America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

In a business club in Beverly Hills, many academy members were gathered internally for a private meeting. Apart from old-timers like Warren Beatty, who held positions in the academy, some veteran members had also come over.

These people all had one thing in common.

White, male, over 60 years old.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Warren Beatty found Nicholson and asked, "Heard you've been up to some nonsense lately?"

Annette Bening deliberately teased him, "Jack, you've led astray the two most promising young people in the circle."

"That's not true, I didn't lead them astray." Nicholson didn't want to carry the blame, "It's those two bastards who led me astray, okay!"

Warren Beatty thought back to his younger days, "I still remember the three of us, you, me, and Marlon, turning Sunset Boulevard into a place that never slept, and in the blink of an eye, we've aged."

Nicholson shrugged, "Marlon has gone to meet the Almighty, you've returned to your family, I'm semi-retired – our era has passed and people are almost forgetting us."

Annette Bening asked, "So, you want to assert your presence?"

Nicholson denied it, "Of course not, I really do like Blanchett, especially her sharply-etched face – it's so distinctive."

Annette Bening burst into laughter, "Your way of expressing affection is really unique; it infuriates people."

William Friedkin came over and said, "You got us both scolded by an Australian woman."

Nicholson was helpless, "I didn't expect her to...," he shrugged, "Blanchett has publicly apologized, and I think she realized her mistake, crying very sadly at the press conference."

Warren Beatty shook his head, "Women's tears."

Nicholson spread his hands, "She has freedom of speech."

"Exactly, she can express her opinions freely, God has bestowed her with freedom of speech," said Sidney Ganis, the president of the academy, who was nearby and couldn't help but interject when he heard their conversation, "But everyone should be responsible for their own words."

Warren Beatty and William Friedkin, two old white men, completely agreed with Sidney Ganis, "That's exactly right."

The authority of the academy is the authority; how could they tolerate being questioned?

Nicholson tried to defend Blanchett, "It wasn't intentional by Blanchett, maybe things have been going too smoothly for her over the years, she..."

Sidney Ganis shook his head, "People like her should go through more trials and tribulations; it's good for her life."

Although the position of the president of the academy is more of an honorary title and the power itself is not particularly significant, who could ignore his words during the awards season?

This is the representative elected by the old white men of the academy.

It wasn't just this small circle, people around were nodding in agreement.

They had watched the video where Kate Blanchett cursed out Nicholson and also the video of her tearfully apologizing at the press conference.

But most people automatically ignored the latter while firmly remembering the former.

They were old, aging, and not very good at remembering; a bit willful, a bit petty, and bad-tempered, but all this was understandable.

As for those who couldn't understand, it didn't really matter, being a runner-up like Leonardo was part of the trial, and some people didn't even get the chance to be a runner-up.

That afternoon, many old white men turned down the invitation to the screening and pull-in screening for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age."

The entertainment media, with their sensitive noses, sensed the sudden change in the wind direction, including the critics of Los Angeles, who also refused to attend the pull-in screenings for the film.

......

Inside a screening room at Warner Bros. Studios, the internal screening for 'The Reader' had just finished.

As the heavy curtains were drawn, loud applause broke out.

Martin and Kate Winslet stood up one after another, bowing slightly to those around them.

"Kate, Martin," Daniel praised, "You've created two vivid, multi-layered characters; it was a phenomenal performance."

Martin didn't need to be modest and said, "I also think this is the best performance I have given in my career."

Kate spoke directly, "Martin was really outstanding; during the shooting, he led me into the scene in many parts."

Another person said, "This film is screening next month, and I believe it will definitely become a hot contender during the awards season, especially for the lead actor and actress."

This was a standard film aiming for awards, with best actress as the top priority, followed by best actor.

The screening came to an end, and Daniel had a talk with Martin and Kate before returning to his office, instructing his team to further refine the public relations marketing plan for the awards season.

When he left, Kate caught up with Martin, "Shall we find a place to talk?"

"Sure, where to?" Martin asked.

Kate, with no hesitation, took his arm and they headed out, "I'm staying at the Burbank Hotel."

Martin, clearly understanding her implication, stuck to his usual principle, "Wait, I'll borrow an inconspicuous car."

Kate nodded, "You always think of everything."

Martin borrowed a Volkswagen, picked up Kate, and drove directly from the underground parking lot of Warner Bros. Studios to the underground parking lot of the Burbank Hotel.

In her early thirties, Kate was at an age like a tigress in heat, and she gobbled up Martin as soon as they went upstairs.

Even Martin didn't need to do anything special.

The two artists, amid passionate exchanges, quickly reached a realm of perfect union.

After completing their vertical communication, they started discussing practical matters.

Martin grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge and handed one to Kate.

"Thanks," Kate took it and sat opposite Martin, asking, "I heard you're only planning to attend part of 'The Reader's' promotional events and screenings?"

Martin said directly, "I'll be leaving Los Angeles soon to start shooting a new film, so I don't have much time."

He also pointed out a key issue, "Aren't you aiming for Best Actress? A nomination is enough for me. A professional team will handle the campaigning below. If I show up too often, it might even split your votes."

"You're really considering my interests, aren't I supposed to thank you properly?" Kate said, deliberately staring at Martin.

No matter how thick-skinned Martin was, he met Kate's gaze and scrutinized her: "I wouldn't mind a proper thank you, and you should thank me properly, and not just for this one thing."

Kate couldn't understand, "What else have you done?"

"I've taken care of one of your most formidable competitors in advance," Martin shamelessly said, appropriating Jack Nicholson's clout for himself: "Kate Blanchett can forget about winning, she won't even get a nomination this time."

Isn't the point of having a boss to have them handle things when needed, while the underlings reap the benefits of their good deeds?

He lowered his voice, "I called Jack to Paramount Pictures."

Kate had already guessed what Martin meant and understood his implication.

With over a decade of friendship with Leonardo, she knew what the old white men of Hollywood were like.

"'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' has had its screenings," Kate said slowly, "I've heard many critics and industry professionals declined the screening and screening invites."

Martin said, "The old guys at the Academy are setting the tone pretty clearly."

Kate glanced over, "I'm full and tired today, I'll thank you properly next time."

Martin took a sip of water, sitting across from her, he studied her carefully before saying, "You're not managing your figure well."

"It's not that it's not good," Kate didn't mind these comments and even said straightforwardly, "I haven't been managing my figure at all."

She swayed her body, "Don't you think it's just right this way?"

Martin recalled a frightening experience from a previous life, "Indeed, a skinny build would result in bone-crushing pain."

Kate laughed out loud, clinked her water bottle against Martin's, and said, "I also think it's great as it is."

Martin said, "The Academy and critics love to see refined beauty destroyed."

Kate nodded slightly and changed the subject, "You always have ways of dealing with the media and public opinion, as a female actress, are there other ways of increasing my chances of winning besides ruining my looks and established image?"

The standard approaches were clear: spend money on boosting reputations, PR, and promotions. Kate knew this without Martin having to say it.

Everything Martin could think of was underhanded, "Actually, female stars have an advantage when competing for an Oscar, a natural and huge advantage that male stars don't have."

"Sleep with every male judge?" Kate's thoughts went astray.

Martin, frustrated at her lack of ambition, said, "You sex fiend, is there nothing else in that head of yours aside from sleeping?" He emphasized, "I'm talking about a natural advantage that women have."

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Kate deliberately cradled her chest, "Could it be this?"

Martin, tired of her guessing, said directly, "Public sentiment and the psychology of the masses tend to favor pregnant women. As one of the front runners for Best Actress, if photos of you with a baby bump appear frequently in the media, wouldn't it influence the judges' mindset?"

Kate thought this made sense, having been a mother herself and vividly remembering the tangible and intangible preferential treatment she received during pregnancy.

From the highest echelons to the lowest, society greatly favors pregnant women.

Kate's gaze immediately fell on Martin, as if calculating something important in her mind.

Sensing trouble, Martin warned, "Kate, don't get any ideas about me."

"After all, Sam is getting on in age," Kate has always pursued art, sacrificing a lot for it and didn't mind giving a little more.

Martin was suddenly alarmed, feeling like a lion faced with a lioness in heat, he quickly added, "Kate, you don't need to do that. Just by campaigning and promoting honorably, you have a great chance of winning. I've asked Warren Beatty and Annette Bening; they're core old white members of the Academy. They think much more highly of you than Leo does."

Suddenly recalling something, Martin jumped up, rushed to the trash can, retrieved the condom from inside, and ran to the bathroom to flush it down the toilet.

It seems like this thing will need special disposal in the future.

Kate sat on the sofa, watching Martin with amusement, "I never said I'd use that method."

Out of concern for safety, Martin specifically said, "It's late October now, and by the time voting in January comes, it's less than three months away. Three months isn't enough to show a clear baby bump; it's too late for that."

This time Kate took it in; she had had children and knew her body well, three months wouldn't be noticeable enough.

Martin got dressed, "Let's call it a day, go back early and get ready for the screening."