Chapter 60: Louise's Expanding Screw

At the foot of the Great Fog Mountain, the crescent moon reflected on the surface of the lake. In the yard of a lakeside cabin, Elena lit a bonfire.

Martin set up the grill and expertly brushed sauce onto the skewers.

The fragrance immediately wafted through the air.

Opposite, Lily clutched a large water bottle, biting the teardrop-shaped straw, sucking hard on it.

Elena came over and punched her on the head, "Idiot, don't use that."

Hall used a shovel to dig a pit by the bonfire, burying the potatoes Martin had wrapped, muttering, "A bunch of idiots."

Harris sat on a rock, "I should call the Cole sisters, give them a ring. They'd definitely come."

Feeling suppressed by her big sister, Lily said, "I'm going for a walk by the lake, maybe I'll catch a black bear."

Martin intentionally added, "Campgrounds like this are always the scene of horror stories--a deranged killer living in the Great Fog Mountain, descending at night to hunt beautiful girls."

Elena retorted, "Idiot, stop scaring people." She looked at Lily, "Let's head to the lake after dinner; you can swim here."

This was a well-established vacation area and, of course, wouldn't be like Martin said.

After dinner, Lily and Elena changed into swimsuits, wrapped themselves in long blankets, and headed to the lakeshore.

Few tourists were night swimming at different distances in the lake.

Elena followed Martin into the water; the lake bed here had been artificially covered with sand making it quite flat, and the water wasn't deep.

The two of them, very much in sync, swam to an isolated spot and climbed onto a small boat, lying down.

Martin felt a shadow looming over him lately, "Do you think anyone's watching us?"

"Even from a distance, they wouldn't be able to see clearly," Elena answered bluntly, "You idiot, I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of?"

Martin replied, "I'm afraid the boat will sink."

Waves undulated, splashing, and the small boat began to shake vigorously.

...

The vacation area was very safe; no horror incidents occurred.

Early the next morning, Martin finished breakfast and hurried to the film set of the Car Production Center to make his presence felt before director Michel Gondry.

While having lunch with Louise Meyer, he chatted up the producer Steve Golin.

In Hollywood, where the producer-centered system prevails, Steve Golin undoubtedly held the most power in the entire crew.

Martin couldn't quite figure out Steve Golin for now but offered a polite greeting.

Off the catering truck, Martin met the leader of the Marietta Troupe.

Under the shade, Jerome said, "I kicked Rosa out of the troupe and spread the word within the Atlanta extras circle. She reported a fellow actor; she won't be able to get by here anymore."

He briefly explained, "Too many people in this line do drugs, nobody wants a ticking time bomb around."

Martin said, "Thanks for going to the trouble, leader."

Jerome spoke with authority, "Bullying my members comes with consequences!"

Martin knew Jerome went to all this trouble because he could get something in return from him, very earnest, "No problems with the crew?"

"Cooperation is going well." Jerome saw a bright future, "Once you have the first collaboration with a Hollywood crew, the second one will come easier. The first is always the hardest."

Fearful of being forgotten, he added, "Martin, Robert Patrick said he will always be a member of the Marietta Troupe."

Martin solemnly said, "So am I."

Jerome took out a card from his pocket and handed it to Martin, "This is Robert Patrick's contact in Los Angeles. If you go there, it might help somewhat."

Martin took it, moved, "Boss!"

"When you truly decide to leave Atlanta, let me know. I'll call him and explain your situation," Jerome said, "Members of the Marietta Troupe should help each other."

Martin agreed, "No matter where I go, I am always a member of the Marietta Troupe."

Jerome pointed to the office next to the studio, "I'm going to chat with Andrew."

As he walked away, Martin looked down at the card. It only had a name and a string of numbers.

Obviously, this was private contact information that not just anyone could get.

Robert, with his large head bobbing, approached, saying, "The leader told me this morning that I no longer have to pay membership fees."

He asked, "Did you speak for me?"

Martin pointed to his head, "The leader thinks a lot on his own, no need for me to say much."

Robert wasn't dumb, "I should thank you. Three hundred dollars a month isn't a small amount for me."

Instead, Martin said, "You're my lucky star, Robert. If one day I really develop in Hollywood, competing for an important role, I'll definitely bring you along."

Not for anything else, just for good luck.

Mimicking Harris's manner, he said, "With you around, my chances of winning increase by sixty percent!"

Robert didn't hold back with Martin, "When that time comes, get me a speaking role, and yeah, a role with close-up shots. I don't want what you have in this show--lots of lines but hardly any close-ups."

Martin assured, "Don't worry, as long as there's a chance, I'll get you a speaking role."

With the basic acting skills of an old extra like Robert, being unable to get speaking roles usually came down to other issues.

In the evening, Martin invited director Michel Gondry to an upscale restaurant in Peachtree Center for a meal filled with Atlanta's unique flavors.

Having filmed for over a month, the Atlanta part of the shoot was nearing completion, and they would soon return to Los Angeles.

Sharing many common topics about their stance on Brits, Michel Gondry came to have a favorable opinion of Martin.

Networking is built little by little.

Perhaps it's of no use now, but in the future, it might come in handy.

A couple of days later, Louise Meyer was also about to leave Atlanta.

The night before she left, Martin went to her hotel and made her a drink, an Expanding Screw, a modified version of the Slow Screw.

As the bubbles exploded in her mouth, Louise Meyer said, "Martin Davis, how many new cocktails can you make? You bastard, playing with an alcoholic's heart!"

Martin feigned grievance, "Seems like you're playing with me? You're the high-and-mighty producer; I'm just a small actor. Let me think of the right word--yes, you're exploiting me!"

Louise didn't want to engage with this trash but finally spoke after a long silence, "And Kelly, that bitch, no one knows me better. She specifically arranged for you, you're a pair of scoundrels!"

Martin, as if he hadn't heard her, added, "The Expanding Screw is my farewell gift to you. I've given you the recipe. 'Louise's Expanding Screw' will surely leave its mark in cocktail history!"

When the room finally quieted down, Martin asked, "Are you heading to Morocco?"

Louise nodded, "After a week in Los Angeles, I'm going to Morocco. There's a crew over there. Don't get any ideas; I won't use you. You haven't gotten past the accent yet."

Martin knew he couldn't rush, "I need to secure the zombie dancer role first."

Louise said, "Use all your tricks; you need to get your first leading role. Compared to Hollywood, this is just a little game."

*****

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