America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

On Monday morning, the Gray Company was busier than usual, as the film crew renting the entire floor had many minor roles to audition actors for.

People from the production team had been arriving in Atlanta, but before producer Steve Golin showed up, Louise Mel was the one calling the shots here.

Director Michel Gondry, a Frenchman with average qualifications and achievements, was closer to being the overall commander of the film set.

After the morning meeting, Louise reminded the casting director, "The actor I mentioned, pay special attention to him."

"I understand." Richard wasn't new to this and knew what she meant.

The crew hired staff in Atlanta and also planned to recruit a group of actors for minor roles, which could save them a considerable amount of labor costs.

Richard quickly headed to the audition room, and just as he rounded the corner of the hallway, Lynn, temporarily employed by the Gray Company, came to him: "Director Richard."

As a casting director at the Gray Company, Richard showed her some courtesy: "What's the matter?"

Lynn brought up an actor she had discovered and worked with several times: "The matter we discussed the other day about Adam Smith, please pay more attention to him."

Richard nodded, then had a brief meeting with his assistants.

While looking through the resumes his assistant brought, he noticed something: Adam Smith and Martin Davis were auditioning for the same role.

Without much consideration, Richard put Adam Smith's resume at the bottom of the pile.

Meanwhile, Martin arrived at the Gray Company, meeting up with Jerome at the entry, and called Louise's assistant. Someone soon came to lead Jerome to discuss matters regarding the extensive use of extras.

At that moment, Robert arrived at the entrance with his big head and immediately spotted Martin, hurrying over: "Are you here to audition too?"

Martin asked, "Which role are you auditioning for?"

As they walked inside, Robert said while moving along, "A minor role with only two lines of dialogue. I'd dream of having a line."

Martin replied, "Don't worry, we are not going for the same role."

Robert inquired, "A main role?"

Martin said, "Only if you could help."

Robert touched his big head, "Buddy, that really was an accident!"

Martin casually said, "I believe you."

Getting to the vicinity of the audition room, there were too many people, and the row of chairs was simply not enough, forcing many to stand.

The door of an office nearby opened, and Andrew, holding some papers, emerged. Seeing Martin standing, he quickly called out, "Jen, quick, bring out a chair. No, two."

The freckled-faced assistant dragged out two chairs, and Andrew took one, dragging it to Martin: "Take a seat."

Martin hurriedly took the chair, polite as ever, "Thank you."

"We're friends," Andrew said in a lower tone. "I have yet to thank you for the tip you gave me last time. I became the first man in the company to use a water jug, and the boss praised me in front of everyone and even recommended me to this crew to learn."

Martin had a knack for saying the right thing, "That sounds like a promotion in the making. Congratulations."

Andrew smiled, "Actually, it's the same as before. They needed a casting assistant here familiar with Atlanta to help select extras, and I'm mainly coordinating with Jerome."

Martin remarked, "With the experience of a $20 million production, you'll go back as a full-fledged casting director."

"I hope so," said Andrew as he prepared to leave.

Martin and Robert had just sat down when someone nearby complained, "Why don't we have seats?"

Andrew's face turned stern in an instant, "If you don't want to stand, you can leave."

The other actors waiting to audition quickly fell silent.

Andrew lifted the papers, "I have things to do."

Martin said, "Go on, you're busy."

Seated on a bench against the wall not far off, Adam Smith had been observing the scene.

Ward asked, "Martin's that guy?"

Adam Smith asked, "Is he that famous now?"

"Martin, oh!" Ward's expression was a bit exaggerated, "I heard that in high-end clubs, lots of women are asking who he is, wanting to pay big bucks to have a 'ride' with him."

"That idiot Kyle, the part should've been his," Adam Smith muttered under his breath, somewhat worried, "He's come at this time, to audition for the same role as me?"

"You're the leading man in several of Gray Company's productions, and you have director Lynn's recommendation," Ward's voice was also low, "What has he got to compare with you?"

Yet Adam Smith said, "His relationship with Kelly Gray is no trivial matter. Did you see Andrew? He's sucking up to him."

Ward reminded him, "Didn't Lynn say, your information is listed first, for these mass auditions for minor roles, those in front..."

At that moment, the audition room opened, and the corridor immediately fell silent.

Adam Smith straightened his clothes, preparing in advance.

A middle-aged female assistant came out and called, "Martin Davis."

Ward was surprised.

Everyone looked at Martin.

Robert raised his fist, "Buddy, good luck!"

Martin bumped fists with him, then strode into the audition room.

In such auditions, of course, there are no red sofas; in Hollywood today, the so-called red sofas have long been removed from audition rooms.

If you really want to talk about a role in private, places like hotel rooms are more suitable.

Even in a perfunctory audition, Martin still gave one hundred percent performance.

A very simple acting bit, plus a few lines of dialogue.

No difficulty for him.

Adam Smith watched Martin go in and come out, talking and laughing with that big-headed guy, not feeling too good.

The second person to enter the audition room wasn't him, nor was the third, fourth, or fifth...

This was a Hollywood production, a real chance to touch Hollywood was right there, yet so far away as to be untouchable.

When it was finally Adam Smith's turn, the psychological gap made his performance less than ideal. Just by looking at the casting director and the assistant's expressions, he knew it was a no-go.

Seeing Adam Smith come out, Ward asked, "How did it go?"

Adam Smith shook his head, "Let's go."

After leaving Gray Company, Adam Smith made a call to Lynn.

Soon, Lynn called back, "They decided right after the audition ended—Martin Davis. He added, "Come back this afternoon, there's another small part with fewer lines; I'll try to help you get it."

Adam Smith put away his phone and said, "Ward, you know a lot of people in Atlanta, help me find out about Martin Davis."

Ward was puzzled, "Just a small role."

"It's not just about the role," Adam Smith's real concern was elsewhere, "This production is closely collaborating with Gray Company, you understand? Here at Gray Company, I may not stack up against Martin Davis anymore."

The late-night shows at Gray Company were his mainstay; if he couldn't make it to Hollywood, he could still live well in Atlanta.

If he lost his mainstay, his current life would turn to froth.

The car bought on installment, the mortgage for his house, the everyday credit card expenses, all of it would be seriously affected.

Adam Smith said, "Lynn hinted that director Benjamin is writing a new drama for Gray Company. I thought the leading man role was mine for sure, but now it seems dicey."

Ward understood, "Press down on a threat as soon as it shows its head?"

Adam Smith nodded, "I at least need to understand who my potential rival is. If I don't even know who my opponent is, I could get replaced without even realizing it."