A modern man in 1930’s Americas

Encounter

"Boss, this is today's newspaper. Miss Garbo is on her way."

Elan placed the newspaper on the table in front of Charlie Lee.

"Alright, make sure the hotel is decorated, and tell the housekeeper to put fresh roses in her room," Charlie said casually, picking up the newspaper to glance through it.

Jane Harlow came to mind as he skimmed through the pages. Charlie vividly remembered the allure and charm she exuded—seductive yet tender, with a magnetism that could enthrall anyone.

As he flipped through older issues, Charlie came across something that piqued his interest—a feature on "Hell's Angels." In his opinion, it was just another ploy by someone eager to rub shoulders with him while promoting their new movie.

The article described the film as the passion project of Howard Hughes, the son of a former oil tycoon. It detailed how Hughes had poured his energy and resources into Hollywood, leaving behind the oil empire his family had built.

After inheriting the business, Hughes had confidently handed it over to a team of managers and collaborators while diving headfirst into filmmaking. It wasn't just a hobby; his first movie had been a $80,000 production that ended up destroyed in a fire. Undeterred, Hughes partnered with a talented director, Lewis Milestone, and within two years, they had released three profitable films. One of these, Two Arabian Knights, even earned an Academy Award for Best Director.

Charlie read on, his curiosity deepening. Hughes's latest venture, Hell's Angels, was nothing short of audacious. A war epic centered around airplanes, the production had required 1,700 extras, 87 airplanes, and an astounding $400,000 just to create the sets.

The total cost? A jaw-dropping $4 million. Charlie couldn't help but marvel.

To put it in perspective, the biggest productions by Hollywood's top eight studios typically cost no more than $500,000, with smaller companies producing quality films for just $100,000. Charlie compared the numbers to his own ventures—he had bought five copper mines for $2.3 million and acquired PepsiCo for $2 million. Even prime ranch land only cost $600 per acre, and premium downtown apartments went for under $20,000.

In modern terms, Hughes's $4 million budget was equivalent to $1.2 billion.

"He spent $1.2 billion to make a movie," Charlie mused aloud, shaking his head in disbelief.

The article continued to delve into Hughes's obsession with aviation. He had flown solo at the age of 14 and personally piloted planes during the filming of Hell's Angels, even suffering a minor concussion after a crash.

"My dream is to be the best pilot in the world, and one day I will achieve it," Hughes was quoted as saying, his passion evident even in print.

"Find a way to meet him," Charlie instructed, setting the newspaper down with a grin. "He might make a perfect test pilot."

A mischievous thought crossed his mind. "If this movie flops, it'll be easier to buy him out."

As Charlie plotted how to turn Hughes into an ally, Greta Garbo's flight touched down at Chicago Airport.

"Katherine, does it bother you that I brought you along?" Garbo asked, stepping off the plane with her characteristic poise.

"You're a contract actress for DreamWorks now," Garbo replied simply, brushing off her companion's nerves as they walked toward the waiting car.

"Miss Garbo, welcome to Chicago. The Pommel Hotel extends its warmest greetings. It's an honor to have you with us," the housekeeper said with a graceful bow, her hands clasped neatly in front of her.

"Thank you," Garbo replied, her slight curtsy a picture of elegance.

Katherine, feeling out of place beside Garbo's effortless grace, managed an awkward smile. "Did I seem rude just now?" she whispered as they got into the car.

"Don't worry about it. Just focus on what's ahead," Garbo reassured her calmly.

Relieved, Katherine turned her attention to the city passing by outside the car window. Despite her strong-willed personality, Katherine was determined to make an impression in Hollywood.

The car pulled up to the Pommel Hotel, where Elan greeted them warmly. "Welcome, Miss Garbo. The boss is already waiting for you."

"Just call me Greta, Elan," Garbo replied with a faint smile. Over time, she had grown familiar with Charlie's inner circle and recognized Elan as his trusted aide.

Elan, perceptive as always, sensed Garbo's attempt to forge a friendly connection. Her loyalty, however, remained unwavering. For Elan, the only guiding principle was to align her actions with Charlie's wishes.

Inside the hotel suite, Charlie stood from the sofa and greeted Garbo with open arms. "Greta!"

Garbo, maintaining her aloof demeanor, introduced Katherine with minimal fanfare. "Katherine Hepburn, a new DreamWorks contract actress. She's here for promotional purposes."

With that, she walked past them into the suite, leaving Charlie momentarily speechless.

"Well, that was brief," Charlie muttered, turning his attention to Katherine. "Welcome, Katherine. Please, have a seat."

"Thank you," Katherine replied, her nervousness evident.

"Relax. I'm just your boss, not a tiger," Charlie joked, heading to the bar. "What would you like to drink?"

"QD, please," Katherine said, remembering it was his favorite beer.

"You like QD too? Excellent choice," Charlie said, handing her a glass.

After a few sips, he asked, "Have we met before? You look familiar."

"Yes, we ran into each other on Oscar night," Katherine said, smiling politely.

"Ah, that's right. Small world!" Charlie raised his glass for a toast.

As they chatted, Katherine mentioned her Broadway background, emphasizing her experience playing strong, unconventional roles. She made it clear that she was determined to succeed in Hollywood and rise to the top.

Charlie, intrigued by her confidence, nodded thoughtfully. "With your ambition and talent, I'm sure you'll go far. DreamWorks made a good choice signing you."

Katherine smiled, feeling encouraged by his words.

Meanwhile, Garbo observed the exchange from the suite's balcony, her expression unreadable. She had learned to navigate the complexities of Hollywood and understood the importance of forging alliances. Yet, as she watched Charlie engage with Katherine, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of unease.