Chapter 432: Relieve Stress

At NewYork Presbyterian Columbia and Cornell University Hospital, Leonardo sat in the pristine hall of the mental illness center, gazing at the entrance door with anticipation, like someone in darkness awaiting the arrival of light.

Despite Martin's promise to call every two days, he only called once a week, leaving Leonardo feeling frustrated. Rubbing his face, he tried to lift his spirits.

Dedicated to his job, Leonardo immersed himself in adapting to Scorsese's requirements for filming "Shutter Island," even spending several nights in the ward for authenticity. Though not a severe area, the nightly sounds proved quite exhilarating.

The door opened, and to Leonardo's surprise, Martin walked in. Leonardo, excited and emotional, stood up, his face flushed, eyes red, and legs trembling.

"Why are you here just now? Do you know how I survived this week?" Leonardo exclaimed, full of complaints.

Martin, not answering immediately, asked, "have you not gone crazy yet? That's such a disappointed."

The accompanying doctor suggested they chat while he attended to his duties. Martin acknowledged and joked with the doctor, Fletcher.

Once alone, Leonardo pressed Martin about the broken promise of regular calls. Martin, with a serious tone, explained, "Because I have confidence in your recovery."

They moved to the bench area, chatting before Leonardo insisted on taking Martin to the patient area to experience life.

O'Shea guided them through the building to the garden area. As they strolled, a nurse approached O'Shea, who instructed Martin and Leonardo to follow the nurse to see a patient.

Having spent a week there without causing trouble, Leonardo understood the rules, and O'Shea trusted him.

As they wandered around the garden area, Leonardo shared his experiences and the valuable insights he gained from interacting with patients and doctors.

Martin acknowledged the mental pressure Leonardo was under, suggesting, "Tom Brady returned to Boston, and Gisele stayed in New York. Go find her to relieve your stress. I'll help you keep it a secret."

Leonardo, shaking his head, asked, "Am I the kind of person who goes back? If you were asked to find Anne Hathaway, would you go?"

Martin maintained his principle: "Unless she takes the initiative to find me."

An older man under a tree greeted Leonardo, and they exchanged pleasantries. When the man, Keane, questioned Martin's status, Leonardo assured him that Martin was fully recovered and ready for discharge.

Keane, skeptical, challenged Martin to take a test, but Leonardo intervened, holding Martin back.

Keane pulled out his spectacle case, put on his reading glasses, and assumed a serious, professorial demeanor: "The test is straightforward. Only by passing it can you be sure of your recovery. Picture a swimming pool filled with water. I give you a spoon and a bucket, which one do you choose to empty the water?"

As soon as Martin heard the question, he sensed a challenge. After a brief pause, he decided to align with Keane's thought process: "Of course, it's a bucket."

Keane took off his glasses, shaking his head, and remarked, "A Normal person would just open the floor drain."

Leonardo, patting Martin on the shoulder, joked, "Man, you need hospitalization."

Keane, serious, declared, "Doctor Leo, this man does not meet the standards for rehabilitation; he must continue to be hospitalized."

Leonardo assured Keane, "Don't worry, he can't leave." Once alone, Martin commented, "It's a unique experience, Leo. You're a good actor."

Proudly, Leonardo raised his chin, stating, "In terms of professionalism, few in the circle can compare with me." The duo entered a room and discovered a person in the entertainment area hanging himself from a net.

Surprised, Martin asked, "What is this?"

Leonardo explained, "He sees himself as a chandelier in this house."

Martin, finding it unusual, inquired, "Doesn't the doctor care? Aren't they afraid something will happen to him?"

Leonardo responded, "How is that possible? Without the chandelier, wouldn't the house become pitch black?"

Martin, somewhat receptive, looked at him and said, "Are you Leo, or someone from hell?"

Leonardo nodded, stating, "Of course, I'm Leo."

Martin instinctively took a few steps away, and Leonardo laughed, "How was it? Did it scare you? Haha, my acting skills have improved a lot. I scared you, idiot!"

Martin, serious, said, "I was about to pull out a gun just now. I thought you were possessed by the devil, and I was going to help you exorcise it."

Leonardo suggested using holy water and a cross, but Martin insisted, "Physical exorcism is more effective. Bang! Suddenly, your head will explode, and the possessed devil will run away. Then the exorcism will be successful."

Quickly, Leonardo sought Dr. O'Shea, declaring, "Here is a madman; get him treated quickly!"

After confirming that Leonardo had no mental problems, Martin lost interest, planning to say goodbye and leave. However, Leonardo asked him to visit again in a few days to prevent himself from going crazy.

As Martin left, he warned Leonardo not to send him out due to reporters outside. Leonardo played along, teasing, "It seems that Keane is right; you have not recovered."

Meeting Bruce at the entrance, Martin's relaxed expression vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of evil and madness. As he walked out, reporters raised cameras, capturing every expression.

Dr. Fletcher, who escorted Martin out, also worked with the "John Wick" crew. In an interview, he explained Martin's complex condition and how taking on new roles led to a relapse.

Entertainment reporters, armed with the interview records, hurriedly wrote articles, spreading the news of Martin's visit to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital Psychiatric Center.

Back at the hotel, Martin found Nolan waiting in the lobby rest area, dealing with pressure and insomnia as "The Dark Knight" release approached.

Under the immense pressure of over 300 million US dollars in investment, it's not uncommon for individuals to struggle with their emotions.

With the weight of the investment on his shoulders, Nolan, despite his exceptional marketing skills, is visibly fatigued. Seeing Martin, Nolan felt a companion with whom he could share the marketing pressure, suggesting, "Find a place to have a good chat."

In the hotel's special business reception room, Martin invited Nolan and his assistant for a conversation. Nolan, ordering iced coffee, praised Martin for stirring up a wave of public opinion. Martin, acknowledging the current demands on him, stated, "I can't get away now; I can only do this for the time being."

Nolan, recalling a previous conversation, inquired about Martin's work plans for the second half of the year. Martin, more serious, responded, "After this film is finished, I am going to take a few months off."

Nolan, always valuing authenticity, proposed a real suggestion: upon returning to Los Angeles, publicly announce taking a temporary rest and treatment due to psychological and mental pressure caused by the film's character, the clown, refraining from new film contracts until the end of the year.

Acknowledging the difficulty for a popular star to implement such a plan, Martin hesitated, saying, "I need to discuss with the agency."

Finishing his iced coffee, Nolan emphasized the potential success of "The Dark Knight" and how it could positively impact their future collaborations. Martin expressed confidence in the film's success and Nolan's abilities.

Nolan shared his idea for a new project and hoped Martin would play the leading role. Initially considering Christian Bale, Nolan found Martin more suitable, praising his professionalism, popularity, and strong business appeal.

Martin, appreciating the invitation, agreed to continue their collaboration. Nolan, discussing marketing plans for "The Dark Knight," mentioned a public promotion event where Batman (Christian Bale) and the Joker (Martin Davis) would face off, emphasizing the collision of justice and evil.

With a clown-like smile, Martin eagerly anticipated the event. Nolan inquired about Jack Nicholson's participation, and Martin assured that an interview would be arranged after the Warner Bros. preview.

The two engaged in a lengthy conversation, exchanging opinions on publicity and marketing strategies.