Chapter 88 88. Passion

Vanity Fair Party Banquet.

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

Looking at the whole audience, although the stars attracted the attention of the camera, the Oscar statuette was also very dazzling.

But those who really know the business understand that although it is lively when stars get together, that is all over and it does not have much practical effect.

The real bosses are those like Eric and Spielberg who don’t like to show up in the spotlight. They are relatively quiet and secretive in the corners, but important decisions are often made here.

So even though the two of them were just standing with their backs to the crowd, there were already countless people among them who wanted to get closer.

They want to join in, even if it means serving tea or pouring water, they don’t mind.

This is the entertainment industry. Haven’t you seen Zhang Ziyi catching grape skins with her hands in order to please Jackie Chan?

But ideas are just ideas after all. Everyone is at a different level, or to put it more seriously, there is a class gap.

Not to mention ordinary stars, even Spielberg's favorites Tom Hanks and Leonardo Dicaprio could only watch from afar and dared not go closer unless summoned.

"Since that conversation, I've spoken to Jeffrey and David about your proposal, and we've discussed it a number of times, and they're also interested."

"In fact, Hollywood knows that what DreamWorks lacks most is overseas distribution capabilities. If this shortcoming can be made up, it will be very beneficial."

Eric continued to refill his mouth with food. "Although MGM's global distribution capabilities are not as good as Disney's, they are not weaker than other companies. Steven, I'm curious about how much overseas revenue DreamWorks' previous films could get."

Speaking of this topic, Spielberg couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Before you took over MGM, the major companies had already negotiated the price. In fact, there were only two options for DreamWorks: either sell the overseas distribution rights directly in a package like Titanic, or take a figure in the range of 22% to 25%."

"That's all! I thought it would be at least half open."

Spielberg sighed: "You can ask your father, he knows better than anyone, he was also involved in the formulation of the rules."

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

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

"Steven, you are quite open-minded."

"After being in the industry for a long time, you will naturally be more open-minded about everything. Why bother yourself with being so stubborn?"

Eric actually admired Spielberg's open-mindedness, or to put it bluntly, his willingness to lie down.

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

Upon hearing this, Spielberg still had the same expression, but his heart was filled with turmoil.

He had many talks with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, and the focus of the discussions was naturally on DreamWorks' share, which was the focus of negotiations with MGM.

Negotiation is a process of figuring out each other's psychology and cards. The three giants of DreamWorks finally decided on a price range of 35%-40%.

If MGM is willing to make concessions to this extent, DreamWorks' efficiency will be directly improved to a higher level.

Then it would not be unacceptable for the animation studio to fully support MGM, just as Pixar fully supports Disney.

The minimum requirement is to get 32% of the quota, otherwise there is no need for cooperation.

Spielberg also came here for this goal, but what he didn't expect was that Eric was so generous that he asked for nearly half of it as soon as he opened his mouth.

It was 5 percentage points higher than his highest psychological expectation, that was all money, all green Franklin.

Spielberg was delighted at the moment, even ecstatic. With a smile on his face, he swallowed the bacon on the plate in one gulp.

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

If it is 45%, although MGM will earn less, the benefits are also obvious. DreamWorks will exclusively distribute its future works overseas, which is equivalent to small profits but quick turnover, with small profits in quotation marks.

Overall, it's still profitable, not to mention that you can tie DreamWorks' most powerful animation department to your own chariot, so why not? "So, when will the contract be signed?"

"I think it will happen soon. Once David and Jeffrey know the news, they will definitely agree." Spielberg said with a smile.

"Try to do it this week."

"Eric, are you in a hurry?"

"I like to get things off the ground as soon as possible once they're done, and it's time to start working on Frozen."

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

After chatting with Spielberg, Eric's stomach was filled. The purpose of attending the party had been achieved, so there was no need to stay here any longer.

After saying goodbye to the old man, he turned and left.

The Lamborghini was driving fast. The midnight bell had already struck and there were not many pedestrians on the streets of Los Angeles.

Even if there are some, many of them are hooligans, drunkards, or even criminals.

Soon, as they were approaching Beverly Hills, Eric's phone suddenly rang with a text message.

"Peter, turn around!"

"Hmm? Where are you going, boss?" The driver slowly slowed down and turned the car around.

After a pause, Eric said, "Get off the car and find a hotel nearby to stay for one night."

The boss suddenly asked him to get out of the car, which meant he must have something private to do. As an experienced driver, Peter obeyed decisively.

Beverly Hills is full of luxury hotels. With my salary, I couldn't afford to book a room here. This time I think it's a good opportunity to experience it, since it's all paid by the company.

Eric switched to the driver's seat and the Lamborghini continued to drive, soon entering the Beverly Hills area, but not heading towards the Cooper family, but in the opposite direction.

It didn't take long to reach the destination, which was a mansion that was no less magnificent than Cooper's.

He waited for a while before he saw a red Rolls-Royce catching up from behind and slowing down after approaching the Lamborghini.

The car window rolled down, and Nicole Kidman threw a wink at me: "Follow me."

Under the leadership of her as the master, entering the mansion was a natural process.

The two cars parked smoothly in the open-air garage. As soon as Eric got out of the car, he was hit by a gust of fragrant wind against the car door.

"Here?"

He was responded with cold lips.

"hiss"

Suddenly, feeling a pain on his tongue, Eric pushed Nicole Kidman away.

"Why did you bite me? Are you drunk?"

Nicole Kidman's eyes were blurred: "No, alcohol can't make me drunk, but when I see your young and handsome face, I can't help but want to take a bite."

"Well, it seems that you are really drunk, so let me help you sober up." Eric said viciously.

He took a step forward, picked up the woman and put her on the hood: "See? The space here is more suitable."

Swish!

A crisp sound passed through the dark night sky, and the woman's skirt was torn into pieces. The evening dress worth tens of thousands of dollars turned into rope for bondage.

Eric was on Nicole Kidman's back, kissing her cheek softly.

The woman felt as if there was a fire burning in her chest that even the cold winter night could not resist, and a low murmur echoed in her ears.

"What do you want?"

Without any hesitation.

"Take me, take me hard!"

"ah"

It was noon when the sun shone into the bedroom and onto Eric's face, and he slowly woke up.

Hearing the sound of water next to him, Eric got out of bed and walked towards the bathroom.

After finishing in the garage last night, the two returned to the room to continue the Great Harmony of Life.

They drank and did it at the same time until they both couldn't hold on any longer and fell into a deep sleep. They didn't even take a shower and couldn't remember how long they did it for.

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"It's great to be young. If it was before the time travel, I would have to stay in bed all day if I played like this."

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

When she saw Eric, she immediately complained, "It's all your fault. My hair is sticky now. It's so uncomfortable."

Eric spread his hands and made an innocent expression: "How can you blame me?"

"Then can't you be more accurate?" Nicole Kidman said angrily.

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

"What do you want to say?"

"Nothing, I mean I'm here to help you."

"Well, help me open my hair. Yes, that's it. You have to rinse it all."

"Wait, where are you touching? Take your hands away quickly, I don't want to take a shower again, hahahahaha"

On the sofa, the two of them were wearing warm pajamas, and the curtains around them were drawn. Although it was daytime, it was like night.

The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, and the American version of "The Ring" was playing on the home theater.

But their attention was clearly not on the movie, even as Sadako was climbing out of the well.

"Nicole, I feel so strange. We were at the Oscars yesterday. That was the first time we met, and now you are in my arms. It's a magical, incredible feeling. Do you feel it?"

Nicole Kidman nodded slightly: "Yes, but... I don't know why? I think maybe it's catharsis."

"Vent? You use me as a tool to vent?"

Eric frowned. Although he told Chloë Sevigny that everyone was a tool, it was obvious that no one really wanted to become a plaything for others to use.

Nicole Kidman raised her eyes and asked jokingly, "Little guy, does this answer make you uncomfortable?"

"How should I put it? A little bit."

Nicole Kidman climbed up from Eric's arms, hugged his neck and kissed him, saying, "Don't think like that Eric, it actually has nothing to do with you. It's the experiences of the past few years. I need a chance to vent my feelings."

Eric watched her and listened quietly.

"As you all know, Tom Cruise and I were married for 11 years, but we divorced in 2001, and it was a difficult process."

"I came to Hollywood from Australia at that time. As an unknown newcomer, I had to face huge pressure and competition, as well as unspoken rules that could appear at any time."

"Then Tom Cruise showed up, and I married him at 23. From then on, I became the woman that everyone envied."

"He used his power to protect me and get me good resources. I never denied it, even though I was ridiculed by the media and many people."

"He was really nice, except for one thing, and this was the root cause of our divorce, he was a Christian of the Sandals, and I was Catholic."

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

"My father is a psychologist, so I kept trying to persuade Tom Cruise to stay away from Sandra Christ, and it had some effect at first."

"But then I faced the revenge of the Shanda Christ. The followers brainwashed Cruise even more crazily and regarded me as a thorn in their side."

"They followed me, wiretapped me, harassed me all the time, and paid the media to smear me, portraying me as a disgusting woman."

"Even the children we adopted are actually children of Christians, and these two little guys are also disgusted and hate me under the influence of Shanda Christ."

"Until 2001, Cruise suddenly filed for divorce. You know, I was pregnant with his child at that time. I think it might be that Sandra Christ was worried that Cruise would become out of control after the child was born. In short, the marriage ended suddenly."

"I thought, let it be over, I even laughed happily, but those guys didn't want to let me go at all."

Nicole Kidman paused as she spoke, as if she was recalling a lot of bad things.

"Perhaps because they were worried that we would remarry, Sandra Christ quickly arranged a new girlfriend for Tom Cruise, and he continued to smear me, stalk me, and secretly photograph me."

"The narrative just got louder and louder, and I was this bitch who purposely hooked up with Cruise, and without him I would be nothing."

"Even Isabella and Connor, even my children, think I am 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 am no worse than anyone else."

"I took on the role of Moulin Rouge. I strangled myself and broke a rib in order to play the role, but I had to win the Best Actress award."

"It's a pity that I lost to Halle Berry, and then those people jumped out and described me as a scheming woman who marketed suffering and hard work."

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

As she spoke, she suddenly burst into tears. The fact that a woman who has been working in Hollywood for more than ten years could make her cry shows how much grievance she has hidden in her heart.

With a sigh, Eric hugged Nicole Kidman tightly.

He understood how the woman felt, and he just showed up at the right time.

The two hugged each other 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 it was someone else who saved you at the awards ceremony, would you?"

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

"Uh then why us?"

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

"Well, that's an acceptable reason."

"Don't talk, just kiss me!"

(End of this chapter)