Chapter 440: Stolen Dairy

Upon departing from Warner TV, Jack Nicholson steered away from the prospect of a quiet evening at home, opting instead for a visit to Martin's residence.

He found Martin lounging in the courtyard, leisurely sipping tea with Elizabeth and Lily Carter. The tranquil scene, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, was a stark contrast to the bustling world of Hollywood.

Martin, spotting Nicholson, casually invited him to join, gesturing to an empty chair with an air of nonchalance. Elizabeth, with the grace of a seasoned hostess, poured Nicholson a cup of robust black tea.

Lily, her fingers deftly spinning a pen like an artist with a brush, updated Martin on the status of his new residence. "The renovation's complete. You can move in whenever you're ready."

Martin, leaning back, replied with a thoughtful gaze, "Let's give it another two months for things to settle down."

Nicholson, sipping his tea, couldn't help but tease about the proximity of their homes. "I could set off fireworks from my rooftop and have them land right in your new backyard." Elizabeth nearly choked on her tea at the playful banter, a testament to the eccentricity often surrounding Martin and his circle.

Martin, joining in the jest, replied, "The terrain around my new place is higher. Maybe I should return fire?" The absurdity of their conversation was not lost on anyone, especially Lily, who worried about the potential chaos of such antics.

Nicholson, sensing a change in atmosphere, shifted the topic. "What did you lose, Martin?"

Martin took a leisurely sip before replying, "A rather important diary."

"A diary?" Nicholson raised an eyebrow. "That's quite an unusual habit for someone like you."

Martin chuckled. "It was more of a character study for the Joker while I was in isolation."

Nicholson, intrigued yet skeptical, asked, "Really lost, or is this another one of your stunts?"

Martin's response was enigmatic. "Let's just say it's truly lost."

Understanding dawned on Nicholson. "This 'lost diary' will be in the news soon, won't it?"

Martin grinned, acknowledging the plot. "Exactly. It's just a little show we're putting on."

Lily, overhearing their conversation, leaned over to Elizabeth, whispering, "What's this 'Face Gang' they're talking about?"

Elizabeth, aware of the secretive games Martin played, responded vaguely, "I'm not entirely sure myself."

Nicholson, ready to shift the evening's mood, suggested, "Enough about lost diaries. Let's go out for dinner. My treat."

As Martin and Elizabeth prepared to leave, Lily mentioned her plans to return to the dormitory to work on a project.

Martin, always curious, asked, "Sold another piece?"

Lily nodded, a hint of resignation in her tone. "I can't disrespect my buyers by refusing their offers."

Martin offered a piece of advice, "Know when to draw the line. There's a limit to everything."

Lily agreed, contemplating the transient nature of her current success.

As Martin headed to the garage, Elizabeth followed, leaving Lily to tidy up the remnants of their tea session.

Meanwhile, Ivan, disguised as a hotel waiter, had sold a supposedly found diary to a TMZ editor for a hefty sum. The editor, believing he had stumbled upon a goldmine, worked through the night to create a sensational news piece.

By early Sunday morning, the story of Martin's 'lost' Joker diary was live, instantly becoming a viral sensation. TMZ, already a giant in entertainment gossip, found its user base eagerly devouring this latest scandal.

The public's fascination with celebrity secrets was undeniable. Just as with the infamous Kim Kardashian video, the allure of a glimpse into a star's private life was irresistible.

Thus, "Diary Gate" was born, a scandal swirling around Martin, further cementing his reputation as a master of stirring the Hollywood pot.

The diary, a detailed chronicle of Martin's journey into the psyche of the Joker, became a sensation upon its discovery. During his self-imposed isolation in a hotel room for over a month, Martin had meticulously recorded his thoughts and experiences, using the Joker's perspective to interpret real-world events, and exploring his own profound connection with the character.

This introspective journey even led him to fantasize about plunging into the same chaotic depths of Gotham City. When the diary was revealed, it sparked an overwhelming response. The comment sections of TMZ's news articles were inundated with impassioned messages, effectively crashing the site.

"Martin Davis didn't just play the Joker, he became the Joker!" exclaimed one user.

Another commented, "Nicholson was right. Martin is channeling his very life into this role."

Others expressed admiration for Martin's dedication, with one saying, "This level of commitment from an actor is unheard of. Martin Davis is truly exceptional."

Even those who were initially indifferent to Batman were drawn in by Martin's intensity, with one commenter noting, "I'm buying a ticket just to witness Martin's transformation."

As the buzz around Martin and "The Dark Knight" grew, it began to overshadow the film's other elements, including Christian Bale's portrayal of Batman. This shift was partly orchestrated by Nolan and the film crew, who recognized Martin's potential for generating headline-grabbing news.

Amidst the escalating hype of Diarygate, Martin made several strategic calls to Nolan, each one adding fuel to the promotional fire. With Martin unable to take the front stage, his agent Thomas stepped in, becoming a vocal advocate for retrieving the original diary from TMZ.

Standing in front of the WMA headquarters, Thomas addressed a sea of microphones and cameras, recounting Martin's extreme method acting in a tone tinged with sorrow and concern. "Martin was completely cut off from the world, lost in his thoughts, which he penned down in that diary. It's more than just a book to him; it's a piece of his soul."

TMZ, while initially reluctant due to the potential slow response as their platform expanded, soon realized that holding onto the diary offered diminishing returns in terms of news value.

Nolan, ever the master of publicity, seized the opportunity. In a press event for "The Dark Knight," he declared the crew's commitment to helping Martin retrieve the diary, willing to cover all associated costs. Nolan described in vivid detail the dark, isolated world Martin had created to understand the Joker, painting a picture of an artist completely consumed by his craft.

This new statement by Nolan sent waves across the internet, skyrocketing the diary's notoriety and making it a hot topic on Google's search list. Public demand for TMZ to return the diary grew louder and more insistent.

In the TMZ headquarters, CEO Harvey Levin weighed the options with his team. James, the editor who had initially acquired the diary, suggested returning it to Martin and Warner Bros., seeing it as a chance to maintain a positive relationship with them. However, Jody, another editor in competition with James, argued for holding onto the diary a bit longer, believing that the prolonged attention could benefit TMZ.

After considering both perspectives, Harvey decided to follow Jody's suggestion, planning to keep the diary for an additional three days before orchestrating a grand return ceremony, which would be broadcast live on their website. This event, he hoped, would not only return the diary to Martin but also serve as a strategic move to bolster TMZ's profile in the world of entertainment journalism.