People in America: My Uncle Don Quixote

Chapter 486 Single-handedly Reversing Stereotypes (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

10 minutes ago.

"This is Jason Miller," Jason Miller said. "May I ask who you are?"

"This is Martin Damon," a middle-aged man with a standard California accent said on the other end of the phone. "I think Mr. Miller should recognize my name?"

"Ah, it's you," Jason Miller's expression changed, and he stopped what he was doing. "I'm listening, you say..."

""

How could he not have heard of Martin Damon, the famous Hollywood screenwriter, director, and producer who has directed countless critically acclaimed and commercially successful films?

I just don't know why Martin Damon would contact me at this time.

"Well, Mr. Miller," Martin Damon hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "...are you working for Mr. Levy?"

"That's right."

"Then I assume you have his contact information?"

"Yes."

"That would be wonderful," Martin Damon seemed slightly relieved, then added cautiously, "Um... I'd like to ask you to introduce me to Mr. Levy, would that be alright?"

May I?

Jason Miller suddenly felt as if he had been hit in the chest, as if his chest cavity was about to fill with air and he was about to ejaculate.

Who is the other party? Martin Damon's status in Hollywood is known to everyone; anyone who works in Hollywood knows his name.

And now, this important figure, whom he could only contact on official business and who he once thought was very far away from him, has actually called him personally and asked in a soft voice: Is it okay?

Jason Miller took a deep breath. "Excuse me, Mr. Martin Damon, may I ask what brings you to see Mr. Levi?"

He was almost about to agree, but then he realized he knew perfectly well who had given him this honor.

Everything he has was given to him by Li Wei, and he must remember that deeply.

"Well... here's the thing," Martin Damon said, "I'd like to make a TV series with Levi as the main character."

"With Mr. Levi as the main character?" Jason Miller paused, then asked, "An animated film like Jackie Chan Adventures?"

"Pretty much, but it's a live-action series," Martin Damon said. "So I'd like to talk to Mr. Levi in ​​person and discuss this matter."

"Oh, is it like Jackie Chan's Rush Hour, with Mr. Levi himself starring?" Jason Miller asked.

"No," Martin Damon paused, "I just hope to get the rights to Mr. Levy's script."

Jason Miller frowned.

The idea of ​​making a live-action film or television series about Li Wei, without him acting in it, might not necessarily be good news for him.

For well-known reasons, Hollywood's casting strategies are actually governed by various unspoken rules.

A few years ago, before Black Lives Matter was brought to the forefront, Hollywood's leading roles were always white, while Black characters were generally supporting roles or comedic roles.

Russians are always relegated to supporting roles, while people of East Asian descent rarely appear.

In recent years, the trend has slowly begun to change. More and more Black and Indian people are appearing on television and the big screen. It's become a bit outdated for Russians to play villains. Now, it's often Asians who play villains.

In this environment, how do you plan to make a TV series for Li Wei?

If it were Levi himself playing the role, it might be easier, because Levi's popularity is a guarantee of box office success in Hollywood, and everyone in Hollywood knows about his acting skills and appeal.

However, if Levi's face is removed and only his story is used, then Jason Miller has to consider whether there is a risk of tarnishing Levi's image.

He certainly couldn't agree to such a thing on Li Wei's behalf.

“I haven’t been in touch with him for a long time either…” Jason Miller said, “but can I relay the message to you remotely, please?”

"That's great," Martin Damon said gratefully. "Thank you in advance."

Jason Miller pulled a notepad from his pocket, scribbled a few words on it, and picked up the phone: "Okay, I'll pass it on, but I can't guarantee it will get through..."

“By the way,” Martin Damon said, “there’s a conference in Hollywood next week with industry professionals, including well-known screenwriters and directors. My wife and I would like to invite you two to attend. If I remember correctly, she used to be an actress, right?”

"Okay, okay, I'll definitely bring my wife. Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Megan." Jason Miller agreed to the invitation. "Yes, Megan has acted in a few low-budget splatter movies before."

"If she still wants to act..." Martin Damon paused after saying that, "Never mind, let's talk about this when we meet."

"Old fox," Jason Miller thought to himself, but he readily agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Jason Miller stared at his phone, still seemingly in disbelief.

"Wow," he muttered to himself.

"Hey, Megan!" He wiped his hands, ran back into the house, and yelled at his wife Megan, "Guess who just called me?"

"I don't know," Megan shouted without turning around as she folded clothes, "your ex-girlfriend, Doris?"

"No, it's Martin Damon!" Jason Miller shouted. "Martin Damon called me!"

"That's a real shame, I quite like her," Megan turned around, walked over to Jason, and started taking off his clothes. "Why are you washing the car in clean clothes? Take them off and go get some dirty clothes to wear."

"Hey, honey, aren't you excited?" Jason Miller exclaimed incredulously. "This is Martin Damon!"

"I know, but is he as good as Levi right now? I don't know what you're making such a fuss about," Megan threw a dirty piece of clothing at Jason Miller. "So what if they hit each other? What did they say?"

"Hmm... He wants to make a TV series based on Li Wei."

"Oh?" Megan looked up. "That's something we definitely need to be careful about. Have you talked to Levi?"

"Not yet," Jason waved his phone. "I was just about to tell him."

"Go ahead," Megan said, picking up Jason's clothes and turning to leave. "But I just checked the weather forecast, it might rain later."

"What?! Isn't the rainy season in November?" Jason exclaimed in surprise. "I just washed the car!"

10 minute later.

As Li Wei listened to Jason Miller's explanation while looking at the newly issued mission, he roughly understood the cause and effect.

You've been given a task: Adapt a play.

[Mission Description: Your story has spread throughout the continent. Some wish to find you, adapt your knightly journey into a play, and perform it in circuses, bringing light and hope to the villagers, so that those who have not been protected by knights can also be illuminated.]

[Task Requirements: Discuss the play's script with the writer and promote script collaboration]

[Task Reward: 1 Free Attribute Point, Number of Believers +10]

Li Wei was extremely envious of this entire free attribute point. Even though he knew that Martin Damon was probably only there for fundraising, he still planned to meet him and push the cooperation to happen.

"I understand," Li Wei said. "Have him come find me."

“Mr. Levi,” Jason Miller hesitated for a moment, then reminded him, “Hollywood’s racial narrative…”

He wasn't sure if he should be the one to offer a word of advice, but after thinking about it, he felt it was necessary to remind Li Wei.

"I understand, he needs my help," Levi smiled. "Oh, by the way, you probably don't know about this yet, do you?"

"Don't know what?" Jason Miller was a little confused.

"LW Group has allocated another 5% of its employee pool. Last time, only middle-level managers had a quota," Li Wei laughed. "You've caught a good time. The film and television company you recently established is structured under LW Group. According to the structure, although your company has only been established for a short time, it's already considered to be at the director level."

Jason Miller felt as if a surge of blood was rushing from his heart to his head, making his head buzz.

"I...I'm involved too?" he asked instinctively. "But Mr. Li Wei, I haven't done much for the company."

Before he could even utter the word "contribution," Li Wei interrupted him.

"How can you say I didn't contribute anything?" Li Wei said. "Weren't you supposed to help me supervise my show?"

"You...you're going to accept it?" Jason Miller asked. "Aren't you going to reconsider?"

"Hmm, let's see," Li Wei said. "If we can't agree on the terms, then I'll invest in making it myself."

Judging from the mission description, there was no requirement for him to film with Martin Damon. If he was not satisfied with the conditions offered by Martin Damon, he could have Jason Miller find someone to custom-make a film for him, which would also count as completing the mission.

"Oh," Jason Miller nodded over the phone, "that's true."

Li Wei hummed in agreement: "By the way, there might be an explanation in your email later. Please check the email. If I remember correctly, as an executive, you should be able to get 0.02% of the shares."

When Jason Miller heard the word 0.02%, he didn't subconsciously translate the number into words; he simply nodded unconsciously.

"Alright," Li Wei said, "that's enough for now. Tell him he can come to Long Island to see me tomorrow if he's willing."

He hung up the phone after saying that.

Jason Miller put down his phone, watched the clouds gradually gather on the horizon, and gave up on the idea of ​​continuing to wash the car. He then carried the bucket of water back home.

"Are you done?" Megan asked, approaching him.

"That's all, and there's even better news," Jason Miller said instinctively. "Mr. Levy has distributed shares to us executives."

"Really?" Megan asked casually. "How much was distributed?"

"0.02%."

"It doesn't sound like much, but it's good to have some," Megan said. "How much is it worth?"

"Um... what was LW Group's recent valuation again?" Jason Miller asked uncertainly. "I haven't been paying much attention to it."

"Let me search," Megan said, pulling out her phone and typing on the search bar, "LW...Group...valuation..."

""

Megan's eyes widened the moment the search results appeared.

Her hand suddenly went limp, and she lost her grip on the phone, which fell into the air.

Although Megan instinctively tried to grab her phone, she ultimately couldn't prevent it from falling to the ground with a "thud."

Megan, however, had no time to care about her phone screen. She picked it up and counted again, "Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands... Jason," her voice trembled, almost breaking into a sob, "How much did you just say?"

"0.02%?" Jason Miller said. "How much is that worth?"

2000.

"How many?!"

"Two hundred million US dollars!" Megan said tremulously. "0.02% of the shares, worth two hundred million US dollars!"