Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm Chapter 788 - 773: A Relationship That Can Advance or Retrea

The Los Angeles Entertainnt Tis: "After Martin yers publicly confird at Paris International Airport that Nicole Kidman is pregnant with his child, his mother, Lynda yers, was spotted yesterday at lbourne International Airport, clearly en route to visit the expectant mother of her grandchild…"

…

"Martin, thank you for your help. Without you, we wouldn't have caught those two trying to assassinate so quickly," Obama said over the phone. The closer he got to the presidency, the more he valued Martin's vast network.

In this case, Martin had tipped off the FBI, prompting swift police action to neutralize the threat. Without his nudge, the FBI might not have inford Obama, preferring to monitor the white supremacist group covertly, even planning to infiltrate it.

The more Martin flexed his influence, the more Obama saw him as an invaluable ally. If only he'd join my administration, Obama thought, he'd be a ga-changer. But Martin preferred their current dynamic—close enough to influence, flexible enough to step back if Obama's economic policies faltered.

"No need to thank . We're friends, right?" Martin said.

"Absolutely," Obama replied.

"So, Barack, about the Guinea resource aid plan?"

"Relax, once I'm sworn in, I'll push it in Congress. But I can't guarantee passage."

"It'll pass. Trading U.S. industrial resources for Guinea's mineral wealth is a win for Arica. With factories shuttered and CNC machines idle, plus unemployed workers causing trouble, sending them to Guinea to earn foreign currency eases dostic pressure and stabilizes society. I trust you'll convince the majority."

Obama mulled Martin's words, seeing their logic. He knew Martin had skin in the ga—his companies controlled much of West Africa's minerals, so the deal would line his pockets. But Obama didn't know Martin's ambitions stretched far beyond re profit.

He didn't mind Martin's self-interest. Every donor had an agenda—political contributions always ca with strings. If he didn't deliver, future funding would dry up.

"I'll do my best, Martin, you can count on that. But you know I can't make promises," Obama said.

"Haha, I get it. Politics is full of surprises. Just do what you can, Barack. If you hit a wall, let know—I'll try persuading them," Martin replied, already planning. If Obama's diplomacy worked, he'd save his charm; if not, he'd deploy his own thods.

From Obama's tone, Martin sensed confidence, though, as a politician, he'd never say "definitely"—always leaving wiggle room.

…

The Inception crew returned to Los Angeles for studio filming.

"Alright, guys, shooting resus. Leo, this explosion scene will be practical, not CGI. Want a stunt double?" Martin asked.

"Is it dangerous?" Leonardo replied.

"Nope. The explosives are tightly controlled—just enough to shred paper props. You'll be at a safe distance behind bulletproof glass."

"Cool, I'll do it."

"Great!"

...

Agence France-Presse: "With the U.S. presidential election concluded, preparations are underway for President-elect Barack Obama's January 20 inauguration and related celebrations. Organizers plan to set up nearly 30,000 seats west of the Capitol. Senior U.S. military officials, foreign diplomatic delegations, and world leaders will attend. The public can request entry tickets through their local congressional representatives. Carol Frommann, a staffer for the Congressional Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, said, 'For security reasons, we cannot disclose the color or design of the tickets…'"

The Washington Post: "Last month, two white supremacists, Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman, were arrested for plotting to assassinate President-elect Barack Obama. On the 5th, a federal grand jury formally indicted them. Their hearing began on the 6th in a mphis, Tennessee courthouse. On December 22, police in Tennessee arrested the 20-year-old Cowart and 18-year-old Schlesselman, charging them with illegal firearm possession, conspiring to rob a gun store, and threatening a presidential candidate. ATF agent Cabaniss in Nashville said the pair planned to kill 88 Black individuals, behead 14 others, and assassinate Obama as their final act. Their poorly planned sche collapsed, leading to their arrest and first court appearance on December 27…"

The New York Tis: "After the celebratory night in Chicago's Hyde Park, Obama must now prepare to embody the role of Arica's first Black president. His African heritage lends symbolic weight to his family's White House tenure. Five days later, Michelle Obama spoke by phone with First Lady Laura Bush, who warmly invited her and their daughters to visit the White House soon, signaling the start of the Obamas' four-year residency. As the first African-Arican president, Obama and his family represent progress in racial equality. Friends say they're aware their every move—speech, actions, attire, their daughters' schools, even their choice of pet—carries symbolic weight…"