[Chapter 45: Turning the Tables]
It was like arm wrestling.
On one side was the East and West Coast hip-hop group, the Black Panthers.
On the other side were Charlie, the FBI, and the Los Angeles Police Department.
At the beginning, Charlie was alone and was almost being overwhelmed.
His supposed allies just sat on the sidelines watching, and Royale even unintentionally sabotaged him.
Now, Charlie had defused a strong offensive from the other side.
His dodging moves left the East and West Coast hip-hop group frustrated.
...
In Death Row Records, the boss, Suge Knight, with his dark fist adorned with a dazzling gold ring slammed the table loudly and said, "Bastards, these black movie stars are all traitors. They actually spoke up for a white scum."
"What now? The Bloods gang have been discussing secretly that a big shot killed Tupac. They're not as stupid as people think."
Suge Knight said harshly, "Public opinion doesn't work, then act privately. Send people to spread rumors among the Bloods, manipulate them to take down that white guy. Once he's dead, the rumor can be pinned on him! Those useless Black Panthers are too slow."
"Right, the Bloods members are the best to act. Boss, I'll take care of it!"
Suge Knight nodded, "Remember to contact the Bad Boys; they can't stay out of this. They're all scum, I'll get rid of Wallace, that black pig, sooner or later."
The hip-hop group doggedly focused on Charlie like a mad dog for profits.
He was unaware of the changing situation.
...
But being bitten without fighting back was not Charlie's style.
The next morning, following the original plan, he accelerated his moves.
In fact, Charlie had already started his strategic counterattack!
Standing outside the Fox building, Charlie adjusted his suit, smilingly held his phone, and said, "Alright, my brother Harvey, you have to give me some time. Pursuing a beautiful lady needs patience, right? Thanks, goodbye."
Fat pig!
Charlie spat, adjusted his expression, and once again put on a smile, "Hi, dear Tom, please come out to greet me in person."
"Ah ha, look who it is, the Godfather himself," Tom Rothman teased.
He reluctantly embraced him, "Seeing your shameless face almost made me think it was just a few days ago. If I'm not mistaken, you're in big trouble now?"
"Troubles are temporary, after all, none of it concerns me. You know that well, old friend," Charlie said casually, ignoring the several burly bodyguards nearby and the subtle glances on the street.
Tom laughed with schadenfreude and bluntly exposed Charlie's disguise, "The war between two kings also doesn't concern the people, but after the fire, the people always bear the scars or death. I don't believe you don't understand that."
Charlie cooperated, pretending to surrender, "Alright, I'm in a terrible state now, so my friend, I came to seek your help."
After enjoying the childish fun, Tom lost some interest.
Before Tom could respond, Charlie quickly added, "Actually, in the war, I just got promoted to 'Knight'. You should have heard about it."
"You always bring surprises," Tom shook his head, "Come on, let's go inside and talk. Fox is about to contact you, according to our contract. When Fifty Shades of Gray doesn't hit 60 million at the box office, the buyout price will change accordingly."
"It will hit it!" Charlie smiled confidently, "I came to help Fox protect its interests."
Promoted to 'Knight' and with the Godfather's confidence, his deliberately humorous tone subtly influenced Tom Rothman's judgment.
Charlie's real assets were meager; he exhausted his wit in various ways to achieve his goal step by step.
...
Sitting on a deep gray sofa, Tom carelessly played with a Dupont lighter and said, "Speak your mind, but don't ask for anything embarrassing. You're not a fool with wild ideas."
Charlie casually started chatting about Hollywood's history, from ancient movie studios to the Paramount case, and then to the shrinking of the major studios from eight to six.
Tom was confused, and just as he was getting impatient, Charlie talked about the current structure of the American film industry.
"Disney is unique among you all. It's the only one that independently grew into an entertainment media conglomerate. It tightly holds onto kids and families, and with TV technology advances, it bursts with powerful energy. Meanwhile, it is very ambitious in the live-action film market."
Tom Rothman, in his early forties, a Jewish man with rich experience, having been an English teacher, coach, and lawyer, was hard to read.
But upon hearing 'TV technology advances,' Tom smiled, "Interesting perspective."
Charlie smiled back. Not long ago, he wasn't confident at all.
True development statuses of these big companies never appeared in public books or newspapers. Without solid information, one couldn't find opportunities.
Now, he had some confidence.
"From 1986 to 1996, among the top 10 North American box office films each year, Disney Group held 22 titles, including Pulp Fiction in 1994 released under the Miramax label.
16 were live-action films, most being lowbrow comedies.
In 1984 and 1989, Disney established the Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures labels.
In 1993, it acquired Miramax and Dimension Films; in 1995 Jerry Bruckheimer set up a production company signing a distribution deal with Disney.
I didn't count those less-known production companies or the losing Skinny distribution deals."
Tom put down his Dupont lighter, changed posture, and looked more serious.
"Good memory, must have flipped through newspapers for a long time?"
No convenient internet data at the time.
Charlie was proud; he had bought book materials early on instead of scrambling for info.
He smiled brightly, exaggeratedly saying, "I nearly lost all my hair that night."
Then lightly teased, "If I'm not mistaken, from December '83 to September '96, Miramax had 9 films distributed by Fox."
Tom pursed his lips, "Before, Bruckheimer collaborated with Simpson and Paramount on Footloose, Beverly Hills Cop, and Top Gun."
Is this a contest on who's more miserable?
Charlie amused himself, mocking Paramount with Tom, "Right, those films all cost just over 10 million, but the global box office was at least 200 million, mostly 300 million dollars. This year's The Rock is expected to have over 300 million worldwide. Paramount must regret it."
Rothman smirked, then quickly withdrew it and checked his watch.
Time for the reveal!
Charlie's eyes sharpened, and he said gravely, "Meanwhile, Disney shares the biggest slice in animation with The Lion King and Pixar's Toy Story. Universal, Warner Bros., and your Fox, would you be pleased with its aggressive expansion in the live-action market?"
"Of course not," Tom frowned.
Charlie smiled deeply, "Disney now has two main attack generals, Jerry and Harvey. Mr. Rothman, perhaps you're interested in, or plan to, take out one? Harvey intends to swallow me."
*****
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