Linda Fiorentino denied it. "I'm not looking for trouble, Mr. Westeros. I'm just fighting for what I deserve."
Simon said teasingly, "Have you considered that you might be overestimating yourself?"
Under Simon's gaze, Linda Fiorentino showed no sign of backing down. She lifted her chin slightly. "You have to try to find out."
The conference room fell suddenly quiet. Brian De Palma watched with keen interest, Jonathan Friedman and the others remained observers, while Linda Fiorentino's agent wore a defeated expression—he worried Simon Westeros might abruptly tell him to take this foolish woman and leave.
Simon studied Linda Fiorentino across the table for a moment, then set down his pencil and leaned back in his chair. "Tell me, what do you want?"
"Cut the nudity," Linda Fiorentino said. "I already mentioned that."
Simon replied, "And I already said, if you insist on that, you can leave now."
Linda Fiorentino paused before saying, "At least delete that upskirt shot."
Simon refused. "That's a key plot point—it can't be cut. But I can guarantee that even if someone pauses frame by frame, they won't see anything."
Linda Fiorentino brought the cigarette back to her lips, hesitated for a moment, then said, "I don't want to be labeled as an erotic film actress. After this movie, Daenerys Films has to let me pick another role from your production slate."
Simon said, "I saw your performance in Martin Scorsese's After Hours—it was decent. You can't just pick whatever you want, but I can arrange something."
Linda Fiorentino flashed a look of surprise at how readily Simon agreed, but she quickly added, "It has to be a lead role, and no nudity."
Simon nodded. "No problem."
Though she felt Simon Westeros seemed almost too agreeable, Linda Fiorentino pressed on. "Also, $100,000 is too low. I want $300,000."
Simon nodded again. "Fine."
Linda Fiorentino stared at Simon, even wondering if this young man was toying with her. "All of this has to be in the contract."
Simon agreed. "Of course. Any other demands?"
Linda Fiorentino thought for a second and shook her head. "No."
"Then let me state my demands," Simon said, sitting up straight, his gaze sharp as he stared at the woman, emphasizing his words. "Put out that cigarette!"
Linda Fiorentino's right hand, holding the cigarette, trembled slightly. After a brief standoff, she stubbed it out in the ashtray Jennifer handed over.
Once the cigarette was out, Simon continued. "Your behavior just now fits the character of Catherine Tramell perfectly—bold, biting, dominant. So, I'll forgive this rudeness, but only this once. If I see you smoking in a meeting again, I'll have you thrown out."
Linda Fiorentino straightened her back instinctively under Simon's unrelenting reprimand.
But thinking of the terms she'd just secured, she suppressed the urge to snap back. $300,000—that was 100 times what she'd earned for her first role three years ago. She'd thrown out that figure thinking $150,000 would be a stretch.
These thoughts raced through her mind as she looked at Simon again.
This man was a devil who loved manipulating people.
With just $100,000, she wouldn't have minded if talks fell through—she wasn't that interested in a role with so much nudity anyway. But $300,000? She couldn't walk away easily.
Though she'd always thought of herself as someone who didn't care much about money, growing up in an Italian immigrant family with eight kids, she'd never seen $300,000 in her life.
That kind of money could secure her life for the next few years.
And on top of that.
Two lead roles—how many actresses never got such chances in a lifetime?
Simon didn't care if Linda Fiorentino had figured out his intentions. He went on, "Since you've gotten what you want, you need to throw yourself fully into this film from now on. I don't want to hear any more complaints about the role you're playing. I can tell you straight: if this movie succeeds, you'll become one of Hollywood's most famous actresses. The next role I promise you will take your career to the next level. But if it flops—and because of you— I can guarantee Hollywood won't have a place for you anymore."
Linda Fiorentino's emotions flared again. "Mr. Westeros, are you threatening me?"
"Yes," Simon nodded. "But you can still back out now. The door's right there. And never say someone has no other choices again—Hollywood has no shortage of actors. The door's open."
Linda Fiorentino felt the man's gaze, gripped her handbag beside her, but ultimately didn't stand. She just turned her face away.
Seeing the woman finally yield, Simon turned to the others. "Let's continue."
They discussed for another half hour, finalizing the matter. Simon then talked with Jonathan about Robert De Niro and those two scripts before leaving WMA headquarters.
In the car.
Simon reopened the airplane materials and asked his assistant beside him, "What's next on the schedule?"
Jennifer checked her memo. "Dave Stevens, the author of The Rocketeer, is coming at four."
Simon recalled the sci-fi comic set in 1930s-40s America. With so much going on lately, he really didn't want to invest more effort into this random addition he'd tossed in. He decided to brush it off after the meeting, ideally letting the project fizzle out naturally.
With that in mind, Simon asked, "Is next week's itinerary set?"
Jennifer flipped a page in her memo. "Monday is auditions for supporting roles in Basic Instinct. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday in San Francisco—besides scouting locations for Basic Instinct, I've arranged visits to Silicon Graphics and Pixar Studios. Friday, head to Park City for the Sundance Film Festival opening."
In the '90s, many blockbusters like Jurassic Park and Independence Day used Silicon Graphics' professional workstations for CG effects. The company was still small and one of Westeros Corporation's holdings.
Simon had already contacted them, hoping to push CG effects development ahead. Silicon Graphics was enthusiastic about it.
As for Pixar, it was for 3D animation matters.
"And, um," Simon recalled something else, about to speak, then said, "I'll handle this one myself."
Since he was going to San Francisco, he'd make time to visit Dr. Henry Chapman—it wasn't something for Jennifer to arrange, just a phone call ahead.
Reviewing next week's schedule, though, Simon realized he'd have another week away from Pulp Fiction's post-production. Fortunately, the film was nearing completion, set for June 3rd release. Even with plans for Cannes, it was only January—plenty of time.
Weekend overtime was inevitable, though.
The SUV entered Santa Monica, nearing Daenerys Films' headquarters. Jennifer glanced at Simon beside her and suddenly said, "I didn't expect you'd be so harsh with a pretty lady."
Simon shot his assistant a look. "If you don't behave, I'll be harsh with you too."
Jennifer dodged the man's gaze. "If you make some unreasonable demand, I definitely won't listen. And I wouldn't give in for $300,000."
"I've never thought money could make someone submit—unless it's a lot of money. But everyone has their weakness; find it, and that's it. A third-tier actress—not great financially, but hungry for fame—her weaknesses are money and opportunity. I can give her those and take them away just as easily. So, she has to submit."
Jennifer hesitated, then probed, "What about me?"
Simon shook his head. "Don't know."
Jennifer suddenly said with certainty, "You definitely do."
Simon smiled. "Maybe. But I'd have to test it."
Jennifer paused, then boldly looked at Simon. "Then test it."
"Really?"
"Really."
Simon set the folder aside from his lap, reached over, and gently brushed aside Jennifer's beautiful blonde hair.
The moment his fingers touched her strands, Jennifer felt like a squirrel facing a predator—completely frozen in fear.
Oh god.
He.
Was really grabbing her hair.
But this—this was in the car.
How could that work?
Feeling his breath draw closer, she wanted to flee but found she couldn't even move a finger.
Magic?
Yeah.
He was a wizard.
It wasn't until he brushed her hair aside, lightly kissed her fair, jade-like neck, and sat back that Jennifer felt her body soften again.
Then, his seemingly smug voice reached her ear: "See? Found it. From now on, keep your hair tied up—I like seeing it that way."
She lowered her head, fiddling haphazardly with her bag.
She wanted to accuse him of cheating or something.
But.
She wasn't sure how much time passed—the car must have stopped in the parking lot by then—when she seemed, perhaps, vaguely to remember softly murmuring 'mm-hmm.'
After the weekend.
Time came to January 11th, Monday.
Many thought it would be a perfectly ordinary week, but with news from New York, Hollywood turned its attention once more to a young man turning twenty next month.
Westeros Corporation filed with the SEC on the first trading day of the week, declaring a 5% stake in New World Entertainment. After the filing, Westeros didn't stop, continuing to accumulate shares.
By close that day, New World Entertainment's stock, previously lingering at $7.50 lows, had easily broken $8.
But that was just the start.
Early the next morning, as the New York Stock Exchange opened, New World Entertainment's shares surged past $9, hitting nearly $10 during the day's volatility.
Having just cashed out hugely from Motorola, if Westeros kept buying tech stocks, it might not have stirred much reaction.
But when Simon Westeros targeted a comprehensive media company in film, TV, and comics, the intent was obvious.
Daenerys Films had been spending big on rights acquisitions and investing in projects like Basic Instinct, Rain Man, Dead Poets Society, and Scream. To ensure production and distribution, Simon Westeros clearly needed to expand his company further.
With ample funds, acquisition was the fastest way to grow.
Simon Westeros's wealth wasn't enough for any of the Big Seven studios, making a second-tier media firm like New World Entertainment a perfect fit.
But.
Subsequent developments surprised many.
After Simon's stock index futures plays were exposed last year-end, he'd been a Wall Street focus. Months later, many institutions still followed Westeros's moves, propping up tech stocks.
Now, with Westeros showing interest in a new company, investors instinctively piled in.
New World Entertainment was a small firm—25 million shares, market cap under $200 million before the filing. As news spread, more investors flooded in. By Wednesday's close, shares hit $15—double last week's price, market cap ballooning to $375 million.
Simon and James had set a 50% premium cap for acquiring New World Entertainment. They'd expected a surge post-announcement, but neither anticipated so many 'helpers' doubling the price in three days.
Now.
Having publicly pledged no sales outside Motorola for at least a year, with New World Entertainment's price doubled, Simon couldn't afford an acquisition even if he wanted to. And he wouldn't be that sucker.
James advised dumping all shares immediately.
Westeros had accumulated 1.75 million shares before the price hit $10—7% stake. With acquisition off, selling now would net a tidy profit.