America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

In an office on the second floor near the entrance of Warner Bros. Studios, Mene was nervously rubbing his hands together and looking out the window, where he could see a bunch of reporters and paparazzi blocked near the main gate of Warner Bros. Studios.

He had finished shooting "Land of the Living Dead" three days ago and returned to Los Angeles, where the boss had given him the big "gift" of appearing in front of the media.

Agent Munir was also African American, and he came over and said, "Don't be nervous, you always say big scenes are a piece of cake for you."

Mene forced a smile, which looked more pained than crying.

Promotion director Parker asked Martin, "Is he not mentally strong?"

Martin said, "He has a very strong mental makeup; he just hasn't adjusted to the sudden transition from obscurity to media celebrity. He needs time to adapt."

Parker understood this; many people break under the pressure of sudden fame and fall off a cliff.

At this moment, Martin said, "Mene, are you up for it? If you're not, no need to force yourself. I can find someone else. Even that kangaroo you fought in Australia was more relaxed than you are now."

Mene came over, "I've been through stuff, haven't I?"

Martin pointed to Bruce, "You've memorized the script, what are you afraid of? Do you want Old Cloth to go with you? To support you from behind?"

"No need, no need," Mene quickly shook his head, "Munir accompanying me is enough."

Martin lowered his voice, "Buddy, think about it, all those people you've serviced, your swollen lips and tongue, being so broke you had to live with Old Cloth—isn't this the opportunity you've been waiting for?"

Mene pursed his lips and nodded silently.

None of these seemed to be very effective, and Martin frowned, suddenly remembering something, "Are you afraid of those media bitches? Buddy, do I need to remind you that you have a nuclear weapon?"

Mene looked at the back of his hand and his skin color, saying, "Yeah, I have a nuclear weapon."

He lifted his head and straightened his back, "Damn right, I've got a nuclear weapon!"

Everyone except Bruce didn't understand what he meant by that.

Mene called for Munir, "Let's go out there and face those media bitches!"

Munir followed Mene, and they both left Warner Bros. Studios.

As soon as they left the security checkpoint, the sudden burst of camera flashes was almost blinding.

Munir, just a small-time agent from a small company, had never experienced anything like this and instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes.

The paparazzi swarmed over.

"Are you still in touch with Paris?"

"Tell us about what happened in Australia!"

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"Why did Paris take a fancy to you?"

This question rang in his ears, and Mene almost released his nuclear weapon on the spot, but in the end, a nuclear weapon is a last resort, and he managed to hold back.

The cowardly agent proved to be unreliable, getting pushed out to the fringes by the paparazzi.

Mene regretted not asking Old Cloth to come along.

It would've been good to have his support.

The promotion director Parker already had arrangements in place, and several burly security guards from the studio rushed out to form a human wall between Mene and the paparazzi.

Having caught his breath, Mene yelled out, "It's too chaotic, I can't answer like this."

The experienced paparazzi on the scene had gone through the initial rush and were self-regulating to restore order, as chaos would leave everyone without news.

Things gradually quieted down.

"If you want to know about my affair with Paris, I can tell you, for free, no charge."

Mene generously made his point, and when he actually faced the media, he realized that he was not as nervous as he had thought and spoke out loudly, "It was a mistake that should never have happened, but Paris is young and beautiful, and you all know that."

The male reporters in the audience smiled with understanding.

It was very clear; they had all seen the tape.

Mene continued, "Paris is so beautiful and sexy, and then she slapped a thick stack of money on my face." He spread his hands out, indicating helplessness, "What could I do? Who could refuse that as a normal person?"

The guys slowly nodded, showing understanding; heck, they'd rush forward even without the money.

"Later, I gave the money back to her. I'm not that kind of person!" Mene pounded his chest, "I thought it was love at first sight, but love came and went just as fast."

A female reporter, feeling indignant, asked, "Why did Paris choose you?"

Mene laughed and said, "During the shoot, Paris tried to seduce a male kangaroo, and well, it was a dangerous moment. I rushed up to distract... no, attract the kangaroo away and saved Paris. I thought it was a case of a hero saving a beauty and that love would follow, but it didn't."

After some more silly questions and requests for photos, Mene posed for the photographers until they were satisfied.

Then he left, escorted by the security personnel, in a car.

Two hours later, Mene returned to Warner Bros. Studios, where in the studio's café he found Martin.

"Boss, I give my performance full marks!" Mene ran up to Martin across the table, "You were so right. Those people aren't even as tough as the kangaroos in Australia."

Martin went on, "Make sure your agent keeps in touch with the production team. Susan Levin is a very formidable producer who will oversee many more film projects in the future."

Mene nodded repeatedly, "I understand, I understand. Boss, if you need anything in the future, just say the word."

While they were talking, Louise and Susan Levin came into the café.

Susan glanced at Mene, "I remember you, you played a supporting role in the film, you did well."

Mene pulled out his business card and handed it over, "Ma'am, if you need anything at all, just give me a call. I'm at your service."

Susan took the card.

Mene excused himself with acumen, "You guys chat, I've got some business to attend to."

Louise pulled out a chair and sat beside Martin, saying, "You sure have a lot of ideas."

Susan sat opposite Louise and chuckled, "They're also quite feasible."

Martin asked what the two of them would like to drink and added, "Susan, it's you who made my ideas feasible. Without you, they would be nothing but daydreams."

Susan kicked Louise lightly, "Hear that? Such sweet talk, even better than Donnie."

Louise's long eyebrows raised, "Would I pick the wrong person?"

After finishing a cup of coffee, Susan said, "I have to get back to work."

Martin and Louise sat for a while longer.

Louise suggested, "Walk with me."

They left the café and walked along the path lined with the most palm trees.

Louise inquired, "Did you plan this whole thing with Paris for a while?"

Martin, of course, wouldn't admit it, "Need to plan? Isn't it normal for her to do things like this?"

Louise didn't press further, "Actually, if the film does well, the lead actress will benefit the most. You won't get much out of it."

She suddenly considered a possibility, "Is it because I joined in the syndicate? Are you trying to repay me?"

Martin merely said, "It's true I don't benefit as much as the lead actress, but I still get my share. I'm playing the second lead; if the movie does well, other productions won't turn me down because of a commercial flop."

Louise stated, "If the box office turnout is good, consider it as you paying back another chunk of the debt you owe me."

Martin feigned ignorance, "Didn't I pay it all back last time?"

Louise didn't respond, simply striding forward with her head held high and chest out.

Martin had heard about the situation of "Alexander the Great" from elsewhere; it was going to release in November.

Pacific Pictures was part of the investment syndicate. Although most of the syndicate money came from various foundations, Martin estimated that a box office disaster would have a significant negative impact on Pacific Pictures.

If "House of Wax" had a good reception, Old Cloth should be able to breathe a little easier.

Martin didn't say much more and simply walked the streets with Louise.

After a while, Louise reminded him, "Your agent must have prepared some promotional soft content for you, right? If the movie is a success, you're the leading man. If it fails, you're just a minor role."

Martin replied, "I understand."

The promotion for "House of Wax" continued to make steady progress, with trailers showing before the screening of newly released movies to warm up the audience.

Television and internet trailers were also released sequentially.

Posters, roadshows, previews, various media advertisements, and outdoor campaigns—all the regular promotional tactics—were not lacking.

This film, being a remake of an old horror classic, also held some appeal to those over 25.

The elaborate promotional plan for Paris was also advancing steadily.

Twenty days before the North America premiere, Warner Bros. held a screening for theater managers and the media.

The former gave a market value prediction score of 65, which is mid-tier for a traditional American slasher horror movie.

Warner Bros. easily secured 3,220 North American theaters for the film.

This number of theaters was quite high for an R-rated horror film.

By early October, the promotion efforts intensified, especially with Kim Kardashian leaking even more explosive stories, such as Paris's extreme narcissism, calling paparazzi to follow her during outings deliberately.

There were also rumors of her secretively visiting clinics for sexually transmitted diseases, keeping it hidden even from those close to her, leading to suspicions that she had contracted certain diseases due to silicone injections.

Paris's agent Steve came forward, claiming he had had enough of Paris's antics and was planning to resign from his role as her agent.

Gradually, a voice emerged on the internet: Want to see Paris Hilton get the punishment she deserves? Go to the theaters and watch "House of Wax."

They even followed this up with wax figure posters released by the production crew.

A week before the premiere, the production team played a major move.

A female anchor on the Warner Television Network fiercely criticized the media's fawning over Paris Hilton. While hosting a show, she refused to read news about Paris and even brazenly took out a lighter with the intention to burn the script, only to be stopped by her colleagues.

Afterward, she stated on the show, "I will certainly go see 'House of Wax,' to watch how that lawless woman gets executed on film! That at least will make me feel a lot better for days."

The next day, Paris's lawyer sent her a cease and desist letter.

This incident was then dragged out and heavily sensationalized.

Mene was also invited onto a television program, where he recounted, in front of the camera, how he bonded with Paris over a kangaroo.

Kardashian's loyalty spread across America; whether for good or bad reasons, she had become famous.

In an interview, Kardashian announced plans to write a book, already having decided on the name— "Things I Must Tell About Paris Hilton."

As long as there was an appropriate promotional marketing strategy, there was no doubt about Hollywood's execution ability.

Even the dead could be resurrected for profit.

Compared to all this, the conventional promotion of Martin and Eliza paled.

But it had some effects nonetheless.

Martin's blog, managed by Thomas, was maintained with updates two to three times a week.

After promotional materials related to "House of Wax" were posted on the blog, at least several hundred comments stated they would go to theaters to show their support.