America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 50 Man and Ghost

"Excellent! You all did a fantastic job!"

French director Michel, unusually, stepped out of his chair and onto the set to tell Jim Carrey, "Your performance is Oscar-worthy; you deserve an Oscar!"

Jim Carrey simply smiled and made no other comment.

Michelle then turned to Martin, her co-star: "Kid, trust my judgment, you're a great actor."

This was the director, and Martin had no right to remain silent. He forced a smile and said, "Thank you, director. I will try my best."

Outside the makeshift flea market, Kate Winslet's mouth almost reached her ears.

Since that argument, she and the director haven't spoken a word to each other except for work.

Michelle also praised the other actors, seemingly trying to express some kind of emotion in this way.

Film crews are like any other workplace; it's perfectly normal for people to backfire on each other.

When some people are comfortable, others will be uncomfortable.

Martin returned to the rest area and had just sat down when a chocolate-skinned hand reached out, long, slender fingers holding a sippy cup: "Martin, would you like some water?"

Martin looked up and saw Rosa. Perhaps because she was of mixed race, she didn't look like a Black person, so she looked prettier.

"I'm not thirsty, no need," he politely declined.

Rosa was very welcoming: "Just call me if you need anything, I'll be right here."

Martin politely replied, "Thank you."

This woman has been appearing around him from time to time since the day before yesterday.

Robert came in from outside, panting, carrying a case of Coke, and placed the cans on the table in the rest area.

Martin was about to grab a bottle, but before he could even get up, he quickly sat back down.

Although it's not a glass bottle, it's Robert's Coke...

Robert came over, sat down next to Martin, wiped his sweat, and asked, "Is Rosa still bothering you?"

Martin said, "I have no right to kick her out."

"She's interested in you." Robert's job was easy, he was just bored: "You can easily ask her out."

Martin shook his head: "Dude, what's free is always the most expensive. If I sleep with her, guess what she'll want?"

Robert wasn't stupid: "If she keeps bothering you, I'll help you."

"I do need your help with something." Martin called Louise last night, and Louise specifically mentioned to him that Michel Gondry was a member of the French directors' clique in Hollywood.

Hollywood is rife with various factions, the most prominent of which is nationality.

In the afternoon, the crew's work temporarily came to an end, and many people left the studio one after another.

French director Michel has a peculiar habit: he goes to the bathroom to defecate before leaving.

After the standard fifteen minutes, Michelle emerged from her private cubicle, the sound of flushing water echoing behind her.

As he walked out, he heard people talking in the restroom, with an Atlanta accent.

"You're inviting me to a British restaurant? Are there any British restaurants in Atlanta? Even if there were, who would go?"

"Yes, they even published the 'British Food Guide'?"

"I know," Martin said sarcastically, "the legendary garbage sorting guide."

Michelle came out and couldn't help but laugh when she heard this. Seeing that it was Martin who spoke, she said, "The British don't know anything about fine food."

Martin seemed to be retorting: "London has restaurants ranked in the top ten in the world."

Michelle frowned slightly.

Martin then changed the subject: "They sell only French food inside."

Michelle praised him, saying, "Martin, there aren't many Americans who have such a clear understanding of food as you."

"Because I was poisoned by British food." Martin's face fell, as if he were recalling something very horrifying.

Robert, who was acting alongside him, was a veteran background artist. Standing behind Martin, he looked perfectly at ease, his naturally honest and kind appearance even adding to the charm of Martin's lines.

Michelle, who had been working continuously and was under a lot of pressure, asked, "Are there any good French restaurants in Atlanta?"

Since Martin had come all this way, he had obviously done his research: "Yes, in the city center, they absolutely do not sell that damn British food."

Michelle, unusually relaxed, said, "Could you, a local, show me the way?"

Martin said, "It's my honor."

During dinner, the two chatted about the romantic city of Paris, the foggy London; the elegant French, and the damned English football hooligans…

Language is an art, and Martin successfully obtained Michel Gondry's personal business card and exchanged contact information.

Earlier, in the president's office of Gray Corporation.

Director Benjamin Calvin rushed over and stopped Kelly Gray, who was about to leave work.

A script was placed on Kelly Gray's desk.

"This is something that I just finished with a few screenwriters." Which director doesn't have dreams? Benjamin doesn't want to make late-night films for the rest of his life: "The inspiration came from what you said about Martin lying dead watching the male and female leads fall in love."

Kelly was a little stunned: "That was Martin joking with me."

Benjamin said, "Martin's performance in the last Ma Zhen scene was excellent. I specifically looked into him; he works at a male escort club. I added that element to my original concept."

Kelly saw it; the new script had the title: "Zombie Male Dancer".

She read through a dozen pages, got a general idea, closed the script, and said, "This script is too expensive. Even $50 wouldn't be enough to make it to film."

Benjamin did a simple estimate: "It actually needs to be between $80 and $100 million."

Kelly ignored the $800,000 figure and said, "With $1 million, we can make at least eight late-night movies, sell them to cable TV, and then sell them on DVD and VHS. We're guaranteed to make a profit. It's too risky to invest so much in one movie."

Benjamin pleaded, "Carrie, we can't keep making low-budget, late-night films forever, can we? Don't you want to go into theaters? Don't you want the company to really grow and thrive?"

Kelly shook her head: "I've worked in Hollywood. What percentage of Hollywood films are profitable each year? They can recoup their costs and accumulate profits over time. What about us? If we throw in a million dollars and don't get it back in six months, our cash flow will be extremely tight."

There were some things she didn't need to tell Benjamin, such as her interest in the abandoned General Motors production facility.

Benjamin said, "I'm confident this script will be a success."

This was a highly decorated director for the company, so Kelly couldn't directly reject his suggestion. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Please prepare a budget and a proposal. I need to consider it carefully."

Benjamin said, "I'm trying to cut costs as much as possible."

Once outside, he kept scratching his head. Filmmaking is an art, but ultimately it's a business.

As Benjamin went downstairs to go home, he ran into casting director Lynn.

The latter, wearing a Warriors championship-themed baseball cap, asked, "How was it?"

Benjamin simply said, "The boss asked me to prepare a budget and a plan; she needs to consider everything."

Lynn said, "There is hope."

Benjamin casually replied, "Yes."

The two parted ways and got into their respective cars. Lynn thought for a moment and dialed a number: "Adam, I'll be waiting for you at the Black Bar in half an hour. Bring your best stuff over."

Adam Smith, who had already returned home, hung up the phone, opened a hidden compartment on the shelf, took out a plastic bag, and went out to meet his appointment.

…………

Kelly left the company and went to a nearby bar, where she entered a large private room with a separate bar counter.

Besides Louise and the bartender Martin, Kate Winslet was also in the private room.

Louise gave Kelly and Kate a formal introduction: "You two haven't met formally before. Actually, I've known you for about the same amount of time. I met Kelly in '93 and Kate in '95."

Martin mixed four different cocktails and, across the bar, said to the three women outside, "A toast to our acquaintance."

The four people clinked glasses.

Kate Winslet took a sip of her iced Long Island tea, the extra ice providing some relief from her recent frustrations, and said, "That idiot French director, his head is full of shit. Please forgive my swearing, I just couldn't help it."

She held back for a long time: "Louise, if it weren't for you, I would have made a scene long ago, bullied him, and forced the crew to change directors."

Martin put down his glass and said, "He'll cut off both sides of the French flag then."

Kate was overjoyed and burst into laughter.

Amidst the piles of colorful flags from Europe, Kelly couldn't tell which were which and asked in surprise, "What does this mean?"

Kate explained with a smile, "The French flag has its blue and red stripes cut off, leaving only white. That's something the French are very good at."

Louise glanced at Martin sideways; this guy was a real jerk.

Martin said seriously, "Haven't you heard that no one has ever been able to occupy Paris before the French surrender!"

Kate raised her glass: "Martin, I must toast you."

Martin clinked glasses with her: "It's my pleasure."

Louise still offered a word of advice: "Kate, if you want to use this movie to try and get an Oscar, you should tone down your temper a bit, even though he's only in charge of filming on set."

Like her long-time friend, Kate is obsessed with the Oscars: "I've been nominated several times and lost every time."

Kelly asked, "Is the public relations investment insufficient?"

Kate shook her head: "Do those old men think I'm too young?"

Martin interjected, "I'm not in the field, could you share your thoughts?"

Kate clinked glasses with him again: "Of course."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "The main reason is that Kate, your appearance is too outstanding, which makes people overlook your acting skills. I've looked at the Oscar nominations for the last ten years or so, how should I put it?"

He slowed his tone and emphasized, "It was a game where many women participated in the selection, and only those who became ugly monsters and crazy could win."

Upon hearing this, all three women burst into laughter.

Kate Winslet took the bottle and filled her glass: "Martin, you're absolutely right. I want to have a drink with you on behalf of all the beautiful women who have been targeted by the Oscars."

(End of this chapter)