Leaving the hotel room behind, Martin walked along the corridor to the elevator area, where he stood in front of the mirror on the wall, carefully examining the person reflected in it.
Despite being quite the handso guy, Ellen just couldn't appreciate him!
Was it really such a big deal that his hairline had receded slightly, his hair had thinned a bit, and his forehead was a tad larger?
To think he'd be scorned by a woman over fifty!
Thomas took the elevator down to the lobby and sat at the rest area for a mont, pondering—after talking up such a big ga earlier, how was he to make ands without telling Martin what to do next?
The requirents Casting Director Ellen had asked for weren't excessive, quite the norm within the industry.
In Hollywood, these were unwritten rules, nothing out of the ordinary.
Thomas took out his phone, scrolled through his contacts, saw Bruce's information, and made the call, "There's sothing important, we need to et."
Bruce asked from the other end, "Where?"
Thomas gave the address and patiently waited.
Minutes later, Bruce entered the hotel and sat down across from him.
Thomas got straight to the point, "Martin's plan has hit a snag, and Ellen, the Casting Director preparing to go to Boston with Scorsese, has requested we provide so special services—celebrity special services."
Bruce, who was privy to Martin's plan, asked, "You an Martin has to do it personally?"
"No need for that, just any celebrity that can spark her interest will do," Thomas explained briefly. "I was ready to go grovel at her feet myself, but she looks down on ."
Catching the key point in the conversation, Bruce asked, "Grovel?"
Thomas nodded, "Exactly as it sounds." He inquired, "Do we need to inform Martin?"
Bruce, who acted as an agent but essentially was just a cleaner in the entertainnt business and couldn't offer any substantial advice on Martin's film selection, said, "Not necessary, we'll handle this. Martin pays us a cut to sort out these botherso issues. If everything required his personal attention, what use would we be?"
Hearing about the supposed groveling, Bruce thought of a trump card and imdiately dialed ne's number, "Got a situation here where your particular talents are needed."
Old ne, oozing confidence, responded, "Old Cloth, talk to —who do you want to grovel to?"
Bruce gave the hotel address, "Co over here first."
Thomas asked, "Who have you found?"
Bruce simply stated, "ne, the forr lover of Paris Hilton, a man she wants to chase but can't obtain anymore."
Of course, Thomas knew who ne was. He was the hotshot Martin had created himself, made famous across Arica through Paris Hilton.
Bruce questioned, "Will ne do?"
Thomas unlocked his phone and sent a text: "Paris Hilton's ex-boyfriend, ne."
The imdiate response ca back: "Okay!"
Thomas nodded at Bruce in acknowledgnt.
Suddenly, the ping of a text ssage sounded, indicating that the other party was eagerly waiting: "When will you arrive?"
Thomas replied, "Soon."
The hotel was a short distance from Warner Bros. Studios—it took less than ten minutes for ne to arrive.
Bruce briefed him on the situation.
"A woman over fifty, female Casting Director, likes to have people grovel," ne's spirit was instantly ignited. "In all of Los Angeles, who else would be more suitable than ? Old Cloth, I've got this!"
Bruce clapped him on the shoulder, "This matter doesn't need to be ntioned to Martin."
ne nodded, "For Martin, I'd sweet-talk every middle-aged woman in Los Angeles if I had to."
Thomas gave him the room number.
ne pulled out a breath freshener, sprayed it several tis, and headed upstairs alone.
Taking the elevator to the tenth floor, he knocked on the corresponding room door.
The door was opened from the inside by a woman in her fifties, Caucasian, who took a quick appraisal of ne and yanked him inside.
Initially, Ellen had only intended to have a taste.
Not half a minute passed before she was singing with joy, feeling like God was a woman!
Downstairs, Bruce and Thomas waited and waited, but ne did not co down.
Thomas worried, "Nothing bad happened, right?"
Ever since falling for a scam, Bruce felt that ne had grown more cautious and mature, assuring, "If sothing had gone wrong, ne would have been sent down a long ti ago."
The pair waited nearly three hours before ne finally ca down from upstairs.
His lips were redder than when he went up, and he spoke with a slight slur, "I... handled it."
Bruce grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to ne, "Have so water."
ne waved it off, "No need, can't drink anymore."
Thomas inquired, "What exactly happened?"
ne recounted, "After Ellen goes to Boston, she'll update on her itinerary every half day and will speak favorably of Martin during auditions." He chuckled, "And there's one more thing—Ellen recomnded for a role as one of the black cops."
Thomas was prepared for the forr part of the account, but the latter was a surprise, "You bagged a role too?"
ne was exuberant, "I made her ascend to the heavens three tis, becoming God. She seriously promised , took down my details, gave hers, making future arrangents easier."
Thomas had nothing to say but that he was extraordinarily talented.
Bruce said, "Buddy, good job. I'll suggest that Martin takes you to Boston to experience police life."
The trio went to Warner Bros. Studios, and Bruce briefly explained the situation to Martin.
That evening, Martin hosted a dinner at Smoky House, where they could order any dish they wanted.
Two days later, ne received a ssage from Ellen, and WMA had also communicated with the Boston Police Departnt.
Martin, ne, and Bruce took a flight to Boston.
Whether it was the LAPD, APD, or BPD, regardless of the actual circumstances, they all cared greatly about their public image and had departnts dedicated to dia and public relations.
They welcod the visit of Martin and ne, the two Hollywood actors, to experience life firsthand.
John, the head of the Public Relations office, even personally accompanied them on a tour of the police departnt.
Martin spoke highly of the BPD, freely doling out praise, which cost nothing.
John grinned from ear to ear; this recently famous Hollywood star had no star attitude and was very easy to get along with.
After a day of touring, Martin took the initiative to invite John and a few of his colleagues to dine out.
John couldn't decline such a gracious offer.
Martin had Bruce book a fancy restaurant specially.
After dining, they took a group photo. So civilian officers wanted autographs and dedications for their children, and Martin fulfilled all their requests.
John had a great impression of Martin and personally drove them back to the hotel.
"Mr. Davis..."
"Call Martin," Martin insisted, making a point to sit in the passenger seat.
As John drove, he said, "Let know if you need anything. As long as it doesn't violate the rules and regulations, I'll try to arrange it for you."
Martin responded directly, "I'm preparing for a role as an undercover detective. I thought of checking out your police academy first, then follow a patrol officer, and spend the remaining ti at the undercover departnt."
John agreed imdiately, "No problem. I'll communicate with each departnt."
The hotel ca into view quite quickly, and as he parked the car, John added, "Martin, your Boston accent is pretty good. It really has the flavor of a Bostonian."
"Really?" Martin looked surprised and pleased, "I've been practicing it. It's one of the most charming accents in North Arica."
John, a genuine Bostonian, laughed, "Right, the Boston accent is the sexiest."
Martin and the others got out of the car and waited for John to drive away before entering the hotel.
ne's phone chid with a new ssage alert. He quickly checked it and said after entering the hotel, "Director Scorsese will be in Boston in five days."
Martin nodded, and the three of them went upstairs together, sorting through the various materials they had brought with them.
He handed a file to ne, "Take a good look, it might help you."
The material, which was collected specifically for Martin by WMA, pertained to the BPD and Boston's criminal organizations.
Martin quickly noted information on an Irish mob boss nad Bulger in the material, a forr FBI informant who colluded with the BPD and state police, involved in drug trafficking, murder, and terrorism among others, currently a fugitive.
Bulger's experience had great similarities to the main antagonist, Frank.
The difference was that Bulger had been on the run since '95, still on the wanted list, yet to be apprehended.
His brother was Massachusetts' State Senate President.
Martin thought this material might be useful and made a note of it.
......
Los Angeles, Warner Bros. headquarters.
The "Infernal Affairs" office was located inside the building.
In the eting room, Leonardo asked, "As soon as March begins, we're going to start official actor auditions. Do we have a suitable candidate for the second lead?"
Scorsese shook his head, "I don't have anyone in mind yet; we're not in a rush to decide."
A Warner Bros. executive, Daniel, directly suggested, "I recomnd Martin Davis."
A representative of Plan B, rembering Brad Pitt ntioning this, agreed: "Martin Davis starred in three consecutive successful films, and his performance in The Hills Have Eyes has been universally acclaid by the critics."
Leonardo, who had been told about this person by his friend Kate, nodded, "I've t this Martin Davis, not bad at all."
Louise, who had just finalized the investnt, stated emphatically, "Pacific Pictures strongly recomnds Martin Davis."
Scorsese's gaze swept over them, curious about this Martin Davis.
So many people recomnding Martin Davis?
He hadn't seen The Hills Have Eyes, but he had heard the news; it seed headed straight for 100 million US Dollars at the North Arican box office.
As another major investor, Doug from Dyson Films suggested, "I recomnd Matt Damon."
Another Warner Bros. executive said, "I think Matt is more suitable than Martin. His acting has been tested in over a dozen films, has a large fan base, and the Rohan series and two Bourne movies have proven his box office appeal. Another key point is that Damon is from Cambridge, Massachusetts!"
Louise glanced at Scorsese, who still showed no sign of decision.
The main casting decision was in Scorsese's hands. Following the Oscar campaign that ended in failure with The Aviator, he was returning to his forte and wasn't in a hurry to choose.
Being recomnded here implied financial backing from their advocates.
Louise wasn't surprised to see Matt Damon recomnded; even if Damon wasn't part of Scorsese's project, there would be others jostling for the spot.
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