap.
Pearson didn't have too much doubt. More than a week ago, there was definite news that Duke paid Christopher Rockencourt a one-million-dollar deposit. This has involved the other party’s vital interests, and there is no need to deceive himself on this matter. .
Gently closing the information, Frank Pearson suddenly laughed, but his smile was a little bitter, and then he leaned back on the chair.
Although he doesn't like the other party's movie style, he is quite sure. Duke would not make such a joke.
At the same time, there was an extremely complicated feeling in my heart. Who would have thought that he had known more than four years, made extensive friends in Hollywood, and had a certain reputation. He turned out to be a super scam who started operating ten years ago!
If the person sending the information is not like him, they are all members of the Hollywood Jewish Club. He really didn't want to believe it.
After all, that person has appeared in Hollywood for ten years, and there are so many celebrities, large and small, as friends. As far as he knows, the other party has also been with the daughter of a president of a country.
Such a person is a scammer?
Frank Pearson has trusted it once, and will not believe it again.
He picked up the phone and dialed the number of his retired old friend Arthur Miller. This Monroe’s ex-husband was not only
The film director and the former chairman of the academy are so simple and have extensive relationships. Because of the special relationship between Hollywood and the federal government, it has some connections with certain departments in Washington.
If it wasn't important, Frank Pearson would not ask him for help if he was already sick and lying in bed.
After the phone call, he hurried out and rushed to Arthur Miller's sanatorium in Santa Monica.
something. It takes a lot of time to check from scratch, but when you have clear information, it is often easier to verify the authenticity of the information.
Only three days later, Frank Pearson was notified by an old friend that the information was more than 90% likely to be true.
Facts are better than any illusions. Frank Pearson is sure that many people, including him, are bewildered by the emperor's coat that Christopher Rockencourt has carefully built for ten years.
Frank Pearson sat in the study, opened the document again, and everyone familiar with the name came into view...
This is no longer his personal business. It is 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. Excessive exposure to the public.
And most of the people involved in this matter, including Duke, are basically members of the academy, among them there are many senior people like him, and directors such as Soderbergh who are highly regarded by the academy.
Sitting here thinking for a long time, Frank Pearson picked up the phone and dialed a number that hadn't been dialed much.
It was a woman who answered the phone, and then a strange voice, which he vaguely remembered.
"Duke." Frank Pearson said solemnly, "Thank you."
"You are too polite, Mr. Pearson." Duke left the beach rest area and walked to the beach alone. "I am also a victim. If the other party succeeds, I will lose more than a million dollars."
"We are all blinded by the benefits he promised."
By the age of Frank Pearson, there is no need to cover up some words, "Forget the caution and investigation before investing."
"Fran..." Duke looked at the open sea, saying true or false, "When I first contacted, I asked the lawyer and accountant to check him, but there were no problems, and he was very patient in negotiations. , I hold on to the bottom line, it doesn’t look like there is a problem, I am also lucky..."
Where Duke could not see, Frank Pearson nodded lightly. Before investing, his lawyers and accountants had also checked, and there was no problem at all.
"You should know that my relationship with the Los Angeles County Police Department has always been very good."
This is well known to all Hollywood people. Some people who hate the police have even abused Duke for making two films praising the Los Angeles police. "When I was meeting with Sheriff Carter, I met a former fbi employee who opened a detective agency. , I just thought of this, I asked the other party to check it, but the result was completely beyond my expectation."
In the face of a veteran member of the academy like Frank Pearson, Duke would not say anything inconsequential. His words are more than 90% true. Even if Frank Pearson asks, there will be no problems.
"The information I only got last week, in order to prevent mistakes, after thorough confirmation, it was sent to you."
There was silence on the phone for a while, and just when Duke thought Frank Pearson was going 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 we should listen to other people's opinions, after all, I am not the only one being deceived."
"What are your thoughts, Frank?" Duke asked.
"It's not time to say anything, I will contact these people in private, and then call the police."
In any case, this is indeed not just his own business. Duke paused for a while before saying, "I agree with you. Steven and a few other people I know well, I have long been asked The information was sent over."
The so-called familiarity is naturally Jewish.
"I will call them and notify others."
After hanging up the phone, Duke let out a sigh of relief. He knew very well that he was a veritable commercial director in the eyes of the school’s old school. They didn’t feel very good about themselves, and they thought with their toes. Knowing that film critics won't just watch him sweep everything during the awards season.
Movies are just the foundation, and what I do now is a necessary support.
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 was as vast as the Pacific Ocean in front of him. He had a long, long way to go.
The phone rang again, and Duke took a few words and said with a smile, "Steven, you are too kind, we are all victims."
The person who called was Steven Soderbergh.
In the following hours, Duke's phone would ring from time to time.
"Ben, there is no need to be so polite, we still think about how to deal with that guy."
"George, I heard that you have something to do with politics. 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 more than just thank you. Duke knows very well that what happened today will affect their choices when necessary.
How to guide after two years depends on the methods of Penny Kelly and Nancy Joseph. What they do is to deal with people.
As things have progressed to the present, Christopher Rockencourt has no use value anymore. In the next period of time, he is bound to endure the anger of many people who suddenly realized it, and it is not difficult to guess what situation he will eventually fall into.
Now with Frank Pearson, a senior figure leading the coordination, Duke does not need to expend too much energy.
Handing the phone to Tina Fei, Duke gave Ivanka Trump a relieved look, and his gaze returned to Wallace Lee who was opposite.
"Where did you talk, Lee?" He patted his head, "Yes, the story of the werewolf and the vampire!" (To be continued...)