In Sherman Oaks, a satellite city of Los Angeles, Martin pulled into the courtyard of a standalone villa nestled on the southern hillside. His car glided over the lush lawn before coming to a stop beside the villa with its striking red roof and white walls. Retrieving a gift from the passenger seat, Martin stepped out of the vehicle.
Louise, elegantly dressed in a suspender skirt and silk shawl, hurried to greet him. Even before she drew near, she inquired, "Where's that Italian cannelloni recipe of mine?"
Martin presented a gift box and teased, "You, the alcohol enthusiast, need to learn some patience."
Unperturbed, Louise accepted the box, opening it to reveal a bottle of wine. Her disappointment was clear as she noted, "Wine?"
Martin chuckled, "Give it a try. Each has its unique charm."
Together, they entered the villa, where a 40-year-old white woman named Mary stood at the entrance.
Louise introduced Martin briefly, "This is Mary, my housekeeper. Martin, she'll provide you with a house key, so feel free to come by anytime."
Passing through the front hall and into the villa's living room, Martin noticed an impressive bar. A glass wine cabinet adorned the wall behind the bar, showcasing a vast collection of wines. Most striking of all was a crystal glass display cabinet, which held several copper plate certificates.
These certificates designated Louise as the creator of three new cocktails—Penicillin, Screwball, and Romantic Halo—certified by the International Bartenders Association.
Louise playfully warned Martin, "Don't even think about it. Whatever you bring to the table is mine."
Taking a seat on a high stool at the bar, Martin responded, "I'm not objecting. What's yours is yours."
Mary, having handed over the key, quietly left the villa and retreated to the adjacent building.
Louise, removing her shawl and draping it over the sofa, settled across from Martin. She was eager to address a lingering issue, "I haven't forgotten about you. Why did you call my cell when you're with Kelly? Do you have any idea how uncomfortable that was for me?"
Martin pointed out the root of the problem, "Why didn't you just hang up?"
Unable to provide a satisfying answer, Louise, who was known for her love of alcohol and occasional eccentricities, pulled out her phone and dialed Kelly's number. Once connected, she switched to speakerphone mode and declared, "If you dare to hang up, I won't consider you a friend anymore!"
Martin, now mixing drinks, joined the conversation, "Kelly, it's been a while. I was suddenly reminded of a saying: 'Life is a mess; at least keep your posture good!'"
Kelly's voice crackled through the phone, "Martin Davis, Louise Meyer, you two are incorrigible!"
After a prolonged exchange, Louise's phone battery finally drained, causing the call to disconnect. With their unique issue resolved, they could now converse more peacefully.
Martin produced a pen and paper, jotting down two notes. He then handed one to Louise, saying, "This is the recipe for Italian Cannoli. It's an improved version of the French 75; the flavor is quite discerning."
Louise lazily considered the note while reclining at the bar. Taking the slip with her fingers, she nonchalantly stashed it in a nearby drawer. Afterward, she hopped down, donned her suspender skirt, and rested her arm on Martin's back. Leaning across the bar counter, she inquired, "How's life in Los Angeles?"
Martin smiled and played along, "Apart from missing you, everything is just fine."
Louise knew he was humoring her but listened attentively, asking, "You've got that Hollywood accent down, I see. How's your acting career going?"
In his best Hollywood accent, Martin replied, "I've been taking classes and practicing diligently. I've improved quite a bit. What do you think? Do I sound like a big star?"
Louise, with a sly grin, responded, "Being a star is easy. Becoming a master bartender, on the other hand, is the real challenge."
Martin used his left hand to support Louise's reclining form and with his right hand, tore off a second note. He then explained, "This one's called a Rocket. It requires some effort to source the ingredients. I suspect you'll need to visit a specialized supermarket for them."
Louise commented with a smirk, "Why do your cocktail names always evoke something else?"
She straightened up, exited the bar area, and donned a pair of black-rimmed glasses, shedding her intoxicated demeanor. Retrieving a file folder from a cabinet, she handed it to Martin, saying, "Take a look at this."
Martin noticed the folder bore the Warner Bros. logo and opened it to find a script and proposal inside.
With a chuckle, Louise admitted, "It seems I've forgotten my own work in the midst of all the drinking. I'm back for a vacation, but I've got a new project in the works—Warner Bros. is launching it, and my Pacific Pictures is gearing up to participate."
The script, known only by the code name "House," was quickly skimmed by Martin. It was a typical American horror story centered around a young man on a mysterious journey.
The story primarily unfolds within the eerie setting of an abandoned town's wax museum.
Louise explained, "Warner Bros. is planning a remake of 'House of Wax,' and the Hilton family is investing in it." She then shifted to a more playful tone, asking, "Have you seen her audition tape? How do you think her acting is?"
Martin, having watched the tape, replied, "It seems to her eyes and breasts aren't proportionate."
Louise expressed curiosity, saying, "Let me take a look when I have some time. We can watch it together."
As Martin continued to peruse the script, he inquired, "There are two important male roles."
Louise provided some project details, saying, "The film has a $40 million budget, and you're well-qualified with your $7 million North American box office from 'Zombie Stripper.'"
Martin closed the script, saying, "The key is having you..."
Louise reminded him, "Pacific Pictures is the fourth investor after Warner Bros., Fox, and Lottery. I've been busy with a large-scale epic in Morocco and won't have the energy to oversee this crew when I return. If you want the role, you'll have to give it your all."
She tempered his expectations, adding, "I can't guarantee you'll get the role, but you'll be a strong contender."
Martin, holding the script, asked, "Should I discuss this with my agent?"
Louise agreed, saying, "Sure."
Martin recalled her earlier statement, "You invested in an epic masterpiece with Warner Bros.?"
Louise clarified, "I'm backing a film about Alexander the Great, not the one you're thinking of with Brad Pitt and Troy."
Martin, eager to know more, asked, "Has all the funding been secured?"
Louise confirmed, "Yes," and poured wine for both of them. "So, I'm heading to the crew's screening."
Martin was at a loss for words, realizing he had few qualifications.
Louise raised her glass, proposing, "Let's take a shower first, and then we'll watch the Hilton family's auditions."
Martin embraced her and quipped, "Do you have a copy of the tape?"
Louise hung onto Martin, replying, "I've had it for a while, but I haven't watched it yet." Shortly after, they watched the special screening in Louise's private theater.
Louise borrowed Martin's phone to call Kelly.
Kelly's voice came through excitedly, "If you two lovebirds want to chat, make it quick!"
Martin connected his phone to the call.
In the evening, Louise departed in a Bentley for dinner with her family in Brentwood.
Meanwhile, Martin clutched the script and headed to Century City. Securing this crucial role would require the expertise of an agent.
Even in the darkness, Martin trusted that Thomas, his agent, would be a highly professional choice for such matters.
Martin decided to call Thomas during his journey.
In a high-end Century City restaurant, Thomas displayed chivalry as he helped his girlfriend into her seat before taking his place across from her.
He had prearranged the reservation and offered a heartfelt apology, saying, "Amanda..."
Amanda glanced at the night view outside the window and whispered, "I'll give you a chance to explain."
Thomas loosened his tie and chuckled.
The waiter presented the menu, and Thomas suggested that Amanda make the selections. Just as they finalized their choices, Thomas' phone abruptly rang.
Amanda's expression soured.
Thomas, with a hint of frustration, silenced the call.
However, within seconds, the phone rang again, displaying the name "Martin Davis."
Thomas reasoned, "This might be an emergency." He quickly assured Amanda, "I just need to ask one thing."
Amanda, not unreasonable, nodded slightly.
Thomas answered the call, suppressing the mounting tension within him. "What's the matter?" he inquired.
Martin, a straightforward individual, wasted no time. He stated, "We have a crucial matter to discuss. The lead role in a $40 million project, jointly produced by Warner Bros. and Fox, with Pacific Pictures on board. Louise Meyer fought for my shot at it."
He emphasized, "I just received the script from Louise, Thomas, and we've got the upper hand!"
Thomas immediately grasped the significance of this opportunity for both Martin and himself. Without hesitation, he said, "Where are you? Let's meet..."
Suddenly, reality hit him.
Tonight wasn't supposed to go like this. He had intended to apologize to Amanda before heading to the hotel.
Thomas muffled the phone and told Amanda, "Amanda, please let me explain..."
Amanda, on the other side of the table, donned her coat and, in the midst of this upscale restaurant, gave Thomas a defiant gesture. "We're through," she declared, and swiftly departed.
Thomas stared at his phone, then at the departing Amanda, torn between his love life and career.
Martin's voice echoed from the phone, "A $40 million production, the lead role—it's an opportunity we can't afford to miss!"
In his heart, Thomas cursed Martin a thousand times over. If only he could make someone explode with his thoughts, Martin would have been gone in an instant.
Love versus career, personal happiness versus professional success, what choice should one make?
Thomas remained in turmoil, and Martin's voice resounded once more, "Where are you? I'll come to you."
A man who had been molded by an old entertainment agency faced a difficult decision. Thomas struck the sofa's armrest and declared, "I'm in Century City. Get here quickly."
This was the chaotic life, these were the demanding clients.