America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 79 Bringing your own investment to the production team is the right way (Please subscribe)

The following morning, Martin received a call from Bruce, who said that Vincent and Sophia wanted to invite him for a drink at the House of the Beasts.

Martin drove to Saijo Street and entered the club.

Bruce stood behind the bar, pouring drinks.

Vincent took off his cowboy hat, waved to Martin, and said after Martin sat down at the bar, "A toast to you."

Martin clinked glasses with him, and Sofia joined in, toasting together.

Vincent put down his cup: "A very good movie, a very good investment."

Martin smiled and said, "Boss, I'm a grateful person."

Sofia interjected, "You're a smart person too."

Martin's gaze swept over Old Brooks' face, but Old Brooks didn't respond. Martin simply went straight to the point: "Boss, Sophia, you didn't just invite me for drinks, did you?"

Vincent didn't speak this time, but Sofia continued, "When the crew was filming, I heard that you were planning to move to Los Angeles."

Martin nodded: "There are plans in that regard."

Sofia gestured to Old Brooks to pour her a drink: "Los Angeles offers many opportunities, with numerous film companies and production crews. I've heard that hundreds of films are shot every year."

Martin admitted honestly, "I've never been to Los Angeles, and I don't really know much about it."

Sofia received a notification report from the studio this morning, expressing great satisfaction with the previous investment. They believe in sticking with what they know, so she and Vincent turned their attention to Martin: "Hollywood films often involve investments of tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. If you come across an opportunity like this, don't forget your old friends in Atlanta."

Hearing this, Martin felt relieved. Putting everything else aside, he was able to bring his own funding to the project at a crucial moment.

He spoke with genuine emotion almost effortlessly: "Atlanta is my home. No matter how far I go, I will always come back someday. Why? Because my most precious memories and friends are here."

As he spoke, Martin glanced at Old Brooks.

Bruce, being very tacit, secretly gave him a middle finger.

Martin continued, "How could I forget you when there's an investment opportunity? I told Vincent that we were able to land the lead role entirely thanks to your investment support."

Sofia raised her glass: "I propose a toast to our future cooperation."

Martin clinked glasses with her and Vincent one after the other and drank their drinks.

Only when he got up close did he realize that Sophia's bent upper arm was thicker than Lily's thigh.

Martin realized something was wrong. Why was it Lily's legs? He definitely hadn't peeked.

Vincent then said, "My most successful investment to date was lending money to Jack Davis, which led me to Martin."

Martin said helplessly, "Boss, can we not mention Jack?"

"That old bastard hasn't contacted you?" Vincent laughed, a rare occurrence for him. "If I were you, Martin, I'd break his legs the next time I see him."

Martin shook his head: "Because it's not worth it for him to go to jail."

Sofia continued to have Bruce pour her another drink: "Let's have another one."

Martin clinked glasses with them again.

While Vincent and Sophia were drinking, Bruce suddenly gave him a wink.

Martin understood immediately. After chatting for a while about the so-called investment, he took his leave at the opportune moment: "I have to go to the Marietta Theatre. I have an appointment with the director, and I can't break my promise."

Sofia extended her hand: "Let's talk another day."

Martin politely shook her hand, feeling as if he were holding a stone: "Okay."

After leaving the club, Martin went to the Marietta Theatre Company, where Jerome did indeed arrange to meet him.

As soon as he entered the community theater, he saw dozens of people sitting inside, and seven or eight Roberts standing on the stage, shaking their big heads and instructing them on their performance.

Robert became a teacher...

Martin waved to the stage and went straight to his office on the second floor.

Jerome pointed to the opposite side: "Sit."

Martin sat down and said, "The troupe is thriving."

Jerome said casually, "There are quite a few new people. The troupe has signed an agreement with Gray Company to use extras, and many extras are trying to join the troupe."

Martin had heard about this from Andrew: "The Gray Company's late-night shows won't stop, Director, you should keep in touch with Andrew more often."

"I will." Jerome changed the subject: "Last night, I spoke with Robert Patrick on the phone and told him about your situation. He said that once you're in Los Angeles, you can go to Sherman Oaks to see him."

The team leader handed Martin a card with the address written on it: "Patrick will be able to help you."

Martin said solemnly, "Thank you, Commander."

Jerome suddenly raised his voice: "Martin, you're with the Marietta Theatre Company. Since you're going to Los Angeles, you should make something of yourself and not embarrass the company."

Martin assured him, "Commander, I will."

"I want to thank you for everything you've done for the troupe. Without you, the troupe wouldn't be where it is today." Jerome sighed softly, "My abilities as the troupe leader are limited; this is all I can do to help you."

Martin had wanted to invite Jerome to lunch, but Jerome declined.

I went downstairs and called out to Robert. Robert was very busy, but he only had time to come over and chat with me for a few minutes.

"After my photo with the cast was published in the newspaper, a very beautiful actress started pursuing me," Robert said softly, recounting a recent incident. "I know she wasn't interested in me, but in someone else."

Martin readily agreed: "And then?"

Robert said, "The day before yesterday, she kept bothering me, so I bought a bottle of Coke. The Coke might have just been dropped or something, I didn't notice, and when I unscrewed the cap, the Coke sprayed all over her head and body. She's going to sue me."

Martin found a lawyer's phone number and sent it to Robert: "Go and consult a professional."

Robert glanced at it, his large head drooping slightly: "I don't know why, but when you were in Savannah, my luck turned bad."

Martin thought of Ma Zhenxi and Adam Smith, and said solemnly, "Bear with it for a while, keep your phone on, I might call you anytime I'm in Los Angeles."

Robert hesitated, saying, "Going to Los Angeles means leaving my hometown."

"We'll see." Martin knew there was no point in saying more now: "I've made plans to have dinner with Old Brooks. If you're not coming, I'm leaving."

Robert has a teacher's air about him: "I'm now the principal performance coach for the Marietta Community Theatre, and I also have to teach these newbies."

After leaving the theater troupe, Martin went to the Rosario restaurant where he had been before, and waited for Bruce to arrive before ordering some Mexican food.

Bruce warned him, "Be careful when drinking with Sophia in the future; she can hold her liquor."

Martin immediately started speculating: "Old Brooks, you're not drunk, are you...?"

"Shut up!" Bruce initially didn't want to talk about it, but after a while, a sad expression appeared on his face: "I didn't know at the time, and I drank a few more drinks with her, and ended up getting drunk..."

Martin poured him a beer: "It's a sad story. Those who argue with others will eventually be argued with in return."

Bruce was about to drink beer, but upon hearing this, he instinctively reached for his jacket.

Martin quickly said, "Civilized man, there are police officers over there. Don't give that son of a bitch a chance to empty the magazine."

Bruce withdrew his hand: "You're lucky!"

Martin, thinking of Scott, asked, "How long does Sophia's interest in someone last?"

Bruce shook his head: "Not necessarily. Some people take longer, while others get bored after a few days."

Martin then asked, "The one with the worst outcome?"

Bruce couldn't help but laugh: "As far as I know, Sophia has never caused anyone to die; the worst case she's ever had is rectal prolapse."

Martin considered a possibility: "Could it be you?"

Bruce really wanted to draw his gun: "You piece of stinking shit, I'm going to rip your skull open and see what kind of dog poop is inside..."

Martin then said, "Old Brooks, why are you so agitated?"

"Yeah, why should I get agitated?" Bruce suddenly calmed down and said, "If you ever run into another mess that requires you to clean up my mess, don't come to me. I wouldn't help you even if you gave me a hundred thousand dollars."

Just then, the waiter brought the food over, and Martin said, "Let's eat. This meal is on me."

Bruce then changed his tune: "Since you treated me, next time you'll have to pay double."

Martin forked a piece of black pepper beef: "Don't worry, when I contact you again, I'll book you a first-class flight and a five-star suite, and I'll also prepare a big-butt beauty for you."

After the two finished their meal, Martin paid the bill and drove back to the community.

Upon entering the Carter's house, they heard Lily calling out, "Hall, you idiot, come here and see if I'm taller than Elena now!"

Barefoot, Lily stood beside Elena, gesturing with her hands: "I really am taller than you."

She saw Martin: "See? Isn't that right?"

Martin sat on a single sofa, chewing gum.

Elena ignored her, picked up two magazines, went to the single sofa, and sat on the armrest next to him.

Lily put her hands behind her back and said seriously, "Elena, I'm taller than you now, so you can't just touch me like that anymore..."

Before she could finish speaking, the magazine in Elena's hand flew out and hit her in the face.

Lily covered her prominent nose and said in a muffled voice, "Martin, are you a masochist?"

Martin picked up the baseball Hall had tossed aside next to the sofa, tossed it up, and caught it.

Lily stopped talking and sat on the sofa, puffing up her cheeks.

Elena pointed to the room: "Go help Hall with his homework."

As it turned out, Lily had grown taller but was still a little girl, and could only submit to Elena's power.

Elena and Martin cuddled for a while, then Elena checked the time and said, "Harris drove his Ford to deliver goods. Will you drive me to work?"

Martin patted Elena's bottom: "Glad to help."

The two got into the BMW, and Martin drove out of the community.

There were only the two of them in the car.

Arriving near the Blue Water Bar, Martin stopped the car and asked Elena, "Have you ever thought about living in Los Angeles?"

"Why go to Los Angeles?" Elena, now with a stable job, no longer swore. "My home is in Atlanta, my family is in Atlanta, and all my relatives and friends are in Atlanta."

Martin said, "We can go together."

"I'm waiting for Emma to come back." Elena said with deep worry, "If she comes back and we're not here, Scott might hurt her because of his madness. No matter what she did, she's still Lily and Hall's mother."

She deliberately changed the subject: "When is the movie you're in coming out? Take me to see it."

(End of this chapter)