The once warm and festive atmosphere turned icy in an instant due to the standoff between Dunn and Michael Eisner. It felt like the air around them had dropped a few degrees.
Executives from Dunn Films, Marvel Entertainment, and Universal Pictures were sweating bullets for Dunn.
Standing across from him was Michael Eisner!
The pressure he exuded was so intense that even seasoned Hollywood veterans would struggle to breathe under it.
This face-to-face clash was thrilling but so tense it was suffocating!
Dunn's hands, clasped behind his back, were sweaty. He could even feel a bead of sweat trickling down his spine.
No wonder they called him Michael Eisner—his mere gaze and expression carried an overwhelming sense of intimidation.
But Dunn wasn't backing down!
In moments like this, the best way to dodge pressure was to shift his focus.
This was a trick Natalie, a Harvard psychology major, had taught him—techniques like "breath observation," "target redirection," "self-suggestion," and "mental dialogue." They were designed to help Dunn quickly shake off work stress, relax, and recharge.
Right now, facing Eisner's pressure, Dunn locked eyes with him while letting his mind wander elsewhere.
"Finally back in L.A. Penelope Cruz, that Spanish bombshell, is still crashing at the hillside estate. She's probably living it up. I should head back tonight and have some fun myself!"
"Little Taylor mentioned she wrote a new song. Tomorrow, I'll make time to listen. That kid's getting cuter by the day, but her rebellious streak's growing too. Gotta straighten her out."
"Tim Burton said the world-building for Pirates League is taking shape, and with Johnny Depp on board, he's got some fresh ideas. We should have a meeting to dig into it."
"The acquisition of Dick Clark's TV production company is looking solid. The major shareholders are on board with selling. Now it's just a matter of filing with the exchange to delist and go fully private."
"Nina Jacobson's on maternity leave for six months…"
Dunn's mind was buzzing, hopping from one thought to another.
Michael Eisner was thrown off. What was going on?
Was this kid nuts? Staring at him like that without moving—had he heard wrong, or did Dunn have some secret crush? That gaze was way too intense!
Even lovers in the heat of passion didn't lock eyes like that without blinking!
Eisner, who'd come in guns blazing, started to feel uneasy under Dunn's unwavering stare.
This kid's composure was unreal!
He had no idea Dunn's thoughts were already a million miles away.
Eisner couldn't take it anymore. He took a deep breath, let out a heavy grunt, and said, "So, what's your solution?"
"Huh?" Dunn snapped back to reality, cleared his throat, and said seriously, "Simple. I just want fairness!"
"Fairness?" Eisner squinted, eyeing him skeptically.
Dunn nodded calmly. "Exactly. Fairness. This ban mess has caused a lot of bad blood, and I want to clear it up as soon as possible. But Disney's ban on Dunn Films has been out for over a month, while our ban on Disney's only been out for half that. Time-wise, it's not balanced."
Everyone caught Dunn's drift.
He wanted Disney to make the first move, publicly announcing they were lifting their ban on Dunn Films.
Then, half a month later, Dunn Films would reciprocate by ending their ban on Disney.
Whether Dunn was being sincere or just playing a con—if he tricked Eisner into lifting Disney's ban first, Disney would be left in an awkward spot.
Even if Dunn was genuine, and Dunn Films followed through half a month after Disney, that time gap carried huge symbolic weight.
It would send a clear message: in the showdown between Dunn Films and Disney, Disney surrendered, begged for peace, and backed down first!
Then, half a month later, Dunn Films, in a "gracious" move, would lift their ban, as if forgiving Disney for their good behavior.
Disney could never stomach that outcome!
Eisner saw through Dunn's sly intentions and shot it down flat. "No way!"
Dunn shrugged casually, his tone calm. "I'm a man of principle. If someone owes me ten bucks, they pay ten bucks—not a cent less. But if they try to slip me an extra penny, I won't take it."
Eisner waved a hand dismissively, his voice cold. "No matter what, I'm not agreeing to that!"
Dunn's expression hardened instantly. "Then we've got nothing to talk about!"
"You!" Eisner took a deep breath, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Dunn, do you realize what you just said?"
The sharp threat in his tone made Ron Meyer tense up. He quickly tried to smooth things over. "Dunn, listen to me. There's no need to fuss over half a month. If Dunn Films and Disney both announce the end of the bans at the same time, this whole farce is over."
Dunn gave a scornful snort and shook his head. "No deal!"
Eisner's voice dropped, heavy with warning. "Dunn, if Disney lifts the ban half a month early, do you know what that means? Do you know the kind of pressure Disney would face?"
Dunn burst into wild, arrogant laughter. After a long moment, he calmed down and said icily, "Disney's under pressure? What about Dunn Films' pressure? Back in early August, Disney upended the market with no reason for no reason. During that half-month, wasn't Dunn Films under pressure, fighting to avoid bankruptcy?"
Bill Mechanic, steady and seasoned, kept his cool, but Dunn's inner circle—his loyal crew—shared his fiery spirit.
Glenn Fierro spoke up loudly, "Half a month, and Disney's just bruised its ego a bit and can't handle it? Do you know what Dunn Films went through in that half-month? We were staring down the barrel of collapse! Mr. Eisner, your double standards are sickening!"
Eisner's face darkened, and he snapped, "Who are you? Do you even have a say here?"
Glenn Fierro, brimming with boldness, shot back, "I'm Glenn—Glenn Fierro, from Dunn Films' production department, producer of Spider-Man. Mr. Eisner, I know you've got power, influence, and status in Hollywood. One word from you can ruin someone. But let me tell you, if you've got a problem, bring it to me!"
Eisner was livid, glaring at Dunn. "Dunn, this is your staff?"
Dunn smirked faintly. "Mr. Eisner, save your intimidation tactics. They won't work on me or Dunn Films. Let me be real with you: Dunn Films is a scrappy outfit. A few years ago, I was a gofer on set, and Glenn was just a printing shop worker. Even if we lose everything, it's no big deal!"
Another of Dunn's loyalists stepped up—his assistant and close friend, George Paxton. With a mix of disdain and resolve, he said, "We're not afraid to go barefoot against your fancy shoes. We've lived dirt-poor before and can do it again. Dunn Films doesn't have cowards. If it's a fight, we'll fight for real!"
"Yeah, who's scared of who? What's so great about Disney?" Andrew O'Hare joined Dunn's side, his aggressive stare locked on Eisner. "This time, Disney picked the wrong target. Dunn Films would rather die than grovel!"
Seasoned Hollywood pros like Bill Mechanic and Wes Coton might be wary of Eisner's clout.
But Glenn Fierro, Andrew O'Hare, and others Dunn had pulled up from the bottom through his "sunglasses system" didn't care about any of that.
Michael Eisner?
Big deal!
In their eyes, there was only Dunn and Dunn Films!
In this critical moment, the grit Gen AI determination and guts shown by Dunn's loyal crew filled him with both excitement and gratitude.
This was the effect he wanted!
A company's strength isn't just about profits—it's about loyalty and camaraderie!
Disney's cutthroat approach—casting out even its own legends and the Disney family for pure profit—Dunn could only scoff at.
Dunn Films' relentless pushback left Eisner, who'd been dominating the room, stumbling. He took three steps back, barely steadying himself.
Eisner's face paled, his earlier swagger gone, especially when faced with Dunn's "heavyweight" crew. His eyes even showed a hint of fear.
He was genuinely worried that if things escalated, these rough-around-the-edges guys might actually jump him.
"Dunn, what exactly do you want?" Eisner's voice was shaky, almost trembling.
Dunn, hands in his pockets, flanked by his loyal "guardians," looked even more imposing. His expression was stern, his words resolute: "I told you, I want fairness!"
"Why did Disney issue a baseless ban out of the blue?"
"Disney started their ban half a month before ours. Why should both companies end it at the same time?"
"I want an explanation. I want fair treatment. I want an apology from Disney!"
Dunn deliberately raised his voice for those last few lines, ensuring nearly everyone at the celebration could hear him loud and clear.
His words rang with conviction!
His presence was commanding!
His stature was towering!
His courage was earth-shaking!
Facing Disney's top dog, Michael Eisner, Dunn laid out his "three demands" with unyielding resolve, showing the world that Disney wasn't untouchable!