Chapter 81: Vanity Fair

The Los Angeles Dome Theater, a revered spot among B-movie enthusiasts, was erected during the 1970s boom of grindhouse cinema.

This iconic venue hosted the fan and media gathering for "Zombie Stripper," a B-movie gem.

Inside the cozy cinema, a film flickered on the screen.

In the adjacent lounge, Blake, the publicity director from Lionsgate Pictures, reiterated important guidelines to Martin, Catherine, and Benjamin: "Keep it concise and stay clear of controversial topics. Don't rush to respond to tricky questions. We have allies among the reporters and fans; they'll assist you."

His gaze fixed on Martin. "Expect most questions to come your way. Keep your composure in front of the camera, alright?"

Martin was prepared: "No problem."

Benjamin chimed in, "Our hero, Atlanta's top stripper, knows every scene by heart."

Blake boosted Martin's confidence, "Don't fret about entertainment journalists and online bloggers. They rely on us for their livelihoods."

Catherine, feeling overlooked, had mixed emotions.

Blake summoned his assistant, "Is everyone informed?"

The assistant confirmed, "The spotlight will be on the male lead."

Following the film screening, Blake gathered Martin and the others, saying, "Follow me."

They entered the stage through a side door to applause from B-movie aficionados, aside from the invited media and bloggers.

Martin, eager to set the tone, approached the stage's edge, sat down, and smiled, "No need to crowd; we have time to chat."

Most of the audience gravitated toward him.

Taking charge, Martin asked, "So, folks, did you enjoy the movie?"

A bespectacled man up front quipped, "The plot was a mess, pure B-movie. But, among this year's B-level films, it stands out."

Martin suspected him to be a Lionsgate plant, preemptively addressing the most significant critique. "Money was tight; we had to innovate. Like taking a stylish ride with an empty wallet—sounds great, looks intriguing, but it's a pauper."

Laughter rippled through the crowd. A woman in her twenties praised, "You were amazing, Martin. Those scenes will become B-movie classics!"

Another woman with glasses agreed, "This film is a thunderstorm; you're the lightning, illuminating the night sky."

Martin quipped, "Thank you, thank you!" He signaled for a notebook and pen, asking, "Can you jot these encouraging words down for me? I lacked confidence making this film. Sometimes I wonder if my work is meaningful."

Movie buffs, accustomed to life's ups and downs, could relate. A little encouragement went a long way.

The woman with glasses was the first to write, and Martin jumped down, requesting names. "I'd love to know who's supporting me."

Rachel said, "I'm Rachel. You did an incredible job, Martin. I'll buy more tickets and recommend it to friends. This bad movie has a great protagonist."

Martin replied, "Thank you, Rachel. I'll cherish this day." The middle-aged man, Rick, praised him in writing, recalling the glory of B-movies from years past.

Martin said, "If I succeed one day, it's thanks to your encouragement, Rick."

Reporters snapped photos, and bloggers captured the moment. Meanwhile, Benjamin and Catherine had a quieter time.

As a director, Benjamin maintained his style, straddling the line between the screen and the spotlight.

Catherine, initially an ordinary late-night actor, had received minimal guidance on handling movie fans before arriving in Los Angeles.

Catherine's anxiety grew as Martin stole the spotlight. The more flustered she became, the less composed she appeared.

On one side of the stage, Blake kept a close eye on Martin.

A staff member approached Blake, whispering, "Boss, Martin Davis is asking fans for autographs."

Blake observed, "Seems like this young actor has a strategy. Surprisingly, asking for autographs from fans can enhance their impression of both the lead actor and the film. We've found a true B-movie enthusiast today."

The staff member hesitated, wondering if he had unwittingly stirred up trouble.

Martin effortlessly controlled the situation and interacted smoothly with fans. The reverse autograph idea, though a little gimmicky, was received positively.

Martin said, "Folks, if you enjoyed the movie I acted in, please help spread the word to your friends."

Responses from the audience poured in.

"No problem."

"I'm the moderator of the B-movie forum; I'll definitely recommend it."

While Benjamin maintained his directorial style and Catherine struggled, Martin drew the most attention from reporters and bloggers.

Blake personally engaged with the invited media, and most shifted their focus to Martin.

Martin invited fans, "Come on stage; let's take a group photo."

Many fans joined him.

Martin didn't forget Benjamin and Catherine, waving them over. Benjamin joined him enthusiastically, but Catherine, feeling like an outsider, remained stubbornly in place.

As the trio dipped their toes into the world of Hollywood's Vanity Fair, cracks began to appear in their once-harmonious relationship.

Fans crowded around Martin and Benjamin for photos in front of the reporters' cameras.

During the interview session, Martin whispered something to Blake. After assessing the situation, Blake agreed.

Martin took charge, picked up a microphone, and suggested, "Let's sit down and chat; standing is tiring." He sat on the stage, without chairs.

Benjamin hesitated but eventually took a seat.

All the movie fans followed suit, gathering around Martin.

What was supposed to be a one-on-many or three-on-many scenario for journalists and bloggers had turned into dozens versus over a hundred.

Black decided not to intervene, as the publicity was surpassing expectations.

Catherine eventually shuffled over and sat beside Martin.

From fans to journalists to bloggers, the heroine's presence was almost overlooked.

The male lead shone both on and off the screen.

When reporters began asking questions, it followed Lionsgate's routine. The first reporter mentioned a major flaw, "Is the film too crude, using a big stage for a small club story?"

Benjamin replied, "If we turned it into a superhero showdown between a church and vampire demons, it wouldn't be a B-level movie."

Another reporter asked about the film's innovative concepts and designs, like the flying battles and the hero-heroine showdown. Benjamin pointed at Martin, giving him credit, "These ideas came from Martin."

Remembering Martin's own words, Benjamin added, "He's Atlanta's most versatile actor."

A female blogger asked, "Martin, have you had real combat experience to design those action scenes?"

Martin grinned, "I wouldn't dare attempt such challenging moves. Only Spider-Man or Batman could pull off those stunts."

Questions primarily centered on Martin. Another female reporter inquired, "Were special effects used for the zombie machine gun dance?"

Benjamin shook his head, "No, it was entirely practical."

The crowd gasped in astonishment.

The female blogger suggested, "Martin, can you perform it live?"

Martin stood up, handed his coat to a woman with glasses named Jessica, and prepared to demonstrate. He requested some space, saying, "Let's chat first; you can't strip down here."

With a snap of his fingers, he signaled the Lions Gate team to play some music. The energetic dance tune filled the air, leaving everyone in awe.