Birth of an actor

Walked around the Harvard campus for an afternoon, saw the Jewish Brotherhood, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Radcliffe Orchestra, the Friends of the Red Cross, the Republican Club, the Magic Society, the Pan-Asian Society, the Latin American Student Union, etc. After all kinds of strange clubs, William signed up for the squash club. What surprised him was that Christopher Dixon only signed up for the Student Union in the San Francisco area. For a long time the hobbyist club turned a blind eye.

"Topher, don't tell me you're going to spend your first year in the library all year, it's going to be boring."

"Of course not," Christopher Dixon said. "I'm just, uh, it's okay to tell you right now - I want to get into the ultimate club. Although the Big Eight clubs will only admit sophomores, many things will start now." I have to prepare, for example, to participate in some fat party, make friends with club members to get a recommendation spot and so on. If I join too many amateur interest clubs in the first grade, I don’t have much time to prepare for this.”

"The Ultimate Club? The Big Eight?" William frowned slightly and thought for a while, "The ones with bees roasted pigs and Phoenix?"

The Ultimate Club, also known as the "Eight Clubs" within Harvard, is the Persian Club, the Fox Club, the Bee Club, the Phoenix Club, the Delphi Club, the Owl Club, the Flying Club, and the SPEE Club.Although the names are mostly weird, it is the top fame and fortune social place on the Harvard campus, and it is the most famous and the most low-key student secret society.

When mentioning the secret societies in prestigious schools, many people may first think of the "Skull and Bones" of Yale University - this is because of the strange name, the horror of the admission test, the mysterious legend, and the former US President George Bush (term 1989 1 1993 to January 1) was the first student secret society known to the American public.

The Skull and Bones Club, also known as the Skeleton Club or the Death Knights, was established in 1832. Every year, it passes strict tests of family background, wealth, power, personal ability, etc., and only recruits 15 fourth-year students. The big people in China are billionaires, such as the President of the United States, the Attorney General, the Supreme Court Justice, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Advisor, the senior officials of the Federal Reserve Bank, the Rockefeller family, the Bush family, the Harriman family... and countless congressmen Members of Parliament and senior cabinet officials.Therefore, in American folklore, Skull and Bones will "control the entire United States for a long time."

The two most well-known legends about Yale Skull and Bones are related to its abnormal initiation ceremony: one is that Skull and Bones members often sneak into the cemetery in the middle of the night, steal a large number of human skeleton specimens, and then store them in a secret place for use. For evil purposes; another is that new members must sleep in a coffin all night on the night of joining the club, and while lying in the coffin, describe all their sexual experiences to other members.

It is said that Yale Skull and Bones uses "descriptive experience" as its induction ceremony because before 1969, the top private aristocratic schools in the United States such as Yale, Harvard, and Princeton only recruited male undergraduates. It is conceivable that, In a campus with only the same sex, the students who are already in adolescence and are extremely curious about both genders should be suppressed so much, so they use this kind of initiation ceremony that sounds very abnormal and does not allow new members to refuse to come. Satisfy your own bad taste.

When the former US President George Bush joined Skull and Bones, he became a celebrity in the club because he told too much about his sexual experience. For the sake of talking, it has also aroused widespread attention from the American media and the public on Yale Skull and Bones. From 1988 to 1992, many reporters tried every means to go undercover at Skull and Bones in order to study the various secrets, traditions and actual influence of Skull and Bones.

As the first secret society of elite school students to come into the public eye, Yale Skull and Bones sounds mysterious, terrifying and omnipotent. In fact, other top private schools in the world, especially those that have been established for hundreds of years, also have Clubs similar to Yale Skull and Bones, and in terms of energy are not much inferior to Yale Skull and Bones, such as Harvard's Eight Clubs, Cambridge University's Cambridge Apostles, Oxford University's Burlington Club, Dartmouth University's Sphinx Club etc.

It is definitely an exaggerated adjective to say that these secret student organizations in prestigious schools can control the world, but it is not too exaggerated to say that they can guide the direction of world politics and wealth: First of all, those who can be admitted to these top 10 prestigious schools in the world Students must be the most intelligent group of people in the world. Secondly, the criteria for selecting new members in these top clubs of prestigious schools are similar—male, born in a political and business family, noble blood (blue blood), amazing wealth and power, and good manners , Outstanding personal ability - the entry gate of the club has been determined. When these members enter the society after graduation, what a powerful and wealthy social circle they will form. This is why in major schools, every year some people break Head, being teased and teased is also the reason for being invited to a top club.

Christopher Dixon was very surprised: "Do you have any family or friends who went to Harvard?"

His subtext is: If not, how would William know the specific name of Harvard's ultimate club?

Because of former President Bush, the Yale Skull and Bones Club was once favored by the tabloid media, and it is still widely known in the United States, but Harvard’s ultimate clubs have always been very low-key. Although the Internet is available today, it is not yet developed, and people can get advice. It mainly relies on TV, books, newspapers and word of mouth—the American public probably knows that Harvard has an organization similar to Yale Skull and Bones through reading newspapers, but few people know exactly which clubs it is.

"My father, Edwin Bradley, was a business school student."

Christopher Dixon showed a dazed expression: "Then he explained to you the ultimate Harvard clubs?"

William shook his head and said, "He passed away before he could tell me these things. I learned about the existence of these clubs from his Harvard study notes when I was sorting out his belongings."

Edwin left a lot of personal items after his death, including a large pile of study notes, reading notes and diaries. William reframed the study notes and reading notes and preserved them. He used to read them from time to time when he went to school, hoping to find some How did Edwin get into a prestigious school, but William never read the diary. Out of respect for Edwin's privacy, he just sealed the diary and put it away.

"Sorry, really sorry," Christopher Dixon said apologetically, "I'm sorry to have mentioned your grief."

"It's nothing, Edwin passed away for several years, and I have come out of the grief." William replied: "Phoenix Bee Club and the like, I also heard from friends, I used to be in Calgate School in New York Went to school, there were a lot of Harvard reserves there."

"I know Calgate School. The two best in Harvard's ultimate club, Persleng and Phoenix, Persleng mainly absorbs the children from New England families, and Phoenix is ​​targeting the group of billionaires on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York. Millionaire." Christopher Dixon looked William up and down again, and said with a little shock: "It's hard to imagine that you came out of Calgate, but you are not arrogant at all-the students in that school are not always superior to others. famous?"

William shrugged: "Most students are like this, but there are exceptions." He thought of Lance. Although Lance always treats people with a cold look, he is actually a gentleman inside and never takes People are judged by their nostrils, but no matter whether they are "old money" or tramps in the subway, they have the same attitude to intersect. Anyone who has been in contact with Lance can be sure of this.

"I believe Calgate's students are not all arrogant bastards, Will, at least you are definitely not." Christopher Dixon asked William with a smile: "Which club are you aiming at, Phoenix? I want to go to Phoenix, If not, Delphi or Flying Club would be good too. Of course, a pig roast is out of my mind."

The Roast Pig Club refers to the Bosleyan Club. It got this nickname because the members of the early club had a plate of roast pork on the menu when they had dinner every week. At the top of the list, the selection criteria are even harsher. When the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, married his daughter to White House spokesman Nicholas Longworth, he used "Nicholas and I are both Persian Club." To emphasize the wealth of the son-in-law.When Franklin Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, was studying at Harvard, he wanted to enter the Porcellian Club as the nephew of Theodore Roosevelt, but was rejected by Porcellian because he was not qualified enough. It was not until Franklin Roosevelt was elected President of the United States. , All once said: "It is the biggest regret in my life not to be selected into Persleng." This sentence.

William said indifferently, "I wouldn't even apply for an ultimate club, probably."

"why?"

"Because I'm not planning to go into politics or Wall Street after graduation, and their membership fees are too high, tens of thousands of dollars a year, just to eat, drink, play and disrupt. You know I'm an actor, Topher. I'm afraid I don't A lot of time can be spent at these crazy parties."

Christopher Dixon pondered William's words for a long time, and both of them wandered back from the campus to the dormitory building.

"You're really thoughtful, Will, although your body is only 20 years old—is it 20 years old?" After seeing William's gesture, Christopher Dixon blinked his wide-open eyes: "Okay, 19 If you are 19 years old, then I am even more surprised. Your thinking is not like what a [-]-year-old should have. To be honest, I went to university four years longer than you, and I was still in the Department of Philosophy, but I don’t feel it at all. own superiority in IQ and thought.”

"My soul is much older than yours." William said with a serious smile.

"Haha!" Christopher Dixon took this as a joke: "Maybe you have really experienced a lot of things, I can feel it."

"William Bradley!"

When the two walked into Harvard Elm Building, the dormitory supervisor of the dormitory building leaned out half of his body from his room and called William's name.

"Mr. Robert?" William stopped and greeted the dormitory supervisor.

"There's a man named Amon Goffman calling for you," said Housemaster Robert.

"Thank you." After thanking the dormitory supervisor, William waved goodbye to Christopher Dixon who went upstairs, then found an idle public phone, put a coin in and dialed Amon's number: "Hi, Amon."

"Hi Will, how was college life?"

"It looks good so far."

"Where's your roommate?"

"Christopher Dixon, an MBA student, looks like a Nerd on the outside, but is actually very thoughtful. I can foresee that we will get along happily in at least the next year."

"Did you meet any groupies?"

"Where do you think I am, a regional middle school in Los Angeles?" William couldn't help but rolled his eyes secretly into the microphone: "Harvard students are generally calm and rational, and some of them are even too indifferent, at least what I observed-today In the restaurant, a girl tried to chat with the person sitting her, and all she got was a very rude 'you interrupted my reading'. However, this kind of wandering around the campus will not be regarded as strange It feels great to look at."

"Enjoy your college life——" As a Jewish agent, being able to say a few words about his living conditions to William has already made Amon Goffman look at William very differently, and he really regards William as a friend, not just The customer is gone, if you change to someone else, even if it is an A-level customer, don't think about Amon Goffman nagging at the other party like a butler: "But don't enjoy it too much, don't forget your My job is to be an actor.”

Amon Goffman quickly cut to the chase: "I remember that you took a lot of AP courses when you were in Santa Monica. If you don't pursue to complete the credits before graduation, your four-year college life should not be so stressful. Occasionally Can you spare a few months?"

The full name of AP is college advanced course. Middle school students can apply for AP courses in high school, complete some university courses and exams, and transfer tuition fees when they are in college, so as to reduce college credits, education costs, and shorten education time.

William was annoyed by Amon's nagging, so he deliberately said bluntly: "Okay, Ami, I know what you want to say. What's the new script?"

"I'll FedEx the script to you. I've made notes on those who need to audition and those who don't, and—" Armand Goffman's tone was still satisfied one second before, and the next second Just clouded: "No! Do! Call! Me! Ah! Mi! (Armi)"

"Amido is cute."

"One! Point! Both! No! Yes! Love! Childish! Ridiculous!"

"Mrs. Goffman will be very sad to hear that."

"...Just had a meal at my house, don't pretend that you and my mother are very close!"

"Originally." William said with a smile: "Mrs. Goffman wrote to me last week. She said she would go to the cinema to support my new movie."

Amon Goffman was indeed distracted, and he was full of thoughts on how to persuade his mother to watch "Romeo and Juliet Modern Edition" instead of "Scream"-"Scream" is definitely not suitable for a family. A 63-year-old man whose hobbies include gardening and baking besides weaving.

……

Joanna Rowling sat in the spacious and bright drawing room of Waddington Press, feeling a little dizzy with great joy and confusion-or maybe it was the cup of delicious black tea in her hand.

She is 31 years old, has a failed marriage, a 3-year-old daughter Jessica, no job, living on government relief, and spent five years writing a novel "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", which failed to submit 12 times, feeling like I was "the worst failure I've ever seen".

Because postpartum depression has not been treated well, Joanna Rowling has been suffering from severe depression for three years, and even thought of committing suicide at one point—if it wasn’t for her inability to let go of her young daughter and her love for writing, maybe She had already committed suicide.

July 7 is Joanna Rowling's birthday, and her birthday wish this year is: "Please let Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone be published!"

But the subtext that Joanna Rowling didn't say was: "Ten years after graduating from college, I still live a worthless life. If there is no sunshine, maybe I won't be able to persist."

Perhaps it was a birthday wish, or maybe God was finally willing to take care of his people. Two weeks ago, Bloomsbury, a small London publishing house, informed Joanna Rowling that her manuscript had passed the first review because the publisher The boss's 8-year-old daughter seems to like reading this novel very much. When Rowling was full of expectations for Bloomsbury, Waddington Press, which had rejected her, also changed her mind!

To be honest, Joanna Rowling was more inclined to Bloomsbury Press at first, because Bloomsbury was the first to express her favor for her novels, but after comprehensive consideration, Joanna Rowling Rowling still chose to sign with Waddington, firstly because Bloomsbury only paid £1500 for the manuscript, while Waddington received £5000 for the manuscript, and secondly because Bloomsbury was still reviewing "The Sorcerer's Stone". ", even if the book is to be published, it is estimated that it will be next summer at the earliest, and Waddington's editor-in-chief has already called her to say that as long as Rowling agrees to sign the contract, the novel will be proofread immediately, and the book will be published before Christmas. .

This means that if Joanna Rowling chooses Waddington Press, she will not only get her manuscript remuneration before the end of the year, but also get a little more-yes, as a single mother, she, although not under government assistance As for being unable to afford food and living in a house with heating, they are also very poor and far from living with enough food and clothing.Five thousand pounds is really a lot of money for Joanna Rowling now.

The signing with Waddington Publishing House went smoothly. Barry, who is in charge of the children's book section, sealed the publishing contract almost on the spot when he met her, and he also put forward an additional condition - the "Harry Potter" series The film and television rights were sold to Waddington together-this was a condition that surprised and surprised Joanna Rowling.

Seriously, who doesn't want to earn money?Of course, Joanna Rowling also wants to sell film and television rights, but she has concerns. This concern is that Waddington Press is only a medium-sized publishing house, perhaps a little larger than Bloomsbury, but it has never I heard that it has something to do with film and television or even animation production?Although Joanna Rowling loves money, she loves her work even more.

When the editor-in-chief Barry told Joanna Rowling that Waddington Publishing was just a subsidiary of a large group, Rowling's expression was: "Huh?" I didn't believe it.

When editor-in-chief Barry told Joanna Rowling that her parent company's surname was Roderick, Rowling's expression was: "?!" That American military giant? ! .

——What if I wonder if Waddington can make "Harry Potter" into a film and television?

But Rowling ultimately leaned toward selling the film and television rights, on the condition that she speak to someone who could determine the terms of the contract and make her own demands.

Joanna Rowling has made a small admission of her selfish desire to see what one of the world's most mysterious billionaires really looks like.Roderick Industrial Group is well-known not only in the United States, but also in the world, and the fact that Roderick Industrial Group will never go public has added a lot of mystery to the Roderick family, the owner of the group.

That is why, at this very moment, Joanna Rowling is waiting in the drawing room of Waddington Press.

Raising her wrist and looking at the time, Joanna Rowling found that there were only two or three minutes left before the agreed time.

"Mr. Roderick, this way please."

Hearing the voice from outside the door, Joanna Rowling stood up, straightened the corners of her skirt, and raised her head following the sound of the door being pushed.

A well-dressed young gentleman walked in. His facial features were surprisingly exquisite. To be honest, his facial features were a bit feminine, but his demeanor could not be underestimated. The room, he was the first one to see.

Joanna Rowling was seated by the window, and the sunlight came in from the window, shining on the young man, making her whole body shine.

Joanna Rowling was almost dumbfounded.

'Exactly like the Draco Malfoy I imagined... the grown-up version. ’ thought Joanna Rowling.