[Chapter 249: Hollywood's Unreliable Acquisition]
After finalizing the The Fault in Our Stars project, Megan, the office director, came over carrying a stack of documents.
"Boss, recently many film studios have sent us offers to collaborate or invest in our films. Here are all the invitations they've sent."
"Just turn them all down. We don't lack funds or projects."
"Alright. Besides Universal, the other six studios from Hollywood's Big Seven have also submitted acquisition proposals."
"Acquisition proposals?"
"Yes, they all want to acquire or invest in our film company."
"Did I ever say the company was for sale?"
"No, but somehow during this period they all sent acquisition proposals."
"I get it. They must have noticed how our films have been blockbuster hits, especially Happy Death Day, which stirred their envy and caution. They want a piece of the pie. What prices did they offer?"
"Warner Bros. topped the bids with $600 million, and Sony Columbia was the lowest at $400 million."
"Damn, what greedy opportunists! Our company's profits this year will surpass $400 million. How dare they offer such lowball prices? Are they trying to steal from us?"
"They probably don't understand our company's profitability, which explains the low offers."
"That's the problem -- they're arrogant, thinking they're so high and mighty that they can do whatever to smaller studios, as if the whole industry revolves around them."
"Boss, what should we do?"
"Ignore them all. Reject every offer. I won't sell or accept any investment."
"Being this firm, won't that provoke retaliation?"
"Not now. Once they see we're firmly not for sale, they'll find other ways to cooperate. We'll deal with that then. What about Universal? Any moves from them?"
"No word from them on this."
"Then leak the news about these six studios wanting to acquire us to Universal, so they feel some pressure."
Universal Pictures has had a blockbuster year. In the first ten months, their revenue far outpaced the other six big studios, virtually guaranteeing them the top spot for the whole year.
At least 50% of that success came through cooperation with Linton Film Company. Now with the six other big studios targeting Linton for acquisition, it's unlikely Universal will stay indifferent.
"Got it, I'll handle it right away."
...
"Have you found a new office building yet?"
"Yes, as you requested, we scouted all over Hollywood's Century City and Burbank and found two promising options." Megan pulled out two documents and handed them over.
"Tell me about them."
"There's the Silver Star Building in Century City, almost topped out, expected next month. It has 15 floors, covers 5 acres, with each floor about 3,800 square meters. There's plenty of green space, surface parking, and underground parking."
Los Angeles sits on the San Andreas Fault and is prone to earthquakes, so skyscraper construction is limited. Any building over 10 stories is considered high-rise.
"And the other?"
"Burbank's Ocean Tower is in topping-off stage. Foundation work should finish next month, followed by interior work. It has 16 floors over 6 acres, with each floor roughly 4,200 square meters, lots of green space, surface parking, plus two underground parking levels."
"Not bad. Have you checked their internal layouts?"
"We visited onsite. They're fairly typical office building designs. I have the floor plans here." Megan opened the files displaying the blueprints.
"Are they selling the entire buildings?"
"We've talked to the investors. Both parties are willing to sell."
"What prices did they quote?"
"Silver Star, excluding underground parking, is 57,000 square meters at $3,000 per square meter -- that's $171 million total. Ocean Tower, without underground parking, is 67,200 square meters at $2,500 per square meter, totaling $168 million."
"Those prices are steep, above my $150 million cap."
"Boss, that's just the initial offer. If we're serious, they'll negotiate. A full upfront buyout is quite attractive to them, so they should offer discounts."
"True. Both spots are good. Contact them. Once infrastructure is complete, we'll visit and then decide."
"If we decide to buy, we should finalize before interior work starts, so we can influence interior design and avoid costly reworks later."
"Agreed. Remind me to schedule visits as soon as basic construction wraps so we can make swift decisions."
"Boss, do you have time now to survey the locations?"
"It's past 11 AM, maybe this afternoon. How are the ghostwriters, Eddie and Rosa, doing?"
"Good. Early on, they spent days researching -- Eddie even went to the National Archives in D.C., Rosa spent a week at a hospital to get experience. Now they clock out on time daily, spending the rest of the day writing or researching."
"Call them in."
...
Linton briefly spoke with the two ghostwriters. They were in good form.
Each had submitted a manuscript over 30,000 words. Linton was pleased with the content and encouraged them to keep going.
With a great work environment, pay, and hope for future screenwriting jobs, both were motivated, saying they'd complete their first novel in four months.
...
In the afternoon, Megan accompanied Linton, his assistant, and bodyguard to the Burbank Ocean Tower and Century City's Silver Star Tower.
Both buildings had premium locations near media hubs, great transport links, and ample space, fully meeting Linton's requirements.
Of course, which to buy would depend on structural layout and price negotiation.
*****
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