America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 48 Healing the Soul

With his head swaying, Robert turned into the lobby on the first floor. Martin saw him, waved, and asked, "How's it going?"

Robert looked utterly dejected: "Can't they see that I have the same big head as Stallone, Willis, and Schwarzenegger?"

Martin took a step back, nodding as he looked you over: "In terms of appearance, you are very distinctive and will easily leave a deep impression on the audience. Have you seen the trailer for Pirates of the Caribbean? If you wore a pirate costume, you would stand out even more than those pirates."

Robert had indeed seen it, and with his hands in his pockets, he said, "Dude, I'm mentally strong. I don't mind if you just say I'm ugly."

He suddenly remembered something Martin often said and decided to scare him: "But next time you drink Coke..."

Martin, quick-witted, exclaimed, "I swear, I'll never drink bottled Coke again!"

Robert's gloom dissipated considerably, and he said, "Thanks, buddy, I feel much better."

Martin said, "You're welcome. After all, you helped me."

Robert was annoyed again: When will you ever stop?

"I think I'll stick to being a background artist." He asked, "Did you get the audition results?"

Martin nodded: "I've received the notification."

"Congratulations," Robert said. He sighed. "Just one line, it was so hard."

Martin patted his arm: "I can't help you with this film crew, but after filming is finished, we can stay on set and do odd jobs."

Staying on set means you can get in touch with the main cast and crew.

Actually, his character had quite a few scenes in the script, but who knows how much of it was actually edited into the final cut.

It wouldn't be surprising if they only left a fleeting shot.

"Thank you," Robert said. "It was quite an experience."

Jerome hurried over from the other side of the hall, and upon seeing the two actors from the troupe, quickened his pace: "Good news."

Robert failed his audition and, still hoping to get help from the theater troupe, asked, "Director, has the collaboration been finalized?"

"It's settled," Jerome said emphatically. "Vice-Director Martin, you have made outstanding contributions to the development of the troupe."

He was bursting with excitement inside, but on the surface he remained calm and casual, saying, "The production team doesn't need many extras, and through my efforts, the team has decided that all the extras will be handled by the Marietta Theatre Company."

Martin understood that Andrew had played a part in it.

Jerome plans to use this opportunity to recruit new people when he gets back.

Robert looked at Martin in surprise: "You've become the deputy commander?"

Jerome patted Robert on the shoulder: "Keep up the good work, and you'll see..."

In his excitement, he almost blurted out that he could buy a new car later.

Martin turned the conversation to himself: "Commander, my role has been finalized. The production team asked me to find someone to negotiate my salary. I have no experience in this area, and you are the person I trust the most, Commander."

"It's settled so quickly?" Jerome was still a little surprised, but remembering Martin's unwavering commitment to the theater troupe and his willingness to take on everything, he said, "Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll handle the negotiations for you. But be prepared, the pay won't be high."

The crew came to Atlanta to film in order to save money, Martin said: "The role is more important than the pay."

Jerome nodded in agreement, finding Martin increasingly pleasing to the eye. This idiot might leave Atlanta someday, and if he went to Los Angeles, he could say hello to Robert Patrick; at least the idiot would have a connection then.

The three of them left Gray Company together. At noon, Jerome generously treated everyone to lunch. After lunch, they went back to Gray Company to discuss Martin's salary with the production team.

Although not a professional agent, Jerome has run a theater company for many years and is familiar with many things in Hollywood.

As a minor actor and non-union member, Martin earned only $600 a day.

Regarding other benefits, there are uniform standards for food and accommodation, transportation subsidies, and on-set insurance for the film crew.

The next day, Martin signed a formal contract with the production team.

As evening approached, he received a call from Louise: "Hunk, come out for a drink."

Martin asked directly, "Where to?"

Louise couldn't stop thinking about the new cocktail: "Come to my hotel suite, all the bartending tools are there."

Martin understood what she meant and went to the liquor store to buy some base spirits.

Upon arriving at the hotel suite, Louise was alone. She sat at the bar with a bottle of tequila in front of her, which she had already started drinking.

Martin carried the liquor case into the bar, took Louise's tequila and glass aside, and reminded her, "You can't mix drinks if you've had too much to drink."

Louise asked in surprise, "You really didn't get the new wine right?"

Martin wanted to give this female alcoholic a sense of involvement, and a new cocktail was born from the two of them, leaving a more lasting impression than the kettle.

He said, "We have a basic prototype, but the specific formula still needs to be adjusted."

Louise went behind the bar, pulled out an alcohol wipe to clean her hands, took out the cocktail shaker and measuring instruments, and said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's begin!"

Martin opened the liquor box, took out the bottles, and carefully placed them away: "You're more interested in liquor than movies?"

"Filmmaking is work, drinking is a hobby, they're different." Louise's gaze drifted downwards again: "For me, alcohol is like spiritual nourishment; it makes me feel refreshed after drinking it."

Martin adopted a bartender's serious expression: "When you're mixing drinks, be serious."

Louise took out her black-rimmed glasses and put them on: "Let's begin."

"My vision for the new spirit is to have the flavor of whiskey, a rich taste that intensely stimulates the palate." Martin extended a finger and lightly tapped Louise's high nose: "It can heal the soul of a drunkard like you."

He wanted to engage Louise: "Which whisky do you think would be suitable?"

Louise, a true connoisseur of spirits, thought for a moment and said, "Islay peated whisky." She had considered many factors: "For a cocktail to become widely popular, price is key. Lagavulin is too expensive; it's just a matter of choosing between Carrira and Adberg, and I recommend Adberg."

Martin fetched a bottle of Arderberg and asked, "Why?"

"Are you testing me?" Louise said with a hint of smugness. "Of all the whiskies produced on Islay, Arderberg, in addition to its rich smoky flavor, also has a subtle malty sweetness, which balances the taste very well."

Martin poured about half a glass of Arderberg and added some lemon juice: "The flavor isn't complex enough."

Louise took it and drank some: "Too sour."

Martin said, "Add a little ginger syrup."

This is a common ingredient in cocktails. Louise took a small amount, added it, and stirred: "The whiskey flavor is too weak."

Martin snapped his fingers: "Blended whiskey."

The two tried various common brands and changed the amount they added, spending nearly two hours experimenting before finally finding a suitable recipe.

When Martin was making the cocktail, Louise took it very seriously, even going to the bathroom to rinse her mouth to remove any excess alcohol taste.

When she returned to the bar, the classic glasses held a pale golden liquid, garnished with lemon and ginger slices.

"Is this our wine?" Louise picked it up expectantly, took a slow sip, and the smoky, numbing, and spicy flavors instantly filled her mouth, like a cannonball exploding.

What follows is a rich, smooth, slightly sour, and refreshingly sweet flavor.

With its rich and distinct flavors, it seems to capture all the joys and sorrows of life.

Louise took another sip, then handed the rest to Martin.

Martin drank it and savored it carefully: "How does it feel?"

Louise removed her black-rimmed glasses, her face beaming with satisfaction as if she had tasted nectar: ​​"It's bitter at first, but sweet later on. It gets more and more exciting as you go on. You gradually get used to the sense of expansion and impact it brings, and the later parts are all rich and wonderful flavors."

Martin conceded defeat: "You drunkard, are you talking about alcohol?"

"What else could it be but wine?" Louise raised an eyebrow. "Don't pollute our newly invented fine wine with your filthy thoughts."

Martin, too lazy to argue, said, "I'll give you a chance to name it."

Louise walked around the bar and returned to the front, smiling as she said, "I know you're playing with my feelings, but I can't resist the temptation of making my mark in cocktail history."

Martin shrugged. "It just cured the soul of a female alcoholic."

Louise thought for a moment: "Penicillin, it's called penicillin." She took out a pen and paper and quickly wrote down the formula: "Penicillin in the medical field has saved countless lives. It can heal the souls of countless alcoholics. I want to bring it back to Los Angeles and let it truly spread."

Martin said, "You are one of the creators, you have that right."

"I'm not like Harvey Weinstein, someone who doesn't care about appearances." Louise suddenly changed the subject: "After your work on set is over, I'll give you a comprehensive evaluation and advice that will save you a lot of trouble."

(End of this chapter)