America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 135: Future Ruined

Hospital, ward.

When Vogel woke up, his right leg, which had been bitten by a rattlesnake, was swollen and distended. The skin near the wound had ulcerated and had turned light brown below the knee.

It seemed as if this leg no longer belonged to him and it was difficult to move it.

I felt so uncomfortable all over my body that I would rather die than live.

"Uh... huh..." Vogel's heavy breathing startled the people next to him.

Pinto, the agent who came overnight, took one look at him and called a doctor.

The doctor came in, examined him carefully, and said, "He's not in danger of death."

Vogel, lying on the hospital bed, breathed a sigh of relief. When he was bitten, he suspected he would die.

"Fortunately, no one intended to kill Martin Davis." He was temporarily speechless and could only mutter in his heart: "Fortunately, someone cleared the rattlesnake's venom sac in advance."

The doctor motioned for Pinto to come out with him, as some things were not suitable to be said in front of the patient.

Pinto left the ward and asked, "How long will it take for him to recover? I am only healed and able to work normally."

"Two months at the earliest? Maybe three to four months. It's not certain. Everyone's physique is different." The doctor adjusted his glasses and said seriously, "He was bitten by a tiger-striped rattlesnake, which is common in the United States and western Mexico. It is also the most venomous rattlesnake in North America. He was lucky because the venom sac of that snake had very little venom, otherwise..."

The doctor pointed to the sky.

Pinto is efficient in his work: "Doctor, please tell me the details."

The doctor picked up the medical record and took a look. "When the patient was sent to the hospital, a small area of ​​skin and muscle near the wound was ulcerated, but the nerve fibers were damaged. After the injury recovers, a large scar will be left. The nerve damage will affect his normal walking to some extent."

Pinto grasped the key point: "Will he become a cripple?"

"That's about right." The doctor hadn't finished speaking yet: "The toxins can also damage a person's kidney function. According to our examination, the patient is very likely to suffer from renal dysfunction in the future."

Pinto asked, "Can't be a man?"

"If we're unlucky..." The doctor gestured, "It will probably be just like you said."

Pinto nodded: "I understand. When can I be transferred back to the United States for treatment?"

The doctor said: "It's best to observe for two days. It would be troublesome if the wound festers and causes sepsis."

"Thank you, doctor." Pinto took out his cell phone, found Vogel's family number, and informed his family of the situation.

He did not enter the ward, but sat on the bench at the door, thinking about the follow-up matters with the mindset of an agent.

Negotiate with the crew on how to deal with the aftermath. If the negotiation is unsuccessful, notify the Actors Guild and let the Actors Guild initiate an investigation.

These are the duties of a broker.

As for the back...

Once your legs and feet become disabled, it’s very hard to become famous and you can only be a special actor.

There were footsteps coming from the corridor, and Pinto saw the crew's producer Brad and went over to shake his hand: "How could this happen?"

Brad gestured to the bench by the wall and asked him to sit down and talk: "We are sorry that this happened."

“This is not something that can be solved with regrets,” Pinto said.

Brad said: "Vogel's injury is complicated and he will not be able to recover in the short term. I have asked the crew to start the withdrawal procedure and will pay him the full salary of $8."

"That's it?" Pinto was very dissatisfied, but he was not going to quarrel with a well-known producer in the industry for a potential actor. His tone was relatively calm: "The doctor said that his recovery from the injury is not optimistic, and the sequelae may accompany him for life."

Brad was businesslike: "This was his personal behavior after he got drunk. Two idiots got drunk and insisted on fighting a venomous snake. One of them had some brains but was timid, so he backed down and ran away. What about Vogel? He insisted on challenging the venomous snake and got bitten."

He emphasized: "There is another point. Everyone present can prove that it was Vogel who proposed the challenge of the Viper. It was also he who called the crew's vehicle and forced everyone to go."

Pinto said: "The crew brought people to Mexico, and now they have suffered an accidental injury..."

Brad raised his hand to interrupt him: "The crew has paid full insurance for Vogel. We have notified the insurance company, and the insurance company will initiate an insurance investigation. Let's wait for the results of the insurance company's investigation."

“Okay.” No agent wants to offend the producer, so Pinto explained in advance: “If an actor has an accident, I will notify the union as usual, and the actors’ union may send someone over.”

Brad was no longer as strong as before: "I understand."

Before the actors' union left, investigators from the Firefighters' Fund Insurance Company had already arrived in Cabo San Lucas.

After Boll and his assistant conducted extensive investigations and inquiries, they talked to Brad and Pinto separately.

His report was submitted and the decision on the compensation was made by his superiors.

Under the rules, Boll is required to routinely notify related parties, especially actors.

"The incident is very clear, and all the origins come from Mr. Vogel." Boll said directly to Pinto: "The Firefighters Fund will refuse to provide insurance for Mr. Vogel on any set from now on."

Pinto asked: "Isn't your decision too hasty?"

Boll said: "I am just giving a routine notice of the company's decision based on the investigation."

Pinto realized that Vogel had no future.

The Fireman's Fund has more than 80% of the market share in various Hollywood studios. If they refuse to provide insurance for an actor, the crew will never use an actor without insurance. Although there is room for other operations, which crew is willing to spend more money on actors who do not have strong market appeal? There are too many alternatives.

After helping Vogel bring his family over, Pinto left Cabo San Lucas because he had business to attend to in Los Angeles.

…………

On the side of the crew of "The Hills Have Eyes", Martin gave the crew a routine explanation of the incident itself.

There were many witnesses that day, including Blake Lively, who volunteered to testify. From challenging Martin to a drinking contest to proposing a duel with Viper, all of the ideas were proposed by Vogel.

Thomas came all the way from Los Angeles to visit the set and ask about Martin's condition.

At this stage, his interests are aligned with Martin's.

In the hotel bar, Thomas ordered two paper airplanes and said to Martin, "This is Louise Mayer's masterpiece. I didn't expect she is also a bartender."

Martin picked it up and took a sip slowly. The taste of the drinks made by each bartender is different.

Bruce glanced at Martin. He and Kelly Gray were the first people to see paper airplanes. In order to seize the opportunity, Martin traded all those things that could not be patented or exchanged for money.

Martin put down his glass and said, "You came too late. Everything is over."

Thomas felt a little guilty that he was not there at the critical moment and almost made a big mistake. He said, "I have other clients and too much work."

Martin said directly: "Does anyone else have the same prospects as me?"

Thomas said it another way: "You need some free space, and you definitely don't like me following you around all day." He then swore, "I definitely don't have any other clients like you, and I won't sign any more clients like you."

Martin clinked glasses with him gently: "Don't forget, we are a golden pair."

Thomas took a sip of his wine: "Thank goodness, you're okay."

Martin said, "Everyone in both crews knows that I am a softie, and many people talk about me in private."

"You are a smart person, and smart people don't care about these things." Thomas thought about Martin's age and reminded him, "Don't do unnecessary things for those around you who can only serve as stepping stones, because no matter what you do, they hope you will fail."

He said directly: "This time it's not an accident. Vogel's priority was originally higher. As soon as you surpassed him, he invited you to duel with Viper. There is obviously something wrong."

Martin said appropriately: "So, I didn't have any accidents."

Thomas realized what he meant. "I said, if there's any trash blocking our way, we're going to beat it down!"

Martin smiled, but said no more.

Thomas took a red-eye flight back to Los Angeles that evening.

On the way back to the room, Bruce handed Martin a newspaper: "Take a look, it's very interesting."

Martin noticed that the newspaper had pictures of Paris and Kardashian prominently displayed.

Bruce reminded: "Recently, Kim has frequently appeared in media interviews as Paris's agent, and gossip magazines have begun to put her on a par with Paris."

Martin asked, "Is she going to cause trouble again?"

Bruce said, "I just contacted her."

Martin said, "You are the one causing the trouble."

"It has nothing to do with me." Bruce said, "The one who really wanted to cause trouble was Jin. I was just using her for training."

…………

Paris and Kardashian had a heated argument in a house in Santa Monica, Los Angeles.

A few months ago, Paris had her driver's license revoked for dangerous driving, and because of her financial problems, the 45 days of imprisonment she received was reduced to house arrest.

Seeing the former bag girl frequently appearing in the media under her name, Paris finally exploded.

It didn't take much effort for Kim to anger Paris again.

The latter picked up the car keys, angrily drove his newly bought luxury car, left the surveillance residence, and rushed onto the road.

Kim didn't even call the police before two LAPD patrol cars stopped Paris' car.

Paris crashed directly into one of the patrol cars.

Four LAPD officers surrounded her car.

The paparazzi and freelance reporters who had been waiting for a long time rushed over and took pictures frantically from the periphery.

They finally got the big news.

The princess of the Hilton family went out without permission during her residential surveillance and drove a vehicle without a license. She should definitely spend some time in jail this time, right?
The famous bag girl's car was parked not far behind. She took out her cell phone and called an editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine: "Paris is in trouble again. This time it's a big deal. Do you want to know more about her? I can be interviewed."

In the past few months, Kim has gained considerable fame by relying on Paris' influence: "I have exclusive information, don't you plan to pay a good price? I have also contacted the American rumor mill..."

Paris became more famous, and at the same time, a person named Kardashian gradually became famous across the United States.

(End of this chapter)