Chapter 602: Black Shadow!

In the heart of Paris' 18th arrondissement, in Bissau Hospital, Nolan, Emma Thomas, and Martin, donned in somber black attire, hastened through the corridor, following a senior police officer. They arrived at a treatment room, where medical staff halted their advance, advising, "The patient is currently undergoing treatment; please wait."

In the wake of hurried footsteps, Martin glanced back to see an unfamiliar face. Emma Thomas recognized him and introduced, "Tom Hardy's agent."

Martin nodded in acknowledgment.

The agent approached swiftly, inquiring, "What's happening?"

The senior police officer provided a concise summary, "Yesterday, a cargo driver en route from Charles de Gaulle Airport passed through District 93 and heard Mr. Hardy's cries for help. He was rescued from a roadside drainage ditch and kindly brought to this hospital."

Pausing briefly, the officer continued, "All hospitals in Paris received our joint investigation notification, hence the prompt response. The..."

Before he could conclude, the agent interjected, asking, "Is Tom injured?"

The senior police officer revealed, "Our initial assessment suggests he was a victim of robbery. When the cargo driver found him, he had been stripped of his clothes, and some of his teeth were missing. Following that..."

He abruptly halted.

The agent was about to press for further details when a realization struck him. He hastily turned to gaze at the sign on the wall.

To their astonishment, they stood in the anorectal department!

Bruce, whispering to Martin, quipped, "It started as a simple robbery, but why does it have a peculiar twist? It seems like the robbery had an element of equestrian flair."

Martin shot a sidelong glance at Bruce, thinking, "You have an exceptional knack for these references. America truly missed out when you didn't go into an Ivy League school."

As the door to the treatment room swung open, a doctor emerged.

The agent wasted no time, inquiring, "Doctor, how is Tom Hardy?"

"The patient's injuries are severe, with extensive tearing. Unfortunately, our hospital's resources are limited, so I've merely cleaned the wounds," the doctor responded earnestly. "It would be in his best interest to be transferred to a larger facility as soon as possible, where a surgical specialist can perform the necessary suturing."

Eager to see Tom, the agent attempted to enter the room, but the doctor offered a gentle reminder, "The patient has undergone significant psychological trauma. I advise against engaging him in conversation."

Martin and the others entered the medical room together, where they found Tom Hardy lying on a hospital bed, groaning in pain. His wide eyes appeared devoid of vitality, resembling the bulging eyes of a deep-sea fish caught on deck.

Nolan turned to Tom Hardy, speaking softly, "Tom..."

Tom Hardy lifted his head slightly, locking eyes with Nolan's dark attire. His once vacant gaze was now fraught with panic, and he cried out, "Stay away! Don't come near, you black man! Stay back! Black man..."

Restraints held him firmly on the bed, preventing any backward movement. His fear-stricken pleas continued, his voice quivering, "Black man, go away! Go away! Leave!"

Martin couldn't help but notice that the change in his voice wasn't solely due to fear; there were no teeth in Tom Hardy's gaping mouth.

Guilt washed over Martin as he realized the extent of the consequences resulting from his actions.

Swiftly, the doctor intervened, urging, "Please exit the room. The patient is emotionally unstable. Please step outside."

Nolan and Martin complied, leaving the harrowing scene behind.

The black-clad agent found himself ousted by the doctor.

In the hospital, the agent attempted to communicate.

Nolan swiftly turned to Emma Thomas, saying, "Have his agent handle the transfer and let them discuss follow-up matters with Warner Bros."

He had grown tired of dealing with Tom Hardy, asserting, "If they encounter any issues, they should take it up with Warner Pictures. We're merely Warner Pictures' temporary employees and can't resolve their problems."

Emma Thomas assured him, "I know how to handle it."

Martin chimed in, "Tom Hardy definitely won't be able to join us on the next leg of the promotional tour."

Nolan reassured, "It won't matter without him. As long as you and I are there, we'll provide plenty of entertainment."

Martin exuded confidence, saying, "Then let's create some headlines."

In a corridor, a Paris police officer approached, whispering something to a senior officer.

The senior officer then approached Nolan, reporting, "We've found several witnesses who saw a group of individuals in Area 93 forcibly taking the victim's clothes and shoes, with some resorting to violence."

Martin and Nolan suddenly realized why Tom Hardy had such a strong aversion to black individuals.

Nolan inquired as a matter of routine, "Have you apprehended the assailants?"

The senior officer, who seemed to have a candid rapport with Nolan, responded frankly, "Area 93 is a lawless place. We, let alone the French authorities, have no viable solution."

Nolan opted not to pursue further questioning. After Emma Thomas assisted in completing Tom Hardy's agent's transfer, he, Martin, and Bruce left the hospital.

Returning to the hotel for lunch, the crew departed on schedule for Spain.

As they headed to the airport, Ellen Page quietly slipped into the car carrying Martin, Bruce, and Mene.

Bruce had already directed the driver to another car, which would return to the hotel after dropping them at the airport.

Ellen Page didn't feel the need to conceal her joy. She burst into laughter, her delight evident.

Mene teased, "Are you that ecstatic? To the uninformed, it seems like you've won over Monica Bellucci."

She agreed, saying, "I feel the same way. Can you ask Sophie Marceau to introduce me to her? She was stunning in 'The Legend of Sicily,' but her attire in 'The Matrix' did her no favors, making her look quite mature."

Mene playfully gestured with his hand, a common gesture among many black Americans, saying, "African black people, that's a different breed."

Ellen Page redirected her question to Martin, asking, "Boss, I heard from Emma Thomas' assistant that Tom Hardy was attacked by a group of Africans. Is that true?"

She reassured Mene, saying, "I didn't mean it the way you might think."

Mene brushed off her comments casually. Like many African Americans, he waved his hand dismissively, saying, "African black people, that's a different story."

Ellen Page continued, her curiosity piqued, "Is Tom Hardy going crazy?"

Martin stated the facts, saying, "He suffered physical trauma and severe psychological distress. He's currently at Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, where he underwent suturing surgery. Additionally, he'll experience extreme fear and anxiety upon encountering black individuals."

Ellen Page couldn't help but laugh again, quipping, "How ironic! Those black Africans did him a favor!"

Martin quipped, "May God bless Tom Hardy."

Mene lowered his voice and inquired, "Boss, is it..."

Martin shook his head, affirming, "It has nothing to do with us. He brought this upon himself and ran into a massive roadblock."

Mene didn't quite comprehend but refrained from pressing further.

Ellen Page continued with her gleeful jesting, "I hope he's forever surrounded by shadows of black."

Tom Hardy would surely appreciate Ellen Page's well-wishes.

The crew arrived in Madrid, disembarking and checking into their hotel. The principal creative team, including Martin, hastened to the theater to attend the Spanish premiere of the film.

The following morning, Martin, Mene, Ellen Page, and Nolan embarked on a special journey to visit the prestigious Real Madrid Club and the magnificent Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

"Inception" was currently gracing theaters, and the crew was determined to leave no stone unturned in their quest to enhance its exposure.

Therefore, when the crew arrived in Barcelona, another vibrant Spanish city, they took the opportunity to explore the renowned Barcelona Club and the iconic Camp Nou stadium.

After their sojourn in Spain, the crew boarded a flight bound for Istanbul to continue their promotional journey.

Meanwhile, "Inception" continued its successful run in North American theaters, maintaining a steady course and amassing an additional $29.72 million in its third weekend. The North American box office tally now exceeded the $200 million milestone, standing at a remarkable $212 million.

Internationally, more countries and regions joined the screening frenzy, pushing the film's overseas box office total close to $150 million after the weekend.

The film's box office triumph gave rise to a surge in popularity, and discussions about the enigmatic spinning top at the movie's conclusion quickly spread from North America to the far reaches of the globe.

From newspapers to the vast realm of the Internet, countless individuals engaged in fervent debates over whether the character Cobb had indeed returned to reality.

Media and fans from North America to Europe to Asia bombarded the crew with this question, but Martin and Nolan skillfully refrained from providing a definitive answer.

For when a topic has a definitive solution, it loses its allure and capacity to seize attention.

And, moreover, neither now nor in the foreseeable future would there be an indisputable answer.

En route to Hong Kong City, Nolan emphasized to Martin, "Never give a direct response to this question under any circumstances."

Martin feigned confusion, replying, "Chris, your script doesn't contain an answer."

Nolan chuckled and revealed his strategy, "I intend to keep this topic in the limelight for an extended period. The film is currently enjoying a global release, but it will be revived during the DVD launches and subsequent marketing campaigns."

Martin pondered this approach, "As long as the subject remains hot, even when your next film debuts, reporters will still inquire about the spinning top and Cobb's ultimate reality."

Nolan's prowess in marketing equaled his directorial skills. He remarked, "Even if media outlets forget, I can orchestrate a reporter to rekindle the interest of both the press and fans."

Martin couldn't help but give Nolan a resounding thumbs-up, exclaiming, "Chris, you're a shining example of a contemporary filmmaking master!"

Nolan remained humble, "I wouldn't call myself a master, just a dedicated craftsman. Besides, when it comes to marketing and hype, I have to admit, you're the one who set the standard. The idea for the open-ended conclusion and using the spinning top for hype were your brilliant strokes. In this regard, I'm merely your humble student."

Martin responded with a smile, "Let's dispense with false modesty and continue learning and growing together!"

The two men shared a knowing smile.

In Hong Kong City, amidst their promotional activities, Martin also had the chance to meet with Wu Maoting, the generous investor who had financed Jennifer Siebel's "Romantic Trouble." Wu Maoting assured Martin of his ongoing commitment to funding Davis Studio projects.

The extensive overseas promotional tour finally drew to a close in mid-August. Exhausted both physically and mentally, Martin treated himself to a well-deserved vacation upon his return to Los Angeles.

At this juncture, "Inception" had soared past the $300 million milestone at the North American box office, while its overseas earnings eclipsed those in North America, reaching a remarkable $388 million.

Warner Bros. confidently predicted that the film's global box office would approach the $900 million mark.