Manhattan Reborn 1978

Southeast Texas, Houston.

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

The afternoon sky was filled with dark clouds.

Bursts of chilly wind were like a naughty child "playing" with the trees on the roadside.

David stood by the living room window, looking at the slowly changing gray clouds in the sky outside, and asked his mentor in a low voice.

"Do you know anything about the weather here?"

"You mean cooling down?" Professor Bartley put down the teacup in his hand, glanced out the window, and said with a smile.

"Since previous years, there have been a few days of cooling weather here almost every February."

"Sometimes, there will be occasional extreme weather with freezing rain or sleet, causing some transmission equipment failures."

"Oh..." David nodded thoughtfully, frowned, walked to sit down next to his instructor, and tried to ask.

“Do you know about El Niño?”

Professor Bartlet glanced at David with a puzzled expression, then looked at Toby Olga who was also confused, and shook his head.

"It's the field of economics..."

"No!"

"It's an unsolved mystery in meteorology."

"..." Professor Bartlet was silent.

Toby stopped eating the apple, tilted his head and looked at David who had forgotten to swallow the apple in his mouth, and asked curiously.

"You... also like to study meteorology?"

"Not really~"

David habitually scratched his chin with his index finger, pondered for a moment, looked at his relaxed and comfortable instructor, and said.

"When I went to Boston to meet old Mr. Morgan, I mentioned clothing, food, housing, and transportation."

"The reason why I pay special attention to them is because these businesses are closely related to the lives of ordinary people and are closely connected."

"One of the purposes of studying economics is to study the changing trends of commodity prices and find possible patterns."

“Cost, Supply and Demand, Efficiency and Information.”

"If any of these four important factors that affect commodity prices is imbalanced, it will cause very extreme changes in the direction of commodity prices."

David's words aroused Professor Bartley's interest.

He picked up the teapot and poured himself black tea, and asked with a smile: "Why do you suddenly think of saying this?"

David smiled and shook his head slightly: "I was standing by the window just now and felt that such extreme weather should not occur in Texas in the winter, and then I slowly remembered the report I had read."

"Oh? Tell me what it says!" Professor Bartlet crossed his legs and waited.

David shrugged and smiled: "El Niño, also known as El Niño."

"It comes from the Spanish transliteration, which roughly means Holy Child."

"A professor of meteorology named Kari Wotgui, through studying global weather records in the past 40 years, and based on meteorologist Professor Pierre Kniss, discovered that the El Niño phenomenon is closely related to the East Pacific Warm Stream. It is proposed that the formation of El Niño is closely related to the eastern Pacific trade winds and the Southern Oscillation near Peru."

"So in 74, after professor of meteorology Wotji published his research on the El Niño phenomenon, international oceanographic and meteorological scientists merged it with the Pacific Southern Oscillation and called it the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)."

"The study of the El Niño phenomenon has gradually become an important topic in international oceanographic and meteorological scientific research, and is gradually being taken seriously."

"Because every time El Niño occurs, the warm water in the sea near the equator will shift from west to east, preventing the winter trade winds from the Eastern Pacific from blowing to the Western Pacific."

"Every year from December to February, warm water along the eastern coast of the equatorial Pacific moves south along the coasts of Ecuador and Peru. The water temperature rises abnormally. The warm water area can quickly expand westward, and the tropical rain belt also moves southward."

"Precipitation in the eastern equatorial Pacific, which was originally dry, has increased sharply, while the western equatorial Pacific, which is already in the rainy season, will experience extreme drought conditions."

When David said this, he looked at Professor Bartley and suddenly asked: "Do you still remember the food robbery that was laughed at by the media for a long time a few years ago?"

"Yeah!" Professor Bartlet seemed to have guessed what David wanted to say, and nodded cooperatively.

David smiled and continued: "When I asked people to search for information about the great grain robbery, I accidentally discovered that the significant reduction in grain production in the bear country in 72 was related to the El Niño phenomenon!"

"The Big Bear Country is located in the high latitudes of the north. The eastern Pacific trade winds are affected by the El Niño phenomenon and are unable to blow warm air to the Western Pacific, and even form circulation in the territory of the Big Bear Country."

"According to some meteorological records released later, in the spring of 72, during the spring sowing period on some farms in the northern part of the bear country, the land had not completely thawed, and the seeds were unable to take root and germinate in the frozen soil."

"The unusually cold spring caused Xiong Daguo farmers to miss the best planting period and had no choice but to postpone it~"

"But in the autumn of 72, due to the reduction in the growth cycle of crops and the rapid drop in autumn temperatures, the harvest of wheat, the most important economic crop in Xiong Daguo, was only about one-third of previous years."

David opened his hands to his mentor and said with a smile: "So, if someone could have noticed the early manifestations of El Niño in advance, and then sent people to places such as Bear Country, areas where El Niño may affect crop yields."

Professor Bartley felt his eyes light up and continued: "Information?!"

"That's right!"

"El Niño is a natural disaster!"

"The damage it does is closely related to how long it lasts!"

"Information asymmetry will cause an imbalance of interests between both parties in market transactions, affecting the principles of social fairness and justice, as well as the efficiency of market allocation of resources."

“Those with the latest information will gain a comparative advantage in trading!”

"This is a kind of information rent, and it is also the link between every transaction link."

"Every industry is a collection of special information. To produce a product requires the professional information of engineers, the technical information of technicians, and the market information of sales staff."

"Businessmen, as long as they have accurate price information, they can outperform the market with their small skills and big skills!"

"Yeah~" Professor Bartley nodded in agreement and said.

"Most people's rationality is weak in the face of greed..."

"You have to remember this!"

"Understood!" David nodded seriously, looked at Toby, and said.

"Help me call Mr. Gardener."

"Ask him to check whether the climate in the Eastern Pacific and Western Pacific in the past six months has been abnormal or different from previous years."

"Okay~" Toby put down the apple in his hand, stood up and walked to the study.

Professor Bartlet watched her walk into the study, deliberately closed the door, raised his eyebrows and whispered.

"how?"

"Nothing~"

David raised his hands and smiled at his mentor: "I suddenly remembered the one I received a few months ago...the news that due to abnormal weather and frequent flooding in Brazil, there has been a large-scale reduction in agricultural product production."

"In previous winters, Brazil would also experience continuous rainy weather."

"But this year there has been too much precipitation, which has led to frequent floods in various places. It is not common!"

Professor Bartley slowly frowned: "So you are wondering whether another El Niño phenomenon has quietly arrived?"

"Correct!"

I took a deep breath, narrowed my eyes slightly and said, "No one can fully understand the cause of El Niño~"

"But meteorologist Professor Pierre Kniss, through research on the weakening of trade winds in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, believes that it is a direct cause of the formation of El Niño."

"He believes that a very strong El Niño phenomenon may cause... natural disasters such as droughts and floods in different parts of the world."

"The northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere may experience abnormal weather such as extremely hot summers and delayed spring warming."

"In addition, rising seawater temperatures in the Pacific Ocean will also bring disaster to cold-loving marine life~"

"For example, last year, I saw on TV that the Great Barrier Reef, Australia's largest coral complex, had coral white flowers in some areas."

David watched his mentor's brows frowning deeper and deeper, sighed in his heart, and said slowly.

"If the research of Professors Pierre Kniss and Kari Wojtje is correct."

"Then if we focus on the flat world map, we will find it easily..."

"Canada, bear country, Australia and Africa will all be the places most prone to extreme natural disasters after the El Niño phenomenon occurs."

"South America and Europe will also be affected by abnormal weather to varying degrees."

Professor Bartlet nodded, thought for a moment, and asked with some curiosity: "What if we just look at the map of the United States?"

David raised his hand and pointed to the west, shrugged and smiled: "California on the west coast is closest to the equatorial region and close to the Pacific Ocean."

"If El Niño breaks out, California, which is short of water, is likely to experience wildfires due to high temperatures and drought, and residents' electricity and water consumption will surge."

"Florida on the east coast is closer to the equator and is close to the Atlantic Ocean."

"If it is affected by the El Niño phenomenon, there is a high probability that there will be heavy rainfall for many consecutive days, leading to extreme meteorological disasters such as floods."

"Hmm~" Professor Bartley nodded with a serious expression and asked.

"Who else have you told these speculations to?"

"No more ~ ​​only you!"

"it is good!"

"Don't tell anyone about this yet."

"When you get real data that can prove it, I will accompany you to find someone to talk about this matter."

"Find someone..?"

"Who are you looking for?" David asked hesitantly.

Professor Bartlet smiled and shook his head: "They are all acquaintances. Even if you have never met them, you should have heard their names."

"Oh..." David wisely did not ask further questions, lay back on the sofa and said.

"You think, should I make myself look stupid...better?"

Professor Bartley remained silent for a moment with a calm face, and then said in a powerful voice: "Fear of the unknown is everyone's instinct."

"Human beings naturally love warmth and sunshine, and hate cold and darkness."

"So don't hate your own instincts, and don't worry about your own weakness..."

David seemed to have been touched by his "soul" by these words spoken by his mentor. He nodded and whispered quietly.

"Infinitely expanding desire = income + risk + risk + n risks...!"

"You are right!"

"I just want to be a free bird looking for warmth and following the footsteps of spring~"

"Perhaps, I am doomed to fail."

"But I firmly believe that it is meaningful!"

"..." Professor Bartlet looked at David quietly, and after another moment of silence, he whispered.

"Let's go~ Let's go to the study first!"

"Okay..." David scratched his head with his hand and followed his tutor into the study with a smile.

----

new York.

night~

42 Eighth Avenue, at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and 660nd Street, Manhattan.

Zina Osevia Art Store.

Second floor.

Margo Ludwig's pregnant girlfriend, Janet Patrick, sat in front of a life-size bust and whispered in admiration.

"Although, I have not paid special attention to these art collections..."

"But the more I look at it, the more I like it..."

Not far behind Janet, Zina was carefully checking the auction items with a special folder in her hand, smiling.

"The one you're looking at...is lot 22."

"The appraiser from the New York branch of Christie's auction house gave the starting price of 19 yuan."

"If you really like it, I can discuss it with Kanes and sell it to you directly for 20 yuan!"

"Still...forget it~"

"I can't afford it..."

Janet looked at the artwork in front of her "greedily" and shook her head helplessly.

"Buy this painting for the price of an apartment..."

"Even if Mag supports me, I won't give up..."

"Haha~" Zina closed the folder in her hand, walked behind Janet, looked at the oil painting of the bust, and smiled.

"Kanes, after learning that I had received these collections, he once said~"

"If someone wants to give a suitable price for a certain piece of art before the auction, I can directly make the decision for him and sell it."

"It took the Rothschild family several generations to give their descendants an excellent appreciation of art!"

"This is a century-old accumulation of super-rich families, and it is simply beyond our reach..."

"Yes~"

Janet turned her head and took Zina's hand, looked at the oil painting with longing eyes for a while, and laughed to herself.

"When I was his age, no one told me how I wanted to pursue...my own life!"

"Freedom, dreams, love, and family are all what I chased when I was young..."

Zina put her hands on Janet's shoulders, her eyes gradually became "blurred" and she laughed softly.

"Me too~"

"When I came to New York alone, no one told me... Family background + personal hard work + environment + luck, all combined, can make me realize my dream!"

"When I understand this and understand New York... I am also tired and can no longer pursue those dreams of my youth..."

Janet felt very sympathetic to this and said with a wry smile: "I really want to have a drink and get drunk!"

"No! This is not possible!" Zina immediately objected.

"You want to get drunk...what about the child?"

"Ha!" Janet lowered her head and caressed her belly, saying with a happy smile on her face.

"Then let him try it too, the most fascinating thing in the world!"

"..." Zina felt speechless and rolled her eyes, patting Janet on the shoulder and asked.

"I'm hungry, how about you?"

"Oops! Did you know you didn't have dinner?"

"I'm already hungry!"

"Hahaha~" Zina laughed and bent down to kiss Janet, saying proudly.

"Let's go, I'll treat you to a big dinner!"

"Really?"

"Yes~"

“Then I want to eat at Wildfire Restaurant!”

"..." Zina curled her lips with a hint of embarrassment.

"You still want to eat six lobsters?"

"Forget it!"

"If you continue to eat, even if Mag doesn't say anything... I will be worried for you!"

"Do you want to become a fat man after giving birth?"

"Uh..." Janet, who had always been very concerned about her image, hesitated.

She struggled for a moment, then gritted her teeth and nodded: "You're right!"

"We're not going to Wildfire Restaurant, let's go..."

"I know a good place, do you want to try it?" Seeing that she finally changed her mind, Zina said quickly.

"Okay~ let's go!" Janet waved her hand crisply, and the two of them held each other's arms and went downstairs laughing.

----

Manhattan.

42nd Street, Wildfire Bar.

Harvey Washman, the head of Da Film and Television Company, suppressed his inner excitement, pulled Martin Scorsese, the director of the movie "Taxi Driver", and laughed.

"You mean...Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman can guest star in our show?"

"Yes~"

Martin, who was wearing an old brown-red jacket and looked nothing like a university professor or great director, shrugged and smiled at his new partner, the film producer Tangtang.

"They happen to be free tonight, so I asked them to come over and play together~"

"This... is simply great!" Tangtang couldn't hide the surprise on her face and couldn't help but kiss Martin passionately. She rolled her eyes at Harvey, who was still a little too excited and shouted.

"Why don't you hurry up and arrange guest roles for them?"

"Huh? Oh...Yes! Yes!"

Harvey slapped his forehead with his hand and said quickly to Martin: "In the scene we are going to shoot tonight, there is a... A down-and-out middle-class man who is strapped for money but very concerned about face. After a quarrel with his wife, he came to a bar to escape his troubles and get drunk. ~"

"You see this character, okay?"

"Okay~" Martin Citrus thought about it interestingly and nodded.

"Jon Voight, for sure, would be perfect for this role."

"Ok!"

Harvey rubbed his hands excitedly and added: "There is also a supporting character with more lines. He is an introverted father who comes to New York to find his daughter who is in college and wants to repair the relationship between father and daughter."

"He is played by Dustin Hoffman. What do you think?"

"Not bad!"

Martin smiled and gave a thumbs up and praised: "When I want to film a movie next time, I will definitely ask you to be my casting director!"

"Hahaha~"

Harvey laughed and shook his head, and invited Martin to sit in the corner of the bar. He didn't care about the attention of the people around him, and told Martin all the problems he had recently encountered during filming. .

Not far away by the bar.

Bruce Willis, who plays the bartender in the TV series, silently recited the lines he had memorized while watching Harvey chatting with Martin and Tangtang.

Madonna Sigourney, who was playing a guest role as a bartender in the distance, was lying on the bar nervously and asked in a low voice to Denzel Washington, the big black man next to her.

"They're talking about Dustin Hoffman, I know this guy."

"Jon Voight... who is he?"

The young Denzel stared at Martin Scorsese with twinkling eyes and answered subconsciously.

"Jon Voight, who starred in "Furthermore" a few years ago, was nominated for Best Picture at the 45th Academy Awards."

"Last year, he won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for "The Return", which he co-starred with Jane Fonda!"

"Uh..." Madonna's eyes widened in surprise, and she covered her mouth and whispered.

"You said that Jon Voight is the Best Actor at Cannes?"

"Yeah!" Denzel pursed his lips and nodded.

Madonna rested her right hand on the bar, cupped her chin and murmured: "Listen to you, it doesn't seem that difficult to win an award at the most famous international film festival, right?"

Denzel couldn't help but rolled his eyes wildly, and resisted the urge to complain, remaining silent.

Madonna didn't pay attention to his expression. She tilted her head and stared at the bottles of good wine on the wine rack, a little lost~

(ps: Jon Voight, born in 1938, has starred in "Four Season [-]", "Homecoming", "Inside the World", "The Wire", "Mission: Impossible", "Anaconda", "Public Enemy", "Pearl Harbor", "Tomb Raider", "National Treasure" and other films.

If you still have no idea about him, then you must know his daughter Angelina Jolie.

"Tomb Raider" is a film in which their father and daughter co-starred.

As for Dustin Hoffman, I won’t introduce him too much.

He was born in 1937 and is over 80 years old this year. .

Although he is only 1 meters tall, people who like him never care about his height, and people who hate him rarely use his height to attack him. .

He is a Hollywood superstar with a slightly eccentric personality and is not very gregarious! )