America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 453 The Iron Fist of Strike

At Warner Bros. Studios, Martin and Taylor joined the John Wick studio together.

The latter's agent was waiting in the lobby.

Martin saw Chad's dog and called out, "Daisy!"

The dog immediately pulled Chad toward them. Martin took a bag of biscuits from his pocket, tossed one to Daisy, and introduced her to Taylor: "Chad, you know him, the director of the crew. This is Daisy, our animal star."

After Daisy finished her cookies, she looked at Martin longingly. Martin, noticing her gaze, took out the remaining cookies and put them all on the ground: "They're all yours."

Taylor leaned closer and asked, "You really like dogs?"

"I only like other people's dogs." Martin felt that some quirks were contagious. He ruffled Daisy's hair. "Other people's dogs can be petted and played with anytime. It's too much trouble to raise one yourself."

Taylor felt something was off about what Martin said, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. She went along with Martin's words and said, "I have a Scottish Fold cat named Menendis. I'll bring it to you to see next time I have time."

After Daisy finished her cookies, Chad handed her to his assistant and said, "Let's get to work."

The group left the lobby and entered the conference room, where Louise, the producer, and the film's composer also arrived.

The John Wick crew signed a letter of intent with Taylor while in New York, and she would write and sing the theme song for the film for a negligible fee.

Unlike Martin's song, which was inspired by a chicken just last night, Taylor has been busy with movie songs for the past few months.

Both she and the Big Machine Records company behind her were well aware that this was a great opportunity for self-promotion.

Taylor's new album will also be released next year after the movie's release.

For newly emerging celebrities, riding the wave of trending topics is a basic skill.

Louise was more in charge of the overall process and didn't participate much in the specific post-production. She asked Taylor, "Is the song your forte, the country style?"

Taylor frankly stated, "It's a rather alternative country style."

Chad added, "This song was prepared for the end credits of the film, and the country style was something I carefully considered."

He explained in detail: "The male protagonist, Jonathan, is battered and exhausted at the end of the film. His will to survive is ignited by the video he filmed with the female protagonist, and then the film ends. After being bombarded with high-density action scenes, the audience needs a moment of emotional release at the end. The song I requested was one that expressed the female protagonist's expectations and blessings for the male protagonist."

Louise nodded slightly.

Martin looked at Taylor: "Is the song ready?"

Taylor nodded: "I finished writing it last month, and after coming to Los Angeles, I completed the final arrangement. The song is called 'All Is Well'."

Martin said directly, "Let's play the sample tape."

Taylor's agent stood up and handed the recorded demo tape to an assistant, who immediately put it into the music player.

It was still the acoustic guitar accompaniment most common in country music, but Taylor's vocals were noticeably different from last night.

"I remember the tears that streamed down your face, I remember you saying not to leave me alone, but tonight, everything, the threat of death, is over. Open your eyes, the sun is about to rise, you will be safe and sound. No one can hurt you now, dawn has arrived, you will be safe and sound..."

After the song ended, there was a moment of silence in the conference room. Chad looked at Martin and said, "I think it's very suitable for Jonathan, who survived the great war."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "Wouldn't it be better to add a DV video of Jonathan and the female lead at the end?"

Chad asked, "To act as a ray of sunshine after a cold, bloody battle?"

"In your plan, this is supposed to be the driving force that keeps Jonathan alive," Martin said. "How you use it is up to you."

Chad said, "Your suggestion is excellent; I will seriously consider it."

Taylor has no say in the specific use of the song.

Louise didn't say much, and Chad was mainly responsible for post-production.

Following this meeting, it was decided that "All Is Well" would be used as the film's end credits song.

Martin and Louise went into the producer's office.

He asked, "Has Warner Bros. confirmed the release date yet?"

"Two choices." Louise pulled out a chair and sat down: "Either after the Oscars, or in the fall season."

After a moment's thought, Martin said, "Let's choose after the Oscars. The post-production progress of 'Benjamin' is only so-so, and the release date will definitely be in the second half of next year. The film also needs to coincide with David Fincher's award campaign."

Louise nodded: "Having one in the first half and one in the second half is more advantageous for you."

"It's good for all of us," Martin emphasized. "If John Wick is run well, even if it doesn't hit the box office, the DVD and other retail markets will still boom."

Louise said, "The world-building for the first book has just begun, and the plot and ending have left some loose ends. Are you planning a trilogy?"

Martin had no reason to hide anything from her: "As long as the first film generates buzz, there should be at least a trilogy, with one film released every two to three years. We can't release them too frequently."

Louise laughed and pushed up her black-rimmed glasses: "To be honest, Martin, I never imagined that one day I would be in charge of the film industry."

Martin went straight to the heart of the matter: "Honey, because I can make you money."

He made no secret of it: "During my most difficult time, it was you and Kelly who helped me and saved me from taking many detours..."

Louise chuckled. "You took the shortest route, but it was rough and full of wrinkles."

…………

Inside the academy's studio, Lily sat in a chair, staring blankly at a slab of snow-white marble.

Martin had called her before; Leonardo wanted a large piece sculpted by her personally, and the price would definitely satisfy her.

Lily immediately contacted her mentor and applied to purchase a stone.

She hasn't decided what to carve yet.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. After Lily said "Come in," one of her followers from the academy ran in.

"Boss, quickly check the news on TV."

"What is it?" Lily pointed to the remote control.

The henchman quickly picked it up, turned it on, tuned it to the appropriate TV channel, and pointed at it: "Look, isn't that the guy who often buys your carvings? I think his name is Casey Affleck, a Hollywood star."

The news broadcast was nearing its end when a man dressed as a lawyer accompanied Cassie out of the police station, got into a car, and drove away.

Lily asked, "What happened to him?"

"He beat up a guy who was trying to sell him clown statues, and the victim was reportedly badly injured..." the henchman quickly repeated.

There was a computer in the studio. Lily opened her browser, skillfully accessed the TMZ website, found the relevant news, and read the whole story.

According to the latest news, Casey Affleck has posted a large bail and temporarily left the police station.

The victim has filed a police report and a lawsuit seeking compensation, and Cassie will face huge claims.

Others might not think much of it, but Lily felt a sense of familiarity about it.

That Cassie had ulterior motives towards her, so she took the opportunity to sell him some cheap practice items, thinking that would be the end of it.

But Cassie soon ran into trouble.

Lily closed the webpage and said, "Let's go for a walk."

The assistant quickly followed Lily out of the studio.

Lily sent the man away, found a secluded spot, and called Martin: "Hello, this is Lily."

"I'm busy, get to the point." Martin's tone was as rude as ever.

Lily was already used to it and said, "I just saw the entertainment news, thank you."

But just as her excitement was building, she was met with a harsh blow: "A verbal thank you is useless. The grass on the front lawn of the new house is growing too fast. Come over tomorrow or the day after and mow the lawn."

Lily froze, stunned. Such a huge lawn…

Martin asked, "Did you hear that?"

Lily snapped out of her daze. She couldn't just say thank you and then turn around and throw it away. So, she forced herself to say, "I'll go back tomorrow and mow the lawn for you."

Although Martin can be incredibly awful at times, Lily feels that, like Elena, he is someone who genuinely cares about her.

Casey Affleck's experience proves this point.

…………

Santa Monica and Cassie, accompanied by their lawyer, entered the law firm together.

Ben Affleck was waiting in the lawyer's office. Upon seeing Casey, he demanded, "What's wrong with you?"

Cassie spread her hands and said, "He provoked me!"

Ben had seen the video: "That guy was just trying to sell you the clown statue. If you don't like that bastard Martin, you can simply not buy it. Why did you have to hit him? And beat him so badly?"

His voice grew louder as he spoke: "More than one person filmed this, and the video of you hitting someone was uploaded to TMZ, and it was even filmed from different angles."

Cassie sat down, rubbed her face, and said, "They deliberately provoked me, deliberately framed me!"

"Yes, that's very likely, but the problem is you can't prove it." Big Ben retorted angrily, "I told you to calm down, why won't you listen?"

Cassie lowered his head, not wanting to speak.

Ben asked the lawyer, "Evan, what's your opinion?"

"As things stand, all the evidence is extremely unfavorable to us," lawyer Evan stated directly. "If criminal charges are brought in, Cassie will be in very, very trouble. I suggest that you settle things with the victim as soon as possible and sign an out-of-court settlement agreement."

Cassie looked up: "Impossible!"

Ben pointed at him and said, "Fine, you're going to jail. Remember to bring soap; the Latinos and blacks there will teach you how to use soap properly!"

"That bastard wants $300 million in damages!" Cassie said. "Where am I supposed to get $300 million?"

He shook his head repeatedly: "That man said I broke his nose and left a wound on his face, which will cause him serious psychological trauma in the future. These are all excuses to ask for more money!"

Ben ignored Casillas and instead looked at the lawyer.

Evan said, "The injury assessment is also very disadvantageous for us. We have video, injury data, and witnesses. The suspect is a Hollywood star. There's the precedent of Brad Pitt. The victim doesn't even need to pay any legal fees upfront; a large number of lawyers will handle the lawsuit for him."

Ben couldn't possibly let his brother experience the myriad uses of soap in prison, so he said, "Evan, you contact the opposing lawyer first and try to reach a settlement at the lowest possible price."

Cassie said, "I have no money."

Da Ben took good care of his younger brother: "I'll try to raise the money."

(End of this chapter)