Chapter 304 — More Intelligence
New York, the Manhattan Plaza Hotel.
Aaron sat alongside Peter Peterson, chairman of Blackstone Group, meeting with representatives from Chase Manhattan Bank, Salomon Brothers, Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, and JPMorgan.
The topic of discussion was Dawnlight's planned acquisition of MCA.
"Gentlemen," Aaron began calmly, "based on my estimates, MCA's valuation hasn't changed much compared to a few years ago."
"And everyone here has seen the losses Panasonic has suffered these past few years."
"I believe Panasonic's current goal is simple—they just want to recover as much of their original acquisition cost as possible."
He paused for a sip of water before continuing.
"Recently, Sony released the financial statements for Columbia TriStar."
"They wrote down twenty-seven billion dollars from the books."
"In less than five years, Sony has already absorbed twenty-seven billion dollars in losses from Columbia TriStar alone."
Facing this room full of Wall Street heavyweights, Aaron showed no sign of pressure.
After all, combined, their personal fortunes still didn't compare to his own.
Thomas Labrecque, chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank and one of Dawn's longtime financial partners, appeared genuinely interested.
"Aaron, Universal's losses inside MCA are significant as well."
"Take Waterworld for example. The film has already become the laughingstock of entertainment newspapers before it's even released."
"And now their longtime partner, Steven Spielberg, has left to form DreamWorks SKG."
"To be honest, we have concerns about Universal's future."
Aaron merely shrugged and smiled.
"What exactly are you worried about?"
"That I can't bring Universal back to life?"
"Everyone here already knows Dawn's return rate."
"In Hollywood, the name Aaron Anderson represents box-office success."
At that moment, Peter Peterson spoke up beside him.
"Once Dawnlight acquires MCA, the new company will issue a convertible bond offering."
"And after the merger is completed, Aaron intends to immediately restructure the company and prepare it for a public listing as quickly as possible."
"Preferred shares will then be distributed according to each party's capital contribution."
Thomas Labrecque nodded.
"Chase Manhattan Bank alone can provide at least five to seven hundred million dollars in financing."
After that, representatives from Merrill Lynch, Salomon Brothers, and several other financial institutions also expressed their willingness to support the deal.
Their only condition was clear:
Aaron Anderson had to guarantee Dawnlight's future public listing plans.
---
That evening, as they exited the hotel, Peter Peterson patted Aaron on the shoulder.
"Dawnlight's performance in Hollywood is strong enough to convince anyone."
"We're very confident about this MCA acquisition."
Aaron smiled faintly.
"Even if the acquisition fails, I still have absolute confidence that Dawnlight will eventually become Hollywood's number one film conglomerate."
If he truly lost to Seagram, Aaron would immediately shift his attention toward either Turner Broadcasting System or CBS.
---
Meanwhile, in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Jack Wells met privately with Ron Meyer at an exclusive seaside club.
"Alright, Jack," Ron Meyer said bluntly. "Tell me what you people want."
Faced with Jack's offer to resolve his ten-million-dollar debt problem, Ron Meyer knew perfectly well that nothing came for free.
Back in the day, Jack Wells had merely been an assistant agent at Creative Artists Agency.
Now, he had become the head of multiple companies, while Angel Security had grown into one of America's most prestigious bodyguard firms, with clients spread across all of Hollywood.
Jack smiled casually.
"You know I've always worked for Dawnlight."
"And now that Dawnlight wants to acquire MCA, its biggest competitor is Seagram."
"You understand better than anyone what role CAA is playing in all this."
Ron Meyer had already guessed as much.
Jack Wells had obviously come on behalf of Aaron Anderson and the MCA acquisition battle.
With Aaron's wealth, casually tossing out a ten-million-dollar loan was nothing.
"Jack, you know how things work," Ron Meyer said helplessly.
"All acquisition deals at CAA are handled personally by Michael Ovitz."
"No one else gets to interfere."
"This sale of MCA by Panasonic is mainly being brokered by Michael Ovitz and Herbert Allen Jr.."
"And whatever agreement exists between Edgar Bronfman Jr. and Michael Ovitz—nobody else knows."
Ron Meyer was genuinely frustrated.
The negotiations in Japan, the meetings with Panasonic executives, the transaction structures—Ovitz handled everything personally.
Even though Ron Meyer held the title of CAA president, his authority mainly covered talent management operations.
Jack frowned slightly.
"What we need is more intelligence on Seagram."
"The Bronfman family's attitude toward MCA."
"The price range they're willing to accept."
"What they plan to do with the DuPont shares."
"You're still the president of CAA and Michael Ovitz's longtime friend."
"You'll hear something eventually."
Ron Meyer had just opened his mouth to respond when Jack raised a hand to stop him.
"Tomorrow, go to West Pacific United Bank."
"They'll provide you with a ten-million-dollar low-interest credit loan."
Then Jack looked him directly in the eye.
"As long as Michael Ovitz remains at CAA, you'll never get your chance."
"Sixty percent of CAA's profits go straight into his pocket."
"You and everyone else split the remaining forty."
"Are you really satisfied with that?"
"If Dawnlight successfully acquires MCA Universal, then with Aaron's abilities, he'll dominate Hollywood sooner or later."
"You understand what I'm implying."
Ron Meyer chuckled softly.
"And if Dawnlight fails?"
Jack looked utterly dismissive.
"Hah. You don't seriously think some random rich heir can successfully run a major Hollywood studio, do you?"
"Who in Hollywood can stop Dawnlight's momentum right now?"
Ron Meyer fell silent in thought.
No matter how this acquisition battle ended, one thing was clear—making an enemy of Aaron Anderson was a terrible idea.
Whether Dawnlight acquired MCA or not, its place in Hollywood's future was already guaranteed.
Finally, he nodded.
"If I hear anything useful, I'll let you know."
"But don't expect too much."
"A lot of insider information is known only to Michael Ovitz."
"He doesn't tell me anything."
Jack clicked his tongue dismissively.
"Just handle your own business."
"And maybe stay away from Las Vegas for a while."
After Ron Meyer left, Jack shook his head.
He honestly didn't know why Aaron believed a gambling addict could actually be useful.
---
A short while later, Jack left the club together with his girlfriend, Uma Thurman.
"Another new movie?" he asked casually.
Uma nodded.
"Yeah. A romance film."
Jack glanced at her and smiled.
"The success of Pulp Fiction really boosted your popularity."
"Especially that poster of you lying on the bed with a cigarette between your lips and your feet kicked up behind you…"
"That's going to become one of the most iconic movie posters in film history."
Although actresses like Madonna and Christiana Reali also appeared in Pulp Fiction, the most unforgettable performance was undoubtedly Uma Thurman as the mob boss's dangerously alluring mistress.
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