America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Morning, Buckingham County police station.

Martin and Leonardo were sitting in the lobby, waiting for their lawyer to handle the paperwork.

The latter held a copy of The Sun and said, "Jack and Meryl made the front page headline, they caused a ruckus at Pine Forest Film Studio last night, and a bunch of actors from multiple crews complained..."

Martin held the same newspaper in his hand, "Look at the second page, Bale was accidentally injured on set, and is temporarily staying in the hospital, Kate Blanchett appeared at the same hospital."

Leonardo thought of the two he saw yesterday and asked, "It didn't get to that extent, did it?"

"Who knows," Martin put away the newspaper, saying, "That old bastard is really loyal, he didn't leak anything about us."

Leonardo put away his smile, "Jack has a notorious reputation, me, and you, why are we willing to mess around with Jack? Although he's a bastard, he's a loyal bastard, his actions never considered right or wrong, only closeness. Even until today, he hasn't said a single bad word about his old friend Polanski."

Martin pointed ahead, "Here they come."

Accompanied by the lawyer, Nicholson and Meryl came over together.

Seeing the two troublemakers, he didn't have a single good word to say, "It's all your fault!"

Martin didn't argue; instead, he asked, "Enjoying yourselves?"

Remembering the chaos from last night, Nicholson burst into laughter, "Damn right, it was hilarious. You should've seen those fools, so flustered they ran out with their pants still down."

In contrast, Meryl was much more dignified, maintaining the persona of a refined lady in public.

As the group walked out, Leonardo said, "I'll credit you for being loyal."

Nicholson replied, "I dragged you two into this. If something had gone wrong, who would have bailed me out?"

Coming to the door, Martin warned, "There are reporters outside."

Nicholson and Meryl were unfazed, stepping through the police station doors together.

A large group of paparazzi had gathered near the door, but the four of them didn't even give them a glance, climbing into the same car.

Martin shook the newspaper in his hand, deliberately taunting Nicholson, "Those two idiots that followed you yesterday ended up in the hospital."

Before Nicholson could respond, Meryl turned her head and asked, "Jack said you found out yesterday about Blanchett and her little bitch, following me with Bale?"

Martin's words were meant to draw her attention, "Yes, so we fired a shot in that direction." He handed The Sun to Meryl, "The Sun's gossip reports are a hundred times more reliable than the political news of The Washington Post or The New York Times."

Meryl took it, saw the news about Bale and Blanchett, and cursed coldly, "Damn bitch!"

Leonardo, who never shied away from stirring things up, added, "Blanchett and Bale used you as an aphrodisiac."

Meryl didn't take the bait, only saying, "I won't hold past issues against you two, consider it all written off."

Martin smoothly responded as if rehearsed, "Someday I'll invite you... and Jack out for a drink, bring a few friends along."

Leonardo got the hint, "Does the 'Mamma Mia!' crew have some pretty actresses?"

Nicholson, having had a blast the night before, was feeling particularly generous, "I should be the one treating, let's wait for another weekend. I'll invite Meryl and her close friends from the crew to have a drink."

Martin said, "No problem."

Meryl considered it and nodded, "Okay."

...…

Pine Forest Film Studio, Fatal Magic Crew.

The filming schedule that had been set had to be changed.

Nolan sat in the director's chair, his brow furrowed in worry, "How's Christian Bale doing?"

Emma Thomas brought a cup of water and gave it to her husband, "I just called to check, there's nothing seriously wrong with his leg, it was just a cramp. But it's his lower region that's the trouble."

Nolan, having understood what had happened, couldn't help but worry, "Is the injury severe?"

Emma Thomas chose her words carefully, "There's a minor tear in the sponge, and a slight subcutaneous hematoma, but thankfully it's not serious, no surgery is needed, just a few weeks of rest should do."

Nolan nodded, "We'll have to push back all the scenes with him in it."

"Let's postpone for the time being," Emma Thomas disagreed slightly with Bale's decisions, "trailers, hotels, even the shooting stage—so many places to go, but he had to follow Blanchett into the woods..."

Nolan was worried, "Who did this? Is someone targeting our crew?"

Emma Thomas already had the full story, "It's unlikely, Bale and company were disturbed in the afternoon, and the troublemakers returned later at night, spotted by many. It was Jack Nicholson and Meryl Strip who did it. They even scared the people from the next-door Harry Potter crew.

Last night at least a dozen people were chasing them, and someone called the police, but this morning Leonardo got him released."

Nolan was familiar with Nicholson's bad reputation, "That old scoundrel!"

Emma Thomas considered the practical side, "You have aspirations for the Oscars, let's leave this matter be, no one from our crew got injured, and the overall impact on the crew isn't significant. Nicholson, that man has seniority and lots of friends, he holds some sway with the Academy. Such a person might not accomplish much, but he can easily mess things up."

Nolan took his wife's advice to heart and said, "Give Bale a call, express some concern."

"I'll go visit him in the hospital for a bit; can't skimp on the proper gestures." Emma Thomas was much more adept at handling these miscellaneous matters than Nolan.

...

After dropping Meryl off at the studio, the three idle fellas roamed around London for half the day before settling into a pub for drinks.

Once Nicholson had swallowed a glass of whisky, bad ideas surged up with the buzz: "I just called to check, Bale's in the hospital with a torn muscle, poor guy. Shall we visit him together tomorrow?"

Martin picked up the bottle and poured drinks for the three of them, saying, "Be a human for once, will you? Stop playing the devil in human skin, okay?"

Nicholson retorted, "He's in this mess because of you and Leo!"

Leonardo replied, "But isn't it all for you?"

Hearing this, Nicholson almost snorted: "I really ought to thank you guys properly!"

Martin slung an arm around Nicholson's shoulder: "We're brothers in arms, so no need for any grand thank-you." He stated matter-of-factly, "Here's the deal, help me out with something next year and let's call today's favor a done deal."

Nicholson said, "So, for the shock you've given me, I still have to thank you?"

Martin feigned surprise: "Didn't you just say you wanted to thank us? We took care of your peeping Tom! Think about it—if Bale and Blanchett used you and Meryl like some Indian tonic, and then they brought a camera or camcorder, you two would be in trouble. Before long, it would spread all over the world..."

He pondered a moment: "The Pine Forest scandal of an Oscar Best Actor and Actress—imagine how fast that would spread!"

Leonardo nearly burst into laughter.

Nicholson helplessly replied: "Such a minor issue, and you blow it up this much. I'm really getting old; it's time I stepped aside."

The three of them laughed and joked, drinking and chatting away merrily.

Men can enjoy themselves just fine even without the company of women.

Of course, life would naturally be better with beautiful ladies around.

Martin received a call from Kate Winslet and prepared to leave early.

"You can go." Nicholson burped and said, "Martin, I have good news for you. Remember the fireworks you gave me yesterday? I saved a batch. If you're in the parking lot, Leo and I will set them off to celebrate for you."

Leonardo, having drunk quite a bit, patted Martin's shoulder and said, "I've been friends with Kate for ten years, I don't have any other requests. Just be a bit nicer to her, and don't use your rough methods like you did with Heidi Klum, Angela Lindvall, and KK—be gentle."

Martin pushed Leonardo away: "Quit talking nonsense. Kate called me to familiarize and rehearse several scenes, strictly professional work."

Leonardo shook his head but said no more.

When Martin left the pub, Nicholson asked, "What's really going on?"

Leonardo vaguely replied: "Just when I got to London a couple of days ago, Kate called me about some special scenes, discussing them with me. She thinks having hands-on experience will yield better results in the performance."

Nicholson agreed: "You're absolutely right!"

Curiosity getting the better of him, Leonardo asked, "Have you actually experienced that during filming?"

Nicholson scoffed: "What you guys are playing with are leftovers from what we used to play with. Think about Marlon's famous butter scene—who dares to use that now?"

Leonardo conceded the point.

As darkness fell, Martin rushed back to the hotel.

Since he had to rehearse with Kate soon, he took a shower in the bathroom to wash off the smell of alcohol and brushed his teeth, changing into a fresh, clean set of clothes afterward.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, there was a knock at the door. Martin went to open it, and there stood Kate Winslet.

He stepped aside from the door, "Kate, please come in."

Kate, holding the script, entered the room and said, "Sorry for bothering you after work."

Martin fetched her a bottle of water: "Let's skip the pleasantries between us."

"Then let's get down to business," Kate sat on a single sofa and went straight to the point: "The postponed scenes are the most critical part of the emotional climax between the male and female leads. Subpar shooting could impact the whole film."

Martin understood: "I get it. The transition from physical attraction to emotional eruption requires a process."

Kate paused for a moment then added, "For this project and character, I've prepared for two years. Martin, you know how much I crave the Oscar for Best Actress."

Martin nodded: "You're a better actress than all the Oscar-winning ones."

Kate stood up and took off her coat: "I have no way out and no desire for an out. You'll help me, won't you?"

Martin owed Kate a favor and couldn't refuse: "Yes!"

"I've talked to Leo, and I've discussed it with Sam," Kate moved closer to Martin. "They both told me, practical experience is the best solution."

She continued, "Remember the rumors about Nicole Kidman during 'Eyes Wide Shut'? They say Kubrick used actual experiences for real shots."

The top-tier actors are often acting fanatics, and Kate seemed to be in such a state.