Chapter 674: The Heavy Price

The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving a scene of chaos behind. In the midst of the confusion, Depp found himself lifted from the ground, caked in mud and reeking of urine, by a loyal companion. The air was thick with tension and the unmistakable scent of confrontation.

At the forefront, Louise's female bodyguard, flanked by a formidable array of women from the crew, stood tall and accusatory. Their collective gaze bore down on Depp, their voices united in outrage, condemning him for his reprehensible actions towards women. It was a powerful and clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated.

Amidst this turmoil, Daddario, who had temporarily assumed the role of a photographer, diligently captured every moment of this unfolding drama. Her lens was not the only one trained on the scene; many among the crew, seizing the opportunity, recorded the event with their mobile phones, devices now ubiquitous and ever-ready to document the slightest misstep.

The incident with Depp, stemming from a disturbing confrontation with members of "The Martian" crew, had escalated rapidly. The beating he received was brutal, a physical manifestation of the collective outrage his actions had incited. This was not merely a personal vendetta; it was a harbinger of the stormy conflicts that lay ahead.

Louise, ever the strategist with an acute political awareness, had swiftly disentangled herself from Martin's side. She mingled among the influential women of the crew, her charisma and conviction drawing them together in a pact of mutual support against Depp's offensive behavior.

Depp's indiscretion had not only sullied the ground; it had deeply offended the entire crew of "Martian." The majority were now united in their willingness to publicly denounce him for his actions, a testament to the gravity of his offense.

Louise, seizing the moment, approached Martin and Ridley with a somber warning, "This will lead to repercussions." Martin, ever pragmatic, glanced at his watch and suggested, "The FBI hasn't left the vicinity. Let's inform the authorities and have them deal with Depp's obscenity."

Ridley, visibly incensed and embodying the fury of a director whose craft had been sullied, declared, "To me, Depp's act was not just an affront to decency but a direct insult to my integrity. I, too, will stand witness."

As Louise made the necessary calls, Martin engaged in hushed conversations, their contents shrouded in urgency and concern. These measures, though seemingly drastic, were aimed at shielding the crew from the fallout of Depp's actions, preserving the integrity of their collective endeavor.

A short distance away, Depp, now seated on a dry stone, grimaced as he attempted to cleanse his palate of the foul taste of mud and urine. His demands for wine, a desperate plea to wash away the bitterness of the ordeal, echoed in the air.

Megan Ellison, upon hearing of the debacle from Jerry Bruckheimer, was at a loss for words. In comparison to Depp's conduct, her father, Larry Ellison, seemed a paragon of virtue.

"I expect this mess to be resolved in two days, Jerry," Megan stated firmly, her voice betraying a hint of fatigue. "The production cannot afford any delays."

Jerry, burdened with the task of navigating through the turmoil, approached Martin, Louise, and Ridley. The confrontation was inevitable.

"Is this the resolution you promised?" Martin's tone was unyielding, a reflection of the gravity of the situation.

Jerry, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of the rebuke, mustered an apology, "I never anticipated things would escalate to this extent, but rest assured, we will address this internally..."

His assurance was cut short by Ridley's interjection, "In over forty years of directing, I've never faced such disgrace. The actions of your celebrated captain have indeed been enlightening."

The air was charged with a palpable sense of expectation and resolve. Louise's gesture towards the aggrieved women underscored the need for a clear and decisive response.

As the discussion spiraled into a vortex of accountability and action, Jerry found himself grappling with doubt. Had his strategy of indulgence towards Depp's caprices been a misstep? The weight of the moment pressed heavily upon him, a stark reminder of the complex dynamics at play within the world of filmmaking.

As the FBI swiftly converged upon the set once more, a line of crew members from "The Martian" stepped forward, one by one, to lodge their complaints against Depp. Among them were many esteemed figures in the film industry, including veteran directors like Ridley, their voices adding gravitas to the accusations of misconduct in public.

In contrast, Depp found himself isolated, with only his closest companions by his side. The vast ensemble of "The Lone Ranger" offered him no solace; instead, whispers of agreement with the accusations against him permeated the air, some even suggesting that the consequences he faced were well-deserved. Amidst the turmoil, Megan Ellison remained conspicuously absent, her silence speaking volumes.

Jerry Bruckheimer, caught in the eye of the storm, conceded that Depp needed to glean some lessons from this debacle. However, his primary concern was to prevent any disruption to the filming of "The Lone Ranger," ensuring that Depp remained available for work despite the looming legal and public relations nightmare.

As the dust settled, albeit temporarily, the crew of "The Martian" retreated to their quarters, leaving behind a simmering cauldron of tensions and unresolved grievances. Martin, mingling among them, couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation that painted a vivid picture of the earlier chaos.

"I caught a handful of Depp's muddy disgrace and smeared it across his face," one recounted with a mix of glee and disdain.

"And I? I shoved that mud right into his gaping mouth," another chimed in, their tone betraying a sense of vindictive satisfaction.

The tales grew wilder, to the crew's collective outrage and their makeshift attempts at retribution. Ridley, meanwhile, returned to his director's office, the day's events weighing heavily on his mind. Yet, the show must go on, and preparations for the next day's shooting demanded his attention.

Bruce, on a different mission, sought out those who had captured the incident on their mobile phones. Amassing a treasure trove of footage, he aimed to piece together a narrative that could potentially rock the foundations of Hollywood gossip.

Meanwhile, ensconced in the luxury of the most opulent Mercedes-Benz RV on the set, Depp attempted to wash away the day's indignities with a shower and a glass of wine. Amber Heard, having distanced herself from the fray, found herself intrigued by the potential value of the day's events, capturing images and videos with a mind toward future leverage.

Summoning his beleaguered friends, Depp was confronted with the visible toll the day had taken on them. Colson's voice, filled with a mix of anger and loyalty, broke the heavy silence, "Johnny, we can't let this slide. When have we ever faced such humiliation?"

Depp, his resolve hardening with each sip of wine, declared, "This cannot stand! The price we've paid... it demands retribution."

The idea of retaliation sparked a dangerous proposal from George, hinting at the possibility of escalating violence. But Colson, the voice of reason, quelled such thoughts, reminding them of the stark realities of their situation.

In a moment of clarity, Depp proposed a cunning plan to turn the tables on their accusers, suggesting they implicate Martin Davis in dealings that would draw the FBI's attention away from themselves.

Colson, taking up the mantle, accepted the check from Depp, a symbol of their pact sealed in desperation and loyalty. As he drove off into the night, the wheels of their revenge began to turn, setting the stage for a confrontation that would ripple through the undercurrents of Hollywood.

In the close quarters of the Mercedes-Benz RV, the air was thick with anticipation as Bruce meticulously sorted through video recordings, piecing together a narrative that could spell disaster for Johnny Depp. Louise, peering over Bruce's shoulder, turned to Martin with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Are we really going to make this public?" she asked, her voice low.

Martin's response was cold and calculated, betraying a hint of malice that suited a cinematic antagonist. "Expose it? We're going to do far more than that. We'll tarnish Depp's reputation beyond repair," he declared, his voice laced with a vengeful edge. "There's a simmering fury among the crew, and I, for one, have fantasized about exacting personal vengeance today more than ever."

Louise, struggling to comprehend the escalation, shook her head in disbelief. "I never imagined an apology could devolve into such madness," she admitted, her tone reflecting her dismay.

In the privacy of the RV, with no ears to overhear, Martin's words took on a darker hue. "Anyone who dares threaten our safety is a marked man. I had initially intended to extend Jerry Bruckheimer some courtesy, but no more," he said, a steely resolve in his eyes.

He then turned to Bruce, tasking him with contacting Judy, an old acquaintance and potentially valuable asset in their campaign against Depp. Bruce, though reluctant to face Judy, acquiesced, recognizing the necessity of the situation.

Martin's thoughts drifted to darker fantasies, involving the retaliatory use of explosives against those he deemed enemies, a reflection of the extreme measures he was willing to contemplate.

Louise, having navigated the complexities of her relationship with Martin over the years, understood the intensity of his emotions. Yet, even she was taken aback by the severity of his schemes.

Bruce, unamused by the thought of participating in such drastic actions, voiced his disapproval, prompting a brief moment of levity from Martin, who joked about their partnership in vengeance.

Louise, ever the voice of reason, urged seriousness, prompting Martin to outline his intent to exact revenge on Depp, ensuring his experience would be far more humiliating than his recent ordeal.

As they contemplated their next moves, Martin made it clear that direct action against Depp was not his style; rather, he sought to orchestrate a downfall that would resonate deeply, affecting Depp's standing in both the public eye and the industry.

Louise, realizing the potential impact of damaging Depp's collaborations with major studios, encouraged a focus on undermining his professional achievements.

Their conversation turned to strategy, with Martin tasking Louise with investigating Depp's financial backers, while Bruce was entrusted with liaising with Judy to maximize the impact of their revelations.

Martin, drawing from his own experiences and the shared grievances of their colleagues, including Megan Ellison's alleged torment at Depp's hands, was fueled by a mix of personal vendetta and a desire to see justice served.