In Century City, Thomas had been patiently waiting in the Starbucks store within the shopping mall, steadily sipping coffee after coffee as he contemplated his future.
Martin and Bruce entered Starbucks and immediately spotted Thomas under the bright lights.
Bruce inquired with a touch of humor, "Is that a trick of the light, or is Thomas' forehead really shining brighter than before?"
Martin defended his manager, strolling to the chair opposite Thomas, and with a kind demeanor akin to a considerate customer, he said, "You've been waiting for quite a while, haven't you? Your dedication is much appreciated."
Thomas closed his laptop and replied, "It's nothing. I'm used to working overtime, especially lately."
Bruce handed a memory card to Thomas, stating, "Here are the photos I took."
Thomas inserted the card into his computer and began scrolling through the images, nodding in approval as he went along. "The photos are exceptional, Martin. You and Annie look fantastic together. There's no doubt you make a remarkable couple."
Martin emphasized, "I am pursuing Anne, and Anne reciprocates my interest. This is a genuine connection!"
Bruce, maintaining his detached demeanor, added, "Anne's followers are also taking notice."
Martin retorted with a hint of annoyance, "You, my friend, lack an understanding of love. Love is unique and special. Every love story has its own distinctive qualities."
Thomas, still engrossed in the photos, said, "I've already drafted the copy for the best couple costumes at this year's Halloween parade—Martin Davis and Anne Hathaway."
Martin readily agreed, "Sounds perfect. Thomas, work diligently and complete the manuscript tonight."
Thomas, feeling highly motivated, assured him, "You can count on me."
Martin and Bruce bid farewell to Starbucks, and before leaving, Martin generously ordered a strong coffee for Thomas as a parting gesture.
Thomas dedicated the night to crafting the manuscript and, along with selected photos, promptly delivered it to the newspaper office he collaborated with.
As he exited, he noticed the eastern sky already brightening.
With Halloween approaching, numerous movies were hitting theaters, momentarily overshadowing the popularity of the Wax Museum. Nevertheless, Martin's name and photos continued to enjoy a degree of exposure.
Online, many websites had reproduced the images from Martin's blog.
The Batman and Catwoman couple costumes worn by Martin and Anne Hathaway were particularly well-received.
To maintain a balanced narrative when discussing couples, it was crucial to avoid overdoing it and providing excessive details that might bore the audience.
Martin's initial fervor for Anne gradually cooled, and he began reaching out to her less frequently.
...
Back at the Hilton Hotel, after attending a script reading meeting, Anne returned to her room and checked her phone, only to find no response from Martin.
Concerned and increasingly agitated, she sent another message: "Busy with work?"
Still, there was no reply.
After a few minutes, just as her frustration was mounting, her phone chimed with a text message.
"I had a last-minute meeting at Warner Bros.," replied Martin. "My next film now has a confirmed release date, and I'm the absolute star."
Curious, Anne inquired, "Is it a horror movie?"
Martin continued to entice her with information, "It's the second installment of Wes Craven's horror series, freshly edited with excellent internal previews. Originally slated for April, but thanks to the buzz from the House of Wax, Warner Bros. is so confident in the film that they've pushed the release date up to February."
Having worked in Hollywood for some time, Anne understood the significance of Wes Craven's name. His track record in the horror genre spanned over a decade, and Warner Bros.' decision reflected their optimism in both the film and Martin's future.
"If things go well..."
Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Laura went to answer it. To Anne's surprise, her agent, Maha Dakhil, from CAA was at the door.
Anne greeted her, "Maha, what brings you here?"
Maha, older and experienced, wore a playful smile, "Just checking if my little princess is lost in love."
Anne clarified, "Martin and I are just friends."
Maha, the agent, emphasized, "Love is a part of an actor's career, and a crucial part at that. Annie, do you have feelings for Martin?"
Anne conceded, "I have a favorable opinion, but..." She candidly admitted that as of now, Martin had many strengths and only one drawback.
Maha's encouraging smile indicated she was ready to support Anne no matter the path she chose.
"It's nothing," Anne responded, aware that her agent was not her friend. Some things remained unsaid between them. She offered a small tidbit of information, saying, "I'm from upstate New York, and he's from Atlanta, Georgia."
Maha, her encouraging smile replaced with a business-like tone, stated, "Those differences aren't obstacles." She emphasized, "Your attention has been surging recently, especially after 'Princess Diaries 2' popularity waned." Anne knew the reason behind this spike: "Because of Martin?"
Maha directly addressed the issue, "A beautiful love story can significantly boost an actor's career."
Anne divulged, "I had Laura discreetly take some photos and send them to the newspapers, and I asked her to reach out to the paparazzi."
Maha encouraged her, "That's a good move. Maximize the value of your relationship."
Anne considered Maha's offer: "Do you think I should have a conversation with Martin's agent?"
After a brief pause, Anne inquired further, "What would such a conversation entail?"
Maha outlined her strategy, "If either of you confesses your feelings or if there's a moment of holding hands, a first kiss, a vacation together, visits to each other's homes, or even a disagreement during cohabitation, it can all be covered by the media."
Anne was taken aback, "Isn't this about making our private lives entirely public?"
Maha digressed momentarily, sharing an unrelated story, "Brian Lord was Madonna's manager, and I used to work as an assistant under Brian. Madonna's fame wasn't solely due to her career. She dated one male star after another, including those outside the entertainment industry—seduced Rodman and gave Jordan a bathtub. All of these antics made her the most talked-about person in the United States."
Before leaving, she offered some crucial information: "Martin's next project is Wes Craven's horror film, where he's the absolute lead with an 80% success rate. His future looks promising."
Anne remained contemplative, stating, "I'll think it over."
Maha reassured her, "No need to rush. If you miss this opportunity, there will be others."
Anne couldn't help but ask, "Can the next one be as remarkable as Martin?"
Maha sighed inwardly, realizing that Anne still had some way to go in judging people beyond appearances.
However, Martin Davis was undeniably handsome and elegant, with his zombie machine gun dance leaving a lasting impression.
"Keep me informed if there's any progress," Maha said before departing, leaving Anne to her thoughts.
...
After Halloween, the cast and crew of "The Hills Has Eyes" leveraged Martin's recent surge in popularity to release the film's first official poster. The poster featured a mountain town backdrop, with Martin covered in blood, holding a baby in one hand and a bat smeared in gore in the other. A scarred German shepherd stood at his side, with two grotesquely deformed corpses in the background. The title, "The Hills Has Eyes," was prominently displayed at the top, and below it, in large text, was the name of the sole cast member: Martin Davis.
As one of the key figures on set, no other actor could compete with Martin for the spotlight. The poster also featured a subtitle: "Save the children, face evil!"—a favorite theme among American audiences. The film was scheduled for release the weekend following the Super Bowl next year, a strategic choice that left over three months for promotional activities.
Both the production team and Warner Bros. recognized Martin as the linchpin of their promotional efforts. In the world of entertainment, both talent and star power were valuable commodities.
As Martin's schedule stabilized, he continued to visit Warner Studios daily for "The Hills Has Eyes" post-production work. Occasionally, he would meet up with Anne for workouts and target practice, adhering to their schedule.
...
Venice, at a seaside hotel, Kim Kardashian had donned a disguise and made her way to the top floor. She knocked on a room door, which Bruce eventually opened. He scanned the area, stepped outside briefly, and re-entered.
Kim rushed towards Bruce, ecstatic, "You finally decided to look for me!"
Bruce, who had come to bid Kardashian farewell, replied, "I saw the news. You and Paris almost had a physical altercation."
Kim acknowledged with a mix of happiness and disappointment, "I've officially broken up with Paris."
Bruce questioned, "Have you met Paris?"
Kim continued to share her frustration, "She's jealous of me—jealous that I transformed from a girl carrying a bag to a celebrity like her."
Bruce motioned for her to continue.
Kim added, "That *itch accused me of riding her coattails to fame and predicted that my popularity would fade, that I could never match up to her, Paris Hilton."
Bruce found this viewpoint reasonable; Kim had likely exhausted the benefits of her association with Paris, and her heat was dissipating.
Kim, however, had other plans and was now showing rapid growth under Bruce's mentorship. She leaned in eagerly towards Bruce, who suspected where this was heading: "Is there any way you can make me famous for a long time?"
She had experienced the allure of the limelight and had no intention of fading into obscurity. Her nightmares of returning to a mundane life haunted her. "I'm not an ordinary person!" she exclaimed.
Bruce offered her a lifeline, "You can call me anytime, and I'll be there."
Kim turned away, lying on a table. Suddenly, she turned back, her sultry demeanor evident, "Actually, I've thought of a way. Why is Paris famous? Why is she always remembered? Because of her leaked sex tape."
Bruce, who had trained Kim extensively, quickly caught on, "So, if you had a video like that, you think it could have the same effect?"
Kim faced him once more, asserting, "I want you to be the male lead in it!"