Chapter 29 Strange compensation agreement

Looking around through the dense crowd, the Langkel house in the west was already empty. Within three days of the release of Home Alone, the Langkels hurriedly took Stewart and left the propaganda crew. It is said that someone Ask Stewart to advertise at a high price.

When Eric was out of town, the news of the family had already appeared in the newspapers. Because of the fire of Home Alone, Stewart made millions through various endorsements and advertisements in just a few days. News of the family's move into a Beverly Hills mansion.

Although I hope that the Langkels are not as mercenary as the parents of Macaulay Culkin in the previous life, but looking at the situation, this couple is no different from the couple in the previous life. Eric can only hope that Stewart will not leave Macaulay Culkin. Kim's old way, after all, the sequel to Home Alone still needs this smart little guy. The third Home Alone in the previous life, because of the absence of Macaulay Culkin, the box office plummeted from 170 million in the second part. 18 million.

Surrounded by reporters, I was so cranky, and finally after more than ten minutes, someone discovered Eric's plight and called the police, and Eric was rescued from the crowd by the police.

They drove to Columbia's headquarters with a swipe of their tails. The two front desk ladies recognized Eric at a glance. They didn't know the complicated emotions of Colombian executives about the box office of Home Alone, but they only knew through various news that Eric was about to become a Hollywood's youngest billionaire. Therefore, after notifying the president's office, the two girls approached Eric in a different way. If they were spotted by this young and rich man, they would fly directly to the branches.

Eric was also happy to laugh with the two beautiful vases, and he even joked a few slightly erotic jokes, which made the two girls giggled. A small card with contact information in the scent of perfume.

Hey, Eric. While chatting with the reception girl, Eric suddenly heard Blunt Cohen's voice ringing nearby. Turning around, he found that Blunt Cohen had spread his arms, and Eric also stepped forward enthusiastically and hugged Blunt Cohen.

Mr. Blunt, why did you come down in person? Just send someone to bring it up.

Blunt Cohen said with a smile: Why, do you think this old man is disturbing your young people's flirting?

Of course not, Eric quickly denied.

Blunt Cohen said: Home Alone achieved such a beautiful box office result, I should come to pick you up in person, let's go, talk about business first and then think about dating a girl, young people should still put their career on first.

Eric nodded, raised the pink card in his hand to the two girls, and followed Blunt Cohen to the elevator.

Watching Blunt Cohen and Eric walk into the VIP elevator, a petite girl at the front desk asked the other girl with anticipation, Milia, do you think Eric will date me?

The tall, blond Milia leaned into her ear and whispered, Who knows, maybe Eric will ask us both at the same time, would you like to?

Ah? Then how... how? Thinking of some possible scenes, the petite girl's face became slightly hot.

Miria suddenly laughed and said: Okay, Lisa, don't be delusional. From what Eric Williams said just now, he is obviously a veteran of flowers. The two of us together are definitely There is no scum left by others.

How is it possible, he's only eighteen years old? Although he was just teased by Eric,

But the girl named Lisa had a good impression of Eric. The world is like this. If an ordinary person teases them, they will definitely be beaten by the security guard and thrown out of the Columbia headquarters, but if they are replaced by a handsome young man with more money, they will be flattered and favored by the two girls.

Correct, it's a handsome eighteen-year-old who's about to become a billionaire. The two of us together can't get hold of such a big achievement at such a young age, and, didn't you see? Just Blunt Cohen When the husband left, he glared at us, obviously warning. So, Lisa, be realistic, go to the nightclub with me at night, and I'll introduce you to two handsome guys.

Lisa nodded disappointedly, but couldn't help but glance at the VIP elevator not far away.

...

In the Columbia President's Office, Blunt Cohen enthusiastically asked Eric to sit down on the sofa, went to the wine cabinet to pick up a bottle of wine and said, Eric, let's celebrate a little first, and wait for Home Alone to finish. I will definitely hold a grand celebration feast for you. This bottle of white wine is produced by my own winery in Burgundy, and only the last bottle is left.

Eric picked up the goblet and smelled it skillfully, and the amber liquid overflowed with a fresh pineapple aroma.

Blunt Cohen had learned about Eric's file and knew that the young man in front of him had never been exposed to such top-quality wine before. He thought that Eric was pretending, and asked with great interest, How does it feel?

Eric nodded and said with admiration: Great wine, it is not easy to make pineapple fragrance in Burgundy wine.

Blunt Cohen was a little surprised: Eric, I didn't expect you to know more about wine.

Just heard it by accident, Eric said honestly.

Blunt Cohen didn't delve into it, raised his glass and said, Then, for the success of Home Alone, toast.

cheers.

After drinking, Blunt Cohen asked his assistant to pack up the drinking utensils, returned to his seat and sat down and said, Eric, let's talk about business, this is the box office data of Home Alone last week, you first have a look.

Eric took the file and opened it. The file not only contained the box office data of Home Alone, but also the box office data of all the movies that were being released this week. The data of Home Alone with 27.55 million US dollars topped the list, the second The Return to Seventeen dropped directly to $13.12 million. Although this figure is quite good, it is much sadder compared to Home Alone.

That's it, Eric, Blunt Cohen said, straightening up, a little ashamed on his face. There's one thing we need your understanding about this week's Home Alone screen.

Looking at the expression on Blunt Cohen's face, Eric had a slightly unpleasant feeling, and nodded for Blunt Cohen to continue.

Blunt Cohen said: According to our gambling contract, Columbia should increase the number of screens to 2,000 this week. Unfortunately, because the box office of Home Alone far exceeded Columbia's expectations, we were not fully prepared, resulting in Only 500 screens can be added this week.

Although Blunt Cohen's reasons were reasonable, Eric was acutely aware that there was something wrong.

So, Mr. Cohen, what is Columbia going to do? Eric asked calmly.

Eric, Columbia attaches great importance to the agreement between us. But after all, this is beyond everyone's expectations, and it is impossible for the cinema dealer to have an empty screen to adapt to our bet, so Columbia has negotiated an agreement. a compensation agreement.”

Eric was slightly vigilant: Compensation agreement?

Yes, Eric, please don't worry, there will be no changes to the original gambling agreement. On this basis, because our underestimation has caused losses, starting from the next week, on the basis of the agreement, we will An extra 100 screens will be added until the movie ends, and I think that's enough to show Columbia's sincerity. Blunt Cohen said with a smile.

Eric nodded subconsciously. If this is the case, the compensation agreement is indeed acceptable. However, Eric still felt something strange.

Seeing Eric nodding, Blunt Cohen took out the prepared compensation agreement, pushed it in front of Eric and said, This is the compensation agreement, Eric, you can take a look and sign it if there is no problem.

Eric picked up the agreement and looked at it. The agreement was very short, with only a few clauses, and the language was straightforward. On the surface, there were no contract traps. But Eric was still cautious: Mr. Cohen, can I show it to my lawyer? If there is no problem, I will send the contract back after signing it.

Of course no problem, Blunt Cohen nodded generously, and continued: Then, let's talk about the overseas distribution of Home Alone, Eric, due to the current popularity of this film, the sooner it is released The higher the box office, the higher the overseas release. Once the festival is missed, the overseas box office will be cut by at least half, so we want to win Home Alone with 16 million US dollars or 8% of the overseas box office share, what do you think?

Mr. Cohen, 8% is a bit low.

Blunt Cohen shook his head and said, A lot, Eric, we can only get about 20% of the overseas box office and the high movie tax, and you don't need to pay any price. It's very reasonable to get 8% of the box office.

Eric snorted coldly in his heart, what does it mean to pay no price.

Without Home Alone, no film in Columbia would have made $50 million in North American box office revenue alone, and even throughout 1988, no more than 10 films could have made $50 million in North American box office profits. department. Just relying on the share of the movie Home Alone, Colombia's performance in the Big Six this year will jump directly from the bottom to the top three. Really, it's Columbia that got a big bargain.

I'm sorry, Mr. Cohen, I need to think about it. Eric shook his head and rejected Blunt Cohen's proposal. Eric would not give up the benefits he should have gotten because he made too much money in the gambling agreement. In values, what is yours can be yours, but what is mine must be mine.

Seemingly anticipating Eric's answer, Blunt Cohen nodded and said, Well, Eric, go back and think about it, but please give me an answer as soon as possible.

Walking out of Blunt Cohen's office, Eric happened to meet Lester Reed, who was in charge of the Home Alone project.

Hi Lester, good morning.

Lester didn't expect to meet Eric so coincidentally, and said with an unnatural expression: Hello, Eric, congratulations on the success of your Home Alone.

It's the same with you, Lester, you are in charge of Home Alone, and you will definitely get a generous year-end bonus, right?

It was almost the same as getting a scolding, Lester slandered, but did not show it on his face, and smiled awkwardly.

By the way, Lester, where is Ms. Pascal's office? If it wasn't for her recommendation, Home Alone would not have been such an easy success. I want to thank her in person.