Hollywood Domination: The thousand and first girl

"Hey."

"Hey - coffee?"

"Don't drink, maybe I will sleep on the plane later - give me some muffins."

Cesare put a piece of muffin that was still steaming on her plate, and Jenny took the cream bowl, smeared a spoonful on the muffin, cut off a piece and put it in her mouth. "hmm——"

It counted that she hadn't eaten for more than ten hours, and the first bite of food after being drunk whetted her appetite, "Which party service company did we order? This muffin tastes really good."

"It's Hilton's delivery team, so we'll look for it next time." Cesare said, looking at the green grass outside the balcony. "The scenery is also good."

The cool morning wind blows from above the pine forest, and the green grass sways in the wind, filling the balcony with the fragrance of earth. Jenny looked back and took a sip of milk. "If you like it, you can buy it - you should be able to get it for less than 200 million."

The asking price of the largest mansion in the Los Angeles area was 150 million US dollars when it changed hands in 2007. The property tax that the current owner has to pay every year is astronomical. External leasing is only a means of subsidizing the property tax, and it still depends on the house price Appreciate to make money. And the two people who had to go through some calculations to buy a luxury house with tens of millions in the past, now judging from the company's cash reserves, it is not so unimaginable to buy this house.

"If you really want to start making TV series, it's better to keep the company's cash as start-up capital." Cesare said that although he almost didn't sleep all night, his spirit is not too bad, "I and Jay-z chatted, he has some interest in doing a hip-hop musical comedy.”

"Oh? Is this what you and Beyonce were talking about?" Jenny said, smiling awkwardly. "—I think about it now, what does jay-z mean? Joint development or just consulting fees?"

"He wants to cooperate in development, so that he can promote his newcomers." Cesare said, "But he doesn't want to pay money, and the requested share is not high, but he wants to enjoy all the copyrights of the songs he gave."

Regarding the development of TV dramas, although Jenny seems to have some advantages in this regard, the dramas she knows are basically the own dramas of major TV stations, such as "The Walking Dead", "Breaking Bad" and other big hits. The copyrights of the series have been bought by amc and hbo a long time ago, and it is not Dameng's turn to intervene. Dameng can only contact the creative team to do the pilot episode, but it is different from when it was first established. Now Dameng Meng already has more face, as long as the pilot episode is not too bad, it will definitely be no problem for the TV station to book half a season, unlike the last time when the idea of ​​​​making a TV series came up, you can only wait for others to do it separately, otherwise there will be no problem at all. Likely to be booked.

Compared to buying the scripts of the pilot episodes, Cesare and she still prefer to create their own ideas and find someone to cooperate in creating scripts and episodes. Cesare believes that the popularity of "glee" shows that young audiences are interested in music. There is a certain demand for comedy, but the chorus form is too simple. If you can make a musical comedy with the theme of hip-hop, the market response should not be too bad. However, this also requires that the series has a big name in music. Unlike "glee", which mainly buys copyrights, the quality of the original songs is not good enough, and the TV series will definitely not be popular.

"The conditions are not harsh." Jenny was a little surprised, "Of course, it's a bit too much to take away all the song copyrights, but the music market is not so profitable now—at least compared to movies, what do you think? ?”

"He's just my first conversation partner. There are still many talented people in hip-hop music who want to go to film and television." Cesare said, "Of course he knows how to ask for a price-I have no objection, He also knows how to expand and develop songs. If these songs are good enough, we can’t let them hit the charts and hold concerts, but jay-z’s contacts can easily make these arrangements.”

"If it means he can write songs for us for free," Jenny thought for a moment, agreeing, "yeah, it wouldn't do us too much harm - it's probably the most relaxing thing we've ever talked about." contract, who do you plan to let be the producer?"

"I will go to talk to CAA, they should know which producer is experienced in this area." Cesare finished the coffee in the cup, and put the knife and fork on the plate.

"Yes," Jenny agreed, and she suddenly couldn't help laughing at herself, "Of course, the premise is that if you still stay in Dameng."

Cesare spread his hands, "Even if I want to leave, there must be a handover period - I will find a successor and make a good handover before leaving."

"Yeah." Jenny nodded, she resisted the urge to purse her lips, "If you leave Dream, where are you going?"

"I don't think it's hard to find another studio that needs a CEO," says Cesare, who seems to have thought it through. "However, I hope that time can be pushed back to the release of "Dragon Tiger Boys"-it is the first film I made after all."

"Yeah, that was the first movie you made after all," said Jenny, looking down and fiddled with the milk glass, "—but you're going to have your first TV show after all."

Cesare smiled and did not answer her. Jenny sighed, and didn't continue on this topic, "Think about it, if you leave Dameng next year... After that, how will we live? I will come back to Los Angeles and film in the city... Can we Do you have dinner together every day?"

"We should be able to arrange a shared meal once a week." Cesare said, "I think, after all, taking over a new company is not an easy task, for you and me, going out once every two weeks? This should be guaranteed .”

"You may have overestimated my ability." Jenny calculated her workload, and couldn't help but smile bitterly: According to the schedule, "Dragon and Tiger Boys" should be released in July next year. I am filming "The New Generation 2", that is, "The Great Gatsby" or other films. Needless to say, I am the producer of "The Avengers" and "Iron Man 3". In addition, I have cooperated with several major companies The movie has also entered the release period, which means a busy accounting period and release period work... Even if the CEO helps to share, she still has to keep an eye on it. It is estimated that for a period of time just handed over, no matter what, it will be based on the company. home. "If you don't cut production, let's go out once a month... This may be barely possible."

She let out a breath, "so, live under one roof, but may not even see each other's face for a long time, only date once a month...do you think such a relationship can go so far How far?"

"I don't know," Cesare shook his head, "This is something you can't predict, you can only... adapt to the situation and go with the flow."

"Yeah, adapt, go with the flow..." said Jenny, picking up her fork and drawing circle after circle on the dining table, "just assuming—did you really think about staying?"

Cesare shook his head, and the corners of his lips were drawn into a straight line, "Our careers have overlapped a lot, Jenny, if our lives overlap again, the risk will be so great that no one can afford to fail. Not a healthy start—and I don't like mixing career and life, you know, that's my style."

Jenny couldn't help showing a complicated smile, "Yeah, this has always been your style."

She put down her fork, propped her chin on the table with one hand, and looked at Cesare, "You know, I've been thinking, this is actually a matter of choice-for us, there is no obstacle that we cannot overcome , the question is whether you can pay enough to choose a new direction for your life."

She raised her hand, balancing the invisible scales back and forth in the air, "One side is a big dream, so many coincidences and luck - to develop into today's company, neither you nor me Miracles that may be replicated again, maybe one day someone will create a new company that is stronger than us, but for me and you, we can’t repeat it again, this process of rising, a precious development period—— "

"It is indeed in a very good state." Cesare also had a smile on his lips. His tone was reserved, but Jenny could hear his pride, just like what she felt now In this way: Dameng has not been 100% lucky every step of the way until today, but every step is also indispensable for the blessing of luck. The company built by so many years of sweat and hard work can indeed make their efforts worthwhile . "To be precise, if we can complete our plan, it is indeed on the eve of taking off—"

Before July next year, all the preparatory work should be completed. With the release of the cooperative films one by one, Dameng should usher in a period of crazy cash flow and copyright profit, but by then, he may Leave before harvest time.

Jenny blinked and took a deep breath, "The other side is...you and me—"

She stared intently at Cesare, looking at the reflection of his blond hair in the morning light, and his light-colored pupils, "It is a possibility between us... maybe, it is also irreplaceable, and it must not be copied— —No, I think it’s so irreplaceable, because everything we’ve been through…what we know about each other…it’s like a big dream that can’t be replicated. The kind of replacement found."

Cesare's expression is like a sculpture - under the sun, it seems that it is so difficult for him to show a little emotion, he nodded almost imperceptibly, pursing his lips tightly, "yes."

"You know, I think about it a lot, in the bathroom," Jenny said, breaking her gaze and laughing down her head. "How should I explain it to you? Why do I think which choice is more correct... Later I found out that there is no right or wrong, neither of them can be copied, the scale has no weight, all you have to do is think about what you want most What it is, there is no need to explain, there is no 'have to', only 'want to'."

"Yes." Cesare said, the words almost came out of his lips.

"Dream," Jenny raised her left hand, "we."

She raised her right hand, balancing up and down, as if the scales were violently swinging. "Big dream, we, big dream, we..."

Cesare's eyeballs couldn't help but follow her movements, and it seemed that he was a little annoyed by her tantalizing - but the somewhat funny expression still made Jenny couldn't help laughing.

"I think out of a thousand girls, a thousand would prefer love..." She said with a smile, holding her right hand, and Cesare's eyes widened slightly.

A gust of morning wind blew by, and the sun officially emerged from the skyline, **** the clouds with gold. The sun pierced Jenny's eyes. on the table.

She said softly, "But also allow a girl to prefer career... I am that girl - the thousand and first girl."

There is no 'it's safest to do this', 'it's best for us to do this', this is not a last choice, she loves everything, but love has different degrees, she can try to keep Cesare, try Trying to coordinate between career and private life, trying to reduce her workload, trying to enjoy some normal and ordinary life, trying to develop a relationship, this road is in front of her... But she won't go .

Because she loves movies more, loves big dreams more, loves this kind of loneliness more, sometimes it is painful, sad, busy, tired, flashy, dangerous-but it is also glorious, successful, Stimulating and exciting life, she doesn't want to adjust her focus, she doesn't want to change. She is the kind of girl who prefers career, and she is willing to pay such a price.

She looked at Cesare, and Cesare looked at her, his expression barely changing, but... Jenny noticed that his shoulders had loosened a little.

"Okay." He said, "Then... we should make some plans for the time we spend together in the future, you know, before the divorce, try to avoid... uncontrollable events."

"I will live in Yosemite until the end of the year-at least, if the filming can be completed before then." Jenny said, "I will not attend this year's Oscars, after that you can go to New York or Canada, we can Find a place to save money for the new TV series..."

She narrowed her eyes and said suddenly, "This is what you want, isn't it?——You also want to maintain the status quo and keep a distance, isn't it?"

"Huh?" Cesare stopped drinking water, a little surprised.

"Your shoulders are relaxed—and you're drinking, and there's no line between your brows," said Jenny, as she picked up her knife and pointed it at him. "It's all about relaxation—to be honest. , do you want me to make such a choice?"

"Uh..." Cesare said, still maintaining the previous action, "So? If this is the case, do you have any objections?"

"No problem." Jenny said, but did not put down the knife, "but I will suspect that what you said before is just a strategy to maintain my self-esteem."

Cesare rolled his eyes at her, put down his cup with a smile, and the atmosphere became lighter unconsciously, "Actually, I can't predict what you will choose, but I admit - this choice maintains the status quo , so..."

He shrugged and let out a sigh of relief, "Although there are also losses...but indeed, you will also feel more at ease and relieved."

"It's not that I'm also disappointed." Jenny said, "Although I'm relieved, I still have a big, big, big loss."

"Okay." Cesare said, his eyes softened, "Although he is relieved, he still has a big, big, big, big loss..."

"It's a big one more." Jenny murmured, she smiled, but the smile disappeared quickly, "We should be glad that we are the same kind of people—I am the same as you, although lost, But at the same time..."

She also shrugged, "It's like a dynamite package finally exploded, but no casualties were caused, isn't it?"

"Yes?" Cesare said cautiously, "Can I say 'yes'?"

"You are allowed to say 'yes'." Jenny waved her hand magnanimously, and laughed with him. "To be honest, it's hard to imagine what will happen if you choose to leave Dameng—do you think we will succeed?"

"What do you think?" Cesare asked back.

"You don't need to answer every question very carefully." Jenny couldn't laugh or cry, "No matter how you answer, I promise I won't be angry."

Cesare didn't speak, Jenny raised her hand, "I swear."

"Okay." Cesare sized her up for a while, then put his hands on the table, stared at his fingertips, and said carefully, "If I were to tell you, I think... did you just say that? Wrong, we should be one kind of people - one kind of people who are not good at love, maybe because they missed the best learning stage, I think, loving or being loved... is not our specialty, maybe it is for others , that is an instinct, but for me and you, people with our growth experience..."

"It's a...very unfamiliar feeling." Jenny said, "Yes, it's a very strange and alienated feeling..."

She fiddled with the fork for a while, "You know, I've been feeling so sorry...Chris - it's like, he's got a really strong and genuine feeling for you, and you've been absorbing him But even if you are touched and want to respond, you still can’t give him the same amount of compensation, as if you just..."

"You just can't learn." Cesare said, "You just can't do it... Yeah, that's how people like us feel."

They were silent for a while.

"Do you think we still have a chance?" Jenny asked, "After missing this opportunity... can we find another lover?"

"It's a big world, and we're all in a great class," Cesare said, "and like I said, sparks flash many times in your lifetime, so yeah, In terms of probability, there will be a suitable person who sparks sparks with you, and opportunities are always there.”

"That's the spirit," Jenny said, raising her mug, giving Cesare a raise, and finishing the milk in it. "Opportunities are always there."

After breakfast, they pulled away the chairs, stood up and walked into the bedroom, Cesare picked up a new casual suit and handed it to her, "Mary sent it."

"Thanks." Jenny picked up her clothes and walked into the bathroom, "Hey, about that TV series, you said hip-hop music, so it will have black people as the main characters?"

"That's right." Cesare's voice came through the wooden door.

"Rarely rare."

"Indeed, but I think this will be a very good attempt, maybe like those all-white TV series, we can do an all-black TV series."

"Where are the actors? They can't all be newcomers under jay-z, right?"

"Those black actors who live in both film and music are our first priority-fortunately, we are mainly black, and we are also hip-hop. There should still be a wide range of choices."

"You're totally stereotyped," Jenny said, and she knocked on the door, "Can I come out?"

After getting the permission, she opened the door and walked out. Cesare also changed into a suit, obviously preparing to go directly to the company.

"This time in Yosemite, will you still remain disconnected?"

"Shouldn't, at least we will contact you regularly, why?"

"The Great Gatsby."

"Oh, yes, I will make a decision in the near future, mainly depends on Leo's attitude—" Jenny said, her hand fell on the doorknob, "—you know, I still I have a question for you."

"Huh?" Cesare stood upright behind her.

"I didn't ... uh ... not really lose my temper last night, did I?" she said, "You know, the shocking, unappetizing looking kind."

There was a smile in Cesare's eyes, "No—very attractive, it's only a little bit close to crushing me."

"That's good." Jenny breathed a sigh of relief, and thought of joking again, "Actually, you can completely let yourself be crushed, you know, it's just sex, maybe after solving this part of the ust— —We have nothing to do instead.”

"This is indeed a solution. Many times, for men, **** is just sex." Cesare nodded in agreement. In the shadow at the door, they were very close—in the sunlight The decision he made seemed to disappear in the still ambiguous air in the room. He looked straight at her, as if temporarily controlled by some emotion, and stretched out his hand to caress her temple.

His fingertips slid down her cheeks, bringing a series of cool sensations. Jenny felt the goosebumps all over her body stand up. Eyes -

Cesare took a step back, took his hand away, and clenched it into a fist. He laughed a little self-deprecatingly. "But not with you."

He gestured, and Jeanne turned the doorknob, staring at him in shock, while Cesare nodded to her. "The shooting went well."

"You're working well, too," she said, standing still and watching Cesare walk into the elevator.

The mansion was silent in the early morning, and they seemed to be the only occupants on the third floor. Jenny leaned against the door and stared at the spots reflected by the stained glass windows. .

Her footsteps made a slight creaking sound on the stairs, and fine dust was flying in the air, which seemed to alarm the residents on the second floor, a door creaked and was pulled open Come on, the sound of melodious music and the strong smell of marijuana rushed out together.

"Hey." A supermodel she didn't know very well greeted in a daze with a cigarette in his hand, squinted his eyes and hid in the shadow by the door again, "Is the party over?"

"Yeah, the party's over," Jenny said, and she couldn't help sighing.

"Are you ok?" the supermodel nodded docilely, and asked curiously and kindly. "You look depressed."

"Because the party's over," Jenny said, touching her face and laughing again at the supermodel's groan of "oh baby." "—oh baby, don't worry about me."

She said, "The party is over, but life goes on."

Waving her back, the supermodel retreated into her room, and she descended yet another flight of stairs, through the clutter of the main ballroom—and into her life again.