Chapter 45: The Real Audition

In the living room of the hotel suite, Louise stood with her hands in the pockets of her cropped pants, leaning against the bar, watching Martin briskly shake a cocktail shaker across from her.

Before Martin arrived, he had deliberately changed into a fitting V-neck T-shirt, which outlined his robust physique perfectly.

Kelly sat on a high stool, arms crossed, and felt that Martin's bartending skills and posture had an artistic charm, more so than when he was at the Beast House.

Martin took out a chilled glass, poured in the drink, and garnished it with a delicately folded paper airplane: "Paper Plane, please enjoy."

Louise stared at the bright orange-red liquid, picked it up and took a delicate sip. It was elegant, subtle, and smooth yet tangy.

This was a completely new cocktail, a taste she had never experienced before.

Just this drink alone made the night worthwhile.

Martin didn't ignore Kelly; he made a Caipirinha using cachaca and handed it to her: "Kelly, this is yours."

"Sweet tastes suit me better," Kelly took a small sip.

After finishing her second sip, Louise savored it for a moment before suddenly putting down the cold glass, taking a napkin to wipe her hands free of condensation. She extended her right hand toward the bar: "Formally introducing myself, Louise Meyer from Los Angeles."

This was completely different from how Kelly had introduced them. Martin also wiped his hands before lightly shaking hers: "Martin Davis, a bartender and actor."

"This is a cocktail that will be written into cocktail history." Louise downed the remaining bright orange drink in one gulp: "Martin, you're a genius."

Martin intentionally remarked: "I tried countless recipes, got pretty lucky."

Louise pondered for a moment: "So, there are other recipes? Any stronger ones?"

"Strong ones?" Martin confirmed.

Louise tilted her head, sizing up Martin: "Strong drinks are the only way to go."

"Might not suit your taste." Martin exchanged his shaker for a new one, poured in the sorghum red he brought, added some tonic wine and crushed ice, shook it evenly, poured it into a chilled glass, and added an orange slice.

He handed it to Louise: "Welcome to Atlanta."

"Is it called 'Welcome'?" Louise picked up the glass. The drink was rich, smooth, with a subtle sweetness, something she had never tasted before.

She was a seasoned drinker and could tell the alcohol content was very high. She downed it in one gulp, her blue eyes instantly brightened, as if water had seeped out: "The taste is a bit strange, but it's definitely a good drink."

Martin nodded slightly: "Thank you, it got its first customer's approval."

Louise was very interested in the drink: "I am honored to be its first customer." Her craving for alcohol kicked in: "Any more?"

Martin did have others, though he didn't say: "Recently, I've been working on a new drink, not quite successful yet."

The strong alcohol had no effect on Louise's expression: "We can discuss drinks when we have time."

Martin's mind reacted quickly: "Every new cocktail requires trying countless recipes. It's hard for one person alone. If you have the time, Louise, let's try together."

Louise rested half her body on the bar, her undulating figure making an exaggerated curve. She looked at Martin with great interest: "You have ideas, but can you afford to?"

Martin understood: "Not yet successful."

He couldn't ignore Kelly and asked, "I heard from Andrew that 'Urban People' is airing tonight?"

Kelly put down her glass: "Second Cable Channel, same time."

"A series? A movie? Something from your company?" Louise, the drink enthusiast, picked up Kelly's glass and drained it, frowning: "This is a beverage, not a drink."

Martin fetched a bottle of higher-proof Macallan whiskey and poured it into three new glasses.

Kelly spoke about the movie: "A late-night film I invested in, Martin is one of the supporting actors." She suddenly remembered the clips she had seen: "He performed brilliantly."

"Really?" Louise asked in surprise, turning to Martin: "Where did you learn all this? Bartending, acting, and the ability to make people feel good even when they know they're being flattered--these aren't skills a poor kid from a slum would know."

Martin wasn't surprised. With his thick skin, he wouldn't be shy. He candidly said: "My father, Jack Davis, is the most talented man in Atlanta."

Kelly said, "I haven't heard of him."

Louise didn't probe further but instead raised her glass: "To living life on my own terms."

Martin and Kelly both raised their glasses, and the three clinked glasses lightly, finishing the whiskey.

Louise took the bottle and poured herself another drink: "To this wonderful night."

Before the midnight show aired, the three had finished a bottle of whiskey.

Martin went to fetch more alcohol.

Kelly staggered over: "No, we can't drink any more."

"How can a wonderful night be without fine wine?" Louise pulled Kelly, and the two drunken women fell onto the sofa together.

The latter rested her head on the former's chest, sinking into the softness like cotton, comfortably muttering: "Where's the remote? The show's starting."

Martin brought over more drinks and poured again.

Two women in their early thirties and a 22-year-old man continued their drinking spree.

Martin lay slumped in a single sofa, raised his glass towards Louise: "Whatever the director arranges, I'll do."

Louise reached behind from the inside of the long sofa, pulling out a pink water bottle, the nozzle placed by Kelly's mouth. Kelly opened her mouth and bit the straw, sucking water forcefully in gulps.

She asked: "I heard you're the prototype?"

Martin was prepared: "Slightly exaggerated."

Louise gestured: "Come over, come over. The night is still young. Sit next to me, we'll drink slowly."

Martin brought the bottle over, just sat down, and two different hands reached out one after another.

No special circumstances or messy affairs, it was just an audition.

The next morning, when Martin woke up, Kelly Gray was preparing to leave.

She was completely unperturbed: "I ordered breakfast for you guys."

Martin waved at her from the carpet and climbed up to open the window: "What a strong smell of alcohol."

Louise took out a personal business card and placed it on the coffee table: "Call me when you're mixing new cocktails." She glanced at Martin: "Wanting to be a star, this is a required course."

Martin, having roamed for so many years in his previous life, had seen plenty of messy affairs. 

"I think it's not right. It should be me auditioning you." He sat on the sofa, speaking particularly pleasantly: "Young, sexy, beautiful, and elegant ladies, willing to seduce a scoundrel for movie projects."

Louise laughed joyfully, got up, and went to the study, soon returning with a text script, placing it next to the card: "I have the authority to decide on this small role. Take it back and study it well. Even if you passed the audition last night, Hollywood is no longer what it used to be. The audition room procedures must still be followed."

She reined in her smile and solemnly warned: "If you perform poorly in the audition room, don't blame me for being merciless."

"I understand the importance." Martin put everything away, speaking differently: "Does the crew need extras? The community theater I'm part of charges low fees, is highly professional, and can endure hardship."

Louise nodded: "Bring the person in charge when you come for the audition."

*****

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