CHAPTER 30 MICHAEL EISNERSINVITE

Huh ?! Lester didnt expect Eric to suddenly talk about Amy: Ms. Pascal resigned.

Eric was puzzled, he asked: She resigned ? Why ?

Lester furiously thought for a while, and after a few seconds, he said: She had some dissatisfaction with the project, so she resigned. Im not sure, it might have to do with the fact that she didnt get to be a part ofHome Alone.

Eric had seen Lesters eyes flash for a second, and he knew he was lying. He didnt expose him but instead put on a disappointed face: This is really regrettable, then in that case, Ill take my leave.

Once Eric got into the elevator, Lester knocked on the door of Cohens office.

Blount Cohen had lost the smiling appearance he had when confronting Eric, he was now frowning as he held a document, but his eyes were clearly not focused.

Mr. Cohen, this is what you asked for. Putting a folder in front of Blount Cohen, Lester hesitated, before ultimately saying: I just met Eric Williams on my way in, he asked about Amy Pascal.

Blount Cohen suddenly raised his head and sharply eyed Lester: What did you tell him ?

When Lester saw his boss eyes he subconsciously wanted to take a step back, before eventually steadying himself: I told him that Amy resigned because the company didnt let her handle theHome Aloneproject.

Blount Cohen silently stared at him, and Lester added: I think, Eric Williams and Amy Pascal are not familiar with each other, otherwise he wouldnt have asked me where her office was. So I think he wont go to her and confirm what I said.

You think ? Blount Cohens expression did not let up.

Lesters scalp went numb, he silently cursed at how bad his luck was. He said: Mr. Cohen, even if my lie was exposed, it would only serve to increase Erics dissatisfaction with us, which is a good thing for us since hell be more inclined to accept Disneys offer that way.

Blount Cohen thought so too. Relieved, he waved his hand and said: Well, you can go now.

Driving down Hollywood Boulevard, Eric thought back to his visit at Columbia today, too many things didnt add up. He knew for sure that there was no way Columbia was okay with how things were as his gambling agreement had definitely made them suffer a loss. He also knew that they had already started planning something; one of the clues was the compensation agreement he had in hands, the second was Amy Pascal.

He stopped his car in a parking lot a little further away from his home, traced back, then slipped through his back door. Taking a look from the second floor, there were still a lot of reporters in front of the house.

One of them noticed Eric suddenly appearing at a window, he directly raised his camera to take a shot. It seemed that he needed to move as quickly as possible, while he thought this, Eric smiled self-deprecatingly, even the Runkles had moved to Beverly Hills, but he realized that he, right now, only had a few hundred dollars in hands. He was as poor as could be.

While he was still in a daze, the phone behind him suddenly rang.

Eric picked it up: Williams residence, who am

I speaking to ?

Mr. Eric Williams ? Im Mr. Michael Eisners assistant. Mr. Eisner would like to invite you to lunch, I wonder if Mr. Williams is available ?

Disneys CEO Michael Eisner, Eric wasnt surprised that the other party knew his contact details, but he was curious about his invite.

May I know what this is about ?

The assistant replied: It is about your movie, Mr. Williams. Disney is interested inHome Alones overseas copyrights.

Since Columbias offer was disappointing, Eric wouldnt mind cooperating with other companies: Well, where do we meet ?

We will send someone to pick you up soon.

Eric hung up. Looking down in thought for a moment, he once again pick up the phone and called Jeffrey Hanson: Jeffrey, its Eric.

Jeffrey Hansons tone was full of excitement: Hey, Eric,Home Alones first week at the box office was so amazing, I tried to call you to congratulate you but there was no answer.

Ah, sorry, I was quite busy.

Its okay Eric, so what do you need me for ?

Eric said: I went to Columbia today and discussed with Blount Cohen aboutHome Alones future release plans, and I found that a lot of things didnt add up. I feel like Columbia is up to something. And when I talked to Lester, he said that Amy suddenly resigned. Why dont you see if you can contact her and..

At the other side of the line, Jeffrey Hanson hesitated a moment before saying: Eric, about that, I think theres no use in contacting Amy. Even if she resigned, with her character, she still wouldnt disclose Columbias trade secrets. Can you tell me about what you found unusual ? You know, Ive mingled in Hollywood for 20 years, I might be able to help.

Seeing that he wouldnt have much luck with Amy Pascal, Eric carefully recounted what had happened earlier.

Jeffrey listened and pondered for a minute or two: The lawyers will look at the share of the compensation agreement, I think its possible that the problem is here, and if not, I dont see anything else. Eric, can you think of a few other details ?

Other details ? Eric muttered to himself. He thought for a second and said: Right, just before I called you, I suddenly received an invitation to lunch from Disneys Michael Eisner, hes apparently interested inHome Alones overseas copyrights.

Michael Eisner Jeffrey said this name and suddenly his tone of voice changed: Eric, Michael Eisner and Blount Cohen are friends, you need to be very careful, dont promise him anything. Columbia giving you such a shabby offer and then Disney contacting you out of the blue, if theres nothing going on, then Im a woman.

Listening to Jeffrey speak, Eric saw out of the corner of his eyes, a silver car parking in front of his home. He said: Jeffrey, Michael Eisner sent someone to pick me up.

Then go, but remember Eric, no matter what he says to you, you dont have to promise him anything.

Eric nodded, hung up the phone and went downstairs. After they had confirmed his identity, the driver and another man made way for Eric as he boarded the car.

Half an hour later, Eric met with Michael Eisner at the Hilton Hotel.

The man was now 40 years old and at the prime of his life, as the head of one of the Big Six, he was naturally high-spirited. He hadnt yet evolved into the future Disney tyrant, and his interpersonal skills were good.

I really envy you, Eric. When I was 18 years old, I was complacent by just getting admitted to Denison University, but you have accomplished what a lot of people can only dream about in their entire lifetime. At the Hilton Hotels restaurant, Eric and Michael Eisner didnt immediately go down to business but took the time to chat.

Actually, I was prepared to enroll in the University of California, Mr. Eisner, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to embark on the road of self-reliance, and was fortunately lucky.

Michael Eisner shook his head and said: No, this has nothing to do with luck. Eric, although weve just met, I have learned a lot about you, and without talent, even with the help of the goddess of luck, you wouldnt have so many achievements. Youre one of the most outstanding youths Ive ever seen.

Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Eisner. Youre also one of the people I admire the most, few couldve done what you did.

Michael Eisner apparently enjoyed Erics compliment, he smiled: Since Im only one of them, whos the one you admire the most ?

Eric thought, and said: Probably Howard Hughes.

Oh, Michael Eisner nodded and said: That really is a legendary figure, speaking of which, I feel that you share some similarities with him Eric, although youre obviously better since part of the reason why he was able to achieve success was thanks to his fathers huge estate, while you only relied on yourself and to so quickly rise to fame.

Hearing Michael Eisners praise, Eric smiled, but was feeling quite embarrassed. If he hadnt been born again, he might still be in his old companys shabby studio, shooting TV commercials about some health care products.

If you omitted Michael Eisners arbitrariness, he was indeed a man of great charisma. The two people ate lunch while they talked, the atmosphere was quite pleasant. If not for Jeffreys advance warning that made him wary of Eisner, then perhaps Eric wouldve viewed him as a friend.

Once the waiter that came to clean up the table left, Michael Eisner said: Well, Eric, lets get down to business.