Chapter 50: New Script

"Excellent, your performance is outstanding!"

French director Michel, who rarely left his director's chair, stepped onto the set and commended Jim Carrey, saying, "Your performance is Oscar-worthy; you truly deserve an Oscar!"

Jim Carrey simply smiled, offering no further response.

Michel then turned to Martin, his co-star, and remarked, "Young man, believe me, your acting skills are exceptional." Martin, recognizing his place as an actor, replied confidently, "Thank you, director. I'll continue to work hard."

Outside the studio, Kate Winslet couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear.

Ever since their argument that day, she and the director hadn't exchanged a word beyond what was necessary for their work.

Michelle extended his praise to the other actors as well, possibly attempting to convey some emotion through these compliments.

Within the crew, it was understood that such professional environments could sometimes breed conflicts. What comforted some might discomfort others.

Back in the rest area, Martin had just settled in when a hand with a rich chocolate hue reached out, offering a sippy cup with slender fingers. "Martin, would you like some water?" The hand belonged to Rosa

"I'm not thirsty, no need," Martin politely declined.

Rosa was very warm in her offer, saying, "Just call me if you need anything; I'll be right here next to you."

Martin expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you."

Rosa had been hovering around him since the day before yesterday.

Robert entered from outside, carrying a box of Coke cans and looking a bit out of breath. He placed the cans on the rest area table.

Martin was about to reach for one when he thought better of it and settled back down. Despite not being glass bottles, Robert's Coke...

Robert joined Martin, wiped his sweat, and inquired, "Is Rosa still bothering you?"

Martin replied, "I don't have the authority to send her away."

"She's interested in you," Robert observed. He was being casual and idle, saying, "You could easily ask her out."

Martin shook his head, reasoning, "Man, the more freely something is offered, the higher the price. If I get involved with her, you can guess what she'd want."

Robert wasn't naive, responding, "If she keeps bothering you, let me help you out."

"I do need your help with something," Martin mentioned. He had called Louise the night before, and Louise had specifically informed him that Michel Gondry was part of the French director clique in Hollywood.

Hollywood had its intricacies and divisions, the most prominent being along national lines.

In the afternoon, the crew wrapped up work temporarily, and people started leaving the studio.

The idiosyncratic French director Michel had a peculiar habit of visiting the restroom and spending some time there before leaving.

Following a standard fifteen minutes, Michel emerged from the toilet, the sound of flushing echoing behind him.

He walked out and overheard a conversation in the restroom, characterized by a distinctive Atlanta accent.

"Invite me to a British restaurant? Are there even any places in Atlanta that serve British cuisine? And even if there are, who'd willingly eat there?"

"They've even published a 'British Food Guide,' for crying out loud!"

"I know," Martin chimed in sarcastically, "The legendary guide to sorting garbage."

Michel emerged from the restroom, and upon realizing the speaker was Martin, he couldn't help but chuckle. He remarked, "How would the British know about good food?"

Martin appeared to counter, "Well, London does have some of the top ten restaurants in the world."

Michel frowned slightly.

Changing his tone, Martin added, "But all the food they serve here is French cuisine."

Michelle offered his praise, saying, "Martin, not many Americans understand food as well as you do."

Martin's face contorted as if he were recalling something terrifying. "That's because I've been scarred by British cuisine," he quipped.

Standing behind Martin, Robert, who played alongside him as an old background artist, didn't appear out of place at all. His natural honesty and loyalty added weight to Martin's words.

Working under continuous pressure, Michelle inquired, "Are there any good French restaurants in Atlanta?"

Since Martin had done his research since arriving, he replied, "Yes, there are, in the city centre, and they certainly don't serve that awful British food."

Michelle visibly relaxed and asked, "Would you mind showing me around as a local?"

Martin readily agreed, "It would be my pleasure."

During their dinner, the two conversed about the romantic charm of Paris, the misty allure of London, the refined French cuisine, and the less-than-impressive reputation of British football hooligans.

Language is an art, and Martin successfully procured Michel Gondry's business card and exchanged contact information.

Meanwhile, a bit earlier, in the office of Gray Entertainment's president...

Director Benjamin Calvin rushed over and intercepted Kelly Gray, who was about to finish work, presenting a freshly completed script on her desk.

"This script was just put together by me and a few screenwriters. You know, we all have dreams of becoming directors," Benjamin began, not wanting to spend his entire career on late-night scenes. "It's inspired by that joke Martin made, about him lying dead while watching the hero and heroine fall in love."

Kelly appeared somewhat bewildered. "That was just a joke Martin made with me."

Benjamin explained further, "Martin's last performance in the 'City Folks' play was exceptional, and I made a point to get to know him. He used to work in a Strip club, and I decided to incorporate elements from that aspect into my creative process."

As Kelly read through several pages of the new script, its title stood out boldly: "Zombie Striper."

She read through a dozen or so pages and formed a rough impression. She then closed the script and expressed her concerns. "The budget required for this is exceedingly high. Based on this script, even $500,000 wouldn't suffice."

Benjamin provided a basic budget, saying, "In reality, we'd need around $800,000 to $1 million."

Kelly brushed aside the $800,000 figure, stating, "With $1 million, we could produce at least eight late-night dramas to sell to cable networks, along with DVDs and video tapes. We'd certainly turn a profit without incurring losses. The risk associated with such a significant investment is simply too high for a single film."

Benjamin made his best argument, "Kelly, we can't keep making low-budget late-night films forever, can we? Don't you want to break into theatres? Don't you want the company to truly develop and expand?"

Kelly shook her head, explaining, "I've worked hard in Hollywood, and how many of Hollywood's films turn a profit each year? They have the luxury of time to recoup costs and accumulate profits, but what about us? If we invest a million dollars and can't recover it within six months, our capital will be stretched thin."

She conveyed something she felt didn't need to be said: she had set her sights on the abandoned General Motors production facility.

Benjamin pleaded, "I'm confident that this script will succeed."

This presented a dilemma for Kelly. She couldn't outright reject the script, given Benjamin's contributions. She asked for more time to consider it, stating, "Please provide a detailed budget and proposal. I need to think this through carefully."

Benjamin assured her, "I'll do my best to minimize costs."

Once he left the room, he couldn't help but scratch his head. Film was an art, but it was ultimately a business.

Later, downstairs as Benjamin prepared to leave for the day, he encountered the casting director, Lynn.

Lynn, wearing a Warriors championship commemorative baseball cap, inquired, "How did it go?"

Benjamin briefly recounted, "The boss asked for a budget and proposal, and she needs time to deliberate."

Lynn remarked, "There's still hope."

Benjamin casually responded, "Yes."

The two parted ways and headed to their respective vehicles. Lynn pondered for a moment, then dialled a number. "Adam, meet me at the bar in half an hour, and bring your finest merchandise."

Meanwhile, Adam Smith, who had already returned home, ended the call, accessed a hidden compartment on his shelf, retrieved a plastic bag, and set out for the appointment.

Back at the bar, Kelly had left the company and entered a nearby establishment. She entered a spacious private room complete with its bar.

Apart from Louise and bartender Martin, Kate Winslet was also present.

Louise introduced Kelly and Kate formally, saying, "You've never had a formal meeting before. To be honest, I've known both of you for roughly the same amount of time. I met Kelly in 1993 and Kate in 1995." Martin concocted four different cocktails and offered them to the three women across the bar. "Let's get acquainted."

The four of them raised their glasses in a toast.

Kate Winslet took a sip of her refreshing Long Island Iced Tea, which contained extra ice to help alleviate her recent irritability. She remarked, "That French director is an absolute twit. Forgive my language, but I couldn't help myself."

After a pause, she continued, "Louise, if it weren't for you, I would've created a ruckus, bullied him, and forced the crew to replace the director."

Martin set his glass down and commented, "When that time comes, he might cut the blue and red sides off the French flag."

Kate burst into laughter.

This was a joke on European flags, making it difficult for Kelly to recognize the joke. She was intrigued, asking, "What does that mean?"

Kate explained with a smile, "Cutting the French flag would leave only the white, which is the aspect the French excel at."

Louise gave Martin a sidelong glance; he truly was a top performer.

Martin spoke up earnestly, "Haven't you heard? No one can conquer Paris before the French surrender!"

Kate grabbed a wine bottle and filled her glass. "Martin, for what you just said, I must toast you."

Martin clinked his glass with hers, saying, "It's an honour."

Louise interjected with a reminder. "Kate, if you want to use this film as an Oscar contender, you should try to restrain your temper. Keep in mind that he's only responsible for on-set filming."

Kate, a diehard Oscar enthusiast, never forgot about the Oscars. "I've been nominated several times and lost every one of them."

Kelly asked: "Not enough investment in public relations?"

Kate shook her head: "Those old men think I am still too young?"

Martin chimed in, "As an outsider, can I share my observations? What's your take?"

Kate raised her glass to him. "Of course."

After considering it briefly, Martin began, "The main issue, Kate, is that your beauty is so striking that people sometimes overlook your acting skills. If we look at the Oscar lists over the past decade, what can we deduce?"

He slowed his speech and emphasized, "It's essentially a game in which

As his voice decelerated and his emphasis heightened, he remarked, "It's a contest where numerous women are involved, and only those who transform into peculiar characters can be victorious." Instantly,

all three women burst into laughter.

Kate Winslet grabbed the wine bottle and topped off her glass. "Martin, your words are true. On behalf of all the glamorous women who have contended for Oscars, I'd like to raise a toast to you."