America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Inside the shooting range, Martin wore headphones and held a Beretta 92f in his hand, shooting at moving targets one bullet at a time.

With lengthy practice and some natural talent, his marksmanship gradually improved to the point where he could consistently hit a moving target with each shot.

After emptying a magazine, the electronic target automatically reported the score.

Martin turned his head to look, took off his headphones, and asked Bruce, "Can I officially become a member of civilized society now?"

Bruce said, "A real civilized person needs to have rich combat experience."

Martin shook his head repeatedly, "I'm doing this for shooting films and self-defense. A shootout? I'd rather be a shrinking turtle." Still, he was very curious, "What am I missing for actual combat?"

Bruce didn't speak, put on his headphones, stood in front of the firing position, picked up the handgun, and fired away in quick succession.

He hit the target with each shot as well, but the score wasn't as high as Martin's previous performance.

Martin understood and said, "Shooting speed."

Bruce nodded, "That's right, shooting speed. In a real engagement, there's no extra time for aiming properly; often, whoever fires faster survives."

Martin shook his head and sighed, "You've got the hand speed of a man who's been single for over 30 years, something someone like me, who started messing around as a teenager, can't match."

"You, you're bound to be beaten to death sooner or later," Bruce said as he loaded bullets into the magazine. "I'm talking to you about shooting, and you're boasting about your abundance of women."

Martin steered the conversation back, "You've read the comic, can bullets really turn corners in reality?"

Bruce said, "I've never encountered it, but flicking your wrist is pure nonsense. Guided technology could probably do it, but the cost... it's not worth it."

Martin went back to the firing position, put in his earplugs, and continued to shoot.

He deliberately increased his shooting speed.

Bruce knew that Martin was preparing for an action gunfight movie and shared some real combat cases and experience with him between shooting sessions.

After more than an hour, Mene came over.

Bruce had already booked a rest room, and the three of them went over to drink and chat.

Martin handed a bottle of beverage to Mene and asked, "How did those two auditions of yours go?"

Mene looked dejected, "I botched them all."

Bruce was quite surprised, "Wasn't there a fifty-year-old female casting director on one of the crews?"

"At first, I thought my hand... no, my mouth was all it took to land the role." Mene twisted open the bottle of beverage, took a big gulp, then continued, "Who the hell would have thought that the casting director was a lesbian."

Martin couldn't help but laugh, "You couldn't perform, huh?"

Having spent time with Mene, Bruce slowly let go of his prejudices about race and patted Mene on the shoulder, "Well, that saves you from turning into a sausage mouth again."

But Mene raised his head slightly, "Boss, Old Cloth, although I failed these two auditions, I've got other opportunities. Remember the woman who hit on me at Avalon Bar? Her name is Victoria."

Martin recalled the night he met Annie-Hathaway carefully, "The one in her forties?"

Mene nodded, "That's her."

Bruce commented, "Buddy, you've progressed from someone over fifty to someone in her forties, impressive!"

Mene chuckled happily, "That's what I think too." He resumed his initial topic, "Victoria said she works at a film foundation and could help me land roles."

Upon hearing this, Martin felt something was off, "Is she reliable? Or is it a scam?"

Mene scratched his head, "The thing is, what could she scam me out of?"

"Scamming you out of money and sex?" Bruce looked at Mene and instinctively shook his head.

Mene spread his hands, "I'm broke and I'm a man."

Martin opened his briefcase, took out some documents, and handed them to Mene, "The project I mentioned to you over the phone—a supporting character, a firearms expert good with guns. Take some time these days to practice shooting and learn more about firearms."

Mene immediately responded, "Boss, no problem."

Martin needed a loyal subordinate, "I've set up a film studio. Join us as a production manager, with a salary of 500 US dollars per week. Later, you'll follow Old Cloth to register a film studio."

These were things he had discussed with Mene over the phone. Mene had spent several years in Hollywood and understood the risks involved, but opportunity always came with risks, and ninety-nine percent of actors in Los Angeles were looking for such chances without any connections.

Mene accepted on the spot, "Boss, whatever you say, I'll do."

Martin gave Mene a few more cautionary instructions.

This was all too common in Hollywood—every film set up as an independent accounting entity needed staff to take charge, and the people who appeared were often those who were deeply trusted and could be heavily relied upon.

Martin remembered something, "Old Cloth, stock up on more of the 2003 Coke."

Bruce was already on it, "I contacted Robert, and he's collected quite a few cans of Coke originally produced in 2003 Atlanta. The taste is absolutely authentic; he'll be sending a batch over soon."

Martin reminded him, "We'll cover the cost."

Mene was very curious, "Boss, it's nearly 2005, can we still drink Coke from 2003?"

"Special purpose," Martin had a peculiar idea, "How about we start a sect?"

Bruce understood Martin's nature and immediately responded, "Like the Mormon Church kind?"

"The Mormon Church!" Mene raised both hands and mouth in agreement, "I love the Mormon Church the most! Boss, if you become the Sect Hierarch, can you make me a High Priest or a Bishop or something?"

"You two, nothing but rotten thoughts in your heads!" Martin was angry that his underlings only knew how to cause trouble and had no serious thoughts, "My idea is to establish a Cola Cult, so stop thinking about being the High Priest, I've already picked someone, but Vice Sect Hierarch is still available."

Mene asked, "What would be the doctrine of the sect?"

Martin considered seriously for a moment, "Unsurpassed Cola?"

Bruce sneered, "What kind of theory is that?"

"The Cola Cult is just a concept for now. I don't have money or power; it's all on paper," Martin decided to impart a little secret, "When the cola comes in, each of you take a few packs; before doing anything important, drink a can."

Bruce said, "So you'll be cleaning up our mess afterwards?"

Martin couldn't be bothered to say more, "Let's go, Old Cloth is treating us to lunch."

Bruce glanced at the time, "I'm busy at noon, going over to Gina's place."

Martin was curious, "Have you decided to take the lead role?"

Mene didn't understand, "Is Old Cloth also planning to become an actor?"

Martin said purposefully, "The kind that might become famous all over the world."

Bruce, the old playboy, "I haven't decided yet. For now, I'll keep her hanging, no promises, no letting go."

At this moment, Mene said, "Victoria has an appointment with me at noon. I have to go there too."

Bruce and Mene left the club first. Martin, left alone, found no fun in going out either, and since the club offered a buffet, he simply had lunch at the shooting club.

Martin grabbed some food and sat down in a quiet spot. Just as he was about to start eating, someone approached him.

"What a coincidence, Martin." The person greeted him proactively.

Martin recalled for a moment and remembered who it was, Pinto, the agent of Mike Vogel who had a showdown with the Rattlesnake.

He nodded slightly, "Hello."

Pinto pulled out a chair and sat across from Martin, "You haven't been to the company much lately, hasn't Thomas found you any new work?"

Martin, of course, wouldn't tell him the truth, "There's still one film that hasn't been released yet, no hurry."

Pinto had come over with a purpose, "I've got a few good projects on hand, not company resources, but I have good relationships with several producers from 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures, and they prioritize my recommendations for their projects."

Martin felt as if he had seen a shovel, "Since I've shot Wax Museum, I haven't had a proper rest. This period is precious to me."

Pinto didn't easily give up, asking, "I remember you joined the company last December? It'll be a year next month."

Martin's first agent contract was indeed for one year, "I have no plans to leave WMA, I'll renew the contract when the time comes."

Seeing that Martin was not engaging in conversation, Pinto frowned slightly and went on, "Several of them are big budget project roles, are you sure you don't want to hear about them?"

He now spoke directly, "I've been in the business for 8 years, with my own office, networking and resource channels. I'm not comparable to those little agents."

Martin thought to himself, people were getting nicer and nicer around him even before his big break.

Leaning forward, Pinto lowered his voice, "If you switch to me, you'll be my top client and all the resources I have will be prioritized towards you."

Martin looked at Pinto, indeed Thomas wasn't quite on Pinto's level, the office was the most direct reflection of that.

That golden partnership with Thomas and such was naturally nonsense.

If it had been someone like Ari Emanuel or Jim White across from him, Martin would have agreed without a second thought.

In Martin's eyes, Pinto might not be any better than Thomas. He reminded him specifically, "I remember that the company strictly prohibits poaching clients from within."

Pinto couldn't help but chuckle, "But when a client's contract expires, they can actively choose a new agent. You'll have that choice next month."

Martin asked directly, "What's in it for me?"

Pinto said, "Have you heard of Fox's epic blockbuster project? About Jerusalem and the Crusades, an A-list big budget film with an investment of over a hundred million US dollars. I'm a longtime friend of the producer and can help you get the leading role, worst-case scenario, a supporting male role."

Martin stared at Pinto, his face full of surprise.

Pinto thought he had convinced him and smiled slightly, "I can let you in on a little secret in advance, the director is Ridley Scott, a top-tier director for A-list productions, and you'll have a chance to compete for the leading role."

This clearly had a hint of enticement; Martin was sure of that. With his current status, how could he compete with an Elven Prince?

He replied diplomatically, "This is a big deal. I need to discuss it with my manager."

Pinto could hear the meaning in Martin's words. Seeing him respond like this, he didn't insist any further and nodded, "I hope you make a wise choice."

Martin had already made his choice internally.

After lunch, he took a short nap in the resting room, waiting for Old Cloth to come back. Together, they went to the outdoor field to practice shooting.

That evening, he got dressed in a formal suit and accompanied Louise to Kate Winslet's film preview party.