America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Monday noon, the infamous Trio of Scoundrels were enjoying a French feast at London's renowned Lederbury Restaurant.

Eating French cuisine in England, it's a longstanding British fashion.

Nicholson took a bite of escargot and asked, "Martin, have you picked up any chicks in London?"

"Not yet." Martin's face was flushed with shame. "I've let the organization down, today's meal is on me."

Leo looked surprised. "You haven't even found a prospect?"

Martin admitted frankly, "I had my eye on Scarlett Johansson from the 'The Prestige' crew, but she's a vegetarian, I can't afford to provoke her."

Nicholson pointed at Martin, "Don't tell anyone else you hang out with me, it's embarrassing!"

Martin was helpless, "The best English roses are getting on in years, Zeta-Jones, Beckinsale, Rachel Weisz, they're all a bit older."

Leo cut right to the heart of the issue, "Isn't that exactly what you like, women in their thirties?"

"Slander!" Martin was loyal to his type, "I only like them beautiful and with good figures."

Nicholson wiped his mouth with a napkin, schooling the two youngsters, "You guys are still young, you don't understand what's key—it's all about skills! You two blockheads, use your brains, technique is what's crucial!"

He shook his head and stood up, "How did I end up with two idiot friends, sigh..."

Martin asked, "Are you going to ditch us?"

"I'm leaving first." Nicholson packed up his personal items. "I'm off to see a few old friends, don't wait up for me tonight, I might not come back."

Leo shook his head, "Definitely off to meet a woman, forgetting his friends over a pretty face."

Nicholson pretended not to hear and left directly.

Martin continued enjoying lunch, "See Leo? That's our group's leader, an old scoundrel."

Leo said, "We should go give a gift later."

After lunch, both took the same car and headed to Pine Forest Film Studio.

On the way, Martin made a phone call. "That's right, the old scoundrel's headed to the studio, he'll arrive at the 'Mamma Mia!' crew soon."

Leo scoffed, "No need to say it, he's definitely up to no good."

When they arrived at the studio's outer parking lot, Martin got out of the car, opened the trunk, and tossed a long bag to Leo, strapping another one on his own back.

Both put on sunglasses, slung the bags over their shoulders, and walked side by side toward the studio like snipers ready for a mission.

Meanwhile, at the 'The Prestige' crew's location.

Christian Bale had wrapped up the day's shoot and was leaving the set to remove his makeup. Emerging from his makeup trailer, he bumped into Kate Blanchett who had come to visit Hugh Jackman.

"Coming in?" Bale stood at the trailer door, inviting her.

Blanchett's face, as emotionless as stone, curled into a strange smile, "Pine Forest Film Studio is vast, I recall there's a rather famous spot here."

"I know the place, a lot of actors like to go there." Bale motioned, leading Blanchett towards where the electric cars were parked.

Blanchett followed naturally, "I heard you cut Martin Davis from this crew's audition?"

Bale got into the electric car, waited for Blanchett to sit at his side, started it, and spoke, "Heath was my friend. He was wronged, and if I can help, of course, I will."

There were plenty in the circle who would form cliques and help one another, not just people like Martin.

Blanchett mentioned, "Your niche is somewhat similar to Martin Davis, the competition for limited resources in this circle is tight—if you can fight for it, then fight; if you can snatch it, then snatch."

Bale, a star who had fought his way up, understood these principles very well, "What can be snatched, I won't hold back." He started to laugh, "I'll keep an eye on Martin. If he initiates a project, there's nothing I can do, but if it's other crews or roles, we'll get him."

On both sides of the road, they started seeing some very old pine trees.

In the distance, a sparser pine forest became visible.

This was the famous landmark of Pine Forest Film Studio, not only for the mature pine trees but also as a well-known battleground amongst actors.

Hollywood crews had too many spouses and polite greetings; for some who did it often, the lure of alternative excitement was inevitable, and the uses of Pine Forest tended to align closer to those of a collegiate woodland.

Bale, being somewhat cautious about his public image, stopped the car at some distance, and he and Blanchett walked toward the forest like friends chatting during a stroll.

An electric car zoomed past them.

Blanchett looked up and recognized the two aboard as Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.

Hollywood had countless rumors about these two, no questions needed to be asked about what they were off to do.

Blanchett, itching for some action, said, "Keep an eye on those two for me, let's pick a place close to them, and listen to their... sounds."

Bale, a veteran of twenty years in the industry, understood immediately, "To have the voices of an Oscar Best Actor and Actress as our accompaniment, that would be supremely thrilling."

Blanchett burst into hearty laughter, her cackles unrestrained.

Elsewhere, Nicholson and Streep were making their way into the pine woods.

A breeze swept through, exceptionally refreshing.

Continuing deeper, Streep spoke up, "I saw Martin a few days ago, how did you become friends with that scoundrel?"

"Because I'm a scoundrel too!" Nicholson was well aware of himself, "He plays around a lot and has lots of bad ideas, which is just my taste. Since Marlon Brando went to see God, and Warren Beatty got married, it's been ages since I've met someone rotten enough to hang out with."