America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 372 Giving a Push from Behind

After filming on Peach Tree Street wrapped up, the crew returned to the Gray Film and Television Center to continue shooting.

The lead actress, Maggie Gyllenhaal, also joined the filming.

"Stop, we've passed that one!"

Behind the director's monitor, Nolan looked at the set, which had been turned into a cocktail party, while Maggie Gyllenhaal clutched her chest and walked out, seemingly frightened by Martin's performance.

Nolan's brilliance extends beyond directing; he immediately summoned the screenwriter: "Record that during filming, Maggie Gyllenhaal was so nervous about Martin that she was urinating frequently and was afraid to speak or even look at him."

The screenwriter wrote quickly and jotted it down.

Nolan skillfully fabricated behind-the-scenes footage with promotional value, then thought for a moment and said, "Call Michael over."

Not long after, veteran actor Michael Kane arrived and asked, "Chris, did you need something?"

Nolan continued to arrange behind-the-scenes footage. Back in Los Angeles, he had already made an agreement with Orlin and Charles Roven to use Martin, who was more capable of creating buzz and had a stronger commercial appeal, as the core of the promotion: "When we're rehearsing later, Michael, you'll be so scared by Martin's performance that you'll forget your lines."

Having worked with Nolan multiple times, Michael Kane understood his intentions and said, "No problem, I'll cooperate with you."

A few minutes later, filming resumed.

This time, it was Martin and Michael Kane acting together.

When Martin's manic and brutal smile bloomed before him, Michael Kane was stunned and momentarily forgot his lines.

"Cut!" Nolan called out, stopping the game.

Kane backed away, and after his assistant brought him water, he took a sip before saying, "I'm sorry, it was my fault."

He looked at Martin, still shaken: "Young man, you were terrifying. I just saw a real clown appear before my eyes."

On the edge of the set, the screenwriter recorded another behind-the-scenes moment: "Michael Kane was so scared by Martin during filming that he forgot his lines."

Martin walked up to Kane and asked, "Is everything alright?"

Kane forced a smile: "I'm much better now."

Martin was surprised; was his acting really that good?

Bruce had been keeping an eye on the crew. Once Martin was seated on a lounge chair, he said softly, "Nolan just called Kane over for a chat."

Martin glanced at the director's monitor and suddenly realized: Nolan is truly dedicated to creating hype.

Morgan Freeman, an old acquaintance, came over alone, sat down next to Martin, and said, "This crew is very interesting."

Martin pretended to know nothing and casually made up a story: "Am I that scary?"

"No." Freeman flashed his signature smile: "It's all drama, both on and off stage, within and outside the play itself. It's fantastic."

Martin grinned: "Don't you think it's interesting? It adds a lot of fun to the otherwise boring filming process."

Freeman said, "I'm too old to handle any more turmoil, so I'll just watch quietly..."

Before he could finish speaking, his step-granddaughter came looking for him.

Freeman stood up to leave: "I'm going back to the hotel. We'll talk later."

A man and a woman, an old man and a young man, left the photography studio.

Martin asked, "Old Brooks, when I'm old, will I still have this kind of charm?"

"As long as you have enough money, you'll still be attractive no matter how old you get," Bruce reminded him. "You forgot, Jack Nicholson was able to attract 17-year-old Jennifer Lawrence."

As Martin nodded, he noticed Sophia had arrived again: "Does she and Bell have a lot in common?"

Bruce said softly, "I asked Scott, and Sophia also goes out hunting for something new, but she'll soon come back to him."

Martin sighed: "So Scott is the real winner in life."

It was a complete win without lifting a finger.

Martin chatted with Sofia for a few minutes while they were having lunch at the restaurant.

"Did you succeed?" he asked.

Sofia shook her head: "It's a bit difficult. When I was discussing fitness with him, I also inquired about his family situation. According to him, he loves his wife very much."

Martin revealed some details: "That shouldn't be the main reason. As far as I know, his sponge had torn."

"Looks like I need to change my strategy." Sofia thought there was something wrong with Bell in that area: "Should I be more proactive and assertive?"

She remembered something: "Bell's wife is coming, let's wait a few days."

Martin asked, "Coming to visit the set?"

"That's right." Sophia's hand, as firm as an iron clamp, landed on Martin's shoulder. "How about you do me a favor? Aren't you good at breaking up couples or boyfriends/girlfriends?"

How could Martin possibly refuse? After all, he was a major investor!

…………

The following morning, Martin met Bale's wife, Sibby Blacchik, on set.

She was a tall, brown-haired woman who looked to be in her early thirties.

During the break, Martin went over to greet Maggie Gyllenhaal and called to Bruce, "Come on, let's go find our good friend Bell and chat, and also meet his wife."

He didn't forget to remind them, "Bring a gift with you."

Bruce opened the bag he had brought, took out a long, rectangular box, caught up with Martin, and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Martin, dressed as a clown, turned around with a wicked grin: "It's just to meet a friend's wife."

Bruce sensed something was wrong.

Before they even reached the other side, Martin had already opened his arms wide and, with the utmost enthusiasm, said loudly, "Chris, is this your wife? Aren't you going to introduce her?"

Hibi turned her head and saw a strange man with a white face, red lips, and a forward-leaning head and neck approaching. Her heart tightened, and she subconsciously grabbed Bell's arm.

Being British, Bell wouldn't easily abandon his gentlemanly manners in public. Despite his dislike for Martin, he still introduced them: "Hibbie, this is Martin Davis. Martin, this is my wife, Hibbie Blacchik."

Martin was anything but polite: "Hello, Hibby, welcome to Atlanta." He laughed heartily, "I'm from Atlanta, and I'm good friends with Chris. If you need anything here, just let me know."

Hibi smiled and replied, "I will, thank you."

Martin's previously free hand suddenly flipped down, then back up, revealing a business card between his fingers: "My business card."

Hibby put it away, but out of politeness, he gave his business card to Martin.

Bell's face flashed with displeasure, but there were many people around, and he also had to consider his wife's feelings, so he didn't say anything.

Martin put away Hibby's business card and invited, "Chris, when are you free? I'd like to invite you and Hibby to try some Atlanta cuisine."

Bell stared straight at Martin, whose evil face, covered in white paint, seemed even more wicked to him than the Joker in the script.

Hibby noticed her husband's displeasure and said, "Let's talk about it when we have time. I just arrived in Atlanta from Los Angeles and I'm quite tired. I need to rest for a few days."

Martin turned and took the gift box from Bruce's hand, handing it to Sibby: "Please accept this gift."

Hibi accepted it: "Thank you."

"We won't bother you any longer." The Martins bowed slightly and left.

Bell led Hibby to his dressing room, saying as they walked, "Be careful around Martin Davis on set. He's got something wrong with his head; he's a lunatic."

Hibi sensed that her husband was at odds with her, and picked up the gift box: "Is it alright to accept this?"

Bell took it and opened it: "Let's see what this is."

Hibby glanced at it, took it out and held it in his hand; it was a clown sculpture that resembled Martin's makeup and appearance.

Bell said, "It's high-end handmade stuff from the production team."

The statue was about thirty centimeters long, and Hiby could just grasp it by the legs. He shook it a few times and said, "Something feels off."

Bell asked in surprise, "What's strange about it?"

Hibi suddenly thought of a certain type of used item: "It's nothing."

Bell suggested, "If you don't like it, just throw it away."

"Keep the film crew's merchandise." But what Hibi was thinking about was something else entirely. Ever since her husband Sponge suffered a tear in his penis, his interest in sex had severely decreased, so keeping the statue would still be somewhat useful to her.

Bell ignored the statue and reiterated, "Be careful of Martin Davis."

…………

Back in his rest area, Martin sat down and temporarily dismissed the screenwriter who always followed him.

Bruce, sensing something was amiss, asked, "What is it?"

Martin asked, "I remember at Pinewood Studios, Bell Sponge tore his skin. He's healed now. How's his relationship with his wife?"

Bruce didn't answer. Instead, he said, "Is it really like Leonardo said, that you're only interested in beautiful women over thirty who have steady male partners? Did you catch Jolie's charm?"

Martin scoffed: "How could someone as noble as me do something so lowly? That's too uncouth! Don't forget, I am now a truly noble person."

That's a rather clownish way of putting it.

Bruce asked, "What are you planning to do?"

"People's choices are always proactive." Martin already had an idea: "Madness is everywhere, like gravity. All we have to do is give people a gentle push from behind, and they will naturally make their choices."

Bruce was compassionate; he observed two seconds of silence for Bell, and two seconds later he was completely on Martin's side.

Martin looked around and, seeing no one was there, said, "Go find Robert and have him find some reliable Atlanta extras. I remember a lot of the extras in the crew came from Marietta."

Bruce nodded: "I'll arrange to meet Robert later."

Martin spoke in a low voice for a while.

Bruce fully understood Martin's intention and, as expected, only gave him a gentle push from behind.

Filming resumed after the crew finished their break.

Bruce left the studio, found a secluded spot, and called Robert.

At noon, the two met on the street outside the Gray Film and Television Center.

Robert was wearing a suit, with his hair slicked back, revealing his large head, looking every bit the high priest of the Cola Cult.

After hearing Bruce's words, he laughed: "This is easy. Many of the extras in the crew now are people I personally trained. They are also staunch believers in the Cola Cult. They are willing to give everything for their faith."

Bruce added, "This was their own initiative."

Robert nodded: "Of course!"

(End of this chapter)