Jonathan Friedman and others are still waiting for him at the WMA headquarters. In the afternoon, everyone will discuss the heroine of "Basic Instinct". Simon has recently chosen a heroine candidate. After chatting with Amy for a few words, Simon left the company's office building, and Jennifer followed the car with a stack of documents.
As the SUV shuttled through the streets of Los Angeles, Jennifer handed a memo of the meeting to Simon and said: "Dad held a conference call with SUN executives this morning to confirm joining the company's board of directors. So far, we have obtained information from 16 companies. A seat on the board of directors. Dad said Apple and other companies are actually very promising. Are you really not going to join?"
Simon looked at the memo in his hand.
The full name of SUN is Sun-Microsystems-Inc., a new technology company that mainly produces servers and workstations. The powerful Java language was developed by this company.
In Simon's memory, SUN's market value once exceeded US$200 billion at the peak of the Internet bubble. However, after the Internet bubble burst, the company began to decline rapidly due to various reasons, and was eventually acquired by Oracle.
During last year's stock price crash, Westeros began bargain hunting when SUN's market value was around $850 million. Counting the recent small-scale increase in holdings, Simon has only spent less than US$45 million for 5% of SUN's shares.
If history does not change, this share will be worth US$10 billion when SUN's market capitalization peaks in the future.
However, SUN's potential return on investment obviously cannot be compared with Microsoft.
Simon bought 4.9% of Microsoft's shares last year for only $56 million. In this recent increase in holdings, he unknowingly increased the number of shares held to 3 million shares, compared to Microsoft's total share capital of 50 million shares at this time , the shareholding ratio is exactly 6%.
Based on Microsoft's peak market value of US$600 billion in 2000, just this 6% of Microsoft shares would increase Simon's personal wealth by US$36 billion.
Therefore, whether it is SUN or Microsoft, Simon will focus on increasing its holdings in the next few years. Simon plans to increase its holdings in these companies to at least 10%.
In comparison, Simon is not that interested in Apple today.
Simon invested about $150 million for a 4.9% stake in Apple last year when Apple's market capitalization was at its lowest point of about $3 billion. This was more than Microsoft and SUN combined, and second only to Motorola and Intel's $250 million. of US$170 million.
However, according to the information in his memory, Apple will begin to prosper and decline after its market value exceeds US$7 billion in the next few years. Naturally, Simon has no intention of holding it for a long time.
Carefully reading the meeting memo in his hand, Simon heard Jennifer's question and said: "Last time, I made a promise not to reduce my holdings after joining the board of directors for three years. The current money in Westeros Company must not be There is no way to sustain it for three years, so we must be selective in joining the board of directors now.”
Jennifer nodded and talked about another thing, "Also, before the market closed today, we had bought 1.23 million shares of New World Entertainment stock, with an average price of about US$7.5, and a total expenditure of about US$9 million. New World The total share capital of Entertainment is 25 million shares, and we are stuck at about 4.9% that needs to be reported. After filing with the SEC next Monday, as the news becomes public, the stock price will definitely rise sharply, and Dad plans to continue to absorb it within 10 US dollars. Then make an acquisition offer to New World Entertainment."
Due to problems with the capital chain, New World Entertainment's current stock price is far lower than its actual value. In the acquisition plan previously discussed by Simon and James, a 50% premium cap was set on the final transaction price.
Simon said: "On this matter, just let your father execute it according to the plan. There is no need to tell me all the details."
Jennifer responded, handed over another thick folder, and said: "Also, this is some aircraft information you asked me to collect a few days ago. The prices on the document are only the public quotations of the airlines. During the actual transaction process, buyers usually get certain discounts.”
In order to travel for work with Amy, James and others, Simon decided to purchase a business jet a few days ago and asked Jennifer to collect some information at will.
Glancing out of the car window, he saw that it was still some distance away from the WMA headquarters. Simon opened the folder and asked Jennifer: "Do you have a favorite type? If you buy a plane, everyone can use it."
Although the man next to her was not looking at her, Jennifer still averted her eyes slightly and said, "Of course, this is your decision."
Simon smiled, looked at the information on the latest Gulfstream IV business jet in front of him, and said: "Speaking of which, regarding that video tape, I haven't officially thanked you yet. If you have a favorite type, I will follow your style this time. I’ve bought it with my mind.”
Listening to Simon's relaxed tone, Jennifer was a little dissatisfied and couldn't help but said: "It's yours to buy it too, so insincere."
Simon glanced at Jennifer and noticed that she had tied up her hair again today, exposing her white neck: "If I change the ownership of this aircraft company to your name, will your father think that we have something? Then Beat me up."
Feeling Simon's gaze, Jennifer shrank her neck, shook her head and said, "My dad can't do it, but Miss Johnston can. Maybe I'll get beaten too."
Simon pretended to hesitate for a moment and shook his head: "Forget it then. It's not worth it to get a beating even though it's nothing."
Jennifer's face immediately turned red, and a certain image appeared in her mind again.
Noticing that Simon turned his attention to the information in front of him, he raised his hand, carefully touched the back of his head and secretly pulled off the ribbon tied to his hair, feeling the hair spread out, and then relaxed a little.
She thought he hadn't noticed, but just as she was about to quietly put the ribbon into her satchel, a voice came from her ear: "This doesn't look good."
Oh my god.
Resisting the urge to jump out of the car and run away, Jennifer clutched her satchel tightly and mustered up the courage to glare at Simon: "I didn't want you to see it."
Feeling the gentle trembling in the girl's tone, Simon, although still a little confused, stopped teasing and focused entirely on the airplane information in front of him.
Due to the loose aviation control system, the private jet industry in the West is very developed, and the price is not high.
According to the information in Simon's hands, the latest Gulfstream IV luxury business jet has a total passenger capacity of about 20 people, a cruising distance of nearly 8,000 kilometers, and the current official price is only US$16 million. According to what Jennifer just said, this price can be discounted.
Of course, cheap is definitely relative.
According to the latest media statistics, Simon's current net worth is about US$1.6 billion, which is enough to put him within the 50th place on this year's Forbes rich list. What's more, most of the assets in Simon's name are stock assets that can be quickly converted into cash, which further increases the gold content of his personal wealth.
In comparison, many billionaires with a similar net worth to Simon may not be able to easily spend $16 million in cash to buy a private jet.
Looking through some small business jet brands in front of him, Simon quickly saw some models that he was more interested in.
Boeing 747-300, priced at $120 million.
This is Simon's ultimate goal.
The Boeing 747-400 is still in the research and development stage, and the Boeing 747-300 is the latest model in Boeing's large aircraft series. As for data such as passenger capacity and cruising distance, if it is transformed into a private jet, there is obviously no need to pay attention to it. Such a model is enough to connect any two places on the earth when fully fueled. The six-story fuselage is 70 meters long and the internal space is spacious enough to build a swimming pool.
but.
Simon can only look at it now. Although the cost of US$120 million is almost twice as cheap as the same type of large passenger aircraft more than ten years later, and he can afford it, he cannot buy it now.
Too ostentatious.
If Simon buys now, he will definitely be drowned in the saliva of the entire North American media.
Even if Simon doesn't care about this, buying such a Big Mac, parking and maintenance and other issues will definitely make him troubled. In the final analysis, it is still a matter of foundation. If the Rockefeller family purchased such an aircraft, even if it would still be criticized, more people would take it for granted.
As for Simon Westeros.
All right.
upstart.
The car stopped outside the WMA headquarters on Camino Street. Simon had made a very wise decision to purchase a Gulfstream IV first. Compared with the large Boeing, the delivery period of this small aircraft is also very short. Once the order is placed, it can be delivered three months later.
Taking Jennifer into the WMA headquarters, Jonathan Friedman, Brian De Palma and others were already waiting for Simon.
Over the past year or so, Simon has never been the same again, but the turmoil within the WMA has never stopped.
At the beginning of the new year, Ed Limato, one of the vice presidents of WMA, brought a large number of stars under his name such as Mel Gibson, Steve Martin, Denzel Washington, Michelle Pfeiffer, etc. He switched jobs to ICM, which once again severely damaged the vitality of WMA.
From Simon's perspective, this was almost inevitable.
WMA is still firmly controlled by several old men such as Norman Broca. Ed Limato is unlikely to make any further progress in the short term, but this gold medal agent jumped ship to ICM and immediately gained ICM partners and Title of Co-President.
After Ed Limato changed jobs, he represented a number of top movies such as Brian De Palma, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock and Simon. Coupled with the support of WMA Chairman Lou Weiss, Jonathan, who was originally not too conspicuous among a group of vice presidents, has unknowingly become a popular candidate for the next president of WMA.
Simon is actually very interested in the talent agency industry.
However, due to restrictions under California’s Talent Agency Act, agents cannot get involved in the production field, and similarly, film companies cannot intervene in the talent agency industry. Simon can only slightly interfere with the changes in the talent agency industry based on his limited influence, but he cannot affect the overall situation.
In a large conference room at WMA headquarters.
Simon greeted everyone one by one and soon came to a tall black-haired actress. This actress was Simon's chosen heroine in "Basic Instinct", Linda Fiorentino.
In the original time and space, Linda Fiorentino's most well-known role is the female forensic doctor in "Men in Black".
However, the reason why Simon chose her was because she starred in another movie "The Last Temptation". This 1995 film in the original time and space is a thriller and erotic genre that obviously follows the trend of "Basic Instinct". The femme fatale played by Linda Fiorentino in the film skillfully manipulates the men around her into applause.
After the release of "The Last Temptation", Linda Fiorentino's performance won almost unanimous praise from critics. Only because that movie was first broadcast on HBO and did not meet the Oscar selection criteria, the actress unfortunately failed to receive an Oscar nomination that year.
Simon and Linda Fiorentino shook hands, and everyone gathered around the conference table.
A few days ago, after Simon selected Linda Fiorentino from a group of actress profiles, he arranged an audition for her and Michael Douglas. The effect is also very satisfying.
Today, Michael Douglas did not come again, the audition tape was played, Brian De Palma also expressed his approval, and everyone discussed the details of the film with Linda Fiorentino's agent, George Lipton. and contractual matters.
Several grown men were having a heated discussion, and a hoarse female voice said with obvious dissatisfaction: "Isn't there anyone who wants to ask my opinion?"
Simon and others looked over together, and Linda Fiorentino's agent George Lipton said quickly: "Linda, you can go back first, and I will call you after get off work."
Linda Fiorentino glanced at her agent sideways and said nothing. She reached out and rummaged in her jeans pocket for a moment, then took out a pack of cigarettes. She completely ignored George Lipton's almost begging expression and continued. He took out his lighter, lit a cigarette, took a deep breath, exhaled the smoke, and then looked directly at Simon: "Mr. Westeros, George handed me the resume. I never said I wanted to act in this." Role."
Simon looked at the woman's behavior with great interest, and suddenly recalled some rumors in his memory about the actress being very difficult to work with, but he just smiled and said: "Then you didn't refuse anything, and you even cooperated in the audition?"
Linda Fiorentino said: "I just wanted to try out what it would be like to play with a big star like Douglas."
Simon said with a good temper: "So, what now?"
Linda Fiorentino flicked the cigarette ashes skillfully and said: "Your script is very good, but there are too many nude scenes. If some of these scenes can be deleted, I can agree to star in it."
Simon made a direct gesture of please and said: "Ms. Fiorentino, if that's your request, you can go out now."
Linda Fiorentino did not move, nor did she show a guilty expression. She took a puff of cigarette slowly again, looked at Simon, and said: "Mr. Westeros, as far as I know, the next episode of "Instinct" will be The filming will start in October, and the schedule is very tight. You can’t find a second actor more suitable than me in a short period of time.”
Simon shook his head and said: "Actually, I already had a very suitable candidate in my mind before you, but I hate her, so I don't plan to use her. So, you want to make yourself more annoying than her?"