Chapter 780: Hoarding Guns!

In the dimly lit hospital ward, Bruce lay on the bed, his injury not as severe as it could have been. Martin, now in fresh clothes, sat nearby, his gaze drawn to the deep purple scar on his hand.

"When did you get hurt?" Nicholson, having changed his shirt, inquired with concern.

Martin shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips. "I'm not entirely sure. Thankfully, we made it to the hospital swiftly. The examination revealed the extent of the injury. If we'd been any slower, the scar might have vanished."

Bruce, feeling a surge of frustration, raised his left hand and aimed a rude gesture at Martin. "You're laughing at me, you bastard!"

Martin remained composed. "I'm simply stating a fact," he retorted confidently.

Turning to distract themselves, Nicholson flicked on the TV, tuning into CNN for the latest news.

As expected, CNN, renowned for its prompt reporting, had dispatched a live broadcast team to the Dolby Theater.

"...According to our latest information, a gunman posing as a fan infiltrated the premiere. He opened fire unexpectedly at the end of the red carpet. Preliminary reports suggest ten fatalities and numerous injuries."

The female reporter, headset in place, paused briefly before announcing, "Breaking news: Three gunmen were involved, two neutralized, and one apprehended with injuries. We're coordinating with footage captured on-site."

While CNN deliberated, TMZ's homepage already teemed with raw footage, courtesy of Jody's swift uploads.

Ignoring the chaos on screen, Martin's attention shifted to commotion in the corridor. Stepping out, he spotted Nolan and Emma Thomas.

Hurrying to their side, he surveyed Emma's arm wrapped protectively around her neck. "Are you hurt?" he inquired, concern etched on his face.

Emma managed a strained smile. "I took a tumble outside the theater. Looks like I've got a few fractures."

Nodding understandingly, Martin glanced at Nolan, relieved to see him unscathed. "It was a nightmarish ordeal," he remarked solemnly.

Nolan nodded in agreement. "The premiere was a disaster. The repercussions for 'The Dark Knight Rises' remain uncertain..."

Martin sought to reassure him. "It's not like 9/11. Audiences are resilient. The film will weather this storm."

Nolan and Emma Thomas emerged from Bruce's room, their expressions heavy with concern.

"Emma, why don't you go rest for a bit," Nolan suggested gently, before turning to Martin, his voice low with urgency. "There's more you need to know. Christian Bale's here too. He took a bullet and ended up with a gaping wound on his backside. Plus, he fell, fractured his nose. It's going to be a lengthy recovery for him."

Martin's sympathy was scant for Bale, evident in his curt response. "The lead actor getting injured at the premiere? It's a PR nightmare waiting to happen. Bale practically *is* Batman during this movie's release!"

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Martin nodded in agreement. The symbiotic relationship between an actor and their film was undeniable in Hollywood.

Nolan pondered solutions, his thoughts racing. "Vin Diesel, who played Bane, is no longer with us. Maybe we pivot the publicity to focus on him. Memorials, tributes, hype up his contributions to the role. And I'm thinking of adding a special tribute to him in the film's credits…"

Martin regarded Nolan with newfound respect, recalling Nolan's mastery of movie marketing from his previous life. "Not acknowledging Vin Diesel's passing would draw even more scrutiny. Mourn publicly, it's the only move."

Nolan's confidence swelled. "Exactly! We'll mourn Vin Diesel and make sure the world knows his impact on this film!"

He realized, in an ironic twist, that the deceased Vin Diesel might prove more beneficial to the film than the living one.

After sharing a few more words with Martin, Nolan hurried off, dialing Daniel for a swift meeting.

Returning to the ward, Martin found a cluster of familiar faces, Lily, Elizabeth, Lorraine, and Leonardo, all gathered.

As they discussed the recent events, LAPD officers arrived, ready to collect statements.

Martin, Bruce, and Nicholson each recounted their experiences, providing the police with valuable insights.

Once his statement was given, Martin stepped out, only to find McClane waiting patiently.

After the tragic ordeal, shouldn't the LAPD's top brass be at the scene?" Martin queried, voicing a concern shared by many.

McClain clasped Martin's hand firmly, leading him to a quieter spot. "You acted swiftly. Without your intervention, the toll could've been far worse. Each of those gunmen came prepared with four magazines."

Martin grimaced, recounting the harrowing moments. "I narrowly escaped, and Bruce took a hit. The Escalade was riddled with bullets. If not for the armored car, I'd likely be laid up in bed."

"This puts immense pressure on the LAPD," McClain admitted gravely. "Can you assist us?"

"We've been friends for years. Whatever you need, just say the word," Martin replied, a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

"Keep a low profile. Avoid interviews and media hype," McClain instructed firmly.

"I won't stir the pot, except to pay my respects at the scene tomorrow," Martin agreed after a moment's thought. "But keep me out of the PR spotlight as much as possible."

"Agreed. The gunmen were all unhinged, typical antisocial types," McClain explained, divulging details from the captured gunman's confession.

Martin listened intently, realizing he needn't add fuel to the media frenzy. Maintaining a low profile seemed prudent.

"What about Warner Bros?" McClain inquired.

Martin hesitated. "My ties with Warner Bros are delicate. Speaking out hastily could complicate matters."

McClain nodded understandingly. "I'll keep you in the loop. Thanks, Martin. On behalf of the LAPD."

"Anytime, old friend," Martin replied warmly.

"I must return to the scene. We'll catch up later," McClain excused himself hurriedly.

This incident weighed heavily on McClain's shoulders.

The sole silver lining, if one could call it that, was that only one of the gunmen had long-standing ties to Los Angeles. The others hailed from different states.

"This news will hit the media soon," Martin remarked grimly, his expression tense.

"Los Angeles won't bear this embarrassment alone; a few of us will be dragged along," Nicholson added, his voice tinged with resignation.

With Bruce and Nicholson's statements concluded, the group reconvened in Bruce's ward, their faces etched with concern.

Leonardo, glued to his phone, gasped as he watched the shooting footage. "I can't believe I missed this! Such a close call!"

He glanced at Martin, a hint of jest in his tone. "I should've handed you the gun to load the bullets!"

Elizabeth interjected swiftly, her tone serious. "Let's hope it never comes to that, Leo."

Nicholson shook his head in disbelief. "Who could have foreseen this? Three deranged lunatics opening fire at a premiere."

Lily, her voice laced with cynicism, remarked, "Isn't this America for you? Shootings have become all too common."

Growing up amidst the turmoil of Atlanta's slums, Lily had witnessed the brutality firsthand. "Gunshots and drug abuse are part of daily life in my neighborhood."

Martin nodded knowingly. "Guns are a reality in America. Everyone feels the need to protect themselves."

Nicholson posed a question, his tone grave. "Do you know what happens after every major shooting?"

Elizabeth responded promptly, "Calls for gun control?"

"No," Nicholson shook his head, drawing from his life experiences. "Gun sales skyrocket. People panic when others have guns and they don't. It's a matter of security."

Martin recalled a phrase from his online readings: "During social crises, neighbors hoard food, and I hoard guns."

Lily rolled her eyes, injecting some humor. "Watch out, Charlize Theron and the Stewarts next door."

Leonardo chuckled, "Seems like I need to start hoarding guns too."

Lily teased, "Your aim's terrible, Leo. Hoarding guns might just benefit everyone else."

Their banter aimed to lighten the mood and alleviate Martin's potential burden.

Of course, Martin felt no such weight. Dispatching the gunman was a necessary response to the imminent threat.

As the conversation wound down, representatives from Warner Bros. and DC Films arrived to discuss PR strategies with Martin and Nicholson.

The toll of the shooting weighed heavily on everyone's minds.

By 10 pm, preliminary figures revealed the devastating toll: 22 dead, 97 injured.