America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 61 Middleman

Gray Films was busy for nearly two weeks, and Benjamin Calvin got the preliminary budget for "Zombie Gigolo".

"120 million dollars?" Benjamin almost collapsed when he saw this number: "I told my boss that it would only cost 100 million dollars at most."

Prowse, the head of the budget group, said, "Ben, you require costumes and props, stunts, and a lot of action scenes. It will take four months from pre-production to post-production to be ready for this year's Savannah Film Festival. $120 million cannot be less."

Benjamin sat down on his chair: "The boss won't give the green light."

Prowse whispered, "There's another way. Let's shoot it the old way and make a late-night show."

"Late-night drama? I'm tired of stupid late-night drama!" Benjamin stood up and said, "I want to make a theatrical movie, a movie that can be shown in theaters, even if it's only shown in Georgia."

"I have no other options unless you can get investment from outside," Prowse said.

Benjamin threw the budget report on his desk. "Where can I get investment? Sell my ass?"

Prowse picked up the budget report: "There is only one way, find a way to convince the boss."

Benjamin remained silent. He waited until Prowse left, picked up the phone and dialed Martin's number: "Martin, it's me, Ben, how are you doing?"

Martin said, "Kelly will be back in Atlanta tomorrow, and there are some things we must discuss in person."

Benjamin asked, “How sure are you?”

In the bar, Martin put down the newspaper in his hand and said, "Director, is there a new situation?"

"The preliminary budget is out." Benjamin was like a man who had just had a huge leak, extremely weak: "At least $120 million is needed."

It was a little less than the $150 million Martin had estimated. He paused for a moment, giving Benjamin a very awkward feeling, and then said after a while: "Let's all think of a solution."

Benjamin said, “That’s the only way.”

Martin put away his phone. The music in the bar played soothing and melodious music. Elena stood behind the bar and talked softly to the middle-aged female boss.

The middle-aged female boss tasted a few drinks made by Elena and recognized her level.

Not long after, Elena came over quickly: "Let me tell you a special..."

She quickly changed her words, removed the swear words that she often said, and tried to use polite language: "Mary decided to hire me, the hourly wage is $7, the tips are my own, and I can start working today."

"Congratulations." Martin stood up and hugged him tightly: "I was right, wasn't I? You can do it!"

Elena kissed him hard: “You taught me well.”

Martin let go of her hand and let her sit down. "You already know all the flavors of paper airplanes. If anyone asks, just say you invented the formula. If anyone wants to buy the formula, you can sell it to them."

Elena said, "The paper plane is yours."

Martin shook his head: "It doesn't work for me, but it works for you. Elena, I looked carefully, you are more talented than me in making cocktails, don't waste this talent, paper airplanes can help you open up a name for yourself in this industry."

Just like expansion screws and penicillin, these things are only valuable when they are used.

Martin's goal wasn't to be a bartender.

Elena was not a shy person: "Okay." She suddenly winked: "I'll reward you well when we get back."

Martin tore off a corner of the newspaper, folded it into a delicate paper airplane, and handed it to Elena: "It's for you."

Elena took it, and when she saw that there were customers at the bar, she said, “I’m going to work.”

Martin picked up the newspaper and continued reading. The main page of the Atlanta Constitution was full of news about the DEA and APD's joint drug crackdown.

They struck hard in South City, smashing one den after another and arresting many black traffickers.

Martin's phone vibrated, and he took it out. It was Bruce calling. He answered and asked, "Are you here? I'm at the Clearwater Bar, a quiet bar. I'll buy you a drink."

Bruce and Monica entered the bar together.

The latter stayed at the bar, ordered a drink and talked to Elena, and Bruce came over and sat opposite Martin.

Martin ordered two glasses of wine and two plates of dried fruits, and asked, "Are you working as usual?"

Bruce stared at Martin and asked, "What the hell are you up to?" In Atlanta, besides Elena and her brother, the person Martin trusted most was Bruce. He said, "There's a deal. Can we be the middlemen?"

Bruce was very happy: "Tell me, who do you want to get?"

Martin was helpless: "Old Bull, we are good people, civilized people, we should not mess with others at every turn." He asked cryptically: "As a street cleaner, what else do you do besides messing with people?"

Bruce understood what Martin was asking, but did not answer. Instead, he asked, "Do you eat avocados? This fruit is extremely popular in the United States, and its price is rising every year. We rely heavily on imports from Mexico, but it is not easy to get an import license."

Martin didn't know about avocados, but he understood what Bruce said and said, "I want to persuade Vincent to invest in the movie."

Bruce frowned, "It's unlikely that Vincent would accept it."

Martin still wanted to talk to Kelly, and said, "I'm going to see Vincent in two days."

Bruce said, "I can't hide the shit going on in the club from a piece of stinky shit like you, but I won't help you with this. You know where Vincent is, and you can go see him anytime."

Martin didn't say anything more and changed the subject, talking to Bruce about other things.

…………

At Atlanta International Airport, Erica, Julia and Kelly Gray walked out of the gate with their respective assistants.

People from the ATL Freedom Association had already been waiting here to pick us up.

Kelly saw Martin at a glance, just nodded slightly, and sent Erica and Julia to their respective cars and left.

Martin took the luggage from Kelly and helped Ella put it in the trunk of the BMW.

After getting in the car, Kelly asked, "Why are you here?"

Martin showed the ID on his chest and said, "I am a formal member of the Freedom Society. Isn't it my job to pick up the vice president at the airport?"

Kelly thought the way he spoke was wrong: "What's wrong with your accent?"

Martin said: "Practice Hollywood pronunciation, start with daily practice."

The two chatted for a while, and the car soon arrived at Kelly's apartment in the city center.

Martin carried the luggage and walked her upstairs.

After entering the door, Kelly kicked off her high heels, lay sideways on the sofa, and stretched out her body: "It's still more comfortable at home."

Martin walked to the wine cabinet: "Would you like a drink?"

"I'm not a drunk woman." Kelly tilted her head to look at Martin and asked, "I'm surprised you didn't go to Los Angeles with that female pervert."

Martin went over, sat next to Kelly, took out a USB drive and handed it to her: "Louise left it for you, suggestions on the transformation of the automobile production center. She said you know the encryption code."

Kelly sat up and put away the USB drive: "This bitch has a conscience."

Martin hesitated: "There is one more thing. Director Benjamin has contacted me."

Kelly reacted quickly: "He asked you to lobby the zombie gigolo?"

"Yes, he did say that." Martin was between Benjamin and Kelly, with his butt on Kelly's side of course: "The budget team made a minimum budget of up to $120 million."

Kelly nodded slightly: "The investment is too high."

Martin said, "When you were in Washington, Benjamin called me several times. I didn't know how to respond, so I asked Louise for advice. She discussed with me a topic you mentioned last time."

Kelly asked, "What topic?"

Martin lowered his voice: "You told Louise last time that you would rather cooperate with the money launderers."

Kelly's attitude was similar to Louise's: "I thought it was a big deal, but it turned out to be this." She asked back: "How, can you find the funds?"

Martin nodded: "After you mentioned it last time, I paid attention to it and I have some clues."

(End of this chapter)