American Fame and Fortune

Chapter 8 Another debt

“The troupe will no longer be rehearsing new plays for the time being. For the sake of your future, the focus will be on securing roles in film and television projects.” Jerome’s face was impassioned, but he had other plans in his heart.

 Once rehearsals start, money is like running water.

˜Marietta Community Theater is a non-profit organization, and its income mainly comes from donations from public welfare organizations and cultural funding from the local government.

 For example, theaters are owned by the city hall.

Rehearsal rehearsals are the same as movie shootings. It is easier to keep accounts, and the money saved will naturally flow into the pockets of several people in charge headed by him.

Jerome looked like he was doing it for you, and said with emphasis: "In the future, I will personally guide your performances. Believe me, there will be no one more professional than me in Marietta City!"

 Martin was thinking while listening. When it comes to film and television crews, troupes have an advantage over individuals, but for $300 a month...

The money in his hand was obtained with the pain of a broken arm.

 Is it Harris who lost his arm? He respects Harris' efforts.

 Martin did not see the benefit and would not throw it out easily.

The newcomers are not idiots. Someone asked: "Captain, why did you come to Atlanta to shoot the movie you mentioned?"

At present, Atlanta is inconspicuous in the Hollywood film and television industry chain.

Jerome smiled confidently: "The state government just passed a bill before the New Year. All film and television productions shot in Atlanta, as long as the investment exceeds 500,000 US dollars, will receive a 20% tax discount. If the film is marked with the Georgia state logo, an additional 100% discount will be given." 10.

He sees clearly: "Hollywood film and television production companies will never miss the opportunity to make more profits. More crews will come to Atlanta to shoot in the future. Now the opportunity has come, are you ready?"

 Another person asked: "I read on the forum that actors must go through an agent to find work. I don't have an agent."

"Don't worry about the **** agents, don't worry about the **** rules of the Screen Actors Guild, the California talent bill can't control Atlanta!" Jerome asked the man: "Do you want the agent to take 10%, or do you want to pay 3,000 Join the Screen Actors Guild with US dollars and pay a large membership fee every year?”

The man's emotions were aroused by Jerome, and he shook his head repeatedly: "For $3,000, I would rather buy a car."

 Martin has always been quiet, and even if he has different opinions, he will not speak rashly.

At the end of the Chicken Soup Conference, the troupe’s accountant put the table on the table to collect money. Only one of the ten newly recruited people left, and the remaining nine all paid their dues.

Even if an old man like Robert still chooses to stay in the troupe, Martin has experienced this stage and understands that their psychology is no different from countless drifters.

　　After Martin heard about the two crews, he had been thinking about how to make Jerome think of him first.

　　After waiting for everyone to leave, Martin walked to the accountant's desk with his legs crooked, his face full of shame: "Mr. Mitchell, I...I have no money, and I can't pay my dues."

 Jerome Mitchell frowned: "Martin, don't embarrass me."

Martin got excited and took out the pockets of his pants and jacket. He only had 7 US dollars: "I'm very sorry. I fell off and broke my leg when I was working on a roof repair job. I spent all my salary on the treatment. My boss refused to compensate me and even fired me. Please let me know if the dues can be postponed for a while.”

He is comfortable acting in simple plays that he has personally experienced: "I am looking for a new job, and I will make up for it when I have money. Yes, isn't there a play next week? As long as I get the salary for the role, I will immediately give it to the troupe."

ˆPredecessor Martin Davis’s consistently good performance in the troupe is the basis for what he said.

Jerome looked at Martin's shame and helplessness, and remembered the most difficult time in his youth, and he actually felt a little soft-hearted: "Don't let me down."

 “Thank you!” Martin thanked him hurriedly and glanced at a book under the accounting form, the latest issue of "Entertainment Weekly". He pointed at the magazine: "Mr. Mitchell, you know I like Hollywood news the most, but I don't have the money to buy it. Can you..."

Jerome waved his hand: "Take it away."

 Martin took the book and limped out of the theater.

Jerome was soft-hearted and would not trade at a loss, so he recorded Martin's debt.

 No one can owe him a debt for a long time. If the poor guy can't pay it back, he just needs to find an opportunity to push the poor guy out to work and pay it back.

In Jerome’s subconscious mind, those who have paid their dues can move to the back of the queue. After all, no more oil can be extracted this month. Martin waited for a long time before he got into the dilapidated minibus, found a seat at the back, and read a magazine.

 After reading the magazine for a while, the minibus suddenly shook and the driver shouted: "The car is broken down!"

 Including Martin, there was a lot of curses.

 “This is **** public transportation!” Martin could only get off the bus with the others.

Halfway through the journey, it may take a long time to wait for the next minibus. There are no taxis running around the city in Atlanta. If you want to take a taxi, you have to call for one. Martin simply walks.

A Dodge pickup truck came from behind and parked next to the sidewalk. The image of the House of Beasts was spray-painted on the car.

The right window was lowered, and Bruce, who was wearing a jacket, waved at him: "Martin Davis, do you want a lift?"

 Martin looked at him: "Okay?"

 Bruce pointed forward: "I live in the Baka community south of Clayton, just by the way."

 Martin pulled away the co-pilot and got into the car: "What a coincidence?"

Bruce pumped the gas: "I just collected a bill for my boss." After the car drove a few hundred meters, he suddenly said: "I almost forgot, you have to pay me 5 US dollars for the fare."

 Martin slapped the car door: "Hey, man, can you be a man!"

Bruce held the steering wheel with one hand and lifted his jacket with the other hand: "The boss said that employees of the Beast House must be civilized people who abide by the law."

 Martin saw the pistol under his arm and recognized Bruce as a civilized man: "We'll pay for it in Clayton."

 “Deal!” Bruce smiled honestly.

 Martin didn’t want to talk to him, so he picked up the magazine and flipped through it.

 Bruce turned his head quickly and saw the cover: "Entertainment Weekly? I like this magazine? There is a poster for "Lost in Translation" in the magazine!"

 Martin's mind quickly turned around: "A fan of Scarlett Johansson?"

 Bruce looked back reluctantly: “I collected the poster of this film, but it’s a pity it’s broken.”

 Martin asked: "How did it break?"

Bruce pursed his dry lips: "The poster was accidentally blown by the wind."

Martin raised his thumb and imitated Harris's tone: "I am now 100% sure that you are a civilized person." He picked up the magazine and shook it: "Man, the latest "Entertainment Weekly" is hard to buy in Atlanta. Not only the cover, but also a complete set of stills from "Lost in Translation".

Bruce reached out to take it, but Martin took it back: "The fare is waived, $10."

 “You are a profiteer!” After saying this, Bruce frequently looked at the cover.

 Martin rolled up the magazine again: "The **** from my neighbor Carter's family also like this poster very much. I can sell this magazine for at least 20 US dollars when I take it back."

 Bruce took out two 5-dollar bills and threw them to Martin: "You win."

Martin put away the money, handed the free magazine to Bruce, and said casually: "Man, I am an actor. When I become famous in the future, I will get you signed photos of the crew..."

Bruce didn't want to talk to this person anymore, he was not a human being, so he simply used his killer move: "Think about how to pay back the money."

"I remember." Martin plans to stay in Atlanta temporarily, and this account must be dealt with in a way. He said, "I want to see your boss."

“Tomorrow night, the boss will be at the Beast’s House.” Bruce shook the magazine in his hand: “For its sake, let me tell you something. If you can prove your worth to the boss, you will get preferential treatment.”

 (End of this chapter)