"Thank you, Ronald. I have informed my lawyer to anonymously participate in the off-site auction of Audrey Hepburn's belongings... Her jewelry from the classic movie Breakfast at Tiffany's will give me several valuable pieces."
A collection of meaning…”
"Very good, keep it like this. We are dubbing it in post-production. Just say something casually and keep smiling."
One day later, in the forest outside Seattle, Ronald hired a team to shoot a digital CD commercial for Bill Gates. Bill Gates put on his safety belt and hung from a tree, holding a CD in one hand.
, the other hand is placed on the pile of printing paper as high as a hill.
In order to make Gates feel more relaxed, Ronald also climbed onto the crane raised opposite him to guide the filming on the spot. The two said some light-hearted things to help relieve the tension.
"Tell me, are there any actors like Audrey Hepburn in Hollywood today?"
"If you ever meet Audrey in person, you will be disappointed. I promise." Ronald's crane platform is slightly higher than Gates' position, and all the papers can be photographed.
"How could you say that..." Gates held the pile of paper tightly with one hand and crossed his legs to pretend to be relaxed, but the staff opposite could also see his nervousness.
"Okay, maybe the person who looks most like her in Hollywood right now is Winona Ryder? She has short black hair and a unique temperament, but you will definitely be disappointed if you talk to her..."
The photographer behind Ronald almost laughed. The chairman of this IT company spoke quite like a Nerd.
"You're kidding me, Ronald." Gates came to his senses and finally relaxed a little. The photographer immediately took many close-ups of him, "But seriously, there are female stars with college degrees in Hollywood, right?
"
"Sure, Jodie Foster, Yale..." Ronald continued.
"Well, I heard that she is...forget it, I heard that Brooke Shields also graduated from Princeton?"
"Jodie Foster majored in English literature and Brooke Shields majored in French...so you know what I'm talking about?"
"Hey, when you say that, my dreams are shattered. How do you endure it when you cooperate with them?"
"My job is to make them behave like very intelligent characters... It's not that they are not smart, but they are professional actors, not professional programmers..."
"Oh, I understand, they are acting professionals..."
The commercial was shot very quickly. Gates, who went into action himself, overcame his fear and actually had good camera skills. He spoke with a charming shy smile and was actually quite approachable. He himself was very satisfied.
He and Ronald had a fairly congenial conversation, saying that they would have more conversations in the future if they had the opportunity to expand and inspire ideas.
"Bye, Ronald, next time I go to Los Angeles, if it's convenient, we'll have to talk about some of the experiences you mentioned about using the Office software..."
"Come at any time and give me a call. If you think of a female star you want to date, I can help you arrange an investment project and let her be the protagonist..."
…
After the plane arrived in Los Angeles, Ronald was preparing to go home when he saw his lawyer Lindsay Dole waiting for him outside the cabin door.
"What happened?" Ronald asked when he saw Lindsay. She was supposed to be working on his mergers and acquisitions in New York, why did she suddenly come back?
"Let's talk about it after we get in the car..."
"good……"
The two avoided the crowd, got into the car, raised the glass, and then Lindsay Dole spoke.
"You have a subpoena..."
"What kind of court?" As a wealthy man, Ronald was often sued, ranging from claims that Ronald's movies plagiarized his scripts to the noise from the Staten Island airport affecting bird habitats, etc.
And enough.
However, it is rare for an individual to receive a subpoena. Most lawyers will help him get rid of it. The lawyer came here specially this time, and it seems to be an important matter.
"It's not the court, it's the Congress..."
Lindsay Dole smiled. This was not a subpoena from the court, but a subpoena from a hearing on Capitol Hill. Receiving such a subpoena meant that Ronald had participated in discussions on certain federal-related matters.
, an opportunity for members of Congress to provide input.
This can be regarded as an endorsement by the federal government to some extent for the status of an industry or a certain professional issue.
The subpoena is a formal congressional document that begins with the list of committees calling Ronald to testify.
House Foreign Affairs Committee, Trade Subcommittee
To: Ronald V. Lee
In accordance with the provisions of the Congressional Investigatory Powers Act of 1946, the Tariff Act of 1930, and the Trade Act of 1974, you are required to attend the following places and times:
…
Testify regarding the most-favored-nation status in trade with China and the application to restore...the status of a party to the General Agreement on Tariffs.
Failure to attend on time may result in legal consequences.
"Should I make any preparations?" Ronald looked at the date and gave him some time to prepare.
"First, I will write a testimony with your legal team. Then I will discuss the details of the testimony and testimonials with you. Then you will take time to rehearse. Finally, on Capitol Hill, Action... will start your performance..."
"Understood, you make a plan, and then check the timetable with my assistant..." Ronald thought for a while, then asked: "But why are you looking for me? How come I have a little business in China?
Was I summoned to testify?"
"Maybe it's because of the panda leasing operation you made recently that it made a bit of noise? Don't worry, most congressional summons are just a formality. Expert opinions are listened to. The most important thing is clearly written in the written testimony. Live testimony will ask some details.
and questions that require clarification…
Moreover, some members of Congress may be summoned to testify because they want to meet a certain celebrity, and this kind of thing has happened before.”
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Okay, then you can help me draft a written testimony. In addition, find an opportunity to call Mickey Kanter and ask about the situation..."
"It has been done. He is very busy now. I also need to make an appointment with the secretary first..."
Mickey Kanter's feedback was also very timely, and Ronald, who made the greatest contribution to his ability to become trade representative, dealt with it immediately.
Within Congress, trade issues rank first. His main job now is to promote the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Mexico in both houses of Congress.
This involves the complex division of interests within Congress, the demands of parties and committees, and the bargaining over the federal subsidies received by key members' hometowns, which is similar to a cake-cutting game.
And because the Grand Commander has a lot of political "debts" recently, he is a little hesitant about the issue of trade with China. This hearing will mainly listen to the testimony of some entrepreneurs who have invested in China to evaluate and determine
The impact of this trade on America's competitiveness and domestic employment, among other issues.
Ronald is certainly aware of this issue. Although it is not a particularly big issue for America, it may not be as important as domestic unity caused by the minority rights issue strongly promoted by David Geffen.
But for China, this may be a very important issue.
As expected, Mr. Counselor's call came to Ronald immediately.
"The leaders have given instructions on the panda matter, saying that as long as it is conducive to the exchanges between the people of China and the United States and the improvement of mutual understanding, we must actively promote it. You can encourage people from the San Diego Zoo to come here to talk.
The specific terms are..."
"Roger, you will be able to see pandas in San Diego soon..." Ronald put down the phone and told his family the good news. The San Diego Zoo was very excited and immediately organized a capable team to go to China for negotiations and began to set up a
The fund accepts donations to build an environment for pandas in California similar to their hometown.
…
"Ronald, is it true? There is hope for the panda to come?"
"Yeah, I guess a delegation to talk about pandas will be formed soon. I heard that they take this matter very seriously and may make special arrangements to extend the lease time. If panda cubs can be born in California
, you can stay here for a while..."
The news spread quickly among the Hollywood stars who promoted the panda rental.
At the Oscar PR party for "A Few Good Men," Demi Moore asked Ronald about it as soon as she saw him.
"Real pandas? Real pandas are coming to California? Why do I think this thing is a bit magical? This guy is so cute..."
"Don't be too happy..." Ronald felt that the excitement was a bit too much.
"You don't understand, this is a panda..."
"What happened?" Ronald didn't even understand.
"Some people are also promoting the leasing of pandas. Now newspapers and TV stations in California are full of panda documentaries and footage of pandas in Washington." Pat Kingsley, a public relations expert nearby, came over to clarify Ronald's doubts.
"Oh, so they saw those cute images. Who is doing this?" Ronald was a little confused about who was actively responding to him.
"Some lobbying companies hired by multinational companies love you to death..."
The answer was Roger Ailes, Ronald's political adviser, who was preparing a TV show. He and Ed Bastian came to Los Angeles to discuss the talk show station, and they happened to know that Ronald had been summoned by Congress.
He was summoned to testify, so I came to help him with some advice.
"Why? Why do lobbying firms like pandas?"
"Don't you know that those who advocate a thaw and opening up to China are called panda lovers by some die-hards? And which Washington politician doesn't like pandas?"
"Huh?" Ronald couldn't keep up with his train of thought.
"Look, pandas are black, white, and Asian..."
"Pfft..." Ronald laughed at the joke and added, "And pandas are vegetarian..."
"Yes, I am still a vegetarian...hahaha"
…
"Look at the written testimony my team drafted for me. Are there any problems?"
Roger Ailes took it over and looked through it.
"It's very well written. You are just an expert witness. You were summoned to probably understand the situation, so you are just speaking from a businessman's point of view. It's very good. It can leave a good impression on the supporting members of Congress.
It can also avoid the dissatisfaction of opposing legislators.
You know, the trade issue with China has now entered the center of the storm. Everyone has their own considerations on this matter, and they can also find a foothold for their own opinions.
So just talk about business, costs, and benefits. This is a wise choice. Your team is very good.
In short, businessmen only do business to make money. You have to note that we are not transferring any high-tech technology there, just to expand profits, reduce costs, and increase employment in America..."
"Increase employment..." Ronald wrote down in his notebook, "Is there anything else I should pay attention to?"
"No problem, there is only a very rare possibility that a malicious member of Parliament will ask you malicious questions. At that time, you just need to be careful not to panic. A little sense of humor is also good, but don't overdo it. You have to understand,
Your testimony is just to understand the situation of the bill that is about to be passed. Don't hit back hard at the members. At most, it will only embarrass you.
Besides, who would attack you? You are the one who brought new pandas to the children..."
"Hi Judy..."
"Ronald, are pandas real?"
"It's true...Hi, Meg..."
"Ronald, will you go to the screening of Sleepless in Seattle? That's great. I also want to see the edited version directed by Nora. I haven't seen it yet... By the way, when will Panda be available?
Really settled? My son can go visit then..."
"We are still negotiating. If everything goes well, it could be as soon as next year..."
"Ronald, I have been pestered by my children for almost two days. Now it's time for you to give me an answer yourself..."
"Of course, Rumer, your father (Bruce Willis) and mother (Demi Moore) did not lie to you, there will really be pandas..."
The entire canvassing party almost turned into a press conference on the panda issue. Ronald became the center of the audience.
"Hi... there are pandas, there are two, one male and one female..."
Ronald was already a little annoyed by the questions. A thin actor came over to greet him. Before he could speak, he took the initiative to provide the answer.
"What panda? Oh, that's a good thing..." The actor was stunned for a moment before he reacted. He came during the second half of the party and was wearing sunglasses. He felt very thin and his face was a bit...
Out of shape.
"Holy Shxt, Tom, why are you like this?" Ronald realized after hearing the voice that this was Tom Hanks. Sure enough, behind him was his wife, Rita Wilson.
"For the sake of the panda, I won't hold you accountable tonight. Please help me persuade him to see a doctor..." Rita saw Ronald and came up to talk to him.
"What's wrong with you? Are you going to act in Spielberg's Holocaust movie?" Ronald felt that this was a bit too much for the sake of art.
"What? He is playing Philadelphia Story, and the last scene needs to reflect the patient's final state..." Rita Wilson raised her eyebrows and was about to speak again.
"It's okay, Rita, I chose this myself..." Tom Hanks' voice was also a little weak.
"Oh, God, don't you know that there is an Oscar award called Best Makeup?" Ronald felt that it was a bit excessive to lose so much weight for the movie Philadelphia Story, right?