Chapter 384 Dakota
Entering the airport terminal, there was still an hour before the plane took off. Lin Weimin had nothing to do, so he observed the people in the terminal.
He took a flight from Yanjing to Hong Kong to New York. At that time, there was also a flight from Yanjing to Shanghai to San Francisco to New York, which was launched a few years ago. He thought it was too troublesome, so he booked the current flight.
The Capital Airport at that time was not as busy as it is in later generations. There were not many people in the waiting hall. There were many foreigners, but the Chinese were clearly separated.
Some of them are middle-aged or older, and judging from their temperament and clothing, you can tell they are traveling abroad for inspection or visits on official business.
The other part are young people. The year before last, the country promulgated the "Interim Provisions on Self-funded Study Abroad", which opened up channels for people to study abroad at their own expense. Countless young people chose to study or work abroad with the dream of a better life.
Compared with those who travel abroad on business, these young people's expressions are lively and varied.
Excited, nervous, reluctant, sad...
The joys and sorrows of the world are intertwined in this small waiting hall.
The boarding reminder sounded and Lin Weimin boarded the plane.
A few hours later, the plane landed in Hong Kong and took off again after spending a night in Hong Kong. After more than ten hours, this long journey finally ended.
New York International Airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in 1963 in honor of the assassinated President Kennedy.
Lin Weimin got off the plane and met his old friend Arthur Miller again after three years.
"Lin, my friend, it's been a long time since we last met!"
Arthur Miller gave Lin Weimin a warm hug, and then introduced his wife to Lin Weimin.
After exchanging pleasantries, several people came out of the airport and got into the car. Lin Weimin noticed that the driver was actually a yellow man.
Kennedy Airport is located in Queens. As the car headed west and passed the Manhattan Bridge, Arthur Miller introduced it to Lin Weimin, his words filled with pride for the city of New York.
After crossing the Manhattan Bridge, the car entered the Manhattan area, which is what New Yorkers call "Uptown".
It is surrounded by the East River, the Hudson River and the Harlem River. It is the smallest of New York's five boroughs and also the most prosperous.
Here you can find Wall Street, the Empire State Building, Broadway, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Times Square...
This is not only the economic and financial center of the United States, but also the cultural center.
Therefore, Lin Weimin understands Arthur Miller's feelings very well.
The United States was at its peak in the 1980s. As the economic, financial, and cultural center of the country, New York siphoned talent and capital from all over the world and created countless myths.
Manhattan is the center of New York City, with its streets full of skyscrapers and a modern atmosphere. Compared with this, Yanjing seems rustic.
"We are walking on Broadway Avenue now. It runs northward from Battery Park, where we just passed, across Manhattan Island. Broadway and Times Square are both near where we are now."
"This is Columbus Circle, this is 59th Street. What you're looking southeast at now is Central Park."
"The apartment I arranged for you is on the west side of Central Park, at the intersection of 72nd Street and Central Park West."
Arthur Miller chattered along to Lin Weimin about the street scenes of New York, and did not forget to mention the accommodation arranged for him.
The car arrived at the foot of the apartment building, and Lin Weimin and Arthur Miller and his wife got out of the car.
As we all know, there are many apartment buildings in New York City. From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, owning an apartment in New York City was the dream of many Americans.
But after the 1920s, as more and more apartment buildings were built in New York City, many cheap apartment buildings appeared, and apartment buildings became synonymous with "cheap" and "poverty" in New York City.
But there is one apartment building in New York City that is an exception.
Dakota Apartments.
Lin Weimin looked at the nameplate at the entrance of the apartment in a daze.
"Mr. Miller, is this the place you arranged for me to live?"
Arthur Miller had a proud smile on his face. "Yes, Lin, this is the place I arranged for you to live."
"Although this place is called an apartment, it is not the same as those cheap apartments in New York City. Do you know..."
"I know!"
Arthur Miller was interrupted by Lin Weimin before he could finish his boasting. He looked surprised and asked, "You know? What do you know?"
"The Dakota Apartments, the first luxury apartment building in New York. Six years ago, John Lennon was shot here." Lin Weimin murmured.
Arthur Miller said happily: "Lin, I didn't expect you to know this. It seems you like John Lennon very much!"
Lin Weimin glanced at Arthur Miller and asked, "Isn't it inappropriate for you to be so happy about the murder of John Lennon?"
Of course he knew that Arthur Miller was happy because he knew the name of Dakota Apartments.
The worst thing about giving someone a gift is that it is a hidden treasure. Arthur Miller's happiness is justified.
The Dakota Apartments, the earliest luxury apartment in New York City, was built in 1884, more than a century ago. The age has not affected the grade and image of the Dakota Apartments. Since its construction, its residents have included Steinway, Tchaikovsky, Truman Capote, Bernstein, Lauren Bacall, and the aforementioned John Lennon.
Over the past century, everyone who has lived in the Dakota Apartments has become a well-known figure in the American cultural circle.
Before traveling through time, Lin Weimin had listened to John Lennon's songs for a while and became curious about this legendary superstar who was shot to death. He searched for some information online, including an introduction to the Dakota Apartments.
On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot four times in front of the Dakota Apartments and fell in a pool of blood. He died young.
Lin Weimin subconsciously looked at the ground at the entrance of the apartment, then looked up at the apartment.
From the outside, the apartment is square, and the architectural style of the high gables, pointed roofs and skylights carries the colors of the Northern German Renaissance period. Although it is only ten stories high, it looks magnificent.
Knowing the history of Dakota Apartments, Lin Weimin felt flattered.
"Lin, let's go into the apartment first. When you have time, you can take a closer look at the history of this apartment."
Arthur Miller was very satisfied with Lin Weimin's reaction. He had put in so much effort and spent so much money, wasn't it just for Lin Weimin's current reaction?
Under the surprised and astonished eyes of the apartment security guard, Arthur Miller and his wife took Lin Weimin into the apartment building.
The house that Arthur Miller arranged for Lin Weimin was on the 7th floor. When they got on the elevator, Arthur Miller introduced: "The owner of this house I rented for you is Rex Reed, an actor and producer. He has lived in Beverly Hills for the past two years, so this house has been vacant. In order to welcome you this time, I specially asked a friend to communicate with him and rent this place."
There was a hint of boasting and taking credit in Arthur Miller's introduction. Lin Weimin knew that he must have put a lot of thought into arranging this apartment for himself.
"The price is not cheap, right?" Lin Weimin asked.
Comrade Lao Mi is so sincere, Lin Weimin can't let him keep it to himself.
Teacher Lin is very pretentious and understands this feeling very well.
"Twenty thousand meters of swords a month!"
Lin Weimin was not surprised to hear the price. As one of the most luxurious apartments in New York, the price was worthy of the Dakota Apartments.
And since it’s a short-term rental, the price will definitely be more expensive.
In the 1970s, U.S. housing prices experienced a bull market, growing at a compound growth rate of 11% for six consecutive years. They only fell slightly in the 1980s, but they are still rising steadily.
New York City is the economic, financial and cultural center of the United States, and housing prices remain high.
As early as three years ago, the average house price in New York City had exceeded $9,000 per square meter. Top luxury apartments such as the Dakota Apartments were priced at over $30,000 per square meter, and there was no demand for them.
Arthur Miller directly told Lin Weimin the rental price of the apartment, and then said: "Lin, don't be stressed. The rental company will pay it. The Intouchables made us a profit of 4 million US dollars last year."
The profit Arthur Miller was talking about refers to the share he and Lin Weimin made together. Since Arthur Miller served as an investor, producer, and operator, he made the most money from the play "The Intouchables". He received a share of the box office revenue of more than 3 million US dollars.
One play and one year earned Arthur Miller three million dollars.
Is it expensive to rent an apartment for Lin Weimin for 20,000 US dollars?
It’s so expensive!
Comrade Lao Mi thinks it’s totally worth it!
In particular, Lin Weimin still has several plays that he is optimistic about that have not been introduced yet!
How could I get those plays without "communicating" well with Lin Weimin?
He knew that many performance companies and operating companies on Broadway wanted to know who the "Lin" on the promotional poster of "The Intouchables" was.
After Arthur Miller finished speaking, Lin Weimin nodded with a sincere smile on his face and eyes full of gratitude. Arthur Miller was very satisfied with Lin Weimin's reaction.
When you open the door of the apartment, you will see pure white. The ceiling is extremely high, estimated to be more than four meters.
The structure of the apartment is transparent on both sides, with carpets with classical patterns on the floor. Occasionally, there is a statue with a strong artistic atmosphere dotted in the corner of the space. It is neat and elegant, full of French style.
The apartment’s living room has large floor-to-ceiling windows, and to the east is the tree-lined Central Park. Looking over it, it’s vast, tranquil, and pleasing to the eyes.
After seeing the house, Lin Weimin was extremely satisfied.
He lives very comfortably in the courtyard house in Yanjing, but occasionally living in a luxurious French-style apartment is also a rare enjoyment.
Arthur Miller said to Lin Weimin again: "Lin, this is the house you live in. As for travel, I have arranged a car for you..."
"Mr. Miller, you don't need a car. I don't have a U.S. driver's license, and it's not worth it to get one because I've only had it for so short a time. Just get me a bicycle."
"It's okay. I've already arranged a driver for you. Remember the young man just now? His name is Huang, he's also Chinese. His father came to the United States and is now an actor on Broadway. I temporarily asked him to be your driver for two months. I promised him that I would arrange a role for him later!"
After saying this, Arthur Miller winked at Lin Weimin mischievously.
This is not called conscription, we are doing this for art.
Lin Weimin added in his heart: That young man should thank me!
Comrade Lao Mi, with his level of talent, would be wasted if he didn't become a secretary to a leader!
"Mr. Miller, thank you for your generosity. I would be very grateful if you could not accept it!" Lin Weimin said to Arthur Miller with a big smile on his face.
"No need to be so polite. Lin, we are not only friends, but also partners." Arthur Miller said sincerely.
The house and car solved most of Lin Weimin's problems while living in the United States. The remaining problems were Lin Weimin's own business.
After staying in the apartment for a while and getting familiar with the environment, Arthur Miller and his wife took Lin Weimin to the restaurant for a meal and then sent him upstairs.
"Lin, you've been working hard over the past two days. Go to bed early today and adjust to the time difference. You have nothing to do during the day tomorrow, so you can ask Huang to take you around Manhattan. I've arranged a welcome dinner for you in the evening."
Lin Weimin expressed his gratitude again, and Arthur Miller reminded him before leaving: "Call me anytime if you need anything!"
"OK!"
After seeing off Arthur Miller and his wife, Lin Weimin couldn't wait to lie down on the bed. The more than ten hours of transoceanic journey had already made him exhausted, and he urgently needed a sweet sleep.
I'm tired after so many days of daily updates. I'll update twice today and continue tomorrow. Teacher Lin has come to the United States. How should I spend my time there?
(End of this chapter)
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