Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: A Fiasco

Incidents of similar script ideas, similar script content, and even suspected plagiarism are commonplace in Hollywood.There is a saying, "All the articles under the sky are copied," and Hollywood is no exception.Due to the influence of the Red Scare in the early 20th century, labor unions sprung up all over the United States. Hollywood screenwriters followed suit and established the Screen Writers Guild.The Screen Writers Guild had many responsibilities. One of them was to ensure that members' creative content was not plagiarized, or to help initiate investigations if plagiarism occurred.Many screenwriters would register their completed scripts with the Screen Writers Guild. The benefit of doing so was that it could serve as proof in case someone later had a similar idea or committed plagiarism.Another benefit was that scripts registered with the Screen Writers Guild had a chance of falling into the hands of studio executives, producers, or directors.Well-known screenwriters were in a better position. They were often hired directly by big studios, producers, and famous directors for custom projects.Those who were not yet famous or were new to the industry didn't have such treatment. Many would register their completed scripts in advance, hoping to be discovered and become rich overnight.This was also the initial reason why Milo decided to become a "literary plagiarist"—he went to register with the Screen Writers Guild first.However, after filming Angels & Demons, he wanted to make a movie that could win awards and generate box office success. He chose Shakespeare in Love from his memory and quickly "created" a script outline.Fortunately, he was cautious and had someone check before making it public. The result was that the script for Shakespeare in Love had already been registered with the guild three years prior. Even Miramax was planning to produce it.But Milo's past self had a good relationship with Miramax. Harvey Weinstein, the portly executive, had once been a matchmaker for his past self when he was chasing Hollywood starlets. So, he had Wendy buy the rights to Shakespeare in Love from Miramax."Oh, there's one more thing," Wendy said after finishing the Shakespeare in Love story, as if remembering something.The portly man's expression became very awkward, even showing some frustration. He said, "Something unexpected happened with the matter you asked me to handle in England.""Hmm?""You know," the portly man lowered his voice, "We don't have many people overseas. And it's England, London. You told me not to use the family's resources, so I had to ask for help from Texas.""And then?""When Texas heard what you wanted to do, Mr. Bush Jr. was very concerned. He had someone give me a few phone numbers in London."Milo shifted his position on the sofa. "Get to the point. I hate beating around the bush."Wendy's expression became even more awkward. Milo didn't know what he was so embarrassed about. Was it because of using public resources for private matters? Please, that was too common in America. There was nothing to be embarrassed about."I only found out afterward," Wendy said, as if trying to distance himself from the situation. "Those numbers were, fuck, the private phone numbers of several important members of the CIA's London office."Hearing this, Milo raised his eyebrows and sat up straight on the sofa.Milo knew that his maternal grandfather had been the director of the CIA. He was also the only U.S. president in history to have served as the CIA director.And before his grandfather took office, the previous two CIA directors had caused extreme damage and destruction to the agency, leaving behind a mess. His grandfather, for whom Milo was named, had taken office and turned the tide. He successfully restored the CIA and even improved its public image.Such a man, even if he only served as CIA director for one year, would still have influence within the agency.So, Milo wasn't surprised that his uncle could easily produce the phone numbers of several important CIA members in London."There were some accidents. Maybe I didn't explain things clearly, or maybe the people there were too impulsive and made a mistake," the portly man said guiltily. "The people there accidentally…killed the person you wanted to find.""Holy shit!" Milo stood up from the sofa, blurting out in Chinese. Realizing his slip, he quickly added, "What?!"Wendy was extremely embarrassed and said in a low voice, "After their internal investigation, they said it was because of unclear instructions being passed down. The person in charge misunderstood. He accidentally hit the person with his car, sending them into the Thames. When they pulled the body out, they found the person was already dead."Milo couldn't help but gape.This could happen?This was too outrageous!Was there no justice?This…seemed pretty good?Taking a few deep breaths, Milo tried to calm himself down.He looked at the extremely guilty portly man. "Wendy, I'm really disappointed in you this time.""Ah, I'm very sorry…" Wendy was also frustrated. After all, Milo had asked him to find someone. And he had found the person, but they were dead."Are you sure the dead person was named Joanna Rowling, from Gwynedd, Wales? Around thirty years old?""I'm very sorry, it should be that person. They confirmed the identity afterward, and it matches exactly what you told me.""Huff…" Milo exhaled. He didn't know how he felt.After thinking for a moment, he looked at the guilty and frustrated portly man, feigning anger. "I have to say, Wendy, you've really disappointed me this time. I asked you to find someone, and you tell me you got them killed.""It was a mistake, a fiasco…" Wendy said in a small voice."No need for explanations," Milo said sternly. "You go and find out everything about Joanna Rowling, where her belongings ended up after her death, and her specific background. I hope you never make such a huge mistake again!"After the portly man left dejectedly, Milo slowly walked out of the living room door."David, where did Kenny go? Do you have a cigarette?" Milo said, loosening his suit belt and speaking to his security chief standing at the door."Kenny went to patrol the back," David said with a smile, handing Milo a cigarette and a lighter."Oh, just give me one," Milo said, taking a cigarette and lighting it. He took a puff, returned the cigarette and lighter to David, and waved with a smile.Milo's bodyguards had changed. He originally only had David as a bodyguard, and then York, Paladin's former bodyguard, came to work for him as well. But Milo was not satisfied with York's performance last time. York had brought Hayley to him without his consent. Although Hayley was his sister-in-law, what if he had been with a woman at the time?So, Milo found an excuse to replace York. The new person was named Kenny. Kenny was from Los Angeles and originally worked for the LAPD. He was later selected to become a Secret Service agent. The situation with the U.S. Secret Service was quite unique, as a large number of personnel were usually replaced with each new president. Kenny had been replaced two years ago. After retiring, he was assigned to the Blackburn family, serving as Robin's driver and bodyguard. When Milo requested a new bodyguard, his mother sent Kenny, whom she trusted most.Walking back to the second floor with a cigarette in his mouth, Milo didn't return to his room but went to the viewing platform. Feeling the cool breeze and looking at the buildings on Sunset Boulevard in the distance, he felt inexplicably refreshed.He thoroughly enjoyed his current life—his status, identity, wealth, and beautiful women. These were all things he couldn't have imagined in his previous life. Now, they were merely the foundation of the early stages of his life. He held the future in his hands, with many things within easy reach.Suddenly, Milo murmured, "Hey, she's dead. Well, I've made an extra billion dollars for nothing. Hmm… I should go see my uncle when I have time."Such a caring uncle was worth keeping in touch with!