1980 My literary era

The Mercedes-Benz was driving on the streets of New York, with neon lights flashing outside the car windows and busy traffic.

Chen Chong's confusion did not last long, as the car stopped at the entrance of the subway station.

"This matter is very important to you. You can think about it slowly later." Lin Weimin was talking as he saw off the guests.

Chen Chong looked at the subway station, his expression still troubled.

"That's right!" Lin Weimin looked at her face before remembering, and took out his wallet from his pocket, "leave some money for yourself next time, otherwise you won't even have the money to go back."

The two-hundred-meter knife was thrust into Chen Chong's hand as an emergency. She said to Lin Weimin, "Thank you, Teacher Lin!"

Lin Weimin smiled and said, "Don't be so polite. We are all Chinese. If you meet someone outside who can help you, you will definitely help."

"Get off the car and pay attention to safety!"

Looking at the car body of the Mercedes-Benz going away, Chen Chong's emotions were mixed together, and his eyes were complicated.

Early the next morning, Arthur Miller arrived at the Dakota Apartments.

"Lin, where do you want to go today?"

Lin Weimin came to New York just the day before yesterday. Yesterday was the rest time left by Arthur Miller. In the next few days, he and his wife will take time to take Lin Weimin around New York, just like Arthur Miller Lin Weimin found him like that when he went to China.

"Go directly to the theater and meet everyone."

Arthur Miller said: "Lin, you young people, don't be so boring. You have plenty of time to go to the theater, why not take advantage of the time in these few days to have fun?"

Lin Weimin smiled and said: "I prefer to go out and play when I have nothing to do."

"Okay then! Let's go to the theater to see how the children are doing, and then enjoy their performance in the evening."

"I'm afraid not tonight. When I left your house last night, Mr. Laurentiis invited me for a drink."

Arthur Miller asked in surprise: "He asked you out? He wanted to adapt your novel?"

"Maybe? We haven't talked yet." Lin Weimin said noncommittally.

Arthur Miller said: "Lin, you have to be careful of those guys in Hollywood. There is not a word of truth in their mouths."

Lin Weimin gave Arthur Miller a funny look. He suspected that the old boss's hostility to Hollywood was because of his ex-wife.

"He was a guest at your house last night."

"That's because he is Ivy's guest and I can't refuse."

Well, they are indeed superficial friends.

The two chatted for a while, then went downstairs and got in the car.

The theaters on Broadway from 44th Street to 53rd Street are known as Inner Broadway.

Every morning, it is the quietest time on Broadway. Walking on the street, it is not much different from most streets in the United States.

But as soon as night comes, it turns into a palace of drama, with bright lights and bustling voices, and countless audiences flock to the street theaters to enjoy their favorites.

Arthur Miller took Lin Weimin to introduce these theaters on Broadway. It was noon in a flash, and after having lunch, the two of them arrived at the Barrymore Theater at 243 West 47th Street.

The Barrymore Theater was built in 1928 and is named after the famous American actress Ethel Barrymore at the beginning of this century. It belongs to the Shubert Theater Group.

The exterior of the theater imitates the design style of the ancient Roman Baths, and the interior decoration combines Elizabethan, Mediterranean and Adamic styles. Among the many theaters on Broadway, the architectural style is unique.

The Shubert Theater Group, which owns the Barrymore Theater, is the largest theater operating company in the United States, with operating rights to nearly a thousand theaters at its peak.

The plays performed at the Barrymore Theater are mainly dramas. The theater has 1,058 seats and is a medium-sized theater among the more than 40 theaters on Broadway.

Arthur Miller and Lin Weimin came to the theater and took a tour first. As a theater itself, the Barrymore Theater was nothing special. What brought it fame was the word Broadway itself.

In the afternoon, actors came to the theater one after another.

These actors are all night owls, just like the actors in Renyi. They perform every day after ten o'clock in the evening, and they are extremely excited and it is impossible to fall asleep.

Therefore, there are almost no people in the theater in the morning during the day, and everyone only shows up in the afternoon.

During the performance stage, there is almost no rehearsal for the drama. Because the performance content and arrangement have been finalized in previous rehearsals, and there are fixed performances every night, performing is a very demanding and physical thing.

If you expend too much energy and enthusiasm before a performance, it will only be counterproductive.

Arthur Miller summoned all the front and backstage staff of "The Intouchables" to the stage and grandly introduced Lin Weimin to everyone. Everyone looked at Lin Weimin with curious eyes.

At the beginning of the preparation of "The Intouchables", everyone knew that it was a drama from distant China. Arthur Miller had praised Lin Weimin, the original screenwriter, more than once, calling him "the genius of the East."

Today everyone finally saw the true face of this genius in Lushan.

Yellow people, or Chinese people, have never had a high status in the United States, but those who are rich, powerful, and talented are not included in this category.

After the introduction by Arthur Miller, Lin Weimin received warm applause from the crowd, and several young people whistled, making the scene lively.

Arthur Miller introduced these people to Lin Weimin one by one. He would definitely not be able to remember their names. He could not even recognize their faces, but he could not lose his etiquette. Lin Weimin greeted these people with a smile on his face.

"Mr. Miller, are you preparing for the next play?" The speaker was a young black man named Driss, the American version of Lin Xiaoding, who played the role in his play.

Badman was originally just a little-known bit actor, but he was spotted by Arthur Miller to star in "The Untouchables". Not only did he gain a lot of money financially, but he also won last year's award. Tony Award, life suddenly changed drastically.

Arthur Miller had mentioned the next play many times before, and Lin Weimin was here today, so he was naturally concerned about it.

Not only Badman, but the rest of the cast as well. The popularity of "The Intouchables" on Broadway brought them substantial income and fame.

Although they may not be used in the next play, how would you know if you don't fight for it? With the cooperation of the first play, under the same conditions, Arthur Miller has no reason not to use them.

Arthur Miller smiled and pointed at Lin Weimin, "You have to ask Lin about this!"

Lin Weimin glanced at Arthur Miller helplessly, and then said loudly: "We won't keep everyone waiting for the next drama. Yesterday, Mr. Miller and I discussed a lot about creation. During the next period of time, I will I will stay in New York and concentrate on writing scripts. When the scripts are released in the future, I hope to see you all again."

Lin Weimin's speech once again won everyone's applause. For these actors, there is no better news than this.

After spending an afternoon in the theater, towards evening, Lin Weimin and Arthur Miller separated.

After dinner, Huang Guangsheng took Lin Weimin into the Green Garden Lounge in Central Park.

It is surrounded by greenery and uses a glass curtain wall architectural style. You can linger in the sun during the day, and at night the surrounding lights light up, which is equally beautiful and makes people linger.

The Green Garden Lounge opened in 1934 and has been in business for more than half a century. During this period, it has been transferred and opened several times. It has always been one of the favorite pubs of actors, musicians, and writers in western Manhattan.

Many Broadway plays come to the Green Garden to celebrate after their opening night, which has become a Broadway tradition.

It's around seven o'clock in the evening, when the pub is just about to get busy.

Lin Weimin once again met Laurentiis, whom he met yesterday. Compared with their first meeting last night, the two of them were much closer today.

As soon as he sat down, Laurentiis had an ambiguous look on his face, "Lin, how were you last night?"

"How about what?"

"Stop pretending. I saw it last night. You and that lady are old acquaintances."

The old guy has pretty good eyesight.

Lin Weimin said: "We have only met twice, we are not familiar with each other."

Laurentiis added: "Do you need me to help you match up? That lady looks very suitable for the role in "Taipan"!"

Laurentiis was deeply impressed by Chen Chong during their encounter in the underground garage last night.

Chen Chong's appearance is good-looking among Chinese people, but she is not considered a great beauty. On the contrary, it is in line with Westerners' aesthetics of Chinese women.

The heroine of "Taipan" has not been found yet, and Laurentiis is indeed considering giving this role to Chen Chong, and he can also sell it to Lin Weimin as a favor.

Lin Weimin smiled and shook his head, "I'm not familiar with Ms. Chen Chong. You need to discuss this matter yourself."

His straightforward expression made Laurentiis slightly regretful that this smooth favor didn't work out!

After drinking some wine and chatting for a while, Laurentiis revealed his purpose. Sure enough, he wanted the right to adapt "Farewell My Concubine".

"Lin, I bought your novel early this morning. Although I haven't finished reading it yet, I have to admit that it is a rare masterpiece. It would be a shame if it is not adapted into a movie!"

As if to express his sincerity, Laurentiis also took out a brand new copy of "Farewell My Concubine".

Just for the "Taipan" you made, I won't give you the rights to adapt "Farewell My Concubine".

If you think so in your heart, you definitely can't say it with your mouth.

"Taipan" is the first Hollywood movie to be shot entirely in China. Even the government supports their work, but Lin Weimin is not qualified to give advice.

Lin Weimin said: "Mr. Laurentiis, "Farewell My Concubine" is a story rooted in Chinese history and culture. I don't think Hollywood can handle this movie well."

Laurentiis tried to persuade Lin Weimin, and it was obvious that he was very optimistic about "Farewell My Concubine".

"Let's see. Aren't you preparing for "Taipan"? This movie happens to have oriental elements. If this movie can gain a good reputation, then I will consider handing over the adaptation rights of "Farewell My Concubine" to you!"

Under Laurentiis's persuasion, Lin Weimin gave his plan.

After thinking for a moment, Laurentiis nodded to the movie.

Today, he spent a whole day collecting relevant information about "Farewell My Concubine". The more he learned about it, the more surprised he became.

"Farewell My Concubine" has been sold in the United States for four years now, and its cumulative sales have approached one million copies. It has many fans in the United States. And this novel has also been published in other English-speaking countries, and its sales are also very good.

Huge sales represent the influence of the novel. Once news of a movie adaptation of such a novel is released, it will bring its own traffic and topics, even if it is a work with an Eastern background.

The millions of readers behind the novel are enough to support the prospects of adapting this novel. This Oriental background will not only not make this work eclipse, but will to some extent enhance the mysterious temperament and award-winning chances of the adapted film.

"Okay. That's settled. I look forward to the opportunity for us to cooperate in the future."

Lin Weimin shook hands with Laurentiis with a smile on his face. I am afraid this opportunity will not come to pass.