The production of The Blue Hour moved to the misty, rugged coastline of Oregon. The change in scenery provided the perfect backdrop for the raw, intimate nature of the film, but back in Los Angeles and New York, the "Jones Firm" was celebrating a double-header of commercial dominance.
The Dual TriumphWhile Anastasia and Jennifer were deep in rehearsals in a secluded beach house, the box office reports for the Firm's other two pillars came in.
Cameron's Epic: The Silver Horizon had premiered to a sweeping critical reception. Cameron's performance as the 1920s diplomat-warrior was hailed as a "career-defining masterclass." In its first month, the film brought in a massive $52 million globally. With her 5% gross points deal, Cameron's personal payout was staggering.
Keanu's Debut: Ghost Protocol had become the surprise sleeper hit of the season. Keanu's quiet, brooding intensity had captured a new generation of fans. The sci-fi thriller pulled in $38 million in its opening weeks.
Between the two films, the Jones Firm's coffers were overflowing. The $90 million total combined box office meant that the Firm's percentage, combined with the bonuses negotiated by Sarah and Anastasia, resulted in a fresh injection of nearly $6 million in liquid capital.
The Digital CompoundAnastasia didn't let the money sit. From her mobile terminal in Oregon, she coordinated with Sarah back at the Granite Sanctuary.
"The movie money goes straight into the Oracle and Microsoft positions," Anastasia directed over a secure line. "The hardware boom is steady, but the software wars are about to begin. We want to own the instructions, not just the machines."
With their portfolio now valued in the high eight figures, the Jones sisters weren't just the most powerful teenagers in Hollywood—they were becoming a silent force in the burgeoning tech sector of the mid-1980s.
The Set of The Blue HourOn the Oregon set, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the high-octane success of the blockbusters. Anastasia and Jennifer Grey spent their days walking the tide pools and filming quiet, emotionally charged scenes.
The friendship between them had deepened into a true partnership. Unlike many in the industry, Jennifer wasn't intimidated by Anastasia's "Fortress" persona. She treated Anastasia as a peer, often dragging her away from her stock tickers to watch the sunset or grab a coffee in the small local town.
"You know, Stasia," Jennifer said one evening as they sat on the porch of the production house, wrapped in thick wool blankets. "People think you're this cold, calculating machine. But I see the way you look at the ocean. You're just looking for a place where you don't have to be the boss."
Anastasia offered a rare, genuine half-smile. "I'm the boss so that the people I love don't have to worry about anything else. Including you, Jennifer. You're part of the Firm now. Your career is bulletproof."
The Media's GazeDespite the isolation, the press was beginning to catch wind of the "Jones-Grey" connection. Photos of them laughing on set or sharing a meal in Astoria began to circulate. Because the film dealt with a romance between women, the tabloids were desperate to spin a narrative of a "real-life" scandal.
But they couldn't get close. The Jones Firm's security, led by the protocols Anastasia had established at the Sanctuary, kept the set airtight.
"Let them speculate," Anastasia told Jennifer as they prepared for a pivotal scene the next morning. "The more they talk about the 'mystery,' the more they'll pay to see the truth on screen. We're not just making a movie, Jennifer. We're making a legend."
As the fog rolled in over the Pacific, the two girls returned to the warmth of the house. The fortress was expanding, the money was growing, and for the first time, Anastasia felt she had found a friend who could walk beside her without needing to be protected.