The three approached, Simon greeted the two, subtly observing Jonathan and De Niro's expressions.
Jonathan still maintained his usual gentle and humble demeanour, while De Niro's expression clearly showed some hesitation.
Seeing this, Simon realized that Jonathan must have had a very good talk with De Niro.
However, Robert De Niro had clearly not made up his mind yet.
After several changes last year, WMA, with its rigid operating mechanisms and fierce internal struggles, had clearly begun to decline. On the other hand, CAA's packaging strategy continued to secure increasingly high salaries for Hollywood stars. It was obvious which side Robert De Niro would lean towards when choosing an agency.
However, Simon was very unwilling to see this situation happen.
As his identity shifted from screenwriter and director to producer and investor, Simon realized that if CAA once again became dominant as it did in the original timeline, Hollywood film companies would become increasingly passive.
The way to break this situation was simple: maintain a balanced competitive landscape among Hollywood's major agencies as much as possible.
Daenerys Pictures was currently just a small minnow that had only just made a few waves in Hollywood, and it was certainly impossible to change this major industry trend on its own. However, Simon would not give up on this effort easily.
Therefore, after a few brief exchanges, Simon said directly, "Bob, in my opinion, joining WMA would be a better choice for you".
Robert De Niro had a very good impression of Simon since their first meeting.
Hearing this, he looked at Jonathan Friedman, thought for a moment, and then candidly said, "Simon, and Jon, actually, Mr. Ovitz has personally spoken with me several times. Frankly, CAA is still more appealing to me".
Simon glanced at Jonathan, who looked slightly uncomfortable, and continued to Robert De Niro, "Bob, you must know about Sean Connery's office at CAA, right?"
Robert De Niro nodded in confusion.
Sean Connery was the first Hollywood superstar CAA brought under its wing. To show their respect for this client, Michael Ovitz once stated that CAA would always reserve a private office for Sean Connery.
For most stars, this seemed to demonstrate CAA's Pay attention to for its clients.
Simon, however, had a completely different view: "Bob, since CAA signed Connery, very few of the films he's appeared in over the years have been box office hits. Even 'Never Say Never Again', the 007 unofficial film from four years ago, couldn't be considered a success at the box office. But CAA still continuously landed high-budget projects for Sean Connery. Bob, do you know what this means?"
De Niro just shook his head, but Jonathan's eyes showed a hint of understanding. He didn't interrupt, just smiled and waited for Simon to continue.
Simon continued, "This means that CAA is also a company that places a lot of emphasis on seniority. Moreover, CAA's internal collaborative mechanism also dictates that they will inevitably allocate more resources to certain individuals. Sean Connery is a beneficiary of this mechanism. And it's not just Sean Connery; CAA now also has superstars like Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, and Al Pacino, each with fame comparable to yours, and they all became CAA clients earlier than you. So, Bob, do you think you'll still receive enough attention if you join CAA now?"
In fact, Simon's words were not just an excuse to stop De Niro from joining CAA.
If Simon hadn't appeared, Robert De Niro would indeed have become another big-name client of CAA.
But what was the result?
Starting in the 1990s, Robert De Niro, who had the potential to rival Meryl Streep in acting achievements, gradually devolved into a comedic actor.
CAA, when Sean Connery was nearing seventy, still secured a sky-high salary of 20 million dollars for him through 'Entrapment'. But in Robert De Niro's twilight years, he could only appear in vulgar comedies like 'Dirty Grandpa'.
This was undoubtedly a great regret in the history of Hollywood cinema.
Robert De Niro fell silent after hearing Simon's words.
Simon and Jonathan didn't interrupt.
A moment later, Robert said to Jonathan, "Jon, I need to think about it some more".
Jonathan realized that this matter would not change much, and nodded, "Of course, Bob, I look forward to hearing your good news".
Time had unknowingly passed nine-thirty.
After saying that, Robert De Niro bid farewell.
After seeing him off and returning to the party, Jonathan curiously asked Simon, "You seem to want De Niro not to join CAA even more than I do. What's going on?"
Although their relationship was close, Simon couldn't reveal all his innermost thoughts to Jonathan, only saying, "You must know about Monday, right? My talk with Ovitz wasn't very pleasant".
Jonathan nodded and smiled.
He certainly knew about Monday, and was even worried that Simon might suddenly be poached by CAA.
After enduring for a week, Jonathan had originally planned to sound out Simon's attitude at this party. After what he had just witnessed with Robert De Niro, the agent was now completely relieved.
So he brought up another matter: "Simon, the actress's profile you had sent over this afternoon, Nicole Kidman. I've already contacted her, and it shouldn't be a problem to sign her. But what are your plans?"
Simon didn't hide anything, saying, "I want her to play Mia".
Jonathan was well aware of the casting progress for 'Pulp Fiction.
The role of Mia was currently still in the resume submission stage. Nicole Kidman had some fame in Australia, but in Hollywood, she was still completely unknown. It was unlikely that Simon had seen her perform beforehand.
However, the information 'Australia' flashed in his mind, and Jonathan immediately thought of Janette.
As Simon's agent, although he wasn't clear about what exactly had happened between the two, Jonathan could tell from many signs that Simon and Janette had not fallen out as the outside world claimed, and it wasn't even a lovers' spat.
Perhaps, this Nicole Kidman was recommended to Simon by Janette Johnston.
Jonathan knew Simon was never a rash person. Since he wanted Nicole Kidman to play Mia, this actress would definitely be able to handle the role. 'Run Lola Run' had already elevated Sandra to a Hollywood A-list actress, and Jonathan naturally wouldn't mind having another top actress under his name.
The two chatted for a while longer, and Simon was about to leave when he remembered something else: "Jon, I just finished a story script for an animated film. I'll give it to you next Monday; help me contact Disney".
Jonathan was a bit surprised: "An animated film?"
Simon nodded and said, "The story is about a young lion growing up to become the king of the savanna. The name is 'The Lion King'".
Jonathan couldn't help but shake his head and say, "Simon, Disney isn't the Disney it used to be. Eisner and Katzenberg don't pay much attention to animated films. Two years ago, they not only reorganized the animation department into a subsidiary of Disney Pictures, but even the studio employees were sent to an abandoned warehouse in Glendale".
Simon had always closely followed various developments in Hollywood, so he was naturally aware of the situation Jonathan described.
Although before the rise of 3D animation, Disney had released several hit 2D animated films in the early 1990s, such as 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin', Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg focused more on live-action films in their first few years at the helm of Disney, and there were even rumours at one point that Disney planned to completely close its animation department.
"Jon, I know all that you're saying. I'm not planning to sell the script to Disney. If possible, I hope Daenerys Pictures can invest in it and commission Disney's animation department to produce this project. Animated films have a very long production cycle. So, we won't consider distribution issues for now. You just need to negotiate with Disney following this line of thought".
Jonathan frowned, "Simon, I don't understand".
Simon would certainly do more things in the future that would puzzle those around him, and he didn't want to waste his breath every time. At this moment, he simply said, "Jon, this is actually a gift I want to give to Jenny. So, you just need to contact Disney according to my wishes".
Jonathan stared at Simon for a few moments, then, without further questioning, just smiled and said, "Alright, who made you my most important client? However, Simon, if we follow your idea, this should actually be Pascal's job. My contacting Disney is already somewhat beyond my duties".
Simon spread his hands and said, "Amy is too busy; she's even flying to New York tomorrow. Your annual salary from me is higher than Amy's, so you should do a bit more".
Although Jonathan didn't think Amy's salary would be lower than his own, he still nodded in agreement.
After the two settled the matter, Simon bid farewell.
As usual, Neil Bennett drove to pick him up. Simon found Sandra in the crowd, took the girl into his SUV, and the car left Jonathan's house, heading east towards West Hollywood.
From Coldwater Canyon to West Hollywood wasn't too far; about ten minutes later, the Chevrolet stopped outside an apartment building near Santa Monica Boulevard.
Looking at the dark stairwell at the apartment building's entrance, Simon thought for a moment and still got out of the car with Sandra.
As soon as the two stood by the roadside, a clear clicking sound came from not far away.
Simon looked at Sandra, who stood before him with her hands clasped behind her back and her gaze lowered, and chuckled, "Well, this is it: 'Simon Westeros's New Romance Exposed'".
Sandra heard the camera shutters still clicking not far away, and someone even turned on a flash. For some reason, she felt a little happy. However, hearing Simon's indifferent tone, like he was reading a tabloid headline, she realized he didn't care about any of it.
He truly wouldn't care about these things.
Suddenly feeling a bit displeased, she retorted, "Why isn't it 'Sandra Bullock's New Romance Exposed'?"
Simon shrugged, "You're not as famous as I am".
"Egomaniac," Sandra rolled her eyes, scuffing her toe on the ground. After a moment of hesitation, she finally said, "Do you... want to come up for a bit?"
Simon looked up at the apartment building and said, "Your assistant, Gina, right? Doesn't she live with you?"
Sandra's assistant, Gina Kloss, usually lived with her.
However, after agreeing to let Simon take her home, Sandra quickly sent Gina Kloss away from the party, and specifically told her not to come back tonight.
Thinking of some of her thoughts at the time, Sandra felt her cheeks flush slightly.
But at this moment, she calmly lied, saying, "No, she has a boyfriend and stays out on weekends".
Simon nodded: "Oh".
Sandra waited, seeing Simon hadn't moved, and also let out a single syllable: "Hmm?"
Simon smiled and said, "I won't go up. You know, things with Jenny and me are still unresolved".
"You, you and her didn't break up?"
Sandra said, unable to help but glance at the SUV's driver's seat by the roadside, not even quite believing herself.
Simon shook his head and said, "No, just a little hiccup. Relationships are never smooth sailing".
A flicker of disappointment crossed Sandra's eyes, then she suddenly looked up and asked, "Then, at the party, that woman, will you sleep with her?"
Simon thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps, perhaps not".
"Hmm?"
"Depends on my mood".
Sandra's eyes widened. Remembering a certain nickname Janette occasionally used, she couldn't help but say, "Jenny was right, Simon, you really are a little scoundrel".
Simon feigned apprehension, "You're not going to break up with me, are you?"
Sandra mimicked Simon's earlier tone, saying, "Depends on my mood".
Simon chuckled and said, "Go on up, it's late".
Sandra, however, didn't move. Her hands still clasped behind her back, she bravely stared at Simon and said, "You know I like you, right?"
"Yes, that's why I can't go upstairs with you".
Sandra was a bit insistent, saying, "Why?"
Simon looked at the girl in front of him and said, "Because we're good friends, Sandy. In this world, there aren't many people I care about. I already have Jenny, so I can't take things further with you".
Sandra still stared intently at Simon, saying, "But you want to sleep with, well, women you don't care about?"
Simon nodded: "Yes".
Sandra felt a bit confused. She pulled her clasped hands from behind her back, gesturing wildly, and asked, "Then, aren't you afraid Jenny will find out?"
Simon shook his head: "No."
Sandra asked again, "Why?"
Simon thought for a moment and said, "Jenny and I, probably, are both people with rather unique outlooks on life. She wouldn't care about these things".
Sandra complained, "How do you know she doesn't care? Women always care a lot".
"I used to think so too," Simon nodded and said, "However, after this breakup, I realized she doesn't care. Jenny is the kind of person who advocates absolute freedom. She believes one should do whatever they want to do, and not do what they don't want to do".
Sandra subconsciously said, "That kind of freedom simply doesn't exist in this world".
Simon smiled and said, "So, that's probably why Jenny likes me".
Sandra gave him a disdainful look but waited for Simon to explain further.
"In this world, the higher up the pyramid you are, the greater your freedom. Jenny thinks I'll be the one at the very top of the world's pyramid," Simon explained, then added with a smile, "Actually, I think so too".
Sandra rolled her eyes at Simon and said, "I suddenly don't want to listen to your nonsense anymore".
Simon opened his arms: "Then, good night".
Sandra looked at the handsome face of the man in front of her, thinking with a touch of indignation, God is truly unfair.
He's already so handsome.
And so talented.
And so arrogant.
And he's not even her boyfriend.
How annoying.
And then she got very angry.
So she took a step forward, suddenly wrapped her arms around the man's neck, and kissed him directly.
Simon didn't expect Sandra to react this way. He only had time to turn his head slightly, but the girl still kissed him on the cheek.
Hearing the rapid clicking of cameras nearby again, to spare Sandra any embarrassment, Simon simply raised his hand to hold the girl's waist, and with a gentle push, tried to subtly ease her away.
Sandra, however, held Simon's neck tightly, adjusted her angle, and her soft lips precisely met his.
After a moment of entanglement, she finally gave Simon's lip a light bite before letting go. Her face was flushed in the streetlight, and ignoring the paparazzi who had already gathered around, she shot him a triumphant, defiant look and then fled into the stairwell.