America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 614 The Common Property of the Trio of Scoundrels

The studio was decorated like an ancient Roman underground castle, with a huge bath in the largest central hall.

Martin, dressed in a black suit, sat in the lounge and beckoned Bruce over.

He said in a low voice, "Nolan's use of real behind-the-scenes footage for publicity during filming is actually worth learning from."

Bruce said something to the truth: "Chad doesn't have Nolan's ability. Nolan can creatively write such realistic behind-the-scenes footage while filming existing movies. Chad can't do that."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "Write this down. This tidbit might be used in the pre-screening promotions. Don't write it down in your notebook."

Bruce slapped his forehead: "My brain works better than yours."

Martin, too lazy to refute, said, "During the filming of 'John Wick 2,' Leo, Jack, and I suspected that a Russian spy might have infiltrated the crew with malicious intent toward America, so we decided to find the spy."

Bruce cautioned, "It's only useful if we can find spies."

Martin nodded: "So, we need to determine which one is the spy and what she wants to do."

On the other side, Nicholson and Leonardo stood in a spot overlooking the entire set, seemingly watching the crew film, but their eyes were actually fixed on Marina Alexandrova, who was dressed in a glamorous outfit.

Leonardo said, "Martin has a good eye. This Russian woman is just average-looking at first glance, but the more you look at her, the more attractive she becomes; she has a very special charm."

Nicholson's eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses: "Martin, like you, is a very loyal person, and the women he chooses are all extraordinary."

Leonardo acknowledged this and then asked, "Have you found anything?"

Nicholson shook his head slightly: "Not at the moment."

"Are you sure you can do it?" Leonardo asked doubtfully.

"Don't doubt Detective Jack's eyesight and abilities." Nicholson pushed up his sunglasses. "If anyone on this set can find that swallow, it can only be me!"

He emphasized, "The great detective Jack Nicholson!"

Leonardo DiCaprio cautioned, "There are only two suspects on set."

Nicholson didn't respond, because Martin and Marina had both entered the set, and filming was about to begin.

With a command from director Chad, the script supervisor clapped the clapperboard, and filming began for a new scene.

Martin entered the hall with a gun. After a brief exchange, Marina took off her clothes, slit her wrists, and lay down in the bathtub to end her life.

She was enveloped in blood red.

Martin fired a shot and turned to leave.

The long take, which lasted several minutes, was approved after only one take.

Marina's acting skills are far superior to those of purely decorative actresses.

"Stop!" Chad shouted, "That take is complete!"

Marina, wearing a bikini, came out of the bathtub, and someone immediately brought her a blanket.

Marina looked at Martin and asked softly, "Was my performance alright?"

"Good." Martin urged, "Go take a hot shower first, then we'll talk later."

Marina only has three scenes in total. After this scene is filmed, the other two scenes will have to wait for a while.

As the crew moved to another location, Martin took the guns from Bruce and personally inspected them according to the crew's regulations, preparing to film the gunfight action scenes.

While he was still making preparations, Marina, after taking a shower and changing her clothes, returned to the film set.

Martin's heart skipped a beat. He handed Marina an empty Glock pistol magazine and said, "Want to try it?"

Marina took the gun and examined it from all angles, seemingly unfamiliar with firearms, and her posture while holding it looked very awkward.

Nicholson and Leonardo also found Martin; one picked up the AR and fiddled with it, while the other curiously examined the Bernelli shotgun.

Seeing Marina's unfamiliarity with firearms, Martin asked, "Never handled a gun before? I remember there are quite a few civilian firearms in Russia."

"I played with my dad's pistol when I was little. My dad was an officer in the Soviet Union." Marina seemed to be telling the truth: "I was too young then, so I don't remember much about guns. Later, I went to study in Moscow and never had the chance to touch a gun again."

Martin looked very curious: "Was your father a military officer?"

Marina simply stated, "During the Soviet era, I was discharged before the Soviet Union collapsed."

Martin continued, "Life must have been tough during that period, right?"

"It's alright," Marina said with a reminiscing look. "Life in Moscow and St. Petersburg is pretty good compared to other places."

Martin casually remarked, "I hope I'll have the chance to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg someday."

Marina smiled and said, "I can be your guide, especially in winter, so you can see a different kind of scenery."

Martin followed up, saying, "Look at me, you've been in New York for so long, and I haven't shown you around at all."

Marina said, "Svetlana and I have explored all of Manhattan. You've paid us very well, and we've bought a lot of things."

"How's it going here?" Martin asked casually. "Many people who come to New York don't want to leave."

Marina came here with her own special purpose: to show the same longing for the lighthouse as Svetlana, saying, "I also want to stay here."

Nicholson, who was nearby, slightly raised his eyelids but controlled his expression, continuing to fiddle with the rifle in his hand.

Martin chatted with Marina for a few more minutes, and Chad had someone inform him to prepare to enter the set for filming.

The next few scenes were all gunfights.

Martin, with a gun belt around his waist, an AR on his back, and a shotgun on his shoulder, walked into the nearby film set.

Svetlana also arrived on set and directed her men to surround and kill Jonathan.

Gunshots rang out as Martin darted and weaved through the underground passages of the ancient castle, taking down one assassin after another.

Pistols, rifles, and shotguns took turns being used, and even grenades and stun grenades were used.

The gunfights and action choreography continue the style of the first film.

Whether it's close combat or long-range shooting, Jonathan shows no mercy.

Martin's excellent firearms handling skills were on full display at this moment.

Shooting long takes in action films not only tests the crew members behind the scenes, but also the actors' skills.

The most distinctive feature of the action sequences in the John Wick series is that it does not use fast-paced, short cuts; almost all action scenes are composed of long takes.

Martin's individual performance and the fluidity of his movements became of paramount importance.

Of course, this will also be very tiring for the lead actor.

After filming action scenes for most of the day, Martin was panting heavily and sat on a rest chair, not wanting to get up for a while.

Nicholson appeared behind him like a ghost.

Martin glanced back at him: "Could you make some noise when you walk? It's easy for me to kill you if you do."

Nicholson replied, "Don't you want to know what I've observed?"

Leonardo hadn't forgotten what happened yesterday: "How can a subordinate talk to his boss like that? Show some respect and admiration!"

Martin, quite exasperated, asked, "So, bosses, what was the result?"

Nicholson said very seriously, "Based on my observation, Marina lied and acted far more often in her conversations with you than Svetlana did. She is far more suspicious."

He wouldn't mislead Martin on such a matter, adding a specific sentence: "This is just my subjective feeling, and I can't guarantee it's 100% correct, but if there really is a swallow among these two, based on my more than seventy years of life experience and acting experience, Marina is more likely."

Martin stated directly, "While your character may be questionable, I trust your acting skills."

Nicholson gave him the middle finger: "Actually, we could try something, like the FBI does, spreading some fake news as bait, maybe we can catch a mermaid."

Martin asked, "And then what happens after you catch it?"

Nicholson did not respond at this time.

Leonardo said, "The problem is we're not professional at doing this."

Martin thought for a moment: "Don't take any action for now. Just identify the prime suspect. I need to think carefully about how to proceed."

"Why not leave it to me?" Nicholson was very curious about the legendary swallow. "I'll treat her well and make her spill everything she knows, and incidentally, turn her into a real swallow."

Martin shook his head: "We're good people, not perverts! We can't do illegal detention and abuse, these are illegal and criminal acts."

Leonardo suggested, "Just hand it over to the FBI and let them handle it."

Nicholson was the first to object: "Absolutely not! How can we hand over something so fun to those executioners in the FBI?"

Martin interrupted their argument, saying, "This matter is limited to the three of us and Bruce. Don't spread it outside. If Marina and Svetlana are indeed Swallows, what is the Russian purpose in sending them here?"

Nicholson said, "They just want to get some information from you, or achieve some ulterior motive through you."

Leonardo DiCaprio added, "You're the leader of the Cola Cult, and more and more political figures are attending Cola Cult gatherings..."

Martin nodded: "Then let's not rush to deal with it. What benefit would we get from exposing it now, besides gaining credit for the FBI? Let's wait for an opportunity; perhaps we can profit from it. If all else fails, we can sell it to the FBI."

Nicholson and Leonardo both nodded: "Okay."

The former specifically stated, "But there's one thing you must do, Martin: this swallow was discovered by the three of us. You can enjoy her beautiful body to your heart's content, but you absolutely cannot sell her alone."

Leonard continued, "That's right, Swallow is the shared property of the trio of bastards. You can't have her all to yourself. Whatever action you want to take, all three of us have to participate."

"I'm fine with this," Martin said deliberately. "We'll share the blame and the fun."

Nicholson said, "Hopefully you can find something really funny."

Leonardo said, "Martin has never let us down when it comes to causing trouble."

"No, I learned everything from you guys," Martin said modestly. "You're the teachers when it comes to getting things done; I'm just a student."

(End of this chapter)