Chapter 27: Chapter 200 – Chills

 

Everyone present seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as they had been a little worried that Eric would stubbornly choose the best screenwriter award. After all, the current Eric has achieved a success in box office that most people wouldn’t be able to match in a lifetime, so it was likely for him to have a stronger desire for personal film awards. If The Others won the Silver Lion Award, it would belong to the entire team, but if it won the best screenplay award, it would belong to Eric, alone.

"Eric, it's actually not a big deal. I think the Oscars is your real stage." As if to appease Eric, Bill Gallo joked and Jonathan Demme nodded quickly.

Eric shrugged casually, "Thank you, Bill, if only the old men of the Academy thought so as well."

The group laughed and talked some more before they separated. Eric returned to his room alone with the information about John Landis. This time, to avoid suspicion, Virginia did not live with him, while his assistant Alan lived in another suite downstairs.

There were still a few hours before night in Venice, while the east coast of the US was still in the morning, so even though he spent more than ten hours on the plane, his internal clock resulted in him not feeling too tired.

After reading the information of John Landis, Eric stayed in his room until 7 o'clock in the evening before changing clothes and going out to meet him. The agreed upon place was in a restaurant near the boutique hotel. Eric did not need a guide nor did he bring a date. Virginia is the female lead of The Others. As a result, if she was seen having dinner with one of the judges, it would definitely result in controversy. In comparison, Eric could remain anonymous. Even if he was seen having dinner with John Landis, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

John Landis was about 40 years old, wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses on his large nose. He had a beard and a standard Jewish appearance.

‘It's another Jew!’ Eric sighed as he thought.