America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 88. Passion Takes Over

Vanity Fair parties and banquets.

Eric and Spielberg were standing in a corner of the hall, and they had been talking for a while.

Looking around the venue, while the celebrities attracted the attention of the cameras, the Oscar statuettes were also dazzling.

But those in the know understand that while it's lively when celebrities get together, the excitement is over and that's it; it doesn't really have any real impact.

The real big shots are like Eric and Spielberg, who don't like to be in the limelight. They are relatively quiet and secluded in the corners, but it is often here that important decisions are made.

So even though the two of them are just standing with their backs to the crowd, there are already countless people trying to get closer.

They want to join in, even if it's just serving tea or water, they don't mind.

This is the entertainment industry, you know, Zhang Ziyi even caught grape skins with her hands to please Jackie Chan.

However, ideas are just ideas. People are at different levels, or to put it more bluntly, there is a class gap.

Let alone ordinary celebrities, even Spielberg's favorites Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio could only watch from afar and dared not approach them without being summoned.

"Since that conversation, I've told Jeffrey and David about your proposal, and we've discussed it many times. They're also very interested in it."

"In fact, Hollywood knows that DreamWorks' biggest weakness is its overseas distribution capabilities. If it can fill this gap, it will be very beneficial."

Eric continued to eat: "MGM's global distribution capabilities may not be as good as Disney's, but they are not weaker than other companies. Steven, I'm curious how much overseas revenue DreamWorks' previous films have earned."

When this topic came up, Spielberg couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Before you took over MGM, the major companies had already agreed on the price. In fact, DreamWorks only had two options: either sell the overseas distribution rights as a package, like Titanic, or take a 22% to 25% share."

"Only this much! I thought it would be at least half and half."

Spielberg sighed. "You can ask your father. He knows better than anyone else, and he was involved in making the rules."

"Hmm, hearing you say that makes me feel like I've become an exploiter too."

"No, there is no such thing as exploitation and being exploited, it's just that the power is not equal. If DreamWorks and MGM were to switch places, I would do the same."

"Steven, you seem to have a very open-minded attitude."

"After being in this industry for a while, you naturally become more open-minded about everything. Why get stuck on trivial matters and make things difficult for yourself?"

Eric admired Spielberg's open-mindedness, or to put it bluntly, his complacency.

"Okay, let's talk about the collaboration. If MGM and DreamWorks collaborate, MGM is willing to give up 45% of DreamWorks' overseas film revenue. This is my sincerity."

Upon hearing this, Spielberg maintained the same expression, but his heart was in turmoil.

He spoke with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen many times, naturally focusing on DreamWorks' share of the company, which was the key point of their negotiations with MGM.

Negotiation is inherently a process of trying to figure out each other's psychology and bottom line. The three DreamWorks executives ultimately set a price range of 35% to 40% in their minds.

If MGM is willing to offer concessions to this extent, DreamWorks' profitability will be directly elevated to a new level.

So it wouldn't be unacceptable for animation studios to fully support MGM, just like Pixar fully supports Disney.

At the very least, you need to get 32% of the quota; otherwise, there's no point in cooperating.

Spielberg also came with this goal in mind, but to his surprise, Eric was so generous, offering almost half of it right off the bat.

Five percentage points higher than his highest psychological expectation—that's all money, all green Franklins.

At this moment, Spielberg was overjoyed, even ecstatic. With a smile on his face, he swallowed the smoked meat on the plate in one gulp.

Seeing the old man's happy expression, Eric naturally understood what he meant.

While MGM would earn less with a 45% cut, the benefits are obvious: DreamWorks' future films would be exclusively distributed overseas by MGM, essentially a strategy of high volume with low profit margins.

Overall, it's still profitable, not to mention that it can also tie DreamWorks' best animation department to its own chariot, so why not?

"So, when will the contract be signed?"

"I think it will be soon. Once David and Jeffrey find out, they will definitely be willing," Spielberg said with a smile.

"Let's try to do it within this week."

"Eric, are you in a hurry?"

"I like to get things done as soon as possible, and Frozen should be getting started too."

"Okay, I'll call you this week."

After chatting with Spielberg, Eric had filled his stomach and had achieved his purpose for attending the party; there was no need to stay any longer.

He said goodbye to the old man and turned to leave.

The Lamborghini sped along; the clock had already struck midnight, and there were few pedestrians left on the streets of Los Angeles.

Even if there are any, many are just petty thugs, drunkards, or even criminals.

Before long, they were almost at Beverly Hills when Eric's phone suddenly rang with a text message.

"Peter, turn around!"

"Hmm? Where to, boss?" The driver steadily slowed down and turned the car around.

After a brief pause, Eric said, "Get out of the car and find a hotel nearby for the night."

If the boss suddenly asked him to get out of the car, then there must be something private he needed to do. As an experienced driver, Peter readily complied.

Beverly Hills is full of luxury hotels. With my own salary, I would never be willing to book a room here. This time, I can experience it for myself, since it's all paid for by the company.

Eric switched to the driver's seat, and the Lamborghini continued to speed along, soon entering the Beverly Hills area. However, instead of heading towards Cooper's house, it drove in the opposite direction.

They arrived at their destination in no time; it was a grand mansion no less impressive than the Cooper family's.

He hadn't waited long when a red Rolls-Royce caught up from behind and slowed down as it approached the Lamborghini.

The car window rolled down, and Nicole Kidman gave her a flirty wink: "Come with me."

Under her guidance, the process of entering the mansion was a natural progression.

The two cars were parked smoothly in the open-air garage. Eric had just gotten out of the car when he was knocked down by a fragrant breeze.

"Here?"

His response was only cold lips.

"hiss"

Suddenly, Eric felt a sharp pain in his tongue and pushed Nicole Kidman away.

Why did you bite me? Are you drunk?

Nicole Kidman's eyes were glazed over: "No, alcohol can't get me drunk, but seeing your young and handsome face, I can't help but want to take a big bite out of you."

"Alright, looks like you're really drunk. Let me help you sober up," Eric said menacingly.

With that, he strode over, picked up the woman, and placed her on the hood of the car: "See? This space is much more suitable."

Sizzle!

A sharp crack ripped through the dark night sky as the woman's dress was torn to shreds, turning her expensive evening gown into ropes for binding.

Eric pressed down on Nicole Kidman's back and gently kissed her cheek.

The woman felt a fire burning in her chest, which even the cold winter night could not extinguish, and she heard a low murmur in her ear.

What do you want?

Without any hesitation.

"Possess me, possess me fiercely!"

"ah"

When the sun was high in the sky, sunlight streamed into the bedroom and fell on Eric's face, and he slowly woke up.

Hearing the sound of water nearby, Eric got out of bed and went to the bathroom.

After finishing in the garage last night, the two returned to the room to continue their blissful union.

They drank and made love until they were both too exhausted to continue and fell into a deep sleep. They didn't even take a shower and couldn't remember how long they had been doing it.

"Youth is wonderful. If this were before I time-traveled, I would have to stay in bed all day to do this."

Opening the bathroom door, Nicole Kidman was washing her hair under the shower.

Upon seeing Eric, she immediately complained, "It's all your fault! My hair is all sticky and uncomfortable now."

Eric shrugged, feigning innocence: "How can you blame me?"

"Can't you be a little more accurate?" Nicole Kidman said angrily.

"You weren't like this last night, woman."

"What are you trying to say?"

"It's nothing, I just meant I'd help you."

"Okay, please help me open up my hair. Yes, like this, you need to rinse it all out."

"Wait, where are you touching? Take your hand off, I don't want to take another shower, hahahaha!"

On the sofa, the two were wearing warm bathrobes, and the curtains around them were drawn, making it feel like night even though it was daytime.

The fireplace was ablaze with flames, and the American version of "The Ring" was playing on the home theater.

But the two were clearly not paying attention to the movie, even though Sadako was climbing out of the well.

"Nicole, I feel so strange. We were just at the Oscars yesterday, the first time we met, and now I'm holding you in my arms. It's a magical, unbelievable feeling. Do you feel the same?"

Nicole Kidman nodded slightly: "Yes, but... I don't know what happened? I think maybe it was a release."

"Venture? You're using me as a tool for venting?"

Eric frowned. Although he told Colosseigni that everyone was a tool, it was clear that no one really wanted to become someone else's plaything.

Nicole Kidman raised an eyebrow and asked teasingly, "Little one, does that answer make you uncomfortable?"

"Well, how should I put it? A little."

Nicole Kidman climbed out of Eric's arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him, saying, "Don't think like that, Eric. It's not really about you. It's about what I've been through these past few years. I need a chance to vent my feelings."

Eric looked at her and listened quietly.

"As everyone knows, Tom Cruise and I were married for 11 years, but we divorced in 2001. It was a very difficult process."

"When I came to Hollywood from Australia, as an unknown newcomer, I faced enormous pressure and competition, as well as the possibility of unspoken rules."

"Then Tom Cruise appeared, and I married him when I was 23. From then on, I became the woman everyone envied."

"He used his power to shield me from the storm and get me good resources, and I never deny that, even though I was ridiculed by the media and many other people."

"He was a really good person, except for one thing, which was also the root cause of our divorce: he was a Catherine Christian, and I am a Catholic."

"Although this sect is called Scientology, it is not scientific at all. Its doctrines are absurd and unbearable."

"My father is a psychologist, so I always advised Tom Cruise to stay away from Scientology, which had some effect at first."

"But then I faced the revenge of the Scientists, who brainwashed Cruise even more frantically, making him see me as a thorn in their side."

"They followed me, listened to me, harassed me constantly, bribed the media to smear me, and portrayed me as a disgusting woman."

"Even the children we adopted are actually the children of Christians, and these two little ones, under the influence of Scientology, despise and hate me."

"Until 2001, Cruise suddenly filed for divorce. Keep in mind that I was pregnant with his child at the time. I think it was probably because Catherine was worried that Cruise would become uncontrollable within the church after the child was born. In any case, the marriage suddenly ended."

"At the time, I thought, 'Let it end, let it end.' I even laughed happily, but those guys had no intention of letting me go."

Nicole Kidman paused as she spoke, seemingly recalling many unpleasant things.

"Perhaps fearing that we would remarry, Scientia quickly arranged a new girlfriend for Tom Cruise, and continues to smear me, stalk me, and secretly photograph me."

"The rumors got worse and worse, and I was labeled a whore who deliberately clung to Cruise, saying that without him I would be worthless."

"Even Isabella and Connor, even my children, see me as the villain who framed their father."

"That's why I have to prove myself. I have to let those people know that even without Tom Cruise, I'm no worse than anyone else."

"I took on the role in 'Moulin Rouge,' and to play the part well, I broke one of my ribs and another one in a fall, but I had to win the Best Actress award."

"Unfortunately, I lost to Halle Berry, and then those people jumped out and portrayed me as a scheming woman who marketed hardship and effort."

"Without results, there's no way to refute, but this time I succeeded. I can shut those vicious devils up. I can prove that I'm not a useless woman who relies on Tom Cruise. I can stand in front of everyone and say loudly, I am Nicole Kidman, an Oscar-winning actress."

As she spoke, she suddenly burst into tears. For a woman who had been working in Hollywood for over a decade to cry like that, it was clear how much grievance she had been hiding inside.

With a sigh, Eric hugged Nicole Kidman tightly.

He understood the woman's feelings, and that he had simply appeared at the most opportune time.

The two hugged for a long time until the movie ended, and Nicole Kidman's tears were wiped away.

"Nicole, can I ask you a question?"

"Um?"

"If someone else had saved you at the awards ceremony, would you have done it?"

"No, what are you thinking!" Nicole Kidman glared at him.

"Uh, then why us?"

Nicole Kidman wriggled like a water snake, wrapped her arms around Eric's neck, and whispered in his ear, "I don't like ugly people."

"Hmm, that's an acceptable reason."

"Don't speak, just kiss me!"

(End of this chapter)