Chapter 51: Zombie Stripper

Chapter 51

Before ten o'clock, Kate Winslet took her leave. Martin mixed three cups of sweet and sour mojitos, intending to finish them before departing.

Kelly's words piqued his interest: "Benjamin, the director who has been collaborating with the company for years just handed me a script. He wants to produce a theatrical film."

She retrieved a script from her bag, offered it to Louise, and requested, "You've got extensive experience; please take a look."

Martin, intrigued yet cautious due to potential trade secrets, lingered a bit before approaching. He recognized the importance of discretion.

Louise, after perusing the initial dozen pages, commented, "You can find scripts like this in the script libraries of any Hollywood studio. If you've been in Hollywood long enough, you'd know that for B-level films like this, the script doesn't hold much sway over the quality of the final product."

Bluntly, she continued, "Zombie, vampires are among the most common B-level movie themes. The only novelty here is swapping vampire hunters for zombie stripper."

Suddenly, Kelly turned to Martin and revealed, "Actually, the initial concept was inspired by Martin. He once played a dead body and joked about the supporting actress picking up the corpse. I casually mentioned it to Benjamin, and he constructed the script based on Martin's real-life experience of working in a strip club."

Martin, finding an opening to interject, quipped, "Kelly, should I expect a red envelope and some royalties for this?"

Louise, slightly taken aback, asked, "You truly are versatile have you really been a stripper?"

Martin clarified, "I was the bartender at a strip club," before addressing Kelly, "So, did you craft this script specifically for me? I'm deeply touched, how can I repay you?" Louise, with a mischievous grin, offered, "Penicillin can cure anything, thank you for everything."

Kelly, bewildered, asked, "What's going on? Penicillin? What have you two been up to that you're not telling me?" Martin and Louise exchanged glances, sharing a wordless smile.

"You two are incorrigible!" Kelly playfully scolded before returning to the matter at hand. "To make this script work, we'll need at least $1 million. The budget mentioned by the director is already a discount. Once production begins, who knows how much more we'll require."

Louise, familiar with her friend's capabilities, remarked, "I doubt Gray Entertainment can't even come up with $1 million, right?"

Kelly explained, "I'm planning to purchase several of the abandoned GM factories and convert them into rental studios. Given the current state of the automotive industry, it's unlikely GM will reactivate the ATL production center. The factory is adjacent to a large cemetery, and the land isn't particularly valuable." Her promotion to vice-chairwoman had emboldened Kelly. "Georgia's attractive film and television tax incentives that can lure production companies in. This movie production can also attract other crews in the future. Atlanta lacks a professional filming base, and I'm negotiating with the city hall and state government through the Women Association to secure subsidies for constructing a film and television base."

Louise concurred, "You're absolutely right. Many Hollywood companies are tempted by Georgia's tax incentives. Gray Entertainment can offer support services, and they'll be eager to collaborate. Kelly, you may be a novice in the film industry, but in business, you're quite the expert."

Kelly held her wine glass and leaned toward Louise, saying, "Spread the word in Hollywood for me."

Louise, with a playful gesture, grasped Kelly's chin and gazed at the mirror across from them. "I won't just help you, Kelly. Who else would I assist? We're in this together now."

Martin chimed in, "Let's please remember to keep the language civil."

Kelly laughed. Ever since she savored that paper airplane cocktail, she had been regarding Martin as a valuable asset.

In this three-way transaction, it seemed that no one was on the losing end so far.

Louise observed Kelly as she stowed the script and inquired, "Are you really giving up?"

Kelly responded, "Unless we secure sufficient funds."

Addressing Martin, Louise urged, "Mr. Resourceful, you're capable of concocting all sorts of things. Please think of a solution for Kelly."

Martin asked, "I've got an idea, but are you daring enough to use it?"

"Go on," Kelly encouraged, not expecting him to be serious; she was just playing along.

Martin, however, wasn't joking. "Kelly, picture this... you become Wendi Deng, Rupert Murdoch's wife. Then, you contact aspiring actors and tell them about a movie project seeking a lead actor. You've accidentally seen their performance and praised them as a genius. If they want to be part of it and make money quickly, they should act fast."

Kelly furrowed her brow. "Isn't that a bit too low-level of a scam?"

Martin shrugged. "I'm no expert in financial scams. I have zero experience in that. But, ladies, I'm just an ordinary guy."

Louise chimed in, "It might actually work, but you'd have to play the role convincingly."

Kelly raised a concern, "If the scam succeeds, won't the FBI come knocking on your door soon?"

Martin smiled and quipped, "Whether you're impersonating Wendi Deng or Kathleen Kennedy, the other party will surely put pressure on the FBI, and then I'd be in trouble."

Kelly added nonchalantly, "I'd rather learn from Hollywood and get involved in money laundering."

Louise chuckled, "Are you up for it?"

Kelly asserted confidently, "I couldn't have handled it before, but after the water bottle incident, I can manage it without involving the powerful figures in Atlanta."

In the entertainment industry, even in the new century, activities like money laundering and covert operations still existed. To Kelly and Louise, it was just business as usual.

Martin poured himself another glass of wine, sat down, and sipped it slowly.

After a moment of contemplation, he asked Kelly, "May I take a look at the script?"

Kelly handed it over, saying, "Don't overthink it. It wasn't tailor-made for you. Our friendship is one thing, and business is another. I'll reimburse you up to $500,000. Think it over."

"I'm just curious," Martin replied as he began flipping through the script.

The plot was standard fare for a cheesy B-movie. A Zombie Striper used his charms to seduce women and then fed on their blood as an offering to an evil god. A sister seeking vengeance for her sibling's sacrifice rallied a group of well-endowed female hunters to storm the gigolo club, leading to a big melee.

The crucial roles were those of the heroine and the boss zombie Striper.

Martin, with his experience in dealing with various film crews, estimated that based on the script, securing even $500,000 for costumes and action stunts would be a challenge.

---

On Clayton Street, at a bar:

In the spacious private room on the second floor, Lynn lay on the sofa, lost in an unusual trance-like state.

Adam Smith and Ward inspected the script's dozen or so pages that Linn had brought with him.

Ward remarked, "This zombie stripper role seems tailor-made for you."

Adam Smith closed the script and picked up the accompanying information. "Martin Davis, the ATL Women Association's official social investigator, came up with the concept. Benjamin used his idea to create the script."

Adam was deeply moved. "Martin Davis is the leading actor in a theatrical film!"

The information Ward had gathered delved into Martin's life details, including living in the Clayton community, working as an extra at the age of sixteen, being employed as a maintenance worker, owing money to loan sharks, and working as a bartender at the strip club. By chance, he joined the ATL Women's Association.

The private room door swung open from the outside, and the boss, Boyet, and his Latin assistant, Diego, entered together.

Boyet, with a customary hand adjustment, inquired, "How's it going, Adam? Are the new goods I provided you with satisfactory?"

Adam pointed at Lynn and replied, "They're all excellent. Just look at him, he's still enjoying himself."

Poyet took a seat beside Adam. "I heard from Ward that you've encountered some trouble."

Adam gestured toward the information sheet. "A guy named Martin Davis is trying to steal my gig."

"What a wretched name. Why does it sound familiar?" Boyet contemplated momentarily before exclaiming, "You can't lose this gig. You help me connect with those wealthy folks, and we'll sell the goods at a high price!"

Diego swiftly intervened and grabbed Boyet. "No, don't!"

Boyet asserted, "We're black, well, we can't reach those upper-class people, but you're not and can get in touch with them."

He lightly tapped Adam's forehead. "Man, make sure you secure that gig, and don't let me down. I don't want to see you as a failure."

After Diego and Boyet left, Adam Smith and Ward exchanged concerned glances.

They engaged in a discussion, and it suddenly struck Adam that he had read entertainment news earlier in the year: "Robert Downey Jr. was released from prison last year."