America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

As soon as Thomas arrived at work today, the gaze of every colleague in the open-plan office had changed. In just a few months, his client, Martin Davis, had topped the North American box office charts twice!

"When was the last time something like this happened with an agent in the hall? How many years ago?" someone asked in a low voice.

Another replied, "It seems, it seems like it was the second year after Ari Emanuel left the mailroom."

The first person, jealous and envious, said, "Where does an agent's value lie? Clients! Now that Thomas has Martin as a client, as long as Martin doesn't fire him, he is bound to become wealthy."

The other person fell silent, an idea irresistibly surfacing in his mind: Martin Davis's next movie must be a disaster.

At that moment, who knows how many agents in the hall harbored similar thoughts.

Especially when Thomas was called away for a meeting with the executives.

These individuals, seasoned by their time in the mailroom, appeared unfazed on the surface, but their emotions were exceptionally complex.

Everyone wanted to be Thomas, yet no one wished for anyone else to become Thomas.

Leaving the hall, Thomas walked past a dozen separate offices.

The door of one office was open, with Pinto leaning against the door frame, watching Thomas turn into the elevator area.

He turned his head to look at the office diagonally across, where four or five workers were doing the final tidying, and a computer had already been set up at the independent workstation outside the door.

A sign was affixed to the frosted glass door — Thomas Ryan.

An independent office, even one with an assistant!

Merely having Martin Davis as a client had elevated Thomas above him.

Pinto deeply regreted not making more of an effort to sign Martin Davis; he had quite a few female clients who were no less attractive than Annie Hathaway.

Was there still a chance to poach Martin Davis? Pinto thought carefully, unless he changed agencies and left.

Thomas went upstairs to Ari Emanuel's office.

The administrative supervisor, Whitesell, was also there.

Whitesell got straight to the point, "You've been very productive over the last six months, cultivating a client like Martin. There's already an office prepared for you, and you can choose an assistant from the mailroom."

Thomas had already seen the office, but he was still very pleased, suppressing his excitement and responding, "I'd like to select Natasha from the reception desk."

Whitesell answered, "Go to the mailroom later to handle the formalities."

Ari took over the conversation, "Martin is a good actor, with outstanding acting skills, emotional intelligence, networking, and connections; he has the potential to keep progressing."

Thomas smiled in response, "Yes, although sometimes Martin does things..."

He wanted to say without a bottom line, but Martin was his client, and he had to protect him: "He's somewhat unconventional in his actions, but entirely trustworthy in his work. Martin doesn't handle his work like a guy in his twenties; he's like an old actor in his fifties or sixties."

Ari emphasized, "Many are clear-headed before they become big stars but then get intoxicated by success. You need to observe carefully; Martin has greater potential in value and profit for the company, and we can't afford to see him rapidly fall."

After all, it wasn't about the person; it was the profit the person could bring.

Thomas said, "I will keep an eye on Martin."

Ari inquired, "I heard Martin is working on a new project?"

"Yes, Martin has established a studio, working in collaboration with Louise Mel of Pacific Pictures, who is mainly in charge of package deals, production, and planning," Thomas roughly explained, "The project is called 'Wanted Order' and is adapted from a comic book. The crew is in the process of assembling, with Martin and Jolie starring as the lead actors."

Ari asked, "What about the budget for the investment?"

Thomas answered, "It's expected to be around 50 million US dollars. Martin has a few female investors supporting him in Atlanta, and Louise Mel is also one of his backers."

"Not bad," Ari said, growing curious, "On one hand, he's clamoring to get engaged to Annie Hathaway, and on the other, he's still climbing onto a few female investors; Martin's strengths are quite prominent in this regard!"

Whitesell suggested, "I recommend upgrading Martin's internal level from a level five to a level four client. Even though his fees don't reach the 5 million US dollar mark, his situation is very special, with backers strongly supporting him."

At this point, Thomas added, "One more thing, I haven't had the chance to report to the company yet: Martin and I are preparing to vie for the second lead role in Director Scorsese and Leonardo's new project, a mob and cop movie 'Infernal Affairs.'

"You two?" Ari couldn't help frowning, he had just spoken about staying clear-headed, and these two were already dizzy with box office success?

Thomas hastened to explain, "Pacific Pictures is basically settled on the project package deal with Warner Bros., and Louise will let Martin join with funding, about 20 million US dollars."

Ari and Whitesell exchanged a glance, each thinking the same thing at the bottom of their hearts: Just how exceptional was Martin Davis to achieve such a feat!

This guy completely relied on women to rise to the top — absolute talent!

"Two things about Martin need the company's support," Thomas said, accustomed to the super moocher and not surprised, "Louise will talk with Warner Bros. and Director Scorsese about cooperation, and they'll push Martin as the main focus on our side..."

Ari nodded, "I will communicate further with Scorsese and Warner Bros."

Thomas continued, " 'Wanted Order' is currently missing a suitable action director."

Ari, a man who handled big issues without any hesitation, said, "I'll help him find the right director, but the project must prioritize our company's clients for a series of supporting roles."

Thomas replied, "That's also Martin's intention."

Ari turned to Whitesell and said, "Company resources at level four to prioritize Martin."

Martin had two movies lined up to shoot and wouldn't need the agency's recommended roles for a while, but the company's supportive attitude needed to be demonstrated.

There was too much poaching between the major Hollywood agencies.

...

As noon approached, Martin arrived at WMA; many people gave him strange looks.

Others came forward to greet him, "Hey, Martin, congratulations."

"Here comes our box office champion."

"What's your next project? Can you bring along one of my clients?"

In the agency, Martin always appeared friendly and harmless to everyone, like a lucky, naive sweetheart.

He came to Thomas's cubicle, where Thomas sat with an empty desk.

Martin understood at a glance and fist-bumped with him, "Buddy, you've got your own office now."

Thomas laughed and beckoned, "Come with me."

The two entered the private office area, and from a distance, Martin saw the office labeled "Thomas Ryan," with a blonde assistant sitting at the desk outside.

When she saw Martin approach, the blonde stood up and greeted proactively, "Good morning, Martin."

Martin remembered her, "Hello, Natasha."

Thomas opened the frosted glass door and invited, "Come in and take a look."

Martin followed him inside; the office was not big, about fifteen square meters, equipped with a desk, file cabinets, and a sofa for guests.

Thomas was excited, "What do you think? Nice, right?"

Martin knew he had to be encouraging, "An amazing office, I feel like working here myself."

After the encouragement, he added a bit of pressure, "But it's still a little small, the larger office upstairs would suit you better."

Thomas nodded, "I'd like to move upstairs too, but those offices are for senior agents and partners."

"You don't have confidence in me, or in yourself?" Martin needed Thomas to charge ahead and wouldn't allow him to rest on his laurels, "Who was number one at the North American box office last week? Huh? It was us! We are a golden combination; our momentum is strong and our future is bright."

He emphasized, "We have many more goals; we can climb higher!"

Thomas was full of drive, "Damn right, I want to be a partner in the company!"

Martin said, "Above a partner, there's a senior partner, and above that, a managing partner, like me, currently a small star, with many levels above..."

"You are now at level four in the company, which is star-level customer," Thomas said, "You might not be there in terms of salary, but your case is special."

Martin understood, "Because I can bring investment into the production?"

"Exactly," Thomas selectively relayed what Ari had said about Martin's customer level upgrade and the two projects "Wanted Order" and "Infernal Affairs."

Martin pulled out a chair and sat in front of Thomas's desk, "Having one successful movie, I feel like I suddenly have more friends around."

Thomas opened the blinds, "Connections and resources, many are brought by one successful project after another."

Martin asked, "If I fail, will everyone around me become my enemies?"

Thomas weighed his words before replying, "When a star's movie has high box office, from producers to distributors, from theaters to audiences, everyone remembers him. Every move he makes, however crass, is right, is good."

His tone shifted abruptly, "But if the movie fails, do you think they will let him off? Will they simply forget the failure? Or will they pin the poison of box office disaster on him?"

Martin couldn't help but laugh, "Thomas, you could be my life coach."

Thomas said, "Because I want us to keep succeeding together!"

Soon it was lunchtime.

Thomas treated Martin to lunch at a nearby restaurant, calling Bruce along and generously picking up the tab.

"Old Cloth, we haven't interacted much before; we should get together more often," Thomas said sincerely as he clinked glasses with Bruce, "We need to do a good service job for Martin."

Bruce laughed creepily, "No problem."

Martin also passed Jessica's contact information to Thomas, "My personal assistant responsible for fans, blog and some miscellaneous tasks. If you can't reach me or Old Cloth, you can contact her."

Thomas noted down the contact information straightaway.

After lunch, Bruce asked Martin, "Where to now?"

Martin replied, "To see Vincent and Sophia."

Bruce still seemed apprehensive, "You're going alone?"

Martin didn't want to go by himself either, "Hey, man, where's your professional ethic?"