America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 244 Be Gentle Next Time

When Martin returned to his home in the Coty community, he found that the house was cleaned tidy. On the coffee table in the living room, there was a message from Blake. She had specially cleaned the house.

Even the wine cabinet and refrigerator were stocked with several types of wine that Martin often drank.

Bruce brought out two bottles of wine, gave one to Martin, and said, "This girl cares about you more than Eliza, Anne, and Julie."

Martin pulled out his cell phone and called Blake.

"My dad, my idiot brother and I went to another city to meet screenwriters and buy scripts." Blake said with regret: "It will take a few days before we can return to Los Angeles."

Martin said, "It's okay, I'm in Los Angeles right now."

After chatting for a while, he just hung up the phone and someone called in. The number showed Harold.

Chairman of the Social Committee.

Martin answered the call immediately and said hello. The other end said, "I just saw a report online. Are you back from New York?"

"The paparazzi are really fast nowadays." Martin sighed and said, "It's been less than half an hour since I got home."

Harold invited: "Today is the community's wine tasting day. If you have time at 3 pm, you can come to the community theater square to participate."

Martin had never participated in a community event before, so he agreed immediately: "I'll be there on time." He put away his phone: "There will be free wine tasting in the afternoon."

Bruce immediately put down the unopened can of beer and said, "I'll save my stomach for the free drinks in the afternoon."

It was a little before three in the afternoon when Martin entered the community theater, which had a square that could be used for public events.

At this time, there are many long dining tables and plastic tables and chairs for resting, which are filled with various kinds of wine.

In terms of beer, there are Budweiser, Corona, Heineken, etc.

There is no shortage of other red wines, tequilas and whiskeys.

There are also advertisements on site, which must include brand promotion activities. After all, those who live in the Coty community are high-quality customers.

Harold came over, shook hands with Martin, and said, "I saw a photo of you and director Scorsese in the newspaper. Will you bring a masterpiece this time?"

Martin responded with a smile: "Scorsese's works are always a guarantee of quality."

Harold led Martin and Bruce into the venue: "Wine tasting day is an open event. You can taste all kinds of wines at will and socialize freely. The community also creates a social platform for residents."

Martin saw many people coming to the scene: "I feel it."

After Harold left, Bruce went to get a small glass of golden whiskey. Martin took a sip and found it tasted good.

He was just about to find someone he knew to join in the socializing when his neighbor across the street, Gillian Flynn, a reporter for Entertainment Weekly, came over.

"Hi, Martin." She greeted him without hesitation and asked directly, "Can you tell me something about Scorsese's new film?"

Some things can be said to the public, and the crew also needs the protagonists to spread the word. Martin lowered his voice and said, "Others can't tell. We are neighbors. I'll give you a little information."

Gillian said, "Yeah, we're neighbors."

Martin changed his tone to a mysterious one: "The character played by Jack Nicholson this time is called the ultimate embodiment of evil by director Scorsese."

Gillian immediately pulled out a notebook from her pocket, wrote it down, and asked, "Neighbor, are there any more?"

How could Martin miss the opportunity to brag about himself? "In order to prepare for the role in this film, I once went to the BPD to experience life, patrolled with patrol officers, fought against crime and drugs with detectives from the Detective Bureau, and learned a lot of professional skills."

Jilly wrote down everything safely and wanted to ask more questions.

Martin interrupted in advance: "I can't say any more. If I say more, the crew will find me and hold me accountable for breach of contract and leaking the news."

Gillian put away her pen and notebook and said with a smile, "You are a good neighbor."

Martin joked: "According to the rules of your industry, shouldn't you pay me for my news source fees?"

Jillian also smiled: "No problem, I can apply."

"No need, we're neighbors, we help each other." Martin's message was not sent in vain: "You never know, I may need your help someday."

Entertainment Weekly is one of the largest entertainment magazines in the United States.

Jillian smiled and said, "Call me if you need me."

Just then, a middle-aged man came over. She called out to him and then said to Martin, "Let me introduce a friend to you."

Martin attended the wine tasting event to expand his social circle, so he nodded immediately: "Okay."

When the middle-aged man came over, Gillian introduced him, "This is Alan Green. He is the distribution editor of Empire magazine's Los Angeles branch. Like me, he also writes novels part-time."

She signaled with her eyes: "Alan, there's no need to introduce Martin."

Empire is the largest film magazine in the UK and is distributed in North America, Australia, Russia and other countries.

Martin and Alan shook hands and exchanged a few words.

Alan spoke with a British accent: "I didn't expect you to move to this community, Martin."

Martin smiled: "It just so happens that Gillian and I are neighbors." He was very curious: "In your industry, do you all write novels part-time?"

Gillian continued, "I am not a creative person. I have only written a few short stories, and they were published because I knew so many people. Alan is different. The novels he wrote have been published."

Martin asked Alan: "May I have the honor of reading your work?"

Alan said: "Of course, it's called "Dark Realm", I can give you a copy." Martin thought that the editor of "Empire" magazine might be useful, so he specially exchanged contact information with him.

"My home is not far from here. I'll go back and get one." Alan Green said and left the square in a hurry.

Gillian said: "It's not easy to persist in amateur creation. After publication, the sales of most of the books are actually average, but everyone has a thought that if they are noticed by a film company and adapted into a movie, they will become rich. After all, the proportion of original movies in Hollywood hits is shockingly low, and most of them come from adaptations."

Martin asked directly: "Is this also your motivation for creation?"

Gillian nodded slightly: "Of course, that's why I've been insisting." She was not polite: "With you as a neighbor, I think my hope is a little better."

Martin said, "When you write a work someday, I can be the first reader."

Gillian smiled and said, "Please give me a recommendation by the way."

Martin nodded: "No problem."

It's just a recommendation, and it's not his decision whether the film company uses it or not.

Alan came back from home soon and gave Martin a signed novel.

Martin glanced at the title "Dark Realm" on the cover and handed it to Bruce behind him: "I'll take a closer look when I get back."

Bruce put the book away, thinking that Martin might not be able to finish the novel in a month.

Alan was very happy and also had some hope of being recommended by Martin.

“Hey, neighbors, you’re here.”

Mr. Jones, an artist whose daughter worked in the Sacred Valley, walked quickly toward them, accompanied by a young girl who clung tightly to his arm.

Alan nodded and took his leave.

Jones smiled at Gillian, then shook hands with Martin and introduced the pretty girl next to him: "This is my daughter Jenna, who is engaged in artistic creation in the Holy Valley. She will have a new film released soon. We must support the genuine products."

Martin said politely: "I am a staunch supporter of the original version."

Jenna took the initiative to shake hands with Martin: "Hello, Martin, I really like your ability to see through the mountains."

Martin paused for a moment. I can't say I really like your Sacred Valley slices, right? He smiled and said, "My pleasure."

Jenna continued what her father had just said: "This weekend, my new film held a premiere ceremony in West Hollywood, and I reserved a place for my family and friends..."

Martin and Gillian both declined, saying they didn't have time.

After chatting for a while, Jenna saw a familiar friend and left alone.

Gillian was gone too.

Jones continued to chat with Martin. As a father, he was worried about his daughter. "Martin, you know a lot of people in Hollywood. If there is a suitable role, please introduce it to Jenna."

He then said politely: "If you need any artwork, you can always come to me."

Martin thought of something, searched his pockets, and found that he didn't have any, so he asked Bruce, "Do you have any horn carvings?"

Because Martin often gave it away, Bruce had it with him and handed it over.

Martin handed the clown sculpture to Jones and said, "You are a veteran in the art industry. How good is this sculpture?"

Jones looked at it carefully and rubbed it with his hand. "It's a little rough, but it's very thoughtful. The knife skills are OK, but the professional training is not enough."

He looked at the bottom of the clown: "Lily Carter?"

Martin asked, "Do you think she has a talent for this?"

"Not bad." Jones was obviously not being polite: "She needs a good teacher."

Different trades, different mountains. Martin asked Bruce to inquire about the neighbors and learned that Jones was a senior practitioner: "Do you know anyone in this field?"

“I knew a sculptor at CalArts,” Jones said.

Martin briefly explained Lily's situation, and Jones suggested that if Lily wanted to develop in this industry, she could apply to the California Institute of the Arts.

This is the earliest private college invested and established by Walt Disney. With Martin's connections in Hollywood, he can certainly get a heavyweight letter of recommendation.

Even if you can't become a sculptor, it's not difficult to find a job as a special prop maker in Hollywood after you graduate.

The premise of all this naturally depends on Lily's wishes.

Martin made note of this and called Atlanta.

Jones's conversation came full circle, returning to his daughter: "Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend Jenna's new film premiere this weekend."

Martin was surprised: "Didn't she reserve a seat?"

"I feel awkward when I see the male actors," Jones sighed. "The clips will be played on the spot, and the male actors will come over to say hello. How should I respond?"

Martin thought about it carefully and found it difficult to respond.

Jones added: “Should I pat the actor on the shoulder and say to him, ‘Boy, you did a good job just now, be gentler next time…’”

Two updates today

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(End of this chapter)