Chapter 188: Going All Out

In Marietta, within the Clayton Community:

Lily exerted effort as she pushed the cart out of Nani's small supermarket, a wooden box resting upon it.

Nani offered, "Need a hand with that?"

Just then, a black BMW 7 pulled up beside Lily, its horn sounding.

Elena emerged from the car, questioning, "Where did this come from?"

Lily pointed at the box's label, explaining, "Martin sent us a gift."

Together, Elena and Lily moved the box into the car's trunk. Elena waved towards the supermarket and said, "Thanks, Nani."

Nani, filled with curiosity, inquired, "Martin has become quite a star. When is he coming back?"

Elena, turning towards the driver's seat, replied, "He won't be returning to Atlanta."

Lily, now seated in the passenger seat, urged Elena, "Let's head home quickly!"

The gift they had received this time felt particularly heavy, and Lily was eager to discover its contents.

The BMW parked in front of their house, and the two sisters jointly moved the box, placing it in the center of their living room. Lily grabbed a screwdriver and promptly opened the box, revealing an abundance of anti-collision sponge.

Elena unveiled two mahogany gift boxes and some turquoise stones. There was also a note.

Lily reached for the note but was stopped by Elena, who muttered in dissatisfaction, "It's not just for you..."

Elena glanced at the note, causing Lily to fall silent. Although Lily was taller than Elena, she dared not provoke her sister.

Elena picked up the letter, recognizing the crooked handwriting as Martin's.

The gift box was intended for her, while the stones were for Lily.

Elena opened one of the mahogany boxes to find an emerald green bead chain bracelet. The other box contained a jade bracelet.

Elena placed the gift box back and handed the letter to Lily, saying, "The rest is for you."

Lily could see that these were no ordinary stones, so she picked one up and remarked, "Martin gave you jewelry. Shouldn't you go thank him in Los Angeles?"

Elena simply replied, "No."

Lily immediately shifted her gaze back to the box.

Elena cautioned, "Don't mention these things to Scott and Emma."

At the mention of their parents' names, Lily shrugged, "Scott has fallen for a wealthy woman, and Emma has disappeared again for a week. We have quite the pair of parents."

She decided not to dwell on her troublesome parents and continued, "Martin must have made a fortune. He sent us so many valuable things. Did he swindle Anne out of all her money? He knows how to make money and use his charms."

Elena thought about Martin's actions before heading to Los Angeles, and it did seem plausible.

Lily tentatively suggested, "Should we go to Los Angeles during spring break?"

Elena clenched her fists and inquired, "Do you have the money?"

Lily wisely refrained from pressing the matter and instead picked up a long piece of jade from the box. She sat in front of the box, contemplating, "Let me use this for carving. The school's art teacher has a humble background compared to mine. What can I create with it?" A thought struck her, and she added, "Yes, Elena, let me assist you..."

Before she could finish, Elena swiftly approached, raising her fist and lightly tapping Lily's head, saying, "Silly, stop."

Lily's ideas were promptly dismissed.

At that moment, Harris entered from outside and enthusiastically announced, "I've got great news! I just heard from Robert at the Marietta Theater Company. Martin's new play will be filmed in Atlanta in a few months."

Elena and Lily were left in stunned silence.

Harris, puzzled by their reaction, asked, "Aren't you happy?"

...

In Burbank, at Warner Studios:

Following the creative meeting with the Wanted crew, the art director and the set crew set off for Atlanta to prepare the studio.

"Kelly has transformed the entire workshop at the General Motors production Center into a studio," Louise reported to Martin in the office.

Seated in a swivel chair, Louise adjusted her black-rimmed glasses and said, "That space is reserved for the crew. We have two studios, and the rent will be included in the production cost. Do you think this arrangement is viable?"

Martin, still on a soft food diet and unable to refuse, replied, "As long as you're on board."

Considering the cost, they decided to participate in the film's profit-sharing, which was more cost-effective. Martin proposed, "I'll take a salary of just $1 million, and the remaining $2 million can be included in the investment cost."

Louise readily agreed, "I have no objections." In this manner, Martin's total investment in the project reached $5 million, even though he had personally spent less than $1 million.

"The project is currently in the standard preparation phase, with the specific shooting schedule contingent on the outcomes of 'The Departed,'" Martin stressed. "In the coming period, I'll do my utmost to vie for a role in 'The Departed.'"

Louise nodded in agreement, "Warner Bros. and I have essentially reached an agreement. You bring the capital to join the team, but Scorsese has the final say in casting, and that's where the real challenge lies."

After contemplating for a moment, she added, "In fact, aside from the four main roles, I can guarantee you'll secure the other roles."

"Let's focus on securing the second lead," Martin proposed. "I recently met with Warner Bros., and Daniel mentioned something important. Scorsese plans a field trip to the Boston Police Department for research purposes. I need his itinerary and the list of his entourage."

Louise's tone mirrored Thomas's caution, "Be cautious, Martin. You're not an unknown like Adrian; you can't afford to make any mistakes."

She elaborated, "Scorsese's skills in that area may have waned, but he's deeply invested in this project. He sees this as his shot at an Oscar. I've contacted him multiple times, and he's never been this serious."

Martin unveiled his plan, "I've been practicing the Boston accent, but I think that's not enough. According to the initial script I received, the second lead is a police officer. I want to experience life at the Boston Police Department."

Louise grasped his intention, "You want Scorsese to witness this?"

Martin responded, "What's the point of experiencing it if the director doesn't see it?"

Louise concurred, "Let your agent reach out to the Boston Police Department. They'll likely agree. I'll find out about Scorsese's plans."

Martin made a call to Thomas, instructing him to contact the Boston Police Department as quickly as possible.

Louise, well-connected at Warner Bros., quickly gathered information. When Martin returned, she informed him, "Aside from the screenwriter William Mohanna, Scorsese will be accompanied by his personal assistant and casting director, Allen, to Boston. It's uncertain about the itinerary; there are many variables."

Martin suddenly remembered, "Thomas mentioned Ellen. He had dinner with her several times." The casting director's visit to the Boston Police Department was undoubtedly for casting purposes.

Louise suggested, "Since Thomas knows her, find a way to get her to spill the beans. If she reveals Scorsese's Boston schedule, it'll be an advantage for you."

Martin agreed, "I'll have Thomas contact her again."

He called Thomas in his office and laid it out, "Bring in the investment, and I can secure a spot for the final selection of the second lead. Get casting director Ellen on board; he's the key to my victory. Thomas, I'm relying on you."

Thomas, fully prepared, responded, "Martin, I'll do whatever it takes, even if it means spending a night with her. I've got your back."

Martin thanked him, "I'm waiting for your good news."

Seeing Martin hang up, Louise asked, "What other methods do you have besides these?"

Martin, with a crucial plan in mind, didn't disclose it to Louise. Instead, he dialed Robert's number.

...

In Atlanta's Marietta Community Theater, several vans were parked at the main entrance, and young actors bustled about, loading boxes into the vehicles.

Robert supervised the careful removal of his theater inventory, emphasizing, "Handle the glass bottle Cokes with care." A curious young actor asked, "Director, why are you saving these Cokes? How many of them are expired?"

Robert didn't explain but pointed to his own vehicle and instructed, "Load all the Cokes and secure them."

He wiped sweat from his brow and inquired, "Where's the olive oil?"

Others emerged from the theater carrying boxes, and the actors carrying a table wondered aloud, "Director, why do you need this old table?"

Robert maintained a stern demeanor, stating firmly, "Get the essential items into the car quickly."

The table was crucial for their ceremonial needs.

The Marietta Community Theater had undergone corporate restructuring, with Jerome establishing an agency for young actors. Knowing Robert's strong connection to Martin, Jerome made him the artistic director and a partner in the venture.

Several vans set off towards Peachtree Street, with Robert following in his Cadillac.

At their rented office building, Robert had the desk placed in the new west-facing office. When the Coke and olive oil arrived, he was about to call Martin when Martin's call came in.

"Robert, something's come up with Coke."

"I've set up a new office and stored the Coke there. Are you competing for a role on your end?"

"In addition, I have my eyes on two other projects."

"I understand." Robert hung up and diligently recorded the process in his notebook.

Three bottles of 2003 Coca-Cola were placed on the old office desk, smeared with olive oil. Robert stood before the wooden table, muttering something.

His new assistant entered the room, and Robert instructed, "Nobody is allowed to touch anything on this table, remember."

The assistant nodded quickly, "Yes, director."

Robert approached the window of his new office and whispered to himself, "I wish Martin all the best."