[Chapter 484: Summer Box Office Summary]
While chatting with Joseph Schuertz, Kauf Black, and others, Link overheard an interesting story. The last time the Los Angeles Police Department raided the Oakland 18th Street gang, they hired Blackwater security personnel to assist in the operation. With Blackwater's help, the mission was a huge success, and no officers lost their lives.
Other police departments were skeptical upon hearing this, doubting that the LAPD had such capabilities. After an investigation, they learned that Blackwater played a key role. Recently, several police departments sent representatives to Blackwater to discuss cooperation.
Some invited Blackwater to join joint operations to combat crime in their jurisdictions; others requested trainers from Blackwater to train officers, improving their combat abilities and tactical thinking. Some departments even wanted to use Blackwater's intelligence analysis units to assist in investigations.
Blackwater has already accepted over twenty contracts, and the company's revenue is expected to increase by tens of millions this year, finally turning a profit. Link was pleased with Blackwater's development.
Originally, Blackwater's rapid growth was expected after 9/11. Following 9/11, the United States began large-scale counterterrorism operations, with security firms like Blackwater playing increasingly important roles. During the Iraq War, to compensate for the shortage of troops, the U.S. military hired many private security companies to execute combat missions. Merchants doing business in the Middle East also hired many bodyguards to protect their safety.
Blackwater's strength peaked during that time, and the company earned huge profits. Now, earning tens of millions a year was just the beginning.
...
After finishing his call, Link went to the backyard of the estate to continue enjoying food, drinks, and fun with his girlfriends, hosting unrestricted parties.
When the weather was nice, he practiced flying planes at Lanai Island Airport, aiming to get his pilot's license as soon as possible.
...
The movie Armageddon was in its second week in theaters, earning $55.91 million domestically, with a cumulative box office of $156 million, remaining at the top of the weekly box office chart.
By this week, the summer box office of 1998 came to an end. There were 65 movies released this summer, eight more than last year. Eleven movies surpassed $100 million domestically, two more than last year.
...
The number one movie was MGM's 007 Tomorrow Never Dies, with domestic box office of $287 million, overseas box office of $324 million, and a total worldwide box office of $611 million.
The second was Rush Hour 2, distributed by Guess Pictures, with a domestic total of $205 million.
The third was There's Something About Mary, also by Guess Pictures, earning $172 million domestically and $92.41 million overseas. With a production budget of $23 million, it was the highest-grossing movie relative to cost. The lead actress Cameron Diaz was named "Sexiest Woman of the Year" by People magazine.
Fourth place was Guess Pictures' The Waterboy, a surprising dark horse of the summer with a domestic total of $161 million.
Disney's sci-fi film Armageddon was fifth, with a domestic box office of $156 million, expected to reach over $300 million domestically and likely surpass 007 to become this year's box office champion.
Fox's Dr. Dolittle earned $133 million domestically, ranking sixth.
Seventh was Paramount's sci-fi movie Deep Impact, with $125 million domestic.
Eighth was Columbia's Godzilla, earning $121 million domestically.
Ninth was Warner Bros.' action movie Lethal Weapon 4, with $109 million domestically.
Tenth was a romantic comedy jointly produced by Columbia and Guess Pictures titled As Good as It Gets, earning $104 million domestically. Julianne Moore received high praise for her performance.
Eleventh was Disney's animated film Mulan, with a domestic box office of $102 million.
Following the release of this list, Link and Guess Pictures became the hot topic in Hollywood.
...
On the list, except for Dr. Dolittle, Deep Impact, and Lethal Weapon 4, the other eight movies were related to Link and Guess Pictures.
Number one and five were directed by Link and were the most likely contenders for annual top box office.
Several others were either exclusively produced by Guess Pictures or co-produced with other companies.
The Hollywood Reporter commented that this list should be called the Guess Pictures Summer Box Office Chart, stating that Guess Pictures and MGM practically dominated Hollywood.
Total Film magazine remarked that Guess Pictures was profoundly influencing the development of the film industry in an unprecedented way, with an impact deeper and more lasting than MGM, Paramount, or Disney.
The Los Angeles Times gave a blunt comment: the Big Six studios were steadily retreating under the onslaught from the Guess Pictures-MGM alliance, powerless to fight back.
Some tabloids tried to stir controversy by referencing the recent 'Red Carpet Assassination Attempt,' claiming, "If you want to know why someone would hire a killer to assassinate Link, just look at this list." They said the alliance had caused the Big Six and other companies to lose 50% of the movie market and predicted more losses, suggesting "the solution is to find a way to get at Link."
Due to this article threatening Link's safety, it was banned the same day it was published, and the newspaper faced huge fines.
---
"Ha, ha, ha!" Harvey laughed aloud while looking at the faces of Barry Diller and Ron Meyer across from him at the club.
"What are you laughing at?" Ron Meyer asked annoyed.
"I kept telling you guys to take action against Link and Guess Pictures, but you didn't care. You said you'd wait until Guess Pictures hit a snag to swoop in. Now? You don't have the power to take them on anymore," Harvey grinned.
For the past few years, to counter Guess Pictures and reverse Miramax's decline, Harvey kept lobbying the executives of the Big Seven studios but no one listened.
Now it was the Big Six. Except for Columbia and Disney, the other four studios were no better off than Miramax. Their films weren't profitable, and company debts soared.
Executives like Ron Meyer faced unemployment threats, looking gloomy all day.
Harvey felt relieved seeing their frustration.
"Harvey, I heard Miramax was close to bankruptcy. Are you going to hold on or just declare bankruptcy?" Barry Diller asked.
Harvey's mouth twitched, "Miramax won't go bankrupt. We'll find a way to hold on. Don't forget, Disney backs us."
"Disney's situation isn't great either; they might not step in to protect you," Ron Meyer glanced at his phone. "Michael said he's busy and won't come to the party."
"As expected." Harvey shrugged.
...
Ding dong!
Harvey's phone buzzed twice. It was a message from Jeffrey Epstein, saying he might be followed and it was inconvenient to meet recently. He also warned Harvey to be careful.
Harvey shuddered, almost dropping his phone. He texted back asking if it was Link's people.
Epstein replied that he wasn't sure but told him to stay safe.
Harvey's expression changed, losing the mood to drink with Ron and Barry. He made an excuse and left early.
Ron Meyer and Barry Diller looked at the empty booth, sighing that ever since Link's rise, life had been getting tougher. Now they couldn't even get a full table together at parties.
...
After leaving the club, Harvey couldn't stop thinking about Epstein's message.
If Epstein was followed by Link's people, it meant their plan to hire an assassin on Link was known. Link had sent people to investigate, and if they found evidence, they'd go to jail.
The thought terrified Harvey, causing sweat to pour out, soaking his shirt.
Once his car started, he pressed against the window, watching for anyone tailing him. When he saw a Chevrolet car following from the parking lot, his face went pale, heart pounding like a drum.
Breathless, he texted Epstein that he might also be followed and asked for advice.
Epstein told him to stay calm, act normally, and not show anything unusual. Those people couldn't follow him all the time.
Harvey took deep breaths, feigning calmness. After a moment, he glanced back but the black Chevrolet had disappeared.
Still, he didn't let his guard down, suspecting the car might still be nearby or they changed vehicles.
Harvey spent a week on edge, and lost a lot of weight.
*****
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