America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 92 The Prodigal Son Returns (Please Subscribe)

Individual actors cannot compete with the resources controlled by a large company, especially an established company like William Morris.

Thomas followed the procedure to access the company's internal system and submitted multiple requests for assistance. In just two days, he received a large amount of relevant information.

Especially Susan Levine.

This is a rapidly rising female producer; at thirty years old, she has unlimited potential for the future.

William Morris has a detailed account of Susan Levine's resume, work partners, friends in life, and major cast and crew members she has worked with in the past.

On the day before Christmas, Martin and several tenants were helping Antonio set up the Christmas Eve party venue on the roof of the apartment building when they received a call from Thomas.

"Come to the company, and we'll discuss this in detail."

"Your side isn't suitable." After some time getting to know Thomas, Martin felt it was time to crack the whip and get the donkey working harder: "Buddy, no offense, but the lobby is so messy, and you don't have a private office. How can we have a proper discussion?"

Thomas was devastated and remained silent for a full 20 seconds before managing to piece his shattered heart back together. He hastily taped it back together and said, "Tell me a place, I'll come over."

Thinking of Martin's strong physique and his own slightly balding but handsome face, he quickly added, "The hotel won't do."

Martin stood on the edge of the rooftop, holding onto the railing, and said, "North Hollywood, Tiago Coffee Shop. I'll buy you coffee."

Thomas agreed.

Martin put away his phone and found his landlord, who was as round as a ball: "Antonio, I have work to discuss and can't help you."

"Remember to come back for the party tonight; the ticket is for drinks or food." Antonio, a happy, overweight single man, even threw a small party for his tenants on Christmas Eve. He asked Martin, "Did you find an acting job?"

Martin replied vaguely, "We're trying, but it's hard to say whether it will work out."

Antonio rummaged through his pockets, pulled out a business card from his card holder, and handed it to Martin: "I've had quite a few male actors as tenants, and I've used most of them."

Martin assumed the landlord was being helpful and had special connections, so he accepted the offer. Looking down, he saw it was a private doctor's business card.

Antonio said, "He's a proctologist, and he's known as the Hyena."

Martin instinctively reached for his coat, trying to be a civilized person, but the name card of a civilized person was left in Atlanta.

Antonio meant well: "He's really good."

Martin put away the business card and waved his hand: "I'll bring drinks tonight."

I walked downstairs to the coffee shop and waited for twenty minutes before Thomas came in carrying a laptop and a file folder.

Martin ordered coffee, and the two quickly got to work.

Thomas took out Susan Levine's file and handed it to Martin: "The company has concluded that she is a Jewish graduate of USC, and USC alumni and Jewish people have an advantage."

Martin is cautious in his words: "I am not Jewish, and I didn't finish high school."

He quickly flipped through Susan Levine's profile and found that in her personal life section, it was clearly stated that Susan Levine's current boyfriend was Robert Downey Jr., who had just been released from prison last year.

Big poop!

Martin went back to look at the photo and finally remembered that it was Robert Downey Jr.'s wife.

He asked, "How did Donnie manage to win her over?"

"I'm not entirely sure about the specifics," Thomas recalled carefully. "I remember there were rumors in the industry that she was moved by Downey's transformation after experiencing all the hardships of life."

Martin bluntly stated, "Donnie's experience is what you call tasting all the bitterness and sweetness of life? I must have come from a pile of dog shit."

Thomas said, "That's how it is. When rich kids and celebrity kids do those lousy things, they call it experiencing the hardships of life. When their lives are a little more normal, they become prodigal sons returning home worth a fortune. Don't feel unbalanced. When you become famous and popular, your experiences in the pile of dog shit will naturally become an inspirational legend that you can sell for money."

That made so much sense that Martin couldn't refute it and continued to look through the documents.

Susan Levine's time as a powerful producer has been short, with only three mainstream film credits: Ghost Ship, Ghostman, and Cradle of Death.

She personally selected three lead actors: Desmond Harrington, Robert Downey Jr., and Tom Arnold.

Martin wanted information on the three men again.

Thomas took it out and gave it to him, saying, "A young man, a middle-aged man, an old man—according to this pattern, she should choose a child or a dead person this time."

Martin asked, "Anything else?"

Thomas yawned and rubbed his dark circles. "The company provides the data; we'll analyze it ourselves." He took a sip of coffee to perk himself up. "I've been working overtime for three days straight; my head's a complete mess. Don't ask me."

Those skilled at scheming can always find the most special aspects in seemingly ordinary people and information. Martin flipped through it and said, "So that's how it is, three prodigal sons returning home."

Thomas asked, "The other two have also been to jail? You're going to put yourself in jail first?"

Martin circled the three documents with his pen, pushed them towards Thomas, and said, "Harrington was a troublemaker in his teens. He was forced to drop out of school for fighting, worked as a bartender for a while, joined a street gang that dealt in points, and then had a change of heart and became an actor. Tom Arnold's situation was similar; he worked as a security guard in an underground bar, sold points and drugs..."

Thomas grasped the key point: "What makes Donnie different from them is his good background and family."

Martin looked back at Susan's resume: "She transferred schools twice in high school, and her father, an alumnus, donated a large sum of money to get her into USC."

Thomas responded quickly: "Susan graduated from USC with outstanding grades and was recommended by many renowned professors."

That makes sense, Martin said. "Personal experience shapes preferences, Thomas. How much do preferences influence a producer's professionalism?"

Thomas was quite cautious. After careful consideration and recollection, he asked, "If the basic conditions are similar, would you choose someone you like or someone you dislike?"

He cautioned, "It's best to double-check; it would be troublesome if you got it wrong."

Martin retrieved Harrington's information: "This man grew up in Savannah, Georgia. I'll try to contact him."

He wanted to move forward, so he had to let Thomas carry the burden: "I'll leave everything else on the film set to you."

Thomas added, "Jaume Collet-Serra is a new director who has only directed music videos and GoG before, and has no say in the main roles."

Martin said, "Buddy, let's get moving, time is of the essence."

Thomas nodded, picked up his briefcase, left the coffee shop, and headed to Warner Bros. Studios. He had arranged to have lunch with Mary Gale, who might be the casting director.

Martin slowly finished his coffee, continued looking at Harrington's information, then took out his phone and dialed Robert Patrick's private number.

Both sides agreed that Martin would visit after Christmas.

At noon, Martin went to Sherman Oaks to have lunch with Louise, and they talked about Susan Levine.

"We're all from wealthy families, so it's normal for us to be rebellious and unruly during our adolescence." Louise knew a little about it: "Some of us went astray, while others returned to the right path. I heard Susan mention that she was quite troublesome during that period, but thankfully she came to her senses in college."

Martin shared his idea: "I'm planning to come up with a solution in this regard."

Louise said, "That's a very targeted design; you can try it." She then asked, "I'm going home tonight. What are you doing on Christmas Eve?"

Martin said, "The landlord threw a simple party."

Louise had no similar experience: "Was the landlord nice?"

Martin refrained from direct judgment: "Antonio gave me a business card for a private doctor who specializes in proctology."

Anyone who works in Hollywood would understand the implication. Louise couldn't help but laugh, and after laughing, she deliberately said, "I think you need it."

She was very curious: "Can I come to your apartment tomorrow? I've never lived in a small apartment like that before."

Martin, of course, wouldn't refuse: "I'm available anytime."

…………

As darkness fell, the colorful lights on the rooftop of the North Hollywood apartment building came on, the Christmas tree shone brightly, and Christmas music filled the air. Mariah Carey once again began her copyright-harvesting spree.

Many single tenants brought alcohol or desserts to the rooftop for a party.

Martin brought a few bottles of wine.

Antonio changed into a red outfit and stood under the Christmas tree looking like a fatter version of Santa Claus.

Upon seeing Martin, he asked, "You've seen a doctor? He's quite skilled, isn't he?"

Martin lifted his shirt back and said, "You should be glad this isn't Georgia."

"Hey, classmate, so you live here!" A familiar voice rang out, and Menez, whose skin was almost white from being washed, appeared before Martin. He placed the donuts and strawberry pie he had brought on the long table and said to the landlord, "Antonio, you don't mind if I come over to join in the fun, do you?"

Antonio's standard is simple: "You don't live here, but you brought something, so you can participate."

Menez, being a very outgoing person, took a glass of wine, drank with Martin, and asked, "Hey, I have some good news for you. Last night I slept with... no, I slept with a casting director in her fifties. She promised me a role, a minor supporting role with lines worth tens of millions of dollars."

Martin brought over some wine, poured it into both of their glasses, and said, "That's certainly good news, worth another drink."

Menez, in a very generous manner, said, "She's looking for me again tomorrow night, asking me to find another one, so it'll be two against one. We get along well, that's why I'm telling you this way. If the other route doesn't work out, I suggest you consider this."

Martin replied politely, "Thank you for your suggestion, but I've found other opportunities."

He lightly clinked glasses with Menez: "Wishing us all success."

Menez said, "Once I'm famous, I'll throw a party with twenty young and beautiful girls."

For the sake of his future, he always sleeps with women in their forties or even fifties. His interest is waning rapidly, and if he continues like this for another two years, he might be finished prematurely.

Martin left the party early and, when it was almost time, made a series of phone calls.

Kelly, Elena, Robert, Jerome, Lily, and others all received the Christmas gifts that were mailed out in advance.

(End of this chapter)