Chapter 479: Turbulent Oscar Night

"Thank you, thank you to all the judges!"

This moment was pivotal. Martin glanced sideways, acknowledging, "Bruce, Jack, Leo, thank you. Without you three, I might've crumbled. Santa Monica Beach!"

Applause engulfed the audience.

Nicholson and Leonardo chuckled, applauding along.

Martin continued, "Thanks to my agent, my team, my girlfriend, sponsors, everyone in my life, Director Nolan, and the Dark Knight crew. Indebted."

With 45 seconds left, the countdown clock turned red. Martin hoisted the Oscar, hastening his words, "I'm baffled by this stroke of luck." He grinned, "To all the young souls out there, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"

Thunderous applause accompanied Martin, Nicholson, and Leonardo as they headed backstage, the live broadcast capturing their camaraderie.

Applause erupted once more.

...

"Glasses up!"

Clinking sounds echoed, filling the bar with exuberance, akin to a collective jackpot victory.

Youngsters in red cultural shirts crammed the bar, glued to the live Oscar broadcast. The atmosphere peaked when Martin gripped the trophy.

A tall blonde leaped onto a table, bellowing, "Tonight's on me in honor of Martin's win!"

"Thanks, Oscar, thanks, Martin, thanks, Croy!" Someone displayed the Martin commemorative Coke.

Croy lifted a can of the commemorative Coke high. "To Martin's glory!"

Cheers reverberated throughout the venue.

It was a night of explosive spending nationwide. Millions celebrated Martin's Oscar, fuelling hundreds of millions in consumption.

Not far, in a convenience store, a clown brandished a gun at the register.

Another clown emptied the cash.

Before leaving, one clown hollered at the camera, "We're just celebrating Martin in our way!"

"Long live Martin, long live the clown!" echoed as they dashed out, gunfire punctuating their exit.

The street roiled, impeding the approaching police car.

A clown rallied, "Martin's won! Long live Martin!"

"Long live Martin!" the crowd echoed.

What began as an uproar of robberies and clown-themed shootings evolved into a nationwide frenzy, even among those on the fringes, celebrating Martin's victory.

In a dim Burbank apartment, Ben Affleck stared blankly at the TV displaying Martin hoisting the trophy.

He clicked off the screen, plunging the room into darkness.

In the obscurity, Ben guzzled wine straight from the bottle.

"Martin Davis!" His lips echoed a name, a fervent declaration, "It had to be you, Martin Davis!"

The closures of Ben and Cassie's cases had extracted a significant toll. Though not destitute, it was a strenuous ordeal.

With emotions settled, Daben pondered the cause and effect. An invisible force seemed to orchestrate the series of misfortunes he endured.

Who wielded this influential hand? TMZ?

Indeed, it appeared to be TMZ. From initial exposure to unearthing more damning details, TMZ relentlessly targeted him.

Reflecting on the past six months, Daben pinpointed only one individual with whom he'd clashed vehemently.

Martin Davis!

Initially, Martin hijacked the copyright of his beloved novel. He and Cassie wanted to school Martin...

Ben speculated, lacking evidence. He wasn't LAPD; evidence wasn't his necessity.

Furthermore, LAPD's modus operandi often involved creating their own evidence, didn't it?

In the illuminated room, Ben retrieved the last house's deed, deciding to sell it for funds to confront Martin Davis.

Hovering behind him was Harvey, long discontent with Martin. If an opportunity arose, Harvey would act.

Daben emptied the wine bottle and ventured into the night. Opportunities needed pursuit, not waiting upon.

On Sunset Boulevard's North District, Lily emerged from the villa, igniting a box of fireworks on the fountain square. Whistling sounds preceded dazzling bursts in the night sky.

Unaware of Martin's return, Lily opted to celebrate alone.

Setting off over a dozen fireworks simultaneously, she snapped special photos.

The spectacle attracted onlookers.

Martin had forewarned the community committee, who had duly notified the residents. With the hour not too late, few raised objections.

Yet, someone next door wasn't thrilled.

Charlize Theron was out filming; Stuart Townsend, home alone, heard the clamor outside and peered through the window.

The neighboring fireworks irked him.

As a somewhat recognized actor, Stuart tracked the Oscars. Witnessing his neighbor Martin Davis clutch the Oscar heightened his discomfort, having lost several multimillion-dollar roles.

As a man with a stunning girlfriend, it stung to observe his neighbor's superiority in looks, status, and wealth.

This was the crux of Stewart's resentment toward Martin.

Martin's Oscar win only deepened Stewart's anguish.

How to alleviate his pain? Stewart had an idea. He dialed a number, murmuring, "Can I come over tonight?"

"Charlize Theron's away?" A gruff female voice responded.

Stewart queried, "Are you coming?"

"Sure, wait for me. I've got a gathering here; I'll join you after it's done," the voice replied.

Glancing at a photo with Charlize Theron, he felt detached. The South African woman grew increasingly tedious during their time together, so he urged, "Hurry up."

The other end assured, "I'll be quick."

Checking the time, Stewart rang the community office. "I'm Stewart Townsend. A lady will visit me; her license plate is..." He relayed the information for her smooth entry.

Toni, on the night shift at the community office, acknowledged, "Understood, Mr. Townsend. I'll note it down."

Concluding the call, Toni relayed the details to the community entrance management office.

In an empty office, Aisha hurried over, questioning, "Why the sudden shift change?"

Toni pointed and chided, "You're clueless."

She swiftly navigated to the live text broadcast online, exclaiming, "Look at this! Martin just snagged the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He notified the community about fireworks tonight, a grand celebration!"

Elsa sighed, "Even if they celebrate, we won't be part of it. We like Martin, but he wouldn't invite us over. If he was interested, he'd have called us in New York."

Toni conceded, "Martin's acting odd coming back. Must be the mood for celebration, right?"

Aisha nodded absently.

Toni added, "I've noticed Martin's staff takes out trash at 7:30 every morning. After our shift, crossing the main street, we pass by Martin's house. We could peek into his trash and might find something!"

"Eureka, Toni, you're brilliant!" Elsa's eyes widened, "I can finally have Martin's baby!"

She danced, "No, this is fantastic!"

Toni stood up, hushing, "Quiet down! You want everyone to know?"

Aisha quickly closed her mouth, pondered, and asked, "If we find something, should we tell the others?"

Toni retorted, "Why inform them? Even if we find something, how much can we get? Enough for everyone?"

Aisha nodded, "I get it."

Toni glanced at the night sky, eager for dawn to arrive swiftly.

Martin was her favorite, and she wanted to express her love for him in a unique way. Yet that was only one aspect driving Toni.

On another front, she'd heard of having a child with Martin, ensuring lifelong prosperity. Perhaps, with her looks, she could even become Mrs. Davis.

The night shift was tranquil, leaving Toni with time to dream of a beautiful future.

The Oscars concluded, with "Slumdog Millionaire" emerging as the night's biggest winner. Director Danny Boyle, in collaboration with Martin on "Nevermore," secured Best Director and Best Picture.

As expected, Sean Penn clinched Best Actor, and the theme of homosexuality loomed large, reflecting a left-leaning trend in awards.

Post-ceremony, Martin posed for the customary group photo, then hopped into Nicholson's extended Lincoln for the Oscar night bash.

Elizabeth Olsen departed early to prep for a home party.

Nicholson, in high spirits, posed a philosophical math question, "Three famed Hollywood actors in a car with four Oscars. Guess who's Oscar-less?"

Leo puffed his cheeks, shooting Nicholson an irked glare.

Martin handed Leonardo the statuette, loyal to his promise, "I said I'd give this to you."

Nicholson teased, "Leo, am I right? Martin beats you to it. He'll nab an Oscar before you do."

Leonardo refused the kindness, asserting, "I'll secure my own statuette soon."

Martin reassured, "Jack and I will cheer you on."

Raising the statuette, he cheered, "Leo, come on! Run with me!"

Leonardo retorted to the two, "Stop shutting me down. I'll jump out if you keep this up!"

Martin and Nicholson, loyal jesters, closed their eyes and chanted, "Run with me, come on!"

Leonardo reclined, eyeing the car's roof, pondering when the elusive Oscar would come.

The trio headed upstairs to join the Oscar night festivities at Martin's home, reuniting with friends for a jubilant celebration.