After the fundraiser that evening, the media did not immediately break the story of Rudy Giuliani's improper comments during the Milken investigation. Instead, several New York papers ran pointed pieces about the event itself.
James Rebould was not surprised.s
David Dinkins called him again Sunday evening, expressing veiled gratitude, confirmation enough that the information was usable.
The mayoral vote was not until November; the most damaging revelations against an opponent were best timed close to the polls.
The new week brought completion of Westeros Company's month-long tech-stock reduction. All six targeted holdings, including Apple, were fully liquidated.
Relative to pre-reduction prices, the six stocks lost about 6% in value during the sell-off. Westeros realized $469 million in cash.
On the other side, though Westeros allocated $500 million to Cersei Capital, Simon's original $200 million, deployed before other funds arrived had already generated solid gains. Westeros needed only to add $270 million to reach the full $500 million commitment.
After deducting the Cersei transfer, adding a portion of Daenerys Entertainment's audited profits and Westeros's own reserves, New York still had $260 million available.
While trimming Apple and the others, at Simon's instruction James had quietly accumulated Microsoft and Intel shares.
On March 16, Westeros notified the SEC and media of the increased stakes.
The Wall Street Journal reported that over the past month Westeros bought 1.55 million Microsoft shares, bringing its total to 5.25 million, 10.19% ownership and 5.5 million Intel shares, lifting the total to 18.5 million, or 10.08%.
The purchases cost $253 million total: $85 million for Microsoft, $168 million for Intel.
Following the announcement, both stocks rose sharply over the next two trading days.
By Friday, March 17 close, Microsoft's market cap reached $3.02 billion, up 6% from pre-announcement while Intel hit $5.36 billion, a 3.6% gain.
Microsoft and Intel now dominated the Westeros tech portfolio; together worth $838 million, they accounted for 53% of the remaining nineteen tech holdings' $1.569 billion total value.
Beyond those two, only SUN Microsystems exceeded $100 million at $117 million (7% stake).
All others were under $100 million.
Silicon Graphics, closely tied to Daenerys VFX had the highest percentage stake at 11%, but its market cap remained just $320 million. Oracle, at 9%, hovered below the $1 billion mark with $960 million.
The other fourteen public tech holdings averaged around 5% stakes, dwarfed in size by Microsoft and Intel.
Simon would have preferred pushing both to 15%.
But compared to the '87 crash era, accumulation costs had risen sharply, forcing him to forgo other promising names.
After the buys, James's liquid reserves shrank to mere millions. He hadn't even set aside capital-gains tax from the Apple sales, relying on Simon's Japan play or Daenerys profits to refill coffers—or, if necessary, more debt.
...
Melbourne.
Late March; the collapse aftermath had fully faded.
Simon spent recent days filming a major Batman chase, the climactic showdown between Batman and Black Mask, with Catwoman involved. Batwing, Batmobile, and Batcycle all featured.
The biggest challenge was secrecy.
For location shoots, even street closures couldn't stop paparazzi in flanking buildings.
After consideration, Simon simply released official concept art for the vehicles. Catwoman's look had already leaked.
Remaining secrecy focused on plot.
On Highway 33 south along the coast, 11 p.m.
The crew had shot two other setups earlier; now came Catwoman bursting from the flying Batwing on the Batcycle to aid Batman against Black Mask.
The drop would be CG.
But the electric Batcycle, hub-motor tech topped out at thirty kilometers per hour. For high-speed feel, Simon wanted over one hundred, requiring towing.
That was the trickiest part; tests had seen the cycle flip.
Additionally, the Alfred-remote Batwing, actually a helicopter suspending the prop would hover above. The pilot was skilled, but risk remained.
Compared to other Catwoman stunts, though, danger was low.
Valérie Golino had finished most of her scenes. After discussion, she opted to do this one herself.
Final preparations complete, just before rolling, Simon approached the sexy figure astride the cycle. "Valérie, remember, if it starts to tip, bail immediately. The suit's protective."
Valérie was about to lower her highly accurate red Catwoman goggles. "Simon, what if I don't make it off?"
Her tone was light. she clearly wasn't too worried so Simon didn't press. He smiled. "Not jumping off is fine too."
Valérie grew suspicious, voice rising. "Hm?"
Simon had almost joked about covering medical bills, but that could bite him years later if some actress claimed he forced dangerous shots causing lasting injury. He waved it off, grabbed the walkie. "Everyone, ready to roll."
At his command, sparse traffic began moving. Simon climbed into an open-top car ahead of the tow vehicle.
The cinematographer on the tow truck slated the shot; the driver accelerated. The helicopter already circling lowered the Batwing prop into position.
Ten-plus seconds later the cycle hit planned speed, towed steadily for about two kilometers before Simon called "Cut."
First take perfect; everyone relaxed.
Simon reviewed, Batwing trajectory slightly off, so they went again, then a third.
Big set pieces were cumbersome; Simon planned to stockpile material in one go. Six takes in, trouble struck: just as speed hit one hundred, the cycle wobbled and flipped onto the roadway.
Walkies blared alerts. Simon shouted halt, called medics forward.
His car stopped; he sprinted to the scene. The cycle lay in the road center, front wheel detached. Simon ignored the prop, rushing to Valérie sprawled motionless.
He knelt, gently patted her. No response. A bad feeling rose; he didn't dare turn her over, waiting for doctors.
Regret hit: Should have used a double.
The helicopter had veered away with the prop the instant trouble started. Crew crowded around.
Two doctors carefully examined Valérie, no visible injuries and directed nurses to lift her onto a stretcher for hospital checks. Then she stirred, casually removed her red goggles, scanned the worried faces as if waking from a nap, and finally fixed on Simon.
Simon held up two fingers. "Valérie, how many?"
She stared blankly, still dazed, slipping into Italian. "Director, I'm hungry."
The doctors didn't speak Italian; they looked to Simon.
He patiently switched languages. "Food soon. First, anywhere hurt?"
Valérie's eyes shifted; she touched her nose, then reached lower to rub her chest through the tight suit. "Here… a little sore."
Watching her, Simon relaxed. Nose just dusty, no break; chest well-padded, suit intact—internal injury unlikely. He told the stunned middle-aged doctor in English, "Nothing serious, but hospital anyway, possible mild concussion."
"No concussion," Valérie said, sitting up on the stretcher, switching back to English. "Just dizzy. Rest a bit and I can continue."
"Material's enough," Simon insisted, shaking his head. "I'll have the double shoot two more backups. You're done for tonight."
Ignoring her protests, he signaled the medics to take her, then summoned crew to swap a fresh cycle and double for reshoots.
At two a.m. sharp, wrap.
Back at the hotel, doctors reported Valérie's checks were clean, no major issues. Still, she'd stay overnight at the same Johnston-funded center where Simon had been.
Recalling her slightly off-kilter reaction post-crash, Simon extended observation to three days. Her remaining scenes were few and mostly stunt-doubled anyway. The center had been prepped; no unwanted injury leaks.
Tasks handled, Simon returned to his suite. Janet was asleep.
Lately she stayed with him at the Kendall.
Simon alone was fine, but both together drew Raymond Johnston's disapproval, worried outsiders would think the family mistreated daughter and future son-in-law. The old man cared deeply about appearances.
Janet still blamed her father for Simon's collapse and refused to go home.
Simon didn't want hassle but also avoided gossip. He often took Janet to the estate for dinner; weekends they usually stayed.
In the bedroom, showered and in bed, Janet instinctively curled into him.
Simon kissed her forehead, held her, and quickly slept.
He woke at nine hour later than usual. Janet's enforced schedule demanded at least six hours nightly.
She was already gone. Taking over Cersei, she woke up earlier, often six a.m. for meetings with trading teams.
Singapore exchanges opened at seven Melbourne time; Tokyo and Osaka at eight.
Plus other Asian markets in varying zones; Janet occasionally eyed Europe or North America. Cersei traders operated virtually round-the-clock.
Simon had spent three daily hours on Cersei; now he needed only one to review positions, without the mental strain.
Australian backers knew of the shift but, seeing steady rapid net-asset growth this past month, raised no objections.
Raymond privately shared that, due to Janet's credentials many assumed the '87 S&P triumph had been a joint effort, explaining their comfort with her leading Cersei.
Simon knew his true value lay in timely exit.
Many famed funds fell for not knowing when to stop.
Like Quantum in the original timeline, Soros crushed Southeast Asia, then lost $3 billion in Russia. Tiger Fund collapsed for holding tech too long.
Though his Japan read was clouded by his own butterfly effect, Simon still saw farther than most, who now had no clue where the market headed.
Two years ago, titans like Soros had bet on imminent collapse. Two years on, Japan roared higher.