The four of them sat down around a round table, and Coppola said to Eric and Catherine: "That's right, Taryn has been preparing a World War II film based on James Jones's novel for many years, and the script has been written for a long time, but I have never been able to find a suitable director, because I filmed "Apocalypse Now" back then, and he also wanted me to direct it, but I don't have enough energy to deal with this kind of war film now." After watching "Saving Private Ryan", Taryn thought that maybe Ms. Bigelow could give it a try. ”

Eric and Catherine are no strangers to James Jones, who was the screenwriter of "The Longest Day," another classic film about the Normandy landings, and who they had come to see together in preparation for "Saving Private Ryan."

Hearing Coppola say this, Eric has basically determined that the movie that Terrence Malick is preparing is the "Red Alert" in his memory, and "Red Alert" was only released in 1998 in the original time and space, Eric guessed that Terrence Malick had not been able to find a suitable director, so he had to go into battle in person, and "Red Alert" was not only the same as "Saving Private Ryan" was released in the same year, and they also competed for the 1999 Oscar together, but unfortunately, the two films did not have any winners and losers, but lost together to the Weinstein brothers' "pinnacle" under the Oscar public relations method "Shakespeare Love".

Catherine, who was next to her, heard Coppola's introduction, turned to Terrence Malik and said, "Taryn, can you briefly introduce this script?"

Of course, James Jones's original novel is not autobiography. But it's basically based on his experiences serving on Guadaconal Island in the South Pacific. You can read the original novel later, because I have made a big change to the plot of the original book, compared to "Saving Private Ryan", which explores the value of war. My script is more about the impact of brutal warfare on human nature, and the story revolves around a unit called Charlie's Infantry Company......"

Eric felt Catherine's attention growing, and soon ignored him and Coppola, and as he discussed it at length with Terrence Malik, he knew that the woman was intrigued. The impact of war on human nature, what a philosophical proposition, it is simply the favorite of a certain literary and artistic young woman.

Glanced at Coppola. Both of them smiled, did not bother, and listened quietly and patiently to the conversation between the two.

Half an hour passed. When the discussion finally ended, Catherine turned her head to look at it with interest, "Eric, what do you think of this story?"

"Well, the story is great. Fireflies are very willing to invest. Tarron, have you made a rough budget?"

As soon as Eric's words fell, she was glared at lightly by Catherine, she originally hoped that Eric would be able to talk about the script, but she didn't expect this hateful little man to directly ask how much the film would cost, it was really striking.

Eric was a little helpless, and said in his heart, sister, you are a fairy, you don't have to live. I'm a businessman.

Terrence Malik didn't have Catherine's displeasure at all, and heard Eric say that he was willing to invest. He was already satisfied. The project had been in the works for so many years, and several studios had been contacted but they had rejected it because the risks were too high, and sometimes Terrence Malick almost wanted to give up.

"Eric, the investment in the film is about $50 million, and I have shown the script to some well-known actors, and a lot of people are very interested in the script, and Sean Penn and John Travolta have made the right promise that they will be willing to join the film if they can get the investment. ”

Sean Penn and John Travolta are both A-list superstars at this time, and if they can join, the box office of the movie will be guaranteed, which is the purpose of Terrence Malik's revelation. Eric knew that, in fact, "Red Alert" used to have a much more glamorous cast, including George Clooney, John Cusack, Woody Hudson, Adrian Brody and other Hollywood names in addition to Sean Penn and John Travolta.

Although history has changed, Eric believes that as long as Catherine can successfully win the Oscar for Best Director, although the cost of 50 million is a bit expensive compared to the box office potential of the film, with the blessing of the new Oscar Best Director and the halo of big-name actors, it is not too much of a problem for the film to recover its costs and achieve profitability through various channels.

Terrence Malick took Eric's thinking as hesitant, and he also knew that the $50 million investment was already a big-budget film, but the story didn't have much commercial selling point, and he thought for a moment and said, "Eric, if you think the risk is too high, Firefly only needs to invest 25 million and promise to distribute the film, and I can find another $25 million investment." ”

"That's not necessary," Eric quickly made up his mind, the investment in the film is higher, but the pressure to recover the cost is not great, and Firefly can't always invest in commercial films, and it is also necessary to make some award-winning films that improve the style, saying: "Firefly can bear the entire investment, but I have one condition, Taryn, I hope that in addition to the screenwriter, you can also serve as the producer of this movie." ”

The former best director of Cannes made a comeback after 20 years of hiatus, which was also a very important publicity stunt during the film's release.

However, Eric's most important thing in proposing this condition is not this, but Terrence Malik's qualifications. Hollywood is a place that pays great attention to seniority, and projects involving veteran directors and producers are usually able to attract powerful stars to join, just like Woody Allen and Robert Ultraman, their films have always been known for their gorgeous lineups, Terrence Malick has not been out of the mountain for 20 years, but his qualifications and connections are still there, otherwise there would not be this meeting today, let him be the producer himself, Terrence? Malik will certainly be able to pull together a stronger cast of actors for the film more easily.

Terrence Malik knew that the producer Eric was talking about was not the kind of executive producer who had just a name and didn't have to be involved in the specific production of the film, and he hadn't been involved in the production of a film for twenty years. In this project, he has always wanted to be a screenwriter. But after so many encounters, the peak finally turned around. Terrence Malick's insistence was much weaker.

Catherine's eyes flickered between Eric and Terrence Malik, and she persuaded at the right time: "Taryn, we just had a nice conversation, didn't we, and I hope you can join us on this project." ”

Many of the creative ideas that Catherine just talked about coincided with him, and working with a like-minded director didn't seem so difficult to accept. When Terrence Malik heard Catherine's words, he stopped insisting and nodded, "Okay." Eric, I'll take on the role of producer myself. ”

"Well, I hope you all have a good time working together," Eric smiled as he raised his goblet.

Because it's not a purely entertaining reception. The participants are also older. After ten o'clock, the guests began to leave.

Eric and Catherine sent the guests away one by one, and it was not until finally Coppola also left the mansion in his own car, Catherine felt something unusual, looked at the only few waiters inside and outside the villa who were cleaning up the mess, and asked, "Eric, ...... here?" Where's the master?"

Eric pointed to himself, "Now, right in front of you." ”

Catherine was amused by Eric's movements. "Why did you buy a house here?"

"It's kind of an investment, except here. There should be some somewhere else,"

Eric knew that Catherine wasn't really interested, so he simply said it.

But in fact, in addition to the Sharp Corner Manor, in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Malibu in Los Angeles and Manhattan in New York, Eric has bought sixty or seventy luxury houses in recent years, and most of the luxury houses in American metropolises in the nineties are within the million-dollar level, but Eric knows that even after experiencing the subprime mortgage crisis in 2008 in his previous life, which caused a long-term downturn in the U.S. housing market, like Los Angeles, New York, these metropolises, because of the attraction of the world's wealthy and investors, luxury housing prices have maintained a strong upward posture, 20 years later, luxury homes with a price of hundreds of millions are not uncommon, and the investment at this time will get ten times or even dozens of times the return in the future.

Of course, in addition to investment, the purchase of real estate can also offset personal income tax on the other hand, in order to avoid taxes, both the Firefly Group and Firefly Investment, Eric avoided dividends as much as possible, kept the funds in the company's account, and even served as the chairman of the Firefly Group, Eric only took a symbolic salary of one dollar. But his personal participation as a director, producer and screenwriter in a series of films, can still bring him a lot of related income every year, just like the Victoria's Secret show just past, because it is a personal investment, most of the video tape sales will be classified into Eric's personal income category, just this alone will bring 300 million US dollars. Chris had offered a range of investment solutions to Eric, but because of his deep-rooted oriental cultural beliefs, Eric chose to invest in real estate, and he also enjoyed the feeling of having his own house wherever he went.

Catherine was really not interested in these things, and only whispered a word when she heard Eric's words.

Back in the courtyard, the two sat at the round table by the pool and continued to talk about "Red Alert", Eric stopped talking about the boring budget figures, and Catherine realized that this little man's in-depth analysis of the film was no less than her own, as if he had already had the whole film in his mind after just listening to the script once. Unconsciously attracted by Eric's topic, and unconsciously led away by Eric, Catherine didn't realize that she had begun to talk about the past, her father, who wanted to be a cartoonist when she was a child, taught her to paint and became interested in painting, and later went to school at the San Francisco Art Institute, and worked and lived in New York for ten years, became interested in film, began to shoot short films, and then ......

Memories are often the things that can open a person's heart the most.

It was late at night, just in the early spring, and the surroundings were quiet, not even the insects chirped, and the orange lights in the courtyard of the mansion seemed to be getting more and more glazed.

A cool breeze blew, and in the faint cold, Catherine suddenly realized that the atmosphere around her was becoming more and more strange, and the little man in front of her was still smiling faintly, but there was a faint loneliness on his body that wanted to blend into the night. It makes people involuntarily soften their hearts.

Perhaps instinctively sensing some danger, Catherine subconsciously stood up.

Eric looked up suspiciously, looking at the woman with a flustered expression, "Catherine." What's wrong with you?"

"I, Eric, it's late, I should go back," Catherine said in a slightly trembling voice, making up her mind that if ...... If he opens his mouth to stay. You must refuse.

Well, be firm.

Eric looked at his watch, it was already half past eleven. "It's late, I remember you always resting at ten o'clock, right?"

Catherine subconsciously shook her head: "No...... Well, yes. ”

Eric smiled. "That's right." Do you remember the gift I said when I first came, let's go, I'll show you there. ”

"Eric, is it okay tomorrow, now, it's too late. ”

Eric walked towards the villa and said, "A few minutes will do, it's already so late anyway." Tomorrow and tomorrow. ”

Catherine looked at Eric's back and had to follow.

Come to the living room. Eric took out the box that was in the cupboard and said, "It's going to be Oscar soon, I know you can't remember these things, so I prepared a dress for you, I designed it myself, let's see, how about it." ”

Eric said, carefully picking up a light gray silk embroidered gown from the box, which he had made entirely from the gown he remembered when Catherine won Best Director.

Catherine stood beside her, but her eyes noticed the heart-shaped embroidery on the upper body of the dress, and her mood became flustered again, and she said, "Eric, my agent said that he has contacted me to sponsor the dress, and I will try on the clothes in two days." ”

"Oh, then try this one first, and then wear whichever one you think is prettier. ”

"Well, I'll take it back. ”

"If it doesn't fit, you need to modify it as soon as possible, just try it here, I want to see the effect," Eric looked at the woman's hesitant appearance, and smiled harmlessly: "You won't even give this little face, this is my hard work." ”

"That'...... All right," Catherine softened again, holding the box Eric had handed her, and followed his instructions into a nearby room.

After grinding for a while, the woman who had changed into her dress carefully walked out with the corner of her skirt.

I don't know when I remembered the music in the living room, the voice was very low, but Catherine clearly heard that it was the song "Young-and-Beautiful", an innocent and desolate shallow song, which made people want to leave everything behind and get lost.

Although there are images in his memory, Eric still has a strong sense of amazement when he sees the woman who walks out in a dress, Catherine's tall figure almost perfectly interprets the golden section, and her beautiful face without any traces of age still has a faint flush.

Seeing Eric get up and walk over to her, Catherine unconsciously threw away the corner of her skirt and sent her right hand up, and then, in a daze, the woman felt herself being taken into Eric's arms, and gently moved her steps to the music.

The music was looped a few times, and Catherine's chin was gently slammed on Eric's shoulder, leaning into his ear, and whispering, "Eric." ”

"Huh?" I also remembered the little man's voice.

"I haven't figured it out yet, I, I don't want to be like this...... I was tricked into getting into bed by you, I, I'm going home......"

The woman's voice trembled slightly, not at all capable and strong, more like a small beast in a trap, pitifully begging the hunter to spare him.

Eric's heart softened suddenly, and he said softly, "Okay, I'll send you home." ”

"I don't want you to send it, I can go back myself, I ...... I have a car. ”

"Well," Eric said as he loosened the woman's waist and said, "The dress must not be changed, let's go change it first, this dress can't drive." ”

……

A few minutes later, Eric stood under the pale yellow street lamp outside the door of the mansion, looking at the white car shadow that was fading away, and Catherine drove the poor BMW sedan alive with a kind of air of desertion.

Smiling and sighing softly, Eric didn't even know what he was feeling now.

It was past twelve o'clock, and apart from the dim street lights, there were only a few lights left on the streets of the residential area.

Turning his head to look at the gate, although the villa had all the living facilities, Eric didn't want to live alone. Inexplicably, I suddenly looked forward to a lively environment, so I remembered the always lively little Nizi.

Pick up your phone and dial. After a few beeps, although there were two microphones, a lively atmosphere still came from the surface.

Xiao Nizi still didn't rest, although it was early in the morning, she was still at a party somewhere.

"Eric, it's so late, and you're calling me. The girl's tone was a little weak, and the background sound became lower and lower, and soon disappeared.

Eric knew that the girl must have taken refuge somewhere. A doting smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he blamed: "It's so late, I'm still crazy, be careful with dark circles tomorrow." ”

"Not really. I'm just happy today. Hehe, what's the matter with me?"

"Let Natasha pick me up, I'm here on Carmen Street in Hollywood Hills, the last time we looked at it together. There was a drinking party here tonight, and everyone was gone, and I was the only one left. ”

"Oh, I'll go over right away, you wait for me. The girl said, not asking anything. hung up the phone in a hurry.

……

Strausdale Manor, the party atmosphere in the Drew mansion is very different from Eric's style, a series of fluorescent lamps in the courtyard completely drive away the night, and the sound of music resounded in a radius of tens of meters. Fortunately, this is a separate hill, except for the mansion of Elizabeth and Julia next to it, there are no neighbors who are too close, and Elizabeth and Julia's mansion is not resold, but it has been empty, so no one has reported the disturbance.

Because Eric doesn't like other men to appear in this mansion, the girl will only invite a group of girlfriends when she holds a party at her house, and her girlfriends do have a little more, a group of girls from Yingying Yanyan are playing wildly, singing, dancing, fluttering in the swimming pool, and even hugging each other to play kissing, all kinds of shameless, if a man appears here, it will definitely be stimulated to the nosebleed.

When Natasha delivered the ringing cordless phone to the girl, she was being pestered by Gwyneth Paltrow to chat, although she was also Spielberg's goddaughter, the girl's identity at this time was far from relying on Spielberg, but Gwyneth Paltrow had been in close contact with the girl with some caution.

Seeing Drew hurrying away with the cordless phone with a happy and panicked expression, Gwyneth Paltrow was smart enough to realize who was calling, and her eyes flashed, and she followed without a trace.

Seeing Drew say this, he went into a room, and Gwyneth Paltrow took a glass of wine from nearby and waited quietly outside.

After a while, the door opened, and Drew walked out, and Gwyneth Paltrow immediately smiled gossipily and leaned in cordially, "Drew, is it Eric's number?"

"Yes," replied the girl, ignoring Gwyneth Paltrow's reaction, and walked to the microphone in the middle of the courtyard, turned off the music, took the microphone from Christina Aguilera, who was singing, and patted it vigorously, and after a few muffled clangs in the subwoofer, everyone fell silent.

The girl reached out and hugged Christina next to her and kissed her very girlily, and said into the microphone with a smile: "Hey, babies, I can only go here today, give everyone ten minutes, go back to their own homes, slow movements, I will let Natasha throw her out." Ah, and those who are drunk, who will take them away, they can be sold for supper on the way, well, that's all. ”

The girls all know the girl's character, although she smiles when she speaks, but if it is more than ten minutes, this somewhat obedient crazy girl will definitely really throw people out.

So they didn't hesitate too much, and they were ready to leave, but there was no shortage of girls joking: "Drew, is your man coming back?"

The girl waved her little hand: "Yes, my king is about to come, but I don't need you little Bichi to sleep, so get out." ”

Another girl boldly said, "Drew, people are still in neodymium, can I stay and serve our king?"

", I'll break it for you tomorrow with a beer bottle, it's been two minutes, and it's eight minutes to go. ”

Another girl with a greasy voice said, "I really want to be thrown by Natasha, they look very powerful at first glance." ”

"You dead lily, I'll let Natasha break your calf and throw it out, do you want to?"

"Drew, you're violent. ”

After only five minutes of such a noisy shouting, a large number of girls had basically dispersed, and Xiao Nizi personally stuffed Christina, who was not yet old enough to drive, into a sports car and watched her leave, checked inside and out, made sure that no one was left, ordered the two maids to clean up as soon as possible, and drove away with the twins in a hurry. (To be continued.) )