```
Century City, in the reception room of WMA.
Martin sat on the couch, flipping through the script catalog provided by Thomas.
Diagonally across from him, Ridley Scott was carefully reading through the printed manuscript of "The Martian."
Ali and Thomas, two agents, sat not far off, whispering to each other.
Having scoured the script catalog to no avail, Martin set it aside on the table nearby.
At that mont, Ridley lifted his head, shook his head to ease his neck, and said, "This novel involves too many technical details. Without NASA's involvent and support, adapting it for filming would be difficult."
He asked, "Is the author soone who works or researches in this field?"
Martin responded, "Andy Weir was a programr at a gaming company before he beca a full-ti writer."
This revelation surprised Ridley who nodded and said directly, "I'm really interested in this project. It's my kind of genre, second only to epic films."
Upon hearing the latter part, Martin didn't know what to say.
As expected, science fiction was just a ans to make a living, whereas epic films were the true love!
Ridley continued, "If possible, please wait for . By the end of the year at the latest, I could finish 'Gods of Egypt' and start a new project."
Martin was concerned, considering Ridley was in his seventies, he tentatively asked, "Won't that be a bit too rushed?"
"It won't be," Ridley Scott replied. "One film a year is a common pace for directors of my generation."
Interjecting, Ali said, "Martin, you don't have to worry. Ridley works with utmost efficiency, unlike David Fincher's style."
"Waiting until next year would be no problem," Martin comnted, noticing the old man's graying hair and decided to proceed, "Andy Weir's novel will soon be complete; we could actually start collaborating right now."
Ridley flatly rejected, "I must finish my current project first."
Ali shook his head slightly at Martin.
Ridley's determination and will were unshakeable, "I fell with my epic film, and I will rise again with one!"
From his tone and deanor, Martin sensed a stubborn obsession, as if failure was not an option!
Ali spoke up again, "Martin, aren't you going to shoot 'John Wick: Chapter 2'? By the ti you're free, Ridley will be close to wrapping up here."
"That's fine." These matters were beyond Martin's control, so he stood up and shook hands with Ridley, "Let's agree on this then!"
Ridley grasped his hand firmly, "It's a deal!" He handed the manuscript back to Martin, "There's work to be done with the crew, I'll be going now."
Martin showed him out of the reception room.
Ali and Thomas also erged.
Martin was planning to leave when the door to Ali's office opened, and Natalie Portman walked out with a tall, slender man.
"Hi, Martin," Natalie greeted.
Martin smiled back, "Hello, Nat."
Natalie introduced the man beside her, "This is my boyfriend, Benjamin Millepied."
Martin shook hands with him.
Pointing to the reception room, Ali asked Martin, "Shall we talk inside?"
Martin asked directly, "Is sothing the matter?"
"I have so questions about film that I want to discuss with you," Natalie spoke up.
Considering Ali's role, Martin said, "Let's talk inside."
It seed Benjamin Millepied was not very sociable, and he excused himself, "You guys talk, I need to stop by the Los Angeles Philharmonic."
They all walked back into the reception room one by one.
Thomas closed the door.
"It's a pity I couldn't act opposite you in 'Gone Girl,'" Natalie said with a natural smile, "I was cut in the very last round of auditions."
Martin responded vaguely, "I'm sure there will be an opportunity to work together in the future."
As Ali's top female client, Natalie Portman was important to him, so he interjected, "Nat was heartbroken for missing the miraculous role of Amy, so I managed to secure her the lead role in 'Black Swan,' directed by the maverick of the indie film circle, Darren Aronofsky."
Martin had no ties to the indie film scene and had never heard of the director, but he knew of "Black Swan."
Ali added, "This arthouse film has completed all its production. I've attended a test screening, and it's a masterpiece of art, especially Nat's performance, which deserves a major award."
Martin spread his hands and said, "I've never done an indie film. My only experience with arthouse cinema is 'The Hours,' and I'm severely lacking in that aspect and unfamiliar with its operations."
Picking up on the conversation, Natalie said, "Martin, you've been in the running for an Oscar multiple tis, and just last year you won Best Supporting Actor. You have a lot of experience with awards campaigning. Could you offer any advice?"
Grasping the situation, Martin ignored Natalie's request and instead looked at Ali, "Did you plan this today?"
With a smile, Ali said, "You always have plenty of ideas. Give us a hand, will you?"
Martin then turned to Natalie and told her, "You already have natural advantages—high education, Jewish descent, and a reputation for good acting."
```
Natalie said, "Many tis, these are not the key to winning awards."
Martin certainly understood this; for example, his Best Supporting Actor award was in part due to the excellent portrayal of Joker, but the crucial factor was the Santa Monica Pier incident.
If it hadn't been for the shooting incident during the award season, where Martin saved many people and directly prevented a greater disaster, winning the award would have been very difficult.
During Harvey's incident, Ali's brother at the White House had helped a lot. Now that Ali ca looking for help, Martin felt it was hard to refuse.
Give and take should naturally go both ways.
Martin stared at Natalie for a while and said, "Your boyfriend…"
Natalie misunderstood Martin's intention and imdiately said, "If you need sothing, don't consider him."
"No, Nat, you've got it wrong," Martin searched his mory and asked, "I rember reading in the newspaper that your boyfriend is from the 'Black Swan' crew?"
This ti, Natalie wasn't in a hurry and slowly said, "Yes, we t and fell in love on the set."
Martin nodded and asked Ali, "Haven't you guys co up with a strategy yet?"
Ali said, "First, we go to Venice. It would be best to win the Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, and then there's all the publicity and PR you know about."
He took a sip of water and said, "Now that Harvey has fallen, I expect many will pounce on the Oscar pie. I think Nat needs to prepare so advantages others don't have if she wants to win at this Oscar."
Martin joked, "I can't exactly hire a bunch of Russian spies to co over for Nat to shoot up."
Natalie followed his joke and said, "The one getting shot would only be ."
Martin, recalling so gossip news he had seen, said, "I have an unreliable idea that might be offensive."
Natalie said, "Just speak your mind."
Martin nodded slightly and asked, "Do you plan to have children?"
Natalie was stunned for a mont, but she was a very smart girl with many ideas, and she gradually grasped Martin's implication, "You an..."
Anyway, since he didn't say it, Natalie could probably think of it soon, so Martin simply said, "Have a child, show the pregnancy during the critical ti of the Oscar campaign. During the pregnancy, appear more in the dia with your photo shoots, without saying much, you'll naturally receive so preferential treatnt."
According to the gossip news he saw in his previous life, Natalie aid for the Best Actress Oscar twice and was pregnant during both award seasons - too much of a "coincidence."
However, it worked the first ti, but the effect was diocre the second ti.
Ali, the golden bachelor, snapped out of it and shouted at Martin, "You're a damn genius! The Academy and the Oscars should give you a special contribution award!"
Martin smiled and said, "I don't need a special contribution award, Ali, just give one of your properties."
Thomas chid in, "Ali's properties are all over the world!"
Knowing that these two bastards were joking, Ali clutched his chest and said, "You're plotting a murder, you want my life!"
Natalie sat on the couch, maintaining a ladylike smile, but her mind whirled with Martin's suggestion, the more she thought about it, the more feasible it seed.
Society everywhere grants special treatnt to pregnant won, and it was no different within the Academy.
When she would show the pregnancy, announcing her engagent to Benjamin Millepied would also attract dia and public attention, possibly even saving a lot of money on paid appearances.
Natalie wasn't like Martin; she didn't have many sponsors behind her, nor did she have the strong support of large corporations like Coca-Cola.
At that mont, Ali ca to Natalie's side, sat down on the sofa, and said, "I think it's doable, highly feasible, and it gives an advantage like cheating!"
Martin didn't say more, as these PR ideas could inspire Ali and the others, but when it ca to planning and actual execution, he knew they weren't as good as those professionals.
Natalie took less than half a minute to consider before nodding and saying, "I agree. You make the plan, Ali."
Ali pointed outside and asked, "Your boyfriend?"
Natalie said, "Benjamin loves very much. There will be no problem. When the ti cos, I will get engaged to him, and the pregnancy won't beco a scandal."
Ali said, "Leave the rest to . This ti I'll provide you with the best PR team!"
Martin stood up, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. The crew has to head to Europe for promotions tomorrow, and I need to get ready."
Ali ca over and bumped fists with him, saying, "Buddy, if you hadn't beco an actor, you'd have been a top agent or PR manager in the industry!"
Martin said, "With my education, I wouldn't even be able to get through the door of your company."
The lowest degree at WMA was a bachelor's from a prestigious university.
Natalie stood up to see Martin off, ca over, and said, "Regardless of success or failure, I owe you one. Whenever you need , just call."
Martin smiled, "Nat, you don't have to be so formal."
After leaving WMA, Bruce, who had been silent the whole ti, got in the car and asked, "Are you very interested in Natalie Portman?"
"What a joke, I have no interest in her," Martin fastened his seatbelt and replied. "I did it for Ali's sake."
Bruce started the car, "I believe you're not interested in her now."
Martin was puzzled, "What do you an by that"
Bruce said, "Wait until she gets engaged to her boyfriend, then you'll be interested!"
Martin reached for his gun, furious, "Old Cloth, I'm going to shut that filthy mouth of yours in the most civilized way!"
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