Hunting in Hollywood

Inside the villa's computer room, Simon loaded the iCam's floppy disk into a moderately equipped computer.

Girl C sat down beside him and said, "I've already set up the official Tinkerbell website where you can download a simplified version of Photoshop for image viewing and editing."

Simon was using a Compaq computer with Windows 3.0, which lacked a dedicated image viewer beyond the most basic paint program.

In fact, many features we take for granted today were not yet available on the Windows operating system of that time, such as the 'Start' button.

Simon had even considered creating a 'Start' button software to sell to Bill Gates in exchange for some Microsoft stock, but eventually decided against it.

He already held 20% of Microsoft's shares, effectively making it a part of his portfolio. External tools and integrated system functionalities were not the same; doing so might disrupt the overall architecture of the Windows operating system, a risk not worth taking.

After obtaining the Tinkerbell website address, Simon quickly downloaded and installed the simplified Photoshop and opened the photos he had just taken in the gym.

This version of Photoshop offered basic functions such as image cropping, brightness adjustment, and text addition, similar to the features available on modern smartphones, although it currently lacked more advanced filters.

The 100,000-pixel images, with a resolution of 320*320, occupied about a quarter of the screen on Simon's 17-inch monitor with an 800*600 resolution.

By Simon's modern standards, both the monitor and the images were quite crude.

However, for posting images on the Igneel blog, the current computer setup was more than adequate, and the image quality was decent.

Although Simon had invited a host of celebrities to join the Igneel blog, he didn't have an official personal account.

Of course, he had an anonymous one.

Logging into his alias on the Igneel blog, Simon was about to try posting a picture. Realizing it was inappropriate since it was Girl C's photo, he blacked out the image using the paint bucket tool, leaving only the word 'Dark' in the center, and uploaded it.

His alias account soon featured a cryptic blog post.

Girl C found this amusing.

The name of Simon's alias was 'psychic Simon'.

The profile seriously stated that he undertook various psychic and ghost-hunting tasks, charging $1000 per session, asking not to be disturbed unless serious.

The previous posts were mostly related to ghosts and spirits, all appearing quite professional.

Simon didn't explain that this account was a playful creation between him and Janet, mostly managed by Janet, who even pranked those who genuinely sought advice through private messages.

After posting, Simon didn't mind Girl C discovering this trivial matter. Instead, he said, "The results are pretty good, and as you've noticed, image content will be one of the key areas Igneel Portal will focus on. Actually, Igneel blog could enable an album function at any time; it's only delayed due to a lack of content sources. So, C, what are your plans moving forward?"

Girl C, pulling her thoughts back from Simon's alias on the blog, replied, "I plan to use the first batch of these 1000 cameras primarily to collect user experience data for improvements or to address potential issues. After all, this is a new product, and despite extensive testing in the laboratory, Neil can't guarantee the machines are flawless."

Simon nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then suggested, "How about this: Igneel will purchase the first batch of 1000 iCams and arrange a free trial among blog users. The regular feedback reports from 1000 active blog users should be enough for you to make improvements."

This was actually what Girl C had in mind.

Since Simon proposed it himself, she immediately agreed.

The cost of 1000 iCams was only $320,000, which was insignificant compared to the millions of dollars Igneel Portal spent each month on marketing and promotions.

Simon noticed Girl C's expression and smiled.

If iCam became widespread, it would greatly enrich the content on current internet platforms.

Thus, this project was one Simon intended to support heavily.

Girl C was not looking for quick profits, but Simon was not planning to proceed conventionally, adding more fuel to the fire: "However, 1000 units are ultimately too few. Here's what we'll do: I'll help you secure a loan of $5 million to fully establish Tinkerbell's framework, and then produce another 10,000 iCams as soon as possible. Of course, this time you'll have to figure out how to sell them yourself."

Girl C's eyes lit up, and she involuntarily moved closer to Simon.

She felt an urge to hug and kiss her boss.

She didn't have as much confidence in iCam as Simon did. Although the initial investment of $1 million seemed insufficient, she was

 concerned about diluting her ownership. Initially, her venture capital fund took 50% of the equity, leaving her and her partner Neil Brantley with only 25% each. Asking for more funds would further dilute her stake and reduce her share in the venture capital fund.

If the project failed, she wasn't sure if she could continue with other investments.

Now, Simon's casually mentioned $5 million loan immediately addressed all her needs.

The venture capital fund's amount wouldn't decrease, her equity wouldn't dilute, and she could get Tinkerbell on track immediately.

This $5 million was not just about setting up Tinkerbell's framework and producing another 10,000 iCams; it was also about the business experience it would bring her.

Apple was founded in 1976 and grew rapidly. However, as a titan in the computer industry, IBM didn't enter the PC market until the 1980s, and companies like Compaq and Dell lagged even further. The main reason was Apple's early acquisition of experience in running a personal computer company.

Being one step ahead often meant staying ahead in every step.

In the digital camera sector, whether it was Japanese manufacturers like Sony and Panasonic or domestic giants like Kodak, the technological accumulation far surpassed Tinkerbell's nascent efforts.

Although it took Neil Brantley a lot of his spare time and recent months of effort to create the iCam, for manufacturers like Sony, developing a prototype might take just a month.

However, if Tinkerbell secured a lead in this area and card cameras took off, facing competition from traditional camera manufacturers would not be daunting.

The current challenge was to take as many steps ahead as possible as early as possible.

This was another advantage of the $5 million loan Simon offered.

Girl C thought that if the project failed, she might not be able to repay the $5 million loan.

Well.

She had her boss to back her up.

In her view, $5 million was nothing major.

If all else failed...

She could always work off the debt by working for him for a few more years.

Simon, noticing Girl C's hopeful gaze, tapped the table and said, "I should add that the $5 million is just a loan I've secured from the bank for you, with interest, and you'll have to repay it yourself."

Girl C nodded without hesitation, "Yes, I'll repay it myself."

"That decisive? You sound like a kid promising to complete their homework on time."

Girl C had always completed her homework on time from childhood, but she kept her gaze fixed on Simon and said, "Yes, and if I can't repay it, there's nothing I can do."

Feeling Girl C's 'hungry' gaze, Simon shut down the computer and stood up, "Alright, let's prepare breakfast. I'll go wake Janet."

Girl C also stood up, following closely behind Simon, hesitated for a moment, then couldn't resist asking, "Boss, would you like to take a shower first?"

"Hmm?"

"There's a bathroom downstairs too. I can help you get a change of clothes."

"Aren't you afraid Janet might burst in and beat you up?"

"Madam wouldn't do that," Girl C said, then suddenly added, "And if you want to hit me, that's okay too, just not too hard."

"…"

Watching her boss quicken his steps away, Girl C curved her lips upwards.

Another failed attempt at seduction.

But perhaps she had found a direction?

In the heart of Hollywood, the premiere of "Batman: The Dark Knight" was held at the Holy Citizen Auditorium, just like the first installment.

Around 5:30 PM, a black stretch limo pulled up at the red carpet entrance, and Famke Janssen, dressed in a red Gucci gown, stepped out of the car.

Supported by Daenerys Entertainment, having attended the Oscars once before, her second appearance on the red carpet outside the Holy Citizen Auditorium still thrilled her, immersed in the fervent atmosphere.

This kind of attention was probably what many Hollywood stars were addicted to deep down.

Fame and fortune; the higher one climbs, the less 'fortune' matters, with 'fame' becoming the primary pursuit.

"The Wonder Woman" movie was about to start filming, but before that, everyone already knew about the role she was going to play.

Her appearance on the red carpet wasn't just for publicity; she would appear in tonight's film, albeit briefly, marking her first official appearance as Wonder Woman.

As she heard shouts of 'Diana' and 'Wonder Woman', Famke Janssen adjusted her breathing and stride, waving occasionally to fans on both sides, and finally made her way through the red carpet.

Entering the media zone, she posed for a few photos and smiled silently in response to the reporters' loud inquiries about the filming of "Wonder Woman."

After completing the appearance routine, she was guided backstage where her PR approached her,

 speaking patiently in a low voice about avoiding certain poses on the red carpet that might appear unseemly.

Initially, this PR, reportedly trained by the Hollywood PR queen Patti Kingsley, seemed somewhat disdainful of her.

Perhaps she was seen as just another pretty face pampered by some big shot.

Now, especially after securing the role of Wonder Woman, that haughtiness had vanished.

Yet, this woman in her thirties was quite capable, and Famke took most of her advice seriously.

Still, she felt a little melancholy.

She was finally making it.

These past few years had been tight, and she still had a debt of $500,000.

After securing the role of Wonder Woman, numerous producers came forward wanting her to star in various films, with plenty of leading roles offered.

However, without Daenerys Entertainment's approval, she couldn't accept any.

It made sense.

Daenerys Entertainment had invested so much in her over the years; how could they let others capitalize on her popularity?

She wouldn't agree to it either.

Backstage, her PR gestured towards a direction before discreetly disappearing.

Looking over, she saw Westerlo had already arrived and was chatting with the director of "Batman: The Dark Knight," Jane de Bont, and other key cast members. She walked over.

Famke Janssen found it hard to read this young man who now held tremendous power in Hollywood.

For instance.

She initially thought securing her role meant she might have to offer something a woman could offer, which seemed necessary.

Yet, over the years, he only asked her to accompany him to a party once and didn't take her away afterward.

She remembered clearly, at the end of that party, she couldn't find him. Even now, thinking back, she felt a sense of defeat.

Over time, she seemed to understand a bit more.

It appeared he preferred older women; some gossip magazines had secretly analyzed this, and it made sense.

Simon chatted briefly with Famke Janssen who had approached, and seeing Brian De Palma and Robert Redford, whom he had specifically invited, appear at the backstage entrance, he went to greet them.

After exchanging hugs and greetings, Simon asked with a smile, "Brian, and Bob, did you get a chance to look at that script?"

Both Brian De Palma and Robert Redford had faced declines over the past year.

De Palma's "The Bonfire of the Vanities" not only received poor reviews but also flopped at the box office. Redford's "Havana," released at the end of last year, was a box office disaster, costing Universal a significant amount of money.

Simon never forgot the help they provided during the making of "Run Lola Run." At the time, one of the executive producers, David Giler, was now a long-term contract producer with Daenerys Entertainment, recently working on "Terminator 2."

Therefore, without waiting for them to ask, after last year's project failures, Simon had proactively kept an eye out for scripts for them.

He quickly found one called "Indecent Proposal," which dealt with a controversial topic: 'Would you let a billionaire borrow your wife for one million dollars?'

The rights to the original novel of "Indecent Proposal" were held by Paramount. Simon had promptly negotiated with Paramount, securing it as their first joint project.

The original "Indecent Proposal" starred Robert Redford and Demi Moore and was one of the top-grossing films of its year. While Brian De Palma was not the director of the original, the story was perfectly suited for his style.

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