America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 146 The Person Kardashian Admires Most

"I'm finally feeling better. Although the media is still bombarding Paris Hilton, we're in two different worlds now."

The same female host from WarnerMedia, after causing controversy last time, jumped out again and publicly discussed the socialite in the eye of the storm on her show: "In the movie I watched, Paris Hilton was practically sealed inside a wax figure."

She took out the wax figure poster: "The movie 'House of Wax' showed the entire production process, and the pent-up frustration in my chest finally dissipated after watching it."

The program sparked a strong reaction, with other media outlets echoing its sentiments and criticizing it.

Paris's lawyer sent another legal letter.

Subsequently, the Los Angeles Times reported that several wax museums in Los Angeles had launched similar small commemorative wax figures for the general public to vent their frustrations, and were about to be sued for copyright infringement by the film crew.

Madame Tussauds saw a business opportunity and issued a statement through multiple media outlets, saying that they were contacting Paris Hilton in hopes of obtaining authorization to create a wax figure of her.

Hot topics are like rotting flesh, and the media are like vultures.

Some media outlets have even offered $100 million to buy photos of Paris Hilton using the toilet in prison.

More and more people want to see how Paris Hilton's wax figure was made.

With the support of the production team, Menez resurfaced and publicly declared his love on television, stating that if Paris was willing, they could get married as soon as she was released from prison.

Mr. Menez has snagged a wave of gossip headlines.

On the rooftop of a North Hollywood apartment building, sitting under a parasol, Bruce handed Menez a can of beer and said, "Brother, you've really figured things out."

Martin expressed his deep admiration: "You did what I wanted to do but didn't dare to."

Menez said, "Boss, I came to Los Angeles to work hard so I could live a wealthy life. If Paris marries me, I'll gain a beautiful woman and a rich life. My life will be perfect. Isn't that the meaning of striving?"

Bruce held up two fingers to Martin: "You don't need to envy him, you have two rich women."

Menne, having met Louise, exclaimed, "Boss, teach me a few moves!"

Martin shook his head: "This is an innate skill; it can't be taught."

Menez paused for a moment, then realized what he meant. "I understand." He changed the subject. "A few days ago, two film crews called my agent, wanting me to audition."

Martin asked, "Trying to ride the wave of popularity?"

"Probably." Menez asked, "Boss, should I go?"

Bruce posed a crucial point: "Don't you first ask the casting director if they're male or female? How old are they?"

Martin earnestly suggested, "Pay close attention to whichever production team has a middle-aged female casting director."

Menez knows what he's best at: "I'll have my agent find out."

Everyone knows that Paris would never accept Menez's public declaration of love.

Martin glanced at the time, picked up the binoculars on the table, went to the edge of the building, and observed a movie theater in the distance.

Menez leaned closer and asked, "Are you in line?"

Martin said, "What are you thinking? Only popular sequels like Star Wars, Spider-Man, and The Lord of the Rings get packed theaters and long queues for tickets."

This afternoon, October 14th at 6 PM, "House of Wax" will have its early release in 2000 theaters across North America.

The show runs for three consecutive screenings, ending at midnight, and is sometimes referred to as the midnight screening.

The wait is the hardest part.

Martin received a call from Zomi, who invited him to go out for drinks.

Menez followed.

When this media celebrity makes a move, he is followed by more than a dozen paparazzi.

Upon arriving at Avalon, the group booked a private room. Zomi, feeling somewhat worried and not wanting to be alone, pulled Martin into drinking until the early hours of the morning.

After 1 a.m., he kept checking his phone.

Martin said, "Even if the box office for the last screening can be predicted, it won't be out this quickly."

Zomi picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp: "I'm more nervous than when I take a college exam."

Martin isn't the main character, and he has "The Hills Have Eyes" as a fallback plan, so he's more relaxed than Jaume Coleman.

Jaume Coleman messed up this film, and it's unlikely he'll get a second chance. He also doesn't have a fortune to inherit.

Even the usually lively Menezes fell silent.

Another half hour passed, and Martin's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at it, answered, and said, "Still up so late?"

"I'm waiting to add a new figure to your record," Louise said directly. "According to the latest statistics from the North American theater chains, the advance screenings of Madame Tussauds grossed $265 million."

Martin, who had a good grasp of the opening weekend box office, asked at a much smaller preview screening, "Are the numbers high or low?"

Louise said, "Usually, the opening weekend ticket sales are about seven times that of the advance screenings, but that depends on the competition." She was clearly in a good mood: "Okay, I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm going to sleep. Remember, you owe me another debt."

Martin wasn't worried about having too much debt: "I'll save up a little more so I can pay you back all at once."

He put down his phone and said to Zamy, "$265 million."

Zommy let out a long sigh of relief: "It should gross over $1500 million in the first weekend!"

He wanted to laugh, but the relaxation after the tension prevented him from actually laughing.

Martin chimed in, "The films 'American Soldier: World Police' and 'Shall We Dance?' which are showing on a wide scale this weekend are different from the wax museum films, so there isn't too much of a clash with their target audiences. I think they should gross more than $1500 million."

Bruce popped open the champagne bottle and poured a glass for everyone.

Martin grabbed his glass, slammed it on the coffee table, and exclaimed, "This is good news anyway! Cheers!"

As the lead actor, he was equally excited about the film's success: "Guys, our careers in Hollywood have had a really good start!"

Menez toasted Martin first: "Cheers!"

After a slight adjustment, Zomi finally laughed and joked, "I don't need to go back to Barcelona to inherit that old house."

Martin laughed and clinked glasses with Zamyn, Menez, and Bruce one by one: "I guess I won't have to go back to Atlanta to live off my wife anymore."

The four of them were in a good mood and didn't break up until after 3 a.m.

On Friday, Madame Tussauds opened in 3220 theaters across North America.

Thomas called Martin specifically: "Go to the cinema, go to public places, I don't care where you go, increase your exposure, let people know that you are the male lead of this film!"

Martin immediately contacted the film crew, requesting that they organize a screening and autograph session for him that evening!

Susan agreed, and the production team will contact the venue and notify some media outlets.

Martin then said to Bruce, "What about the entertainment media you're in contact with? It's time to get them on the field."

Recently, Bruce has been keeping a tight grip on Kim Kardashian, using Kardashian and Paris Hilton, two of the biggest headlines, to connect with many gossip media reporters.

This includes well-known shows such as "American Rumors" and "Hollywood Kaleidoscope".

There were also some wild puppies.

Martin, not overestimating himself, asked, "Old Brooks, one person alone might not be enough of an attraction, right?"

Bruce said frankly, "There will be reporters and paparazzi, but not as many as expected."

Martin, shameless as ever, asked, "I'll ask Eliza out and we'll get back together on the spot? I can go three days without meat and I'm perfectly fine with that."

"Have some decency!" Bruce reminded him. "She made you make a statement in front of so many reporters, like becoming a vegetarian from now on?"

A terrifying cloud instantly enveloped Martin, and he shivered: "Forget it, forget it, I'd rather no reporters came at all."

Bruce suddenly had a great idea: "I'll get Kim here, and you two can act out a scene where she, as a fan, confesses her love to you on the spot, and you reject her. She's very popular right now, so we can use her to enhance your image."

Martin asked earnestly, "You don't mind?"

Bruce asked doubtfully, "We used her and Paris as practice subjects precisely to profit from it, didn't we?"

Martin exclaimed, "Old Brooks, you're a real talent. It was a waste for you to be a street cleaner before." He pondered carefully, "No need for all that courtship stuff, just make her a little fangirl."

"That works too." Bruce was getting more and more into the rhythm of the entertainment industry: "Let's split up and not associate ourselves with either side. Let's treat it as a chance encounter."

He took out his phone and called Kim Kardashian to tell her to come to the IU Cinema in North Hollywood that evening to watch a movie, and briefly explained the situation.

"I'll do whatever you say." Seeing an opportunity to capitalize on the media buzz, Kardashian said without hesitation, "Bruce, whatever you say, I'll do."

Bruce then called the entertainment reporters and paparazzi he had been in frequent contact with recently, informing them that Kardashian was going to see a movie in North Hollywood that night.

That evening, Martin arrived at the cinema he had arranged in advance and signed autographs for fans in the lobby.

As the male lead, he attracted a lot of attention.

Only a pitiful three media outlets sent reporters to cover the story.

Martin was very cooperative with reporters, frequently taking photos with fans.

Suddenly, the number of entertainment reporters and paparazzi in the theater surged, and Kim Kardashian, who became a sensation after being imprisoned by Paris Hilton, entered the theater.

Upon arriving in the lobby and seeing Martin, she immediately transformed into a little fangirl, buying a poster and asking for his autograph.

Kardashian also gave an interview to reporters, as if it had become a habit. Her first sentence was to bring up Paris and criticize her: "When we were filming, I was Paris's assistant and she often yelled at me. Martin helped me a lot, and I admired Martin a lot back then."

Martin scribbled his signature on the poster, adding, "Everyone should be treated fairly."

Kardashian's intuition is becoming increasingly active when facing the media, and she's automatically adding drama to her story: "To be honest, I had a crush on Martin back then. He was so amazing, but he had a girlfriend at the time, and I was heartbroken for a long time."

A reporter interjected, "Martin is single now, right?"

Martin regained control of the conversation: "Kim and I have been friends since the film crew, I never expected to run into each other here tonight."

Kardashian said no more, stood next to Martin, and posed for photos with reporters.

There were originally only three reporters, but now there are more than ten.

Martin felt something was off. He and Brooks created a social figure who was currently in the spotlight, and then they tried to ride on that figure's popularity.

That evening, entertainment news about Martin and Kardashian appeared extensively on the internet.

I'll check and revise the sensitive words and paragraphs in the VIP chapters again today. I can really focus on writing tomorrow and try to update more frequently. Double monthly tickets! Give me some encouragement; I've been so frustrated lately.

(End of this chapter)