Chapter 136: Prison Mate

Passing through the thick iron gate, Murphy entered the visiting room of California State Prison. Guided by a prison guard, he arrived at the window divided by iron mesh, separating two worlds. He pulled out a chair and sat down, waiting for the person he was here to see.

Perhaps because it was a weekday, there weren't many visitors. Murphy glanced around and saw only four or five people, fewer than the guards on duty.

Not far to his left, two guards were watching him, occasionally whispering. They probably recognized him.

He and Ross had once been somewhat notorious figures in this prison.

Thinking of Ross, Murphy sighed. Ever since Ross proposed the investment, their connection, although not completely severed, had never returned to what it was during their time in prison.

They had grown further apart on their respective paths.

Footsteps echoed, gradually approaching. A man in an orange prison uniform slowly walked over.

Murphy looked over. Despite his casual demeanor, even in prison clothes, nothing had changed about him.

This was a man between thirty and forty years old. Despite his dark hair being reduced to short stubble, it couldn't hide his inherent rebellious spirit. The eyes beneath his forehead carried an unmistakable melancholy.

Seeing Murphy, he quickened his pace and soon reached the window.

"You're so thoughtless, Murphy. Almost a year out of prison, and you just remembered to visit me?" His first words were a complaint, spoken rapidly. "I was right back then, wasn't I? You're no good."

He pulled out the chair opposite and sat down. Murphy tilted his head, looking at him through the window, mocking, "Would a good person meet you in prison?"

"I'm a good person!" He pointed at his chest, then at Murphy. "You're the bastard!"

Murphy couldn't be bothered to argue. When it came to bickering, even three of him couldn't match the guy opposite.

He took out a pack of cigarettes and tossed it through the window. The man caught it, sniffed it, then threw it back. "I quit."

"Quit?" Murphy looked incredulous. "Donny, that doesn't sound like you."

The man across was very serious, saying, "I've quit everything related to smoking!"

Murphy raised an eyebrow, not believing a word. If Robert Downey Jr. could quit everything related to drugs, it would be because of a nuclear war outside.

"Really." Robert Downey Jr. seemed earnest. "I'm getting out soon. I can't let drugs ruin me completely."

"Good for you!" Murphy nodded, choosing to believe him. "I believe the genius Robert Downey Jr. will return."

Robert Downey Jr. grinned proudly.

Murphy tossed the cigarettes to the guard on his left and asked, "How have you been these months? Any trouble from the Horton brothers?"

"No, you scared them off." Robert Downey Jr. pulled his chair closer. "I'm not a newbie anymore. I'm an old hand here, and your and Ross's reputations still hold. No one dares mess with me."

He stretched lazily. "I'm just waiting to get out and return to my fun life."

"Using drugs again..." Murphy mocked without mercy, "then getting caught and coming back?"

Robert Downey Jr. widened his eyes. "I will quit. I'm working on it! Can't you cut me some slack?"

Murphy spread his hands and shrugged.

"Are you any better?" Robert Downey Jr. lowered his voice. "How many unsolved cases in this prison were your doing? You're not just a bastard; you're a devil!"

Murphy stared at him, saying nothing.

Robert Downey Jr. took two deep breaths to calm down and sighed. "I know some of those times were to protect me. Without your help..."

He suddenly sighed deeply. Without Murphy's help, it would have been terrifying.

Many people in this prison were very interested in messing with a movie star.

"I'm not here to argue." Murphy leaned on the armrest, tilting his head. "I wanted to see if you really quit drugs. Don't forget what I said. I'm waiting for you."

"Waiting for me?" Robert Downey Jr. pinched his face in confusion. "Waiting for me to do what? By the way, Murphy, what did you do after you got out? You didn't really follow Ross, did you?"

Murphy shook his head. "I guess you forgot. I didn't follow Ross. I'm in Hollywood now..."

"What? Hollywood?" Robert Downey Jr.'s eyes nearly popped out. "You really made it in Hollywood? Doing what? Extra work? Crew assistant?"

"Director!" Murphy said calmly. "I told you I wanted to be a director."

Robert Downey Jr.'s eyes widened. "You're a director? Don't joke..."

Murphy didn't argue. "You'll know when you get out, or you can ask Old Robert when he visits."

"Could it be true?" Hearing this, Robert Downey Jr. seemed to believe a bit. Murphy wasn't one to joke much. "My parole application was approved. I'll be out in a few months. Then I'll see if you're telling the truth."

"Is the date set?" Murphy asked. Robert Downey Jr. mentioned a time, and he nodded. "I'll come to pick you up."

Visiting time was almost up. Murphy frowned and advised, "Donny, keep a low profile and stay out of trouble."

"I know." Robert Downey Jr. stood up.

From the moment Murphy first met Robert Downey Jr., he believed that his imprisonment for drug possession wasn't simple. There were likely more complex factors involved.

In Hollywood, stars doing drugs wasn't news. As for carrying drugs, it wasn't uncommon either. Yet, few were caught by the police. Robert Downey Jr., on the other hand, had been imprisoned multiple times for drugs. This couldn't be explained by coincidence.

Perhaps young Robert Downey Jr.'s arrogance had offended too many people.

Leaving the state prison, Murphy drove onto the highway to Los Angeles. Robert Downey Jr. served as a valuable lesson: one mustn't be blinded by success. Only by staying clear-headed could one rise higher.

He visited Robert Downey Jr. amid "Saw's" success for a reason.

Of course, Robert Downey Jr. was also about to be released, which was another major reason.

To create a classic movie, a director is crucial, and excellent actors are indispensable.

With "Saw" a hit, Murphy's next plan began to take shape. But it was mid-August, and everything had to wait until after the impact of the 9/11 incident.

By then, Robert Downey Jr. would be out.

Given his recent negative press, Robert Downey Jr. wasn't suitable for the lead role. He probably wouldn't have too many demands either.

Thinking of Downey's past, he had been re-imprisoned shortly after release, becoming reviled in Hollywood. Without Mel Gibson's help, he might not have become a top-tier superstar.

Undeniably, Murphy liked Robert Downey Jr. even back across the Pacific. Otherwise, he wouldn't have helped him in prison.

Murphy thought about it all the way. Besides Robert Downey Jr., he also considered the female lead. The next film, though still dark, would have a female protagonist.

For the film to be attractive enough, the female lead needed enough star power or could generate significant buzz.

Such actresses in Hollywood often demanded high pay, so a star wasn't the best choice.

Entering Los Angeles, Murphy suddenly thought of a superstar he met while filming "Hard Candy." Perhaps she was a good choice?

Leaving the highway, traffic increased sharply. Murphy set aside these thoughts and focused on driving. The next project was still far off; there was plenty of time to consider.

Back in Los Angeles, Murphy and Carey Mulligan ordered new outfits for the Fox Searchlight celebration party at the end of the month.

Besides that, he kept a close eye on "Saw's" North American box office progress.

Due to its niche audience, horror films often had short theater runs, with few lasting over ten weeks. "Saw," a typical American horror film, saw attendance sharply drop after a few weeks. Many weekend showings had single-digit audiences, reducing theater counts to a few hundred.

By late August, fewer than 300 theaters were showing "Saw" in North America, and daily revenue was barely enough to justify the screenings.

Murphy predicted that in less than ten weeks, the horror film would be pulled from North American theaters.

However, it didn't matter because that special time was approaching, and brutal, gory films would soon be out of favor.

Moreover, three days before the Fox Searchlight celebration party at the end of August, "Saw's" North American box office crossed the $60 million mark and slowly approached $61 million.

This was enough to satisfy Murphy. "Saw" had a limited audience, wasn't a mainstream commercial film, nor was it a teen horror film like "Scream." Expecting its North American box office to break $100 million was a pipe dream.

Similarly, Fox Searchlight was thrilled with the performance, far exceeding expectations. They held a celebration party at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, attended by some of Fox's media reporters.

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