[Chapter 479: Crash on the Highway]
After finishing filming Pirates of the Caribbean, Link returned to Los Angeles with the footage to start editing and post-production. He also took time to attend a private screening of The Truman Show.
The Truman Show had wrapped filming in April. There were not many special effects used in the film; the music and soundtrack were produced concurrently during filming.
The post-production workload was light, and since Guess Pictures was currently handling only his films, the post-production proceeded faster than before. The private screening of The Truman Show was a great success. After the film ended, everyone invited to the screening applauded enthusiastically. Monica Bellucci, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Julianne Moore were particularly moved, wiping tears throughout the film.
Quentin Tarantino congratulated him with some grumbling, saying that movies like this shouldn't come from someone so focused on money. Directors Sofia Coppola, Tim Robbins, and Richard Linklater praised The Truman Show's artistic quality, saying it was on par with Saving Private Ryan and The Shawshank Redemption.
Jim Carrey, after watching the film, thanked him repeatedly, saying the film transformed him from a comedian relying on slapstick to a serious, respected actor.
The system's evaluation of the film was also very high. Link's involvement was 75.1%, the film was 98.3% complete, and the market alignment was 89%. The bonuses included a 2.7x box office subsidy, directing experience +15%, directing stamina +15%, and film quality increase +16%.
...
"Link, congratulations, your company has another big hit," Michael Ovitz said with a forced smile, trying to hide his jealousy.
"Thanks! But The Truman Show is an art film, so it's uncertain if it will be a box office hit," Link replied.
"Ha ha, you're too modest. While others' films might be uncertain, yours are sure to be hits. How about a bet? Let's gamble ten million," Ovitz challenged.
"No thanks. The two things I hate most are gambling and drugs. I never touch either," said Link firmly.
"Wow, you really have self-control," Ovitz said with a smirk, internally cursing that Link had used betting to earn millions from him in previous years but now pretended to hate gambling. If Link could hear Ovitz's thoughts, he would deny it, since that bet had no risks and was like picking up free money -- not really gambling.
...
"Link, congrats on another great film," Robert Shaye and Graydon Carter also came over to congratulate him.
---
After the screening, Link and his girlfriends drove home.
"Honey, you've been so busy these past months without a break. Now that filming is done, do you want to rest for a few days?" Monica said, leaning on his shoulder.
"The next film starts shooting in October, so we have two months off. How about a trip to the island?" Link asked his girlfriends.
"Sounds good, a vacation on the island would be nice," said Michelle.
"I miss the island's beaches and sunshine," added Sandra.
"There are too many paparazzi in L.A. It's more relaxed on the island," Jennifer chimed in.
Link smiled, remembering the carefree times with his girlfriends on the island, and was eager to go. Besides enjoying the holiday, he had another purpose -- to learn to fly a plane. It had been a long-held idea.
After reading the Pearl Harbor script, he planned to make it a reality. If he could fly, during Pearl Harbor's filming, he could pilot the plane himself, capturing more exciting aerial shots and raising the film's quality. Plus, there was an airport on Lanai Island, making it convenient to learn flying there.
As for safety, with his skills now, he was confident he could survive even if a plane exploded mid-air. Learning to fly would also let him take his girlfriends on romantic flights -- a truly appealing prospect.
Link hugged Monica and kissed her fragrant hair.
...
Bang!
Screech!
Suddenly, the sound of a tire blowing out came from outside. A minibus swerved and collided with a box truck, which then hit a car on the left. Link's van accelerated, dodging a crashing car, and pulled over to the roadside. Several cars behind failed to brake in time and collided with each other.
The sound of crashes and screeching brakes filled the air for less than ten seconds, turning the highway from Hollywood Boulevard to Beverly Hills into a chaotic mess.
After the crash, Link's van and the guard vehicle stopped. The bodyguards drew their weapons and stayed alert. Once the traffic cleared, the two vehicles sped away from the accident.
Safety was more important than curiosity.
...
"Too bad those guys didn't make their move," said Johnson, standing by the side of the road in a gray Buick, watching the vans leave.
"It's a shame," replied the other assassin John, who saw the chaotic scene in the rearview mirror.
Earlier, while they were tailing Link's ride near the Guess Pictures building, they noticed another armed group following, seemingly planning to attack Link. To get the two groups to clash first and benefit from the mess, John shot the minibus's tire, turning the traffic into chaos and giving an opportunity for action.
But after Link's vehicle stopped, the armed men stayed put inside their vehicle, and no firefight occurred.
They missed the chance to take advantage of the situation.
"Let's go. There'll be another chance. Link's directing a film called Armageddon releasing Friday. He'll show up. We'll find another opportunity then," Johnson said, starting his car and leaving.
...
"Link, what just happened?" Monica asked from inside the van, glancing nervously back to the crash site.
"The heat probably made a tire blow out," Link said casually.
"That was really dangerous. We almost got hit," Michelle said.
"Don't worry. We're safe," Link reassured, wrapping his arms around Monica and Michelle.
...
They returned to his hilltop villa. Link parted from the women to hold a security meeting with Bob and Hank, who indicated that the initial sound was a gunshot, not a tire blowout.
To ordinary ears, the difference between gunfire and tire blowouts is subtle, but for battle-trained veterans, the sounds are distinct, even on a noisy highway.
Link called Wallace to investigate.
...
Thirty minutes later, Wallace reported that their people found eight armed men at the crash site, armed with firearms, grenades, and rocket launchers.
After learning the details, they arranged surveillance and contacted the Los Angeles police to clamp down on the group. A firefight broke out on Interstate 10, lasting six minutes. The police were overwhelmed, and the armed group escaped by car.
Their agents continued to track the group, trying to identify their hideout.
...
"Are they targeting me?" Link asked.
"There's a possibility. We're still investigating," came the reply.
"I have about a million dollars in spare funds. Contact the police. If they take down these guys, I'll anonymously donate the money to the department," Link instructed.
"Link, L.A. police are weak in combat. Instead of them, why don't we hire Blackwater? They can wipe out those men in less than two minutes," Wallace suggested.
"Police have a legal mandate to go after gangs, but Blackwater is a private security firm without law enforcement power. It's tricky. But during police operations, they can request Blackwater's protection to reduce casualties," Link said.
"Got it. I'll arrange that now."
After hanging up, Link ordered Bob and Hank to increase patrols to prevent any mishaps.
...
In the backyard, his girlfriends, wearing bikinis, were having a pool party, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Link smiled softly, changed into board shorts, and joined them.
*****
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