America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz
Chapter 61: Chapter 61 Expansion Screws

Under Misty Mountain, the crescent moon was reflected on the lake's surface, Elena lit up the bonfire in the yard of the resort cabin.

Martin set up the barbecue grill, skillfully brushing sauce on the skewers.

The aroma immediately wafted through the air.

Across the way, Lily held a large water jug, biting onto the droplet-shaped straw, sucking vigorously.

Elena came over and smacked her on the head with a thump, "Idiot, don't use that."

Holle dug a hole near the bonfire with a shovel and buried the potatoes that Martin had wrapped, muttering, "A bunch of idiots."

Harris sat on a rock, "I should call the Cole Sisters, they would definitely come if I phoned them."

Lily, oppressed by her older sister's domination, said gloomily, "I'm going to walk by the lake and catch a black bear to bring back."

Martin deliberately said, "A resort campsite like this is always the scene of a horror incident. There's a psychopathic killer living in Misty Mountain, hunting at night, capturing beautiful young girls."

Elena said, "Idiot, don't scare people for nothing." She looked at Lily, "After dinner, let's go to the lake together for a swim—it's swimmable here."

This was a mature resort area, so of course it wouldn't be as Martin described.

After dinner, Lily and Elena changed into their swimwear, wrapped themselves in long blankets, and came to the lakeside.

Tourists were swimming at night, dotted sporadically across the water at some distance from one another.

Elena followed Martin into the water, where the lakebed was artificially made with sand and fairly flat, and the water wasn't too deep.

The two had a good understanding, swimming to a deserted spot, and climbed onto a small boat, lying down.

Martin was becoming slightly paranoid, "Could there be someone watching us?"

"At this distance, even if they saw, they wouldn't see clearly," Elena always had a straightforward approach, "You idiot, if I'm not scared, what are you afraid of?"

Martin said, "I'm afraid the boat will sink."

Waves rippled, creating a succession of surf, causing the boat to rock violently.

......

The resort area was very safe, and no horror incidents occurred.

Early the next day, after breakfast, Martin rushed to the car manufacturing center's film crew to make his presence felt in front of director Michel Gondry.

While he was still having lunch with Louise Mel, he struck up a conversation with the producer Steve Golin.

In the Hollywood-centric producer world, Steve Golin was undoubtedly the most powerful person in the entire crew.

Martin still couldn't quite figure out Steve Golin, just exchanging a few polite words.

Coming down from the catering truck, Martin saw the leader of the Marietta Theatre Company.

The two went under a sunshade, where Jerome said, "I've kicked Rosa out of the company and spread the word around Atlanta's temporary actors' circle that she reported a fellow actor. She won't be able to mix in this circle again."

He explained succinctly, "Too many in this business are on drugs, and no one wants a ticking bomb around them."

Martin said, "Leader, you've taken a lot of trouble."

Jerome had the authority of a troupe leader, "Whoever bullies my members has a price to pay!"

Martin knew that Jerome went to all this trouble because he could get something in return. He sounded very concerned, "Everything's okay with the crew, right?"

"Collaborating well," Jerome saw a bright future, "With the first Hollywood cooperation underway, there will be a second one. The first one is always the hardest."

He feared being forgotten, "Martin, Robert Patrick has said that he is forever a member of the Marietta Theatre Company."

Martin said earnestly, "So am I."

Jerome took out a card from his pocket and handed it to Martin, "This is Robert Patrick's contact information in Los Angeles. If you go to Los Angeles to develop your career, it might be somewhat helpful."

Martin accepted it excitedly, "Captain!"

"If you ever decide to leave Atlanta, just let me know, and I'll call him to explain your situation." Jerome spoke with a double meaning, "Members of the Marietta Theatre Company should help each other."

Martin agreed, "No matter where I go, I will always be a member of the Marietta Theatre Company."

Jerome pointed to the office next to the studio, "I'm going to have a talk with Andrew."

As people gradually walked away, Martin looked down at the card, which only had a name and a string of numbers.

Clearly, it was a private contact that not just anyone could obtain.

At that moment, Robert swaggered over and said, "The captain found me this morning and said he won't be taking my club fees anymore."

He asked, "Did you put in a good word for me?"

Martin pointed to his own head, "The captain has many ideas; he doesn't need me to say much."

Robert wasn't dumb, "I should thank you, Martin. Three hundred US dollars a month isn't a small amount for me."

Instead, Martin said, "You're my lucky star, Robert. If someday I really make it in Hollywood and compete for an important role, I will definitely bring you over."

Not for anything else, just to stabilize the feng shui.

He imitated the way Harris spoke, "With you on site, my odds will increase by sixty percent!"

Robert didn't stand on ceremony with Martin, "When the time comes, replace me a role with lines, and yes, I want face time. Not like your role in this film, plenty of lines but hardly any full-face shots."

Martin assured, "Don't worry, if there's a chance, I will definitely replace you a role with lines."

An old extra like Robert had the acting skills, but he couldn't compete for speaking roles, often due to other issues.

That evening, Martin invited director Michel Gondry for a lavish dinner at Peachtree Center, featuring Atlanta's finest cuisine.

The filming crew had been shooting for over a month, and the Atlanta portion was nearly complete; they would soon return to Los Angeles.

Because of their shared viewpoints on the topic of England, Michel Gondry had a very favorable opinion of Martin.

Networking is built up bit by bit.

It may not be useful now, but you never know when it might come in handy in the future.

Two days later, Louise Mel was also about to leave Atlanta.

The night before her departure, Martin went to her hotel and specially made her an Expanded Screwdriver, a variation of the Slow Screw.

As the drink touched her lips and bubbles exploded, Louise Mel exclaimed, "Martin Davis, how many new cocktails do you know? You bastard, you're playing with a drunkard's heart!"

Martin looked aggrieved, "It seems like you're the one playing with me. You're the high and mighty producer, and I am just a small-time actor. Let me think of the right word, yes, you're sexually harassing me through coercion!"

Louise, not wanting to engage with this trash, stayed silent for quite a while before speaking, "Then there's Kelly, that bastard. No one knows me better than her, so she specifically prepared you, this bastard, for me. You two are the real item!"

Martin acted as if he hadn't heard, and went on, "The Expanded Screwdriver is my parting gift to you; I've given you the recipe. Louise's Expanded Screwdriver will leave a huge mark in the history of cocktails!"

When the room finally quieted down, Martin asked, "Are you going to Morocco?"

Louise nodded, "I'll rest in Los Angeles for a week, then head to Morocco. There's a filming crew there, and don't even think about it, I won't use you. You haven't gotten past the accent hurdle yet."

Martin knew he couldn't rush, "I have to get 'Zombie Dancer' sorted first."

Louise advised, "Pull out all the stops to fight for your life's first leading role. Compared to Hollywood, this is just a small game."