America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Bruce took out two canned beers, handed one to Martin, and said, "That girl\'s got more heart for you than Eliza, Annie, and Jolie combined."

Martin took out his phone and called Blake.

"I\'m out of town with dad and that idiot brother of mine, meeting with a screenwriter to buy a script," sighed Blake regretfully, "It\'ll be a few days before I can get back to Los Angeles."

"That\'s okay, I\'ll be around Los Angeles for a while," Martin replied.

After a brief chat, he had just hung up when another call came in, the display showing Harold.

The chairman of the community board.

Martin promptly answered, greeted him, and heard from the other end, "I saw online that you\'re back from New York?"

"Paparazzi are quick these days," Martin commented, then added, "I\'ve been home for less than half an hour."

Harold invited him, "Today is the community\'s wine tasting day. If you\'re free at three o\'clock, you\'re welcome to join us at the community theater plaza."

Martin had never participated in a community event before but readily accepted, "I\'ll be there on time," he tucked his phone away, "There\'s free wine tasting this afternoon."

Bruce immediately set down his unopened beer, "I\'ll save my appetite for the free drinks this afternoon."

Before three o\'clock, Martin had entered the community theater—a plaza adjacent to the theater could host public events.

By this time, the area was filled with long dining tables and plastic chairs for resting, covered in an array of different wines.

Budweiser, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Heineken, Corona, and more in the beer section.

There was no shortage of other beverages like red wine, tequila, and whiskey.

There were advertisements around the venue, undoubtedly including brand promotions—after all, the residents of Cody Community were high-quality clients.

At that moment, Harold came over, shook hands with Martin, and said, "I saw your photo with Director Scorsese in the paper. Will you bring us another masterpiece this time?"

With a smile, Martin responded, "Director Scorsese\'s work is always a mark of quality."

Leading Martin and Bruce inside, Harold explained, "The wine tasting day is an open event. You can sample any wine you like and freely socialize—it\'s also a platform for residents to network."

Martin saw that many people had come, "I can feel that."

Once Harold left, Bruce grabbed a small cup of Jameson whiskey while Martin tasted a sip, finding it quite good.

Ready to join others in mingling, he was approached by Gillian Flynn, a reporter from "Entertainment Weekly" and his neighbor from across the road.

"Hi, Martin," she said without ceremony, and went straight to the point after greeting him, "Can you share any news about Scorsese\'s new film?"

There were things that Martin could disclose as the crew needed promotion from their leads, he lowered his voice, "I couldn\'t say to others, but since we\'re neighbors, I\'ll give you a bit of news."

"Right, we\'re neighbors," Gillian agreed.

With a secretive tone, Martin divulged, "The character played by Jack Nicholson this time is described by Director Scorsese as the ultimate embodiment of sin."

Gillian immediately took out her notebook and scribbled it down, eager for more, she asked, "Neighbor, is there anything else?"

Martin couldn\'t miss this opportunity to boast, "To prepare for this role, I spent time at the BPD experiencing life, patrolled with beat cops, worked with detectives on drug busts, and even learned a lot of professional skills."

Gillian recorded everything and was about to ask more questions.

Martin preempted her, "I shouldn\'t say any more—otherwise, the crew will come after me for breaching the contract by revealing details."

Packing away her pen and notepad, Gillian smiled, "You\'re a good neighbor."

With a jest, Martin remarked, "By the rules of your trade, shouldn\'t I be paid for being an informant?"

Gillian chuckled, "No problem, I could put in a request for that."

"No need for that; we\'re neighbors, after all—we help each other out," Martin said, his tidbits weren\'t given for free, "Who knows, I might need a favor from you someday."

"Entertainment Weekly" was one of the top entertainment magazines in the United States.

Gillian smiled, "Just give me a call when you need something."

Just then, a middle-aged man approached, and she called out to him before turning to Martin, "Let me introduce a friend to you."

Martin attended the wine tasting event precisely to enlarge his network of contacts and nodded immediately, "Sure."

As the middle-aged man came closer, Gillian introduced him, "This is Alan Green, Los Angeles branch editor for distribution of \'Empire\' magazine, and like me, he dabbles in writing novels in his spare time."

She hinted with a glance, "Alan, there\'s no need to introduce Martin, right?"

\'Empire\' was the biggest film magazine in England and also circulated in North America, Australia, Russia, and elsewhere.

Martin shook hands with Alan, exchanging a few pleasantries.

With his British accent, Alan remarked, "I didn\'t expect you\'d moved into this community too, Martin."

Martin laughed, "Indeed, I\'m neighbors with Gillian." His curiosity piqued, he asked, "Is it common in your industry to moonlight as novelists?"

Gillian replied, "What writing? I\'ve only penned a few shorts. They only got published because I know a lot of people. Alan is different, his novels have already been published."

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

Alan replied, "Of course you can. It\'s called \'Dark Domain,\' and I can give you a copy."

The editor of "Empire" magazine, Martin thought him useful and specifically exchanged contact details with him.

"My home is not far from here. I\'ll go and get a copy right now," Alan Green said and hurriedly left the square.

Gillian remarked, "It\'s not easy to keep up with creative work in your spare time. Most of the time the sales are quite ordinary, but everyone harbors a dream. What if a film company takes notice and it gets turned into a movie? After all, the proportion of original films in Hollywood that are hot is infuriatingly low. Most of them are adaptations."

Martin directly asked, "Is that also your creative motivation?"

Gillian nodded slightly, "Of course, so I\'ve been persevering." She wasn\'t shy, "With you as my neighbor, I feel the chances are a little bigger."

Martin said, "If you write something one day, I can be the first reader."

Gillian smiled, "And help me recommend it, by the way."

Martin nodded, "No problem."

Just recommending it. It wasn\'t up to him whether the film company would use it or not.

Alan soon came back from his house, giving Martin a signed copy of his novel.

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

Bruce took the book and thought Martin might not finish reading the novel in a month.

Alan was very happy, also holding some hope that Martin would recommend it.

"Hey, neighbors, there you are."

Mr. Jones, an artist whose daughter worked in Sacred Valley, approached briskly, accompanied by a young woman tightly holding onto his arm.

Alan nodded in greeting and took the initiative to say goodbye.

Jones smiled at Gillian, then shook hands with Martin, introducing the beautiful young lady beside him: "This is my daughter Jenna. She does art in Sacred Valley. She has a new picture coming out soon, make sure to support the official release."

Martin politely replied, "I\'m a staunch supporter of the official version."

Jenna shook hands with Martin proactively, "Hello, Martin, I really like your \'The Hills Have Eyes.\'

Martin paused for a moment, as he couldn\'t very well say he greatly liked her Sacred Valley work. He smiled, "It\'s my honor."

Jenna continued her father\'s topic: "This weekend, my new film is premiering in West Hollywood, and I\'ve reserved seats for friends and family..."

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

After chatting for a while, Jenna saw familiar friends and left on her own.

Gillian left too.

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

He politely added, "If you have any need for art, feel free to come to me."

Martin thought of something, searched his pockets, realized he didn\'t bring it, and asked Bruce, "Do you have a horn carving?"

Because Martin often gave them as gifts, Bruce carried one with him and handed it over.

Martin gave the Joker horn carving to Jones, "You\'re a senior professional in the art industry. How\'s the level of this carving?"

Jones examined it carefully, then felt it with his hand: "It\'s a bit rough but has creativity. The carving work is also decent, though it lacks professional training."

He looked at the bottom of the Joker, "Lily Carter?"

Martin asked, "Do you think she has talent in this area?"

"Not bad," Jones clearly wasn\'t just being polite, "She needs a good teacher."

Separate industries, separate worlds. Martin had asked Bruce to inquire about the neighbors and knew that Jones was a seasoned professional, "Do you know anyone in this area?"

Jones said, "I know a sculptor at the California Institute of the Arts."

Martin briefly described Lily\'s situation, and Jones suggested that if Lily wanted to develop in this field, she could consider applying to the California Institute of the Arts.

As one of the private colleges that Walt Disney first invested in establishing, with Martin\'s connections in Hollywood, of course, he could get a weighty letter of recommendation.

Even if she couldn\'t become a sculptor, it would not be hard for her to find a job as a special props maker in Hollywood after graduation.

All of this, of course, depended on Lily\'s willingness.

Martin took note of this matter, to call Atlanta later.

Jones\' conversation came full circle back to his daughter, "Unfortunately, I can\'t attend Jenna\'s new film premiere this weekend."

Martin was surprised, "Didn\'t she reserve a seat for you?"

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"It\'s mainly because I\'d feel awkward seeing the male actor." Jones sighed, "They\'ll show clips at the scene, and when the male actor comes over to greet me, what should I respond?"

Martin thought about it and indeed, it would be awkward to respond.

Jones added, "Should I pat the actor on the shoulder, tell the guy, \'Boy, you did well just now, it would be even better if you go a bit gentler next time…\'"