America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 164 The real scumbag is actually Old Bu.

The gift box made of rosewood is very classy, ​​making people look forward to the treasures inside.

Anne asked in return, "Can I open it now?"

Martin said, "It belongs to you now."

"Tiffany? Or Patek Philippe? Or a diamond ring..."

Anne opened the gift box with great anticipation. Inside were two exquisite smaller gift boxes. She opened the smaller one first. On the black velvet lay a pendant that looked like a polished tusk of some kind of animal.

Then open another one, and there stands a clown with a gaping, blood-red mouth, clearly resembling Martin.

Anne's smile remained on her face, but the disappointment in her heart erupted like an oil well, and she secretly scorned, "This is it? It's not even as good as a golden donut!"

Martin said, "These are the spoils from the saltwater crocodiles and bison I hunted myself while filming in Australia, and they were specially crafted by a master sculptor."

Annie's prop necklace was made of real pearls, so his gifts were also real saltwater crocodile teeth and bison horn ornaments: "That saltwater crocodile was over six meters long, and you might not encounter one in several years in Australia. The bison horn used for carving is an even rarer example of a bluish-white, right-angled crocodile. These are all unique pieces in North America; you absolutely cannot find the same one."

Hearing this, Anne's disappointment lessened somewhat, after all, it was of extraordinary significance and might be unique in the world.

She examined the clown sculpture closely and noticed writing on the soles of its feet. She asked, "Was the sculptor Lily Carter?"

Martin received several clown statues in the package, but he didn't bother to look at them closely; he just glanced at them and put them in the box.

When he picked it up, he just randomly chose one without even looking at the bottom of his feet. He never expected that Lily, that idiot, would actually leave her name on it.

It's impossible for the car to overturn.

Martin reacted quickly enough to automatically create a persona for Lily: "The Australian sculptor is a woman named Lily Carter. Her skills are extremely exquisite, and she is a top artist. I went to Australia in the first half of the year and only just received these artworks. The waiting time alone took 6 months."

This aligns with Anne's understanding of art. The works of top artists, let alone fang pendants and human sculptures, are top-notch works of art even if they just stick a banana on the wall with tape.

Anne tentatively said, "It's too valuable, I can't accept it."

"It didn't cost much." Martin seemed casual, but his words took a well-timed turn: "I just owe her a pretty big favor. When she comes to Los Angeles, I need to help introduce her to Hollywood's top social circles."

He pointed to the clown sculpture: "I've been quite busy with work lately and can't be with you every day, so let this make you happy for me."

The favor was indeed substantial, and Annie weighed the pros and cons in her mind: "I'll accept it and keep it with me."

At the same time, a voice inside me was shouting: I'm not that sophisticated, just give me a common gift.

But she maintains a high profile and a lofty persona, so she can't possibly say it out loud.

It's not something I can say at least for now.

On the other side, Laura stood beside Bruce, watching Annie and Martin sweetly exchanging gifts, and said, "They're so happy!"

Bruce casually replied, "They look like a perfect match."

"I remember you're Martin's manager?" Laura knew she couldn't get anything out of Martin, and her manager was quite good, so she extended her hand: "My name is Laura, I'm a small-time actress, and I'm preparing to become Annie's assistant."

Bruce shook hands politely, his gaze quickly sweeping over Laura's back, and replied calmly, "Hello."

Seeing the other party's cold attitude, Laura thought to herself, "So what if my butt is a little flat? Everything else is pretty good."

Martin extended a formal invitation to Anne: "Next weekend, I'll be starring in the movie 'The Hills Have Eyes,' which has a fan meeting and promotional event in Burbank. The film received very positive reviews during its internal screenings at Warner Bros.

He spoke with the expectant fervor of a young man eager for his crush's approval, saying, "I want you to see that movie as soon as possible, even if it's just some trailer clips. Annie, can you come with me?"

Even if Anne wanted to go, she wouldn't agree immediately. Instead, she feigned hesitation: "Next weekend, my schedule..."

Martin said, "Several of my friends, producer Wes Craven, director Alexandre Aja, and several Warner Bros. executives will be there. I was thinking of introducing you to them. You told me last time that you took on this role to try and change your career path. I think stepping outside of Disney should be helpful for you."

"Since you want me to go, I'll go," Annie said in a tone of self-sacrifice. "I'll contact my agent today and have her cancel next weekend's schedule."

Martin clapped his hands loudly: "Great!"

When filming resumed, Martin ended his visit to the set and left Paramount Studios with Bruce.

After finishing work that day, Annie called her agent, Maha.

Maha suggested, "The film you're making now is aiming for awards at European film festivals. You'll have a hiatus in North American film releases in the short term. Since you got close to Martin, your exposure and media attention have been quite good. I think it's essential for you to go. If Martin confesses his feelings to you, accept! Then I'll talk to his agent."

Anne understood and was seriously considering the matter.

…………

On the way back to North Hollywood.

Bruce asked Martin, "Should I call Menez?"

Martin asked in surprise, "He's been busy setting up the rented photography studio for his studio lately. Why did you call him?"

"Get that fake diamond ring back from him!" Bruce wasn't joking. "You'll definitely need it when you confess to Annie. It'll save us some money, and we won't have to buy a new one."

Martin gave a thumbs up: "Old Brooks, you've evolved again, you know how to save money for your employer now."

He shook his head: "No need, I won't confess my feelings to Annie."

Bruce grinned: "You're not even as good as a jerk."

"As long as I don't confess my feelings first, I'm not a jerk." Martin's theories are so elaborate that he doesn't even have a "jerk" major; otherwise, he could easily get a PhD: "I'll wait for her to confess to me, to prove that she pursued me, not the other way around..."

Bruce was certain that the pervert in the passenger seat had no intention of remaining human.

Martin said earnestly, "I want to be a good person and not make promises I can't keep. See how responsible I am?"

Bruce thought about Anne's character: "You two should really be together, get married, hurt each other, and then write down your true experiences and make a family drama."

Martin pondered, "Annie's level isn't high right now, but it will definitely improve as she spends more time with me. Given her personality, it's not impossible that she might stage a murder scene, hide, and frame me for murder."

Bruce had lived in England: "Like Agatha Christie dealt with her husband?"

Martin had read related stories and reports before: "When a 'white lotus' goes crazy, it's terrifying."

Bruce, however, cautioned, "Aren't you afraid Louise will go crazy?"

"Louise doesn't like tea, she prefers alcohol. Don't be fooled by our very good relationship; it's essentially a transaction. There are emotional factors involved, but who knows how many?" Martin had a good attitude because compared to most people in this circle, he was lucky, and the unspoken rules he encountered were completely acceptable: "Who do you think I'm showing my monthly experience report to?"

Bruce remarked with deep feeling: "It's pretty much the same in every industry. Those in positions of power demand more from their subordinates. The American soldiers stationed around the world, the female officers and generals, have many untold stories to tell."

Martin agreed: "Even being a street cleaner is tough enough, let alone..."

"Shut the hell up!" Bruce gripped the steering wheel with one hand and pulled up his jacket with the other. "If you say another word, I'll blow your head off."

Martin backed down, saying, "You have a concealed carry permit, that's impressive!"

He changed the subject: "Did you shoot with Kim?"

Bruce said, "Kim wanted me to do it, but I didn't want to. She begged me to be the male lead, saying that as long as I didn't do it, I could do whatever I wanted."

Martin witnessed a true scumbag: "Old Brooks, you should be my teacher. Compared to you, I'm far inferior. Seriously, I can't do whatever I want with either of you."

"I'll teach you a trick." Bruce reached into his pocket, intending to take out Vaseline, but instead pulled out a bottle of Tiger Balm.

Martin asked in surprise, "You've used it?"

"I forgot about it in my suitcase after coming back from Mexico." Bruce put it away again. "I'll go see Kim today and give it a try."

Martin reminded him, "Remember to film it, Old Brooks. When you're broke, you can make a fortune selling the videotapes."

Before he even returned to North Hollywood, Martin received a call from Robert Patrick, inviting him to dinner at a restaurant in Sherman Oaks.

During the audition at the wax museum, Patrick had helped out, and Martin immediately rushed over.

He met Patrick in an Italian restaurant.

"There's an opportunity." Because of that special party, Patrick kept Martin in mind: "My 360 Entertainment is going to invest in a movie, produced by WME, with professional wrestling star John Cena as the male lead, and I'll play the second male lead villain. If you're interested, there's a third male lead role, the villain's right-hand man."

Martin's path differs from Patrick's, who specializes in villainous roles, as he stated, "I might not have the time."

Since the other party meant well, he quickly explained, "I have an action-packed gunfight movie in the planning stages, which will probably start filming next year."

Patrick asked, "Are you the male lead?"

Martin nodded: "I'm the male lead."

Patrick understood and couldn't help but laugh: "Your development speed is astonishing. I remember when I came to Hollywood, it took me many years to make a little name for myself."

Martin laughed and said, "I laid a foundation in Atlanta, and with your help, Wes, Aja, and Jamie in Los Angeles, I was able to develop."

Patrick said, "If you can play a lead role, don't even consider a supporting role. If you can play a positive role, don't play a villain, unless the villain is special and on par with the protagonist."

I've finally finished writing the second chapter.

(End of this chapter)