The television switched on.
It was tuned to NBC Television Station's entertainment news channel.
At this moment, Hollywood Express was airing.
Facing the camera, the anchor Mosley White said: "With Halloween approaching, North America's box-office battlefield has turned into a dragon-versus-tiger clash, treating movie-lovers to one superb horror/thriller after another."
After all the build-up, she rattled off the box-office tallies since the Halloween season began.
Lionsgate Films, Artisan Entertainment, Miramax Films, Summit Entertainment—titles rolled off her tongue like a rapid drumbeat.
"Next, let's welcome today's guest, famed Hollywood producer Mr. Steve Bing, to talk about this Halloween frame."
Under the host's invitation and the studio audience's applause, Steve Bing stepped onstage... "You're asking me about Kyle Page?"
"Heh-heh, a notorious bastard—what's there to say?"
"Fine, since you ask so sincerely and I'm in a good mood today, I'll share a few words."
"We'll get to Page's old rotten accounts in a minute."
"Right now, let's talk about this Halloween slot."
"Halloween Eve, 29 to 31 October, is unquestionably the hottest stretch; across America some fifty films will be playing, and, apart from a handful of long-runners, close to thirty are gunning for Halloween."
"But... look at the theatre bookings nationwide."
"My God!"
"On Friday the 29th, Page Pictures' new release final destination grabs 25.8 percent of all screens. Warner Bros. Pictures' the haunted house, opening the same day, manages only 24.6 percent."
"In other words,
just those two companies—Page and Warner—hog more than half the screens that day, leaving the other thirty-plus newcomers to fight over the remaining forty-something percent."
"Tsk-tsk-tsk—
what staggering, heart-wrenching unfairness!"
"As for that fellow Kyle Page, most people call him kind, but in truth he's a profit-crazed, overbearing thug. On what grounds does he monopolize so many screens?"
"Because his face is big?!"
"Utterly ridiculous!"
"I believe Page Pictures has under-the-table deals with America's three major circuits; I urge the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate. Something fishy is going on."
Steve Bing rattled on, his words razor-sharp.
The host: "..."
Holy crap.
I only asked your view of the Halloween season—dude, what are you saying?!
My God!
I've offended a multi-billionaire, Kyle Page!
Sweet heavens, this episode's going viral—I'm getting a huge bonus!
The host was secretly over the moon.
At that moment many studio viewers sat slack-jawed.
"Steve Bing, curse Kyle Page a few more times—my bonus will only grow," the hostess fretted inwardly.
She wasn't worried about reprisal.
After all, behind her stood NBC Television Station, the largest public network in America; they bash Presidents without batting an eye, let alone critique Kyle.
"Do you know ICQ chairman Visger?" Steve Bing asked.
"Of course," the hostess replied at once.
"Visger and I are close friends, and Kyle Page was once a co-founder of ICQ; he pocketed over 400 million from it. But look what he did!"
"When ICQ hit hard times, he ruthlessly dumped his shares for a killing."
"When Microsoft's MSN squeezed ICQ, he stood by coldly."
"When Visger personally begged Kyle for help, not only did he refuse, he... he verbally trashed my good friend Visger!"
"Tell me, is that even human?"
"If I raise a dog, at least it wags its tail, shows gratitude—what about Page?"
"Hah, he's lower than a mutt."
The instant the words landed, the studio audience gaped.
The hostess was thrilled.
Even the floor director and producers were screaming inside:
This episode is going to explode!
Recorded 19 October, it aired 24 October at 7 p.m.—24 October.
Once the new Hollywood Express hit NBC's entertainment channel, viewers flocked and chatter erupted.
"Seriously?"
"Kyle Page is worse than a dog? Ungrateful scum?!"
"Wow—only Steve Bing has the guts to say that outright!"
Viewers were amused, and many began questioning Kyle's character.
Bang!!!
At home, Kyle, watching the broadcast, nearly smashed his TV in rage!
"Steve Bing?"
Kyle ground his teeth.
Usually he shrugged off public opinion and focused on making money, but being called "worse than a dog" on air—no one would swallow that.
If someone slaps you, do you smile, say "no problem," and offer the other cheek for a harder hit?
That's not good temper—that's brain damage!
"And who the hell is this guy?"
"Do I even know him?"
Furious yet still rational, Kyle felt mostly bewildered.
He didn't know Steve Bing; they'd never crossed paths.
Before long
Alexander sent over Stephen Sollenberg's dossier on Bing.
Steve Bing, 34, is a "famous" Hollywood producer.
His "fame" doesn't come from skill but from identity and assets.
He's rich!
Filthy rich!
A third-generation American tycoon, his late Grandpa was a New York property magnate whose family already boasted hundreds of millions in the 1920s.
When Grandpa died in 1983, Dad inherited most, but grandson Steve still netted 600 million dollars.
He was only eighteen.
Since the eighties he's roamed Hollywood, throwing millions into films that almost always flopped—he didn't care; investing was just a ticket to mingle with starlets.
Hence, the producer who's lost money most often in Hollywood? Steve Bing, hands down.
"So what if I lose money?"
"Money's made to be spent."
"Even if the 600 million runs out, I don't sweat it—if Grandpa left me six, someday Dad will leave me a few billion more."
That's Steve Bing's life creed.
Mother—!
I don't even know you—why pick a fight, bored out of your skull?
Kyle's irritation was written all over his face.