In the heart of Los Angeles, nestled within the bustling Hollywood and Highland Center, Martin navigated the familiar terrain with ease, clutching the invitation letter tightly. Leading Musk through the side entrance, they bypassed the flashy red carpet, opting for a more discreet approach. As they entered, Megan Ellison, daughter of the renowned Larry Ellison, caught their attention immediately.
The VIP room exuded an air of exclusivity, teeming with esteemed guests, yet Martin and Megan's gazes locked onto each other, oblivious to the crowd. Musk, hands nonchalantly tucked in his pockets, quipped, "Like father, like daughter, huh? Do your thing, Martin. I've got your back."
Martin hesitated, sensing a pang of guilt. "Are you sure? I don't want to drag you into this."
Musk, with his trademark bravado, smirked. "Trust me, Megan's not my target tonight."
Before their banter could continue, Megan approached, curiosity evident in her gaze. "Well, this is an unexpected pairing. What brings Silicon Valley to Hollywood?"
Musk chuckled. "Who knew we'd stumble upon familiar faces in Tinseltown?"
Megan's disdain for Musk was palpable as she turned her attention to Martin. "Welcome to my movie premiere. Did you catch 'Transcendence'?"
Martin, unapologetically blunt, replied, "Sorry, Elon and I took the scenic route. Missed your big debut."
Undeterred, Megan maintained her composure. "You'll see it in the media once it's a hit."
Martin's insincerity was thinly veiled as he offered a congratulatory nod. "Looking forward to it."
Megan, unfazed, hinted at compensation for the project's rejection. "Successful films yield rewards for their screenwriters."
Martin smirked, a hint of skepticism in his tone. "Let's hope it lives up to the hype."
As they conversed, Martin couldn't help but notice Daniel nearby, a mixture of emotions evident on his face. "If only we were still in business together," Daniel lamented.
Martin's reply was laced with a hint of bitterness. "Warner's eager to settle, right?"
Daniel didn't mince words, deflecting responsibility onto Warner Pictures. "They've got the cash. It's their problem now."
Martin brushed off Daniel's concern. "I'm fine. Just taking it all in."
Daniel sighed, the weight of the film's promotion evident in his tone. "Promotion's been a nightmare. One Depp can stir up more trouble than a hundred others. Thought he'd be the key to a long-term deal with Warner, but it's all gone sideways."
Martin nodded sympathetically. "I've been following the headlines. Seems like a rollercoaster."
Daniel grimaced. "If it weren't for my contract, I'd have pulled the plug on this mess ages ago."
As they conversed, Martin's attention wandered, landing on Amber Heard amidst the crowd. Excusing himself briefly, he noticed Musk already engaged in conversation with her.
Depp's absence didn't go unnoticed; his presence seemingly relegated to the outskirts of the event.
Amber's interest in Musk was palpable as she eagerly exchanged contact information, her thoughts wandering to a future free from the shackles of her marriage.
Martin pondered the dynamics at play, wondering if Musk's allure lay solely in his wealth or if there was a deeper connection.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as Depp approached, his imposing figure accompanied by a burly bodyguard.
Bruce, Martin's trusted companion, positioned himself protectively by Martin's side.
Daniel urged caution, but Martin's defiance was evident as he gestured towards Depp. "He's the one who needs to cool off."
Depp's arrival was met with a tense silence, his weary eyes betraying the toll of his personal struggles.
Martin's subtle gesture provoked Depp's ire, igniting tension in the room as bystanders prepared to document any potential altercation.
Depp's agent intervened, whispering words of caution, but the tension lingered, threatening to erupt at any moment.
Martin wrinkled his nose at the overpowering scent of cologne, alcohol, and smoke wafting through the air. "Something smells off."
Depp's agitation was palpable, his chest heaving with suppressed rage, yet he refrained from further confrontation. The whispered reminder from his bodyguard only fueled his simmering anger.
Daniel intervened, sensing the tension. "Time to head into the theater."
As they made their way, Musk divulged his encounter with Amber Heard, a smirk playing on his lips. "She practically handed over her contact info, eager for a rendezvous."
Martin couldn't hide his satisfaction. "Looks like my investment's paying off."
Musk teased, "You could have her wrapped around your finger if you tried."
Martin shook his head, wary of the risks. "Too risky for my taste."
Musk scoffed, unimpressed. "You lack ambition."
As they settled into their seats, anticipation mingled with skepticism. "Transcendence" promised grandeur but delivered mediocrity, lacking the finesse of its ambitious themes.
Martin observed the audience's dwindling attention, their disinterest more alarming than the loudest criticism. Even Rooney Mara, seated nearby, succumbed to sleep multiple times.
Despite lackluster reactions, polite applause filled the air at the film's conclusion, masking its shortcomings.
Musk's verdict was blunt. "The epitome of dullness."
Martin agreed, though more diplomatically. "Not terrible, just painfully boring."
As the crew took their final bow on stage, the audience began to trickle out of the theater.
Martin checked his watch impatiently. "Let's get going."
But Musk lingered, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You go ahead. I've got some business to attend to."
Martin nodded understandingly and made his way out of the theater alone.
During the ride back to Beverly Hills, Martin couldn't help but peruse Twitter, where a storm of criticism awaited.
"Depp's latest movie is a disaster."
"I was expecting another iconic character like Captain Jack, but what a letdown."
"Depp's lost his touch. Time to boycott!"
The comments were relentless, condemning Depp's decline with every keystroke.
"Boycott Depp!"
"Depp's new film is a flop..."
The sentiment was clear: Depp's star power was waning, unable to salvage a sinking ship even with a deluge of PR efforts.
Despite loyal fans rallying behind him, "Transcendence" faltered at the box office. Its lackluster performance over the opening weekend spelled financial disaster.
"With a budget of $150 million, the film's meager $10.88 million haul in North America is a colossal failure," Martin muttered incredulously.
But it wasn't just about the money. The film's reputation had taken a nosedive, with CinemaScore rating it a mediocre "C" and dismal projections for future earnings.
Martin couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Annapurna Pictures, whose hopes for a blockbuster had been dashed by Depp's fall from grace.