Urban System in America

He glanced at Aren, still brimming with passion, oblivious to the sharks circling his little raft.

Poor kid, he thought. You’re bringing fire to a place that only burns for profit.

As an internet addict and part-time writer for small entertainment blogs, he had consumed more behind-the-scenes stories than most insiders. He’d read hundreds of accounts—of films made on shoestring budgets pulling in hundreds of millions at the box office.

On the surface, it looked like Hollywood was an unstoppable money-printing machine. Investors everywhere—tech moguls, sovereign funds, even governments—were seduced by the illusion. They thought all they needed was a little luck and a decent script to strike gold. But in reality? Anyone hoping to profit off Hollywood without already being a part of its inner circle was chasing a fool’s dream.

Even the world’s wealthiest and most powerful had been humbled by the system. Massive consortiums poured in hundreds of millions, sometimes billions, hoping to carve out a foothold in the industry and join the ranks of the big studios.

And without exception, even with blockbuster hits under their belts, they left bleeding money and licking their wounds. That’s just how closed-knit Hollywood truly is—an impenetrable web of alliances, backdoor deals, and unwritten rules where only the old guard eats at the table.

Rex remembered how Sony, in his past life, had been fleeced for tens of billions before barely managing to gain a shaky foothold. And that foothold? It only survived thanks to the runaway success of the Spider-Man franchise. Without it, Sony Pictures would’ve collapsed under the weight of its losses.

Then there was Larry Ellison—one of the richest men on Earth. His son had entered Hollywood with sky-high ambitions and a fat wallet, hoping to leave his mark. Instead, he left behind hundreds of millions in what the industry mockingly called "tuition fees," then quietly retreated to the safety of his father’s empire.

And how could anyone forget the oil-rich Middle Eastern investors? They pumped tens of billions into Hollywood, dazzled by its glamor and seduced by its promises. The studios rolled out the red carpet—used their money to make films, host premieres, and fund vanity projects.

But if the film flopped? Too bad, the investors would just eat the loss. And if the film succeeded? The books would still show a deficit, thanks to the infamous "Hollywood accounting." The studios kept the profits, while the investors got a thank-you note and another invitation to pour in more.