[Chapter 102: Celebration Banquet, Sharon Stone]
After Daniel left, Mira handed a stack of materials to Linton. With the huge success of Step Up, Linton's popularity and commercial value skyrocketed, and Mira had recently received numerous endorsement offers. These included clothing, shoes, perfume, outdoor gear, electronics, beverages, whiskey, red wine, motorcycles, and more -- over 30 brands in total, including Pepsi, which had previously overlooked Linton.
The endorsement fees were all set to Hollywood's top-tier star rates, with the lowest offer being $5 million per year.
"Mira, what do you think?" Linton asked.
"Considering you already have six endorsements -- Sony, Dell Computers, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Timex watches, Armani suits, and Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUVs -- I suggest we add Pepsi, Jones Shoes, Macallan Whiskey, Dior Sauvage for men, and Yamaha Motorcycles. Pepsi offers $5 million per year, and the other four each offer $5.5 million per year, with three-year contracts."
"I've already endorsed Mercedes SUVs; endorsing Yamaha motorcycles might not look right."
"They're different categories. I've consulted our lawyer; there's no contractual conflict."
"Still not good. Legally fine, but what about public perception? What would the partners think? Let's drop Yamaha."
"Alright. What about the other four?"
"No problem. Start negotiations quickly, prioritize Pepsi's deal -- you don't need to haggle too much over their fee. Try to get better terms with the other three."
"Okay, I'll start right away."
"When you negotiate with Pepsi, suggest adding a clause for me to write a promotional song for them. See if they're interested."
He pulled out four new songs -- I swear, Sold Out, Surrender, and Taste the Feeling -- and handed them to Mira, asking her to register them with BMI as soon as possible.
---
The next day, Linton started promoting the songs. This process was much more relaxed than the earlier film and soundtrack promotional tours. He spent one day in each city, visiting the four top-rated local radio stations during peak listening times: evening rush hour, 9 PM, 10:30 PM, and the next morning's morning commute, interacting with hosts and listeners.
He talked about Step Up, shared filming anecdotes, discussed the creation of the soundtrack, and especially promoted B What You Wanna B. Each segment lasted about half an hour before he moved on to the next city.
This strategy worked wonders, revitalizing sales of the movie's soundtrack album, which had been declining.
---
On the evening of September 6, Universal held a grand celebration banquet for Step Up at the Hilton Hotel. All the main creators and cast were present.
Many famous filmmakers and stars attended, including Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Pierce Brosnan, and Sharon Stone, who had skyrocketed in popularity earlier that year from her role in Basic Instinct.
High-level executives from major film companies were also present, such as Warner Bros. president Kevin Tsujihara, Paramount's Sherry Lansing, and Twentieth Century Fox's Joe Roth.
...
At the hotel entrance, Universal rolled out a red carpet surrounded by excited fans. When Linton arrived with Naomi Watts, the crowd erupted in cheers and screams.
Unlike the film premiere where Naomi was still relatively unknown, now she was a leading actress with over $100 million at the North American box office, a hot celebrity, and about 40% of the cheers were for her, leaving her glowing with joy.
The two warmly greeted fans and walked the entire red carpet before facing press interviews.
With the film's success, media attitudes toward Linton and Naomi completely reversed -- from criticism to praise. Reporters asked:
"Linton, how do you feel about the film's success?"
"Can you share your secrets to becoming a blockbuster director?"
"What would you like to say to your audience after your debut film topped $100 million?"
"Naomi, how does it feel to become a big star?"
"We heard you were warmly welcomed during your UK and Australia tours. What do you want to say to your fans?"
"Will you two get married like Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman?"
Linton and Naomi answered these questions gracefully and entered the hotel ballroom.
...
The banquet began with a speech from Universal's president, Lou Wasserman, followed by the first dance performed by Linton and Naomi.
...
As Levitt predicted, Linton was warmly received at the banquet. Executives from major film companies approached him with offers, like Warner Bros. president Kevin Tsujihara, who directly asked, "Mr. Anderson, are you interested in partnering with Warner Bros.? We have the best marketing channels and top producers."
Linton politely replied, "Thank you, Mr. Tsujihara. There will definitely be opportunities to collaborate in the future."
After that, Sherry Lansing, Joe Roth, and other executives also approached him. Linton managed the conversations professionally, exchanged contacts, but did not commit immediately, leaving hope for future collaborations. This made Levitt and Lou Wasserman a bit anxious.
...
After the executives, it was time for famous stars. Linton first had a drink with Spielberg, who was preparing Universal's Jurassic Park.
Linton thanked Spielberg for his support of Step Up and agreed to explore future cooperation.
Next was the famous director James Cameron, rumored to have a bad temper, but Cameron was warm and friendly. The two enjoyed a great conversation, agreeing that commercial films depended on market appeal and audience satisfaction, while critics' awards were just icing on the cake. They exchanged personal contact info and planned future collaborations.
The pattern at the banquet seemed clear: film executives, legendary directors, top stars, then hopeful newcomers seeking opportunities.
Linton met many top stars and collected numerous business cards -- and even some room keys.
...
Later in the evening, the crowd around Linton finally thinned, and he planned to find a spot to rest.
A stunning blonde with fiery red lips in a figure-hugging white evening gown, exuding Chanel No. 5 fragrance, approached -- it was the wildly popular and sexy star Sharon Stone.
Sharon gave Linton a warm hug, grabbed two glasses of champagne from the waiter, handed him one, and said, "Let's find somewhere to talk."
They settled in a quiet corner.
Sharon praised, "Step Up was amazing! It made me feel so alive, reminded me of the glory days of my youth. I heard you wrote, directed, and starred in it?"
"Thanks, but it was a team effort," Linton replied.
"Linton, you truly are a genius."
"And Sharon, your performance in Basic Instinct was fantastic -- it had my heart racing."
"Want to see an even better show? I can give you a private performance."
"Now?"
"Yes, I booked a room upstairs."
At that moment, what could he say? Faced with such an invitation from a stunning woman, Linton couldn't refuse, especially since he wanted to experience her allure firsthand. Sharon's fame was second only to Madonna and far above Sophie Marceau.
...
The two quietly left the ballroom and went to the business suite on the sixth floor that Sharon had booked.
What Linton didn't know was that Naomi Watts, Halle Berry, and Tyra Banks, who had quietly been watching him, were furious. They had planned to relax and enjoy some private time with Linton after the movie's success, only to be blindsided.
But they too were swamped -- after Step Up's release, their own popularity surged, and they had producers, executives, and directors circling, so they couldn't afford distractions. They cursed Sharon silently.
...
In the sixth-floor suite, Sharon fully displayed her charm and talents.
The passion ignited quickly and was intense.
Hands grip the headboard,
Sheets torn in the rush of need.
They tumble across the carpet,
Swinging breathless on the edge of bliss.
When desire ignites,
The world races by -- a blur of heat and motion.
When desire dies,
Stillness settles, and everything feels different.
[T/N: Original: Grab the railings, tear the sheets, roll on the carpet, swing on the swing, desire arises, thousands of mountains and rivers pass by; desire is extinguished, and the world changes dramatically.....]
Unlike with other women, Linton held no personal feelings for Sharon. Thus, their only interactions were this passionate connection and his ability growth; nothing else.
...
Though Sharon was experienced, Linton dominated their encounter. In the end, she lay in his arms, saying, "Darling, you're incredible -- even more than the rumors. I've never had such an amazing experience."
"Rumors? What rumors?"
"You probably know -- the earliest was your college ex-girlfriend publicly talking about you. Later, Halle and Tyra were also reportedly won over by you."
"You know about Halle and Tyra?"
"There are no secrets in Hollywood. I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but now I know you even surpass them. I've booked this room for three days -- can you stay with me all three?"
"I'm free tomorrow. The day after, I have commitments promoting the film's soundtrack."
Although Sharon's company was wonderful and her star power immense, Linton wasn't about to change his well-planned schedule.
"Then stay tomorrow. Let's fuck all day until the next morning, okay?"
"Sure, no problem -- just worried about your stamina."
"Oh, you're amazing. I need to rest now to recover my strength and we can have sex again tomorrow."
She drifted to sleep in his arms.
*****
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