Chapter 427: Met Gala

In the Brooklyn studio, resembling a hospital ICU ward, Alexandra completed the final scene, returning with an air of melancholy, embraced by the solemnity of the moment.

Chad declared the shot a success.

Alexandra lifted the white quilt, leaped from the hospital bed, tightly embracing Martin, an extended moment shared only between them.

Others respectfully distanced themselves.

Martin reassured Alexandra with a pat on the back, "you can come see me whenever you want in the future."

Alexandra nodded, released Martin, took a step back, and revealed, "But in the next month, I might not be able to see you. It's your turn."

Martin inquired, "Don't you live in New York?"

Softly, Alexandra explained, "My parents are taking Catherine and me to travel to Sweden during the winter. We plan to stay for a while before Catherine goes to college, as she may not have time."

"Safe travels," Martin wished. Seeing Chad approaching, he added, "The crew has prepared a souvenir for you."

Chad handed Alexandra a prop bracelet, saying, "This is the bracelet you wore during the shoot. Keep it. May it always remind you of this experience."

Alexandra asked Martin to help put it on, expressing with a smile, "I will never forget."

As she prepared to leave the set, many crew members bid her farewell, and Martin escorted her outside the studio.

Catherine waited nearby, and Martin signaled to Bruce, who promptly delivered a two-piece gift set.

Alexandra hesitated, "You've given me so many gifts; there's no need..."

"It's different; this is a special souvenir to commemorate our collaboration," Martin explained, handing it to her. "It's not valuable, just handmade crafts. I give one to everyone who works with me when they leave the set."

Accepting it, Alexandra opened the box to find a clown statue and a fang pendant – modest yet meaningful. "I appreciate it," she said.

Suddenly, she set the gift aside and passionately hugged and kissed Martin, who responded in kind.

With a silent understanding, they headed towards Martin's trailer.

As Catherine attempted to follow, she noticed sharp, arrow-like glares from Martin's bodyguard, cautioning her. Deciding it best to wait, she observed the trailer shaking from a distance, contemplating the intensity within.

It wasn't until the sun descended in the west that the two emerged from the trailer.

Approaching Martin, Catherine asserted, "I want a souvenir too."

Alexandra retorted, "You're not part of the crew; you're not qualified."

Following Alexandra's lead, Martin refrained from offering Catherine a souvenir.

While Alexandra retrieved the two gift boxes from Bruce, Catherine seized the moment to slip a note into Martin's hand, gesturing a phone call, and ushered Alexandra away.

Bruce commented, "Two sisters, you're quite something!"

Martin glanced at the note, crumpling it into a ball and tossing it into a nearby trash can. "Do you think I'm as unscrupulous as you, Bruce? Admit it; I have better principles and a stronger moral compass than you."

Bruce chuckled, "I'll be waiting to witness your principles and moral compass in action."

With his head held high, Martin entered the studio.

After three consecutive days of cultural scenes, the crew seamlessly transitioned to intense shooting of the action sequences on the abandoned dock constructed by the police.

A seasoned stuntman named Quinn takes on the role of the antagonist, Ivanov, throughout the film.

Quinn, an old friend of Chad's, has navigated Hollywood for many years, maintaining the status of a peripheral supporting actor without ever landing a significant role.

His story mirrors the commonplace reality for many in the acting realm, where anonymity persists despite a lifetime dedicated to the craft.

Even achieving a modest level of fame as a supporting actor, akin to Mene, demands extraordinary luck in the absence of familial connections or substantial background.

Quinn possesses exceptional acting skills, a robust physique, and the courage to engage in intense combat scenes.

Before the shoot, Chad briefed the two actors on safety precautions. Martin had practiced extensively with Quinn, emphasizing, "My boxing style is straightforward, hitting vital points. I'll control the force; you should focus on evading."

Grinning with prominent white teeth, Quinn encouraged, "Don't hold back, Martin; let's make this scene exhilarating."

Finally securing such a role, Quinn was determined to give it his all.

As the script was reviewed, the recorder took notes, and the shooting commenced.

Quinn discarded his suit jacket into a pile of garbage, declaring, "Jonathan, you killed my son! Over a dog, trampling the empire I built, you, madman, took my son's life!"

Martin, with a somber expression, wiped a wound on his cheek and replied slowly, "Daisy is the last gift Helen left me."

In Chad's narrative, the dog symbolized the last trace of Jonathan's ordinary humanity. When the dog perished, Jonathan's connection to commonality vanished.

Quinn, nearly unhinged, shouted, "You madman! You sacrificed my only son for a dog!" Adopting a boxing stance, he challenged, "Now it's just you and me; let's end this," throwing a flurry of punches, all skillfully dodged by Martin.

Spotting an opportunity, Martin parried a fist, delivering a kick between Quinn's legs. Quinn raised his leg, blocking with his knee but cried out in pain.

Exploiting the moment, Martin seized Quinn's wrist, executing a back throw, sending him into the garbage, a solid prop made of resin with a protective mat underneath.

Martin lunged forward, but Quinn retaliated with a kick, sending Martin sprawling backward.

Both combatants rose, exchanging punches and kicks, targeting each other's vulnerabilities.

During breaks, Chad called for pauses to let them recover, with Chen Hu offering guidance to enhance the fight's aesthetics.

By mid-afternoon, they reached the climax of the scene. Martin executed a throat cut with his palm, followed by eye insertion with two fingers and a final takedown of the villain using a foot lift.

Quinn, gasping for air, declared, "Jonathan, we're people with professional standards and principles!"

Martin delivered a forceful blow to Quinn's chest, retorting coldly, "Do you think I adhere to standards and principles?" Hitting Quinn's heart, he questioned, "Do I have any? Do I need principles and standards?"

Quinn hesitated, rendered speechless.

Martin continued the onslaught.

Quinn slumped to the ground.

Chad, witnessing the performance, exclaimed, "This one passed, excellent! Very well done!"

Martin extended a hand, helping Quinn up, inquiring, "Are you alright?"

Clutching his legs, Quinn replied, "My, uh, almost broke."

Martin couldn't help but laugh.

After catching his breath, Quinn regained composure, acknowledging, "Your movements and intensity were spot on."

Chad, reviewing the playback on the director's monitor, commended both actors, approaching them with a thumbs up. "You guys did an outstanding job, delivering a stellar performance."

Quinn grinned, saying, "I risked my life for this show."

Without extravagant expectations, he simply aspired to become a villain with more scenes in action movies.

Martin playfully teased, "Quinn's brother was almost taken down by me."

"I was genuinely worried at one point," Chad admitted to Martin, "when you proclaimed there were no rules and principles. I feared you might go truly mad and harm Quinn, just like in the movies."

Martin suggested, "Seize the right moment, and occasionally showcase your acting prowess."

Today's filming progressed smoothly, and the planned scene concluded ahead of schedule. Chad, checking the time, declared, "That's a wrap! Call it a day, go back, rest well, and we'll shoot the third-act shootout scene tomorrow."

At this point, Daniel from Warner Bros. entered the set to discuss something with Martin.

Approaching, Martin inquired, "Is there an emergency?"

Daniel reminded, "The Metropolitan Museum of Art Charity Party is this weekend. Don't forget to attend." Expressing concern, he added, "You need to be high-profile now, aiding the visibility of 'The Dark Knight' and 'John Wick.' Have you devised a plan?"

Considering the situation, Martin questioned, "Does Warner have any strategies?"

Daniel responded, "Those folks at Warner are merely suggesting you focus more on clothing for media coverage."

Martin shook his head, remarking, "Becoming a hot topic is challenging."

The fashion industry's Oscars, the Met Gala, inherently featured a chaotic dance with countless eccentric outfits on the red carpet. Even donning unconventional costumes might yield limited impact.

Daniel conceded Warner Bros.' limited influence, stating, "I can only count on you. If you need anything, just let me know."

After a brief pause, Martin outlined his plan, "I'll inform you in two days, but confidentiality is crucial. Also, Leonardo arrived in New York today; he might attend with me."

"No problem," Daniel affirmed. "You've always been effective; let's tackle this together."

The two discussed MET GALA before exiting the studio.

Once Daniel left, Bruce approached Martin, saying, "While you were filming, Leonardo sent a message. He's in New York with Nicholson." As Martin removed his makeup in the trailer, he instructed Bruce, "Send him a message; I'll be at the hotel in half an hour. Let him get ready for a treat."

Bruce, seated nearby, composed and sent the text message.

A little over half an hour later, Martin returned to the crew's hotel and encountered Leonardo and Nicholson in the lobby's resting area.

Nicholson, lifting his sunglasses, quipped, "Leo, this guy insists on dragging me into some fashion Oscars. He claims he has a brilliant idea to make us the talk of the town. What's the plan?"

Leonardo shrugged, subtly boasting for Martin. "Looks like I'll have to get serious this time," Martin declared with determination.