[Chapter 412: The Crisis Brought by Scream]
No one was beaten tonight, only fainted.
Juliet was the first, Catherine the second; both liked to play games but had poor fighting skills. They went through life-and-death situations frequently.
The next day they were cautious, hesitant to even go downstairs, complaining that Link wasn't gentle enough. But after their bodies recovered, they'd relapse, lying in bed again.
...
After calming down several women, Link focused back on filming. He'd never shot a large-scale war movie before. While filming Saving Private Ryan, he learned and thought through the process slowly, making it hard to speed up shooting.
Fortunately, by year-end, his workload lightened, allowing him to devote all his time to the film.
---
Meanwhile, Guess Pictures' movies continued to steadily increase their box office. Dead Man Walking was in its ninth week, earning $37.09 million domestically and $42.15 million overseas, totaling $79.24 million, about four times its budget.
Final Destination 2 was in its sixth week domestically, pulling in $4.22 million that week with a total of $112 million, and overseas it earned $54.27 million in two weeks.
This week's North American box office champ was Scream, which saw a noticeable boost during its second week in 2,247 theaters around Halloween, grossing $33.92 million that week and totaling $44.97 million.
...
After the latest data, Total Film magazine predicted Scream had a strong chance to surpass $100 million domestically.
If that happened, Scream would be Guess Pictures' fourth domestic box office hit over $100 million this year.
According to previews, Guess Pictures had two more films releasing by year-end: Pixar Animation Studios' computer animation Toy Story, and Link's The English Patient, which won the Golden Lion.
The animated film is to be seen, but The English Patient likely will surpass $100 million, making at least five $100 million domestic hits for Guess Pictures this year, matching last year's success.
Though Warner Brothers and Fox made substantial profits with Batman Forever and Independence Day, those numbers paled compared to Guess Pictures.
Total Film magazine predicted Guess Pictures had an 80% chance to claim the 1996 North American box office crown again.
...
"Michael, what do you think about this news?" Barry Diller asked.
In Disney's president's office, Michael Ovitz, cigar in hand, sighed, "I respected Link before. When I was at CAA seeing Guess Pictures' hits, I didn't think it was extraordinary. I could do as well if made president.
Now as co-president at Disney producing films, I realize making a successful film isn't easy. Finding profitable projects is harder, making a domestic $100 million hit even harder.
But Guess Pictures churns out five or six $100 million hits yearly, with Link's films nearly always crossing that mark. It's impressive."
Barry frowned as he heard this. "Michael, I'm not asking that or caring about how much you admire Link. Guess Pictures is conquering the North American market, stealing box office shares from the Big Seven Studios. As Disney's president, don't you plan to do something to reverse this?"
"Do what? Have you found a way to take down Guess Pictures?" Michael asked.
"No!" Barry said. Seeing him smile, he continued, "Even if not, we won't give up. We'll keep fighting Guess Pictures. Before Final Destination 2's release, we attacked, forcing a delay. After Scream's release, we fueled negative press. These methods worked well. And you? You're cozying up to Link."
Barry shook his head disappointedly. "Michael, you were the most powerful man in Hollywood, leading the industry against Guess Pictures. Even if lost, no one blamed you. Now you quit fighting him, that's disappointing."
Michael scoffed, "Why fight if you can't win?"
"That's resilience!" Barry said.
Michael dismissed, "Barry, we're paid to make money for the company. Suppressing Guess Pictures doesn't make money. Cooperating with them does. Also, these media reports are right. Guess Pictures' rise heats competition. In five years, one or two of the Big Seven might go bankrupt. So our priority is not to defeat Guess Pictures but keep our company alive. Cooperation is wise. Besides Disney, Columbia, MGM, Universal, even Fox teamed up with them on the Titanic project. So don't try to persuade me; I know what I'm doing."
Barry was speechless and remained silent for seconds. Then he asked, "How's the 'poison pill' plan going?"
"Damn, how did you find out? Did Harvey tell you?"
"Heh, Michael, haven't you confessed to Link yet? That's not good. Collaborating with him while stabbing in the back is risky. If he finds out, it could be bad."
"Barry! Are you threatening me?"
"No! Just reminding you that cooperation won't last. One day he'll know, see you as mortal enemy. Then you face his revenge alone," Barry chuckled.
Michael snorted. "I can confess and compensate him."
"Will you?" Barry smiled. "Michael, no offense. Just want to say we're allies. Whatever plans against Guess Pictures, you have our full support."
Michael said nothing and hung up in silence, feeling irritated.
...
The 'poison pill' plan was secret; only a few knew. Michael confided to Harvey for reassurance, who then told Barry. So more knew about the plan now. He worried Link might have heard. If The Rock lost big, Link might blame him and refuse cooperation, breaking his plans.
Michael cursed Harvey, called Link to test if he heard rumors. If yes, he'd try to distance himself to avoid clash.
His call was answered by assistant Lewinsky, who said Link was filming. Michael asked to relay film matters to Link and seek a call back.
...
At the set in Sam Park, Lewinsky hung up, sitting under shade with crossed legs, smiling watching Link film. When she worked as his assistant, she was busy everyday but felt empty inside, she felt restless. After confessing love successfully in office, becoming Link's woman, she felt secure. Link filled her life and heart fully.
If before she was attracted to his looks, power, status, after deeper talks she confirmed love for the strong man, increasingly attached to him.
"Cut!"
"Good take! Half-hour break."
"Props, get ready! Move fast and watch details."
"Crew, check well. No beer cans on set!"
...
Link finished arranging the next scene, came from the camera to director's area, sipping water.
Lewinsky smiled slightly, holding folders, reported quietly.
Though they were close, publicly she maintained her role as assistant, avoiding trouble for him -- otherwise he might replace her.
"Link, Michael Ovitz called 15 minutes ago about film stuff."
"Got it. Call him after shooting this afternoon."
Lewinsky flipped through folders, then added, "Link, the former Princess of Wales heard you're shooting here and wants to visit. Will you accept?"
"Princess? Lady Spencer?"
Considering her fame, having her visit could be good publicity during release, Link nodded, "Arrange it but keep it low-key. Don't attract media and fans. Too many would disturb filming."
"Okay, noted."
Lewinsky smiled, seeing Link busy, said nothing more, swaying away.
...
After resting briefly, Link resumed shooting.
At lunch, he called Ovitz back, asking what was up.
Ovitz laughed, saying nothing much, asked about new film's progress and wrap-up date, congratulated Scream's success, guessing Guess Pictures might keep the box office crown this year. Very impressive.
Link thanked him, ready to hang up.
Ovitz then mentioned a bad rumor: someone in the Big Seven deliberately sent bad movie projects to Guess Pictures to make them lose money and knock them down.
Ovitz warned him to be cautious investing.
Link paused hearing this. He had heard the rumor -- it was Ovitz's trick. The bad movie used to make Guess lose money was the wrapped movie The Rock.
Why warn him now? Was the rumor false? Was Ovitz not involved in The Rock?
He didn't figure this out, had no time to think, finished eating, busy arranging next day's scenes. Only after 8 p.m., prompted by his firls -- the three from Friends and new girlfriend Drew Barrymore -- did he slowly go to bed.
*****
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