America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 111 Finding a Way Out (Please Subscribe)

Marietta, Clayton neighborhood.

Fifteen-year-old Lily got off the school bus and heard convenience store owner Nani shout, "You have a package coming from Los Angeles."

"Los Angeles?" Lily knew who had sent it, ran over, found two boxes, picked them up, and left.

One of the large boxes was quite heavy, so Nani lent her the cart he was using and asked, "That idiot Martin Davis?"

Lily put the box away: "Yes, that's the idiot."

Pushing the cart, I arrived at my front door. In James's yard next door, Hall was digging a hole in the front yard, with cardboard at his feet.

Lily shouted, "What else can you do besides digging holes, you idiot?"

Hall kept digging: "Wait until he comes back, then he'll fall in and break his leg."

The Carter children have always expressed their feelings in a simple and straightforward way. Lily said, "Dig deeper, and when that idiot comes back, make sure the earth doesn't break his legs."

After the boxes were moved into the house, Lily returned the stroller. When she came back and unpacked the boxes, she found only two items: exquisitely crafted animal tusk accessories and a more primitive buffalo horn.

Among them was a piece of paper with crooked letters on it, which Lily knew was written by Martin.

The four siblings each received a share of the animal tusks, while the cow horns were used as raw materials for handicrafts.

It was given only to Lily Carter.

Lily took off running with her long legs, bursting into the yard and yelling at the neighbor, "Idiot, stop digging at the earth! Fill in all the holes you've dug!"

Hall turned back: "Are you stupid? You were just..."

Lily unleashed her ultimate weapon: "If you don't clean up this mess, I'll tell Elena, and guess what she'll do?"

Hall turned back in frustration, brandishing his shovel to fill the holes. He had dug too many holes in the yard, intending to give them to that bastard.

Everything needs to be filled back in.

Lily returned to the living room, took out all the cow horns, placed them on the table, and then found a set of carving tools, pondering what to carve first.

Once it's carved, I'll mail it back.

Lily's gaze fell on a thick, long, slightly curved bison horn, and she immediately had a good idea: to make a special bison horn carving.

It was carved in the likeness of Martin.

"I'm a genius!" she laughed happily.

…………

Los Angeles, Century City.

Martin received a call from his agent, Thomas, and hurriedly drove over.

Upon entering the company lobby, I noticed a large number of young men and women in their early twenties, some of whom looked familiar and were clearly clients of the company.

Thomas was waiting for Martin and waved to him when he saw him.

Martin went over and asked, "What's going on? Is the company having a team-building event? Or a big party?"

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the young man next to Thomas, a Latino.

Thomas introduced, "This is Oscar Isaac, my client, Oscar, and this is Martin Davis."

Martin shook hands with Oscar and exchanged a few polite words.

The relationship between the two is relatively peaceful because their roles are quite different, and there is basically no conflict over resources.

Martin quickly scanned the lobby and spotted six or seven handsome brown-haired men; these were his competitors within the company.

Of course, it's impossible not to take a few extra glances at the young actresses.

Several of them have excellent figures.

Martin asked again, "What are the young actors and agents doing here?"

Thomas simply stated, "Many film and television production companies in Hollywood have switched to a completely new digital management system. In order to make it easier to recommend actors, the companies need to update your information, one of which is digital photos and videos."

Oscar then asked, "Aren't we the only company with young clients?"

Thomas said, "Not counting stars, but those who haven't really become famous yet, you are the most valued group. When the company recommends young actors to production companies, you will be given priority."

Oscar saw a Latina actress: "I'll go say hello."

Seeing that no one was around, Martin whispered, "Which bastards are our competitors?"

Hearing us, Thomas became serious and quietly pointed with his finger: "See that blond handsome guy who's a bit shorter than you? His name is Mike Vogel. He used to be a boxer. The company's positioning for him is basically the same as yours. He has already starred in three films: 'Skateboard Mania,' 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,' and 'Wuthering Heights,' and has accumulated a certain amount of popularity."

He twirled his fingers slightly: "The one on the left with long hair is Joe Anderson, who starred in 'The Subway' and 'The Trapper.' The one on the right, the brother and sister together, is Eric Lively. His father, Ernie Lively, is a veteran actor and producer with a very wide network of connections."

Martin asked, "Is that his sister?"

"Blake Lively," Thomas cautioned, "You can befriend the siblings, but don't mess around. Their father is no ordinary man."

He looked around but didn't see the other person: "Originally, Adrian was the company's top priority in terms of resources, and they were even planning to have him work with Anne Hathaway on a project called 'Party Thrills,' but now that's out of the question."

Martin nodded: "These people are ranked ahead of me in terms of resource allocation?"

Thomas thought about it carefully: "Your starring role in 'Zombie Dancer' did quite well at the North American box office, and you also played the lead male role in 'House of Wax.' The higher-ups know that you have Ms. Mel's recommendation. Apart from Mike Vogel, the others are not as good as you."

Martin glanced at Mike Vogel again and asked, "Does his agent have a private office?"

Thomas sighed, "Yes." He quickly changed the subject, "If you could win the Saturn Award, your priority wouldn't be lower than his. You might get a nomination, but winning is too difficult."

As the two were talking, Jim Witt, a board member and senior partner of WMA, came downstairs, looked at the makeshift video recording room, and chatted with Mike Vogel for a few minutes.

Martin was too far away to hear clearly, but he could tell that he was encouraging Vogel.

Martin's name was called from the video capture room. Martin straightened his clothes slightly and went into the capture room. The photo and video shoot required him to be completely bare-faced and not wearing makeup.

Martin doesn't usually wear makeup, so the shoot was finished quickly.

Jim Witt stood next to Thomas and nodded slightly at Martin: "Are you Martin Davis?"

Martin smiled and said, "It's me, good afternoon, Mr. Witt."

Jim Witt said, "I met Susan the day before yesterday, and she mentioned you. You did a fantastic job during filming in Australia."

Martin could tell that Jim Witt and Susan were on good terms, and said, "Susan is a very professional producer. She taught me a lot on set, and I learned a lot from this shoot."

"Keep it up," Jim Witt said encouragingly, before leaving the lobby.

The gazes of everyone else in the hall drifted over Martin.

Martin seemed oblivious, responding calmly.

After Oscar Isaac finished collecting the video information, Thomas carefully verified it and then dismissed him.

Thomas called Martin and they went to the office cubicle.

Martin went straight to the point: "How's the Best Young Actor campaign going?"

"Lionsgate has been in contact with several judges, and through company connections, I've gotten in touch with two heads of the review panel." Thomas has been doing a lot of work these past few days: "The chances of getting a nomination are high, but winning is extremely difficult."

Martin asked, "How much influence does Wes Craven have?"

Thomas was surprised: "You've got connections with Craven? His advice is crucial in the horror genre."

Martin shook his head: "What I want to ask is, do you and the company have any connections?"

"I don't, but the company definitely does," Thomas said realistically. "But the company won't use such important connections and resources on a Saturn Award for Best Young Actor, let alone on an actor of your caliber. The input and output are disproportionate."

Martin thought for a moment and then subtly revealed, "I'll try other channels."

Thomas immediately thought of Louise, who was under Martin's command: "Call me when you need me."

Once in the car, Bruce asked, "Where to?"

Martin took out a pen and notebook from the storage box and said as he wrote, "Send me to Sherman Oaks."

Bruce started the car and said, "One against two, you'll be ruined if this goes on for too long."

Martin, looking dashing, said, "Are you kidding me? Two more wouldn't be a problem."

Halfway there, he called Louise: "How's it going?"

Louise said, "Carrie and I are back. Come over here quickly."

"On the way."

The car stopped at the manor gate, and Martin took the keys and went in alone. Louise and Kelly were sitting at the bar drinking.

The former is the cocktail made with expansion screws.

Martin went to the bathroom to clean his hands, then came back to replace Louise. He fetched gin, violet liqueur, ice, lime, and Gatorade, and mixed a brand new cocktail.

"Welcome to sample, below the diving platform."

Louise took a small sip and said, "Refreshing and intoxicating, not bad."

Martin then handed Kelly another glass: "Have a taste."

Louise said softly, "Kate has come to Los Angeles to start preparing for the year-end awards."

Martin knew she was referring to Kate Winslet: "So early?"

"It's not early. Many people start preparing a year in advance, and some even move to Los Angeles to live for a year or longer." Louise slowly swirled her wine glass. "Kate has a friend who is a fashion designer, also British, named Georgina Chapman."

Martin knew that name; it belonged to Weinstein's wife.

Louise continued, "Georgina is now Harvey Weinstein's public lover, and they might get married after Weinstein's divorce. She's hosting a big fashion party in Beverly Hills in a few days. Craven has worked with Weinstein a lot, and I'm sure he'll be at Georgina's party."

She emphasized, "I only know Wes Craven at best; I can only get you into the party. It's up to you to decide what to do next."

Martin considered for a moment: "Let's give it a try. There's always hope if we try. Even if it doesn't work out, at least we've tried."

He was utterly shameless, grabbing Louise with one hand and Kelly with the other: "If you have no other choice, rich lady, take me in!"

(End of this chapter)