America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

After removing his makeup, Martin saw Kate and Leonardo waiting for him and asked with a smile, "So, any good news?"

Kate stepped forward and hugged him, "Congratulations, you've become my partner."

Leonardo bumped fists with Martin, "You rascal, you always excel at playing perverts."

Martin retorted, "That's because I have you as a reference, friend. I don't even need to experience life; I just follow your lead."

"This isn't the place to talk," Kate gestured to a lounge area nearby, "Neither of you should throw stones, you're both jerks who fall for every one they see."

Leonardo said affectionately, "Over the years, my only true love has been you."

Facing her best friend, Kate was as feisty as she was on the set of the big ship, "Leo, do you feel no guilt saying that? Look at yourself, you've grown so empty inside you've puffed up."

"Don't talk about me." Leonardo sat on the couch, "You're no different."

Martin looked at the two of them and said, "Actually, there's a line from Titanic that suits you both perfectly."

Leonardo, knowing this scoundrel wouldn't say anything nice, was too lazy to ask.

Out of curiosity, Kate asked, "What line?"

"You jump, I jump," Martin said, gesticulating, "Now it's, 'you get fat, I get fat.'"

Kate raised her eyebrows, "For a woman, it's better to be a bit plump."

Martin nodded, "Makes sense."

However, Leonardo said, "Kate, I'd advise you to beware of this guy. In every film crew he joins, he likes to romance the lead actress."

Martin defended himself, "Stop slandering me. Did that happen at 'The Hills Have Eyes' and 'Infernal Affairs' crews?"

Kate's gossip flame blazed, "So, are the rumors about you and Jolie and Aniston true?"

Martin neither confirmed nor denied.

Leonardo added, "He was close to bringing Jolie and Aniston, these two arch-enemies, together for a party."

Martin changed the subject, "Is your Appian Way also investing?"

"Just helping Kate out," Leonardo said half-jokingly, half-seriously, "Also, I heard you're planning to be the male lead. As a member of the trio, I've got to show my support."

Martin, not believing his nonsense, flipped him the bird before turning to Kate, "When exactly does filming start? Are we shooting in Germany?"

Kate replied, "Filming starts next month and, if all goes well, will end in August. Apart from some outdoor scenes in Germany, most of the scenes will be filmed on sets built at Pine Forest Film Studio in Buckingham County."

Martin knew Pine Forest Film Studio, Hollywood's biggest filming base in England, where all studio scenes of the Harry Potter and Bond series were filmed.

Leonardo mentioned, "By the way, I heard from old Jack that his former lover is also filming at Pine Forest Film Studio this summer. There should be quite a few crews there."

"Perfect," Martin said, "I'll be bored in London. You and the old jerk should come over and visit the set, and we can have a gathering in London."

Kate was informed, "You're talking about Meryl Streep and 'Mamma Mia!'?"

Leonardo nodded.

Mulling it over, Martin said, "The firecrackers seem to lack punch. Do they sell Roman candles in London?"

No Roman candles were needed; even a double-kick would suffice, without needing to get close.

"Do you have a good idea?" Leonardo immediately perked up, "Don't worry, I'll definitely drag Nicholson to visit the set in London."

The three of them were chatting merrily here, getting along very well.

In another office, the atmosphere was tense as Thomas and the film crew endured a heated negotiation.

After a whole two days, they had only reached an agreement on the base salary and profit sharing.

In Hollywood, male actors generally earn higher pay than female actors. Although Martin's status wasn't as high as Kate Winslet's, his base salary was the same as hers, a full 4 million US dollars.

Stars typically earn less for art films than for commercial ones: on one hand, investors control early-stage risk with low project investments, and on the other, stars turn their income towards back-end profit-sharing to motivate key creatives to deliver their best performances.

Martin was no different.

Back-end profit sharing mainly involved North America box office and DVD sales.

Once North America box office receipts surpassed the 30-million-dollar cost line, Martin would receive 2% of the extra profit. The most common tiered profit sharing would kick in, rising to 2.5% beyond 10 million dollars and so on, with a ceiling of 4%.

For DVDs, in addition to the union standard, there was a profit share of 1.5% of net profits.

This offline net profit sharing usually had no time limit, essentially providing a long-term meal ticket. Even after the benefactor passed away, the profits could be transferred to a designated heir.

The film's revenue focus was not on box office but on downstream channels. The biggest benefit of winning heavyweight Oscars was reflected in DVD rentals and sales, television rights, and so on.

Then, Thomas and the film crew settled on the nudity clauses.

Like Kate Winslet, the principal concern was not to show the front key points.

To be widely released across North America, the film would at least be rated R. If we let the birds out to feed, it would turn into NC-17.

After Thomas had negotiated all the terms, Martin signed the actor's contract and took the opportunity to take a make-up photo with Kate.

The production team of 'The Reader' officially announced that Martin and Kate Winslet would play the leading roles, and they released the promotional poster.

On the poster, Martin and Kate each occupied one side to display equal billing.

As soon as the related news was out, the Los Angeles critics, whom Martin had always maintained good relations with, praised his choice unanimously.

Kenneth Turan, the lead critic from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, highly praised Martin's choice in his column for the 'Los Angeles Times'.

"After addressing his basic living needs with commercial films, Martin Davis has shown his artistic pursuit and ambition. He is set to realize his acting potential, and Hollywood will undoubtedly witness the rise of another artist," he wrote.

Several other well-known critics mentioned the news in their columns too.

The critics' circle has considerable influence on awards season, especially on the Oscars.

Before leaving Los Angeles to head to London, Martin visited Louise's mansion.

Louise was there, and Kelly had also come over from Atlanta.

Martin was slightly surprised, "Why did you suddenly come over?"

Drinking a Swollen Screwdriver made by Louise, Kelly said, "I rushed over especially after this bitch here told me something about you."

Martin walked up to the bar, accepted a glass of wine from Louise, pulled up a bar stool, and sat down, asking, "What's going on?"

Louise raised her glass to signal the others, took a sip, and said, "Over the past two years, Kelly and I have made a pretty penny through your projects. I won't tell you exactly how much, though."

Martin playfully said, "You guys must have cleared at least a hundred billion by now."

Kelly laughed so hard she nearly fell backward, pointing at Louise and saying, "She definitely has, but I'm not so sure about myself."

Louise pulled Kelly closer and pinched her cheek firmly, "Be serious, we're discussing important matters, not messing around at the salon."

She said earnestly, "You really look out for us, and Kelly and I aren't heartless. You want to go for an Oscar nomination in the next round, right? Kelly suggested that she and I should jointly fund a PR team to give you a boost in publicity and relations."

Of course, Martin wouldn't refuse, "Have you finally found your conscience and decided to take care of me?"

Kelly burst into crisp laughter, "It's just one million US dollars."

But Martin considered it, "Can it be put on the tab, to be used at a critical moment?"

Although their relationship had grown a bit distant over the last year, Louise still remembered the ordeal with Alexander the Great and the fact that the money invested in Martin's starring projects had yielded generous returns.

She said, "This time is this time, the future is the future. Whenever you truly give it your all in the award season, Kelly and I will show our support."

Kelly added, "By then we can get you a top-notch PR team."

With such tempting free meals, Martin found it utterly irresistible, from body to soul, "When I win the little Oscar statuette, I'll chop it into three pieces, and each of us can have a segment."

Louise reminded him, "Don't forget, the role is fundamental. Although there have been cases like 'Shakespeare in Love', do you really want to be dragged out and flogged by the media like Gwyneth?"

Martin replied, "Of course I don't want that, although notoriety is a form of fame..."

Louise continued, "I will find the right PR team for you. Once you finish filming with Kate in London, I'll arrange a meeting."

Martin got serious, "If you've got things set up on your end, I'll listen to you."

Kelly could hardly contain her excitement, "We can talk about all this later."

She moved closer to Martin, whether from drinking too much or tripping over something, she lost her balance and fell to the floor, propping herself up with one hand on the ground, looking up at Martin imploringly, "Let's talk about how you'll thank us instead."

Martin knew that another multi-million-dollar deal was starting.

He had always kept fit, supplemented his diet well, and had no problems at all.

But Kelly said, "I don't want a shattered Oscar; I want a full-sized Mr. Oscar. How about this, you model one on yourself, have someone carve an Oscar trophy, and then give it to me..."

"No problem!" Martin agreed immediately.

He planned to call Lily over in Atlanta and ask her to carve a few trophies out quickly.

Kelly laughed teasingly, "I'll give you a reward."

Louise walked around the bar and came over.

Martin, experienced in taking on multiple opponents, knew no matter how tough they were, the key was to target one and take them out completely before moving on to the others.

Moreover, in a group fight, the more opponents there are, the more disorganized they become, and they might even end up tripping over each other.

These experiences were not only based on Martin's own practical summaries but also on live teachings from real heavyweights in his past acting clique.

In the ensuing days, Martin sorted out his affairs in Los Angeles, took the production team's chartered flight to London, and headed to Pine Forest Film Studio to start filming the new movie.