"The accident last night was likely caused by a loose screw on the front wheel. I've already fired the mechanic responsible for Batcycle maintenance. Props will do a full inspection on all Batmobiles and Batcycles today."
Kendall Hotel restaurant.
Over breakfast, Batman producer Joe Silver reported to Simon on the Batcycle incident. Though no serious harm resulted, the front wheel detaching outright was clearly abnormal; Simon had no intention of letting it slide.
Simon nodded and asked, "Media?"
An accident like this, if leaked, could stir trouble.
Local Australian media didn't worry him, the Murdochs and Fairfaxes, both Cersei investors, had it covered but overseas outlets were beyond his reach.
"Some paparazzi got blurry long-distance shots. I coordinated with L.A.—we traded interviews for the negatives," Joe said. "Calls came in too; all deflected. This afternoon I'll have Miss Golino appear publicly, that should kill the speculation."
Big-budget shoots were endless problem-solving; smooth sailing was rare.
Simon increasingly appreciated choosing Melbourne. Australia's laxer environment and the Johnstons' influence had proven invaluable.
Breakfast finished, Joe left for set duties. Simon returned to his suite for the day's work.
March 21, Tuesday. Still Monday in L.A.
Over the weekend, Gaumont's latest, Sisters starring Jennifer Connelly from Once Upon a Time in America, opened on 617 screens to $3.25 million over three days, projecting around $5 million for the week and $15–20 million domestic total.
Against its $3 million budget and matching marketing spend, outstanding.
Simon mentally notched another point for Ira Deutchman.
Post-New Year, Blue Steel, Metropolitan, and now Twin Sisters had all been merely solid. Media chatter about Daenerys sliding into mediocrity had emerged, though insiders knew these weren't flagship titles. Simon welcomed the narrative.
Last year's dominance had pressured too many; a breather was wise.
Before summer, Daenerys would release New World holdovers Hellraiser II and Winona Ryder's Heathers—neither big draws. Plenty of buffer for Hollywood.
In the study, speakerphone on, Simon discussed recent company matters with Amy while reading faxes from L.A.
Business covered, hearing Amy raise Meg Ryan's exit compensation again, Simon said, "Two-fifty it is. Nice round number. Don't ask me about this stuff anymore."
CAA had demanded $5 million for Pretty Woman lead and When Harry Met Sally's breakout boost. After the split, Daenerys countered with the same penalty.
Unrealistic.
Though A-list now, Meg Ryan's typical female-lead pay hovered two to three million. After taxes, lower. Two-fifty would drain her next two films' earnings.
And as expected, she'd taken The Rocketeer.
Original-timeline Rocketeer had been merely decent against its budget. With Cruise and Ryan, prospects remained uncertain.
Simon didn't fancy Ryan's chances anyway.
Back-to-back hits like Top Gun and Rain Man had Cruise at peak heat; the superstar was already flexing his habit of turning every vehicle into a "Tom Cruise movie."
In Cruise films, unless opposite a Hoffman-level heavyweight, co-stars got little room.
Universal's later Dark Universe ambition torpedoed by one Mummy, had suffered the same: a balanced script became another "Tom Cruise movie" after endless added Cruise scenes..
And it maximized his interest: success at the cost of co-star shine was fine; failure was acceptable too.
The Rocketeer, starting next month, seemed destined for the same fate.
With When Harry Met Sally momentum, Ryan might secure decent pay, but presence? Unlikely.
Near noon, call with Amy done, Simon closed Nancy Brill's latest movie-database proposal. Watching Jennifer quietly tidy his desk, he recalled something. "Easter's this Sunday, planning to fly home for family?"
Jennifer looked up, shook her head. "Too far. I already called Mom and Dad—I'm staying."
She didn't look away, eyes bright.
Simon resisted the urge to touch his nose, inwardly sighing: the once-shy assistant had turned sly.
Easter was family time. Sunday he'd join Janet at the Johnston estate. Though Janet tacitly accepted his relationship with Jennifer and the family turned a blind eye, bringing the assistant would ignite fireworks.
Pure provocation.
Given Raymond Johnston's pride, getting kicked out would be the mildest outcome.
"Then… dinner Saturday night?"
Jennifer finally looked down, continuing to organize. "Everyone's already planned, weekend in New Zealand."
"Uh, news to me?"
"You coming?"
"I'll think about it."
Jennifer rolled her eyes, finished the files, and left without a word.
Once gone, Simon freely rubbed his nose, gave a wry smile, and headed out.
Driver waited downstairs.
Simon was due at Johnston Holdings HQ for lunch with Janet, then an hour reviewing Cersei trades, back for afternoon Batman work.
Johnston Holdings occupied a conservative twenty-two-story beige building on Elizabeth Street, north bank of the Yarra, fully owned by the family.
Car into underground parking. Simon walked to the elevator alone; driver would return at one-thirty.
Executive elevator. He pressed twenty-two, stood centered as it rose.
At eight, it stopped unexpectedly.
Doors opened to reveal Veronica Johnston in a black power suit, blonde hair pinned up, files in arms. Her usual icy aloofness melted into panic at the sight of him.
After a beat, Simon stepped aside. Veronica entered stiffly, as if commanded.
Doors closed; familiar faint fragrance filled the space.
Simon watched the floors climb to twenty-two. He didn't ask her destination; she clearly forgot to press a button.
Doors opened on the top floor. Veronica realized, glanced quickly at Simon, waiting for him to exit first.
He didn't move. "Lunchtime, joining us?"
Veronica hesitated. "I… yes."
Simon said no more, stepped out. She paused, then followed carefully schooling her expression to avoid tipping Janet.
...
Cersei offices.
Simon entered to Janet on the phone, clearly angry; staff looked nervous.
Seeing him, she smiled, then snapped a few sharp words into the receiver before hanging. She started toward him for a hug, spotted Veronica behind, forgot her boyfriend, and rushed to her aunt. "Iceberg! You actually came up to see me, come here, let me warm you up."
Simon watched Janet nuzzle and coo, imaginary black lines over his forehead.
Veronica gently pushed her away, voice cold. "I ran into Simon in the elevator and thought we could all lunch together."
"Of course!" Janet said, unquestioning, linking arms with her aunt. "Last time Simon scared you half to death, he can apologize properly. Shall we eat out?"
Veronica glanced at Simon.
They usually ate in-building, but Simon worried about leaks. He nodded. "Outside."
Janet looped her other arm through his. The three headed out.
Back in the elevator, Simon broke the silence. "What was that about?"
"Novell on Fund Three, that idiot. I told him to close those bank short options first thing; he dragged his feet an hour and cost us six-fifty. Hmph. One more time and he's gone."
Lately, Bank of Japan rate-hike rumors had intensified, rattling Japanese stocks.
Many investors saw a hike as the bubble's turning point. Trading around Japanese finance grew frantic; bank shares swung wildly.
Simon's original Cersei style was conservative, low frequency; some days sub-fund teams made no trades.
Janet had unleashed her inner wild streak: Cersei became high-frequency, favoring ultra-high leverage. She'd even trimmed Nikkei longs to $5 billion to free capital for other plays.
Investors saw only weekly NAV reports, steady climbs so they trusted her.
If they knew her methods, sleepless nights would follow. Early month, a two-hour forex hedge lost $36 million, recouped that afternoon.
Simon's other task: reining in her wildest impulses, preventing thrill-chasing spiral.
Latest tally: Cersei NAV $1.85 billion, $280 million profit on $1.57 billion principal, 17.8% return. Already topping many funds' annual yields.
At this pace, Simon believed doubling before Japan turned was certain more likely.
The three left Johnston Holdings, found a decent nearby restaurant.
Lunch atmosphere, thanks to Janet's chatter, wasn't too strained.
Veronica's habitual coolness masked any cracks. To spare Simon worry, Janet avoided deep Cersei talk. They stuck to light topics oddly harmonious in their strangeness.