Poor people shouldn't play with art

Chapter 73 Poor people shouldn't play with art

The crisp sound of gunfire rang out continuously, spent cartridges fell around Martin, the Glock magazine was emptied, and the electronic target counter announced the score.

Bruce glanced at it, gestured for Martin to remove his earplugs, and said, "Not bad!"

Martin changed the magazine: "I shot that old black guy so hard his butt was ripped open last time, my marksmanship has improved a lot."

Bruce analyzed: "Having a successful practical experience boosted his confidence."

He picked up an AR and led Martin to a different target position: "Try this, the most common rifle in the United States, very different from pistols and shotguns."

Martin examined the firearm; it was clearly semi-automatic. He asked, "I heard it's easy to convert to fully automatic?"

Bruce nodded: "Just add a bump stock, you don't need to worry about that, semi-automatic is enough for you."

Following Bruce's instructions, Martin fired a whole magazine and felt that a shotgun was more suitable for home self-defense.

But he still studied very hard, which should be considered a basic skill for Hollywood male stars?

The two men each fired two more magazines and returned to their rest area.

There's no need to play until your shoulders ache.

Martin ordered two coffees, and Bruce asked, "Are you really planning to go to Los Angeles?"

"I'll leave after I finish with the zombie dancers, probably after the Savannah Film Festival." Martin asked, "You and Monica haven't made up?"

Bruce said, "It's all over. She thinks I'm a pervert."

Martin said, "You didn't tell her that you only licked the photo, didn't soak it in water and drink it, so it's not too perverted."

Bruce shrugged: "She came to me wanting to get back together, and just then I ran into her soaking the photos in water."

Martin sincerely admired him: "Even I, a pervert, think you're a pervert!" He brought up an old saying: "Old Brooks, once I make it in Hollywood, I'll definitely hire you as my cleaner. Perverts are a perfect match."

Bruce's words cut through the pretense and got straight to the point: "You piece of stinking shit, you love using low-level tricks to do rotten things, and you expect me to clean up your mess?"

Martin gestured casually: "Even if I were to live ten lifetimes, I'd still be a lowly nobody. What do I know about high-level techniques!"

His phone rang at that moment; it was Kelly calling. After he answered, she said, "I'm at the company. Come with me to Savannah, and we can talk about something alone."

Martin finished his coffee. "I have to go now."

Bruce suddenly said, "Just one more thing, your current shitty accent is really awful."

Martin didn't care. He drove off in his BMW, picked up Kelly at Gray Company, got on Highway 85, and headed straight for the port city of Savannah to the east.

Kelly said, "Have you seen the latest Esquire magazine? Renowned bartender Louise Mayer had a burst of inspiration in Casablanca and created a brand new cocktail, the Inflatable Screw."

Martin asked, recalling the events, "Has it been over a month since the last time?"

Kelly didn't answer, but instead said, "Louise is greedy; you'll be drained dry by her sooner or later."

Martin nodded. "One formula a month, that should last at least five years." He then asked, "What are we going to Savannah for?"

Kelly simply said, "I'm going to the Savannah College of the Arts to submit the film to the film festival, and I'll stay in Savannah for one night."

Upon arriving in Savannah, the two first had lunch, and then went to the Savannah College of Art and Design together.

This is Georgia's largest arts college, with many departments related to film and television.

The film festival is held in October. "Zombie Dancer" applied for the screening environment, which is more accurately described as taking advantage of the film festival to attract distributors and sell the film.

Because the film is not yet completed, it does not meet the registration requirements according to normal regulations.

Kelly, however, used her connections to visit a vice dean and obtained a special entry permit.

That's why she came in person.

Martin then went through various formalities, including registration fees, booth fees, and pre-paid screening fees, which added up to several thousand dollars.

Back in the car, they met up with Kelly, who asked, "How are you feeling?"

Martin got into the driver's seat: "I'm deeply moved. Poor people shouldn't dabble in art."

Kelly chuckled: "We're learning from the models of the three major European film festivals."

Martin, the film's lead actor, whose future is closely tied to theatrical release, asked, "Have you contacted the distributor?"

Kelly gestured for him to drive: "I used to work at Lionsgate and I've got connections with Lionsgate's buyers. Louise helped me get in touch with Focus Features, which is part of Universal, and Warner Bros., which she works with the most. There will also be overseas film distributors coming over. I expect there will be more than a dozen film buyers."

Martin said, "I look forward to its release in North America soon."

"You think you have the guts to go to Los Angeles?" Kelly smiled peculiarly. "To find that slut Louise?"

Martin emphasized, "I'm in Georgia, with you, you womanizer."

Upon arriving at the hotel, Kelly went straight to the bathroom to run a bath.

The two went into the bathroom together.

Kelly, soaking in the water and lying on Martin, suddenly said, "When you go to Los Angeles, do me a favor."

"Taking pictures of Louise secretly?" Martin asked curiously.

"Why would I secretly take pictures of her? Haven't I seen enough of her in person?" Kelly said, unusually serious. "If you find out which Hollywood film crew might be shooting in Georgia, notify me immediately."

Martin understood: "I'll keep an eye on it. It seems like no one in Atlanta, besides Gray Pictures, is doing this kind of business."

Kelly nodded slightly: "People will notice soon, and I need to seize the initiative."

When Martin is alone with Kelly, he's always sitting on Kelly's side: "Don't let Louise get away with this."

Kelly said, "She can get Hollywood production teams to work with me, and I'll give her a commission."

"And me?" Martin asked. "Don't I get a commission?"

Kelly understood this poor guy's thoughts: "You have them too. Martin, don't miss out on opportunities to make money. If you can bring in a big-budget production with an investment of hundreds of millions, I'll reward you handsomely."

Martin seized the opportunity to ask, "What will you reward me with?"

Kelly raised an eyebrow: "What do you want?"

Martin didn't specify what he wanted, but instead brought up another topic: "Would the Saint Valley film crew be okay too?"

Kelly said, "As long as it's a legal production, the genre doesn't matter. The important thing is to make money. You can only move up if you have money."

Martin reached out and took Kelly's hand: "I've discovered that we have a very good understanding."

"No, it's Louise who's on the same page with you." Kelly broke free; she was too ashamed to say it aloud.

Martin pressed, "What?"

"I was influenced by my surroundings!" Kelly retorted angrily. "Doing something out of line under the atmosphere you and Louise deliberately created doesn't prove anything!"

She raised her voice: "I'm not what you see!"

Martin turned around: "I believe you."

Kelly fell into the water, and soon she began to doubt herself.

The two stayed in Savannah for three days, waiting for all the formalities to be completed by the film festival organizing committee before returning to Atlanta.

(End of this chapter)