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Published at 12th of July 2023 08:39:21 AM


Chapter 37

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Chapter 37: The Reception (2)

"As we were shooting the final scene at the factory, Linda actually sustained an injury, but she didn't say a word, and the crew remained oblivious. So, I continued demanding their best, unaware of her struggles. It wasn't until we repeated the steel mill scene multiple times that I noticed her difficulty with her leg. Still, I insisted on pushing through and even shouted at anyone who tried to intervene, until we wrapped up completely and then arranged for her to go to the hospital. So, in that regard..." The middle-aged man in the crowd, with a stubbled face, shrugged and humorously remarked about himself, "They call me the tyrant on set, and they're not entirely wrong."

 

The surrounding individuals chuckled softly, and the towering T-800 raised his glass. "No matter what, James, you're the best!" He paused, turning to the lady standing next to James, teasingly adding, "And the same goes for you, Linda. You're a truly resilient woman, both on and off the screen."

"Thank you, Arnold. However, it's necessary to be a strong woman from time to time; otherwise, certain individuals won't find any peace in their sleep," Linda Hamilton remarked, adorned in a silver-gray evening gown with a modest neckline. 

 

She smiled and cast a glance at James Cameron standing beside her.

"No, no, no, I can assure you I won't lose any sleep over it. Trust me, my dear. It will only help me sleep even better," James exclaimed, exaggeratingly raising his hands and causing another wave of laughter from the surrounding crowd. 

 

It was almost an open secret that sparks flew between the two during the filming of《Terminator 2》."

"I must say, Jim, your《Terminator》 is truly remarkable. Thankfully, our movie and your audience have distinct preferences, and we managed to avoid any scheduling conflicts; otherwise, we might not have gathered for this celebration today," Michael Eisner, an elderly gentleman who made the effort to attend the party, warmly patted James on the back. They shared a good relationship.

"Certainly, Michael. In the future, there will be more films graciously making space for mine!" James Cameron laughed heartily. While he had a touch of arrogance, there was no denying that《Terminator 2》had firmly established his status as a master filmmaker, backed by his impressive credentials.

Aware of James's personality, Michael felt compelled to remind him: "I heard that the initial budget for this film was 50 million, and then you requested an additional investment of 20 million. Subsequently, you asked for another 20 million, but your request was denied."

James expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "I simply wanted to emphasize that the studio executives can be quite stubborn. With an additional 20 million, I could have made the film even more exceptional." As a perfectionist, he believed that there was no such thing as too much money when it came to achieving perfection.

Despite Michael's understanding of James's personality, he felt the need to caution him. "James, this is not a sustainable approach. If you continue to overspend during production, it may deter future investors from backing your films."

"There will always be someone, Michael. Just look at《Terminator 2》. It has already raked in $160 million at the box office, and I'm willing to bet it will eventually reach $180 million. When there's money to be made, finding investors won't be a challenge!" James responded casually.

"Two hundred million!" a clear voice interjected from the outskirts. "The final box office will hit two hundred million!"

The small group of individuals engaged in hushed conversations turned their attention toward the origin of the voice. To their surprise, they discovered a remarkably beautiful little girl standing just a short distance behind James. 

 

Her hands rested confidently behind her back as she proudly puffed out her chest. A gentle smile graced her round face, and her vibrant emerald eyes shimmered with a touch of enchantment. She radiated a vibrant and innocent energy, reminiscent of a young girl, yet also possessed a hint of maturity.

 

It was a captivating mix that made it difficult to avert one's gaze from her.

"Hello, I'm Linda Hamilton. May I know your name?" Linda, who had always had a fondness for children, approached the little girl with a warm smile and inquired.

Before the little girl could answer, Michael Eisner stepped forward and introduced, "This is one of the main characters tonight, Miss Angela Mason."

"Oh, really?" Linda expressed a hint of surprise. Taking a closer look at the little girl, she couldn't help but exclaim, "That's truly remarkable, Miss Mason. You look even more stunning than you did in the movie."

"Thank you, Ms. Hamilton. You appear much more slender than your on-screen character. It's difficult to believe that you and that powerful woman are one and the same," Angela smiled, casting a brief glance at Michael. 

 

She recalled George's earlier introduction, mentioning him as the CEO of Disney, but there was a nagging familiarity about him that she couldn't quite pinpoint.

"You have quite the way with words, my dear." Linda chuckled and playfully covered her mouth. "Feel free to call me Linda."

"Very well, Linda. You can refer to me as Angela," the little girl nodded gracefully, emulating the demeanor of a refined lady. 

 

She then approached James Cameron and extended her hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. James Cameron. I am a great admirer of your films."

"I am equally delighted to meet you, Miss Mason," James' eyes shimmered with excitement as he observed her. 

 

If Angela hadn't already possessed a comprehensive understanding of this gifted director, she might have mistaken him for just another eccentric uncle.

"You can call me Angela," the little girl shrugged nonchalantly.

"Well, Angela, I must say I'm intrigued by your confidence in《Terminator 2》reaching the two hundred million mark at the box office. Care to enlighten us?" James inquired with genuine curiosity. 

 

Even the governor displayed a curious expression, as everyone wondered about the reasoning behind the young girl's bold statement.

"It's quite simple," Angela responded calmly, raising a finger to emphasize her points. "Firstly, it's《Terminator 2》we're talking about."

She then raised a second finger, her gaze locked on James Cameron. "And secondly, it's directed by none other than James Cameron himself!"

Confusion rippled through the crowd as they exchanged bewildered glances. It seemed preposterous to hear such elaborate praise coming from a young girl. However, Angela had no intention of stopping there. 

 

She proceeded to deliver a comprehensive evaluation, delving into every aspect of the film—James's directing style, the seamless integration of special effects, and more. She delved into the mix of praise and criticism that had surrounded《Terminator 2》in the previous world, leaving everyone around, including the governor, Linda, James, and Michael, utterly perplexed. 

 

Fortunately, Angela managed to maintain a semblance of clarity in her analysis, simplifying technical jargon and presenting it from a young girl's perspective. Otherwise, who knew how people would react?


"...Taking all these factors into account, surpassing the two hundred million mark at the domestic box office seems rather ordinary. In fact, I believe the film has the potential to exceed three hundred million in the international market," Angela concluded her speech, her words hanging in the air with a sense of conviction.

"Oh my God, that is the most factual and accurate comment I have ever heard!" James exclaimed, his enthusiasm overflowing as he scooped up the little girl and planted a kiss on her cheek.

While a sense of panic briefly fluttered within her, Angela managed to maintain her composure. She furrowed her brow and spoke with a tinge of disapproval, "Mr. James Cameron, perhaps it's time to consider shaving your beard."

"I apologize sincerely, truly sorry," James said, hurriedly setting her down and offering repeated apologies. "I allowed my excitement to get the best of me."

"It's understandable. Even I was astonished. Miss Mason, are you truly only 11 years old?" Arnold Schwarzenegger nodded in agreement with Angela's astute analysis of the character.

"Angela, my dear, did you genuinely analyze all of this by yourself?" Linda inquired at this point.

"Most of it stems from my own observations, with some references to film reviews," Angela shrugged. In a broader sense, these opinions did originate from her own thoughts and perceptions.

"It's truly astounding. Such a revelation," James remarked, now composed but visibly perplexed.

 

Michael seized the opportunity to continue the discussion, saying, "There's nothing truly astonishing about it. When all of you watched《The Parent Trap》you probably overlooked the fact that Nancy's name appeared below Miss Mason in the screenwriter credits."

A wave of astonishment washed over everyone, and it took James a moment to process the information. "Michael, are you implying that Angela is the screenwriter for the film you're currently working on? Is this some sort of joke?"


The old man smiled, spreading his hands in a nonchalant manner. Although he didn't provide a direct answer, the implication was already clear.

"You really surprise me, Angela. Does this mean I'm becoming old and out of touch?" James teased.

"I simply made some adjustments based on my life experiences. It's not as difficult as it seems," Angela shrugged, downplaying her achievement.

"Now, now, Angela is being modest again. You should know that she recently completed another exceptional screenplay," Michael interjected.

"Oh? What screenplay is that?" James asked, genuinely intrigued.

"Perhaps it won't pique your interest, Jim. After all, I haven't seen you direct a romantic comedy film," Michael replied, teasingly.

"Come on, Michael, whether I can direct it or not, that's not for you to decide," James retorted, his competitive spirit evident.

As the two engaged in their playful banter, the little girl playfully stuck out her tongue and attempted to slip away unnoticed. 

 

She had initially intended to meet the renowned perfectionist director and the future governor, the gentle giant of bodybuilding fame. However, her impulsive remarks stirred up a sense of caution within her. 

 

Recalling a previous encounter with Michael Eisner at her father's cocktail party, where she observed his cunning nature, she suspected he had some hidden agenda in their conversation. 

 

With these thoughts in mind, she swiftly made up her mind to leave and wait for the party to conclude, yearning to return home.

Yet, as meticulously crafted as her plan seemed, it proved challenging to execute. 

 

Just as she quietly retreated, taking advantage of the diverted attention on James and Michael, she inadvertently collided with someone and accidentally stepped on his foot.





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