In the recently constructed apartment building, Martin followed the landlord, Antonio, up to the second floor.
As they ascended the stairs, Antonio suddenly inquired, "Are you an actor?"
Martin, slightly surprised, didn't deny it and replied, "You've got a good eye."
"People with your accent are usually aspiring actors," puffed Antonio, who was quite heavyset and was panting as they climbed. "Don't be surprised; I've seen plenty of them. Most of the residents in this building are actors."
Martin was intrigued and asked, "Have any stars lived here?"
Antonio chuckled, "Celebrities? Well, let's put it this way, those who move out of my apartments and manage to make it big in time are the lucky ones. The ones with average luck end up as high-end escorts, and the unlucky ones might find themselves working the streets downtown or even becoming homeless in some alley."
Martin thought for a moment and then inquired, "And what about those with the best luck?"
As they reached the third floor and entered the corridor, Antonio replied, "A couple of them headed north to the valley. I heard they're making tens of thousands a week, so they're living the dream and pursuing acting. The same goes for the previous tenant; she made it in acting and left for the valley."
Martin inspected the apartment again, finding it in the same condition as during his earlier visit. The two-bedroom apartment was fully furnished with appliances, clean floors, and a well-maintained table. It was move-in ready.
Antonio added, "So, what do you think? It's a bit pricey for what it is, but from here, you can reach any Burbank studio in 15 minutes, LAX in 25 minutes, and there are plenty of restaurants, bars, theaters, and art districts nearby, not to mention supermarkets."
He pointed to a parking lot diagonally across the street and continued, "For long-term parking, that lot over there charges $60 a week, and it's quite convenient."
Martin casually remarked, "I liked it the moment I saw it."
Antonio cautioned, "You can have overnight guests, one or two is fine as long as it doesn't disturb the neighbors, but no parties here. I'd call the police and have you evicted."
Martin agreed, "No problem. Let's sign the lease agreement."
After signing the rental agreement and paying six months' rent upfront, Martin went downstairs to retrieve his luggage.
Due to limited parking, he drove to the nearby parking lot to purchase a weekly parking pass.
The cost of living in Los Angeles was higher than in Atlanta, but Martin returned to the apartment building with his suitcase and computer bag.
As he ascended the stairs, a middle-aged man followed him. The harsh lighting revealed the man's face, which looked rough, oily, and scarred, akin to an ignited oil field in Iraq.
Upon reaching the second floor and entering the corridor, the scarred man continued to follow Martin.
Martin clutched the strap of his computer bag and headed toward his apartment, keeping an eye on the scarred man.
The scarred man, however, veered diagonally across the corridor and knocked on a door, saying, "Jessica, open the door! I know you're in there, don't hide from me."
The door opened, revealing a blond woman who stated, "Jessica moved out a while ago. She doesn't live here anymore."
The scarred man persisted, but Martin entered his apartment, closed the door, and the noise from outside diminished.
He unpacked his belongings, tidied up, and had a sense that something was missing.
Suddenly, Martin realized that he wasn't accustomed to doing household chores without Elena's help.
He checked the time, calculated the time difference, and called Elena's mobile phone. She answered, sounding weary, and said, "I've rented a place and settled in. How's everything going over there?"
Elena's voice held fatigue as she replied, "Everything's fine. Emma is back, and Scott had an argument with her this morning." She didn't delve into family issues and instead mentioned, "I asked Emma carefully, and it seems Jack might have gone to Australia or New Zealand."
Martin was unconcerned about Jack's whereabouts, stating, "It's probably best if he doesn't come back."
Elena mentioned, "Atlanta hosts numerous Christmas events, including a sommelier competition I plan to participate in."
Martin wished her success, saying, "I hope you win the championship."
After a brief conversation, they hung up, and Martin searched for his bag containing important documents. Among them, he had recorded crucial addresses and contact information in a hardcover book.
Louise Meyer remained in Morocco and wasn't expected to return to Los Angeles until Christmas at the earliest. Martin planned to maintain regular phone conversations with her, discussing life and cocktails.
Kate Winslet resided in London and was temporarily unavailable.
Martin also intended to visit Robert Patrick at an opportune time, as well as Michel Gondry and Blanco.
Then there was the agency recommended by Louise Meyer, William Morris (WMA).
Moving to Los Angeles meant adhering to the California Talent Act's provisions, at least for now. For actors and directors, obtaining jobs required the involvement of agents.
During their previous phone call, Louise had already recommended Martin's information to William Morris.
Of course, as a young actor, Martin didn't expect to secure high-end contracts and resources through this agency.
Finding an agent was essential, as it could simplify many aspects of his career, particularly since he was new to the country.
Martin retrieved Louise's provided phone number, called her, introduced himself, and scheduled an afternoon meeting.
William Morris was located in Beverly Hills Century City. Martin had lunch, changed into formal attire, and arrived at the agency's premises.
After providing his name at the front desk, he was escorted inside the bustling open office space.
Within the partitioned office areas, suited individuals were engrossed in work, rarely disconnecting from their phones.
The front desk directed Martin to the farthest partition within the hall, where a man in a gray suit, likely younger than thirty, was seated.
Upon noticing the pair, he gestured for them to wait.
The man spoke hurriedly into the phone, hung up with a slam, and muttered, "Damn it!"
"Thomas, I'm here for you," the receptionist had announced before leaving.
"Who are you?" Thomas Lane inquired.
"I'm Martin Davis," he replied simply. "I called this morning, and they asked me to meet with you."
Thomas considered for a moment and then said, "The young actor assigned to me."
Similar to an examiner, he swiveled his chair to face Martin, arms folded. "Tell me, where did you study acting, what roles have you played, and which agency recommended you?"
Martin began revealing his background.
However, Thomas interrupted, saying, "Don't bother showing me the irrelevant details; you need to develop a time-saving mindset."
Martin replied truthfully, "I worked as an extra at sixteen, learning acting from various mentors. Most recently, I starred in a B-level movie called 'Zombie Stripper.'"
Thomas furrowed his brow slightly, clearly disappointed with Martin's meager resume.
At that moment, Thomas received a text message on his phone, which he quickly checked.
Martin continued, "My recommendation comes from Ms. Louise Meyer."
Thomas suddenly perked up. "Louise Meyer? From Pacific Pictures?"
Martin nodded. "That's right."
Thomas tossed his phone back on the desk, pointed to a swivel chair next to him, and said, "Have a seat; let's talk." Martin complied, handing over his personal information.
Thomas scrutinized the information, feeling that Martin appeared inconspicuous compared to his own powerful presence. Martin's background as a background actor and a recent supporting role didn't stand out much.
Nevertheless, Thomas realized the significance of Martin being the lead in a theatrical film. It was a noteworthy achievement for a young actor.
After a brief pause, Thomas swiftly typed on his keyboard, revealing information about "Zombie Stripper." The film had grossed millions at the North American box office, with the male lead played by Martin Davis, bearing a striking resemblance to the man sitting across from him.
Thomas found it interesting that a potential client was now sitting before him.
He said, "You've just arrived, and you're not familiar with the industry here. Let me give you an overview of how things work, starting with agency contracts."
Thomas provided a detailed explanation, saying, "WMA follows industry standards, charging a 10% commission. For newcomers, the initial contract is for one year, followed by three years..."
Although Martin was already aware of these details, he listened attentively as Thomas explained.
One of the significant advantages of a Hollywood agency contract was the absence of a sales contract.
The dynamics between actors, agents, and agencies could be intricate and depended on the power dynamics within the industry.
Thomas remarked, "Let me help you navigate the industry, especially since you're new here."
After gaining enough knowledge, Martin called Louise once more and proceeded to sign a one-year agency contract with William Morris.