Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1378: Money-stealing Couple
"Director Luo, I don't understand. I don't think you're a big sports fan. Why do you want to sponsor the university's women's volleyball program and give me a chance?"

The next day, the main attacker took over. Wearing glasses, she looked less aggressive, but with a casual serve and save, she made all the players obedient and unexpectedly gained authority. The main attacker also had the Chinese style of doing things. She even invited Ronald to dinner in the cafeteria that had been prepared in advance, and they had a nutritious meal sponsored by Ronald.

"Haha, you don't understand. This is a standard for rich people in America. Only extremely wealthy people can buy a team to play with. It's like announcing to the world that you have entered the extremely wealthy class. I'm not rich enough to buy a professional sports team, but I just happen to like women's volleyball, so I'll sponsor a college team for fun.

As for the venue, it's not that expensive. I know real estate developers in New York, and the cost is not expensive. Besides, if I need to shoot in a stadium for many of my movies, now I have a ready-made location. These college students are also very good extras for free."

"It seems that to be successful in America, no matter what you do, you have to learn to be a successful businessman..."

After dinner, Ronald went to the editing room. The last bit of editing work had been completed, leaving only some soundtracks. Ronald notified Paramount and asked Shirley Lansing to watch the preview together.

"Are you really sponsoring the Long Beach University women's volleyball team for the purpose of making a movie?" Ronald's lawyer Lindsay Doll asked him on the way.

Because Los Angeles attorney Mickey Kanter was going to interview for a trade representative position, Lindsay came to Los Angeles to help with some business matters. She accompanied Ronald everywhere these two days.

"That's about right. But they think highly of this kind of thing. Maybe I can get some recognition and rewards. This is also a little bit of experience I learned from filming Panda Adventure."

In fact, Ronald knew nothing about doing business there. The few projects he undertook were more a result of luck than his understanding of the skills of doing business there. For example, the joint venture factory for movie accessories just met the other party's thirst for foreign exchange, and the export of TV dramas coincided with the era of rapid development of cable TV stations across the country.

This time, I was photographing a panda, and I learned how to be arrogant at first and respectful later. The biggest difference was that I helped to contact some business lobbying routes with George and others, and the leader accidentally found out.

Anyway, the popularity of the women's volleyball team there is no less than that of movie stars. I can just treat it as a blind investment. Maybe there will be unexpected returns in the future?

……

"Well, Shirley, what do you think of what I said?"

The preview screening room was full of Paramount's middle and senior management. Shirley Lansing was not very good at making money from movies, but she was very good at fighting. After a few fights, she either eliminated or recruited all the spies in Paramount's film department, leaving only a few people who had risen up purely through business, and they still had many things to say about her ability.

Shirley Lansing now urgently needs a movie that can make her stand out and complete the process of establishing her authority within Paramount.

"I'm speechless. This movie of yours is very unlike you. I mean in a good way..."

The entire film was completed except for the subtitles and some soundtracks. Shirley Lansing watched it at first with the intention of watching a commercial film. Tom Cruise's ability to boost the box office was unique in Hollywood. As long as Ronald's filming was not too bad, it would definitely achieve good box office results.

But what she didn't expect was that the film's artistic quality was also very good. Several of the main characters, such as Bridget Fonda, who played Mitch's wife, were very impressive in their portrayal of a virtuous housewife, her determination to fight for her husband, and her kindness in forgiving her husband in the end.

Holly Hunter, who plays the detective's secretary, has very little screen time, but she leaves an unforgettable impression. Her strong southern feminine charm seems to be coming out of the screen and permeating.

These two are Ronald's strengths, portraying female characters. But Tom Cruise's performance is even more surprising. It seems that in this movie, he has finally realized his acting skills after years of accumulation.

Compared to all his previous roles, he played the role with more restraint, and finally achieved the kind of ambiguity that was necessary for awards and critical recognition in close-up shots. Male audiences finally felt involved, as if they could become Tom Cruise, and his movies finally broke the trend of being more popular among female audiences than male audiences.

"I have to say, you are a man who surprises me, Ronald." Shirley Lansing was so excited that she spoke a little without thinking.

"Can you add some more cinemas where the movie will be shown?" Ronald immediately made the request when he saw that she was happy.

"No problem, I think it's great." Shirley Lansing immediately wrote down more support for the "Sugar-coated Trap".

……

"So, Mitch, when can I attend your inauguration?"

"Don't mention it. I haven't even seen the commander-in-chief."

"what happened?"

Ronald called his lawyer, Mickey Kanter, to ask about the interview, but he said he hadn't met the president himself for the interview, but the first lady and some of the president's advisers had talked to him for a while and told him to wait for the results.

Ronald suddenly felt very bad. He spent so much money to "buy" such a position for Mickey Kanter, but he only met the First Lady?

Moreover, First Lady Rodham seemed more satisfied with the other female candidate and spent significantly longer talking to her than to Kanter.

Ronald couldn't help but wonder if there was some kind of exchange between the couple, as Rodham had blatantly taken the money but didn't do anything and still wanted to build up his own image, because she had spoken up for her husband on CBS's 60 Minutes and refuted the rumors of his infidelity, which helped William win the primary.
As soon as he took office, he arranged for his wife to lead the health care reform, a major project that previous presidents have been unwilling to promote and unable to get passed in the House of Representatives. Does William only want to serve one term and then give it to his wife next time?
"That won't do. I'll arrange it..."

Ronald was very angry. He had asked Donna to donate the check, but got such a result. He immediately called George Jr., hoping to find the President directly through the lobbying company he was familiar with and make things clear.

"No problem, I'll call them right away. The President hasn't sorted out his connections in the White House yet, so my people can arrange a meeting through the travel office. By the way, you're a very capable guy..."

George Jr. was waiting to visit Kuwait with his father and was playing golf in Washington, DC when he received the call from Ronald, and they talked about the friends he played with.

"Ah, Mr. Counselor, you are there too?"

"Director Luo, can I call you Director Luo too? Little George is a very enthusiastic and cheerful young man. We are reminiscing about the past when we rode bicycles together on the streets..."

"Hi, of course. I'm the director. Thank you for the panda movie, too..."

Ronald immediately felt that this guy was very capable. In such a short period of time, he had established a relationship with the former commander-in-chief, George Jr. It could be said that he had taken the concept of "laying the long line to catch the big fish" to the extreme. It would be a good idea to get closer to such a person.

"No, no, I just did a small job. The main reason is that the leaders attach great importance to cultural exchanges between China and the United States. After all, pandas are the most direct way for American people to understand our people."

"That's right. Who doesn't love pandas? It's just that there are too few pandas in America. The only zoo with pandas is in DC, and it was given to us by you when President Richard was in office.

My child lives in Los Angeles, and he can’t even come to see the pandas. I have to wait until he’s older before I can take him to see the cute pandas…”

"Oh, your proposal is worthy of our attention. I will report it to China immediately. If possible, we will send another pair of giant pandas to the West Coast. What do you think?"

The counselor was quick-witted and immediately thought of using panda diplomacy to enhance goodwill.

"Okay, on behalf of my son and all the kids on the West Coast, thank you for your kindness, hahahaha... By the way, I have a friend who is applying for the next American Trade Representative and will be there soon. Can you entertain him on my behalf?"

"Your friend is my friend. Don't worry about anything. Little George is a very enthusiastic and professional friend. In addition, little Douglas is also familiar with everything here. You can rest assured."

When Ronald heard this, he thought this guy was really friendly and even became familiar with little Douglas who played basketball with little George.

"Of course, Mr. Counselor has a deep understanding of international trade. My friend is just going to ask him about this. He will soon discuss the issue of Sino-US trade with Mr. President. This is also the key to the work of the trade representative..."

The counselor understood immediately and stayed in DC for one more day, waiting to have an informal exchange of views on Sino-US trade issues with Mickey Kanter.

……

"Ronald, I don't know how to thank you. Trade representative is a very important job, and I just can't find a suitable candidate. Mr. Kanter, whom you recommended, has ideas that are compatible with the open and progressive faction of the Donald Trump Party, and he has rich relevant experience. I have decided to let him take this position. You have to give it up and find another lawyer."

Through George's lobbying company, Mickey Kanter met the president. After the two sides talked, they found that their ideas and action plans were very compatible. President William immediately decided to appoint him to this thankless position that required very professional knowledge accumulation. It happened that the previous president signed the North American Free Trade Agreement before leaving office. The first major task of this position was to promote the approval of the agreement in Congress.

In addition, Mickey Kanter is the candidate he has met who has the deepest understanding of US-China trade issues. This issue has been sparring between the president and Congress for more than a decade. Sometimes the president is willing, sometimes Congress is willing, and after a few years, the situation is often reversed. When he took office, the benefits he promised also included forces that opposed the normalization of trade between the two sides.

However, the rapid growth of trade between the two countries has reached a point where it has to be resolved. How to deal with this issue satisfactorily is also a major test for him. Mickey Kanter sorted out the other party's statements on this issue over the years and came to a reasonable conclusion that the other party is willing to make concessions on the opening of the domestic market for the sake of trade issues.

He was deeply inspired by the understanding of the speech over there, and felt that this was a rare talent, so he immediately decided to let him take the position. The current US-China trade deficit has reached the second place after Japan, and it has become a problem that must be faced before us...

The two chatted for a while afterwards. When the President heard that it was Ronald who recommended and encouraged him to apply for the position, he recalled how the other party had helped him to appear on the Letterman show a few years ago and play the saxophone to save his image.

I received two timely assistances: one was to help solve an image crisis, and the other was to help recommend important talents. William personally called to express his gratitude.

"This is Mickey's own wish. Serving the public has always been his greater vision. Just like you, Mr. President, you gave up your promising lawyer position for the benefit of the greater public..."

"Hahahaha, you really make me happy. This is the happiest time I've ever had. If you have any serious matters in the future, you can come to me directly, and don't convey it through Rodham..."

President William's voice was a little hoarse from exhaustion after taking office. Ronald also expressed his gratitude.

"Ronnie, do we not have to donate money to that woman anymore?" Donna called and expressed her dislike for the first lady. Many women, including professional women like Donna, felt that Rodham was too impatient because he took money but did not do anything and only cared about his own future.

"No, on the contrary, I have to continue donating money to her..." Ronald didn't want to get involved in the conflict between this couple who were fighting for money. Anyway, the money was not much, so I just treated it as a favor... In the future, I would keep an impression here and not ask her for help anymore. Anyway, the commander-in-chief said that if there was anything, I could go directly to him. Although I didn't know how true it was, it was much better than his wife.

Mickey Kent was recognized and appointed as trade representative a week later. At the press conference after taking office, he stated that he would work hard in Congress for the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

"Our country is becoming more technologically advanced, our workers are becoming more productive, but our population is not growing at the same rate. If we don't do this (unify the market, become an integrated economy with Canada and Mexico), our economy will have problems.

If you don’t open up markets, we’re going to lose jobs…”

"This guy is a natural persuader..." Ronald was attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the new gymnasium at Long Beach University in Los Angeles. He was watching the live broadcast on TV and said to the Chinese counselor who was also present.

"Mr. Kanter is a very far-sighted talent..." The counselor also adjusted his glasses. Kanter was a very good speaker, and he picked out the advantages of joining the North American Free Trade Agreement, especially the ones that the congressmen and the president would like to hear, but he avoided talking about the possible problems.

"Oh, Ronald, you are here..." The New York real estate developer has not yet overcome his own crisis. Although the Taj Mahal Hotel has successfully applied for bankruptcy reorganization, another huge asset he acquired, the Plaza Hotel, has also fallen into crisis and has not yet found a financial backer to reorganize it. This time Ronald wants to build a gymnasium, and he is desperate to come here to see if there is a chance to meet some rich people on the West Coast, and to own the oldest hotel in New York.

"Ah, thank you. It's such a small matter, but you still came in person. Thank you very much." Ronald shook hands with him.

"It's just a small matter. Guess who wrote to me recently?" The real estate agent waved a letter in his hand. Years of business experience told him that he couldn't ask for help actively at this time. Instead, he had to act like he was very popular in order to sell the garbage in his hands.

"It was former President Richard... He said that in the future, when conservative values ​​in America are threatened, I need to stand up and run for president.

"Ah, that's really amazing..." Ronald said perfunctorily. What's the big deal? President Richard loves to do this kind of thing. He writes letters to flatter young people. He has also been asked to do so before. His predecessors Ronald and George have also mentioned the idea of ​​entering politics. He doesn't want to be a contestant on the stage, but just want to manipulate puppets behind the scenes, so he didn't agree.

"Hmm..." The counselor next to him saw it all and adjusted his glasses silently.

(End of this chapter)