Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm Chapter 827 - 808: On the Path to Darkness

With Martin, Caron Diaz, and Joaquin Phoenix hitting the promotional circuit, Joker swept through Europe's box office like a wildfire.

The film shattered records for R-rated movie premieres across Europe. In France, it grossed $13.3 million from 630 theaters during its opening weekend, and in Germany, it grossed $10.3 million from 912 theaters.

Beyond Europe, Joker entered its second week in North Arica and simultaneously launched in 80 countries worldwide, amassing a staggering $123.7 million globally.

On the international box office charts, the UK led with $37.1 million, followed by xico at $29.9 million, South Korea at $28.51 million, Russia at $21.4 million, and Brazil at $19 million.

By the second week of its global release, Joker's box office drop was a modest 29% compared to its opening weekend, pushing its international total to $351.2 million after just 12 days. By day 14, the film's worldwide gross hit $743.9 million.

This performance outshone the original tiline's Joker, and Martin believed it was because the script perfectly captured the current social climate. His own performance, infused with a certain charisma or magic, gave audiences an overwhelming sense of imrsion.

After two weeks of promotional tours, the Joker cast and crew flew back to Los Angeles on a chartered plane. Martin, however, stayed in London.

Part of the reason was to catch up with so of London's "collectors" for a good chat. The other was to wait for Obama's arrival.

In June, U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prince Charles, British Pri Minister Brown, Canadian Pri Minister Harper, and French President Sarkozy gathered in Colleville, France, for the 65th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Martin, the sole representative from the business and arts sectors, stood beside Obama.

The ceremony was broadcast live across multiple networks.

In a cetery holding nearly ten thousand Allied soldiers who died in the Normandy landings and subsequent battles, rows of white crosses stood starkly against the green lawn, blending with the blue ocean in the distance. The flags of France, the U.S., the UK, and Canada fluttered gently in the breeze.

At 3 p.m., the ceremony began in a solemn atmosphere. A military band played the national anthems of France, the U.S., the UK, and Canada as the leaders stood in a line, their expressions grave.

Among the honored guests, so veterans wept openly, others sang their national anthems.

Over 200 Normandy veterans drew every eye. The youngest among them were well into their eighties, each dressed in distinct military uniforms adorned with dals of honor. So, too frail to walk, attended in wheelchairs, accompanied by family.

Sarkozy spoke, recalling the perilous conditions of the Allied landings and praising the young soldiers' courage and sacrifices for France's liberation.

"In the na of France," he said, expressing gratitude to the U.S. and other nations for their aid. "You helped us achieve freedom, and France will never forget."

In the future, the U.S. and France would clash fiercely over interests in Niger—a spectacular war of words.

The French: The Aricans betrayed us, chasing their own interests and tossing their allies' aside.

The Aricans: The French are small-minded, accusing us of theft when we're clearly here to help. That's just too much.

The French: Pfft, you think we're idiots?

Back then, no one would care about "friendship."

In his speech, Obama noted that the Normandy landings 65 years ago altered the course of 20th-century history. He said the campaign, fought on a 9-by-3-kiloter beach, had profound consequences. "Had the Allies failed, Hitler's reign might have continued unchecked."

Sarkozy concluded by awarding dals of honor to four Normandy veterans.

Throughout the ceremony, Martin played the part of a prop, standing by Obama's side.

Not far off, Prince Charles kept shooting him venomous glares.

Obama, puzzled, whispered, "Why does the Prince look like he hates you?"

Martin chuckled. "If you'd also said publicly that Prince Charles abandoning Diana was a foolish move, he'd hate you too."

Obama blinked, then recalled Martin's rumored ties to Diana. No wonder Charles loathed him—it was only natural.

Later, Martin and Obama quietly discussed relocating Guinean immigrants to France.

Yes, Martin thought there were too many Guineans and wanted to "gift" so to his "good friend" France.

Obama said, "At the four-nation summit later, I'll bring it up. But I doubt Sarkozy will agree. Even if he does, the French National Assembly and Senate won't pass it."

Martin smiled. "Actually, we just need to convince Sarkozy. The French president wields significant power. Plus, doesn't France always need more people? Guinea's official language is French, so there'd be no language barrier."

So, why would France want large numbers of Black Guineans immigrants?

The reasons were simple.

First, native white French people were increasingly lazy, shunning work and frequently striking. They'd start work at 11 a.m., leave by 4 p.m., and take two-hour lunch breaks for tea. Black immigrants, by contrast, were hardworking and demanded lower wages. (The irony—Black people, often stereotyped as lazy, outworked the French!)

Second, white French n, in particular, were reluctant to have children, burdened by bizarre policies (you can look them up—paternity tests, infidelity laws, post-divorce alimony, etc.). French n saw kids as liabilities, refusing to procreate or even marry. To counter negative population growth, France turned to Black immigrants, who were more willing to have children.

But the French didn't see what was coming. For now, they enjoyed the cheap labor and population boost from Black immigrants. The consequences, however, lood.

While Black immigrants increased France's birth rate, their generally low education and lack of ambition posed challenges.

Once their basic needs were t, their "lazy genes" kicked in. Their work efficiency began to mirror that of native white French people—or even worse.

Paris streets saw growing numbers of loitering Black immigrants, intimidating tourists. Black neighborhoods beca hotspots for theft and robbery.

Violent cri surged.

Of Paris's newborns, 60% were Black, and France's cultural identity was eroding.

France, once proud of its culture, ant little to these immigrants.

Racial tensions worsened. Paris, once the cultural capital, was slowly being overtaken by Black communities.

Many French people recognized the problem's severity but found it nearly impossible to address.

They were shackled by "political correctness." Though many white French were frustrated, they dared not voice their thoughts publicly.

A single accusation of racism could unleash a dia firestorm.

And so, France was on a one-way path to "darkening."

Martin didn't mind giving them a little push.