America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 768 A Love Story Worth Three Thousand Dollars

Having received Thomas's accurate information, Martin said, "Let's go to the bookstore and buy a book called 'The Minds of Billy Twenty-Four'."

"I'll have someone go," Bruce advised, "but don't let anyone with ulterior motives notice."

Thinking of the previous projects, Martin nodded and said, "Buy them and have them delivered directly."

Bruce went to make a phone call, and Martin waited patiently.

Not long after, Bruce received a call. After saying a few words, Bruce covered the mouthpiece and told Martin, "The books have been found. The bookstore clerk told me about 'The Minds of Billy Milligan' and another book in the same series called 'Billy's War'."

Martin said, "Let's buy them together."

After waiting for a while, someone delivered the book to the door of the room, and Bruce took it back.

Martin took the book and glanced at the cover. It was a non-fiction biography by Daniel Keyes, written in 1981 and 1983 respectively.

The latter took many years to be published.

But Martin didn't have time to watch now; it was almost time to go down for dinner.

Before leaving the film crew, Martin invited everyone to a big meal, which could be considered a party.

At the party, he also received a phone call from Linda Henry.

Fenway Sports Group had a partnership with the film crew, and the proprietress was familiar with the crew's activities. Knowing that Martin was preparing to leave Boston, she specially invited him to a private party.

Since there was cooperation between the two sides, Martin agreed.

Back in his room, seeing that it was still early, he took out "The Minds of Billy Milligan" and began to read it carefully.

Billy Milligan, born in 1955, was imprisoned in 1975 for armed robbery. In 1977, while on parole, he was arrested for allegedly robbing and raping three women. During the defense of Billy, his lawyer had him undergo an evaluation test by a psychology expert, who concluded that Billy suffered from multiple personality disorder.

A psychiatrist in Ohio conducted further psychological evaluations on Billy.

The assessment results also showed that Billy suffers from multiple personality disorder.

In the subsequent court proceedings, the defense attorney argued that "Billy was not in his right mind and could not control himself at the time of the crime," and called four psychiatrists and a psychologist to testify on Billy's behalf.

The court ultimately accepted this defense, finding Billy not guilty, but requiring him to undergo involuntary psychiatric treatment.

Billy was also the first person in the United States to commit a serious crime but be acquitted due to mental illness.

This does not mean he gained his freedom; he suffered a series of inhumane treatments during his treatment.

Martin quickly skimmed through it and, drawing on his years of experience in Hollywood, immediately came up with two adaptation ideas.

One approach focuses on the individual, specifically the male protagonist modeled after Billy, primarily showcasing his behavior and struggles.

The movie starring James McAvoy is told from this perspective.

Another approach is to elevate the story, still using Billy as the prototype for the male protagonist, but focusing the plot and its themes on the case itself.

Billy's case is clearly a precedent and has a significant impact on the judiciary.

Both of these options align with mainstream Hollywood adaptation methods.

Martin put down his book.

Bruce, who was next to him, also closed his copy of "Billy's War".

Martin asked, "What were your thoughts after watching it?"

"It's normal for people to have two or three sides, just like you and me." Bruce picked up the book and shook it, saying, "If what's written here is true, this guy is even scarier than you."

Martin's face darkened, and he said, "Billy is a robber and rapist. I won't do such a thing."

Bruce chuckled: "True, although it seems to me that you have some personality splits, you won't get out of control."

Martin simply gave him the middle finger and picked up his phone to dial Thomas's number.

…………

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Los Angeles.

Inside a suite, a beautiful woman with long brown hair peeked out from the bedroom and said to Thomas in the living room, "Hi, darling, aren't you done with your business yet?"

Thomas turned to look in that direction and said, "Wait a minute, don't come out again unless I call you."

A beautiful woman suddenly appeared in the doorway, her tall figure resembling that of a model: "You called me over, then left me alone in the bedroom..."

Faced with this $3000 love offer, Thomas became somewhat impatient and simply pulled out the money, stuffing it into her hand: "If you want to stay, go in and wait patiently for a while; if you don't want to stay, you can leave now."

She received her payment, but after thinking for a moment, the beautiful woman turned and went back to her bedroom.

This person is rich and generous; he'll likely make a lot of money in the future.

Thomas nodded when he saw the bedroom door reopen. This kind of one-night or one-night stand was much more convenient than finding a long-term girlfriend, without so many messy troubles.

He glanced at the bald head reflected on the TV screen, reached out and touched it, then laughed nonchalantly. With money, status, and power, what kind of beautiful woman couldn't he find?

The room remained quiet as Thomas gripped his phone, waiting patiently.

He had worked with Martin for so many years, understood Martin's working style, and knew that Martin might contact him again at any time.

Sure enough, the phone rang soon after.

Thomas answered the phone: "Martin, is there anything else?"

The person on the other end said directly, "Go check who owns the copyrights to the two non-fiction biographies, 'The Minds of Billy Milligan' and 'Billy's War,' and find out if Billy Milligan is still alive."

Thomas replied, "Have someone do it first thing tomorrow morning."

"Okay," Martin said, adding, "Keep it confidential."

Thomas hung up the phone, repeated Martin's request in his mind several times to make sure he wouldn't forget it, then put away his phone and went into the bedroom.

This is a $3000 love story.

…………

Boston, Bay Area.

The villa with its sea view was brightly lit, and a private party was being held.

The huge banquet hall was bustling with people.

After Martin arrived, Linda Henry stayed with him and talked to him: "John wanted to host you personally, but some unexpected situations suddenly arose in Liverpool. He rushed to Liverpool early this morning to deal with it and repeatedly asked me to apologize to you."

This woman has a particular fondness for red, and she's wearing a red evening gown tonight.

"It's alright." Martin received a call from John Henry himself that morning and casually asked, "Liverpool in the Premier League?"

Linda was worried that Martin, her business partner, might have something to say, so she explained in detail: "There was a problem with Liverpool's summer transfer window. The club of a Brazilian player that had been agreed upon suddenly backed out. That player was a key player for the club to bring in during this transfer window. After the unexpected happened, the manager was a bit upset, so John had to go and talk to him in person."

She picked up her glass and clinked it against Martin's: "Please accept our apology."

Martin smiled and said, "I wish Liverpool all the best for next season."

Linda smiled and said, "Thank you."

She pulled Martin aside for drinks and a chat, sharing anecdotes from the sports and entertainment worlds, and occasionally mentioning future collaborations.

Sports and entertainment are inseparable, and this is also true in the United States.

This woman is not only in charge of Fenway's external publicity, but also has a knack for public relations and a silver tongue.

Linda is beautiful, has a great figure, is highly educated, and speaks very nicely, making her easy to like.

But Martin is the kind of person who wouldn't readily give in to a rabbit, so he naturally wouldn't make any promises easily.

After chatting for a while, Martin noticed some acquaintances in the banquet hall. He told Linda and went to find them.

"Giselle, it's been a long time." Martin greeted Giselle Bunsen and then shook hands with her husband, Tom Brady.

The latter said, "I heard you're filming in Boston recently?"

Martin said politely, "It's a pity that the NFL is in its offseason right now, so I can't watch the New England Patriots play."

Tom Brady responded with a few words, then made an excuse to go to the other side.

Gisele Bündchen looked around the banquet hall and asked, "Leo isn't here?"

Martin said, "No, I haven't seen Leo for a while either. He seems to be planning to shoot a new movie."

Gisele said, "Making movies, making money, chasing women—that's all he cares about."

"Actually, Leo has always cared about you a lot." That bastard Martin didn't hesitate to dig a hole for his best friend: "You might not know, but every time Leo, Jack, and I got drunk, Leo would burst into tears and say that the person he felt most sorry for was you."

Upon hearing this, Giselle's expression became somewhat unusual, and she seemed a little dazed, as if recalling that happy time.

She is the only woman Leonardo DiCaprio has ever gotten engaged to.

But Gisele wasn't one to back down easily. She quickly regained her composure and said, "You really care? Don't think I don't know what the three of you have done. It's no secret in the modeling world."

Martin wasn't embarrassed at all, and said, "We're just shy and don't know how to refuse their invitations."

Gisele didn't believe a single word of these words. So thin-skinned? And she's supposed to be the one testing the fashion supermodels!

"Try to keep in touch with Leonardo when you have time." Martin continued digging a hole, figuring that Leonardo wouldn't die from the fall anyway, and he could just watch the show from above.

The banquet hall was quite crowded, mostly with people from the business and sports circles.

Martin went to the bar and sat down on a bar stool, ready to order a cocktail, when a woman came over and put her arms on the bar.

"It looks just like you the moment I walked in." Scarlett's blonde hair was styled in a bun, with wavy blonde hair falling over her shoulders. At twenty-seven, she was at the peak of her beauty and figure.

She turned to Martin and asked, "Haven't you seen your date?"

Martin smiled and said, "They're all gone. I'm all alone in Boston, attending these tedious social events. I feel lonely and exhausted, like I'm sinking into an abyss."

Scarlett suddenly stretched out a hand to Martin, waiting for him.

Martin put his hand in Scarlett's hand.

Scarlett pulled him up: "I'm the one who saved you from the abyss."

She pulled Martin outside, saying, "Please call me the Angel of Salvation."

Martin thought she was more like a female bodhisattva. He waved to Linda Henry from a distance, followed Scarlett's footsteps, and said, "We've known each other for eight years, and I've waited eight years for you to come and save me."

Scarlett stated directly, "Because you weren't attractive enough eight years ago."

Eight years ago, she was already famous throughout the United States, while Martin was just a sunny, handsome, and unlikable young actor.

(End of this chapter)