Chapter 144 — Courting Power
With the large-scale promotional campaign for Indecent Proposal underway, the media blitz rolled out in full force.
Television, radio, newspapers, billboards, and city posters were soon saturated with advertisements.
Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and the rest of the cast appeared frequently on talk shows and press events across the country.
---
By the pool at his Bel Air mansion, Aaron lounged on a deck chair flipping through the newspaper.
Several major blockbusters were scheduled for a May release:
Warner Bros.' Lethal Weapon 3
20th Century Fox's Alien 3
Universal's western epic Far and Away
Dawnlight Films' Indecent Proposal would be going head-to-head with Lethal Weapon 3.
Just then, Monica Bellucci emerged from the pool. Water slid down her perfect curves as she smiled and walked over to Aaron, picked up a glass of juice, and took a sip.
"My agent called," she said. "I might have to go to New York. Do you want me to stay with you a few more days?"
"Work comes first," Aaron replied, pulling her into his arms. "No rush. We can meet anytime."
Feeling the warmth of her body against him, he leaned in and kissed her, casually tugging loose the strap of her bikini.
"Mmm…" Monica rested against him after the kiss. "When you miss me, you can always call."
Aaron laughed softly. "You trust me that much? Aren't you worried I only like your body?"
She pressed her cheek against his chest.
"You're a powerful man in Hollywood. I'm just an Italian model. I don't really have the power to refuse."
"And you're not some bald, overweight old man either. I don't believe many women in the industry could resist you."
Her expression grew more serious.
"What worries me is how long you'll stay interested in me."
Aaron knew Monica had always been clear-headed. She wasn't naïve about relationships—or about power.
"I've just set up two new studios," he said. "One for art films, one for horror."
"When the time comes, I'll arrange a role for you in a horror movie."
He tapped her lightly on the back.
"You're beautiful, and your body is your strength right now. Horror movies are a good entry point into Hollywood—you need exposure and experience."
Then his voice hardened slightly.
"And remember this—I don't like my women seeing other men."
Monica nodded.
"No one likes being treated like a toy. But with you around, I doubt anyone would dare bother me."
"Good," Aaron said.
"As long as you listen to me, I'll make you famous one day."
She smiled, whispered something in his ear, and the two disappeared into the villa soon after.
---
That evening, on Santa Monica Boulevard, a Lexus LS400 pulled up in front of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.
Inside was a fundraising banquet hosted by the campaign committee of Bill Clinton.
Aaron got out of the car and headed straight up to the third-floor ballroom.
"Aaron, you're here," Jack Wells greeted him.
"So?" Aaron asked with a smile. "How does it feel?"
Jack shrugged.
"We donated $550,000, and with your name attached, ticket sales shot through the roof."
"You don't think Clinton would be grateful?"
Aaron shook his head slightly.
"That's not what I meant. I mean—how does being here feel to you?"
Jack laughed.
"Like Hollywood. Politicians are just actors in better costumes."
"Haha, well said," Aaron replied. "Let's go meet this charming governor."
The Governor of Arkansas was notorious for scandals, something the Bush campaign eagerly used against him.
Inside the ballroom, Aaron quickly spotted Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton.
They welcomed him warmly and thanked him sincerely for his support.
Then Clinton asked:
"Aaron, do you have any thoughts about this election?"
Although Aaron was young, his rise had been astonishingly fast.
As for Bill Clinton, he had originally been a minor figure within the Democratic Party, and few people had any real faith in him when he was suddenly pushed forward as a candidate.
That was exactly why support from someone like Aaron felt like help in a snowstorm—rare and unforgettable.
---
"An opinion?" Aaron looked at Clinton and smiled faintly.
"Gay rights, the Black community, women's rights, AIDS advocacy groups—none of them can be ignored. And incidentally, they're all groups the Republicans have never been fond of."
"The LGBT voting bloc?" Clinton nodded thoughtfully. "They can deliver a significant number of votes."
"Of course," Aaron continued, "what really matters most is the economy—job creation and lowering unemployment."
---
After the banquet, Jack Wells frowned as they walked out.
"Do you honestly think that guy? A womanizer from an Irish family, of all people—can really become president?"
Aaron chuckled.
"Why not? The public only needs a symbol. If the people behind him wanted, they could drag a pig out of a pen and push it into the White House."
He patted Jack on the shoulder.
"Did you notice? The people he's been meeting lately are all Jewish financiers."
"That tells you everything. He's courting Jewish capital for backing. With his approval ratings so low, our support suddenly looks priceless."
Jack shook his head.
"Well, maybe. I still find all of this political stuff boring… but if he actually becomes president, that would change things."
---
Jack hesitated, then added, "By the way, that police brutality case from last year—the one involving that Black guy, Rodney King. Aren't the four white officers going on trial this month?"
He blinked in surprise. "Wait—how do you even remember that?"
Aaron replied calmly,
"Prediction says they'll probably be acquitted. When that happens… what do you think people will do?"
"Do?" Jack scratched his head. "Protests, marches, demonstrations…"
"They did that last year. If the verdict really angers them, they won't just let it go."
Aaron nodded, then said seriously,
"That's why when the trial starts, our theaters in Los Angeles need full security."
"I'm worried things could turn violent."
Suddenly, Aaron remembered the riots—how the streets would burn, how stores would be looted, how bullets would fly.
The thought had only come back to him because of the conversation with Clinton… first LGBT, then race, and suddenly his memory jumped ahead to the disaster that followed.
This time, it would be real chaos:
arson, vandalism, robbery, and gunfire.
---
Jack laughed casually.
"Relax. We've got seven theaters in the Greater Los Angeles area. Only the two downtown locations are risky."
"All the guards there are ex-military. The theaters have weapons ready."
Aaron finally relaxed.
"Good. You know how those people operate."
"They love 'zero-dollar shopping.'"