America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

"Hey, Martin, congratulations, 'The Dark Knight' grossed over 500 million US dollars in North America!"

In the studio, Chad came over and fist-bumped Martin, "If 'John Wick' grosses over 500 million US dollars worldwide, I'll run naked down Sunset Boulevard, from the east end to the west."

Mene joined in the fun from behind, "You're underestimating Boss Martin's pull."

Martin was clear-headed, "After all, it's just a mid-sized R-rated movie."

Chad said, "Cut it to PG-13 and the film would lose its most charming and essential parts."

Mene nodded, "Indeed."

The three of them went to the voice recording studio together, where Jonathan and Winston needed some minor dialogue adjustments.

Martin and Mene familiarized themselves with the lines again, donned headsets, and entered the recording booth.

A table had been specially set up inside the recording booth, with Martin and Mene sitting on opposite sides.

When the sound engineer signaled to start, Mene's usual nonchalance vanished, speaking with his well-practiced, deep voice, "Jonathan, if you really want to retire, leave New York."

Martin, too, adjusted his tone, speaking with a hint of weakness, "I need to stay where I can see Helen."

Mene continued, "You left behind your blood oath badge; they will come for you one day."

"I'm not afraid of them." Martin was like a devoted husband at that moment, "That's the house where Helen and I got married, I won't leave there."

Mene's voice grew even heavier as he delivered the last line, "Jonathan…"

The recording session paused, and Chad and the sound engineer listened carefully to the recording again, asking Martin and Mene to record it once more to select the best take.

In less than half an hour, the work was declared finished.

Martin came out of the recording booth, planning to join Chad in the editing room to have a look.

Mene leaned in close and whispered, "Boss, I'm going to take off now."

Martin asked nonchalantly, "Got a date?"

Mene said, "There's a new dessert shop that opened on Grand Avenue; Emma asked me to go for dessert with her at noon, and I couldn't say no."

Martin waved him off, "Go on."

Just as Mene was about to leave, he remembered something and said, "I might be taking on a major supporting role in Director Nolan's new project."

"That's good news." Martin believed Mene had the ability, and a black character among the principal roles could attract black audiences. He said, "Have a good chat with Emma, she has a lot of say in Nolan's crew."

Mene chuckled and went on his way.

Martin proceeded to the editing room, where he mostly observed quietly as Chad directed the editing.

"I don't need rapidly changing short shots or artificially-created shaky cam effects," Chad reminded the editor before the work began, "Martin's action scenes are polished enough; breaking them up detracts from showcasing the action sequences, and smooth, stable long takes are our style."

The editing room followed Chuck's directives.

Martin watched for a while but decided it would be better to return when the first cut was complete. Coincidentally, he had arranged to meet Nolan today. He greeted Chad and left the editing room.

Upon arriving at the studio's lobby, Taylor and his agent came in from outside.

The former was carrying a thermal box.

When Taylor saw Martin, he immediately linked arms with him, saying, "I made these cookies myself; you have to try them."

Martin responded, "I haven't tried your cooking yet."

Taylor placed the thermal box on a nearby table, opening it while giving Martin a wink, "I've tried yours."

Martin ignored those seductive, foxy eyes and looked into the thermal box. It was filled with several small boxes of cookies, obviously handmade and not perfectly shaped.

Taylor handed Martin a small box, "Try them."

Martin ate one; it was crispy and overly sweet, not quite to his taste, but he still gave a thumbs up, "The flavor's top-notch; just the appearance needs some work."

Taylor's red lips came close to Martin's ear, "I deliberately made them irregular. If they were too round, how would anyone recognize that they were handmade by me?"

This time Martin truly praised Taylor, "Darling, no wonder you're a star."

"I'm off to deliver cookies to the crew," Taylor's voice was still low, "how about dinner later?"

Martin said, "I should be the one inviting you, there's a restaurant you'll definitely like." He glanced at his wristwatch, "I have a meeting with a director. I'll call you when I get out."
Find adventures on empire

Taylor nodded, "Okay."

Martin left the studio and proceeded to a nearby small building.

At the studio, Taylor, carrying the thermal box, delivered a small box of handmade cookies to every office starting from the reception desk.

The rising country star knew how to network.

Thanks to the huge success of 'The Dark Knight', Nolan's new project easily received the green light from Warner Bros., and the film crew was officially established, still set within the Warner Bros. Studios.

When Martin arrived, the office building was being reorganized and was somewhat messy inside.

Nolan simply asked him to sit under a sun umbrella by the roadside to talk. This was on the Warner Bros. Studios lot, not accessible to the general public.

"It was a bit messy at first," Nolan pointed behind him and said, "Every time a new project starts, a separate studio has to be established, which always causes a bit of commotion."

Martin responded, "The finances are kept separately, right?"

Nolan went to grab the briefcase beside him, "I have good news for you, the script is finished."

He pulled out the script and handed it over to Martin.

On the script cover, there was just one English word, "Inception."

Martin frowned slightly, what was the English title of 'Inception'? He vaguely remembered it was one word but couldn't recall any more specifics.

Nolan made a welcoming gesture.

Martin opened the script and began to read carefully.

"Dusk, the waves are rolling.

The tide pushes a man with a stubbled face onto the beach; he lays there motionless. A gun barrel rolls the stubbled man over, and the security holding the gun calls over his colleague!

Behind them is a cliff that houses a castle..."

After reading the beginning, Martin thought of the movie he had seen several times, which almost exactly matched the script's opening.

Indeed, this was 'Inception.'

The following sections contained the first act's castle sequence.

Martin read very intently; the script was more obscure than the movie, and he occasionally stopped to compare it with the scenes in his mind, which is why he read particularly slowly.

From Nolan's perspective, Martin was reading the script with extra care and attention and had not become complacent or arrogant after the super success of 'The Dark Knight' and the popularity of 'Joker.' He still maintained a professional attitude.

Ever since the filming of 'The Dark Knight,' Martin had been the only leading man in Nolan's mind for this new project.

Compared with Bale, who was always involved in various chaotic matters on the set, Martin was truly a model of ability and professionalism.

After reading less than a fifth, Martin closed the script and said, "Can I take the script home to read at my leisure?"

Nolan handed over the script precisely for Martin to take his time with it, "No rush, it might be a bit complex, take your time to study it."

Martin nodded and said, "I feel that the psychological state of the male protagonist is quite unstable."

Nolan agreed, "In reality, people's mental states are unstable, and so are my protagonists."

Martin recollected that the protagonist of 'Memento' was an amnesiac, the lead detective in 'Insomnia' suffered from severe sleep issues, and there was no need to mention Batman and Joker, whose mental states were troubled.

"I'll carefully study the script and character when I get back," Martin inquired, "When do you plan on starting filming?"

Nolan replied, "The exact date hasn't been set yet, but it should be around next summer, keep your schedule open."

Martin calculated, "My schedule should be clear."

Nolan patted Martin's shoulder and said confidently, "You must bring the same level of performance as you did with Joker! Let's join forces and shock the world once again!"

"Definitely," Martin had just finished his response when he caught a glimpse of a familiar-looking overweight man riding by in a golf cart.

Harvey Weinstein also noticed him and Nolan, had the driver stop the cart, and jumped off to greet them, "Hey, Martin."

Then he turned to Nolan, "And this is Director Nolan?"

Nolan stepped forward and shook Harvey's hand with polite small talk.

While shaking hands with Martin, Harvey asked, "What brings you here, Harvey?"

Everyone in Hollywood knew about the feud between the Weinstein Brothers and Warner Bros.

Harvey replied with a smile, "Warner Bros. and Peter Jackson are planning to start The Hobbit, the prequel to The Lord of the Rings, and some of the rights are with me. They had no choice but to invite me to discuss with Peter."

Martin complimented casually, "Harvey, you have a keen eye, owning a gold mine."

Harvey laughed even more heartily and said opportunistically, "Are you interested in joining? I can introduce you to Peter Jackson."

Martin knew that taking a favor from this man would cost him ten times as much and replied, "All my energy needs to be invested in Director Nolan's new project."

Nolan was slightly displeased with Harvey for trying to poach in his presence, and Martin's immediate refusal made him feel well-respected.

Harvey turned to Nolan, always in his typical style and manner, "A new project? Director Nolan, we can totally collaborate. You've had a breakthrough in the commercial realm, and as for awards..."

Nolan's current lack of obsession with the Oscars showed as he politely responded, "Sorry, Harvey, my project is too high-budget for an independent studio to handle."

Harvey's thick skin didn't falter as he said unflinchingly, "If you have your sights on the Oscars, just come to me."

Nolan simply smiled, saying nothing more.

Harvey's gaze shifted back to Martin.

Martin cut him off before he could speak, "Harvey, I have at least three or four projects in hand, not even counting the agency side. My schedule is full for the next few years."

Harvey didn't linger and waved as he got back on the golf cart. As he drove off, he cast a glance back at Martin and Nolan and thought, "You're hot right now with strong appeal, looking down on this independent producer. Just wait until you're not on top..."

Martin tucked away the script and bid farewell to Nolan. He called Taylor and they headed to the Smoky House Restaurant outside for dinner.

After dinner, of course, he had Taylor show off her singing skills.