Manhattan Reborn 1978

new York.

Noon~

Manhattan, Verrick Street near New York University.

In the temporary office of the film crew of the movie "Taxi Driver", director Martin Scorsese said: "The meeting is dismissed~"

The crew's first meeting with all the cast and crew has ended.

street.

The second brother Lavis walked to his car, flicked the cigarette butts in his hand, opened the door and made a "please" gesture to Michelle Pfeiffer, and asked with a smile.

"Shall I send you back to rest directly? Or..."

Michelle Pfeiffer, who had steeled herself, walked to the car and turned around to look at the middle-aged man who was chatting and laughing with director Martin and a young man who was following him who had got a small role, and asked.

"Who is that person?"

Lavis glanced not far away and shrugged: "His name is Jackie Gale, he was on "The Griffin Show". It was also the opening of Frank Sinatra's Las Vegas concert. Guest..."

"However, I heard Martin say privately that this guy has frequently appeared at adult film festivals in California in recent years, and people in the industry have given him a new nickname, Metal Gale..."

"Oh~" Michelle responded, looked at him silently for a few times, got into the back row, and smiled at Ravis.

"I'd like to go have a drink at the Wildfire Bar, is that okay?"

"Okay."

Lavis shrugged, closed the door, sat in the cab and smiled: "What do you want to drink? I'll buy it!"

"Anything is fine~"

"Ok!"

. . .

the other side.

Harvey Washman, the head of Da Film and Television Company, waved goodbye to Alto Sidrich, the producer of the film "The Godfather".

Before leaving, young Aalto subconsciously glanced at Jackie Gale and the producer Tangtang who was standing next to director Martin. He walked steadily to his car and got into the passenger seat.

The "wooden man" Rosenlo Sidrich, who was sitting in the driver's seat, started the car, tilted his head and asked, "Is the deal settled?"

"Ok!"

Alto took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it and blew out a cloud of smoke. Looking at the slowly receding street scene outside the car window, he suddenly asked.

"What would you do if I stayed in Italy and didn't come back?"

Rosenlow looked forward, holding the steering wheel with his left hand, gently raising his feet to slow down the car, and replied.

"I will respect your choice."

"But I don't want you to be in any danger."

"Oh?"

"Hehe~"

Alto showed a "Sure enough" smile, shook his head slightly and closed his mouth.

But "Wooden Man" Rosenluo seemed to have a strong desire to talk today. Even if he didn't get any answer, he still kept talking to himself.

"Before, I only had some vague understanding of families, gangs, businesses, fights, etc."

"But after I gradually contacted many people and dealt with many things in recent months, I found..."

"Our Sidrich has grown to this day in New York. The biggest advantage and the biggest disadvantage are the unity and restraint within the family!"

Alto exhaled a cloud of smoke in great surprise and turned his head to look at "little brother" Rosenlot, wanting to hear what else he could say.

Rosenlow rolled open his car window, took a deep breath of the cold air outside the window, and continued in a low voice.

"Our family has always adhered to the elite-minority model, which focuses more on maintaining a balanced relationship in all aspects, while neglecting to pay attention and cultivate peripheral members. This has also directly affected our business model to become more traditional and single~"

"Finally, when our generation grew up, Old Malkin saw that the development of the family's business had reached a bottleneck and might reach a stage of prosperity and decline, so he chose to quit as a disguised reminder to everyone to wake up!"

In a very "rare" speech, Rosenlow slowly parked the car in front of a street store, turned his head and looked at Aalto, with a calm face and a low voice.

"People in the family like to say that David Coleman got lucky and took advantage of Lady Luck... to go from bartender to multimillionaire."

"But when I found out about the Racketeer and Corruption Crimes Act (RICO), studied it carefully, and sent people to Washington to inquire about the situation at the FBI headquarters, I found..."

"They're not pretending, they're trying to be real!"

"This time they have taken Las Vegas as the main target of investigation!"

"Because running a casino business can launder money legally, covertly, stably and quickly!"

"..." Alto immediately remembered the many actions of old Malkin some time ago and murmured.

"He has already started planning to withdraw the family's shares from Las Vegas?"

"Ok!"

Rosenlow pointed to the shops on the street: "Do you remember this place?"

Alto turned to look and nodded with a very responsible look: "During the heavy rain a few months ago, it was here that I solved the problem with Ludy...the guys who were following David and waiting for an opportunity to strike."

Rosenlow pursed his lips, shifted the gear again, drove the car, and asked in a low voice: "Is there anything else you can't figure out?"

"Hiss!! No more~" Alto took a sharp breath, threw the cigarette butt out of the window, and gritted his teeth and replied.

Rosenlow put a little force on his feet and increased the speed of the car. When he saw the red light in front of him, he didn't show any intention of slowing down and went straight through.

At the same time, he asked in a low voice: "Polly wants to set up a charitable foundation in the name of Da Company to transform the old pier on West 40th Street near the Hudson River into a women's and children's hospital... Do you know?"

"I heard~"

"I have an appointment with the mayor, Mr. Hardman, tonight. You should come with me."

Alto lowered all the car windows and let the cold winter wind blow violently on his somewhat hot forehead: "No."

"From now on, you and I should try not to appear in public together!"

"..."

Rosenlow put more force on his feet, and regardless of the road conditions ahead, he drove the car like a "tank" and "ramped" quickly towards the front.

"Squeak~!!!"

After about 10 minutes.

Rosenlow slammed on the brakes, took a deep breath, slowly parked the car in front of the Wildfire Bar on 42nd Street, and whispered.

"I regret!"

"Hehe~"

Alto smiled and rolled up the car window little by little, turned his head to look at his "little brother", and sighed: "I have no choice..."

"You have!"

"But I don't think you can find a better choice~"

"..."

Alto looked at Rosenlow, who was bowing his head in silence, and the last smile on his lips disappeared.

"exactly!"

"The elite minority system that the family has implemented for a long time has indeed ignored the importance of external committee members, and even once treated them as consumables that can be replaced at any time."

"Under this kind of system and wrong management, even if a peripheral member has worked loyally for the family for many years, it will be difficult for him to be truly valued or reused."

"Because, the cakes are limited!"

"Our family and internal elites ate almost all of them and gave them the rest... It is no longer possible to satisfy their crazy growing desires~"

"That's why Tommy, who has always been with Ludy, secretly embezzled the family's money to sell drugs..."

"..." Rosenlow turned his head and looked directly at Alto. Many words in his heart were already on his lips, but he didn't know how to say them out.

Alto seemed to have guessed what he wanted to say. He shook his head slightly and said, "Among the police informants cleared out within the family last time, there was a guy named Nick. I have been paying attention to him."

"It's just that I haven't found a chance to have a good chat with him~"

Alto reached out and patted his "little brother"'s hand, and said in an older brother's tone: "Do what you have to do, and leave the rest to me!"

"Hmm...!" Rosenlow turned to avoid his gaze, looked at the Wildfire Bar not far away, and nodded silently.

----

Manhattan.

The intersection of Eighth Avenue and 42nd Street, 660 Eighth Avenue.

Zina Osevia Art Store, second floor.

In the prelude of a fast-paced music, Whitney Houston, a 170-year-old girl who is over 16cm tall, stood up slightly nervously and sang with the encouragement of her mother and godmother Aretha.

"Lone!"

"Lone~"

"Smile!"

"Everybodysmile~"

"Dance!"

"..."

When Whitney Houston and her mother were singing very immersedly, Zina turned to look at her friend Aretha Franklin beside her, smiled softly and nodded to express her approval and exclamation~

Sitting aside, Mr. Gino Bachwin (nicknamed Mild Potato), who heard Whitney sing up close for the first time, could not control his expression and stared at Whitney's slightly immature melons. Face, I don’t know what I’m thinking. .

After a song~

"Clap clap clap!"

Zina gave her own round of applause to the little girl Whitney for her stunning singing.

Whitney's father, John Houston, and mother, Cissy Houston, also applauded their daughter for her steady and extraordinary performance.

Whitney's godmother Aretha waved to the little girl, pulled her down to her, hugged her shoulders and praised her friend Zina.

"How about this song "Life's Party"?"

“Really great!”

"It's unbelievable..."

"I'm already fascinated by her~"

"Hahaha~" Whitney and her family laughed relaxedly.

Mr. Bachwin also "came back to his senses" amidst the laughter of everyone, and looked at Zina with burning eyes, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Zina picked up her coffee cup and smiled directly at Aunt Whitney's parents.

"This is not the first time we have met~"

"With the help of Arista Records President Clive Davis, Aretha has returned to the top of the music industry, which is enough to prove his ability and the strength of Arista Records."

Zina glanced at her friend Aretha, and after getting a positive "answer" from her eyes, she turned to look at Whitney's mother, Sissy Houston, and said.

"Years ago, before Ari and I knew each other, I had heard of your name in the gospel singer circle."

"But it seems that Lady Luck has played a joke on you more than once~"

"Every time you are about to succeed, something unexpected happens..."

"Later, you had to shift your focus to your family and your singing career..."

"But if you can bring Whitney here to see us today, you must still have regrets and obsession with music in your heart, right?"

Sissy Houston suddenly felt "understood" in her heart, nodded subconsciously, and looked at her daughter Whitney and sister Aretha.

Zina also saw the "weird" expressions on several people's faces. She held the coffee cup in both hands and looked directly at Sissy Houston and continued.

"Whitney is 16 years old."

"The last time we met, you said that she is no longer what she used to be... Today she wants to be a teacher, and tomorrow she wants to be a doctor~"

"She now wants to be a professional singer, and you have made it clear to her the hardships and risks involved."

"But she still insists on her choices and dreams, and is determined to complete the many regrets you left in her heart on the road of music."

Zina turned her attention to the little girl Whitney: "You have been living in music since you were a child~"

"Your cousin Dionne Warwick and godmother Aretha are both well-known singers in the fields of gospel and soul music."

"Your mother has taught you all kinds of gospel music knowledge since you were a child, provided you with professional training in singing, and also imparted to you many accumulated life experiences~"

"And you have also entered high school this year and become a young man, completely getting rid of children... This title makes you tired of it."

"Your determination allows mom to see your gradually mature side."

"She brought you here today, and she must have decided to go all out to support her daughter's dream!"

Zina saw that although Whitney's expression was still that of a "good girl", her eyes were shining and she nodded.

She smiled and looked at Sissy Houston again, and said: "With Whitney's outstanding singing talent, beautiful appearance and your family's connections in the music industry, it is not difficult to get a record company contract. "

"For example, Clive Davis, the president of Arista Records who helped Aretha, is one of the most legendary record producers in the United States today!"

"Many people in the industry refer to Clive Davis as Golden Ears."

"He has also witnessed the development history of pop music in the United States for more than 30 years."

"But..."

When Zina said this, she tilted her head and glanced at Bachwin, and said with a hint of inexplicable meaning in the smile that slowly disappeared from the corner of her mouth.

"Even if you think it's unfair, even if you feel resentful and unwilling, you have to admit that there is a very real problem in front of you~"

“Colorism!!”

Zina looked at Sissy Houston with a sincere and calm expression: "You and Aretha have been in the music industry for many years, and you must have encountered embarrassment and helplessness more than once."

"Even though this is New York~"

"Even though Aretha is already a nationally renowned soul singer..."

"She also can't completely shake off the looks or highly personal comments her skin color attracts."

Sissy Houston looked at her daughter Whitney silently, pursed her lips and asked, "What about you? Do you understand?"

"Hmm...!" Little girl Whitney nodded to her mother with firm eyes, then looked at her godmother Aretha and asked.

"You will help me too...right?"

"Hahaha~ Of course!" Aretha hugged Whitney affectionately, turned to Qina and said.

"Even though many of the songs I have sung have entered the top 10 of the national top charts, I have even won 10 consecutive Grammy Awards for Best R&B Female Vocalist."

"The so-called domestic mainstream music circle has never recognized my achievements and music..."

"The news reports about me are limited to the period before and after I won the award."

"So, you don't have to tell Whitney in such a tactful way how difficult the road she has to go~"

"Because she has us by her side!"

Zina looked at her friends Aretha and Whitney and said with a smile: "I said it the last time we met~"

"I personally don't understand the current situation in the music industry where music types are divided based on skin color..."

"You should also understand my attitude and determination to make Whitney truly step out of the mainstream music circle!"

Zina's eyes swept across several people, and finally landed on the face of John Houston, who had been "silent", and said.

“Many of the country’s biggest song producers, television producers, as well as the country’s most well-known record distributors and radio station directors.”

"The resources in their hands will not be easily given to a young new singer."

"But I can rely on various network resources to find these people who can be of great help to Whitney, and obtain resources from them to support her success."

"For example: My boss is one of the shareholders of HBO TV station."

"One of his best friends is the new boss of Paramount Pictures, Miss Cherov."

"If you are still worried about signing with our record company, I can tell you now the plan I will start to implement after signing with Whitney."

Zina raised her left index finger to several people and said with a smile: "My good friend Gila Cox is a professor at the Juilliard School of Music."

"She will help me find the most professional music teacher in New York for Whitney and develop a study plan that best suits her talent~"

"I would also introduce her to another music industry friend of mine, Barbra Streisand."

"Barbara is very nice and I guarantee she will like Whitney!"

"And she can teach Whitney a lot of... different things."

"For example: How can I be widely recognized in the music industry and make more friends...right, Aretha?"

"Hehe~"

Aretha waved her hands indifferently to her old friend's teasing and said with a smile: "Next time you go to see Barbara, remember to say hello to her for me~"

"must!"

"Hahaha~"

. . .

Aretha and Whitney Houston are gone.

Zina turned around and walked into the store door, and said to Bachwin, who followed him in.

"You go and find a suitable driver for Whitney first, and I will arrange the rest."

"Ok."

Mr. Jishu rubbed his hands excitedly, followed Zina back to the second floor, and said cautiously.

"Look... how about I personally be responsible for picking her up and dropping her off every week?"

"You?" Zina looked at Mr. Jishu strangely, sat down and asked.

"You have nothing else to do?"

"Still...are you short of this income?"

"All of them, right~" Mr. Jishu said with a calm smile.

“Our record company currently only has three signed singers~”

"Luther Vandross, Studying at Power Plant Recording Studio"

"Madonna Sigourney, working and studying at the Wildfire Bar..."

"The Whitney Houston we are going to sign today is also a 16-year-old girl..."

"So, the company basically has nothing to do that requires me to be busy at the moment."

"Uh..." Zina thought about it carefully and couldn't help but smile.

"Then you first recruit the company's framework and various civilian personnel."

"Luther Vandross is not young anymore. The company can plan and release a record for him first, which can be used as a run-in between colleagues in the new company."

"When everything is on track, we will put Madonna Sigourney's plan to release a single or debut album on the work schedule."

"Okay!" Mr. Moshu nodded enthusiastically in an instant.

How he had managed to survive the past few months was something only he knew in his heart. .

Shinny, the former Bronx gang boss, recruited him to be in charge of the record company, but disappeared soon after.

Carew, a former Bronx gang boss, also mysteriously disappeared after introducing him to David Coleman. .

After the two previous bosses disappeared, although Mr. Sweet Potato took the initiative to find David and wanted to join him. .

But David never gave a clear answer. It was not until a few days ago that he was "recruited" by Zina that he finally settled down. .

Today, "tramps" have become "regulars."

Mr. Jishu felt as if he had received a reassurance in his heart, and he said tentatively.

"Well... there is not much money left in the company's account..."

"Do you think...?!"

Zina put on a wide-eyed expression on her face, found her checkbook, wrote a check at random and gave it to Mr. Jishu, with instructions.

"You can take this money back first for emergencies."

"The record company is the boss's personal investment. All expenses have to wait until he comes back, and then I will apply for it for you."

"Okay, okay!" Mr. Moshu looked at the check in his hand and said happily.

Zina held back her laughter and shook her head gently. She returned to the sofa and sat down. She thought for a moment and then said, "I will send the company's financial staff as soon as possible."

“While you are recruiting people, you must also establish various systems of the company.”

"Ok!"

Mr. Jishu confidently patted his chest and made a promise to Zina. .

----

Southeast Texas, Houston.

West of downtown, 19 Piney Point Village, Piney Point Village, Memorial District.

Under the afternoon sun~

David stood behind his mentor Professor Bartley, took Lilith's little hand, and sent away Judith K. Morgan (Julie), as well as an "unexpected" visitor he brought, whom the General Electric Board of Directors focused on cultivating. One of his successors is Jack Welch, who is just 43 years old this year.

Lilith scratched David's palm twice with her index finger, and said teasingly in the warm afternoon sunshine.

"If Jack Welch can take office smoothly this time..."

"He will be the youngest chairman and CEO in the history of General Electric!"

"Don't you have any idea about this?"

"Really not!" David tilted his head and glanced at his mentor, Professor Bartlet, and shrugged helplessly.

"What's the benefit of being the CEO of such an internationally renowned company?"

"There are only 365 days in a year, but he has to work 366 days..."

“I even have to squeeze in time to spend with my family before I can spare it~”

"If you let me go, you might as well kill me directly!"

"Hahaha~" Professor Bartlett laughed and patted his shoulder, shook his head and turned away. .

Lilith also laughed and shook her head, pointed at David's chest with her other hand, and complained.

"You are the only one who thinks so, right?"

"Didn't Uncle Julie just say that~"

"He successfully promoted Jack Welch to the position this time, and the company's board of directors has had countless quarrels."

"In the end, we had to negotiate and compromise with many parties, so that he was not removed from the list of candidates."

David scratched his ears with his hands, curled his lips deliberately and said, "So~"

"The so-called inclusion of me on the roster is completely asking me to come in and act as a spoiler...?"

"Uh... almost!" Lilith shrugged while holding back her smile.

David rolled his eyes helplessly: "Is this about the same? It's obviously a lot different!"

"Hahaha~"

Lilith let out a string of laughter like silver bells, "dying" the surrounding air with a lot of joy.