America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Returning to the set, Martin began shooting the major action scenes, which were mostly gunfight sequences.

His long-term shooting practice paid off as he handled several types of handguns with great proficiency, just like a professional marksman.

For the more challenging stunts, Buck and Lewis, the stunt actors, took turns stepping in.

They had worked with Martin on The Hills Have Eyes Crew and had similar builds.

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Action director Chad personally took part, filming knife-fighting and close-quarters combat scenes with Martin.

After a fight scene was finished, Martin had just returned to the rest area when Chris Pratt came over with a towel.

Handing it to Martin, he said, "You're really multitalented, great with guns and knives."

Martin could tell he was being flattered and took the towel to wipe off sweat before asking, "I heard you're pretty good at dancing?"

"Yeah, I might be fat, but I'm a flexible fat guy." Pratt began twisting his big belly and fat buttocks, dancing an unrecognizable bizarre dance.

Martin waved him off, and Pratt quickly stopped.

Mene went over and put an arm around his shoulder, "Buddy, you really give it your all."

Pratt laughed heartily, joking that you have to go all out to stand out.

Martin handed the towel over to Bruce and noticed Chad holding a small puppy and feeding it milk. He approached and asked, "Did you get a new dog?"

Cradling the puppy in one hand and holding a milk bottle in the other, Chad explained, "Found it behind the back wall of the film base. They demolished and rebuilt that area a few days ago, and several stray dogs got in. The dog catchers took away the adult dogs, and this little pup was left behind."

Martin petted the puppy's forehead, "Looks a bit like a German Shepherd."

Chad, seemingly knowledgeable about dogs, said, "Its pedigree probably isn't pure."

Having enjoyed working with a German Shepherd on The Hills Have Eyes, Martin replied, "If you like it, that's what matters."

Chad then offered, "Are you interested? You could adopt it."

"I think I'll pass." Caring for it seemed too much trouble for Martin, who already had his hands full with a revolving battlefield, "I can barely take care of myself, let alone a dog."

Chad, stroking the dog's head, remarked, "Your last movie, you worked well with dogs. When I was designing the action, I considered having a few dogs team up with Wesley for combat, but later thought mice would be more suitable. After all, strapping explosives on dogs to blow up assassins could bring trouble to the film."

"Indeed," Martin acknowledged Chad's concern, "Extremism in people can be terrifying."

Chad agreed, steering the conversation back to earlier, "I've always thought the man-dog partnership in The Hills Have Eyes was a good model. It could be expanded upon to develop action scenes and plotlines."

Martin recognized Chad's expertise and encouraged him, "Once you're done with this film, you should try designing that."

Chad patted the puppy's head, "Maybe by that time, I'll have it join you in combat?"

Martin laughed, "Sure, why not."

Just then, Thomas arrived at the studio, and Martin ended his chat with Chad to return to his chair.

With just Bruce around, Thomas spoke up, "Coca-Cola has an idea for a major signing ceremony, highlighting the concept of the Cola Cult, then advancing to advertising and other promotional activities."

Martin agreed, "Sounds good, but we need to coordinate the timing with the shoot schedule."

Thomas had the production's schedule and assured, "I'll make sure it's coordinated."

Martin added, "I want to review their plan once it's finalized."

Thomas nodded, "No problem, I've already talked it over with them."

Martin asked, "What about the advertisement? What's Coca-Cola thinking?"

"There's a preliminary plan to invite a top director for the shoot," Thomas revealed. "The specific person hasn't been decided, but from the sound of it, they're thinking of a frontline or near-frontline director with a background in advertising."

Martin wasn't surprised; there were plenty of Hollywood big-name directors who cashed in on commercials, like Scorsese for instance.

About fifteen minutes later, under Leterrier's command, the shooting continued.

Martin and Chad sparred amidst the frozen pork, clanging prop knives against each other.

Compared to the slow-paced drama scenes, the action scenes progressed more smoothly.

In the distance, stunt actor Buck, touching his bald head, asked Lewis, "Doesn't Martin seem even better now than when we were shooting in Mexico?"

"He must have built a certain confidence," Lewis reasoned, hand behind his back clutching the handheld game console Martin had given him. "Have you seen the video from Burbank Middle School? In that situation, could you have stayed as calm and done what he did?"

Buck shook his head, "I couldn't, not because I lack guts, but because I'm not as quick as he is."

Lewis, with many years in the industry and broad experience, concluded, "He's faced situations in real life more dangerous than any movie plot. When filming action scenes, that gives him an extra bit of confidence and assurance, making the moves come more naturally to him."

Buck appeared surprised, "You're not very professional, man. While I'm playing video games, you're pondering all these complex issues!"

But Lewis pointed out Chad, "See him? Started as a stunt actor, now he's an action director and assistant director."

Buck understood, "That definitely seems like a career path suited for us."

...

After a day of shooting, Martin had Bruce drive Mene's car, leaving the film base discreetly and taking a round in Atlanta.

Once the bodyguards behind confirmed there were no reporters following, Bruce then drove towards Marietta.

With more and more Hollywood production crews coming to Atlanta to shoot, the paparazzi and freelance journalists also began to thrive in Atlanta.

Upon entering the Clayton Community, Bruce drove the car directly into the backyard, and Martin entered the Carter Family's house through the back door.

As soon as he got inside, he could tell something was off.

Elena, Lily, and Hol, the three siblings, were blocking the entrances to two bedrooms, not allowing anyone to enter.

A woman with big wavy golden-brown hair, wearing hot pants and long boots, a tight T-shirt, and her face done up with exquisite makeup, stood with her arms crossed, cursing at them, "You three idiots, won't admit I'm your mother? If I hadn't spread my legs and worked hard to pop you out, would you even have the chance to stand here?"

Elena had given up on their mother, who was always running off with someone, "I don't care about who dumped you, nor do I want to know which bastard you're going to run off with next. Since you left, don't come back, you're not welcome here!"

Martin remembered this person, the woman Jack had eloped with—Emma-Carter, Scott's wife.

She was very pretty, but even more unreliable than Scott.

Martin came out from the back corridor.

Emma then turned towards him, "Jack's son, huh, you've become a big star!" She swayed her hips and took several steps towards him, "Handsome boy, you liked me a lot in middle school, always sneaking glances at me, now I'll give you a chance to..."

"Shut up!" Elena and Lily almost yelled in unison.

The usually honest Martin had never encountered such a situation before and quickly ran to Elena and Lily's side, where he finally felt a bit safer.

Emma laughed mockingly, "What? Lost your courage? You only need a little money."

Elena strode over, raised her hand halfway, then let it fall, and began pushing Emma towards the exit, "Get lost! Get the hell out of here!"

Emma screamed and hollered but refused to leave.

Martin couldn't do much, but he caught Lily's eye and signaled her.

Lily charged up; she was stronger than Elena, and in a few motions, she had pushed Emma to the doorway.

The front door suddenly opened, and a black man barged in, "Emma, what's happening?"

Hol reached behind the bedroom door for a shotgun and aimed it at the black man, "Who let you in? Get out!"

Martin opened a drawer in the storage unit, and as expected, found a handgun which he kept behind his back.

The black man shouted, "Hey, sweetie, is everyone in your family crazy? Weren't you here to get money for us to buy flour?"

Emma stepped in front of the black man, yelling, "I just wanted to come back and get some money to buy flour, and you're pointing guns at me?"

Bruce, who was in the backyard, heard the commotion and came inside the house.

Martin gestured to him, pressing his hand downward, signaling that the situation was still under control.

Elena picked up her phone, "Leave, or I'll call the Neighborhood Defense Alliance, and they won't be as nice as I am, they'll turn you into a pile of mush."

Emma had heard about the Neighborhood Defense Alliance since her last visit; they had defeated the Black Gang from South City and even left one black man with a battered behind.

"Let's go!" She pulled the black man back, "Don't forget, I own part of this house too!"

As the two of them left, Elena slammed the door shut, hands running through her long hair, "I shouldn't have, I should have let her wander in Hawaii!"

She said this, but as a daughter, what could she do when her own mother was in such a state and begging.

Lily, devoid of her usual liveliness, sat down on the sofa, "What if she comes back again?"

Elena said fiercely, "I'm cutting ties with her."

Martin whispered to Bruce, "Book a triple suite at the Peachtree Hotel."

He quickly sat down next to Elena and gently embraced her, "Pack your things later, and move to the hotel for now."

Lily joined in, "Who would believe it if we tell them? We, a bunch of idiots, are being forced to move out by our own mother!"

Martin tapped her head with a finger, "Do you want to start a war with Emma here?"

Lily opened her mouth to curse but hesitated, realizing that cursing Emma was like cursing herself, and she closed it again.

Martin looked at Elena and suggested again, "Look for a house in a higher-end community these next few days. I know the neighbors here are great, but you can't live here forever. What do we work hard for if not for a better life?"

Lily wanted to say she also wanted to be a saint of the Cola Cult, but Elena's hand was nearby, and she knew the moment she spoke, she would face an unrelenting iron fist.

Having given up any hope for her parents, Elena, for the sake of Lily and Hol, didn't hesitate much before agreeing, "I've saved up some money, the rest you'll have to lend me."

"Hey, you want me to be a ruthless capitalist?" Martin reframed, "Since when does hiring someone work without compensation? Even capitalists with the blackest hearts don't make people pay to work part-time, right?"

Without saying more, Elena got up to pack.

Lily followed, whispering behind her, "Don't worry, I'll pay you back with you."