From the edge of the pine forest, two more kicks were launched, bursting into a red mist.
Leonardo spotted two familiar figures through the trees and exclaimed, "Jack and Meryl made a run for it!"
Martin swiftly grabbed his backpack, already loaded with two kicks, and urged, "Let's go!"
Leonardo hurriedly stashed the makeshift mortar into his bag and followed Martin out of the woods.
Saoirse Ronan reacted swiftly and trailed the two men.
Martin hopped onto an electric car, with Leonardo following suit.
"Wait for me!" Saoirse rushed over and joined them.
After she boarded, Martin drove forward.
Leonardo cautioned Saoirse, "Don't breathe a word about today's events to anyone!"
Martin emphasized, "The consequences could be severe."
Reflecting on the mischief these two had stirred up, Saoirse nodded anxiously, "I promise, I won't tell a soul."
Leonardo exchanged a wink with Martin. In truth, they weren't overly concerned about secrecy.
However, no one seemed to notice them during the ride.
Martin added, "Your name is Saoirse Ronan, and you're working on the set of 'Atonement.' I'll remember you."
Saoirse inquired with a grimace, "Can you forget about me?"
Martin pointed to the digital camera hanging around her neck, asking, "What were you doing in the pine forest?"
Saoirse was reluctant to discuss her privacy.
Leonardo produced a two-kick from his pocket and assessed Saoirse as if contemplating where it might fit.
Saoirse quickly explained, "I thought those people were fooling around in the woods, and it was fun to watch. Lately, I've been coming here for a peek when I have spare time. I didn't have much to do today, so I brought my camera..." Martin extended his hand and said, "Camera."
Saoirse hesitantly handed it to Martin, noting, "I've deleted everything."
Martin examined the photos and realized they were all taken on that day. He remarked, "You could get in trouble doing this."
Saoirse, being an actress, understood the implication. "You won't tell others, will you?"
Leonardo teasingly commented, "It depends on your behavior."
Saoirse instinctively recoiled and considered jumping out of the car, but she fretted about her camera. She couldn't help but regret her voyeuristic curiosity.
Observing that Leonardo was being harsh, Martin opted to play the good cop, "Leo means that you should do something kind." Having met a kindred spirit, he naturally assumed the role of a supportive elder brother, "How about this? If you treat Leo and me to a nice meal, we'll pretend we know nothing."
Saoirse reached into her pocket.
Martin added, "Peeking is fine, having some fun is okay, but don't take random photos; that can get you in real trouble."
Saoirse thought this man was much better than Leonardo. She nodded, retrieved less than five pounds in change from her pocket, and suggested, "How about treating you to ice cream?"
Leonardo agreed, "Okay."
The three of them disembarked, and Martin drove a short distance before stopping in front of an ice cream shop on the outskirts of the commercial town.
Leonardo secured the two bags and followed Martin and Saoirse into the shop.
They each ordered a regular ice cream, with Saoirse footing the bill. They sat at a table beside the glass curtain wall and leisurely savored their treats.
Leonardo reminded Martin, "Keep an eye on the outside."
Martin had already noticed that a few disheveled people were returning from the north.
Saoirse scooped up a spoonful of ice cream, devoured it, and shared, "I saw these people today, following Nicholson and Streep into the woods."
Leonardo jested, "Peeping from a young age... Are you planning a career as a voyeur?"
Saoirse, somewhat apprehensive of Leonardo, didn't dare to respond.
"Old Jack is here." At Martin's cue, an electric car pulled away from the ice cream shop's entrance, with Nicholson and Streep on board.
Apart from some dirt and dust on their clothes, there was nothing unusual about the two of them.
Leonardo remarked, "Jack will surely appreciate our unique gift."
Martin chimed in, "If he doesn't properly thank us, we'll have to give him an even more valuable gift next time. I believe Jack will love our present."
Leonardo pointed in the direction where the electric car had vanished, "I could see it in his face; he was delighted."
The three of them savored their ice cream slowly, especially when they noticed the people from the north passing by awkwardly. It made the ice cream taste particularly delightful.
After some time, the last electric car emerged from the north. It was moving extremely slowly, swerving as if the driver were intoxicated.
The electric car pulled up in front of the nearest ice cream shop. Bell and Blanchett, who had been in the car, disembarked at a sluggish pace, almost in slow motion, and limped into the store.
"Find a place to sit and rest," Bell suggested, "I'll call my assistant, and she'll..."
He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed Martin.
Blanchett realized that, in addition to Martin, Leonardo was also present. She urged Bell, "Let's rest for now."
Bell sat down with great difficulty, his cramped leg causing significant discomfort.
What made matters worse was that Blanchett had pulled something when she fell, and the sharp pain was excruciating.
Blanchett settled into her chair, but her discomfort was immediate. Her posterior hit the hard plastic chair, and she jolted as sharp, burning pain shot through her.
That moment in the woods, she had hit the ground hard, butt-first, against unforgiving terrain.
Everyone's gaze was drawn, including Martin, Leonardo, and the ice cream shop's employees.
"Bring me a soft cushion, please. Thank you." Blanchett, ever the consummate actress, didn't betray any discomfort and maintained her composure.
A waiter swiftly delivered a soft cushion.
Blanchett gently shifted her not-too-sore buttocks and settled on the mat.
Saoirse lowered her voice to a near whisper, tinged with flattery, "I spotted them in the pine forest. They were trailing Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep..." As soon as these words left her lips, Martin and Leonardo began to piece together what might have occurred.
Martin exchanged a knowing glance with Leonardo.
These rascals had a perfect unspoken understanding. Leonardo wasn't concerned about the sensibilities of these British actors. He turned around and inquired, "Chris, are you hurt? Do you need assistance?"
Martin observed closely, then responded, "Kate, you seem to be in some discomfort too. If you need any help, just ask."
Blanchett, unimpressed by Martin, maintained a stern expression. "No need."
Martin was particularly amiable, "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Leo and I are here."
Blanchett offered a slight nod, but her expression betrayed her considerable discomfort due to her aching backside.
The patrons in the store whispered amongst themselves.
"Martin and Leonardo are so polite, such true gentlemen."
"Blanchett may not be the prettiest, but she seems quite unpleasant."
"The Sun's reporter is waiting outside the studio to scoop up the news after work!"
Rapid footsteps at the door disrupted the women's hushed conversation, and two people entered the shop and approached Blanchett and Bell.
The latter pair exchanged a few words in a low voice, and their assistants helped them leave the ice cream shop.
After they departed, the three of them finished their ice cream and left the store together.
Once they boarded the electric car, Leonardo inquired, "Kid, where do you need to go?"
Saoirse, not eager to deal with the somewhat fierce Leonardo, tugged at the friendly Martin's sleeve. "Could you drop me off at the 'Atonement' crew?"
Martin knew the location of the 'Atonement' crew, and he steered the battery car in that direction.
Seeing Martin's pleasant demeanor, Saoirse asked once more, "Could I take a photo with you later? I really enjoyed your performance in 'Sisterhood Of Traveling Pants.'"
The battery car traversed through the small town within the service area and arrived at a medium-sized studio.
Saoirse alighted from the car, pulling Martin along and asking Leonardo to take a group photo.
After that, she waved at Martin. "Goodbye, Martin."
Saoirse paid Leonardo no mind and dashed into the studio.
Leonardo settled into the driver's seat and remarked, "I've realized something. Nicholson should step down from his position as the chief rascal. You're even more of a rascal than him."
Martin climbed into the car and spread his arms. "Stop maligning people. In the hierarchy of rascals, Nicholson is the boss, followed by you, and I'm the least rascally one."
Leonardo glanced back at the 'Atonement' crew's studio. "Saoirse Ronan, how old is she?"
Martin couldn't help but shake his head. "It seems that the most wicked people have the most devious thoughts! Leo, don't be so shameless and hatch plots against a young girl!"
Leonardo chuckled in anger and wished he could drag this rascal into a tree together. "How would I ever know someone like you!"
Martin lightly responded, "Because we're cut from the same cloth."
Leonardo couldn't refute that.
The two handed over their homemade weapons to Bruce, departed from the studio, and returned to their hotel.
After a wait of less than an hour, Nicholson returned, as expected.
"Hey, Jack, what's wrong?" Leonardo asked automatically, "You look so grim."
Nicholson removed his sunglasses and tossed them onto the table. He gazed at Martin, then at Leonardo, and inquired, "Tell me, what have you two been up to?"
Leonardo glared, a habitual reaction, "What have you been up to? We..."
Nicholson pointed at his eyebrows, "You're acting."
Martin was resigned, "Leo, can you kindly stop being so cryptic and get to the point? Must you pull an unsuspecting passerby from the street? Everyone knows that when Leonardo acts, he furrows his brows, glares, and bellows!"
Nicholson shook his head, "Unless I'm blind, I'll vote for you during the Oscars."
Martin draped his arm around Nicholson's shoulders, "His acting skills are abysmal. During awards season, when you're lobbying, say more kind words for me and ignore Leo..."
The disdained Leonardo suddenly sensed something was amiss. Martin was meant to be on his side, so why was he siding with Nicholson?
Could this man be any more shameless?
Leonardo decided he needed to have a serious talk with Nicholson to convince him to step down as the chief rascal. After all, the most devious of the three devious individuals could be the leader.
In the end, whether you were a rascal or not, what mattered most was having fun.
After all, at their level, having fun was the true essence of life.
The same applied to relationships, as well as creating a bit of chaos.