America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 232 Marriage is a man’s nightmare
Sherman Oaks, Coty Community Council.

When Chairman Harold came out of his office and arrived at the main entrance of the first floor, an Escalade was parked in the parking space on the left side of the building.

Martin and Bruce got out of the car, and Harold came out to shake hands with Martin: "Mr. Davis, welcome to the Coty community."

"Just call me Martin." Martin said with a smile, "Antonio and I are old friends. I heard him talk about you a long time ago."

Harold also smiled: "I envy him for retiring early." He led the way: "Please come in."

After entering the committee's office building, Bruce went to go through the registration procedures while Harold talked to Martin.

There are actually quite a few celebrities living in the Coty community. Martin is definitely not the biggest star, but he is the one with the biggest aura.

Honorary citizen of Los Angeles, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and had just captured three Russian spies.

Harold took Martin to visit the exhibition room of the community committee and gave a brief introduction: "The Coty community has more than 20,000 residents with a high income level. We also hold many activities every year, such as community theater performances in January and February, dance festivals in March, music festivals in April, camping festivals in May..."

Martin understood that there would be a large-scale event or community festival every month, competitions would be organized from time to time, and there would even be a wine tasting day every week.

An upscale neighborhood is completely different from a slum.

In other words, senior taxpayers and those who receive social welfare are in two different worlds.

Martin also asked about the source of community funding. In addition to donations from community residents, most of it came from tax refunds.

Property taxes return 1 cents for every dollar, personal property taxes return 1.6 cents for every dollar, and most of the other revenue, such as public parking lots, goes to the community.

Community boards have to be non-profit organizations and all this money has to be spent.

Harold came to a theater model and said to Martin, "We also have a community theater and a community drama troupe, which mainly serve children and young people who like to perform. Your acting skills are highly praised. Are you interested in joining us to guide the children?"

Bruce, who had just finished the formalities, came in from outside. Hearing this, he couldn't help but mutter to himself that letting Martin, such a rotten guy, to guide the children would probably only turn out a bunch of perverts.

Martin agreed immediately: "No problem." He then asked: "Is there a neighborhood defense league in the community?"

Harold said, "Of course, are you interested?"

"I have a legal gun license and a concealed gun license." Martin specifically learned that by joining a neighborhood alliance, he would have less trouble opening a gun if he encountered an accident in the community.

He turned and pointed at Bruce: "We two are good at shooting, and we also have a certain level of vigilance and defensive capabilities. We want to join."

Harold said, "That's easy. Fill out some information and I'll take it to the Canyon Branch for filing."

Bruce was busy filling out the information again. It was very painful for those poor students.

"There is a shooting range in the community, and shooting competitions are held from time to time." Harold specifically said, "If you have time and are interested, you can go and find out."

Martin said, "I'll go check it out later."

After chatting for a few more words, Martin was ready to leave when Bruce came back. Before leaving, he formally invited Bruce, "I'm going to hold a housewarming party at my new home this weekend. People from the community committee are welcome to attend."

Harold thought about it and said, "I will definitely be there."

Martin and Bruce left the community committee and returned home to visit their neighbors with gifts, telling them about the housewarming party and politely extending invitations.

One of the houses on both sides is currently vacant, and the other is occupied by a middle-aged couple who run an art business.

The owner of the house opposite is a middle-aged woman in her thirties with an average appearance.

When she opened the door and saw Martin, she was surprised: "Martin, how did you find me here?"

Martin didn't remember knowing her, so he put on a smile and pointed across the road: "I just moved here."

“I see.” The woman suddenly remembered that Martin didn’t recognize her, so she quickly introduced herself: “My name is Gillian Flynn. I work for Entertainment Weekly. I attended the premieres of The Hills Have Eyes and Jeans. It’s a pity that I didn’t have the chance to interview you.”

Martin handed over the small gift he had prepared: "We will be neighbors from now on."

Gillian accepted it and said, "Thank you." She made way for the door and said, "Would you like to come in and sit down?"

Martin declined: "I came here mainly to get to know the neighbors. I'm going to hold a housewarming party this weekend, so please come."

Gillian smiled and said, "I'll go as long as time permits."

Martin said goodbye and walked across the street to his home. Bruce said, "I asked about them at the community committee."

"Hey, Old Bu, you're not attracted to her, are you?" Martin, this bastard, never says a nice thing.

Bruce replied angrily, "I'm worried that you'll be screwed!" He said roughly, "She has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University, is the deputy editor of the celebrity section of Entertainment Weekly, and writes novels as a hobby, mostly short stories. The house came from the proceeds of her divorce from her ex-husband."

Martin's focus was completely off the track: "After a divorce, he got a detached villa worth more than 200 million US dollars, so marriage is a man's nightmare."

Bruce asked, "What if Louise Mair married you?"

"When?" Martin said without hesitation: "I will go and get the marriage certificate with her right away, and I will live peacefully from now on."

If he could hook up with a rich woman of similar age, he wouldn't have to work so hard to make money and do these crap all day long.

Bruce said about another neighbor: "Mr. and Mrs. Jones are in the art business. They have a daughter who works in the Sacred Valley."

Martin was a little surprised: "Same job as Jenna?"

Bruce nodded. "Yes, and the couple is not shy about it. Sometimes they even talk about it with others. According to them, their daughter has too much hormones in that area." Martin could only say, "Sure enough, people who work in the arts are not ordinary people."

After a short rest, the two went out to purchase again and called Mene, Jessica and others to help.

The weekend soon arrived, and Martin began preparing for the party after noon. In addition to hiring a professional party company, he also called Mene, Thomas and Jessica to help.

The barbecue grill next to the auxiliary building was lit. There were many tables and chairs placed in the lobby surrounding the swimming pool, and there was also a self-service area for wine and beverages.

Just after four o'clock, Craven, Ajia and Zomi came over first.

Martin took the red wine they brought and asked Emily to put it in the living room.

Craven took a look and said, "There is a lack of beautiful women."

Martin laughed: "This is a serious party."

Krevy pointed to the swimming pool and said, "We should also invite some beautiful women in swimsuits to come and help us have fun."

Ajia said, "When the party is over, let's go wash our faces together."

Martin said, "I guess I don't have time today."

Louise was in the same car with Kate Winslet.

"It's a nice house." Kate looked at the yard and the villa: "It's very beautiful."

Martin said deliberately: "The price is also scary."

Louise smiled and replied, "It's a pity that we lack a hostess."

Martin said directly: "If you are willing to be the hostess here, I welcome you with both hands."

Louise just looked at him and smiled, not saying anything.

Martin automatically changed the subject: "Has the release date for the wanted warrant been confirmed?"

"It's confirmed. You and Julie are both very popular now, and Warner Bros. wants to release the movie as soon as possible." Louise said briefly, "It will be released in November. Try to make news then."

Martin sighed, "It's time to make trouble again."

Kate laughed out loud: "My generation of actors all followed the crew's publicity plan. Times have really changed."

"After the Titanic, you will achieve financial freedom. The annual sponsorship from the luxury goods industry will ensure that you will not take the commercial route." Martin took the two people in: "I am still a poor guy now, and making money is my priority."

Louise said, "A millionaire is also called a pauper?"

Martin shrugged: "In Hollywood, where the average income is over 100 million, what else can you call a poor person?"

Kate laughed again: "You are getting funnier and funnier." She asked: "Someday when you have time, tell us about spies in detail."

Martin pointed to the door and said, "There are guests again. Please do as you please."

He went over to greet the person, who turned out to be McLean, the public relations director of the LAPD.

Martin went to him to apply for his gun license and concealed carry license.

As for the higher levels of Los Angeles politics, he cannot access them for the time being.

Robert Patrick and several other friends from the film industry also came to visit.

Daniel, an executive from Warner Bros., also came over.

After five o'clock, Harold, chairman of the community committee, and three committee members entered Martin's house.

Martin introduced the guests to them one by one.

Harold immediately tried to get close to McLean, secretly sighing that he had gained a lot today.

For a manager like him employed in an upscale community, it is extremely necessary to have a good relationship with the local police.

The most eye-catching person at the scene was not the host Martin, nor the beautiful ladies dressed up like Louise and Kate.

It was Martin's neighbors, the Joneses.

Mr. Jones told everyone about his daughter: "She is very outstanding. She has attended all the famous schools from elementary school to university. But God is fair. He gave people excellent brains and looks, but did not give them reasonable hormone secretion."

Craven is well-informed and understands: "It's also an artistic choice."

"It's not just an artistic choice, it's also a job to support yourself." Mr. Jones did not shy away from it: "Someone once laughed at me for this, and I told him that I was proud of my daughter! At that time, I asked him, how much money did your daughter make from ML? Not a penny! But my daughter made hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars."

He also appealed: "Friends, the Holy Valley is also a masterpiece of art, you must support the genuine version!"

Not far away, Louise whispered to Martin, "Your neighbor is really interesting, much more interesting than the boring Olsen sisters. I'm staying here tonight."

Martin said, "You can be the hostess if you want."

"Madam, I'm not interested." Louise's voice was low, but it was full of emotion: "The first shot in your new home must be mine."

(End of this chapter)