After lunch, Terry Semel spent over an hour with Simon watching the preview of "Suicide Squad" before leaving Daenerys Film City. Simon, however, dedicated his entire afternoon to this project. "Suicide Squad," set to be released on December 16, began filming in January and wrapped up in April.
Currently, the post-production has been ongoing for over three months. The special effects work began concurrently with the start of filming, and the entire project is expected to be fully completed by the end of October.
Due to the involvement of characters like Batman and other superhero rights, "Suicide Squad" is a joint investment between Daenerys and Time Warner, with Warner Bros. handling distribution. Therefore, compared to Warner's solo projects like "The Flash" and "Cyborg," Simon places more importance on this new series.
After discussing the follow-up special effects, editing, and music scoring with the main creators of "Suicide Squad" until after 5 p.m., Simon left the post-production center on the first floor of the studio and returned to his office on the third floor administrative area.
Once in his office, Girl A followed him in, handed over a few documents, and said, "D reached an agreement with Egret this afternoon to sell 20% of Instagram's shares for $5 million in cash plus 18 months of unlimited free server support from Egret. Additionally, Egret will enable Instagram's account to log in through Egret's authorized login interface."
The $5 million cash and account authorization were easy to understand.
Over the past weekend, due to traffic from Egret's portal and recommendations from numerous celebrities on the Facebook social network, Instagram's registered users exceeded 1.2 million in just three days.
This rocket-like growth trajectory, starting on such a high note, made many struggling internet entrepreneurs envious, while also gaining Instagram industry recognition.
After the registration data was released last Friday, Simon confirmed that even if Girl D wanted to sell the site for $20 million, there would be many eager buyers.
Now, exchanging 20% of the shares for $5 million cash equated to a valuation of $25 million.
But that's not all.
In the past, various platforms like email services, QQ, and microblogs had abundant authorized login interfaces. Many users had become accustomed to this convenient login mode. Now, Egret's account authorization, which practically monopolizes internet user resources, isn't easily granted to just any site.
Egret, understanding that its vast user base is its most valuable resource, exercises caution in enabling each interface, despite accepting the login authorization concept proposed by Simon.
Instagram's preferential treatment results from Egret's investment and plans to supplement its social network segment with Instagram, much like Instagram once did for Facebook.
Simon had discussed this with Bezos on the phone that morning.
However, the 18 months of unlimited free server support was a new condition.
When Simon inquired, Allison explained, "This is a form of hedging. Initially, D offered $10 million for 20% of the shares, which isn't high. Both Silicon Valley and Wall Street have shown interest in Instagram recently. Even at a higher price, there are willing takers. Egret initially offered $4 million. After negotiations, they added this condition. If Instagram underperforms, Egret doesn't lose much. Conversely, if Instagram continues its rapid growth, Egret benefits from the site's value increase as a shareholder."
Simon asked, "Whose idea was this?"
Allison, slightly confused, replied, "D's."
Simon nodded and smiled, "A, B, C, D... You're the only one left. How about joining the rest?"
Girl A blinked, seemingly recalling something, and said, "Boss, Mrs. called and hopes you come home early today. David Johnston and his wife are in town for a surprise visit and will have dinner at home."
Simon nodded, signaling Girl A to leave as he delved into feedback from media and audiences regarding the "God Watching a Movie" event from last Saturday. Although the event exceeded Simon's plans, he decided to maximize its benefits.
After working until 6 p.m., Simon remembered Allison's reminder and headed home.
Upon returning to Shell Villa, Janet was chatting with David Johnston and his wife by the small bar area near the glass wall. Jennifer was preparing dinner, and Veronica was watching the four children in another resting area by the glass wall. The children included the three Westeros kids and the Johnstons' son, Derek, born in February.
After greeting David and his wife, Simon sat beside Janet, took a glass of red wine she handed him, and asked with a smile, "What were you all just talking about?"
Janet, snuggling closer to Simon, said, "David and Lily are planning to move to San Francisco. Simon, do you think David can find a job at Egret?"
Simon looked at David and his wife. David seemed a bit embarrassed, while Leslie looked hopeful.
Without hesitation, Simon nodded, "Of course, no problem. David studied fluid physics and has excellent math skills. Egret is strengthening its big data department, and David can work there."
Seeing her husband's reluctance, Leslie Johnston asked, "Simon, what does the big data department do?"
Simon explained, "Egret currently has over a billion users worldwide. The big data department mines, analyzes, and integrates user behavior across platforms like IE browser, Egret portal, and social networks. This enables more efficient and precise ad targeting, product promotion, and service customization. It's a crucial department headed by Tim Berners-Lee and will influence Egret's future direction."
David Johnston seemed interested in the job.
Leslie realized that her husband would be just an ordinary researcher, possibly leading a small team. Managing a research department requires high emotional intelligence and leadership, which David lacked. Simon wouldn't make him a department head.
Nonetheless, moving to San Francisco was mainly for Leslie's benefit. After getting married and having a baby, Leslie's career had stalled. With Simon's support, she planned to take over her family's North American architectural design office.
As for her husband, she just needed him to stay occupied and watch the child.
Finalizing this matter, Leslie brought up the redesign of Dume Cape Manor. The extensive renovation, including converting surplus villas into gardens, walkways, and sports fields, needed professional planning, mainly handled by Jennifer due to Simon and Janet's busy schedules.
After chatting for over an hour, Jennifer announced dinner was ready. Everyone gathered in the large dining room for a lively meal.
After dinner, the Johnstons retired to another residence on the estate, and Simon's family relaxed.
They had planned a movie night.
Leaving the three kids with Veronica, Simon, Janet, and Jennifer went to Shell Villa's private theater.
The movie was "Heat," released last Friday.
Simon loved this film in his previous life. Despite multiple viewings, he never grew tired of it.
His viewing philosophy is to watch a classic film repeatedly rather than many mediocre ones.
Janet enjoyed the intimate time with Simon and Jennifer, but soon they were absorbed in the movie.
"Heat" offered a refreshing taste compared to summer hits like "The Dark Knight Rises" and "Forrest Gump."
Though a crime action film, Simon saw life's complexities within it—resignation, conflict, happiness, and sorrow, portraying life's uncertainties.
Simon admired both Robert De Niro and Al Pacino's characters.
One was seemingly cold but genuinely true to himself. He preached not having anything in life one couldn't leave in 30 seconds, yet he couldn't let go of his comrades, love, and hatred, missing the rare seaweed that glows once a year.
The other appeared volatile but was kind-hearted. Despite a stony face hardened by life's experiences, he interacted cordially with despised gangsters, aiming to shield his family from the world's evils he witnessed.
Though he acted indifferent, he cared deeply, comforting a grieving mother with a tight embrace, and despairing over his stepdaughter's self-harm, believing good people shouldn't suffer while bad ones prosper.
The nearly three-hour movie seemed to pass quickly.
Janet likened De Niro's character to Simon.
Jennifer pitied Pacino's character for not finding a good woman, and De Niro's for not choosing to be good.
Simon understood that De Niro's character Neil wanted to be good but couldn't due to his criminal record, forcing him into a life he couldn't escape. Pride wouldn't let him endure humiliation like the recruited black driver, preferring crime over a dignified, oppressive job.
Simon knew life's harsh realities left people with few choices.
The next morning, Simon woke to bad news.
Instagram crashed for two hours and forty minutes last night.
Due to the rapid increase in users, another capacity expansion occurred at 2 a.m., following Saturday's upgrade.
A technician's error caused the crash.
Girl D stayed up all night.
Had Instagram only served the West Coast, the crash might have gone unnoticed, but it's a global site. By recovery time, it was 8 a.m. on the East Coast, and Europeans had already witnessed the chaos, with media mocking the incident.
Many knew Girl D's connection to Simon, suggesting she stick to being a pretty face, avoiding such mishaps.
Calling Girl D after arriving at work, Simon found her teary. She had fired the responsible engineer. Simon reassured her that the crash inadvertently served as an advertisement for Instagram.
Indeed, despite media ridicule, Instagram's crash increased its visibility. Most users wouldn't care about such incidents, often fueling curiosity and new registrations.
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