America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz-Chapter 515 - 508 Distinguished Freedom Medal

Inside the set designed to look like a room by the sea, Martin held a rope and stood next to a wooden chair, waiting for Director Nolan to make a decision.

Nolan paced back and forth, occasionally walking to the window to look outside.

Marion, dressed in a deep V-neck evening gown, looked at Nolan and simply sat down on the chair.

She and Martin had been waiting for a while.

A moment later, Martin asked, "Chris, to tie or not to tie?"

Nolan stopped, thought for a bit, and said, "Shoot it both ways, tied and untied."

During filming, the director might have many ideas, and it would be good if one-tenth of the footage could be used in the final product.

Nolan returned to behind the director’s monitor and called for action, and filming began.

Martin and Marion entered the room, moved the chair to the center, and said, "Sit down."

Marion sat on the chair and asked, "What are you going to do?"

Martin wrapped the rope around the chair’s feet and tied a knot, "I’m going out for some fresh air. Sit here and don’t move until I get back."

He pulled the rope, climbed the window, and jumped down.

"Cut," Nolan said. "That take is good, now let’s shoot the one with the tying."

Martin came around from behind to untie the rope.

Nolan’s new assistant, holding a pen and notebook, came to Nolan’s side and said, "Director, there’s been no good behind-the-scenes stories to write."

This assistant, because of the wonderful anecdotes written during "The Dark Knight," was promoted to assistant director by Nolan.

Nolan whispered, "Stay calm, there will be soon, thanks to Martin."

The crew reset everything.

Before the take, as usual, Martin said to Marion, "I’ll be offending you in a moment, please forgive me."

Marion smiled, "No problem, we’re all here for work."

The clapperboard was sounded, Martin opened the room door, entered with Marion, and moved the chair for her to sit on. He shook the rope from his hand and expertly tied Marion to the chair.

He had specifically practiced with a prop master from the crew, and once tied up, the not particularly standout figure of Marion suddenly became enchanting and sexy.

Martin tied another knot in the rope on the chair’s feet and during their dialogue, jumped out the window.

"Perfect, this take is good!" Nolan felt that the shooting went very well.

He didn’t bother with Martin coming back to untie Marion, and waved his assistant over: "During the shoot, Martin learned rope art to achieve the effect required by the director and has become a master of rope art."

The assistant picked up the pen and quickly noted it down in the notebook.

Martin helped Marion out of the ropes, pulled her up, and asked, "Are you okay?"

Marion, with a smile, said, "Not bad, pretty artistic."

Martin also laughed, "Practiced for a while."

The two chatted as they left the set.

The Japanese palace scene was coming to its last part, the collapse of the palace.

This scene meant that the entire set built as a real environment would have to be destroyed; any NG shots would be a hassle.

Stunt actors were no problem. They hardly ever showed their faces.

As the male lead, Martin naturally had to perform to a high standard.

Nolan had him rest for half an hour before filming started.

Martin sat on a chair, zoning out.

Bruce came over and asked, "Do you need a massage?"

Martin honestly said, "I only like massages from women."

Bruce pointed to a crowd and said, "Should I find one for you? There are a few girls from the local crew who are really pretty."

Martin was curious, "They’re pretty and they’re working as assistants?"

"I’ve heard they’re from ordinary local families." Bruce had overheard many discussions in the crew these days, "The crew pays the local assistants in US dollars, which is considered a high-paying job in Morocco."

Martin knew some of the situation; one of the conditions for the crew to receive large tax refunds and preferential policies in Morocco was to employ a significant number of locals as extras and for miscellaneous duties.

"Arabs?" he asked.

Bruce said, "There are Arabs, and there are Jews." He knew Martin was not aware, so he simply explained, "There are many Jewish families in Morocco, and not every Jewish family is wealthy."

"You sure know a lot," Martin jokingly said, "Be careful, Old Cloth. AIDS originated from Africa."

Bruce unhesitantly gave Martin the middle finger.

Relaxed by his chat with Old Cloth, Martin was ready when the break ended, immediately entering the set where a stylist came over to fix his suit and makeup, and shooting resumed.

As the camera rolled, the built environment continuously collapsed.

Martin also brought out his best performance, swiftly weaving through the hall, avoiding the collapsing buildings.

After more than twenty shots were taken, the palace structures were badly damaged and unrecognizable.

Then came the final scene of this sequence.

In the midst of Martin’s frantic sprinting, the prop master opened the water tank, releasing thousands of gallons of water that had been stored in advance.

Buildings collapsed, and the floodwaters surged.

Martin stood on the stair platform, drenched from head to toe.

As soon as Nolan called cut, before Bruce could make a move, at least six or seven assistants ran over, each holding a blanket.

The treatment of the lead actor on set needed no further explanation.

Draped in one blanket and holding another, Martin wiped his soaking wet hair as he left the set and entered the trailer to shower and change clothes.

When he came out again, Martin found Bruce waiting for him at the door.

Bruce said, "Thomas just called, the White House has officially notified you, inviting you to this year’s Independence Day celebration."

The thought of the Santa Monica Pier incident popped into Martin’s head, and he asked, "Are they going to award me the Presidential Medal of Freedom?"

As they walked on, Bruce replied, "It’s confirmed, this time it’s the Distinguished Presidential Medal of Freedom, which comes in two parts, the star and the grand decoration."

He added another piece of information, "You can bring a female companion."

Martin calculated the time difference, borrowed Bruce’s phone, and dialed Elizabeth Olsen’s number.

"Hi, dear, didn’t we just talk this morning?" Elizabeth was in the studio watching Lily creating a sculpture to commemorate Martin’s award.

Martin said briefly, "Keep your Independence Day holiday free for me, don’t go out with your family, okay?"

Elizabeth’s sweet laughter came through the receiver, "Dear, are you taking me on a vacation? I could come to Africa to find you."

Martin laughed as well, "Let’s meet in Washington instead; I’ve been notified by the White House to attend the Independence Day celebration, and I’ll be receiving an award."

Elizabeth, of course, wouldn’t miss such an important moment, "Sure, I’ll come with you."

She saw that Lily had stopped her work and was discreetly listening, so she raised her voice slightly and said, "Can we bring Lily along? She’ll be on summer vacation and doesn’t want to go back to Atlanta..."

Martin didn’t think it over too much and replied, "That’s fine, I’ll have Bruce book the tickets and the rooms."

Elizabeth said, "I’ll go tell Lily now; she’ll be so happy to hear it." Lowering her voice, she added, "Be a little nice to Lily."

"I know," Martin responded, seeing Director Nolan’s new assistant, that particularly perceptive screenwriter approaching, and said, "I’ve got to go now, I’ll call you tonight."

Elizabeth agreed and ended the call.

Lily put down her tools and, after washing her hands, came over and asked, "Did you mention me while talking to Martin?"

"Oh, it’s like this, Martin got an invitation to the White House’s Independence Day celebration..." Elizabeth roughly explained the situation, "You were just complaining to me yesterday about being bored after summer vacation and wanting to join Martin in Africa. How about we go to Washington first and then join Martin in Africa later?"

Lily looked at Elizabeth and smiled without saying anything.

Elizabeth, feeling like she was facing a sly fox that never seemed to understand, continued as usual, pulling her upstairs and asking, "You’re not going? To witness Martin receiving the Distinguished Presidential Medal of Freedom? Do you want to miss that?"

Lily glanced at her seemingly naive peer and said, "Of course I’ll go. Why not?"

"I visited Washington when I was a kid," Elizabeth spoke of her anticipation for the trip, "Capitol Hill, the Washington Monument... I’ve forgotten what they look like."

Lily also feigned ignorance, "I wonder if we could encounter Russian spies; I was thinking of catching a few to earn a medal too."

The two girls, each with a mind as intricate as a beehive, giggled their way to the first floor, told the butler, and went up to the third floor to the terrace to have tea and chat.

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Reaching the terrace, Lily noticed something unusual next door and said, "Charlize Theron seems to be arguing with her boyfriend."

Elizabeth replied, "Her boyfriend is a real piece of work, it’s a pity it’s too distant to hear what they’re saying..."

They could only see the couple arguing in the yard from afar, and Lily added, "I heard from The Dark Knight Crew that this man also abused Charlize."

Elizabeth shook her head, "I’m not sure about that, but I read a gossip article the year before last where he publicly berated Charlize, leaving her in tears."

Enjoying their tea and snacks, the two had a delightfully leisurely time.

......

At Atlas Film City, the assistant director found Martin and after exchanging a few pleasantries, asked, "Have you come across anything worth noting down?"

Understanding immediately, Martin said, "You’re compiling the behind-the-scenes extras?"

"Not compiling, it’s the actual recording!" the assistant director emphasized professionally, then added, "Martin, you provided quite a few interesting tidbits during the filming of The Dark Knight."

Martin smiled, "Well, you can write that I am very popular in Africa, viewed as an idol by countless Moroccans."

The assistant director scratched his head in worry, knowing that genuine behind-the-scenes stories were key to his position.

Martin offered, "Here’s one for you: Martin takes leave from the set during filming to attend the Independence Day celebration in Washington."

The assistant director, who kept up with Martin, asked, "Are you being honored again?"

Martin confirmed, "The Distinguished Presidential Medal of Freedom."

The assistant picked up his pen and hurriedly jotted down in his notebook, while not forgetting to say, "Thank you, Martin, this piece of trivia will definitely attract attention."