As if making a firm decision, Ashley Olsen asked, "Do you have a script? Could we take a look at it? Don't worry, we promise not to reveal anything."
Eric inwardly smirked, thinking, "I'm not worried about you revealing it; I'm concerned that you might not fully appreciate it."
Nevertheless, he called Chen Xing: "Get in touch with Judy and ask her to bring the script for Blue Is the Warmest Color. And find a makeup artist as well."
"Got it, boss!"
Eric had written the script alongside the filming of Transformers, as this was an arthouse film where dialogues played a crucial role.
The movie was an adaptation of the French graphic novel Blue Is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh, which, at this moment in 2003, had not yet been published.
Without the original, drafting an overall outline and handing it to screenwriters for fleshing out seemed risky. Eric couldn't trust anyone else with it. He had to rely on his memory to reconstruct the plot. Fortunately, as the film went on to win the Palme d'Or and an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, it had been extensively studied in their circle. Eric had watched it numerous times.
So he remembered all the iconic scenes and dialogues. The finer details could be managed by the screenwriters.
After a while, Judy entered the office with the script. The Olsen twins were standing with their backs to her, so she didn't recognize them right away.
"Boss, you've asked for this script to be revised three times, adding or removing dialogues each time. I knew it wasn't ready to be handed over to the screenwriters yet, and it turns out I was right."
She placed the script on the table and turned around, finally noticing the Olsen twins. They seemed familiar to her.
"Oh, wait a minute, let me think. I'll remember, I'm sure."
The Olsen twins smiled as they faced the woman who seemed slightly older than they were. They were used to such encounters.
Suddenly, Judy clapped her hand on her forehead. "Olsen twins, of course! It's you! Sorry, I didn't recognize you at first. You're Mary, and you're Ashley, right?"
The twins pointed at each other. "Looks like you've mixed us up."
"Sorry, sorry. I usually tell you apart by Mary's sharper chin. Seems like I need to get my eyes checked."
Judy scanned them from head to toe, feeling a subtle, sensitive stir within her. She was drawn to beautiful women. Although her relationship with Bar Refaeli had made considerable progress, it didn't stop her from appreciating other beauties.
No, it should be called admiration.
After a quick glance, she turned to Eric, a thought flashing in her mind, and she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh my God! You're not planning to cast them in this film, are you? Eric, Ashley and Mary are going to be in Blue Is the Warmest Color, right?"
Eric understood her excitement, but her overly enthusiastic reaction irritated him. He waved her off, "Judy, you've said enough. You can leave now."
Judy retreated a few steps and stood in the corner, apologizing softly, "I'll just stand here quietly and won't interrupt. Please don't kick me out—I really enjoy this moment."
Mary Olsen shook her head, "We just want to read the script; we haven't decided whether we'll take the roles."
"Fine, you can read it. Though it's still incomplete, the overall plot is clear, and the storyboards I drew will help you grasp the essence easily."
The twins thanked him and began to carefully study the script. Eric had told them that this film could be their opportunity for major recognition in the industry, so they were scrutinizing it closely.
Realizing it would take some time, Eric left the office.
Seeing the boss leave, Chen Xing immediately followed. As a secretary, he had to stay close at all times.
Eric glanced at this young man of Chinese descent, older than him, and slightly shook his head. While Chen Xing was diligent and capable, he had worked with him for too little time and had only basic experience. He was far from being able to work independently, at least another two years away.
"Stay here and keep an eye on the Olsen twins. Call me when they finish reading the script."
"Okay, boss."
Eric went up a floor and soon reached his father's office.
His father's secretary was a woman named Susan, in her forties. She had extensive experience, having previously worked in the finance department before being transferred to the secretary position.
Eric knew that Susan had been working with his father for more than five years.
Usually, secretaries don't stay in the role for more than three years: they either get promoted, fired for lack of skills, or reassigned to less significant positions.
So Susan's case was unusual, and Eric suspected that there might be something between her and his father.
After all, even though she was nearing forty, she still looked attractive: slender, with a voluptuous figure, wearing glasses that gave her an intellectual appeal. Some people think glasses add a touch of charm, perhaps even quickening one's wit.
Seeing Eric, Susan quickly opened the door. His father was engrossed in reading documents.
When he looked up and saw his son, he signed a document and handed it to Susan, saying, "Have Schuler make the amendments to this agreement."
Susan closed the door and left.
Charlie Cooper asked, "Eric, what brings you here?"
Eric took a seat. "Dad, do you remember I mentioned setting up a branch in China?"
His father nodded. "I remember. What do you want to do?"
"Recently, Star Overseas from Hong Kong has been looking for investors. It's the same company whose documents I showed you yesterday."
"Yes, that's Stephen Chow, right? 22 million dollars. If you trust him, I'm okay with it too."
"Yes, I've entrusted him with establishing connections in mainland China. Stephen has contacts with top executives at China Film Group. I think it's a great opportunity."
"China Film Group? That's the company handling film imports, right? I've heard of them but never had dealings with them. The Chinese market is still too small and underdeveloped."
"True, if we're only talking about box office revenue, China doesn't bring in much. But I want to explore other business avenues there."
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