America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz
Chapter 95 - 95 Audition Turmoil (Please Subscribe)

The black sedan stopped in front of the North Hollywood Apartment. Thomas was just about to take out his phone when Martin came out of the entrance, pulled open the passenger door, got into the car, and said, "Let's go, Warner Bros. Studios."

Today was the final round of auditions.

Thomas started the car and headed for Burbank.

After driving through an intersection, he realized something wasn't right and quickly figured it out, "Why aren't you driving? Martin, I'm your agent, not your driver."

"Don't fuss over these trivial matters," Martin shifted Thomas's attention effortlessly, "I have to attend an audition shortly and need to stay energized."

Thomas accepted this explanation, not only driving at ease but also maintaining a smooth speed to prevent any discomfort for Martin, as attentive as a personal chauffeur.

The client's opportunities were also his.

Martin pulled down the sun visor and tidied up his cropped hair in the mirror.

Thomas said, "No problem, Mary Gale detests the Beatles look and prefers men with clean and crisp short hair."

The car arrived at Warner Bros. Studios and parked in the lot.

Before getting out of the car, Thomas encouraged Martin, "We've prepared for so many days, utilized all our biggest contacts, and nailed down every detail, all for today!"

Martin seriously said, "Even if Susan Levin wants me to go to a hotel with her, it's no problem for me."

Thomas waved his hand dismissively, "She just got engaged to Robert Downey Jr., she wouldn't."

The two arrived at the studio entrance and transferred to a golf cart.

Midway, Martin took out his phone to make a call, "Robert, it's me, Martin, I need to talk to you about something."

Inside the Marietta Community Theater, Robert headed to the sales booth near the entrance upon seeing the call, while saying, "I know, a cola, right? I'm on it, I'll buy it now and put it on the table facing Los Angeles."

Martin laughed, "Old buddy, thanks."

Robert bought a can of cola and went to his office, where his desk had officially been moved to the west side, always equipped with olive oil.

He smeared olive oil on the can and placed it at the far west end.

Martin and Thomas reached the film crew's base and entered a small soundstage.

Outside the audition room, in the waiting area, were six or seven young actors in their twenties.

Martin hardly recognized any of them, and his memory from his past life offered no corresponding faces.

The only one he recognized, Adrian with his dark brown medium-length hair, approached proactively.

Martin feigned ignorance, "Buddy, did you come especially to cheer me on? Thanks." He stepped forward and whispered, "Really, there's no need, I'm just here for a formality."

This remark made Adrian think of Jason Shawn again, the biggest threat of all.

These past few days, he and his agent focused all their attention on Jason Shawn, even investigating the funds Paris Hilton brought into the group, which, apparently, exceeded Pacific Pictures'.

Adrian smiled, "Not just to cheer you on, I also came to witness the audition of a lead actor in a commercial film."

Martin, looking at the smiling face before him, really wanted to punch him until his face burst into bloom, but noticing his medium-length hair, he raised his fist and bumped it against Adrian's, "Buddy, good luck!"

Adrian, spotting the handsome face across from him, felt disgusted but managed to force out, "Brother, let's both do our best."

Martin and Thomas found seats.

The latter then said, "Do you see? It's not that I'm not trying. The competition within the company is just as intense. If you don't show your value, the company won't invest more resources in you."

Martin knew it wasn't enough to just whip, he also had to dangle a carrot, "The connection I'm using, Louise Mel, doesn't involve much company resource."

Thinking of Louise Mel under Martin, Thomas felt he needed to work even harder.

Clients are signed with the company, and there are plenty of cases where they switch to a new agent if dissatisfied with the current one.

Meanwhile, Adrian, alone in the corridor, called up his lackey Tony and asked, "Has he not arrived yet?"

On the other end, Tony replied, "The guy at the hotel entrance said he left the hotel alone; he should be here soon."

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Adrian pressed, "There can't be any mistakes."

Tony laughed, "After all we've done against him these days, we won't have wasted our time and effort for nothing, you can count on me."

Adrian hung up, took out the SIM card, went into the bathroom and flushed it down the toilet.

Outside, in the parking lot, Tony crushed the SIM card and tossed it into a trash can.

He returned to his car and waited patiently.

In the audition schedule provided by the film crew, Martin's audition time was ten o'clock in the morning.

There were four people before him, each coming out in less than ten minutes on average.

The door to the audition room opened, and an assistant said, "Martin Davis."

Martin turned off his phone, took long strides into the audition room, swiftly surveying the space.

A woman in her fifties with glasses and a wrinkled face sat at the forefront; she was the casting director, Mary Gale.

Next to her sat Susan Levin.

Behind, there were at least eight other people.

Two were playing video games, nepotism was everywhere.

Martin greeted them, "Manager Levin, Director Gale, good morning."

Susan merely nodded her head.

"Good morning," Mary's gaze settled on Martin's face, the light brown refined short hair looking smart and appealing.

While she wouldn't judge on looks alone, what normal woman wouldn't want to take another look at a handsome man? She said, "Start whenever you're ready with the script for the role."

Martin had thoroughly prepared and quickly slipped into character, starting the scene with the audition assistant.

Susan Levin, supporting her chin with one hand, occasionally looked at the camera screen. Louise, the drunk, had made a reliable recommendation; the actor had no issues.

Of all those who completed the audition, he was the one with the most outstanding acting skills.

Perhaps the role resonated with him?

During the scriptwriting period, Susan requested that the screenwriter change the character setting since Nick Jones was merely a supporting actor for the heroine.

A person who had been in jail for stealing cars.

This was exactly the kind of reformed prodigal that Susan adored.

Susan believed that the bitterness of life could temper a person, and those who endured the suffering would shine brightly.

The audition ended quickly. After dismissing the actors, Susan routinely asked, "How about Martin Davis?"

Mary had no authority to decide, so she simply said her first impression: "Very good."

Meanwhile, Jason Shawn was driving his car toward Warner Bros. Studios.

His recently styled golden blonde hair made him look quite spirited.

Just as he entered the parking lot, his phone rang—it was his girlfriend's call.

"Honey, have you arrived?"

"Almost there," Jason Shawn said. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine on my own, really no need for you to come over."

Paris Hilton then said, "Alright, call me when you're done."

Jason Shawn hung up the phone and before he understood what was happening, a car darted out and collided with the front of his car.

In the parking lot, both cars were slow so the collision was not severe.

Jason Shawn glanced at the time, then got out of his car.

From the opposing car, a short, chubby, and clumsy figure emerged.

"How do you drive?" Jason Shawn went to examine the collision. "Forget it, just go on your way."

How could Tony possibly leave, pointing and saying, "You ask me how I drive? I should be asking you! You were on your phone and crashed into me."

Thinking of his upcoming audition, Jason Shawn temporarily held back his anger, "I won't argue with someone like you, just name a figure."

Tony, opening his mouth wide, said, "This is a new car, repairs will cost at least 3000 US dollars."

Jason Shawn estimated that 500 US dollars would suffice and instantly felt furious, but he knew his priorities and prepared to get his checkbook.

Tony noticed that this guy was unexpectedly tolerant and quickly changed his strategy.

He started rapping a verse, "I've seen Paris, she's got uneven breasts, two different sizes; I've seen Paris, she's like a bitch, lying down waiting to be done; I've seen Paris, she loves giving BJ's, smeared all over her face and chest; I've seen Paris..."

Short, chubby, clumsy—the object of the song and what the lyrics described were crystal clear to Jason Shawn upon hearing them.

Previously, when asked about the videotape, he always responded nonchalantly, saying he didn't care.

But faced with direct mockery, it was difficult for a man to tolerate.

Jason Shawn pounced forward, punching Tony in the face. Tony's hefty body fell backward, crashing to the ground with a thud.

"Bastard, you damn fatso!" Jason Shawn rushed forward to kick fiercely.

Tony hurriedly protected his head, and since his nose wasn't bleeding, he lowered his head and slammed it hard with his fist, and blood began to flow from his nose.

Nearby, Tony's girlfriend called the police while running toward the scene yelling, "Help! Help! There's been a murder!"

The parking lot security, hearing the commotion, had two of them running in this direction.

This was Warner Bros. Studios, an area heavily patrolled by the police, and in less than half a minute, the sound of police sirens could be heard.

Jason Shawn wanted to run but was grabbed firmly around the legs by Tony.

The security approached, shouting for them to stop.

The patrol car zoomed into the parking lot, and Tony immediately let go of his grip, playing dead on the ground.

His girlfriend used the advantage of being a woman to loudly accuse Jason Shawn of violent behavior.

The parking lot security saw only Jason Shawn beating Tony one-sidedly.

The spot was conveniently within the range of the security cameras.

Tony lay on the ground unable to get up, blood flowing from his nose, covering his face, looking exceedingly tragic.

Jason Shawn loudly defended himself, yelling that he was an actor and needed to attend an important audition.

But in Los Angeles, a city full of actors, his unfamiliar face held no persuasive power with the police.

Another backup patrol car arrived.

Two officers took control of Jason Shawn, bringing him back to the police station.

One officer took statements from Tony's girlfriend and the security guard, while another, with the agreement of the security, went to retrieve the surveillance footage.

The parking lot soon returned to quiet.

Tony made a call to his lawyer to formally file a report. Jason Shawn wouldn't be coming back anytime soon.

......

At the production base, an assistant opened the audition room door and called out, "Jason Shawn, it's your turn."

No one came forward, nor did anyone respond.

The assistant asked loudly, "Is Jason Shawn here?"

The other actors looked at each other but still, no one responded.

Adrian secretly smiled, satisfied that Tony had taken care of things.

The assistant turned back and said, "Jason Shawn isn't here."

Susan frowned, as she, the producer, had personally overseen the final round of auditions, and yet an actor dared to be late. There was no basic respect.

She said directly, "Next."

The assistant went out again and called, "Adrian-Granny."