"Wow, wow, wow! Look who finally decided to show up! While the rest of us are busting our asses promoting this movie, someone's out there going on romantic strolls. Isn't that a bit much?"
Inside the crew hotel, Nicholson squinted at the glowing Martin, who was surrounded by a crowd, and voiced his grievances loudly.
"Relax, everyone! I brought gifts—Canada's famous sealskin trench coats. They're in the van outside. Help yourselves!"
Martin brushed off the accusations without a care, smoothing things over with generous bribery.
It worked like a charm.
The crew erupted into cheers and rushed outside.
Including the two traitors—Leonardo and Matt Damon.
Nicholson stood there slack-jawed. Weren't they supposed to be teaming up to give Martin a hard time?
So now he was the only one playing the villain while the others had been bribed into betrayal? Especially Leonardo—he was the ringleader of this whole "punish Martin" idea, and he ran out faster than anyone.
Infernal boys? More like Infinite Walker!
"Hey, old Jack, what were you just saying?"
Martin turned to Nicholson with a half-smile, casually cleaned his ears, and cracked his knuckles.
Nicholson's expression changed instantly.
"Oh, dear brother Martin, I was saying that you're working so hard, traveling back and forth promoting the movie. And bringing us gifts too! You're really too kind. You must be exhausted—why don't you sit down? I'll get you some water!"
"Haha, there's a saying in the Europe: 'He who adapts to the times is wise.' You're a wise man, Jack. Go grab your coat—and bring me a bottle of water while you're at it!"
"On it!!!"
Nicholson bolted outside. Moments later, shouting erupted between him and Leonardo.
"Fuck off, Leonardo! You traitor! When we get back to L.A., I'm sending a hundred Chinese, fat, and ugly girls to your place—and I'll bring bodyguards to make sure you finish the job!"
"Frankly, nobody here even has a bodyguard."
"Bodyguards won't help! I'll catch you off guard. You think they can protect you 24/7?"
"Hmph! If you pull that, I'll send a hundred Chinese smelly, ugly girls to ambush your house. Even if you pass out, I'll still make you finish the job!"
"Damn, you're toxic!"
"Martin said it—if you're not poisonous, you're not a hero!"
"Hero, my ass!"
"Why not? I totally count!"
…
Los Angeles – Meyers Films
Martin was finally back from Toronto.
"Martin, you look terrible. What happened?" Drew asked.
"Don't even ask. Leon and Old Jack bickered non-stop on the plane. I thought my head was going to explode."
Martin had a sneaking suspicion they were doing it on purpose—revenge, maybe?
"Oh, right—Elizabeth came by. She's waiting in your office. No idea how that little minx knew you were coming back today."
Drew gave him a suggestive smile. "And she came alone."
"Alone?" Martin blinked. "Then how did she get here?"
"The driver dropped her off. But she insisted the driver leave—said you'd be taking her home."
"Really now? Guess I better go see what she wants."
Martin made his way to the top floor, rubbed his face to look a bit more alive, and pushed open the door to his office.
"Martin! You're finally back!"
A figure sprang out from behind the door and latched onto his back.
Martin caught little minx with both hands, turned around to speak—and found Elizabeth already puckering up for a kiss.
Whoa.
Then her hands started roaming.
Martin was a little surprised—this wasn't like her. Since when was Elizabeth this forward?
He didn't resist. Instead, he scooped her up, kicked the door shut behind him, and carried her to the sofa.
Before things went further, he paused, choosing to ask first.
"What's going on, Elizabeth? Something happened?"
Elizabeth pouted, a little sulky. "Hmph. Martin, you're so unfair!"
Martin laughed. "What do you mean, little one?"
"You did that with that bitch Emma! You're way more intimate with her than me. I'm not happy!"
Martin nearly laughed out loud. So that was it.
It must've been little Emma again, stirring things up with a call to provoke her.
These two girls were like oil and water. Even if they ended up sharing a "love seed" one day, they'd never get along.
"So that's what this is all about?" Martin said with a smirk.
"I want it too. I want you to do to me what you did to that little slut Emma!"
"Right now? Here?"
"Why not?"
Elizabeth slipped her foot out of her little leather shoe, raised it, and lightly pressed it against Martin's chin, playfully scratching.
She was wearing a skirt today.
It was hot in L.A. in September… the scent of her warm feet drifted over with the shoes…
Martin chuckled and shook his head. The girl sure knew how to seduce someone—but the aroma could use some work.
He held her foot in his hand. The sweat made it tremble slightly.
Martin picked her up. "Go shower first."
"Then let's shower together," Elizabeth whispered.
"Sure."
The seventeen-year-old girl had grown up fully.
And with her being so eager, Martin had no reason to hold back. Today, he was adding her to his collection.
…
When Elizabeth left, she looked exhausted and flushed.
She ran into Drew in the elevator and was so embarrassed she couldn't even lift her head. She mumbled a quick hello and darted inside.
Drew walked into Martin's office with a knowing smile, wrinkled her nose a little, then walked to the window and opened it.
"Busy?"
Martin had just stepped out of the shower.
He grinned. "Very. But I've still got energy—want to go another round?"
"No thanks. I still have work to do."
"Nope. Your job is staying with me!"
"Ah—!"
Drew yelped as she was lifted into the air and dropped onto the sofa. She still managed to grumble, "Didn't you promise to take the girl home?"
"She called the driver. Now stop talking—let's get down to business."
"Ah… ahh…"
One and a half hours later.
Martin stretched. "Alright, now we can talk work."
Drew, panting, curled into his arms to recover, and finally said:
"127 Hours is set for release on October 10th. Shouldn't the promotion start soon? It may be an awards contender, but we still want a decent box office."
"Don't worry. With me here—and the hook of 'Martin Meyers: Director & Star'—we'll draw a crowd. The film itself is solid. Sure, it's a biopic, but it's got adventure, too. No way it'll flop."
Martin was confident.
In the original timeline, the film made a modest profit. In this version, with the added buzz of his directorial debut and personal brand, the box office could only be better.