Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1385 Congressional Subpoena
"Thank you, Ronald. I have informed my lawyer to participate in the auction of Audrey Hepburn's belongings anonymously off-site... With her jewelry from the classic movie Breakfast at Tiffany's, I can add a few very meaningful collections..."

"Very good, keep it like this. We are dubbing it in post-production. Just say something casually and keep smiling."

A day later, in the forest outside Seattle, Ronald found a team to shoot a digital CD advertisement for Bill Gates. Bill Gates put on a safety belt and hung on a tree, holding a CD in one hand and a pile of printing paper as high as a hill with the other hand.

In order to make Gates feel more relaxed, Ronald also climbed onto the crane that was raised opposite him and directed the shooting on the spot. The two talked about something light to help ease the tension.

"Tell me, are there any actresses like Audrey Hepburn in Hollywood now?"

"If you met Audrey in person, you would be disappointed. I promise." Ronald's crane platform was slightly higher than Gates's position, so all the papers could be captured in the picture.

"How can you say that..." Gates held the pile of papers tightly in one hand, crossed his legs and pretended to be relaxed, but the worker opposite him could also see his nervousness.

"Well, the person who looks most like her in Hollywood right now might be Winona Ryder? She has short black hair and a unique temperament, but you'll definitely be disappointed if you talk to her..."

The photographer behind Ronald almost burst out laughing. This chairman of an IT company speaks like a nerd.

"You're kidding me, Ronald," Gates came to his senses and finally relaxed a little. The photographer immediately took a lot of close-ups of him. "But seriously, there are female stars in Hollywood who have college degrees, right?"

"Of course, Jodie Foster, Yale..." Ronald continued.

"Um, I heard she is... never mind, I heard Brooke Shields also graduated from Princeton?"

"Jodie Foster majored in English literature, Brooke Shields majored in French... so you know what I mean?"

"Wow, my dreams are shattered when you say that. How did you endure when you were working with them?"

"My job is to make them act like very intelligent characters... It's not that they are not smart, but they are professional actors, not professional programmers..."

"Oh, I see. They are professional actors..."

The commercial was shot very quickly. Gates, who took part in the film himself, overcame his fear and actually had a pretty good sense for the camera. He spoke with a charming shy smile and was actually quite approachable. He was also very satisfied with the film.

He and Ronald had a pretty good conversation and said they would have the chance to chat more in the future, which could broaden and inspire their thinking.

"Bye, Ronald, next time I go to Los Angeles, if it's convenient, we should talk about the experience of using the Office software you mentioned..."

"Come anytime, give me a call. If you have thought of a female star you want to date, I can help you arrange an investment project and let her be the protagonist..."

……

After the plane arrived in Los Angeles, Ronald was about to go home when he saw his lawyer Lindsay Doll waiting for him outside the cabin door.

"What happened?" Ronald asked when he saw Lindsay. She was supposed to be working on his mergers and acquisitions in New York, so why did she suddenly come back?
"Let's talk about it in the car..."

"it is good……"

The two avoided the crowd, got in the car, raised the window, and Lindsay Doll spoke.

"You have a subpoena..."

"What court?" As a rich man, Ronald was often sued, ranging from people saying that Ronald's movie plagiarized his script to the airport noise in Staten Island affecting the bird habitat, and so on.

But it is rare for an individual to receive a subpoena. Most lawyers will help him get rid of it. This time the lawyer came all the way here, it seems to be an important matter.

"Not in court, but in Congress..."

Lindsay Dole smiled. This was not a subpoena from the court, but a subpoena from a hearing on Capitol Hill. Receiving such a subpoena meant that Ronald had the opportunity to participate in discussions on certain federal matters and provide opinions to congressmen.

This can be regarded as an endorsement by the federal government of the status of an industry or a certain professional issue to some extent.

The subpoena is a formal congressional document that begins with a list of the committees that are calling on Ronald to testify.

Senate Finance Committee, Foreign Relations Committee
House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Trade
To: Ronald V. Lee

Pursuant to the provisions of the Congressional Investigatory Powers Act of 1946, the Tariff Act of 1930, and the Trade Act of 1974, you are required to appear at the following location and time:

……

Testified regarding application for most-favored-nation treatment in trade with China and restoration of GATT status.

Failure to attend may result in legal consequences.

"Should I make any preparations?" Ronald looked at the date and gave him some time to prepare.

"First, your legal team and I will write a testimony, and then we will discuss the details of the testimony and the testimonial. Then you will take some time to rehearse, and finally, on Capitol Hill, Action... you will begin your performance..."

"I understand. Make a plan and then check the schedule with my assistant..." Ronald thought for a moment and asked, "But why did they ask me to testify? I only have a small business in China. Why would they ask me to testify?"

"Maybe the recent panda rental operation you organized made a bit of a fuss? Don't worry, most congressional summons are just a formality, listening to expert opinions, and the most important things are clearly stated in the written testimony. On-site testimony asks some details and questions that need clarification...

Also, it is not uncommon for some members of Congress to testify because they want to meet a celebrity.”

"Okay, then help me draft a written testimony. Also, find a chance to call Mickey Kanter and ask about the situation..."

"I have already done it. He is very busy now. I also need to make an appointment with the secretary first..."

Mickey Kanter's feedback was also very timely. He dealt with Ronald, who made the greatest contribution to his becoming a trade representative, immediately.

Now in Congress, trade issues are ranked first. His main task now is to promote the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Mexico in both houses of Congress.

This involves a complex division of interests within Congress, the demands of parties and committees, and the bargaining over federal subsidies received by key members' hometowns, which is like a cake-cutting game.

Because the President has a lot of political debts recently, he is a little hesitant about the issue of trade with China. This hearing is mainly to listen to the testimony of some entrepreneurs who have invested in China to evaluate and determine the impact of this trade on America's competitiveness and domestic employment, etc.

Ronald certainly knew about this issue, although it was not a particularly big issue for America. It might not be as important as the issue of minority rights that David Geffen strongly promoted and caused domestic unity.

But for China, this may be a very important issue.

As expected, the counselor's call was immediately made to Ronald.

"The leader has already issued instructions on the panda issue, saying that anything that is conducive to exchanges between the Chinese and American people and to enhancing mutual understanding should be actively promoted. You can push the people from the San Diego Zoo to come here to discuss specific terms..."

"Roger, you will be able to see pandas in San Diego soon..." Ronald put down the phone and told his family the good news. The San Diego Zoo was very excited and immediately organized a capable team to negotiate in China. It also started to set up a fund to receive donations to build an environment similar to the pandas' hometown in California.

……

"Ronald, is it true? There's hope for the pandas to come?"

"Yeah, I guess the delegation to discuss pandas will be formed soon. I heard that they take this very seriously and may make special arrangements to extend the lease period. If panda cubs are born in California, they can stay here for a while longer..."

The news quickly spread among Hollywood stars who were pushing for the panda loan.

Demi Moore asked Ronald about this as soon as she saw him at the Oscars PR party for "A Few Good Men."

"Real pandas? Real pandas are coming to California? Why do I feel like this is a bit magical? This guy is so cute..."

"Don't be too happy..." Ronald felt that the excitement was a bit too much.

"You don't understand, this is a panda..."

"What happened?" Ronald didn't understand.

"Someone is also pushing for the panda leasing issue. Now California newspapers and TV stations are full of panda documentaries and footage of pandas in Washington." Public relations expert Pat Kingsley came over to explain to Ronald.

"Oh, so they saw those lovely images. Who is doing this?" Ronald was a little confused about who was responding to him.

"Lobbying firms hired by some multinational corporations love yours..."

The person who answered was Ronald's political consultant, Roger Ailes, who was preparing a TV show. He and Ed Bastian came to Los Angeles to discuss the talk show TV station. He happened to know that Ronald was summoned to testify by Congress, so he came to help him with some ideas.

"Why? Why do lobbying firms like pandas?"

"Don't you know that those who advocate thawing and opening up to China are called panda lovers by some diehards? And which Washington politician doesn't like pandas?"

"Huh?" Ronald couldn't keep up with his train of thought.

"Look, pandas are both black and white, and they are also Asian..."

"Puchi..." Ronald was amused by this joke and added, "And pandas are vegetarians..."

“Yes, I’m still a vegetarian…hahahaha”

……

"Take a look at the written testimony my team prepared for me. Is there any problem?"

Roger Ailes took it and looked through it.

"It's well written. You are just an expert witness, and you were probably summoned to understand the situation. So you are just speaking from a business perspective, which is good. It can not only leave a good impression on the supporting members of parliament, but also avoid the dissatisfaction of the opposing members of parliament.

You know, the issue of trade with China has now entered the center of the storm. Everyone has their own considerations on this matter and can find their own foothold.

So just talk about business, cost, benefit, it's a wise choice, you have a good team.

In short, businessmen do business just to make money. You should note that we are not transferring any high-tech technology there, but only to expand profits, reduce costs, and increase employment in America..."

"Increase employment..." Ronald wrote in his notebook, "Is there anything else I should pay attention to?"

"No problem. There is only a very small possibility that a malicious congressman will ask you malicious questions. At that time, you just need to be careful not to panic. A little sense of humor is also good, but don't overdo it. You have to understand that your testimony is just to understand the situation of the bill to be passed. Don't fight back against the congressman harshly. At most, it will embarrass you.

Besides, who would attack you? You are the one who brought the new panda to the children..."

"Hi, Judy..."

"Ronald, are pandas real?"

"It's true... Hi, Meg..."

"Ronald, will you go to the preview of Sleepless in Seattle? That's great. I also want to see Director Nora's edited version. I haven't seen it yet... By the way, when can the pandas really settle down? My son can go and see it then..."

"We are still negotiating. If everything goes well, it may be as early as next year..."

"Ronald, the kid has been pestering me with questions for almost two days. Now is a good time for you to give me an answer in person..."

"Of course, Rumer, your dad (Bruce Willis) and mom (Demi Moore) didn't lie to you, there really will be pandas..."

The entire campaign party almost turned into a press conference on the panda issue, and Ronald became the center of attention.

"Hey... there are pandas. There are two of them, one male and one female..."

Ronald was getting a little annoyed by the questions, and a thin actor came over to greet him. Before the other person could say anything, he took the initiative to provide the answer.

"What panda? Oh, that's a good thing..." The actor was stunned for a moment before he reacted. He came to the party in the second half, still wearing sunglasses, and he looked very thin, with his face a little out of shape.

"Holy Shxt, Tom, what's wrong with you?" Ronald realized it was Tom Hanks after hearing the voice. And sure enough, behind him was his wife, Rita Wilson.

"For the sake of the panda, I won't hold you accountable tonight. Please help me persuade him to see a doctor..." When Rita saw Ronald, she came up to him and started talking to him.

"What's wrong with you? Are you going to star in Spielberg's Holocaust movie?" Ronald thought this was a bit too much for the sake of art.

"What? He's acting in The Philadelphia Story, and the last scene needs to reflect the patient's final condition..." Rita Wilson raised her eyebrows and was about to speak again.

"It's okay, Rita, it's my own choice..." Tom Hanks' voice was a little weak.

"Oh, God, don't you know that there's an Oscar award called Best Makeup?" Ronald felt that losing so much weight for the movie Philadelphia Story was a bit too much, right?