Martin's Ford drove into the Marietta Business District, and he dialed Bruce's number: "Old Cloth?"
Bruce replied unenthusiastically, "What do you want?"
Martin said, "Co out to eat, Rosario Restaurant, my treat."
Bruce unceremoniously said, "I'll eat you into bankruptcy."
Martin entered the restaurant, found a quiet booth, and after waiting for around ten minutes, Bruce hurried in and sat opposite him.
The two casually ordered so xican-style dishes and talked while eating.
Martin pulled out a check and slid it across: "For you."
Martin simply said, "I made a sum of money at the Freedom Association, you helped with that dirty job, take it."
Bruce, without any pretense, pocketed the check: "Two months ago, I was pressing you for a debt, and now I'm accepting your paynt, doesn't that seem off to you?"
"The difference between a smart person and a civilized person is exactly this, you're just a civilized person, while I am both smart and civilized," Martin said leisurely eating his pepper steak, "I'm no longer thinking about bartending."
Bruce knew Martin had worked at House of Beast only to make money: "That's good, the deeper you're involved, the worse it gets. You stay any longer and who knows, you might really end up joining as a cleaner one day."
He then asked, "What are you planning to do? Beco an actor?"
Martin explained roughly, "A Hollywood crew has co to town, I managed to impress one of the producers, I should be able to land a role, need to do so prep."
Bruce was surprised: "Damn it, you sold out to the producer?"
"Wake up, Old Cloth, that's your thing!" Martin puffed out his chest, righteousness shining through, "I conquered the producer with my talent in the audition! Real talent, get it?"
Bruce felt sothing was off about that statent, but couldn't quite put his finger on it: "Are you that amazing?"
"Let's talk about you, the civilized cleaner." Martin changed the subject, with a tily reminder, "Don't you die on , this pile of dog crap won't be attending your funeral."
Bruce was optimistic: "You said it, crap and more crap last forever. When you beco a big star, I'll be your bodyguard."
Martin agreed: "It's a deal."
After the al, Bruce went to pick up Monica, while Martin headed to a nearby local drama group to share the good news with the leader.
In the office, Jero suppressed his excitent and acted composed and confident: "I haven't even made my move yet, and you've already sealed the deal, Martin, you did well."
With the connection to Robert Patrick in the drama group and given Martin's current level, any tiny opportunity shouldn't be missed: "Leader, you needn't trouble yourself for such a small matter."
Jero thought, all the people in the drama group put together couldn't please him as much as Martin: "In that case, Martin, I formally nominate you to be the deputy leader of the drama group."
The leader didn't ntion anything about compensation, and Martin didn't ask, only saying, "When it's ti for the crew's audition, I'll give you a call."
Jero pulled out a few magazines: "Take these, Variety and Entertainnt Weekly, they have the latest updates on the film and television industry."
Back in the car, Martin took out his phone, ready to call Vincent Lee, but after careful thought, he decided it was better to speak in person.
He and Vincent currently had no conflicts.
Martin called to inquire, then drove to the club, went up to the second floor, and entered Vincent's office.
"Boss, I landed an important role in a Hollywood production," he said, getting straight to the point: "I need a lot of preparation, and won't have ti to co in the evenings."
Vincent tipped his cowboy hat, stared at Martin for a mont, and said, "Just when I was thinking, after getting through these busy days, I'd bump your salary up and officially make you the club's deputy manager."
Seeing he had misunderstood, Martin added, "Boss, it's not about the position or salary. I've always wanted to be an actor, and this opportunity is incredibly rare."
Vincent fell briefly silent, thinking of the way Martin had brought in a booming clientele was nothing more than clinging to the coattails of the Freedom Association and just continuing with that.
With both sides not much interested in a stake, Vincent made a decision, "Martin, the club welcos you back anyti."
Martin left the office to settle this week's salary with the accountant Dana and when he arrived in the lobby, the handso group was practicing dance on the stage.
Having spent many days together, now that he was leaving, he had to say sothing.
After a dance was completed, before Martin could speak, this group of good sons ca running over and Hart shouted, "Ma Zhen, Ma Zhen, oh! That was aweso, do it on the horse!"
He exclaid with excitent, "Daddy Martin, teach us, and our tips will surely explode."
Carrington asked, "Daddy Martin, next ti you do 'Ma Zhen,' can you let us watch and learn up close?"
Martin pushed these two guys away, not joking with them, and said, "I've just resigned."
"Why?" Hart's mind turned quickly, and he glared at Carrington, "It's all your damn fault, Daddy Martin always wanted a daughter, you didn't go get surgery, you've disappointed Daddy Martin!"
Carrington reacted a bit slower, "Weren't you the one getting surgery?"
Another handso guy who had worked as a temp actor asked, "Are you going to beco an actor?"
Martin nodded slightly.
Hart breathed a sigh of relief, "Guys, we can't impede Daddy Martin's march into Sacred Valley, that's hallowed ground!"
He turned to Martin, "You go first, blaze a trail, and rember to take your sons along, we'll have a grand party that's House of Beast ets Sacred Valley."
Martin pointed at these guys, "I shouldn't have wasted my words on you."
After chatting and joking for a while, Martin checked the ti, left the club, and returned to Clayton.
In the surrounding community, the number of black people had noticeably increased.
Spots that previously were occupied by whites selling weed were now completely taken over by old blacks.
Martin parked his car in the backyard and carried the box from the back seat to the Carter family ho.
Just as he entered, he heard Elena's familiar greeting, "Idiot, not going to the club?"
"Not for now," Martin said as he tossed a cup to Elena, "here's a gift for you."
Elena unwrapped it and casually tossed the kettle on the table, "I've used the real thing countless tis, what do I need a fake for? It's neither hard enough nor hot enough."
Martin praised her, "You couldn't be more right!"
He pulled out a chair to sit down and took out two checks, "This is the real gift for you."
Elena looked down, "What do you an, you idiot, you're planning to keep ?"
Martin responded helplessly, "Use that little brain of yours, why would I spend money if I could get it for free?"
Elena's middle finger shot up.
Martin explained, "This is your compensation for the kettle business, one check is your service fee, the other is for that idiot Lily."
Elena snatched them up without any courtesy, "No need to tell Lily, that idiot doesn't need money."
After Martin had dinner, he returned next door, flipped through the character script Louise had given him, and started to study it seriously.
He couldn't skimp on the preparation he needed to do.
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