Chapter 48: Healing Alcoholics' Soul

Shaking his head, Robert turned into the lobby on the first floor. Martin saw him, waved, and asked, "How did it go?"

Robert looked frustrated. "Can't they see I have a star face just like Stallone, Willis, and Schwarzenegger?"

Martin took a step back, inspecting him while nodding. "In terms of appearance, you've got something unique. You leave a strong impression on the audience. Have you seen the trailer for 'Pirates of the Caribbean'? If you dressed as a pirate, you'd stand out even more than those guys."

Robert had indeed seen it. With his hands in his pockets, he said, "Buddy, I've got a strong psyche. Just say I'm ugly; I won't mind."

Suddenly recalling something Martin frequently said, Robert decided to scare him a bit. "By the way, next time you drink cola..."

Martin quickly responded, "I swear, I won't drink from a glass bottle ever again."

Robert's gloom lifted considerably. "Thanks, buddy. I feel a lot better now."

Martin replied, "Don't mention it. After all, you've helped me before."

Robert became frustrated again. Are you kidding me? "I might as well become a background artist," he lamented. He then asked, "Have you heard back about your audition?"

Martin nodded. "Got the notification."

"Congrats," said Robert, sighing. "Just a single line; it's too hard."

Martin patted him on the arm. "I can't help you with this crew, but once filming's over, we can stay on and do odd jobs."

Staying with the crew meant they could mingle with the principal cast and crew.

Actually, looking at the script, his character seemed to have a lot of scenes, but in the final cut, who knew how much would be left?

It wouldn't be surprising if he was just a fleeting glimpse.

"Thanks," Robert said. "It'll be a rare experience."

Jerome hurriedly came over from the other side of the lobby. Seeing the two actors, he sped up. "Good news."

Robert, who didn't pass the audition and still relied on the troupe, asked, "Chief, did you finalize the collaboration?"

"We did," Jerome emphasized. "Deputy Chief Martin, you have made outstanding contributions to the troupe's development."

Bursting with inner excitement, he maintained a calm exterior. "Though the crew needs only a few extras, thanks to my efforts, they agreed to have Marietta Troupe handle all the extras."

Martin understood that Andrew played a role in this.

Jerome planned to use this opportunity to recruit new members when he returned.

Robert looked surprised. "You became the deputy chief?"

Jerome patted Robert on the shoulder. "Work hard, and soon..."

In his excitement, he almost blurted out he'd buy a new car with the extra funds.

Martin changed the subject back to himself. "Chief, my role is finalized. The crew asked me to find someone to discuss the terms. I don't have experience in that. I trust you the most."

"So soon?" Jerome was a bit surprised but, thinking Martin always had the troupe in mind, he agreed. "Leave it to me. I'll negotiate, but be prepared: the conditions won't be great."

The crew came to Atlanta to save costs. Martin said, "The role is more important than the pay."

Jerome nodded in approval. The more he looked at Martin, the more he liked him. Maybe this fool would leave Atlanta one day. If he went to Los Angeles, he'd at least have a connection with Robert Patrick.

The three left Gray Company together. At noon, Jerome generously treated them to a meal, then returned to Gray Company to discuss Martin's pay with the crew.

Though not a professional agent, Jerome had managed the troupe for years and was familiar with many aspects of Hollywood.

As a non-union actor, for a minor character, Martin's daily salary was only $600.

Regarding other benefits, meals, accommodation, travel allowances, and on-set insurance, the crew had a standard policy.

The following day, Martin signed a formal contract with the crew.

Near dusk, he received a call from Louise. "Hunk, come out for a drink."

Martin asked directly, "Where?"

Louise, still obsessed with her new cocktail, said, "Come to my hotel suite. I have all the bartending tools there."

Martin understood her hint and first went to buy some base liquor.

When he arrived at the hotel suite, Louise was alone, sitting at the bar with a bottle of tequila, already drinking.

Martin carried the liquor box behind the bar, moved Louise's tequila and glass aside, and reminded her, "You won't be able to mix drinks if you're too drunk."

Louise seemed surprised. "Haven't you finished creating the new cocktail?"

Martin wanted to involve this female alcoholic in the process. A new cocktail created by both would be more memorable than a teapot.

He said, "I have a prototype, but the final recipe needs tweaking."

Louise moved behind the bar, picked up an alcohol wipe to clean her hands, and took out a shaker and measuring tool. "What are we waiting for? Let's get started!"

Martin opened the liquor box and arranged the bottles. "Are you more interested in alcohol than movies?"

"Movies are work; alcohol is a hobby. They're different," Louise's gaze drifted lower. "Alcohol is like spiritual nourishment for me. It makes me feel so good all over."

Martin put on a serious bartender face. "Be serious about mixing drinks."

Louise grabbed a pair of black-rimmed glasses and put them on. "Let's begin."

"My idea for the new cocktail is to combine the flavors of whiskey with a rich, bold taste that intensely stimulates the taste buds." Martin lightly tapped Louise's prominent nose. "It should heal the soul of an alcoholic like you."

He wanted to engage Louise. "Which whiskey do you think would be suitable?"

Louise, a bona fide alcoholic, thought for a moment and said, "Islay Peated Whiskey." She considered various factors. "To make a cocktail widely popular, price is key. Lagavulin's too expensive. We should choose between Caol Ila and Ardbeg. I'd suggest Ardbeg."

Martin took out a bottle of Ardbeg and asked, "Why?"

"Are you testing me?" Louise boasted. "Among all the whiskeys from Islay, Ardbeg has a pronounced smoky flavor balanced by a subtle malty sweetness, giving a well-rounded taste."

Martin poured a small glass of Ardbeg, adding some lemon juice. "The taste is still not rich enough."

Louise took a sip and said, "Too sour."

Martin suggested, "Add a bit of ginger syrup."

This was a common ingredient for cocktails. Louise added a bit and stirred. "Now the whiskey's flavor is too diluted."

Martin snapped his fingers. "Blended whiskey."

They tried various common brands, adjusting the proportions, and after nearly two hours, they finally got the right mix.

Louise seriously went to rinse her mouth in the bathroom to remove any residual taste.

When she returned to the bar, a classic glass held a pale golden liquid decorated with lemon and ginger slices.

"Is this our drink?" Louise excitedly took a slow sip. The smoky, expansive, and spicy flavors instantly filled her mouth like a bomb explosion.

But then it transitioned into a rich, rounded, tart, and sweet experience.

The taste was complex, and the layers were distinct, as if encapsulating all of life's ups and downs.

Louise took another sip and then offered the rest to Martin.

Martin drank it and savored. "How does it feel?"

Louise took off her black-rimmed glasses, satisfied like she'd tasted nectar. "It starts bitter but ends sweet, with more kick towards the end. Once you get used to its explosive and intense flavors, you find it's rich and wonderful."

Martin conceded. "Alcoholic, are you sure you're talking about the drink?"

Louise raised her eyebrows. "What else? Don't use your dirty mind to tarnish our new creation."

Martin didn't argue. "I'll give you the chance to name it."

Louise walked to the other side of the bar, smiling. "I know you're trying to manipulate me, but I can't resist the allure of being immortalized in cocktail history."

Martin shrugged. "It just healed an alcoholic's soul."

After a moment's thought, Louise declared, "Penicillin. Let's call it Penicillin." She grabbed a pen and paper to jot down the recipe. "Penicillin in medicine has saved countless lives. This will heal many alcoholics' souls. I'll take it back to Los Angeles and make it famous."

Martin said, "As one of the creators, you have that right."

"I'm not like Harvey Weinstein," Louise suddenly shifted the topic. "After you're done with your role, I'll give you a comprehensive evaluation and advice to save you a lot of detours."

*****

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