Chapter 26: Beautiful Waves

The brown high-headed horse was fitted with a specially-made saddle, and carrying the weight of two people made it a bit uneasy. Martin comforted the horse while holding the female supporting actor in his arms.

Catherine, with her dazzling blonde hair, was the second female lead of filming and naturally had a remarkable appearance and figure.

"Will we fall off?" she asked quietly.

Martin reassured her, "Don't worry, my riding skills are top-notch."

Director Benjamin shouted, "Martin, can you handle it?"

Martin gave a thumbs-up towards him, "No problem."

With the director's order, the shooting officially began.

They were mainly filming a beautiful wide-angle shot of the two characters riding a single horse.

After filming a few more takes intermittently and reapplying makeup, the shoot resumed. Martin maintained the horse's steady trot, making the atmosphere on set feel high-class, as if heading straight to Cannes and Venice.

The artistic horse scene designed by Benjamin was far from over.

A prop horse was pushed into the set, and Martin and Catherine were transferred from the real horse to the prop one.

The prop horse galloped while the people rode.

Martin, desperate to secure his role, performed with tears in his eyes.

After several rounds of starts and stops, Martin, who was strong and sturdy, was fine, but Catherine was almost nauseated by the jolting.

Finally, they completed the shoot.

Today, Benjamin's attitude towards Martin was noticeably more friendly than the previous day. He approached and asked, "How did it go?"

Martin took the opportunity to praise him, "Director, you are a genius for designing this horse scene! Fans will definitely praise you like a deity!"

Artists are rarely straightforward. Benjamin shook his big beard and laughed, "Praise me for finding a good actor?"

Martin played along seriously, "Director, I'm already your admirer. My passion for you could blow up the earth."

"To protect humanity, I should do something meaningful to keep you away from that idea," Benjamin said as he handed Martin a business card. "This is a classmate from my time at the Savannah College of Art and Design. She's currently a director, producer, and actress in LA. If you're interested, you can give her a call."

Martin, feeling a bit exasperated, said, "Director, I'm an actor, a serious actor."

The horse scene was indeed a serious scene--beautiful, romantic, and full of artistic aura. Anyone who thought otherwise surely had an unhealthy mind and should just self-destruct.

In the resting area, the male lead, Adam Smith, held last week's newspaper, reading news about the conflict between the Libertarian Association and Methodist Association.

One image showed Martin Davis of the "Beast House" being interviewed by the media.

Adam Smith had a bad feeling: Is this really someone comfortable in a minor role? To get this far, either someone powerful is backing him or leading him.

When he saw Martin, makeup removed, coming out of the makeup trailer, he took a few steps forward, "Hello, Martin, great performance."

"Thank you," Martin responded politely, "I watched your scene yesterday. Your acting was superb and incredibly captivating."

Adam Smith said, "I've just been in many films, so I have more experience."

Martin replied, "In this business, both experience and talent are indispensable."

Adam Smith added, "I've set up an actors' club in Atlanta. If you're interested in joining, just submit a written application, and we can discuss acting together in the future."

Martin understood his implication and laughed, "After I finish this shoot."

Adam Smith nodded slightly, saying no more.

Martin reunited with Robert in the resting area.

Robert returned Martin's gun case and some other items, saying, "You all but wrote 'fake' on your faces."

Martin walked towards the temporary finance office of the crew, "It's not that simple. Adam Smith hinted for me to follow him and be his sidekick."

Robert followed up, "He's the main male lead."

Martin wanted to be the male lead as well, so he asked Robert intentionally, "Got any good ideas on getting me the lead role in Grey Company's next film?"

"Are you kidding me? How should I know? I'm just an extra!" Robert was baffled, "I can't even handle one line."

Martin looked around to make sure no one was nearby and said, "You easily took care of that idiot yesterday!"

Robert looked up speechlessly, emphasizing again, "That was because he was stupid, and had nothing to do with me. I swear! Martin, you have to believe me! Really!"

Martin casually said, "No need to swear, I believe you. Isn't that enough?"

In the finance office, Martin signed and collected today's pay. Having completed all his scenes, he was free to leave the crew.

Before leaving, he chatted with Andrew for a while.

Andrew was in a particularly good mood.

His salary at Grey Company had increased a level, and he could also receive an allowance from the Libertarian Association as an external contractor.

Through this film shoot, their relationship had further improved, and Andrew volunteered some important news.

"A film crew from Hollywood passed the state tax credit review. Next month, they'll move from Los Angeles to shoot the remaining scenes in Atlanta." He got the news from Kelly Grey's assistant, Ella: "It's a $20 million big production, starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet."

Martin had heard Jerome mention this matter before and asked, "Is it certain?"

Andrew knew much more than Martin, "One of the production managers of the crew, also an investor, is a friend of the boss in Los Angeles. The company will cooperate with them to assist in the shooting in Atlanta."

Martin understood his implication, "Will some roles be recruited in Atlanta?"

Andrew nodded, "They're leaving Los Angeles not just for tax credits, but also for Atlanta's cheap labor and state government subsidies."

Martin remembered that last time he drank with Kelly Grey; she mentioned a friend in Los Angeles. Could it be this?

After saying goodbye to Andrew, Martin left the crew. At the entrance, he called Jerome and handed over the prepared $200, "Chief, the remaining membership fee."

Jerome accepted the money, "Few people repay debts as promptly as you do."

Martin said, "I always keep my word."

Jerome acknowledged, "Some who call themselves friends borrow money and then disappear."

Martin had encountered such people: "Such scumbags should be sent to the south side and handed over to the old gangsters!"

Jerome put the money away and reminded him, "Next month's dues are almost due. You've earned quite a bit from this; no need to delay, right?"

Despite knowing Benjamin, Kelly Grey, and Andrew, it also proved that Jerome was a reliable source of information. Martin didn't want to give up on this connection yet, "No problem."

Back in Atlanta, Martin went to work at the club on time at night.

Tonight, Vincent went out, instructing Bruce to watch the place.

Vincent left the club, drove out of Atlanta alone, and headed east to Savannah.

This was Georgia's largest port city.

In a private club, Vincent met an unusually burly woman.

"Sophia, can't we discuss this over the phone?" Vincent sat across from the woman.

"Phones aren't secure." Sophia got straight to the point: "Your business has been booming lately, with a surge in customers. How much more can you increase the accounts each week?"

Vincent thought for a moment and said, "250,000 dollars."

Most customers at the Beast House paid in cash, so when foot traffic increased, accounting became easier.

Sophia said, "400,000 dollars."

Vincent felt troubled, "I'll do my best."

This meant he had to further increase the customer flow.

But it was necessary.

With the club fully under his control, Vincent trusted his channel more than any other--at least his share would be secure.

*****

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