Thomas, newly arrived from Los Angeles, sat somewhat restlessly in the Four Seasons Hotel's café, periodically glancing toward the entrance.
A few minutes later, Martin finally entered, prompting Thomas to wave enthusiastically in his direction.
Martin ordered a cup of coffee before joining Thomas at a nearby table. "You rushed here today after my call yesterday?" he asked.
Thomas explained, "Your influence is significant now, and having a girlfriend is not a trivial matter. It impacts many people. We need to address it promptly."
Martin inquired, "Have we been seen in public together yet?"
"No," Martin replied without hesitation. "I've spent the weekend cooped up in my hotel room."
Thomas offered a gentle reminder, "Just be careful and avoid causing any inconvenience to others."
Martin nodded assuredly. "Rest assured, my girlfriend isn't just a fling."
Thomas emphasized, "You should communicate well with her, and it's best not to make your relationship public at this stage." As an agent, Thomas had work on his mind. "I've arranged for Natasha to coordinate with the Wanted crew. Ideally, your relationship should align with the film's promotion."
Martin had no objections. "I've already talked to Blake, and there shouldn't be any issues."
Being part of an entertainment family, Martin was well-versed in the industry's intricacies, putting everyone's mind at ease.
Thomas added, "Blake's agent is also with WMA. I spoke with her before coming here. Blake won't be attending college; she's officially entered Hollywood. Her father, Ernie, is preparing a new project for her. Your relationship aligns with their needs."
Martin contemplated for a moment. "You and the Wanted crew should devise a detailed plan and then send it to me or Old Boo. I'll handle Blake herself."
Thomas agreed. "Alright, I'll stay in New York for a couple more days and then head back to Los Angeles."
The two swiftly left the café.
In the lobby, Martin met Bruce and the two headed upstairs. While they were alone, Martin briefly spoke to Bruce.
Bruce inquired, "Have you given up on Aniston?"
Martin was taken aback. "Did we ever have plans involving Aniston?"
Bruce pondered for a moment. "I suggested that, after Julie, you should pursue Aniston." He shrugged, adding, "But that's not necessary now."
Martin didn't want to entertain the topic with Bruce.
Bruce handed Martin a copy of "People" magazine. "Julie left the Middle East for Africa and has been there for a while. She's returning to North America next month. If she finds out you have an official girlfriend, she might go berserk."
Martin was succinct, "A few words should suffice to keep her in check."
Bruce understood Martin's involvement with Jolie and asked, "When did she and Pitt announce their breakup?"
Martin responded casually, "I suspect Pitt already knew. Maybe they're planning to generate some buzz."
Since the release of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," Jolie had been away in the Middle East and Africa without any public sightings with Pitt. It was rather peculiar that Pitt hadn't noticed anything amiss.
Back in the room, Blake was busy packing her luggage when Martin entered. He asked, "Is your flight booked?"
"Tomorrow morning," Blake replied with a hint of frustration. "My dad just called. He's preparing a new project for me, and we have to get back."
Martin had just spoken to Thomas about Ernie Lively. "Since you've decided not to attend college, focus on your career and head back."
Blake was reluctant. "We've only just reunited."
"In about ten days at most, my role will be finished, and I'll return to Los Angeles," Martin reassured her. He also mentioned a series of discussions between their agents. "My agent, Thomas, and your agent have agreed. For now, we shouldn't go public..."
Blake interjected, "Dad knows I came to see you. He mentioned it when he called me earlier."
Coming from an entertainment family, Blake found it relatively easy to accept. In fact, she felt it was perfectly fine. "If you have no objections, we'll follow their recommendations for now."
Martin nodded in agreement. "Alright."
Hollywood's business extended into all aspects, including relationships and marriages of its stars.
Blake reached out her hand. "Give me a key to your place. I'm tired of staying in my apartment, so I'll spend the night at your house."
Martin handed her a set of keys. "The master bedroom is on the second floor, and the guest floor is where Bruce usually stays."
Their time together was coming to an end. In order to spend a few more intimate moments with her idol, Blake had no intention of leaving the room, and they remained entwined until midnight.
The next morning, Martin had to head to the set early for filming, and Bruce accompanied Blake to the airport.
Matt Damon had very few scenes left and had already left New York after wrapping up his filming last week.
The crew's shooting had entered its final phase.
In recent days, the crew had organized media activities to facilitate early promotion.
After Martin had finished with makeup and arrived on set, Scorsese gave him a cursory glance and asked, "Do you need an extra morning of rest?"
"No," Martin responded confidently. "I'm in great shape right now."
Scorsese nodded and returned to his director's chair, silently appreciating the benefits of youth.
At this moment, Leonardo marched over, giving Martin a playful punch on the arm as he spoke with mock anger, "Jack and I have unanimously decided to kick you out of the scoundrels' trio."
Martin responded with a hint of irritation, "Why? Aren't I scoundrel enough?"
Nicholson strolled over with a cigar between his teeth, exhaling a puff of smoke before chiming in, "Fellas with regular girlfriends don't belong standing next to us."
Martin pointed his finger at them, his voice raised, "This is discrimination! Discrimination, do you understand?"
Scorsese intervened at this point, barking, "Jack, step off the set."
Nicholson obliged and exited the set, which was transformed to resemble a rooftop. The crew swiftly cleared the area, instructing media photographers to temporarily halt their cameras and recording equipment, though they could observe the filming.
Martin and Leonardo rehearsed their lines, gearing up for the rooftop confrontation between the two main characters.
The dialogue for this scene consisted solely of streetwise vernacular, packed with profanity, with Martin and Leonardo spewing at least one expletive each per second, devoid of any poetic elements.
It was all raw American street realism.
Both Martin and Leonardo were in excellent form, and Leonardo refrained from solely relying on his signature three-hit combo to convey his anger, making it all the more intense. Despite their stellar performance, it took five consecutive long takes before Scorsese was satisfied.
Following that, there was a small-scale gunfight scene. One henchman executed Leonardo's character, and Martin's character eliminated both the traitor and the detective portrayed by Mene using rapid gunfire.
Emotions surged during this sequence, and after the shoot, both Martin and Leonardo were drained. They sat in silence in the rest area, catching their breath.
It wasn't until the crew transitioned to Nicholson's scene that the two finally spoke.
Leonardo, unable to tolerate Nicholson's antics, quipped, "You're incredibly childish."
Nicholson retorted with a smirk, "This is not childish; it's wicked! Compared to my old buddy Brando, my professionalism is as tall as the Empire State Building."
Martin couldn't help but join in, "You're a master at comparing yourself with others."
But Nicholson added, "Yesterday, I did a good deed, and you'll all praise me for it."
Martin recalled, "I heard that the paparazzi who had been camping outside the Four Seasons Hotel had a malfunctioning motorcycle exhaust pipe."
Nicholson pantomimed a throat-slitting gesture towards Martin and continued, "I went to see a stage play, and a 15-year-old girl named Lawrence tried to seduce me, asking to be introduced to the industry. I firmly refused."
Martin, revealing his understanding of Nicholson's background, said, "You were probably scared, not principled."
For a change, Nicholson offered no retort and remained silent for a moment, seemingly reflecting on an old friend.
After the afternoon filming wrapped up, the three actors were interviewed together by reporters. It was a routine business conversation.
In their responses, each actor praised the others for having the best acting skills, the most agreeable personalities, and the utmost dedication in Hollywood.
As mid-September approached, Martin's role was nearing its conclusion.
In a police operation scene, Colin took the opportunity to shoot Frank when he was alone.
Gunfire echoed on the set as Nicholson tumbled into a prop excavator bucket. Martin, having set down his prop gun, looked in that direction with mixed emotions. A sense of relief washed over him as he called for assistance.
Director Scorsese shouted "cut" and made his way over. Martin extended a hand to pull Nicholson up and gave him a hug, jesting, "Old man, when you return to Los Angeles, you'd better invite me to a bash at your place on Bad Boy Boulevard."
Nicholson, Marlon Brando, and Warren Beatty all resided along Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills for several years, hence the road's nickname, "Bad Man Boulevard."
Nicholson grinned and accepted the invitation, "Deal."
Martin exited the set and expressed his gratitude to the crew by shaking hands with each member. However, due to a shortage of inventory and a lack of items on hand, he couldn't provide souvenir sets.
Bruce had already placed an order for sets from Australia.
Finally, Martin approached Scorsese, beginning with a handshake before they embraced. "Director, I've gained so much from this role. Under your guidance, I feel like my acting skills have reached new heights."
Scorsese nodded approvingly. "You're exceptionally talented. Among your peers, I've never seen anyone with better acting skills than you, Martin. Act well and don't squander this talent."
Martin pointed to his heart. "I'll cherish it."
In the end, Leonardo presented a commemorative gift on behalf of the crew, a pair of handcuffs displayed in a glass gift box. During filming, he had used these props to handcuff Martin.
Leonardo whispered, "Once I return to Los Angeles, I'll organize a grand party. If you dare not attend, I'll revoke your membership from our scoundrels' club."
Faced with the coercion of Hollywood heavyweights, a young actor like Martin had no choice but to agree.