In the lounge, Salih revealed his identity. Michael Davenport and his team had rehearsed for this moment. They showed initial surprise, followed by delight.
Everything was seamless.
Salih asked directly, "Michael, have you considered seeking investment from the Arab world?"
Michael didn't pretend to be modest, and with genuine excitement, he asked, "Do you represent the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority?" Looking at Salih, he continued, "Are you considering investing in my film?"
Salih quickly shook his head. "No, the amount is too high; I don't have that kind of authority. But I can recommend you to Abu Dhabi, under the Investment Authority's name."
"Really?" Michael saw Salih nodding and said, "Your help would solve my biggest problem."
Salih smiled. "You're welcome. Your film speaks for the Arab people."
"Thank you," Michael responded sincerely.
Salih waved it off. "I can only make introductions. Whether you can convince the people in Abu Dhabi to invest is up to you. Michael, you should have a plan."
Michael quickly stood up, searched his briefcase, and handed Salih a proposal. "This is the plan I prepared for my trip to Germany."
Salih had heard Michael mention he was planning to seek investment in Germany. He took the document and opened it. Although he wasn't an expert, he could see it was a very comprehensive plan.
It was clear Michael had put a lot of effort into this project.
Michael added, "My father used to work with Germans, so I planned to leverage those old connections and host a film investment conference in Germany."
Everything, from the plan to previous preparations, showed Salih that Michael was serious about this project.
Salih thought for a moment before saying, "It should be feasible to shift this to Abu Dhabi. The Investment Authority can assist you. However, there are some cultural details, like dietary preferences, that need to be adjusted."
"Don't worry," Michael nodded. "We will respect the customs of our Arab brothers."
If securing investment meant adapting to local customs, he was willing to do whatever it took.
Salih gave a few more instructions before leaving the hotel.
After the press conference and returning to the office, Michael held another small meeting to mobilize the entire company.
Mary would assist Salih with the paperwork starting the next day, George would oversee media publicity, and Robert would prepare all necessary documents.
Though Michael had heard that oil tycoons didn't care about money and were using Salih as a guide, he took nothing for granted. To get someone to invest, everything had to be perfect.
He was preparing a legitimate project, and all preliminary work had to be impeccable.
From company documents, tax records, and previous film productions, to membership proof from the Producers Guild and related media reports, Michael had prepared everything.
The next day, as the media coverage came out, he bought several newspapers with relevant articles.
Although the Los Angeles Times only had a small article, its reputation as one of America's top three newspapers was influential.
Despite the small scale of the reports, they had some impact. More than a dozen agents submitted resumes for directors and actors to Seagull Entertainment.
Some people even called to inquire about backstage positions.
Michael wouldn't hire a director and team until after the trip to Abu Dhabi.
If he secured the investment, "The Purge" could proceed as planned; if not, he'd consider other options like India.
For over a week, Michael kept in close contact with Salih, who visited Seagull Entertainment several times. Seeing dozens of VHS tapes in the library confirmed to Salih that Seagull was a small but established production company. With Michael's permission, Salih sent extensive information, including details about Seagull Entertainment and the script for "The Purge," back to Abu Dhabi.
To Michael's surprise, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority took it very seriously. They not only sent an official invitation but also covered the travel and accommodation expenses for Seagull Entertainment's trip to Abu Dhabi.
Michael was delighted but slightly nervous. Was he going too far?
However, thoughts of the Arab's wealth quickly dispelled his concerns.
Besides, this wasn't a scam; he genuinely intended to complete the "The Purge" project.
During this time, Michael didn't rest, continuing to learn about social and economic conditions, especially finding ways to support his startup using memories from his previous life.
Turning Seagull Entertainment profitable through the film project was crucial.
A profitable company meant potential entry into the funding industry.
Using other people's money was common in the film industry, and a film fund seemed plausible.
This required further study and examination of the related knowledge.
Regarding Abu Dhabi's interest, Michael could understand. For them, Seagull Entertainment's expenses were trivial. Abu Dhabi lacked fame and influence, but not money.
In his previous life, Abu Dhabi spent astronomical sums to increase its influence, especially in the English Premier League.
Hollywood had global influence, yet Arabs were often depicted as villains in its films.
Abu Dhabi likely wanted to change that.
Receiving Abu Dhabi's invitation boosted Michael's confidence.
In his previous life, scammers had managed to get money from Hollywood professionals with fake projects. With a genuine project like "The Purge," it was likely easier to get money from Arabs unfamiliar with Hollywood.
The most crucial part was that, after the press conference, Salih proactively called, saying he would accompany Michael to Abu Dhabi and assist in preparing the film investment conference.
"I just graduated and lack work experience," Salih had said. "This will add to my practical experience."
Having a local guide was a great help, and Michael wouldn't refuse.
With things looking promising, Michael didn't relax. He consulted a lawyer familiar with Abu Dhabi to make appropriate changes to the investment contract template.
Additionally, he prepared multiple plans.
The worst outcome would be failing to secure investment and returning empty-handed.
By the time they were ready to leave, the materials they had prepared filled several large boxes.
Anyone seeing this would think Michael's small team was genuinely working on a serious project.
Of course, this also meant they spent a lot of money, reducing Seagull Entertainment's account by over $60,000.
Michael only took Mary and Robert Lee to Abu Dhabi, leaving George Clint in Los Angeles to ensure "The Purge" stayed in the media spotlight.
In mid-February, with Salih accompanying them, Michael Davenport and his team, now friends of the Emirati people, flew to Abu Dhabi on an Emirates flight.
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority warmly welcomed the friendly Hollywood company.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi were the UAE's most famous cities, and Abu Dhabi was already beautifully developed by this era.
"Is this an Arab country?"
Sitting in the car, Mary was full of doubt. "Do Arabs have such advanced cities?"
Michael whispered, "They are very wealthy."
Not only was Abu Dhabi unfamiliar with Hollywood, but Americans also didn't understand Abu Dhabi.
The portrayal of Arabs in Hollywood films might be influenced by Jewish forces, but it was also a common American perception.
The group stayed at the top-tier, ultra-luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel, where media reporters took photos.
After adjusting to the time difference, before Michael could contact the Investment Authority, a high-ranking official, accompanied by Salih, visited them to discuss their schedule.
With Salih and the Investment Authority's help, Michael Davenport and Seagull Entertainment's names frequently appeared in the local media. There were also dedicated personnel assisting Michael in preparing the film investment conference.
After attending several events with the Investment Authority and participating in two interviews, Michael realized the Authority was also using him.
Bringing in a Hollywood team, regardless of investment success, was a significant achievement.
Political struggles among the Arab elite were also intense.
Seagull Entertainment and the film investment conference quickly became well-known in Abu Dhabi.
Salih mentioned that even the current President of the UAE, the head of the Abu Dhabi Emirate, had privately inquired about Hollywood investments.
It seemed things were getting serious.
However, Michael couldn't back down now, as the investment wasn't secured yet.
The Investment Authority assisted in preparing the conference and promoting it, but hadn't discussed investing in "The Purge."
Michael remained patient, knowing hunters needed patience.
Moreover, he preferred persuading smaller investors at the conference, as it would pose fewer risks.
If the Investment Authority offered a few million dollars, he wouldn't refuse either.
On February 25, 1998, the three-day film investment conference commenced at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.