Chapter 786: Super Scam

"What suggestions?" Nicholson's voice dripped with curiosity, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Musk. He hadn't interacted much with Musk, but his years of dealing with difficult personalities had honed his instincts. Musk's demeanor screamed 'troublemaker' at first glance.

"The suggestions from a guy like him have got to be interesting," Nicholson thought. Out loud, he said, "Good ideas should be hashed out together."

Leonardo, always eager to be part of the conversation, chimed in, "Brainstorming together makes any suggestion more exciting."

Musk, with a subtle gesture, pointed towards Tanlula Riley, who was engrossed in a conversation with David Fincher in the distance. "The ex-wife wants to make a comeback in Hollywood and needs Martin's help."

Nicholson gave Musk a thorough once-over, questioning his sanity silently. Was this guy for real?

Leonardo couldn't resist. "Did Martin blackmail you, or do you owe him a gigantic favor? Why are you so keen to please him?"

Before Leonardo could continue, Martin interjected, "You two should zip it. No one will think you're mute if you stay quiet."

Nicholson saw an opportunity and wasn't about to let it slip. He turned to Musk with a grin, "Man, you're setting Little Red Riding Hood right into the Big Bad Wolf's lair."

Leonardo was about to add his two cents when Martin clapped him on the shoulder, "Want to go back to running 11 seconds for the 100 meters?"

Leonardo quickly fell silent.

Musk looked back at Martin, waiting for his response. Martin sighed, "For the sake of our friendship, I'll help Tanlula find a suitable role."

Musk's relief was palpable, "That's what I call a good brother!"

Leonardo, standing by, couldn't help but think, "I wish I had a brother like you."

Just then, Tobey Maguire approached, and Leonardo and Nicholson made their exit.

With the crowd thinned out, Musk leaned in, "What I promised you, a $50 million investment, will be ready by the end of the year."

"Deal," Martin said, "I'll ensure Tanlula gets a heavyweight role."

Even if this deal was struck under the sponsorship of "AstraZeneca," Martin saw no issue. Opportunities to invest in Tesla didn't come easily, even with loads of money.

The conversation shifted to Johnny Depp. With Depp's decision to appeal, his divorce case with Amber Heard was dragging on. The longer it continued, the more damage it did to Depp's reputation.

According to Musk, Depp planned to escape the chaos of the United States and settle in France once the lawsuit and his IRS debts were behind him.

As the lounge emptied, the group made their way to the screening hall. David Fincher and Martin led the crew to the front row, settling in for the main event.

The premiere screening began with palpable anticipation. As the lights dimmed, the screen flickered to life with rich illustrations and video materials. The film succinctly introduced the story's background through a compelling narration.

The plot quickly unfolded into a traditional Hollywood-style tale of personal heroism, which was the film's most captivating aspect. The male protagonist, in a daring rescue mission, concocted a fake Hollywood crew that was startlingly authentic. From the script to the studio, from the props to the cast, every detail was meticulously crafted to be believable. The protagonist even splurged on advertisements in numerous newspapers to add to the illusion's credibility.

Every element of this elaborate setup was part of a grand deception. By establishing a credible crew and a convincing production, they aimed to hoodwink people abroad into believing it was all real. Martin couldn't help but reminisce about his early days in Hollywood, contemplating similar schemes. He had considered using this model to invest a small amount upfront, create a real crew, travel overseas, trick investors into pouring in large sums, and then disappear with the money.

A simpler, albeit more unethical, tactic involved impersonating famous directors like Spielberg or James Cameron. A call to a hopeful actor, praising their talent and inviting them to join the crew for a fee, was all it took. Los Angeles teemed with young actors, eyes burning with dreams of stardom. They pounced on every opportunity, making them easy prey for such scams.

"Argo" emerged as a quintessential American-themed film. Even the often-maligned Washington authorities were portrayed positively, actively supporting the rescue mission. The male protagonist, embodying the classic Hollywood hero, ventured alone into the unknown, completing seemingly impossible tasks. At the climax, he challenged the established system with his unwavering personal values, transforming into a genuine savior.

Unlike typical action heroes, this CIA agent didn't boast exceptional driving skills, combat prowess, or an affinity for explosions. He appeared ordinary, a fact that made the rescue's peril and improbability even more thrilling.

The film concluded with a freeze-frame of the fake movie "Argo" depicted within the story. The screen faded to black, and the theater erupted in warm applause. Although the ending was predictable, knowing the rescue's success beforehand, David Fincher's masterful direction kept the audience on edge, culminating in a breathtaking climax.

Martin stood and applauded vigorously, leading the crew's creative team in a standing ovation for Fincher. Producer Graham King exclaimed, "David, you have brought us an incredible work!"

Turning to Martin, he added with admiration, "And you have brought another classic character to life!"

Martin hugged Graham and David Fincher tightly, feeling the electric energy of their success. The main creative staff of the crew then ascended the stage to take a bow, basking in the audience's enthusiastic applause.

Despite the applause, Martin knew that parts of the film diverged from reality. Film adaptation was an art, after all, and Tony Mendes himself had admitted that his real-life mission in Tehran, disguised as a film producer scouting locations, went off without a hitch and without suspicion. Such an easy operation would never captivate an audience on the silver screen.

After the premiere, David Fincher and Martin lingered in Chandler Hall. They didn't have to wait long before Alan Horn arrived, greeting them with a wide smile. "Disney Pictures has completed the audience feedback statistics," he announced. "The average audience score is A!"

David Fincher exhaled deeply, his relief palpable. "At least the box office is secure."

Martin added, "For such a mainstream movie with guaranteed quality, the professional reviews should be just as positive."

Alan Horn nodded. "We've already spoken with several film critics, and they all agree the film was exceptionally well made, surpassing their expectations."

Martin glanced at his watch. "Let's head back. We all deserve a good night's sleep."

Alan Horn chuckled. "The film's reputation will soar tonight. Expect to see great news tomorrow."

One by one, they left the Los Angeles Music Center. Martin, accustomed to the high stakes of movie releases, knew there were two hungry mouths waiting for him at home. After some exhausting late-night revelry, he fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, the acclaim for "Argo" was undeniable. Rotten Tomatoes boasted a freshness score of 92%, and MTC gave it 82 points. Although IMDB hadn't yet accumulated enough ratings for a score, the mainstream media's reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

The Washington Post lauded, "David Fincher has delivered a political thriller that is solemn, meticulously crafted, with a touch of black humor and realism. Martin Davis's performance is flawless, capturing the essence of this audacious scam."

As planned, the crew sent a copy of the film to the White House. During the regular press briefing, Obama mentioned "Argo," saying, "This film portrays a real historical event with minimal embellishment and maximum impact. It's a profound historical footnote and the best movie I've seen this year."

Obama's endorsement would become a significant publicity point for the film, propelling its reputation to even greater heights.

The crew and Disney Pictures seized every last moment to promote "Argo" and attract more attention. When Martin was filming his latest commercial for Coca-Cola, he took the opportunity to sit down for a joint interview with media reporters, making sure to highlight this new film.

On Friday, "Argo" opened in a wide release across 3,850 theaters in North America. The film's R rating did restrict some younger audiences, impacting attendance slightly. Nevertheless, by the end of Friday, "Argo" had already pulled in a strong $14.51 million.

The most significant factor was the audience's reception. Cinemascore reported that theatergoers gave "Argo" an average score of A, indicating a healthy box office trajectory.

Social media buzzed with praise. Ordinary viewers took to Twitter, IMDB, and Instagram to share their thoughts:

"This is indeed an incredible rescue. Martin shows us what a brilliant political deception looks like!"

"The plot is gripping, and the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat."

"I knew the film's ending, but my heart was in my throat the whole time!"

Positive word-of-mouth often fuels further ticket sales. On Saturday, "Argo" saw a surge in attendance, bringing in $17.55 million for the day. Despite the typical Sunday night drop due to the upcoming workweek, the film's three-day North American box office total reached an impressive $45.21 million.

The dual success in box office and critical acclaim bolstered the crew's confidence as they aimed for numerous awards, including the Oscars, in the upcoming awards season.

Martin, ever the strategist, scrutinized the movie theater schedules leading up to the New Year. The competition was fierce, with heavyweight films like Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained," Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln," Tom Hooper's "Les Miserables," and Ang Lee's "Life of Pi."

Martin vividly remembered that Ang Lee won his second Oscar for Best Director with "Life of Pi." Breaking through the Oscars would be no easy feat for David Fincher. However, Fincher had his own advantages. "Argo" was politically resonant, and Fincher was an established director with a seasoned approach, unlike the younger Ben Affleck from an alternate timeline.

Fincher's consecutive Oscar nominations had also given him invaluable experience. As the buzz for "Argo" continued to grow, the team remained hopeful, knowing they had crafted a film with the potential to stand out even in such a competitive year.