Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Chapter 33: Poverty is as unconcealable as pregnancy

David Geffen’s party is basically a warm-up for next week’s Andy Warhol auction. Celebrities from all over New York were invited to view the late eccentric's posthumous work. Unlike the more recent Impressionists, who were classical artists, Warhol produced an astonishing number of works. After all, the "production efficiency" of screen printing is much higher than that of brushes.

Ronald and David Bowen were hiding in the corner smoking. Bowen spoke straightforwardly, had a sense of humor, and spoke with a British accent that made people like him. Ronald also switched his accent to a new concept of British-style English.

"Hey, Job, why do you speak our language?" Bao Yin started to get weird when he found out. The British people's favorite joke is to laugh at America's cousin's rustic expressions.

"I thought we spoke the same language. Maybe I was wrong. The rebels should change the name of the language to American." Ronald joked about colonial independence.

The two laughed for a while, and Ronald explained, "Actually, my grandmother is British, and I only found out about it recently..."

It was rare for Bao Yin to meet a New Yorker who had a great sense of humor, was not arrogant at all, and knew a lot about Britain. He was very interested and was about to ask more questions. There was a sudden noise at the entrance, as if some big star had arrived.

"J, j..." Several young female fans from the upper class shouted impatiently, ready to step forward to ask for the idol's autograph.

It turned out that Michael Jackson was here. Ronald smiled and David Bowin came up. They were all familiar with J. Since they met by chance, they wanted to say hello.

"Hi, Ronald..." Michael Jackson saw his tall old friend in the crowd and came up to say hello. He has just returned from Australia from the first part of the world tour for his "bad" album. This time I was invited by Geffen to see modern art.

J's album sales have been outnumbered by Ronald's "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack. After saying hello to him, he ranked first in the sales figures reported by riaa. This makes music genius J a little jealous. Compared with "Thriller" five years ago, his record sales are far behind, and he actually lost to a movie episode...

J's extended hand did not immediately receive an enthusiastic response from Ronald. He was stunned for a moment, and then looked at Ronald again. His whole body seemed to be stunned for a moment, and then he reacted and hugged him.

"Hi, David." J hugged David Bowen again and said hello. He turned to the right and let out a very tall blonde beauty behind him. "You all know him, hahaha, Brooke."

"Of course...we meet again..." Ronald suddenly felt that Brooke standing next to J was a bit dazzling. They are all old friends, but the helping hand I extended was rejected, j...

"Hi, Ronnie..." Brooke Shields' eyes showed panic for a second. However, she quickly hid this emotion, then hugged Ronald openly, used her social instinct, and chatted with everyone about Andy Warhol's artistic creation.

"I like this work very much. David, David, can you sell me a copy in advance..."

"Of course, whatever you need." David Geffen stepped out from the side. Anyway, there are many copies of Warhol's works. Selling one set can enhance the style of the auction and attract more collectors. It will not reduce the number of works put up for auction.

J pointed to Warhol’s silkscreen paintings of the famous female singer Diana Ross, a set of four panels. At the height of his success, he didn't want to waste time going to the auction anymore. He wanted to take a picture in advance, "This is it. Let my manager write a check for you."

"Ronald, do you want to buy one as well? This is a rare opportunity..." Geffen took the scene in his eyes. Male hormones can often create miracles for art dealers at auctions.

"I..." The rationality in Ronald's heart told him that this was just a show-off behavior of a male creature, but the stimulation of hormones still made him a little bit excited.

"Andy's paintings are very interesting. When Club 54 became popular, his paintings were collected by many collectors and artists who frequented the club. Andy also gave me a painting of Poinsett flowers. . But I know Ronald may prefer classical works, and someone told me that the composition of the advertisement he shot for me is close to that of a classical painter from the Renaissance, hahaha.”

Brooke Shields quickly interjected, not only praising Michael Jackson who bought the painting, but also pointing out her status as an American idol in the past, and finally asked Ronald not to be angry with her.

"Art investment requires some advanced appreciation. Van Gogh was not understood by others during his lifetime." Geffen said again at this time. Ronald felt uncomfortable hearing it, as if he was talking about himself, but he seemed not to say it.

"Well said, this reminds me of something." Ronald said to the paintings on display. "If it is convenient, I would like to buy these two. They will be used as props in my next movie. "Ronald pointed to two strange paintings that were also made based on photos of female celebrities.

Although his ears were red from the stimulation of hormones, Ronald didn't forget to find a reason. It wasn't like he was competing head-on with J for male animal strength.

"There are not many copies of these two paintings. If it is convenient, it is best to do it live at the auction..." David Geffen was not so attentive to Ronald. Buying a painting can become news, Ronald Do you want to buy a painting?

"Hey, e on..." Ronald was dissatisfied with Geffen's behavior and told him to cheer up.

"David, Ronald is a very interesting person. You won't be disappointed if you sell to him." Bao Yin also said a few words in Geffen's ear.

"Okay, I'll ask my assistant to hand over to you. Please continue to visit..." Geffen relented and waved a female assistant over to hand over to J's agent Dilio. Ronald didn't have an assistant accompanying him, so he had to go there alone.

"A pair is US$1,500..." The female assistant held up an Andy Warhol painting album and showed it to Ronald. "We accept checks and bank cards."

"Write a check..." Ronald thought it was not expensive, so he took out his checkbook and wrote a check for US$3,000 with the pen given by Donna.

"Uh, sir, these are eight paintings..." the female assistant pointed to the paintings of Marilyn Monroe and another tall blonde actress in the album and said to Ronald. Andy Warhol's paintings are all screen-printed with four main colors of yk (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), which are divided into four main colors of juxtaposed paintings in the style of four-panel comics.

"Ah..." Ronald yelled angrily, David Geffen, you profiteer, can these be counted as four fucking paintings? But now that he was returning the check, it was obvious that he had written it stingily. Ronald gritted his teeth, tore up the check, and then wrote a new one for twelve thousand dollars, and left his own address.

"Huh..." Ronald put the checkbook away, turned around and left. This was a lousy party, he was broke, he was angry, and he didn't want to stay anymore.

"Ronnie, Ronnie..." When they arrived at the door, the sound of Brooke Shields running in her high heels came together with her anxious call.

"Porky? You're not in there..." Ronald pointed with his finger at J who was surrounded by a group of fans in the hall.

"Hehehe... I will accompany J to some public appearances, so that I can be exposed." Brooke Shields smiled awkwardly, holding a bag bought five years ago in front of her with both hands, trying to cover her belly as much as possible .

Seeing Poji trying to maintain the relationship with him from breaking up, he glanced at her outfit today, and it all looked familiar, as if he had seen her wear it before.

Ronald shook his head secretly. Brooke Shields seemed to have a big financial problem. Poverty is like pregnancy, no matter how much you hide it, it is easily discovered. Her weight control wasn't improving either, which was a disaster as an actress.

"Truth time, what happened?" Ronald pulled Brooke aside. Although he was angry with Brooke for letting Paula Wagner fly, he was an old lover after all, and he didn't want Brooke to become a social butterfly. .

"I have nothing to do, I'm still waiting for a good script." Brooke Shields smiled bitterly, and then braced herself not to let Ronald see the clues.

Ronald, without speaking, just stood opposite her and looked at her. The two were close in height, and Ronald could feel Brooke's chest rising and falling, and her heart rate and breathing were obviously accelerating.

"Okay, forget it, it won't be embarrassing to tell you anyway." Poky was conquered by the smell of a powerful man on Ronald, and raised her hand to hit Ronald a few times like a little girl.

The two of them reached the deserted part of the hall, and Brooke began to talk about her predicament.

Since neither she nor her mother had any sense of financial management, all the money they earned was spent on real estate in New York. The loans on several properties were still being repaid, and the food and clothing, drivers, chefs, makeup artists, and gardeners were not enough. There has been no reduction, and the millions in cash have been exhausted.

After Brooke Shields came back, she realized that going to college was a devastating blow to her fame. Her comeback after graduation did not start from zero, but from a negative number.

Brooke's mother Terry has no professional abilities and cannot find a reliable script to pave the way for her daughter's comeback. The bank balance has bottomed out, and if Bogie doesn't make money, her house loan will be overdue. And loans on multiple properties will have a chain reaction, and soon all the wealth will be gone. Brooke might file for bankruptcy.

In order to make money, Bo Ji has even begun to accept advertisements for cheap products such as shampoo, hair dryers, and stockings. Although there was cash income, it further damaged people's memories of her previous high-end image.

In order to break this vicious cycle, Brooke desperately needed exposure, so she had to attend more events with big stars like Michael Jackson.

"Oh, God..." Ronald touched his frown with his fingers. He didn't expect that Brooke's mother Terry was such a stupid woman without judgment.

"Do you remember what I told you last time? Call me if you have any questions." Ronald looked at Brooke Shields carefully. Although she was a little fat, this was also a common rule for white American girls. What she needs now is a movie to remind audiences of her and establish a new image.

"I..." Poky almost burst into tears when Ronald said that. She was once the most beautiful girl in America, sought after by so many people, and the note with Ronald's agent's phone number had been rubbed many times. With her remaining self-esteem and dreams, she would rather find someone else to gain exposure than ask Ronald for help.

"I have a low-budget movie here. The heroine is similar to the comic character Brenda Starr you made last year. She is also a reporter. If you are willing, I can ask you to star. But you have to go to Asia. For filming in Hong Kong, I will pay you the same amount as you did in 1981, not because of our past relationship, but because your participation will be of great benefit to the promotion of the film. "

Brooke Shields stared at Ronald blankly, hugging Ronald's generous body and stopped talking.

Ronald patted Brooke's back to comfort her. He hugged Brooke and came to the public telephone in the lobby. After dropping a coin, he called his office phone in Daydream.

Rachel Tara, the producer of the company, heard that Brooke Shields agreed to participate in his first production work "The King of Fighters". The laughter made Ronald here shocked.

"Boss, you are really good. Brooke Shields is still famous in Japan, Hong Kong, and other Asian regions. People here are full of admiration for her. You got Brooke's contract for only 500,000, which is really too cheap. Is there any chance..."

"Just this one. Brooke doesn't have an agent. It's troublesome to have multiple film contracts. You know her mother is difficult to deal with."

Ronald hung up the phone and looked at Brooke's slightly bitter smile. Brooke heard Ronald's evaluation of her mother. To be fair, her mother's ignorance also had a lot to do with her inability to get a reliable script.

"Brookie, your mother has done a lot for you, but you have also repaid her. Now it's time to think about yourself."

Brookie looked at Ronald, and this sentence seemed to be a heavy blow, and it seemed that there was a big bell ringing in her heart. She needed to think things through. Just like her mother Terry could not leave herself, Brooke actually depended on her mother since she was a child, and never left her wings for a moment.

"I need some time to think about it..."

"Don't rush, this is a very important thing." Ronald helped her put her hair that was messed up by hugging him just now back behind her ears.

"Brookie, Brooke, where are you?" J's shrill voice came from the hall. The voice was not loud, but it was very penetrating.

"I'll go first. How long will you stay in New York? I'll come to find you?" Brooke came to the event with J, and it would not be appropriate to disappear with Ronald immediately. She kissed Ronald's mouth, then laughed and helped him wipe off the lipstick.

The two agreed to go to Los Angeles for an audition. Ronald told her Rachel's contact information, and the producer would arrange the itinerary. Then Ronald hugged her and said goodbye.

After returning to the Fifth Avenue apartment, he slept for a night. David Geffen, a Jew, was a shady businessman, but he was also very straightforward. Two, no, eight paintings had been delivered to the outside of the apartment. Ronald asked them to move to the living room on the lower floor and line them up to appreciate them.

During the day, the light was sufficient, and it looked more like a promotional advertisement for some product. Ronald felt that he had been fooled by the Jews again and shook his head.

However, he stood up and stepped back to watch. This kind of art print that was vulgar and in line with the current popular trend was very suitable for the style of Catherine, the second female villain in "Working Girl". A rich girl like her could afford such expensive art to decorate her home, which was also in line with her taste.

"Hey, I actually hit the nail on the head with just a casual remark." Ronald laughed.

Immediately, we had to determine the director of photography and the art director. Catherine's clothes, props and furniture had to match the temperament of these two, no, eight artworks.

The actors came to New York before the important crew members.

Ronald invited four main actors, Demi Moore, Sigourney Weaver, Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack, who had just flown in, to visit his home.

They have already been assigned apprentices here. Theresa Kate will give Joan Cusack and Demi Moore a course on "How to be a secretary on Wall Street". Then Donna will give Demi Moore and Sigourney Weaver a course on "How to be a Wall Street investment manager".

Then the three actresses will apprentice closely with two real investment managers and a senior secretary for a few weeks. Alec Baldwin will apprentice with an old friend of Steve Bannon, a male investment manager on Wall Street.

Because Tess, played by Demi Moore, has a transition from secretary to manager, she has a harder time and has to follow both sides. Ronald specially found an assistant for her to take care of her daily life and diet.

After talking about the next arrangements, Ronald ordered takeout from R. Chow Chinese Restaurant, opened a bottle of red wine, and had lunch with everyone.

Sigourney Weaver discovered the Andy Warhol paintings in the living room, "Why are these paintings so weird? The colors are all wrong. This is a portrait of Marilyn Monroe, right? Who is this?"

"Haha, this is a prop I prepared for you. It will be placed in your home in the movie." Ronald laughed. Weaver is going to start serving this uptown girl style.

"Oh, Jim, you slob." Sigourney Weaver entered the role of Katherine and put one hand on Ronald's arm naturally, "Would you like some more steamed dumplings?"

Katherine is such a character who uses her beauty to gain benefits from many lecherous customers and colleagues. Sigourney Weaver changed her Long Island accent and acted really well.

"Very good, very good." Ronald nodded in appreciation.

"To be honest, I really want some more steamed dumplings. R. Chow's snacks are very good..." Sigourney Weaver returned to her original accent and went to get the remaining steamed dumplings with a smile.

Ronald was a little hungry because of her, so he followed her and grabbed a few dumplings. Although they were a little cold, he still ate them very well. However, the meat filling was not hot enough, so he felt a little uncomfortable in his stomach.

"Ugh, ugh..."

Demi Moore, who had eaten two steamed dumplings opposite, suddenly covered her mouth, as if she was about to vomit, and ran into the bathroom.

"Are you okay? Do you want me to take you to the clinic?" Seeing Demi Moore who had not come out for a long time, Ronald knocked on the door worriedly.

"I'm fine, I'm just a little nauseous. It's always been like this lately. I'll be fine after a while. Maybe it's the aftereffects of flying." Demi Moore returned to the dining table and signaled that she was fine.

"Ugh, vomit..." But when she smelled the steamed dumplings, she was about to vomit again.

"Ronald..." Sigourney Weaver came over and quietly poked Ronald.

"Is it food poisoning? Are you all okay?" Ronald was still worried about whether the steamed dumplings were broken.

Weaver said in Ronald's ear in a voice that only two people could hear, "Your heroine seems to be pregnant?"

"No way?" Ronald turned around and looked at Sigourney in surprise. Several actors here were single and had no such experience.

"No way? How many months has it been?"

An hour later, casting director Julia Taylor, who came over after hearing the news, looked at Ronald in surprise.

"It seemed like it was a little over a month ago. Demi had never given birth before, and Bruce (Willis) took a leave of absence from the set of Die Hard and was flying over on a business jet."

Ronald said that maybe he didn't know this very well. The pregnancy test stick he had just bought had already produced a result.

"If it had been more than a month, we would have been in trouble." Julia Taylor covered her face with her hands, "Why were you so careless? The actress suddenly became pregnant before filming a big production..."

"What's the trouble? Do you want to change someone?" Ronald looked at Julia Taylor.

"God, you don't have a child. Generally, after three to four months of pregnancy, the belly cannot be covered. And our movie is expected to start shooting in February... and pregnant women are not suitable for high-intensity filming. Tess is almost in the movie She’s in every scene.”

"Uh..." Ronald also covered his face. He roughly guessed that the two of them might have been unable to control their burning desire on the set during the filming of "Die Hard" last month, and the protective measures were not kept up.

He immediately called Joel Silver, the producer of "Die Hard" and said, "What the hell is going on with you? For such a high-budget movie, you didn't put protective measures on the set?"

"Who the hell knows? They are all living together. I thought they were taking medicine. But are they really pregnant? Bruce has a high hit rate, hahaha..." Silver gloated, "You let Bruce After watching Demi, come back quickly. The crew stopped working today to wait for him. The loss will be huge, and your investment is also involved. "

"Get out!" Ronald cursed with a smile and hung up the phone.

"What should I do?" Ronald looked at Julia Taylor. It was originally difficult to choose these two heroines. They also had to have acting skills, matching temperament and beauty, and they also had to have a certain degree of popularity with the audience.

"Let's wait until Bruce comes...go to the clinic to do a test to confirm..." Julia Taylor stopped talking. In fact, there are countless female stars in Hollywood who have given up their babies for the heroine of a big production. This depends on the choices of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis.

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