America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 286: Chapter 283 Each Has Their Own Stand

"Yesterday, 'Brokeback Mountain' lead actor Heath Ledger was detained by the NYPD on suspicion of driving under the influence in Brooklyn Studio, nearly causing injury to 'Limitless' co-stars Martin Davis and Jennifer Aniston..."

In the business car on the move, CAA agent Kevin Huvane quickly read through the text and looked at the accompanying pictures, which were all of his client Heath Ledger being controlled by the NYPD and put into a police car.

During the process, the NYPD used handcuffs and other police equipment.

He handed the newspaper to Shamus and said, "The news has leaked."

The latter was a producer of 'Brokeback Mountain' and a founder of Focus Features, as well as a stakeholder in Paramount Pictures.

This report would more or less negatively impact 'Brokeback Mountain's Oscar campaign, and Shamus said, "There were too many witnesses yesterday; it was too hard to keep it a secret. Martin and Aniston are not easy to deal with; they're tough."

"I hope this trip goes well," Kevin glanced at his phone and said, "Harvey will come to the studio later."

The business car arrived at the boundary between Brooklyn and Queens and entered the somewhat outdated studio.

Kevin and Shamus made their respective phone calls, waiting patiently.

While an incident had occurred the day before, the 'Endless' crew continued filming normally, but some scenes involving Martin and Aniston had been postponed.

It was then that Thomas and Aniston's agent Steve found them and said, "They're here."

The two had discussed the matter in detail the night before, and Martin said, "What's bound to come will come; let's go meet them."

Aniston, fearing her little sweetheart couldn't withstand the pressure, particularly admonished, "If there's trouble, just pin it on me; I'm also a member of the Producers' Alliance."

Martin had experienced his big sister's kindness more than once and led the way out of the sound stage to the studio's office area.

Kevin approached proactively, ignoring Martin, "Jen, you're radiant and getting more beautiful." He then shook hands with Steve following behind, "Shall the three of us talk in private?"

Steve glanced at Aniston, and seeing no objection from her, they entered the office together. Read new adventures at M V L

Shamus came over to shake hands with Martin, "This is our first meeting, and I've heard from Heath about what happened yesterday; your reflexes are even better than rumored."

"If my reflexes were poor, Jen and I would probably be lying in a hospital right now," Martin entered the conference room next door and said, "If my bodyguard hadn't noticed the danger and warned me, and if I hadn't reacted quickly, we wouldn't be able to meet today."

Thomas, the last to enter, closed the door, "We've had no contact with the media from the beginning to the end, thinking that since we're all in the industry, we should resolve this internally. And what happened? You still exerted pressure on us through Warner!"

Shamus said, "The news has already broken, and it's put us in a very passive position..."

Is that supposed to be my fault?" Martin sneered coldly, seeming almost on the brink of losing control, "Did I make Heath Ledger take drugs? Did I make his driving go out of control? Did I leak the story to the media?"

Shamus was there to solve problems, not exacerbate hostilities, and hurriedly replied, "That's not what I mean; Heath has his current situation because he made a mistake; it's his own doing."

He smiled and said, "Martin, I came here in good faith to discuss how to deal with the aftermath."

Martin knew he was the producer of 'Brokeback Mountain' and the representative of Focus Features and Paramount Pictures, and responded directly, "I'm not insistent on dwelling on this matter, or on pursuing legal action since we're all struggling in the same industry."

Shamus relaxed a little.

Martin, of course, was not willing to let it go just like that, "Yesterday, Heath Ledger insulted me, and later in front of so many people, he even threatened to kill me. I want him to publicly apologize to me in a major U.S. media outlet like the 'New York Times' and explain the reasons for the apology."

With newspapers already publishing pictures from the scene, Shamus said, "I don't have a problem on my side, but we need to communicate with CAA."

Martin continued, "I was severely traumatized yesterday and have been unsettled ever since, unable to work normally. The 'Endless' crew had to postpone my shooting, and I'm unsure when I'll be able to resolve these psychological issues. I need Heath to compensate me for this."

He glanced at Thomas, "You guys discuss the specifics."

The compensation that Thomas negotiated would also allow him to earn a commission, so he was particularly motivated, "Leave it to me."

Martin nodded politely at Shamus, "I'm emotionally unstable right now; I'm going back."

Having ascertained Martin's stance, Shamus also didn't wish to talk with him any further.

This guy, always ready with a mountain of difficult excuses to throw out.

......

In another office.

"Jen, we've been friends for over ten years, and I need your help again this time," Kevin began by reminiscing about their so-called longstanding friendship and then explained the difficulty, "The award season is progressing, and we're at the critical time when judges make their voting decisions.

You know many people like to vote with their feet, and hugely influential negative news can lead judges to avoid related individuals."

He spoke rapidly, "CAA has invested significant resources and favors in Heath Ledger's Oscar nomination. If we let this news ferment, the negative impact will be too great, and all our invested resources will go to waste."

In the industry, just using banned substances isn't considered a big deal, but nearly hitting fellow actors Martin and Aniston at the studio would make many judges think about themselves, as studios are where they most commonly go. Could they become victims in the future?

Moreover, casting an Oscar vote for Aniston doesn't attract many votes, but if someone publicly harms Aniston, most people would not look favorably on the perpetrator.

Aniston, for the time being, suppressed her displeasure and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Kevin made a suggestion, "How about this, Heath privately apologizes to you and compensates you a sum. You and Martin release a statement declaring it was all a misunderstanding?"

Aniston turned to her agent Steve, "Kevin, is this your idea, or the company's?"

Steve immediately clarified his position, "I was unaware of this." He raised his voice, "Jen is the victim, why should she bite her tongue?"

Kevin, not daring to overly offend Aniston, quickly added, "This is just a suggestion."

Steve could see what Aniston meant: "We absolutely refuse!"

"There's no point in continuing," Aniston stood up to leave.

Steve was also about to leave, but Kevin stopped him: "Wait a second."

"Is there something?"

Kevin closed the door: "Don't forget your position."

Steve said, "The client comes first!"

While CAA publicly claimed that all agents were equal, the reality was different, with senior partners and managing partners comprising the top echelon of the company. Kevin, one of them, said severely, "The premise is that it must be in CAA's interest!"

He softened his tone slightly: "Steve, try to persuade Jen. Her success today is also the result of CAA's pushing."

But Steve saw right through it; they only cared about his client: "I cannot betray my client's wishes!"

Kevin, furious, paced back and forth: "You, me, including Bryan, haven't we done enough against clients' wishes?"

It was like a superior reprimanding a subordinate: "You are a part of CAA!"

Steve didn't reply and turned to leave the office.

Aniston, having collaborated with him for years, asked, "What happened?"

Steve said, "Senior partners sure are impressive!"

Aniston seemed thoughtful: "I can feel that, since Friends ended, CAA is no longer the CAA it used to be."

Meanwhile, Martin, who had left the office building, encountered Harvey Weinstein.

Or rather, the other man was there specifically waiting for him.

Harvey Weinstein said, "Haven't seen you in a long time."

Martin smiled and asked directly, "About Heath Ledger?"

Harvey, hands in the pockets of his woolen coat, took the initiative to walk forward: "I signed a distribution deal as soon as 'I'm Not There' got green-lit, investing through the names of other studios."

Martin followed: "No wonder you managed to get so many A-list actors; it was your influence."

Harvey emphasized, "Tens of millions of US dollars in investment can't be wasted because of what happened yesterday."

Martin said, "I never planned to do anything to Heath. He publicly apologized to me in the newspapers and gave me a sum as compensation; that's the end of it."

Harvey asked without needing an answer, "Do you know why I chose Heath as one of the leads?" Before Martin could reply, he continued, "Because, from my years of experience maneuvering the Oscars, I predict Heath will be on fire after this award season."

He shook his head slightly, "His flame has just ignited and might be extinguished already."

Martin repeated Michel Williams's words, "It's just too much pressure on him."

Harvey made a similar suggestion to the one Kevin Huvane had: "I have a proposal for CAA."

Of course, Martin wouldn't accept: "I value honesty and trustworthiness. I can't lie to the public; such lies are too easily exposed, and in the end, it's my reputation that would suffer."

Suddenly changing his tune, Harvey said, "Actually, I'm very optimistic about your future. You're quite a good actor, and the Oscars shouldn't overlook you."

"Thank you for the compliment," Martin said earnestly, "This year I have 'Infernal Affairs'."

Harvey no longer insisted: "Good luck to you."

Martin turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Bruce, trailing behind, quickened his pace to catch up with Martin: "Didn't seem very pleasant?"

"That was the most peaceful conversation I've had with him," Martin replied, well aware of the consequences: "Cutting off someone's finances is tricky business."

Bruce suggested softly, "Should we call Sophia?"

Martin shook his head: "This is New York, the birthplace of the Weinstein Brothers, not Georgia or Los Angeles."

Bruce then suggested, "Work with him?"

"I've thought about it, but it's too difficult," Martin confessed his concerns: "I'm a member of the Face Gang. I might not be able to handle the Foot Clan's initiation rites! Besides, even if I did switch to the Foot Clan, if he asked me to go after actresses he's forced himself on, what should I do? Should I deceive them, telling them to bear with it and that they'll become big stars afterwards?"

Bruce remarked, "This only shows one thing, compared to that fat guy, you're just not rotten enough!"

Martin walked on slowly, contemplating. After a while, he said, "Old Cloth, make a call to Atlanta, ask Ivan to come over."

Bruce, doubting Martin's intentions with Ivan, suspecting the latter might use force, said, "You're regressing more and more."

Martin responded, "Relax, it's just talk."

Bruce was puzzled, as talking would normally involve Mene.