America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 822 Taking a Gamble

MGM Grand Plaza, Las Vegas.

After the media and fan meeting ended, Martin left the event and quietly led Bruce to the back door of the hotel.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom was waiting in front of the door.

Seeing Martin and Bruce come out, Menez quickly got out of the car, opened the door, and gestured for them to get in: "Let's get going before the reporters arrive."

Martin got into the car, glanced at it briefly, and said, "This car is nice."

Bruce closed the car door and said, "A brand new Phantom, a limited edition at that, isn't cheap."

Menne first told the driver to start the car, then said, "I'm not sure about the exact price; this is a birthday gift from Celine."

Bruce said with a hint of envy, "No woman has ever given me such an expensive birthday gift before."

Martin said, "I'll give Kim and Kohler a call."

Menne continued, "And Jody! Old Brooks, with your skills, if you just show the slightest hint, they'll definitely come crawling to you."

Martin agreed: "I don't know about others, but Jody will definitely send it."

Bruce said blankly, "Then my pelvis shattered."

Menez and Martin burst into laughter.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom entered the Samlin district and quickly turned into a manor, stopping in front of a European-style villa.

Martin and Bruce got out of the car and followed Menez into the villa.

Celine Dion and the others greeted each other at the entrance to the living room: "Hi, Martin; Hi, Old Brooks."

When Menez came over, she took his arm and said, "Welcome to our new home."

Martin handed the gifts he had brought to the butler beside him, and followed Menez and Celine Dion inside. He glanced around the living room and realized that the house was definitely newly renovated, probably no more than a year ago.

Menez and Celine Dion did not invite any other guests, but instead entertained Martin and Bruce.

In front of her friends, Celine Dion always gave Menez face, acting as if Menez was the center of attention.

Martin and Bruce didn't stay long; they had media events the next day. After dinner, they chatted for a while and then said goodbye.

Menez and Celine Dion acted like hosts and mistresses, seeing the two off to their car.

Back at the hotel, we took the elevator upstairs.

Inside the private elevator, there were only Martin and Bruce.

Bruce couldn't help but exclaim, "The fake winner in life—Martin, the real winner in life—Menez!"

Martin sighed: "If I had Menez's skills back in Atlanta, I wouldn't be living such a tiring life now."

Bruce said, "You can live like Scott."

Upon hearing the name Scott, Martin thought of his old friend Sophia and said, "Old Brooks, you understand this better than anyone else."

Bruce wanted to slap himself. Why did he have to bring up Sophia for no reason?

Martin wouldn't let him off the hook: "I'm planning to raise funds for Denis Villeneuve's 'Sicario' from Wu Maoting and Beast House Entertainment. You can handle the negotiations with Beast House."

Bruce said, "I'm your bodyguard."

"No, you're my manager." Martin said cheerfully as he stepped out of the elevator.

After spending two days in Las Vegas, the crew moved on to San Francisco.

Meanwhile, The Town spent its second weekend in North American theaters.

In May, the start of the summer movie season, there were major films released almost every weekend.

2th Century Fox's "Star Trek Beyond" has arrived with great fanfare, taking the top spot at the box office with $7015 million on its opening day.

"The Town" slipped to second place, but its performance was stable enough to earn $3587 million in its second weekend.

Including weekday earnings, the film's North American box office has successfully surpassed $1 million.

However, compared to the $1.12 million North American box office, the film's performance in more than a dozen overseas markets in Europe and Latin America this week was relatively lukewarm, earning only $1892 million.

…………

San Francisco, Bay Area.

Martin sat by the window of the seaside restaurant, looking out at the brightly lit Golden Gate Bridge under the night sky.

This place offers panoramic views of most of the bay area.

Elon Musk, sitting across from him, said, "I have some good news for you."

Martin looked away and said, "Are you going to marry Amber Heard?"

"How could that be!" Musk was crystal clear-headed. "Playing around is one thing, helping is another, but marrying her? Absolutely not!"

He steered the conversation back to the main point: "Your investment in Tesla has nearly doubled in value."

Martin raised his glass: "Congratulations to us."

Musk clinked glasses with him, took a sip of his drink, and said in his usual style, "It's all because of my good management."

Martin benefited greatly and didn't mind praising him a few times: "Elon, you bastard, you're a business genius. Strive to become the world's richest man soon."

Musk's face twitched with laughter: "Then you'll be the richest man in Hollywood."

"I hope so." Martin certainly wouldn't complain about having too much money.

Musk asked, "Has there been no word yet on filming Nolan's Interstellar?"

Martin said, "I haven't received a call to join the crew yet, and I estimate it will be June at the earliest."

He remembered something: "I introduced your ex-wife, Tanlura, to the film crew. She should be able to play a supporting role of some importance."

"Thanks." Musk toasted Martin and said, "I'll be on set too."

Martin asked, "Are you going to have a cameo role too?"

Musk said, "As part of the sponsorship agreement, the role is that of a researcher in the NASA and SpaceX joint command, with a few lines. In Nolan's style, I'll probably get a few seconds of screen time in the final cut, but the lines... will probably all be cut."

"Want to play a role with lines?" Martin sharpened his knife with a slicing sound. "I have a few film projects here, Elon, feel free to sponsor them."

Musk asked, "Do you have any more movies going into space or with a futuristic sci-fi theme?"

Martin shook his head: "No more for now. Most of the films I'm shooting next year and the year after are about schizophrenia..."

"Are you trying to jump on the Hollywood bandwagon?" Musk asked. "To play those weird and wonderful characters?"

Martin understood what he meant, but simply shook his head.

As the two chatted over their meal, Musk suggested as dinner was drawing to a close: "I might have a wedding sometime in the second half of this year or the first half of next year, and you'd be my best man."

"Are you sure?" Martin said directly, "I'll steal all your thunder."

Musk was brimming with confidence: "Even if Bill Gates and Warren Buffett appeared together, they couldn't steal my thunder."

Martin asked in confusion, "That's not right. You just said you wouldn't marry Amber Heard."

"That's right, I won't marry her." Musk was just playing around: "In a few months, I'll get tired of her, break up with Amber, and then win Tanlura back and remarry her."

Martin scrutinized the chubby man, wondering if he was having fun. He shook his head: "I don't understand what you're thinking."

Musk didn't answer, but instead said, "There's something else I need to tell you seriously. My remarriage with Tanlura is a certainty. If you and she were involved before, it's over starting tonight. Don't have any relationships beyond friendship. There are many Hollywood actresses who are engaged or married. With your charm and skills, it would be easy to seduce them and make them cheat on you."

Martin remained unfazed, too lazy to argue further, and said, "Don't worry, apart from when I met you, I've never met Tanlura before."

Musk casually remarked, "It doesn't matter, I don't care what she did outside of the marriage."

The two then discussed Tesla's investment.

Tesla has entered a period of rapid development, and its stock price has been rising recently, but it is not easy for investors like Martin to get another share of investment.

…………

Century City, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

Ryan Reynolds, carrying a large briefcase, took the elevator from the Fox Building to the first floor.

The agent, Kewell, who was waiting on the first floor, came up to him, took the briefcase, and asked, "How's it going?"

Ryan Reynolds didn't say anything. Instead, he went to the Starbucks on the same floor, casually ordered two coffees, found a place to sit down, and said, "Little stars have no human rights. Nobody takes their words seriously."

He opened his briefcase and took out a scrapbook of posters, GGs, and creative plans. The cover featured a person holding two swords and wearing a red hood.

This is Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool look in "Wolverine".

Kewell stated, "That's the reality. If a top star were to propose it, Fox's top management would have already held a meeting to discuss it."

Ryan Reynolds has been trying to push for a Deadpool solo movie project since last year, but the film and television rights to the X-Men are held by 20th Century Fox, and he has been unable to persuade Fox executives.

Kewell looked around, and seeing that no one was nearby, asked in a low voice, "They're not interested in the party you suggested?"

Ryan Reynolds was quite exasperated: "I mentioned it a few times privately, but they wouldn't even respond." He slammed his fist on the table: "It's really impossible to get a hand out of someone."

Kowell said, "Without a certain network of connections and a certain level of influence in the industry, sometimes you can't even give gifts."

Ryan Reynolds lowered his voice and asked his agent, "Are you sure they like the younger ones?"

"There's no mistake about that. It's been rumored in the industry for a while, and I've specifically asked someone to confirm it. They like to have sex." Kewell realized where the problem lay: "If this gets out, it'll be a lot of trouble. They don't trust you enough. Even if we deliver people to their doorstep, they won't want them."

Ryan Reynolds thought this made a lot of sense and asked, "What should we do? Do you have any other ideas?"

After thinking for a long time, Kewell said, "Finding a middleman they trust enough to send the invitation would be much better."

Ryan asked, "Are there such people?"

Kewell picked up his coffee, took a sip, and said, "Yes, have you heard of Michelle Bryan?"

"That famous madam?" Ryan had not only heard of her, but had also sought her out.

"She's highly trusted by people in the industry, and is said to be involved in this kind of business," Kewell said.

Ryan couldn't wait any longer: "Contact her right away."

"The cost could be quite high," Kewell said.

Thinking of his bleak future, Ryan decided to take a gamble: "I still have some money, not enough to sell the house!"

(End of this chapter)