America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

After the sun rose higher, the weather became somewhat hot, and Robert carried a box of Coke bottles to the set.

Having finished his work as a background artist the day before, he sought Martin's help to find temporary crew work within the production team, always good for an extra income.

Robert, with the open box in his arms, turned to look at the filming site not far away, where Martin was pushing hay into the stables.

The character's role was very simple; he could have handled it with ease, but he had no chance.

Martin suddenly climbed up? Robert couldn't understand it, recalling how Martin had been behind on his membership fees during the last shoot.

Jerome strongly recommended someone in debt? Where was the fairness in that!

Not even one line of dialogue was given to him.

Robert arrived at the resting area shaded by trees and parasols, and in accordance with the production's instructions, placed the Coke on the table for easy access by the staff.

He set down the box and grabbed a pack of tissues.

During unloading, that idiot driver damaged a bottle of olive oil, spilling much of it on the Coke bottles.

Robert, aspiring to be an actor rather than a jack-of-all-trades for the crew, didn't clean the bottles with much care, just wiping them carelessly with the tissue.

With the Coke neatly arranged, he picked up the empty box and left to assist the driver with the delivery of lunch materials.

Almost simultaneously, the leading male actor of the production, Adam Smith, and Kyle came out of the makeup room and headed towards the temporary rest area.

The latter had to shoot a barefoot action scene, so he simply wore slippers.

With his dazzling blond hair, Adam Smith asked as he walked, "Where did Martin Davis come from? I've never seen him before."

Kyle, knowing his polished-talking colleague, replied, "The idiot from the Marietta Theatre Company, supposedly got in through Andrew's connection."

Adam Smith stared in the direction and said, "That name sounds familiar; I think I've seen him somewhere before."

"A thug mixed up with gangs; he even brought a gun to the set and threatened me with it!" Kyle stirred up, "Adam, I'm your cousin; you have to help me!"

However, Adam Smith cautioned, "Don't stir up trouble; if it wasn't for your horseback riding skills, the crew wouldn't be using you."

Kyle, dissatisfied, said, "You're the leading man holding the film together, the guarantee for cable TV ratings, so what's to fear? Scared of that idiot?"

Adam Smith chose to ignore these words. It was Kyle who had issues with others, not him.

A minor character, no threat to his position as the leading man.

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Simple-minded muscle-heads, even too incompetent to stir up trouble effectively.

It was then that Adam Smith saw a car, a black BMW 7, and muttered to himself, "The boss arriving?"

The BMW stopped in the distance, and Kelly Gray, dressed in a white business suit, walked towards them.

Kyle was the first to reach the temporary rest area and, seeing the Coke on the table, took a straw from the box and reached for a bottled Coke.

His hand touched the glass bottle, the greasy oil made Kyle instinctively retract his hand, and the Coke bottle tipped over, rolling off the table.

The jubilant youth, who had professionally trained in soccer, instinctively stretched out his foot, attempting to catch the glass bottle.

The heavy bottle smashed onto his foot—only protected by slippers—and a scream of agony escaped from Kyle's mouth.

He sat on the ground, clutching his foot and whimpering in pain.

Adam Smith rushed over and asked, "What happened?"

Kyle, with a twisted face in pain, said, "Quick, call a doctor; my foot! My foot hurts so much!"

Adam Smith immediately shouted for the crew to call a doctor.

The commotion here startled the filming crew and the boss, Kelly Gray.

The production's doctor determined there was a chance of a minor bone in Kyle's foot being cracked or fractured and recommended immediate hospitalization.

Director Benjamin-Calvin was furious, nearly pointing at Kyle's nose and cursing him for his stupidity.

Kelly Gray was also displeased, not mentioning the medical costs incurred by the actor's injury, but what about his scenes?

After Kyle was sent away, Benjamin explosively said, "I meticulously designed a horseback scene, picking an actor capable of riding, who also had a decent appearance, and what happens? This idiot breaks his own foot, what am I supposed to do now? What am I to do?"

Martin had been standing in the surrounding crowd all along.

Kelly Gray said, "Don't talk rashly; let's solve the problem first."

Fighting to keep his temper in check, Benjamin thought for a while and then said, "The ignorant one's previously filmed scenes are scrapped, what a shame for my meticulously designed horseback scene."

Kelly Gray asked, "Can't you give it to another character?"

Benjamin explained, "We need a lot of full-view horse-riding shots, where do we have an actor who can ride a horse galloping in the production team?"

The horse had already been rented, the rental fee higher than the combined salaries of the male and female supporting actors.

Given the circumstances, Adam Smith couldn't advocate for Kyle; he had recommended Kyle, but Kyle's key to securing the role was his ability to ride horses.

...

Martin quietly left the rest area to find Jerome: "Did you see the sudden incident on set, leader?"

Jerome replied, "I've been around."

Martin spoke frankly, "Boss, actually, I can ride a horse."

"You?" Jerome didn't believe him, "Why would you know how to?"

Martin bluffed, "My family lived in Texas for a while, and I learned on a ranch there."

Having heard of Jack Davis, Jerome actually nodded in approval, but said, "Don't you know Andrew?"

"You're my boss, the one I respect the most, and for such a big matter, I didn't dare make the decision alone." As a backup actor, volunteering to ask for additional scenes meant you might have a screw loose.

It could easily lead to a falling out with the production team.

Martin wouldn't make that mistake: "The only one I can rely on, the only one I trust, is you, boss."

Jerome patted Martin's shoulder, "Leave it to me."

Martin emphasized his gratitude, "Boss!"

Jerome waved his hand and walked determinedly ahead to find Andrew, pulling him to a quiet place to whisper a conversation.

Not just for Martin, but also for his theatre company.

After Martin secured a significant role in the production, the number of temp actors calling to join his company spiked.

Once the two finished discussing, Andrew saw Director Benjamin talking to Boss Kelly and quickly went over.

An opportunity to show face.

Andrew seized the moment when the two bosses paused their conversation to interject, "Director, one of our main actors can ride a horse."

"Who?" Benjamin didn't want to abandon the carefully planned circus scene.

After all, the rental fee was already spent.

Andrew controlled his gaze, not looking toward Boss Kelly Gray, "Martin Davis."

Kelly Gray, hearing that name, instantly remembered that interesting young man and asked, "Martin from the Marietta Theatre Company?"

Andrew answered, "That's him."

Benjamin asked Kelly, "Do you know Martin?"

Kelly responded, "A very interesting friend."

Thinking of that scoundrel, Benjamin laughed, "Indeed, a very interesting actor." He told Andrew, "Call Martin over, have the horse trainer bring the horse to the arena."

Less than two minutes later, Martin came rushing over with Andrew, "Director, I'm here."

He then greeted Kelly Gray, "Good morning, Kelly."

Kelly Gray smiled at him, "You know a lot."

Martin replied, "As a poor man, I can only learn more."

Kelly Gray agreed, "It's the hardworking people who succeed."

The horse trainer led the horse into the arena. Martin, following the horse trainer's guidance, changed into professional attire and a helmet, spent some time getting familiar with the horse, and with the horse trainer's help, mounted the horse and started off with a slow walk, circling the arena before beginning to trot.

Riding was a skill Martin had learned in a previous life as a stunt double, and it had been a long time since he used it, so he needed to familiarize himself with the horse as well as regain his own rhythm.

After a lap, Benjamin asked, "You can control the horse with two riders?"

Martin had a bad feeling but still nodded, "No problem."

It was a hard-won opportunity, and even if there was something special about it, he resolved to grit his teeth and endure.

Benjamin directly called the screenwriter, "Add the circus scene to Billy's part."

Martin's filming was originally complete, but due to the circus scene, his salary increased to 800 dollars a day.

Adam Smith stood not far away, hearing Benjamin's words and watching Martin dismount and chat with Kelly, thoughtfully muttered, "A small-time actor?"

When the day's work was done, Martin started up his Ford, with Robert hitching a ride, ready to head back to Marietta.

Suddenly Robert said, "I did something, and you can't tell anyone else."

Martin out of curiosity asked, "What is it?"

Robert glanced at the car windows to the left and right, lowering his voice to the faintest whisper, "I was the one who placed those sodas."

"You did?" Martin remembered mentioning to Robert that he could ride a horse.

Robert looked grave, "Yes."

"Buddy, you shouldn't take such a big risk for me." Martin suspected this was no coincidence, "I only recommended you for a temporary stagehand job, but you've done so much in return."

Robert hurriedly denied it, "No, I didn't!"

Martin understood, "I get it; you didn't do anything. It's that idiot who messed up, and it has nothing to do with you."

Robert spread his hands in defense, "I really didn't mean it! Honest!"

Why is it so hard to explain?