Several of you here are smart people, and what Mike Meadows can think of, everyone naturally expected. Considering the imminent storm of public opinion, the atmosphere couldn't help but fall silent.

After a while, Simon was the first to speak, pulling everyone back to reality from their thoughts, and said, "Everyone, there's no need to stress too much. What we have to do now is just try to find a way to solve the problem as much as possible. As for the result, leave it to God. Well, Pat, you're a little more experienced in this area, so let's start with that. ”

As Simon spoke, the others gradually relaxed.

Pat Kingsley rearranged her thoughts and said, "Simon, although it is not appropriate to respond to the New York Times article immediately, we must also get involved immediately to avoid a one-sided public opinion situation in the future." ”

Simon thought for a moment, then nodded, "That's it, let's muddy the water first." ”

The other three also showed expressions of surprise as Simon's description of 'muddying the waters', and they couldn't help but feel that this metaphor seemed very appropriate.

The situation is clear.

Voices of skepticism have emerged. Simon immediately responded, providing evidence to prove that "Lola Run" was indeed filmed by him, and under the manipulation of people with intentions, the result is destined to usher in more doubts. But if you don't respond, the one-sided questioning will only make the situation fall apart, and you won't be able to explain it when the time comes.

Then, the best way is to also stand behind the scenes, indirectly respond to those doubts through the media, and turn the original doubts into controversies, and even a media discussion about whether "Lola Run" was filmed by Simon Westeros. When this controversy lasted for a while and the topic cooled down, Simon personally came forward to provide a series of solid enough evidence, and the turmoil was safely passed.

Now that you've got your strategy in place, the rest of the game is much easier. After nearly an hour of discussion, everyone came up with a preliminary response plan.

The rest is execution.

If it was before the release of "Lola Run", Simon might not be able to fight back in the media.

But at this time, due to the box office explosion of "Lola Run" and the imminent release of "The Butterfly Effect", whether it is WMA, Orion Pictures, or Twentieth Century Fox, which is backed by the behemoth of News Corporation, will invest enough public relations resources in him.

And, even without these helps, Simon's newly hired PR manager, Pat Kingsley, has no shortage of media connections.

This woman has been working in media relations since the sixties. After the Reagan assassination that year, it was with the help of Pat Kingsley that Jodie Foster survived the difficult period of being bombarded by the media and gradually resumed her acting career.

Now, with the joint efforts of several forces, even when everyone was discussing a detailed response plan, several press releases trying to 'join in the fun' have been stopped.

I was so busy until noon, and after lunch, everyone didn't leave.

The evening newspaper in North America is usually issued at two o'clock in the afternoon, and there is already information coming back from the East Coast, and Pat Kingsley and others are still busy analyzing and responding. Simon, however, took the time to take Amy Pascal to the railing on the edge of the cliff in the backyard.

Leaning on the railing, facing the warm afternoon breeze, I enjoyed looking at the blue sea under the warm spring sun. After a while, Amy Pascal opened her slightly squinted eyes, looked at the relaxed young man beside her, and said, "Simon, several newspapers in New York have already reacted, and things are obviously as we expected, aren't you worried at all?"

In this world, there is never a self-purification. Just like Michael Jackson once couldn't clear his suspicion of pedophilia until he died, because he couldn't clear it.

Simon nodded, "I'm a little worried." Still, the need to do it continues. So, Amy, how are you thinking about it?"

Amy recalled the contact with Simon in the past few days, no longer looked at the distant sea view, turned slightly sideways, looked at the young man next to her, and said, "Seriously, Simon, I haven't thought it through yet." My instincts tell me that I should say yes because you're a miracle guy. But my sanity dissuaded me again, it was crazy to make such a decision, and I needed to give up the position I had fought for seven years to get and start from scratch. ”

Hearing this, Simon also turned sideways, looked at Amy seriously for a moment, and suddenly stretched out a hand towards her: "Come." ”

Amy was a little confused, but she involuntarily stretched out her right hand to meet it, and was immediately held by a warm and powerful hand.

"Look, you've already made a decision, haven't you?" Simon smiled, holding Amy's hand slightly, then let go in Amy's somewhat surprised eyes, and said, "It was just a psychology quiz, and since you made a pandering reaction, it means that your heart has actually agreed." ”

Amy looked at her arm that was still slightly raised in confusion, and then looked at Simon again, her eyes gradually brightened, and a smile appeared on her face, "Simon, is there really such a psychological test?"

Simon was stared at by Amy, and only held on for a second, then shrugged and said, "Okay, this is what I made up." ”

Amy burst out laughing, and the more she thought about it, the more amused she became, and finally she even leaned on the railing, buried her face in the crook of her arm, and laughed.

After more than a minute like this, Amy raised her head again, with a bit of flushing accumulated after laughing on her face, looked at the big boy next to her, and asked a little suddenly, "Simon, in addition to the basic salary, what kind of reward terms are you going to give me?"

Simon replied without hesitation: "5% of the net profit of all the projects you handle in the next two years." ”

Amy's eyes flashed, and she asked, "What about two years from now?"

Simon gave another plan in a blink of an eye, saying: "Or, 5% of Daenerys Pictures' annual net profit, which will still be the same in two years." ”

Amy seemed to be a little desperate and said, "Is there any difference between the two?"

Simon shook his head and said, "I don't know about this, because there must be a lot of details involved." In the end, maybe more of the former, maybe more of the latter. ”

In fact, both sides are well aware of the results of the distribution of these two plans.

These are two common compensation packages in Hollywood.

However, the former is more suitable for ordinary senior executives of film companies, who are responsible for as many projects as they want, and they can still get a share from the operation of related projects even if they leave their jobs. The latter is more suitable for the head of the film company, who controls the overall situation and naturally benefits from the overall situation. Of course, once you leave the company, there is no interest between the two parties.

Amy stopped asking this time, her eyes regained her shrewdness, and after a quick thought, she said, "Simon, two years is too short, I don't think much can be done with this." So, I can sign you for four years with a base salary of $250,000 and 5% of Daenerys Pictures' net profit every year. At the same time, after four years, whether I leave or not, I will receive an equity award equivalent to the amount of the net profit share I received in the previous four years. In addition, during these four years, if something happens that makes it impossible for me to continue my job, I have the right to choose to leave after one month's notice. As compensation for breach of contract, I waived my remuneration and bonuses for the year, as well as the final equity award clause. However, if you voluntarily terminate your contract with me during these four years, I will need to receive a one-time cash compensation of $1 million, as well as a corresponding equity award after the original four-year contract period. ”

Simon listened intently to what Amy said, and reached out without hesitation: "Deal." ”

Amy didn't expect Simon to agree so simply, but she also quickly reached over and said with a smile, "May we have a good time working together, boss." ”

After shaking hands, Simon said again: "If Fox needs liquidated damages on his side, I can also help you pay it." ”

"No," Amy said, shaking her head, "but I need a month before I can be hired." Of course, if Mr. Goldberg's understanding can be obtained, it may not take a month. ”

Simon thought of the terms of Amy's resignation that he had just proposed, understood, and said, "No problem. ”

"And," Amy said, "Simon, after I join the company, you must pay me a year's basic salary in advance." ”

Simon nodded again: "It's natural. ”

The people on the villa are still busy dealing with this crisis of public opinion. When the matter was settled, Simon wanted to go back, and seeing that Amy didn't return, he continued to accompany him and leaned back on the railing.

After thinking about it, Simon took the initiative to find a topic again and said, "Amy, I'm curious, why did you suddenly agree again?"

Amy once again enjoyed looking at the distant sea view and said, "Simon, do you know what the biggest feeling you gave me in the last few days?"

"Huh?"

Amy said directly: "Workaholic, and a robot-like workaholic." For three days, starting last Wednesday, we were talking about work and arguing over the details of the contract for "Here Comes the Grim Reaper." At Saturday's party, you tried to woo me, not about ideals, only about the pros and cons, and still in a businesslike workaholic tone. Until this morning, when we met again, we were talking about work. Seriously, Simon, I've been thinking about your solicitation since Saturday night, and I'm getting more and more intrigued. But I couldn't help but wonder, is it really a good choice to work for someone like you? Simon, I'm not averse to workaholics, and I've worked very hard myself, otherwise I wouldn't be where I am now. But I don't like working for a cold machine. ”

"I understand that there will definitely be a 'then' for this kind of thing," Simon nodded solemnly and said, "So, what about the 'then'?"

Amy laughed again, glanced at Simon, and said, "Then, you just seemed to have run out of things to coax me with that inexplicable psychological test, and I found out that you are just a big boy after all, and perhaps, you should still be a very interesting person." ”

"No, that's the way it is, you'll understand it quickly after getting along for a long time," Simon answered without humility, hesitated for a moment, and then said cautiously: "Amy, although you don't like to talk about work, don't you think that if you can release the news that you are about to join Daenerys Pictures as soon as possible, it will definitely help this incident?"

Amy looked at Simon pretending to be cautious, rolled her eyes, let go of the railing, and said, "Let's go over there, I'll call Mr. Goldberg first." Now that it's been decided, I'm sure I can't be responsible for the rest of Fox's "Death Comes" anymore. ”