Vol 2 Chapter 416: Check him

The black Bentley car parked in front of the Betty Emitage Hotel in West Hollywood. Duke took his assistant and agent out of the car and entered the hotel. When he walked into the special elevator, Nancy Josephson seemed a little bit emotional.
"The other party has wrapped up the entire top floor. It's a big handwriting." She said.
Duke walked directly into the elevator without feeling. It didn't matter where he was talking, what was important was the content.
The dedicated elevator goes directly to the top floor of Betty Ermitage Hotel. The top floor is a high-altitude garden full of original ecological environment. There are heated seawater swimming pools, pavilions, outdoor sunken fireplaces, indoor and outdoor seating areas, and can be used for 360 Enjoy a panoramic view of the Hollywood Hills.
"Hi, Duke..."
Just after Duke left where the elevator was located, Christopher Rockencourt, who had once met him, greeted him and proactively extended his right hand, "It's been a long time."
Duke held his hand with a warm smile on his face, "Yes, Chris, it's been a long time."
Christopher Rockencourt greeted Tina Fey and Nancy Josephson again, leading the way, "Please here."
The three of Duke followed him through the swimming pool, stepped up a flight of steps, and walked into a living room.
The open-air reception room is based on bark brown, and the floor, sofa and open-air fireplace are all in this color. The place directly opposite the sofa is the lush woods of the Hollywood Hills, with beautiful scenery.
"I didn't expect there to be such a place in West Hollywood."
Sitting on the large single sofa, Duke looked around, "I don't even know."
"Because your energy and time are used to make movies." Christopher Rockencourt flatly complimented.
A waiter brought black tea, coffee, and snacks. Duke ordered a cup of black tea and looked back from the Hollywood Hills.
He looked at the reception room again, and the waiter quickly left. Unlike him bringing his assistant and agent over, Christopher Rockencourt has only one person.
Duke didn't have time to circle around and said directly, "Chris, I'm very interested in your script and plan."
"It's my honor." Christopher Rockencourt was just right to show a hint of surprise, but his tone changed. Said, "Duke, I cannot completely transfer this project, I can only cooperate."
"Your Gaul film studio?" Nancy Josephson took the conversation.
"Yes, 40% of the investment is my bottom line!" Christopher Rockencourt is very insistent, as if there is no room for bargaining, "Gaul Studios must account for at least 40% of the investment and revenue sharing!"
"As far as I know, you can't make this investment."
This kind of nonsense, of course, comes from the agent. Nancy Josephson said unceremoniously, "If the film requires an investment of 160 million US dollars, you need to pay 64 million US dollars..."
Nancy didn't say the following words, but the meaning was very clear. He didn't have such wealth.
"Indeed, $64 million is an astronomical figure for me." Christopher Rockencourt didn't mind Nancy revealing his old bottom, and said honestly, "I really can't get the money. But don't forget. Yes, I have an extremely extensive network in Hollywood."
"Ms. Josephson." He has maintained a polite tone. "Actually, I have raised an initial capital of 25 million U.S. dollars. As long as I find a suitable cooperative investor, with my 25 million U.S. dollars plus the proportionate initial capital invested by the partner, starting this project is not a problem at all."
The $160 million in the plan is just a budget figure. No company or investor will allocate funds all at once when making a film.
If the two parties cooperate, plus Duke’s upfront funds, it is more than enough to start the project.
Nancy frowned. "Your requirements are too demanding."
Christopher Rockencourt smiled. Appears extremely confident, "My three conditions are the basis for cooperation."
Then, Nancy Josephson started a long wrangling with her.
Duke has been listening and observing. No matter what he hears or what he sees, Christopher Rockencourt is a standard Hollywood producer, and he is full of self-confidence. Most of you will not cooperate with me. I can always find the posture of the partner.
Is it really because I think too much? He couldn't help but suspect that the first time he met was an illusion.
Nancy and Christopher Rockencourt talked for nearly an hour. Although they reached a certain consensus, there were still many differences, especially the ratio of investment and revenue sharing.
Duke never thought that this kind of big project can be done in just one conversation. If it can be done in just one meeting, then he really has to doubt the professionalism and IQ of Nancy and Christopher Rockencourt.
"Duke, I very much hope to work with you."
When leaving, Christopher Rockencourt also showed the other side of Hollywood style, he was very enthusiastic, "I believe that if we cooperate, a miracle will be created."
"I hope so too."
Duke shook his hand and left with Nancy and Tina Fey.
When he came downstairs and got in his car, Duke frowned slightly, and Nancy Josephson asked, "Do you think we can cooperate?"
She tends to cooperate.
"You continue talking to him." Duke's brows kept frowning slightly.
On the top floor of the hotel on the other side, Jessica Alba happily brought a few people with investment intentions to Christopher Rockencourt. These people saw Duke and confirmed their determination to invest.
Returning to the Duke’s Manor, waiting for Nancy Josephson to leave, Tina Fey suddenly walked to the housekeeper Emma, ​​pushed her out, and told not to disturb people in, then walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and stood on Du Ke behind.
"Something?" Of course these Duke saw them.
"It's just some of my own experience, you can refer to it." Tina Fei stepped forward and stood side by side with Duke in front of the French windows, looking at the sea outside. "I grew up in a low-level community in the suburbs of Pennsylvania. Big, that kind of place...Duke. You may not have been there. It is very chaotic and full of evil."
Duke turned his head. He was born in the wealthy class and had a certain understanding of the chaos of North American society. He did not go to slums much. I just don't quite understand what Tina Fei said.
Tina Fei smiled and continued,
Most people will repeat this life when they grow up, but some people use the income from sin to start a business. In my community, there is such a person, probably When I was fourteen, he washed himself with a wealth. Someone went to investigate him later. But through lawyers, banks, and accountants, nothing useful was found."
"Where is he now?" Duke probably understood.
Hearing his words, Tina Fei shrugged playfully, "I was sent to prison by fbi."
Duke laughed, "Thank you for reminding me."
His family is in good conditions in this life. Although he has encountered many setbacks and difficulties in the past 30 years, it is basically smooth, and there are too many good lives. It is inevitable to ignore the evil means hidden behind the light.
Lawyers, accountants, and entertainment brokers of Nancy's level are indeed very capable. But not everything...
The phone ringing suddenly rang, Tina Fei walked over to the sofa, connected to Duke's phone, said a few words, and hurriedly came over, "Sophia's call."
"Hi. Sophia."
Just after picking up the phone, Duke heard Sophia Coppola’s faintly nasal words, "Duke, I had lunch with Nicola at noon, and he asked me if you intend to direct a movie about Napoleon. Epic film?"
"I did receive such a script." Duke joked casually. "What's the matter, you are also interested?"
"Don't worry, I'm not interested in grabbing the project with you." She briefly explained a few words, "That's it, Nikolai's investment manager and accountant, I don't know where to get the news. I heard that you are going to cooperate with others. This project encouraged Nicholas to invest. He hasn't contacted you for many years, so he is not good to ask directly, so he came to me. Since you are interested, his $15 million investment will not be lost..."
This is a very common news. Duke also knows that Christopher Rockencourt’s funds are not enough. It’s no surprise that he goes everywhere to invest. Even if he uses his name, it’s not uncommon in Hollywood. It’s not uncommon to borrow directors who may cooperate It's normal to pull investment with actors.
It's just... why does he feel wrong?
"Wait, Sophia." He interrupted what was in the receiver. "Is Nikolai Cage you're talking about?"
Since "Break into Death Island", the two have little contact, and now they are not much different from strangers.
"Yeah, my cousin, Nicholas Coppola... well, he is also called Nicholas Cage."
This used to be the most popular male star on the other side, and his experience is even more well-known. Duke remembered a lot of things instantly and confirmed, "You mean Nicholas' accountant and investment manager encouraged him to invest in the project that I like."
"Yes."
Duke finally thought of what was wrong. If I remember correctly, Nicholas Cage’s investment agent and accountant were like a liar. Cage finally took on debts and became the veritable king of bad movies. The people around you in charge of financial management can't get rid of the relationship, even if they cannot be sanctioned from a legal perspective.
Now, Nicholas Cage’s financial managers suggest that he invest in this project that he is optimistic about?
"Sophia, in any case, don't invest in this project!"
Cage’s life or death has nothing to do with him. After Duke warned Sophia Coppola, he hung up the phone and stood here thinking for a while. What was suppressed by Christopher Rockencourt’s good performance began to appear again. Up.
Turning his head, seeing Tina Fei standing beside, Duke couldn't help but remember the words she had just said, and then made a decision.
"Tina, let someone contact the Hollywood Eye Anthony Pelicano..."
If the guess comes true, then someone came to the door and borrowed his name, which is something Duke can't bear. "Contact the Los Angeles County Police Chief Carter..." (to be continued...)