America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 64 inevitably leads to a circular stage.

The Ford drove around the Clayton neighborhood, and the black traffickers who used to be everywhere seemed to have vanished without a trace, as if the garbage had been cleared away.

Martin drove into the community and parked in front of Carter's house. Lily, Hall, and Harris, who were crammed into the back seat, couldn't wait to get out of the car and run towards the front door.

Diagonally opposite, Mr. Wood strolled over.

Elena and Martin opened the trunk and beckoned the three of them to come and help with their luggage.

Mr. Wood came over and asked, "Did you have a pleasant trip?"

"I'm so happy." Lily smiled and went over to Mr. Wood, handing him a wolf-tooth keychain. "Mr. Wood, I brought you a gift."

Mr. Wood exclaimed in surprise, "This seems to be from the Great Smoky Mountains."

Martin chimed in, "I only realized how many tourist souvenirs made in Atlanta are being sold everywhere outside of Atlanta."

Mr. Wood chuckled.

Martin asked, "The black market dealers have disappeared?"

"It seems the DEA swept through a group, and the rest have fled." Mr. Wood was quite pleased. "Our neighborhood defense alliance has been a great success, and Clayton has returned to its former order."

Elena's request wasn't high: "Finally, things can be restored to normal."

Martin called Harris and Hall to carry the luggage back into the house.

Elena and Lily spoke with Mr. Wood and then returned with the rest of their luggage.

Martin suggested again, "We can move to a better neighborhood."

"We grew up here, and now that those black bastards are gone, everything is back to normal." Elena didn't want to leave: "These are all familiar neighbors. Although they can be awful at times, they're all good people in the community, and money should be used where it's most needed. Harris is about to go to college."

She tried her best to refrain from swearing: "Without enough money and decent jobs, if we move to another neighborhood, we'll only face discrimination."

Harris said, "I found a part-time job tutoring elementary school students at the planetarium."

Lily, unusually serious, said, "I deliver newspapers every morning."

Hall said, "The churchyard is hiring people to dig holes, which I'm good at."

Elena went over and punched him on the head: "You're in charge of guarding the house!"

Martin pondered for a moment and then said to Harris, "You should learn more about the stars at the planetarium and ask carefully about the difficulty of establishing a for-profit astronomical association."

Harris nodded: "I'll find out."

Elena then said, "Your accent sounds really awkward now."

Martin said, "I started late with the Hollywood accent, so I could only stick to daily practice."

Lily suddenly interjected, "He's obsessed with becoming a big star!"

Two fists stopped in front of Lily's face at the same time, and Lily lowered her head in grievance.

Martin, who had been relying mainly on intimidation, withdrew his fist, took out the Ford car keys, and handed them to Elena: "This car is for you, it'll be convenient for commuting."

Then, turning her head, she saw Lily's face break into a look of grievance, her mouth slightly open, as if she wanted to speak.

He slapped Lily across the face: "Shut up!"

Elena asked, "And you?"

Martin pulled out another car key: "I recently helped someone secure an investment, this is my bonus." He then changed the subject: "Anyone want to go out? I'm thinking of buying a spotlight."

Elena said, "I'll go with you."

Martin realized that the black man was the real threat, especially the black man dressed in black at night, he was absolutely ruthless.

He plans to install searchlights outside the house to break Old Black's stealth abilities.

Just after noon, Elena drove her Ford to a bar.

Martin first went to the Freedom Society to collect his salary for the next two weeks, then went to Gray Film Company, found Kelly's assistant Ella, gave her a small gift, and asked her to help write a social survey report.

The Liberty Society's salary wasn't easy to collect; social investigators had to submit a formal report every three weeks.

When director Benjamin learned that Martin was coming, he made a phone call and invited Martin to sit in his office.

"The boss informed me this morning that he's decided to give the project the green light and has designated you as the male lead." Benjamin could easily deduce from this information that Martin had persuaded the boss.

He said with great emotion, "My long-cherished wish has finally come true."

Martin spoke eloquently: "I owe my success to your guidance, Director. Without that memorable circus performance, I wouldn't have had this opportunity."

Benjamin realized Martin's influence with the boss and no longer treated him as just an actor, saying, "Don't worry, this time I'll tailor an even more outstanding play for you."

For some reason, Martin suddenly felt a chill.

But I can't give up halfway through the project I've worked so hard to create; I have to finish filming it no matter what.

As he pondered the script, he gradually came up with some ideas, realizing that the male lead had to be outstanding.

Benjamin specifically reminded him, "You've worked at the male escort club for so long, you should be quite familiar with the striptease part, right?"

Martin understood why it was chilly and said, "I'm a bartender."

Benjamin said, "Get ready and start practicing."

Martin sighed inwardly. After going through all this trouble, he still had to get on the circular stage.

What's the point of all this fuss? If you go to Los Angeles in the future, won't you just make a detour to the San Gabriel Valley?

Martin didn't want to do it that way, so he decided to use his trump card and said, "Director, you wrote the character of the male strip club owner as an ugly man."

Benjamin simply said, "A red flower needs green leaves around it. The boss is the green leaf. With the supporting role, the audience will think the male dancers are handsome."

Martin said, "I have a friend who would be perfect for the role."

Benjamin knew Martin had started out as an extra: "The boss had a lot of lines."

Martin was referring to Robert: "His basic acting skills are passable, and his lines are fine too."

"Sure," Benjamin readily agreed. "Once the production team issues the call for auditions, let him come directly for an audition. As long as his basic acting skills are fine, I'll give him the green light."

He felt no qualms about doing favors that didn't require him to use his own resources: "I remember which theater troupe you were a member of?"

Martin nodded. "Marieta Community Theatre Company." He didn't forget to boast a bit: "The most professional background artist team in all of Atlanta, they've worked with the company on many late-night productions."

Benjamin said directly, "You're in charge of making the contact."

The two chatted about the male lead for a while longer before Martin said goodbye and left. He then ran into Andrew in the company lobby.

Andrew beamed: "I just heard from Ella that you'll be serving as the production manager for this film?"

Martin told the truth: "It's just a nominal position."

Andrew looked around and lowered his voice: "Lynn was dragged down by Adam Smith and was taken away by the DEA last week. The boss has decided to fire him."

Martin realized what was happening: "Congratulations, casting director."

Andrew had done a lot for Martin back then, and could roughly guess that Martin had taken down Adam Smith, from which he also benefited. He deliberately raised his fist and said, "We should be congratulating each other."

Martin bumped fists with him: "I'll have Jerome contact you."

Andrew said, "No problem, he can call me anytime."

Once Martin was certain the project would proceed without incident, he called the team leader, Jerome, and then arranged to meet with Robert, handing him the script for the role Benjamin had given him.

"What do you mean?" Robert looked at the character's script and suddenly remembered how this guy had frequently discussed anal sex with that pervert during dinner: "Martin, I'm not interested in men!"

Martin sighed, "Dude, I'm even less interested in men! I'm the male lead in this movie, and I'm worried someone will steal him away if you're not here to watch over me."

Robert defended himself, saying, "I really didn't do anything; it was purely by chance."

"I understand." Martin didn't bother to say more. "This role has at least twenty lines. Go back and prepare well. If you mess up the audition, I'll give you to Bruce. Old Bruce is the one who likes to use connections."

The following day, Dave, representing Grey Pictures, reached an agreement with Sofia and Vincent, and "Zombie Dancer" was officially greenlit.

(End of this chapter)