America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Century City, a gathering place for Hollywood agencies.

It's not uncommon to bump into dozens of pairs of celebrities with their agents while out for a meal.

Opening the package he carried with him, Martin slid a gift box across the table to Thomas on the other side, "For you."

Thomas opened the box and asked, "Wolf teeth? No, wait, Australia doesn't have wolves, are these crocodile teeth?"

Martin was blunt and opportunistic in his response, "I hunted the crocodile myself and made this with my own hands. It may not look precious, but it's quite rare."

"Thanks, it's meaningful," said Thomas, putting it away, but from a professional angle he added, "You're not planning to go down the route of environmentalism and animal protection?"

Martin was frank, "I'm someone who likes to enjoy life. If I ever become rich and famous, I'll do whatever makes me comfortable. Environmentalism is too risky, and animal protection can get you criticized for eating meat."

Glancing at the pile of meat in front of Thomas, he added, "What if someone told you to become a vegetarian? What would you do?"

"I'd slap them in the face," Thomas replied.

Savoring his steak, Martin moved on to business, "You've been working hard for our cause these past days, haven't you?"

Thomas picked up the conversation, "You broke up with Eliza too quickly. I had a plan to capitalize on the attention from 'Girl Next Door,' which resonates well with teens, especially since Eliza is popular. I was thinking of discussing with Susan to promote 'House of Wax' by hyping up a romance between the leads."

He expressed a strong opinion, "You're impatient. Letting such a relationship end so quickly after only leveraging it for a premiere red carpet lost us the chance to maximize its value!"

"I don't mind using my personal life for publicity. As long as it's profitable, I'd even play Truman in the real world," Martin said, pointing again to the meat on the table, "Could you become a vegetarian?"

Thomas gave Martin a glance, probably getting the hint and chose not to dwell further, instead he shifted the topic, "I've contacted Lionsgate Films. 'Zombie Stripper' is selling well on disk. Last week during my face-to-face with Blake, the marketing director of Lionsgate, we agreed to nominate you for the Saturn Award for Best Young Actor."

Thinking carefully, Martin asked, "The film award established by the Science Fiction and Horror Film Academy?"

"That's the one," Thomas detailed, "There are six nominations for the actor award. From what I've gathered so far, those who have applied for this category include 'Agent Cody Banks,' 'Missing,' 'Freaky Friday,' 'The Rats Tamer,' and as for the actor names, they're too unfamiliar for me, but I do remember Lindsay Lohan."

Among those names, Martin had only heard of Lindsay Lohan and asked, "Can I get a nomination?"

"Winning is very difficult, and even getting a nomination requires some effort. The Saturn Awards have a certain prestige, not like the newly established Teen Choice Awards where just showing up guarantees a nomination," Thomas explained.

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"Tell me what needs to be done, and I'll cooperate," Martin said, not very familiar with the Saturn Awards as his past focus had been solely on the Oscars, paying little attention even to the Golden Globes.

"As long as we can persuade the big shots at the Science Fiction and Horror Film Academy, securing a nomination will be simple. When I need your cooperation, I'll give you a call," Thomas said.

Martin then inquired, "What about a new job?"

"Don't be in a hurry," Thomas advised, "HBO delayed the 'Star Partners' schedule. I'm fighting for resources that the company initially favored for Adrian. WMA is a big company, and the internal competition is fierce."

He warned in advance, "For those projects not invested in by Miss Louise Mel, it's difficult for you to land a leading role."

Martin nodded, "I understand, 'House of Wax' hasn't been released yet."

Although this horror movie was completed, post-production hadn't started yet. Including promotional and distribution preparation, at the earliest, it would be released by the end of the year. With Warner Bros.' approach, it might even be pushed to next spring.

For medium-scale film projects, one year is considered fast from planning to production and completion.

For those with hundred-million-dollar investments, it could take over two years from planning to release.

Thomas continued about the Saturn Awards, "Securing the Saturn Award for Best Young Actor will definitely give you an edge in the competition among new actors at the agency."

Martin, quite materialistic, asked about the key factor, "Money? Gifts? Women?"

Thomas shook his head, "What money do you have, and how much could you possibly borrow? Those big shots don't lack that little."

After lunch, Martin took his leave, while Thomas stayed a bit longer to clear his head further.

Martin was Thomas's most important client. The star clients at WMA weren't his responsibility. To climb higher and cross the threshold of having his own office, he needed at least one star client in his portfolio.

As for becoming a partner, that was a consideration for another time.

Thomas returned to the company and had just sat down in his cubicle when he saw Adrian passing by on his way to the glass-enclosed offices.

Adrian knocked and entered John's office.

John frowned slightly, "What brings you here? Didn't I tell you to take a break first?"

Adrian sat down as usual, propping his feet up on the chair. "I've got some questions to ask."

To John, what looked like a normal gesture in the past now seemed like a lack of respect. He coughed slightly and pointed at Adrian's feet, "This is an office."

Turning his head toward John, Adrian drew back his legs and asked, "I'm out of money. Is that all my car and house sold for?"

John no longer had any faith in Adrian's future, even thinking he had none: "I've given you the contract and the tickets."

Originally, Adrian's lawyer and accountant all came from introductions by his agent: "You're in urgent need of funds to reach a settlement with her, in dire need of money to get out of the vortex. Hundreds of thousands of Australian dollars, even if I bankrupt myself I couldn't raise that amount, you agreed to sell your house and car, I could only try to sell them as quickly as possible.

What other choice did we have besides discounting?"

Adrian said, "The price you sold at was too low."

John's expression was one of helplessness: "Do you think I would just stand by and watch you go to prison? We are more than just agent and client, we are also friends, I can't let you go to jail. You're only 27, you still have plenty of good years ahead of you."

Adrian had someone carefully review the contracts and tickets and such; there were indeed no problems. He asked, "When will 'Star Partners' be aired?"

John said, "I've been constantly urging HBO to schedule it. Have a little patience, once this special period is over, everything will get back to normal."

After a few more questions, Adrian left the office, went down to the first floor, and just as he was exiting the main entrance, a short, stubby, chubby man came over.

Tony, with a baseball cap on backwards, handed Adrian the car keys: "Your agent just called me, I can't keep you company anymore."

Adrian looked up, his gaze slowly falling on Tony's face.

Tony jingled the car keys.

Adrian took the keys and walked towards the parking lot.

Tony said softly, "I'm sorry, Ed, I need to eat, too."

Adrian didn't look back, didn't respond, leaving all alone.

......

Burbank, Warner Bros. Studios.

Kelly, arriving from Atlanta, had just finished touring the Warner post-production studio with Louise.

Louise, dressed in a dark business suit, saw that there was no one around and gave Kelly's butt a light smack: "You slut, I'm off to see the financial officer from the production team. You wander around Warner Bros. Studios on your own, and I'll call you after work."

"Sexual predator!" Kelly said through gritted teeth: "When that bastard Martin arrives, I'll settle the score with you both."

Louise blinked, "How will you settle, and where? Will you be in the middle?"

Kelly, nearly fainting with rage, didn't want to talk to her anymore, and, clacking away in her high heels, left the post-production studio.

Leaning against a palm tree, the breeze brought fresh air, and the anger that had been pent up in her chest finally came out.

An electric cart drove up, stopping at the curb, and Kelly heard a familiar voice: "The Creator's most beautiful masterpiece, the number one beauty of Georgia, the incarnation of Aphrodite on earth, your ride and driver have arrived."

Kelly turned her head and saw a ruggedly handsome man, immediately extending her hand.

Martin stood beside the cart, helping Kelly aboard.

Kelly said, "Let's go."

Martin started the cart and meandered aimlessly around Warner Bros. Studios, asking, "What brings you to Los Angeles?"

Kelly huffed, "The sales rep I sent over neither works nor puts in any effort. I had to come over myself to drum up business."

Martin did not engage in that topic, instead pointing to a backpack at his feet: "I brought you a gift from Australia, sent one by mail too, but since you're here, I'll give you another."

Kelly reached for the bag and opened it to find two differently colored boxes: "Which one is for me?"

Martin said, "The beige one."

Kelly took it and opened it to find a beautifully polished white animal fang.

Her gaze fell on the other box, a deep gray one: "For that slut Louise?"

Martin replied, "The same."

"Can I take a look?" Upon getting Martin's nod, Kelly opened the box to find it was different—it held a fang along with a cocktail recipe on a note, titled 'Honey'.

Kelly flicked the note, "For that wanton woman?"

Martin casually said, "The latest masterpiece of mixologist Louise Mel."

Kelly exclaimed, "That shameless slut!" Then a wicked idea struck her, one that could revenge upon Louise: "I'll keep the recipe. Let Louise ask me for it."

Martin asked, "What do you want with that? You're not interested in mixology."

"Of course, it's useful," Kelly's smile suddenly turned sly: "Martin, do you want to see Louise caught sweetly between the two of us?"