[Chapter 90: Gambino Family]
Orlando had never been as indifferent to the sales of his singles as he was now. That's right, he simply didn't care.
When his first single had been released online, he would practically check in with everyone around him about its sales seven or eight times a day.
Now, the single, Counting Stars, had been out for a week, and he'd only asked about its sales twice -- once on release day, and once now. Nothing else.
It was just a matter of perspective.
When his first single launched, he was a nobody -- just some good looks and a bit of luck climbing Daisy's influential connections. At the same time, he was a newcomer recently recognized by Warner Records.
And now? He was already riding the wave of the Arkansas dynasty that was about to take off. His horizons had broadened many times over.
He still cared about sales, of course. After all, he earned a few dollars for every copy sold.
"As of yesterday, Counting Stars has officially been online for eight days," Frank said with a smile. "560,000 copies sold in the first week! It's clear pop-rock is more popular than country these days."
In today's American music industry, first-week sales of over half a million copies were a remarkable achievement.
Orlando was actually quite pleased to hear the number, but he still shook his head. "I remember you telling me that the Beatles' I Want to Hold Your Hand sold over a million copies in its first week. And Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel -- that was over 30 years ago -- also sold over a million copies in the first week."
[T/N: I think I Want to Hold Your Hand sold about 300K in the first week and 1 million by 3rd week. As for Heartbreak Hotel, it should only be around 100K. If anyone has correct numbers, please let me know and I will update the numbers.]
"You can't compare those," Frank quickly argued. "When Heartbreak Hotel and I Want to Hold Your Hand came out, Elvis and the Beatles were already established superstars for years. And you? You haven't even been in the business for half a year yet!"
Orlando didn't reply but instead ran the numbers in his head: "560,000 copies in the first week, $3-4 per copy on average. So as of yesterday, Counting Stars has brought me about $2 million. Deducting your 10%, that's $1.8 million. Then taxes take another 5 to 8%. I should be netting over $1.7 million."
Hearing Orlando's math, Frank pulled a few documents from his briefcase and scanned them. Finally, the agent nodded. "That sounds about right, but there's more to come. Warner predicts this single will outperform your last one. It's on track to be another diamond-level hit. You're looking at at least $30 million from this single alone."
"Thirty million dollars... that'll take years to sell," Orlando said.
"Yes, but we and Warner Bros. believe you'll hit diamond status for sure!"
"Well, that keeps me interested in singing. You know, Frank -- if it was only two or three million, Orlando Investment Company sometimes makes that back in a day."
Frank just sighed inwardly.
Seriously, no matter the industry, nothing made money faster than Wall Street. In less than three months, with $40 million invested, his company had already made nearly $100 million in profit.
What industry could boast that kind of insane profit?
Maybe only a handful of illegal ones.
Though Wall Street often flirted with the edge of legality, it was never outright illegal. And it was more mainstream than any other business. The prestige and influence that came with success in finance dwarfed that of any other field.
Frank carefully considered his tone, trying to encourage Orlando gently: "Focus more on your music career. Because no matter how much you make on Wall Street, I don't get a dime. But with your music and acting, I get 10%."
Ring~ ring~ ring~
Right then, Frank's cell phone rang inside his briefcase.
...
Two years ago, the global wireless communications industry had shifted to a new standard -- digital signals -- the GSM mobile phone technology of the future.
As the world's undisputed superpower and leading tech hub, the United States was one of the first to roll out GSM signal coverage nationwide.
At that time, most developed countries still used analog signals -- the clunky "brick" cell phones of the previous generation.
But in the U.S., around most major cities, digital signals were live.
Compared to analog, digital phones were sleeker, smaller, and had better reception -- often reaching across regional borders instead of just city limits.
"Hello, this is Frank," he said quickly into the phone.
"Wow, seriously? I see, he's right here with me now! OK, I'll tell him right away and get back to you!"
Frank hung up, excitement clear in his voice.
"Good news, Orlando!" he said.
"Hm?"
"Seymour just called -- Time magazine wants to do an exclusive interview with you!"
"Time?"
"Yes, Time Magazine." Frank was practically vibrating with excitement. "Time is one of the biggest names in print media. It's the flagship voice for news, with millions of readers nationwide. Only the biggest leaders and top figures get exclusive interviews. Did you know it wasn't until last year, after his world tour, that Michael Jackson got a solo interview with Time?"
"I get it," Orlando nodded.
Compared to Frank's enthusiasm, Orlando was thinking further.
Earlier that year, Time Inc. and Warner Bros. had merged -- one of the largest mergers in history.
News outlets called it the "marriage of giants."
It combined Time Inc.'s powerful magazine empire -- Time, People, Sports Illustrated, Fortune -- with Warner Bros.' movie studio, massive music division (Warner Music), and promising cable TV assets like HBO.
The merger theoretically created a vertically integrated entertainment giant connecting content creation and distribution.
But Time Warner was still years away from fully integrating those strengths.
It was in that painful in-between phase many mega-mergers suffered -- sometimes they didn't survive.
Orlando was now one of Warner Music's most famous young talents besides Madonna and the Eagles.
And he had an advantage those legends didn't -- youth and fresh creativity.
What the public didn't see was what top execs at Time Warner knew well: He was Daisy Cuomo's boyfriend -- a powerhouse from two influential New York families, the Cuomo and Morgenthau.
He was close to Arkansas's governor and his wife.
On the surface, he was just a second-tier superstar -- below megastars like MJ and Madonna -- but definitely not without foundation.
"...next week?" Orlando asked Frank.
"Yeah. Tell Diana to rearrange your schedule so you can take the interview," Frank said.
These were opportunities most Grammy or Oscar winners could only dream of. How could he say no?
---
The next day, noon sunlight poured through the vast floor-to-ceiling windows of Orlando's Manhattan apartment, bathing the living room in golden light.
Central Park outside was vibrant in the sunshine.
Daisy Cuomo sipped her hand-brewed coffee and flipped through the newspaper.
She had just arrived last night.
This wasn't her old place, but a luxury duplex on the second floor in Manhattan Orlando had bought months ago and spent nearly three months renovating.
During the renovations, Daisy even helped -- mostly handling paperwork with New York's Architectural Association and Historic Preservation groups. Normally, that bureaucratic process would have taken at least two months. After Daisy's intervention, it got cut down to just half a month.
So what should have been a six-month renovation was finished in just three. Clearly, connections still mattered -- even for the rich.
"You're meeting John Gotti this afternoon?" Daisy suddenly asked, setting down her paper. Her beautiful eyes fixed on the man who still drove her crazy from last night.
"Yeah, Bill introduced me."
"Bill... sounds like you really know that couple well."
"Not as well as you and me," Orlando grinned.
Across from her, Orlando lounged in silk pajamas, enjoying lunch.
The menu was a seasonal customized spread from his private chef.
Appetizer: Mediterranean red shrimp salad with caviar.
Entree: slow-braised M9 Wagyu beef with black truffle sauce, or pan-seared Icelandic cod with fresh asparagus.
Paired with sommelier's white wine, all savored quietly by the sunny window.
Afterwards, fresh Gesha coffee and handmade petit fours.
Daisy finished eating, now savoring the mellow Gesha coffee.
"I'm just cooperating with them. My real heart belongs to you, my dear Daisy!"
Orlando said with sincere cheesy charm, not even skipping a beat.
His worldview had been shaped by the Clinton couple.
After hanging out with Madonna and Hillary so much, he'd evolved -- maybe become a bit of a charmer.
He could now make any woman around him his favorite -- as long as no other women were nearby.
"But I heard..." Daisy narrowed her beautiful eyes, a flicker of suspicion there. "You and Bill's wife lived together in Beverly Hills for a while?"
Orlando didn't even flinch. "Yeah."
"But..." He smiled. "We were staying at Madonna's place. Between her bodyguards, maids, and the security Bill sent over, it was full house."
"By the way, let's talk about John Gotti. I've heard a lot -- the Gambino family is pretty powerful." He changed the subject, looking at Daisy. "Dear Daisy, can you tell me more?"
But that was last night.
When he returned home, he'd sent someone to pick Daisy up.
Seconds after Daisy got there, a call came in from Arkansas.
On the phone, Bill told Orlando he had contacts in New York who might be useful. If Orlando was interested, Bill would introduce him.
Of course, Orlando was definitely interested.
So Bill sent him a list.
At the top was John Gotti.
That morning, while Daisy still slept, Orlando started calling everyone on the list.
Most were just formal "nice to meet you" conversations.
But the one at the top -- even though Bill said Gotti was the most important -- was the most eager and humble.
The other party even invited Orlando to meet that afternoon.
Orlando kept quiet about the real connections behind the list and Arkansas couple from Daisy.
After all, Daisy was his first woman.
But it was Hillary's belly that grew bigger first. And it was the Clintons' camp that started gaining power first in New York's radical scene.
Although they had a good relationship, they weren't family.
Cuomo and Morgenthau, Daisy's backing families, both came from the New York establishment.
For both public and private reasons, Orlando couldn't tell Daisy everything.
Still, he didn't hide that he was meeting John Gotti that afternoon.
"The Gambino family and John Gotti..." Daisy thought for a moment and then said, "Gambino's name is legendary. I guess you know a bit. But you should know, they don't hold the power they used to. As for John Gotti, things are rough. Everyone knows Giuliani's biggest goal is to put him behind bars. Besides, you're a celebrity. Getting involved with someone like that could cause serious problems for you."
"So... should I not go?"
"No, you should go."
*****
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