America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 45 The Real Audition

In the living room of the hotel suite, Louise leaned against the bar, her hands in the pockets of her capri pants, watching Martin rapidly shake the cocktail shaker across from her.

Before Martin arrived, he made a point of changing into a well-fitting V-neck T-shirt, which accentuated his muscular physique and perfect lines.

Kelly sat on a high stool, arms crossed, and thought Martin's bartending movements and posture were more artistic than when he was at the Wild Things House.

Martin took out a chilled glass, poured in the wine, and then garnished it with an exquisitely folded paper airplane: "Paper airplane, please enjoy."

Louise stared at the bright orange-red liquid, picked it up and took a careful sip. It was elegant, delicate, and smooth.

This was a taste of alcohol she had never experienced before, a completely new cocktail.

This drink alone makes tonight worthwhile.

Martin didn't ignore Kelly, and made her a Capilina with sugarcane liqueur as the base, handing it over: "Kelly, this is for you."

"Sweetness suits me better," Kelly said, taking a small sip.

After taking her second sip, Louise savored it carefully, then suddenly put down her cold glass, wiped the condensation off her hands with a tissue, and extended her right hand toward the bar: "Let me formally introduce myself, I'm Louise Mayer, from Los Angeles."

This was completely different from how Kelly introduced the two. Martin, having also wiped his hands clean, gently shook hers: "Martin Davis, a bartender and actor."

"This is a drink that will go down in the history of cocktails." Louise downed the rest of the bright orange liquid in one gulp. "Martin, you're a genius."

Martin deliberately said, "I've tried countless recipes, and I've been pretty lucky."

Louise asked thoughtfully, "So, there are other recipes? Any stronger ones?"

"Strong liquor?" Martin confirmed.

Louise tilted her head and looked Martin up and down: "Strong liquor is the only way to really enjoy it."

"It might not suit your taste." Martin switched to a new cocktail shaker, poured in the sorghum red liquor he had brought, added Dongting liquor and crushed ice, shook it well, poured it into a chilled glass, and then added fresh orange slices.

He handed it to Louise: "Welcome to Atlanta."

"Is it called Welcome?" Louise picked up her glass. The wine was rich and smooth, with a hint of sweetness. She had never tasted it before.

She was a seasoned drinker and could tell the alcohol content was extremely high. After downing it in one gulp, her blue eyes instantly brightened, as if water was seeping out: "The taste is a bit strange, but it's still a good drink."

Martin nodded slightly: "Thank you, it has gained the approval of its first customer."

Louise had a great interest in the wine: "I'm honored to be its first customer." Her craving for alcohol kicked in: "Anything else?"

Martin, of course, had other things to say, but he didn't say it aloud: "I've been working on a new cocktail lately, but it's not working yet."

Louise's expression remained unchanged after the strong liquor went down her throat: "We can discuss alcohol sometime."

Martin, quick-witted, replied, "Every new cocktail requires countless recipes to create. It's difficult for one person to make it. Louise, if you have time, let's try it together."

Louise leaned half her body against the bar, her undulating figure creating exaggerated curves, and looked at Martin with interest: "You have a lot of ideas, aren't you? Are you willing to give them up?"

Martin understood: "Not yet."

He couldn't ignore Kelly and asked, "Andrew said 'The Man from the City' is airing tonight?"

Kelly put down her glass: "Channel 2, same time."

"A TV series? A movie? Your company's production?" Louise, the alcoholic, picked up Kelly's glass, downed it in one gulp, and frowned. "This is a beverage, not alcohol."

Martin brought over a bottle of high-proof Macallan whisky and poured it into three new glasses.

Kelly was talking about the movie: "It's a late-night film I invested in, and Martin is one of the supporting actors." She suddenly remembered the preview she had seen: "His performance was brilliant."

"Really?" Louise asked Martin in surprise, "Where did you learn all this? Bartending, acting, and the ability to make people feel good even when they know you're trying to please them—that's not something a poor kid from the slums could learn."

Martin wasn't surprised, and with his thick skin, he wasn't embarrassed either, saying frankly, "My father, Jack Davis, was the most versatile man in Atlanta."

Kelly said, "I've never heard of it."

Louise stopped probing and instead raised her glass: "To my life, my rules."

Martin and Kelly both raised their glasses, the three of them clinked glasses lightly, and downed their whiskeys.

Louise took the bottle and poured herself a drink: "To this wonderful evening."

Before the late-night show even started, the three of them had already finished a bottle of whiskey.

Martin went to get more wine.

Kelly staggered over here: "No, I can't drink anymore."

"How can a beautiful night be complete without fine wine?" Louise grabbed Kelly, and the two female alcoholics slumped onto the sofa.

The latter nestled against the former's chest, feeling as if she were sinking into cotton wool, and murmured comfortably, "Where's the remote? It's about to start."

Martin brought over the wine and poured it again.

Two female alcoholics in their early thirties, along with a 22-year-old male alcoholic, continued drinking.

Martin reclined on the armchair and raised his glass to Louise: "Whatever the director says, I'll do."

Louise reached behind her and pulled out a pink water bottle from the inside of the sofa. She put the spout to Kelly's mouth, and Kelly opened her mouth, bit the straw, and sucked the water forcefully with each thrust.

She asked, "I heard you're the prototype for this character?"

Martin was prepared: "That's a bit of an exaggeration."

Louise beckoned: "Come here, come here, it's still early tonight, sit next to me, let's have a drink."

Martin carried the bottle over and had just sat down when two different hands reached out to him, one after the other.

There were no special circumstances or messy things; it was just an audition.

…………

The next morning, when Martin woke up, Kelly Gray was getting ready to leave.

She showed no sign of anything amiss: "I've ordered breakfast for you."

Martin waved to her, got up from the carpet, and went to open the window: "There's a strong smell of alcohol."

Louise took out her personal business card and placed it on the coffee table: "Call me when you're going to make your new cocktail." She glanced at Martin: "If you want to be a star, this is a must."

Martin had been adrift for so many years in his previous life, seeing all sorts of messy things; Hollywood would only get more chaotic.

"I don't think this is right. I should be the one auditioning you." He sat on the sofa, and his words sounded particularly pleasant: "Two young, sexy, beautiful, and elegant ladies, willing to offer themselves to a pervert in order to secure film project support."

Louise smiled happily, got up and went to her study. She quickly brought out a document and placed it next to her business card: "I have the authority to decide on this small role. Take it back and study it carefully. Although I passed the audition last night, Hollywood is not what it used to be. The audition room routine still needs to be followed."

She stopped laughing and solemnly warned, "If you perform poorly in the audition, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"I know what's important." Martin put everything away and changed his tone: "Does the production crew need any extras? My community theater group charges low fees, is very professional, and the actors are hardworking."

Louise nodded: "Bring the person in charge with you during the audition."

It's confirmed to be released on April 1st. There will be a first-order lottery and a giveaway for guild leaders. Longxiang posted the details in the comments section, so those who are interested can check it out.

(End of this chapter)