1980 My literary era

Entering the airport terminal, there was still an hour before the plane took off. Lin Weimin had nothing to do and observed the people in the terminal.

He took the flight from Yanjing to Xiangjiang to New York. At this time, there was also the flight from Yanjing to Shanghai to San Francisco to New York. It was launched a few years ago. He thought it was too much trouble, so he decided to take the flight now. This class.

At this time, the Capital Airport was not as busy as it would be in later generations. There were not many people in the terminal, many of them were foreigners, and there were very few Chinese.

Some of them are middle-aged and above. Judging from their temperament and clothing, it is obvious that they are going abroad for inspections and visits on official business.

The other group are young people. The year before last, the country promulgated the "Interim Provisions on Studying Abroad at Self-Expense", which opened up channels for people to study abroad at their own expense. Countless young people have chosen to study or work overseas with the longing for a better life.

Compared with those who go abroad on business, the expressions of these young people are vivid and diverse.

Excited, nervous, reluctant, sad...

The joys and sorrows of the world are intertwined in this small terminal.

The boarding prompt sounded and Lin Weimin boarded the plane.

A few hours later, the plane landed in Xiangjiang, spent one night in Xiangjiang and then took off again. More than ten hours later, this long journey finally ended.

New York International Airport was renamed John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport in 1963 to commemorate the assassinated President Kennedy.

Lin Weimin got off the plane and met his old friend Arthur Miller again after three years.

"Lin, my friend, it's been such a long time!"

Arthur Miller gave Lin Weimin a warm hug, and then introduced his wife to Lin Weimin.

After greetings, several people came out of the airport and got into the car. Lin Weimin noticed that the driver was actually a yellow man.

JFK Airport is located in Queens. As the car headed west and passed the Manhattan Bridge, Arthur Miller specially introduced it to Lin Weimin. His words were full of pride for the city of New York.

After driving over the Manhattan Bridge, the car entered Manhattan, which is what New Yorkers call "Uptown."

It is surrounded by the East River, the Hudson River and the Harlem River. It is the smallest of the five boroughs of New York and the most prosperous.

There are Wall Street, the Empire State Building, Broadway, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Times Square...

This is not only the economic and financial center of the United States, but also the cultural center.

Therefore, Lin Weimin understands Arthur Miller's feelings very well.

In the 1980s, the United States was at its peak. As the economic, financial, and cultural center of the United States, New York attracted talents and funds from all over the world and created countless myths.

Manhattan is the center of New York, with streets full of skyscrapers and a modern feel. Compared with here, Yanjing seems rustic.

"What we are taking now is Broadway Avenue, which runs north from Battery Park where we just passed through Manhattan Island. Broadway and Times Square are both near where we are passing now."

"This is Columbus Circle, this is 59th Street. What you're looking to the southeast is Central Park."

"The apartment I arranged for you is on the west side of Central Park, at the intersection of 72nd Street and Central Park West."

Arthur Miller nonchalantly introduced the street scenes of New York to Lin Weimin, and he did not forget to talk about the accommodation arranged for him.

The car arrived at the downstairs of the apartment building, and Lin Weimin and Arthur Miller got out of the car.

As we all know, there are many apartment buildings in New York City. From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, owning an apartment in New York City was the dream of many Americans.

But after the 1920s, as more and more apartment buildings were built in New York City, many low-cost apartment buildings appeared, and apartment buildings became synonymous with "cheap" and "poverty" in New York City.

But in New York City, one apartment building is an exception.

Dakota Apartments.

Lin Weimin looked at the nameplate at the entrance of the apartment in a daze.

"Mr. Miller, is this the accommodation you arranged for me?"

Arthur Miller had a proud smile on his face, "Yes, Lin, this is the residence I arranged for you."

"Even though this is called an apartment, it's not the same as those cheap apartments in New York City. You know..."

"I know!"

Before Arthur Miller finished his show off, he was interrupted by Lin Weimin. He looked surprised, "You know? What do you know?"

"Dakota Apartments, the first luxury apartment building in New York. It was here that John Lennon was shot six years ago." Lin Weimin murmured.

Arthur Miller said happily: "Lin, I didn't expect you to know this. It seems you like John Lennon very much!"

Lin Weimin glanced at Arthur Miller and asked, "Isn't it inappropriate for you to be so happy when John Lennon was killed?"

Of course he knew that Arthur Miller was happy because he knew the name of Dakota Apartments.

The most fearful thing when giving gifts is the hidden secret. Arthur Miller's happiness is justified.

The Dakota Apartments, the earliest luxury apartment built in New York City, was built in 1884, more than a century ago. Advanced age has not affected the class and image of the Dakota Apartments. Since its completion, its residents have included Steinway, Tchaikovsky, Truman Capote, Bernstein, Lauren Bacall, and The John Lennon I just mentioned.

Over the past century, all the people who have stayed in the Dakota Apartments have been well-known figures in American cultural circles.

Lin Weimin had listened to John Lennon's songs for a while before traveling through time. He became curious about the legendary star who was shot and killed, so he searched for some information on the Internet, including an introduction to Dakota Apartments.

On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot four times in front of the Dakota Apartments, fell into a pool of blood, and died young.

Lin Weimin subconsciously looked at the ground at the entrance to the apartment, then looked up at the apartment.

From the outside, the apartment is square, with high gables, pointed roofs and skylights in an architectural style reminiscent of the Northern German Revival period. It is only ten floors, but it is majestic.

Knowing the history of Dakota Apartments well, Lin Weimin felt flattered.

"Lin, let's go to the apartment first. When you have time, you can visit and learn about the history of this apartment."

Arthur Miller was very satisfied with Lin Weimin's reaction. He had spent a lot of effort and money, wasn't it just for Lin Weimin's current reaction?

In the surprised and surprised eyes of the apartment security guard, Arthur Miller and his wife led Lin Weimin into the apartment building.

The house that Arthur Miller arranged for Lin Weimin was on the 7th floor. They got on the elevator. Arthur Miller introduced: "The owner of the house I rented for you is named Rex Reed. He is an actor. He is also a producer. He has lived in Beverly Hills for the past two years, so this house has been vacant. In order to welcome you this time, I specially asked a friend to communicate with him to rent this place."

Arthur Miller's introduction contained a hint of showing off and claiming credit. Lin Weimin also knew that he must have put a lot of thought into arranging this apartment for himself.

"Isn't the price cheap?" Lin Weimin asked.

Comrade Lao Mi is so sincere, Lin Weimin cannot let others hold it back.

Teacher Lin is so pretentious that she understands this feeling very well.

"Twenty thousand dollars a month!"

Lin Weimin was not surprised when he heard this price. As one of the few luxury apartments in New York, this price is worthy of the Dakota Apartments.

And since it is a short-term rental, the price will definitely be higher.

In the 1970s, U.S. housing prices experienced a bull market, growing at a compound growth rate of 11% for six consecutive years. It only fell slightly in the 1980s, but it was still rising steadily.

New York City is the economic, financial, and cultural center of the United States, and housing prices remain high.

As early as three years ago, the average house price in New York City had exceeded 9,000 dollars per square meter. Top luxury apartments such as the Dakota Apartment were sold for more than 30,000 dollars, and they were priced but not available. .

Arthur Miller directly told Lin Weimin the rental price of the apartment, and then said: "Lin, don't be pressured. The rental company will pay. "The Intouchables" made us a profit of 4 million yuan last year. "

The profit that Arthur Miller refers to is the share that he and Lin Weimin jointly harvested. Arthur Miller earned the most from the drama "The Intouchables" because of his triple role as an investor, producer, and operator. , he received more than 3 million dollars in box office share.

One play, in one year, earned Arthur Miller three million dollars.

Is it expensive to rent an apartment for Lin Weimin for $20,000?

Too expensive!

Comrade Lao Mi thinks it’s worth it!

In particular, Lin Weimin still has a few dramas that he likes that he has not introduced yet!

If you don't "communicate" well with Lin Weimin, how can you get those dramas?

He knew that many performance companies and operating companies on Broadway wanted to know who the "Lin" on the promotional poster for "The Intouchables" was.

Lin Weimin nodded after Arthur Miller finished speaking, with a sincere smile on his face and his eyes full of gratitude. Arthur Miller was very satisfied with Lin Weimin's reaction.

When you open the entrance door of the apartment, you will see a pure white color with extremely high ceilings, more than four meters by visual inspection.

The structure of the apartment is transparent on both sides, and the floor is covered with carpets of classical patterns. Occasionally, there is an artistic statue dotted in the corner of the space. It is neat and elegant, full of French style.

The living room of the apartment has a large floor-to-ceiling window, and to the east is the tree-lined Central Park. At a glance, it is vast and peaceful, and it is pleasant to the eyes.

After viewing the house, Lin Weimin was extremely satisfied.

He lived comfortably in the courtyard house in Yanjing, but occasionally living in a French-style luxury apartment was a rare treat.

Arthur Miller said to Lin Weimin again: "Lin, this is the house you live in. For travel, I arranged a car for you..."

"Mr. Miller, I don't need a car. I don't have an American driver's license. The time is too short and it's not worth it. Just get me a bicycle."

"It doesn't matter, I have arranged a driver for you. Do you remember the young man just now? His name is Huang, he is also Chinese. His father came to the United States from his father's generation and is now an actor on Broadway. I temporarily brought him here to be your two Driver Yue. I promised him that I will arrange a role for him later!"

After Arthur Miller finished speaking, he winked at Lin Weimin mischievously.

This is not called stretching, this is for art.

Lin Weimin added in his heart: That young man, he has to thank us!

At Comrade Lao Mi’s level, you can’t be a leader’s secretary!

"Mr. Miller, thank you for your generosity, but I will be disrespectful!" Lin Weimin said to Arthur Miller with a smile on his face. "

"You don't need to be so polite. Lin, we are not only friends, but also partners." Arthur Miller said sincerely.

The house and car solved most of Lin Weimin's problems while living in the United States, and the remaining problems were Lin Weimin's own business.

After staying in the apartment for a while and getting familiar with the environment, Arthur Miller and his wife took Lin Weimin to the restaurant for a meal and then sent him upstairs.

"Lin, you've been working hard on this journey for two days. Go to bed early today to get rid of the jet lag. If you have nothing to do during the day tomorrow, you can ask Huang to take you around Manhattan. I've arranged a tour for you in the evening. welcome banquet."

Lin Weimin once again expressed his gratitude, and Arthur Miller warned him before leaving: "Call me anytime if you need anything!"

"OK!"

After sending away Arthur Miller and his wife, Lin Weimin couldn't wait to lie on the bed. The more than ten hours of cross-oceanic journey had made him exhausted and he was in urgent need of a sweet sleep.

After so many days in a row, I am tired, so I will update twice today and continue tomorrow. Teacher Lin has arrived in the United States, how should she spend her time there?