America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 159 There are so many good people

Inside the shooting range, Martin, wearing a headset and holding a Beretta 92f, fired shot after shot at a moving target.

With long hours of practice and some natural talent, his marksmanship gradually improved, and he could hit the target every time he shot a moving target.

Once a magazine is empty, the electronic target automatically reports the score.

Martin turned his head, took off his headset, and asked Bruce, "Can I officially become a member of civilized society now?"

Bruce said, "A truly civilized person must have extensive practical experience."

Martin shook his head repeatedly: "Me, fight someone for filming or self-defense? I'd rather be a coward." He was still very curious: "What do I need for real combat?"

Bruce didn't say anything. He put on his headset, stood in front of the target, picked up his pistol, and fired a barrage of shots.

He hit the bullseye every time, but his score was lower than Martin's previous score.

Martin, however, understood and said, "Rate of fire."

Bruce nodded: "That's right. In a real encounter, there's no extra time for you to aim properly. Usually, whoever fires first survives."

Martin shook his head and sighed: "Your hand speed after being single for over 30 years is something someone like me, who started messing around in my teens, can't match."

"A guy like you're going to get beaten to death sooner or later." Bruce loaded the magazine. "I was talking to you about shooting, and you were bragging about how many women you have."

Martin changed the subject: "You've read the comics, is it even possible for a bullet to turn like that in real life?"

Bruce said, "I've never encountered that before, but hand-waving is pure nonsense. Guidance technology should be able to achieve it, but the cost... isn't worthwhile."

Martin returned to the target position, put on his earplugs, and continued shooting.

He intentionally increased the rate of fire.

Bruce knew that Martin was preparing for an action-packed gunfight movie, and during breaks in shooting, he also talked to Martin about some real-world cases and experiences.

More than an hour later, Menez came looking for him.

Bruce had already booked the lounge, and the three of them went there together, drinking and chatting.

Martin handed Menez a drink and asked, "How did your two auditions go?"

Menez looked dejected: "It's all a mess."

Bruce was quite surprised: "Didn't we have a casting director on a film set who was fifty years old?"

"At first, I thought the hand... no, the mouth was what mattered to the character." Menez unscrewed his drink bottle, took a big gulp, and then said, "Who the hell would have thought that the casting director was a lesbian?"

Martin couldn't help but laugh: "You can't perform to your full potential."

After spending more time with Mene, Bruce gradually let go of his racial prejudice and patted Mene on the shoulder: "That's good, so you don't end up with sausage lips again."

Menez raised his head slightly: "Boss, Old Brooks, although I failed these two auditions, I still have other opportunities. Remember the woman who hit on me at the Avalon bar? Her name is Victoria."

Martin carefully recalled the night he met Anne Hathaway: "The one in her forties?"

Menez nodded: "It's her."

Bruce exclaimed, "Dude, you've gone from your fifties to your forties, that's impressive!"

Menne chuckled. "I think so too." He continued, "Victoria said she works at a film foundation and could help me get a role."

Hearing this, Martin felt something was off: "Is she reliable? Is she a scammer?"

Menez scratched his head: "The question is, what could she possibly be lying to me about?"

"Scamming for money and sex?" Bruce glanced at Mene and shook his head instinctively.

Menez shrugged: "I have no money, and I'm a man."

Martin opened his briefcase, took out some documents, and handed them to Menne: "The project I mentioned to you on the phone, a supporting role, a gunsmith skilled in using firearms. Practice your shooting in your spare time and learn more about firearms."

Menez immediately replied, "Boss, I'm fine."

Martin needed a reliable underling: "I've started a film studio, and you'll join as a production manager, earning $500 a week. Later, you'll go with Old Brooks to register a film studio."

He had discussed these things with Menez over the phone. Menez had been in Hollywood for several years and knew there were risks involved, but opportunities always come with risks. Ninety-nine percent of actors in Los Angeles wanted to find this kind of opportunity, but they didn't even have the connections.

Mene readily agreed: "Boss, whatever you say, I'll do."

Martin gave Menez a few more detailed instructions.

This is all too common in Hollywood. Each film sets up a separate accounting company, and there are always company employees who have to step in. Those who step in are usually people who are highly trusted and can be given important responsibilities.

Martin remembered something: "Old Brooks, buy an extra batch of 03 Coke and store it."

Bruce had already taken action: "I contacted Robert, who has a lot of Coca-Cola produced in Atlanta in 03. The taste is absolutely authentic, and he will send over a batch later."

Martin reminded him, "We'll cover the costs."

Menez was very curious: "Boss, it's almost 05, is it still safe to drink Coke from 03?"

"For special purposes." Martin had a peculiar idea: "How about we start a cult?"

Bruce, understanding Martin's true nature, immediately replied, "The Mormon kind?"

"The Mormon Church!" Menez raised his hand and mouth in agreement. "I love the Mormon Church! Boss, if you become the leader, can I get a position like High Priest or Diocesan Bishop?"

"You two are full of rotten ideas!" Martin was furious that his underlings only knew how to cause trouble and had no serious thoughts. "My idea is to establish a Cola Cult. You don't need to think about the High Priest, I already have someone in mind. The Vice-Cult Leader is still acceptable."

Menez asked, "What are the sect's tenets?"

Martin considered it seriously for a moment: "Cola Unrivaled?"

Bruce scoffed: "What theory?"

"The Coca-Cola Cult is just a concept for now. I don't have the money or the power, so it'll remain on paper for now." Martin decided to share a little secret: "When the Coca-Cola arrives, each of you take a few cases. You can drink one before doing anything important."

Bruce said, "So, you're going to clean up our poop and pee then?"

Martin, not wanting to say anything more, said, "Let's go, Old Bu is treating us to lunch."

Bruce glanced at the time: "I'm not free at noon, I have to go to Kim's place."

Martin asked curiously, "You've decided to play the male lead?"

Menez didn't understand: "Old Bro is also planning to become an actor?"

Martin deliberately said, "The kind that will become famous all over the world in the future."

Bruce, that old scumbag: "I haven't made up my mind yet. I'll keep her hanging on for now, no promises, but no giving up."

Menez then said, "Victoria invited me to lunch, so I'll have to go there too."

Bruce and Menez left the club first, and Martin, all alone, saw no point in going out. Since the club offered a buffet, he decided to have lunch at the shooting club.

Martin grabbed some food and sat down alone in a quiet spot. Just as he was about to start eating, someone walked towards him.

"What a coincidence, Martin," the visitor greeted him.

Martin thought for a moment and remembered who the other person was: Pinto, the agent of Mike Vogel, who had fought the Rattlesnakes.

He nodded slightly: "Hello."

Pinto pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Martin. "I haven't seen you at the company much lately. Has Thomas not helped you find a new job?"

Martin, of course, wouldn't tell him the truth: "There's still one film that hasn't been released yet, so there's no rush."

Pinto came specifically for this: "I have a few good projects on hand. They're not company resources, but I have good relationships with several producers at 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures, and their projects will be given priority for my recommendations."

Martin seemed to see a hoe in his eyes: "I haven't had a proper rest since I started filming the wax museum project, and this period has been very precious to me."

Pinto didn't give up easily and asked, "I remember you came to the company last December? It will be a year next month."

Martin's first brokerage contract was for a year: "I don't plan to leave WMA, and I will renew my contract with the company when the time comes."

Seeing that the other party didn't respond, Pinto frowned slightly and said again, "Several of them are roles in big-budget projects. Aren't you going to listen?"

He became more direct: "I have eight years of experience in the industry, an independent office, and a network of contacts and resources that those small agents can't compare to."

Martin thought to himself, "This isn't even a big success yet, and there are already more and more good people around me."

Pinto leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Once you switch sides with me, you'll be my number one client, and all the resources I have will be prioritized for you."

Martin looked at Pinto. Thomas was indeed a level below Pinto, and the office was the most direct evidence of that.

His supposed partnership with Thomas and the like is obviously nonsense.

If the agent on the other end is someone of the caliber of Ali Emmanuel or Jim White, Martin would agree without hesitation.

In Martin's view, Pinto might not be better than Thomas, and he specifically reminded him: "I remember that poaching each other's employees is strictly prohibited within the company."

Pinto couldn't help but laugh: "But when a client's contract expires, they can choose a new broker. You'll have one chance to choose next month."

Martin asked directly, "What's in it for me?"

Pinto said, "Have you heard of Fox's epic production project? It's about Jerusalem and the Crusades, a $100 million A-list production. I've been friends with the producer for years, and I can help you get the lead role, or at the very least, a supporting role."

Martin stared at Pinto, his face full of surprise.

Pinto thought he was moved and smiled slightly: "I can give you a heads-up, the director is Ridley Scott, a top-tier director, an A-list production, and I have a chance to compete for the lead role."

This statement clearly contains elements of deception, and Martin is certain of that. In his current state, what makes him think he can compete with the Elf Prince?

He said tactfully, "This is a big deal; I need to discuss it with my manager."

Pinto understood the meaning behind Martin's words, and seeing that he had said that, he did not press the matter further, and nodded: "I hope you make a wise choice."

Martin had already made his choice.

After lunch, Martin rested for a while in the lounge, and waited for Old Bu to return before going to the field to practice shooting together.

That evening, he changed into a tuxedo and accompanied Louise to Kate Winslet's film review party.

(End of this chapter)