[Chapter 86: Red Sandalwood Bracelet, A Vulnerable Opponent]
After some digging, Mira finally found info on the precious wooden bead bracelets. There was a jewelry store in Los Angeles that sold these bracelets.
The best ones were made from Small leaf Red Sandalwood, featuring 18 beads per bracelet. Each bracelet was priced at $2,000.
Heard that the supplier was a factory based in Hawaii, and they also accepted custom orders for even more precious wood bracelets.
After getting the information, Linton immediately went with Mira to the jewelry store.
They saw the Small leaf Red Sandalwood bracelets in the shop had a glossy sheen with a faint sandalwood scent. Holding it gave a calm and focused feeling, as if their spirit became more lively.
Although the effect was slight, wearing it long-term helped strengthen their spirit considerably.
Linton suspected that the longer the tree age of the Small leaf Red Sandalwood, the better it nourished the spirit.
The wood material was also very hard, perfect for Linton to use as a concealed weapon. The size fit his wrist perfectly and met all his needs.
He didn't hesitate and spent $10,000 to buy all five bracelets in the shop.
To Linton, this was a fantastic treasure. It could enhance his demeanor, nourish his spirit, and serve as a self-defense weapon.
He wore one bracelet daily, kept four as backups, and could use them as a trump card in dangerous situations without worrying about running out.
There was no need to go for more precious wood types. This Small leaf Red Sandalwood bracelet was the best fit for him.
He also left his contact information with the shop owner, asking to be notified immediately when new stock arrived.
He commissioned the owner to help find older Small leaf Red Sandalwood to make bracelets, offering to buy at high prices.
---
On July 29, Linton and Naomi were invited to the premiere of Death Becomes Her, produced and distributed by Universal Pictures.
The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis and starred big names like Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Meryl Streep.
The announced budget was $40 million, a bona fide major commercial production, and a direct competitor to Step Up.
The two walked the red carpet, posed for the paparazzi, then entered the theater and found their seats.
...
"Do you think this film will flop at the box office?" Naomi asked.
"Do you really hope it does?" Linton smiled and countered.
"I heard if it does well, it might affect Universal's support for Step Up."
Linton chuckled. The number of theaters and screens in North America was fixed. If one movie took more, others got less. Especially when movies from the same distributor were released close together, conflicts over distribution resources happened.
He quietly explained, "I heard the early limited screenings got poor audience reactions. Universal itself isn't optimistic."
"Haha," Naomi brightened, "Then Universal should support Step Up more, right?"
"Probably, but Death Becomes Her is Universal's own baby. I heard it premiered in 2,500 theaters opening weekend. Let's see how the film fares."
...
Just then, Robert sat beside Linton.
"Any new updates?" Linton asked.
"Our same day rival Unforgiven got positive buzz from critics and theaters during test screenings. It's a strong competitor."
"I heard that too, but the genres are quite different, with different audiences, so the impact might be minimal, right?"
"Still, same day releases mean scheduling and audience attention could compete."
"Enough chatting, the movie's starting," Naomi reminded as the film began.
...
Within minutes, Linton burst out laughing.
The male lead was a complete loser and clown.
He first dumped the second female lead for the first, then switched back to the second female lead after the first had aged.
Yet he was portrayed as the one rejecting immortality, while the two women were criticized as fools.
An old, ugly man shamelessly demanded women stay forever young and beautiful but criticized them for pursuing youth and looks.
It was an insult to the audience's intelligence.
Feeling uncomfortable, Linton muttered, "Is this it? Forty million dollars for this mess? Ridiculous."
He noticed Robert was enjoying the movie.
"Hey, you seem to be having fun?"
"Nobody's watching it. Won't make money," Robert said with a smile. "It's nowhere near as good as our Step Up."
Linton thought about it and lightened up. "A very entertaining movie."
After the credits, he applauded with the audience and warmly shook hands with the film creators, wishing them box office success.
---
Step Up was releasing in a week. The pre-release promotion had reached a crucial stage with TV, newspapers bombarding the public.
Universal also held press screenings. They knew how to hype, only inviting select media influencers.
This group's initially negative view on Step Up reversed, resulting in heated debates between supporters and detractors, further boosting the movie's buzz.
Offline posters were fully displayed, trailers appeared in theaters, and huge posters of Linton and Naomi embracing were hung in major city commercial plazas.
...
Finding some free time, Linton sent David with Naomi to buy a car, where she picked out a silver Volvo as her personal estate car. It had the top trim but cost under $150,000.
---
On August 3, Robert called, excited: "Good news! Death Becomes Her's opening weekend gross was less than $9 million, averaging just over $3,000 per theater. Our Step Up's theater count and audience should be great. Ha!"
His gloating nearly came through the phone.
"Don't get complacent. Critics are all praises," Linton warned.
"Critics focus on technique, human themes, artistic depth. Audiences want sensory thrills: excitement, laughs, touching moments that resonate emotionally.
Theaters side with audiences since box office depends on them. I heard theaters plan to reduce Death Becomes Her showtimes next week.
Universal's coordinating to add those slots to Step Up. Ha! I'm so happy."
Indeed good news. "Alright, keep a close watch on Universal and update me immediately on any changes."
...
The good news came fast: Step Up secured 2,500 theaters and 5,200 screens for opening, while Death Becomes Her dropped to 1,800 theaters and 3,300 screens.
Death Becomes Her's budget was $40 million with director Robert Zemeckis and stars Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, Meryl Streep - top-tier names.
Step Up, by contrast, had under $10 million budget and a cast of fresh newcomers and rookies.
*****
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