hunt hollywood

Hearing this, the two little girls turned around and ran to find Jennifer.

Simon invited Robert Iger to sit down and looked at this middle-aged man who brought Disney to the peak again after Michael Eisner in the original space-time, and said: "Speaking of which, Bob, I have always been curious, how do you Where did you find that videotape?"

Robert Iger looked at the young man on the other side of the sofa, was stunned for a moment, and said, "Don't you know?"

Simon was a little confused: "What do I know?"

Robert Iger looked at James Raybould again: "Jim, you don't know either?"

James Raybould was even more puzzled: "Does this matter have anything to do with me?"

Robert Iger suddenly smiled and said, "In this case, I'd better not talk too much."

Simon and James glanced at each other, quickly realized Robert Iger's hint, and said in unison: "Jenny?!"

Robert Iger shrugged and said with a smile, "I didn't say anything."

Jennifer Raybould quickly came downstairs with the two little girls, and Amanda was still holding an acoustic guitar.

Everyone at the party today has basically heard about Simon playing the song "Flight of the Bumble Bee". Seeing that he was going to give advice to the two little girls on the spot, they all came over with great interest, standing or sitting around Around the living room.

Simon didn't put on airs at all, first let the two little girls play once, followed by a few pointers, and with everyone's encouragement, he even played two pieces himself.

Just after taking the guitar downstairs, she felt the teasing in the eyes of her father, Simon, and Bob. Jennifer realized that she couldn't hide the little secret she wanted to keep exclusively for herself. She shyly hid and saw that everyone was gathered in the living room, so she stood at the door and looked over the crowd to see him chatting and interacting with everyone.

After a while, a burgundy figure appeared beside him unknowingly. When he realized that it was Janet, he nodded slightly.

Janet was holding a glass of red wine, and didn't lean forward. She watched quietly for a while, then turned to her, noticing that Jennifer was still wearing a ponytail tonight, leaned over and whispered, "He likes it very much."

Jennifer felt Janet's gaze, and she was a little guilty at first, but when she heard the words, her fair face immediately turned red, her eyes dodged, and she wanted to pretend that she didn't hear it.

Janet seemed unaware of her embarrassment, and continued: "However, you have to be careful, but it's disgusting."

Jennifer was a little confused, so she waited for Janet to take the initiative to speak, but there was nothing to say.

After a while, he couldn't help turning his head and glanced at her, his voice was so low that he could hardly hear it: "What, what?"

Janet stretched out her mischievous little hand, grabbed her ponytail and stroked it gently, then let it go quickly, and approached her ear with a smile on the corner of her mouth, saying: "One night, he insisted on letting me Tie your hair up and then, you know, ride like a horse, it's pretty damned."

Like, riding a horse.

This one.

Ok.

You should pretend you didn't understand.

It's just that the strong sense of imagery floated in her mind, and her face was about to burn.In the end, he still couldn't hold back, he took a step back while supporting the door frame, and found an excuse like a mosquito, then turned around and slipped upstairs.

Chapter 138

Simon Westeros tried to join the Motorola board of directors. Not only did Westeros representatives hang out in Chicago for three days, he was also given a "big gift" by the chairman of Motorola on Christmas. Lok Road topic.

It is difficult for too many people to accept that a young boy who suddenly became rich is running rampant in the capital market and trying to get his hands on his original power.

Facing the silence of Westeros Corporation during Christmas, Wall Street, North American media, and technology companies held by Westeros Corporation are all speculating on how Simon Westeros will react next.

Monday, October 12.

After the festival, the working day came again, and the response from Westeros Corporation was also simple and rude.

Early in the morning, the same page in the New York Times as Motorola chairman Robert Galvin made a statement last week featured Westeros' counter-claim.

"Westeros expressed regret for the stock market crash in October, but the company obtained its due profits under the premise of completely complying with business rules, and never used any illegal means to try to manipulate the market. And, Westeros After the stock market crash broke out, the buying operation with huge investment has played a supporting role in the entire technology stock sector, and a large number of new technology companies have benefited from it.”

"Therefore, we totally cannot accept the accusations made by Motorola Chairman Robert Galvin."

"Westero's attempt to join the board of directors of the holding company is to protect the interests of its major shareholders and at the same time provide appropriate support and advice for the development of these companies."

"In order to show that Westeros does not have any speculative intentions, we will continue to absorb the shares of another 25 companies other than Motorola, and increase the shareholding to more than 5% to accept public scrutiny."

"Westeros has publicly promised that for companies that accept us to join the board of directors, Westeros will not conduct any shareholding reduction operations in the next three years. For companies that do not accept us to join the board of directors, except for Motorola, Westeros The company will also hold shares for at least one year."

"at last."

"In response to Motorola's malicious snubbing of shareholder representatives and inappropriate remarks, Westeros will reduce all Motorola stock."

After Westeros' statement was released, the media and Wall Street quickly interpreted the core content: Simon Westeros will reduce its holdings of Motorola shares worth hundreds of millions of dollars, while continuing to absorb other technology stocks.

This is actually the intention of Simon to issue a statement in advance.

As a large investor that can affect the entire technology stock sector, if Westeros reduces its holdings of Motorola by a large amount without warning, other technology companies held by the company will also be affected under the panic, causing a series of chain reactions .

just now.

Simon said in advance that he is not only targeting Motorola, but will continue to absorb other technology stocks and maintain long-term holdings.Westeros' sell-off of Motorola stock would not have caused panic in the market.

Followed by.

When Wall Street was still guessing what kind of reduction strategy Simon would adopt, at 9:30 in the morning, just as the New York stock market opened, a sell order for 100 million shares of Motorola was directly thrown into the market. Time has smashed a downward gap in the entire market curve.

It wasn't until the news spread that the investors who thought the stock market crash would come again stabilized.

However, driven by Westeros, the entire market began to sell Motorola's stock.At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the stock market closed, and Motorola's share price had plummeted to $75.5 from $62 at the close of last Thursday, a drop of 17.9%.

In just six and a half hours, Motorola lost $12 billion in market value.

at the same time.

When the Evening News was published in the afternoon, news appeared in the newspaper that Westeros had filed equity filings with the SEC for 25 other companies.

Except for Motorola, the shares of other 25 companies held by Westeros, with a total value of about 13 billion US dollars, all increased their holdings by 0.1% to meet the 5% filing standard. Westeros actually Only need to invest less than 1300 million US dollars.

Also.

Before today, the Westeros Corporation had only confirmed the board seats of 5 companies.But by the end of the afternoon, this number had increased to 11, and the executives of the remaining companies had also called for discussion.

Faced with a market value loss of more than 12 billion U.S. dollars, Motorola naturally couldn't calm down.

After the "New York Times" statement in the morning, Motorola was still quite strong, but at noon, the other party's attitude had completely softened.However, subsequent calls about Motorola were basically blocked on the grounds that Simon was in a meeting.

Simon is indeed in a meeting.

After two days of negotiations over the weekend, James Raybould officially joined Simon's company as the president of Westeros Corporation. His previous title was the company's legal counsel.

On Monday morning, Simon discussed the acquisition of New World Entertainment with James Raybould and the team of Raybould Law Firm.The law firm of Raybould will next be run by Jennifer's mother, Carol Raybould.

Inside a building on 51st Street in Midtown.

The meeting lasted until five o'clock in the afternoon.After get off work hours, Simon had just walked out of the headquarters of Raybould Law Firm with everyone when he met another aggressive old man in his 60s with several entourages. After seeing Simon, the old man's face was full of anger The meaning is obviously more prosperous.

The other party is the current chairman of Motorola, Robert Galvin.

Facing the reckless sell-off of Westeros Corporation, under the dual pressure of the company's major shareholders and the board of directors, Robert Galvin had no intention of going on vacation at all. After calling to no avail, he had to fly from Miami, Florida in a hurry New York.

A meeting request with Simon was denied, and he had to come and block the door himself.

Without any intention of greeting, Robert Galvin restrained the anger on his face a little, then stared at Simon and said, "Westeros, stop selling stocks. I can allow your people to join the board of directors."

Simon shook his head bluntly, and said: "Mr. Galvin, you overestimated the attractiveness of Motorola's board seat to me. Moreover, since I have publicly stated that I want to reduce my shareholding in this company, I will not go back on my word like some people of."

Robert Galvin twitched his face and said, "In this case, Motorola can repurchase the remaining shares in your hand, let's make an offer."

Simon asked Jennifer beside him, "Jenny, how much Motorola stock do we have left?"

Jennifer said without thinking: "413 million shares."

Simon turned to Robert Galvin, who was a little embarrassed again after hearing this number, and said: "Mr. Galvin, 413 million shares, if Motorola wants to repurchase, according to last Thursday's closing price of 75.5 US dollars, erase one For a fraction, you can pay 3 million US dollars."

Robert Galvin stared at Simon, subconsciously said: "You are blackmailing."

Simon shrugged and said, "Alternatively, you can buy these stocks back from the open market, and I guarantee that the price will be much cheaper."

Robert Galvin was angry again.

If it were possible to buy all the shares held by the Westeros Corporation on the open market, he would not be here today at all.

The stock trading on the exchange is automatically matched by the system according to the asking prices of buyers and sellers, and it is impossible to specify which stock to buy.Westeros had only to set a higher selling price than the minimum price, and Motorola's attempt to absorb it from the open market would be futile.

The turnover rate of Motorola stock exceeded 6% today, reaching 570 million shares. Westeros made three sales orders of 100 million shares at several price points in a row, but only sold all of the 470 million shares it held. This is the reason for less than 60 shares.

Moreover, just less than 60 shares of stock caused Motorola's stock price to plummet by 17.9%. Robert Galvin could not imagine that Westeros would sell all its stocks through a public sale. What a fall.

just now.

Robert Galvin also understood that Simon Westeros was obviously waiting for him to come to him.

Gritting his teeth for a moment, Robert Galvin said again: "$60, this is the highest price I can give."

Simon repeated mechanically, "$75.5."

Robert Galvin subconsciously clenched his fist. If he could be 30 years younger, he would definitely pounce on him without hesitation and beat up this little guy.However, at this time, he could only suppress his voice and growl: "Don't even think about it, Westeros, you are just a bastard, an upstart, a saboteur, you don't even know how hard it is for adults to make money , you're just messing up other people's companies like a kid."

Listening to Robert Galvin's low growl, Simon narrowed his eyes and said, "Mr. Galvin, you are wrong. I fully understand how difficult it is to start a company. That's why I know, if I smashed all the bottles and jars that you made with your own hands, how distressed you will be. This matter could have been resolved peacefully, but you yourself caused the current situation. Moreover, you also let me understand one thing , since you all think that Westeros is just a bastard who doesn't deserve to be taken seriously, then I will show you the nature of a bastard. If you don't give respect, I will give you fear. See, it's that simple .If Motorola's stock price continues to plummet, I believe that you, the chairman who has caused huge losses to shareholders, will never hold on to your position until the end of your term."

Robert Galvin pointed at Simon and interrupted angrily: "You caused this!"

Simon nodded: "Yes, but they will only blame you."

Robert Galvin's body trembled a little, and he was silent for a moment before he said, "$65."

Simon didn't mean to collapse the business on purpose, he backed down a little, and said, "Okay, $70. However, Motorola must take out the money within a week. As a guarantee, before the market opens tomorrow, Motorola needs to sell 3000 million US dollars of funds into the account of Westeros, once Motorola fails to fulfill the agreement, Westeros will not return the money."

Robert Galvin insisted on the bargain: "$70 is too much, $67, and, besides, I need at least a month."

Simon said firmly: "$70 for a week. Mr. Galvin, I'm not the kind of person who likes to bargain. You don't have a second choice."

Robert Galvin still didn't give up, saying: "Westeros, if I disagree, it's not good for everyone if you continue to smash the market, and you will also face huge losses."

"I can bear this loss." Simon shook his head indifferently, looked at Robert Galvin, and said, "But you can't. After the stock market crash, the stock market will be very depressed for the next few years. $62, but it may take you a year to get back to the high of $75.5. So, if you say no, I'll take Motorola down another year tomorrow."

Robert Galvin's expression was uncertain for a moment, and he finally compromised: "70 dollars, deal."

Chapter 139 "Rain Man" finalized

Simon reached a deal with Robert Galvin, and Westeros received a $3000 million deposit that night.

According to the agreed price of US$70, the total value of 413 million shares is close to US$2.9 million. Counting the 57 shares sold before, Westeros will recover more than US$3 million in total after the Motorola stock is liquidated.

Motorola couldn't wait to announce the news of repurchasing the shares in the hands of Westeros that night.Still, the company's share price inevitably fell below $60 the next day.In the next few days, the media was still clamoring for comments on the transaction, but Simon had completely left Motorola behind.

Compared with the original investment of about 2.5 million US dollars, the recovery of more than 3.2 million US dollars in just over two months is a big profit anyway.

At the same time, Simon also launched a plan to acquire New World Entertainment.

In order to reduce the cost of the acquisition as much as possible, James Raybould formulated a strategy of first absorbing enough stocks from the circulation market at a low price and then publicly quoting them. The initial purchase process took two weeks, and Simon did not need to watch it personally. After New Year's Day , he returned to Los Angeles again.

Time also officially entered 1988.

Here in Hollywood.

Robin Williams' "Good Morning Vietnam" was released on December 12 on a very small scale with 25 screens, and it quickly aroused unanimous praise from North American film critics. Hollywood's authoritative "Variety Show" magazine praised this The film is 'an exhilarating journey through the screen', with Robin Williams himself delivering a powerful performance.

Although there has not been a large-scale filming, the hot sales of "Good Morning Vietnam" can already be expected. It is obviously impossible for Daenerys Pictures to let the other party sign the film contract of "Dead Poets Society" at a low price.

but.

Simon is most concerned about "Rain Man".

After the first meeting, United Artists chairman Tony Tomopoulos asked Simon to discuss the film with him in person after Christmas. Simon didn't return to Los Angeles until after New Year's Day, so there was no way to talk about it.

During this period, Simon also heard that Michael Ovitz recommended this project to Michael Eisner again, hoping that Disney would cooperate with United Artists, but nothing happened.

After inquiring about the situation on the day of Amy's meeting in detail, Simon also roughly understood why Robin Williams suddenly changed his mind and why Ovitz recommended "Rain Man" to Eisner again.

However, Simon's current influence has not yet reached the point where Spielberg's fancy project will attract intense attention and even loot it. A Disney helm like Eisner who absolutely does not lack personal judgment will naturally not Because Simon may be interested in investing in a film that the entire Hollywood is not optimistic about.

Tomopoulos tried to talk to Simon in person, but Simon never came back and made another fortune on Wall Street.

After all, United Artists did not dare to undertake this project on its own. The matter dragged on after New Year's Day. Daenerys Pictures looked very calm, but Tomopoulos couldn't hold back and took the initiative to call Ai Meter.

Before Simon came back, Amy and Tomopoulos finally came up with a rough cooperation plan after two days of negotiations.

United Artists packaged and sold the copyrights of "Rain Man" and "The Hobbit" to Daenerys Pictures for $200 million. "Rain Man" was independently produced by Daenerys Pictures, and MGM United Artists has obtained the all-channel distribution rights of "Rain Man" in North American domestic theaters, video tapes and TV broadcasts, and Daenerys Pictures retains the overseas distribution rights.

Some other details include that MGM United Artists will guarantee a 12-dollar guaranteed opening screen for the December 16 schedule at the end of the year. 1000% of the box office in North American theaters is used as distribution commissions and so on.

Simply put, this is a contract that is very biased towards MGM-United Artists.

United Artists can obtain 15% of the North American box office net income of "Rain Man" at almost no cost. The popular Christmas schedule on the 12th, no matter how bad the film is in the future, it is still no problem to swindle the box office of 16 million US dollars from the audience.