America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

As the evening lights came on, the Escalade carrying Martin and Elizabeth pulled up next to a club on Pennsylvania Avenue.

From another car, Ali and Thomas got out together.

Martin followed them into the club.

At the entrance of a reception room, the black-suited men guarding the door were likely Secret Service from the White House.

Ram Emanuel is now the White House Chief of Staff.

Ali opened the door and said to everyone, "Please come in."

Martin and Elizabeth were the last to walk in.

As they passed the door, the Secret Service agent nodded subtly, first patting his chest then covertly making a drinking gesture with his right hand.

Martin knew the signal all too well, as he used a similar motion when drinking cola on the red carpet.

Clearly, this was a member of the Cola Cult.

Martin smiled at him and entered the main reception room.

After the Santa Monica Pier incident, there were already tens of millions of Cola Cult members across America.

Ram Emanuel and his wife stood in the reception room, smiling as they said, "Hi, Martin, we meet again."

Martin hurried forward a few steps to shake hands with Ram, "I was thinking of paying a visit once Ali came over..."

"No need to be so formal," Ram invited, "Make yourself comfortable."

His wife approached Elizabeth, "We have some activities here suitable for ladies to relax, let's not join in their boring topics."

Elizabeth smiled and agreed, then followed Mrs. Emanuel through a side door out of the reception room.

Ram went straight to the point: "Martin, you've been doing better and better these past two years, becoming a cultural phenomenon."

Martin humbly replied with a smile, "It's mainly the support of WMA. In these past few years, Ali has invested a lot of resources in me. Without his help, I wouldn't be where I am today, that's why I've always worked with WMA, even when CAA constantly tempted me, I never changed my mind."

Ali joined the conversation, "Martin is now the ace of WMA, and I have a plan to build the Martin brand into a cultural icon like Star Wars."

Thomas had discussed this with Martin, who personally wasn't interested in Star Wars, but was well aware of its significance to Americans.

To say that Star Wars is the foremost icon of American film culture is no exaggeration, and even that might not fully reflect its influence.

Martin's reply was well-timed, "I will fully cooperate with the company."

Ali is the largest shareholder of WMA, but does WMA's interest extend to Ram?

Of course, Martin would not be foolish enough to ask.

"The last trip to California was very rewarding," Ram mentioned the previous election, "Your preference influenced many members of the Cola Cult."

He smiled, "This loose alliance organization worships you very much."

Martin appeared modest, "The followers of the Cola Cult are just that in name, gathering on the internet due to their fondness for my characters and Coca-Cola, lacking organization and cohesion."

But Ram had witnessed the power of these people in the election, "Cola Cult members spread across the nation, and voters can influence the electors."

Ali interjected, "If it weren't for the regulations of the entertainment bill, I would have already invited you to become a partner in the company."

Martin laughed, "The company has given me a lot of support."

Ram added, "You are now one of the most famous Democrats in America."

Martin stated, "When I voted in the election, my ballot had the party affiliation on it."

Since Atlanta, Martin had been entangled with members of the Donkey Party, maintaining relationships with the likes of Kelly Gray, Louise Mel, Jennifer Aniston, and others, all members of the Donkey Party.

There are numerous members and supporters of the Donkey Party in Hollywood, including Tom Hanks, Sean Penn, the Roberts family, Spielberg and Lucas, Meryl Streep, Scarlett Johansson, George Clooney, and so on.

The support and pull of celebrities are quite evident, as they are often invited to endorse during elections.

Simply put, the Hollywood Oscar system operates under the same rules as the elections.

Considering Martin's growing influence, particularly over the Cola Cult members, Ram offered him a favor: "In a few days, it's the Independence Day celebration, and Barack will personally award you a medal."

Martin responded, "While I was injured and hospitalized, Barack took time out of his busy schedule to visit me. I've always wanted to thank him in person."

Ram continued, "You'll soon have the opportunity to express your gratitude."

Martin silently cursed; these politicians had much darker hearts than those in entertainment.

Ram said, "Barack's eldest daughter, Maria, is about to have her summer break. She's planning to do an internship and is very curious about film production. She wants to practice in a movie company."

Martin was quick to respond, "Leave it to me. Whether she wants to go to a first-rate big production crew or an art crew, it's all no problem."

They chatted a bit more, essentially about mutual support and help.

The tremendous influence of the Cola Cult gave Martin some leverage.

By eight-thirty, Martin excused himself and left the club.

On the way back in the Escalade, Elizabeth said, "I've made plans with Mrs. Emanuel. When she and her kids come to Los Angeles, I'll take care of them the whole time."

Martin realized the little witch was capable of more than just washing faces.

Elizabeth clung tightly to his arm and said, "There are some things that you might find inconvenient to deal with, but I can help."

She hinted, "My mother and father both said that the first lady's diplomacy can sometimes be more effective in bridging relationships."

Martin patted her hand, "Go ahead and do what you need to do, and let me know if you need anything."

At that point, he remembered what Ram had just mentioned, that Elizabeth would undoubtedly be more suitable for the task.

Martin thought for a moment and said, "After the Independence Day celebration ceremony, there will be a reception lunch at the White House, and the Guanhai family will all attend. His oldest daughter, Marisa, wants to participate in a film-related internship this summer..."

Elizabeth took careful note of all this and, after Martin finished, she thought it over and said, "I'll handle this. It is more convenient for girls to talk to girls."

Back at the hotel, Bruce opened the door to find Lily fiddling with her camera; she nodded at Martin.

Martin took off his coat and hung it up, asking, "You're going out to take photos this late?"

Lily said, "I'll take pictures when you get honored, to have a blueprint for engraving."

Elizabeth added, "We'll buy them afterward, as memorabilia."

Lily secretly gave Elizabeth a thumbs up on the sly.

Elizabeth winked at her in response.

Martin saw this, but couldn't bother with them, and went to his room to shower and change, saying to Lily, "Go back to your room early if you don't have anything else to do."

Lily packed up her camera and said, "I'll sleep here on the side tonight." She added, "I've arranged it with Elizabeth."

Martin, recalling some things that had happened in Atlanta, said to Elizabeth, "You don't understand her..."

Elizabeth replied, "Lily has assured me."

Lily smiled at her.

Martin shook his head and entered the master bedroom.

That night, Elizabeth did not sleep well, mostly tormented to death by Martin; even when she woke up in the morning, her voice was a bit hoarse.

Lily didn't sleep well either, with two big dark circles under her eyes, staring at Elizabeth when she came out of her room.

She couldn't understand why a girl who usually seemed so quiet could make such loud noises.

Throughout the day, Martin took the two of them to buy suitable clothes and visited a few famous sites in Washington.

During this time, Benjamin called, and Martin made a special trip to the vicinity of the north gate of the White House to meet with Benjamin.

Benjamin brought a dozen off-duty members of the White House Secret Service, waiting near the north gate.

Once Martin arrived, these relatively young agents, while not as frenzied and enthusiastic as fans, were certainly more orderly.

Together they said, "Forever Cola Cult! Forever Cola War God!"

Martin took photos with them one by one, asked for their names, and when signing autographs, wrote different well-wishes for each.

For a slacker, coming up with a variety of inspiring well-wishes cost him many brain cells.

Benjamin also specifically requested autographs and photos for other on-duty members of the Cola Cult.

Martin fulfilled all their requests.

Although he had shared jokes with Bruce about it, he never really took it seriously; after all, the Cola Cult is a loose organization.

It wasn't long before Martin excused himself and left.

The atmosphere of Independence Day was even thicker on the streets of Washington than in Los Angeles.

On the morning of July 4th, Benjamin arrived at the Hilton Hotel on time to escort Martin to the White House to participate in the celebrations.

Once again arriving at the North Lawn, Martin was seated in the front row.

Lily and Elizabeth were in the family area a little bit further back.

Not long after Martin sat down, more people arrived, among whom were many he recognized.

In a wheelchair was Stephen Hawking; the Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just awarded to Americans.

Coming to Martin's side was the legendary Spielberg.
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Martin first approached Hawking to express his respect, hoping to receive the kind of praise Charlize Theron had given.

Such as in the endless parallel universes, Martin Davis is a hero of some sort.

What sounded from the electronic voice instead was, "Hello, Sect Hierarch."

Nearby photographers recorded it, and Martin turned back and gestured to Bruce.

Old Cloth got the hint and immediately went to obtain a copy from the photographers.

This was an endorsement from Hawking himself, the Sect Hierarch of the Cola Cult!

Martin then shook hands with Spielberg, "Steven, you are my idol, the director I most want to work with, Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Jurassic Park, provided all the fun of my childhood."

Spielberg said, "Today, I am your supporting actor."

Both he and Hawking were to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The same kind Martin had received previously, the one worn around the neck.

Martin admitted honestly, "Actually, I didn't want it, who would want to be in a situation like that?"

Spielberg, having seen the related video, said, "You did something remarkable. Let's talk more when we have time. Kathleen has spoken highly of you more than once."

Producer Kathleen Kennedy of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was Spielberg's right-hand woman.

As Guanhai stepped onto the podium, the site quickly quieted down.