America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

He embraced Jen, soothingly stroking her back, "I have no ties with CAA, it doesn't matter to me if we're at odds."

The words of the puppy dog warmed Jen's heart, but she shook her head, "It's nothing..."

Her cell phone rang. She took it out to answer, and her expression grew tenser.

A few minutes later, Jen hung up the call abruptly.

Martin asked, "What's wrong?"

"Bryan Lord, the biggest partner at CAA," Jen said succinctly, "He called to tell me that CAA has contacted several hot projects with female roles perfect for award contention, and CAA is ready to plan, to assist me in aiming for the Best Actress Oscar."

Martin sensed something amiss, but it wasn't easy to articulate outright—Jen's chances with the Oscars were even more challenging than Leonardo's epic journey.

It wasn't spelled out, but Jen saw clearly, "Bryan wants me to give Heath Ledger's situation a little consideration for the company."

Martin asked, "What are they thinking?"

"The Friends offline revenue-sharing agreement wasn't just signed with the production company; I also signed one with CAA, where they only get 1.5% as a commission," Jen had a clear understanding of her position, "After Friends ended, my movie career hasn't been that smooth, and there's my age that can't be ignored, so I've become the fading flower at CAA."

She sighed, "I've heard around, CAA wants to make Heath the next Russell Crowe."

Martin understood, how sweet the honeymoon phase with CAA had been for Jen, and how much more difficult the daily interactions were after the passion faded.

Jen's more than $20 million annual offline income, from which CAA could only draw a little over $300,000...

"Jen, they are baiting you," he warned directly, though it wasn't pleasant to hear, "Waiting for you to bite, maybe they have other schemes in mind."

Agencies secretly undermining their own clients wasn't uncommon.

"It's nothing," Jen sounded nonchalant, not as if joking, "I might as well fire CAA."

A knock sounded; Martin opened the door to find Jen's agent, Steve, standing outside.

The latter asked, "Did Bryan Lord call you? Jen, if the company pushes with full force, you getting a Best Actress nomination..."

Jen's expression changed.

Steve immediately shut up and changed his tone, "No offense, Jen, we've worked together for over a decade, you know I'm always on your side."

Martin stepped aside, "You two talk."

After Steve boarded the trailer, Martin closed the door from the outside.

Walking to a secluded spot, Martin considered his current situation in light of what Jen had said and, after a few minutes, pulled out his phone to call Thomas.

Soon after, Thomas hurried over.

Martin asked, "How did it go?"

Thomas looked around to ensure no one was listening, "Everything else is fine; it's just those jerks at CAA that are tough to deal with."

Martin was direct, "Don't bother arguing with them; have Lawyer Ward press at the Brooklyn Division, tell the production crew to release news that I'm preparing to hold a press conference."

CAA's decline from its unrivaled glory in the nineties to its faltering business in the new century wasn't just because other firms were catching up; there were also internal issues.

It was as if Michael Ovitz's arrogance in his final days at CAA had infected the other partners.

The problem of flourishing companies then declining seems pretty common.

Thomas nodded, "I'll arrange for it right away."

Martin suddenly asked, "Is WMA interested in Jen?"

Upon hearing this, Thomas paused for a moment before quickly regaining his composure, 'Of course, we're interested!" His hands shook with excitement, "Can we lure Jen over?"

Martin gave Thomas a look like one would to a scumbag, "You want to be Jen's agent?"

Thomas was quick to respond, "That's not what I meant."

"Jen has been working with Steve since she was a small-time actor, their relationship is quite special," Martin had thoroughly studied Jen's situation, understanding much, "Jen has never thought of ending their partnership."

Even at such times, Martin didn't forget to give his partner a boost, "If other agencies come to poach me on the condition they get rid of you, I'd spit in their face and tell them to get lost!"

Thomas felt a surge of emotion; he thought to himself how important he must be to Martin now—the unwavering loyalty!

He believed Martin was the type to do just that, saying, "What do you want to do?"

Martin walked on, "The two of us can't represent WMA; our influence isn't enough. I'm planning to call Ari Emanuel over here."

Thomas caught up, "I'll cooperate with you." He then suddenly remembered, "Why are you so proactive?"

"By the end of the year, I need the company to commit more resources to support me wholeheartedly, given that my status isn't high enough..." Martin said briefly.

Thomas replied, "They'll definitely agree."

Martin took out his phone and dialed Ari Emanuel's number.

On the other side, Ari put down the phone and shouted to his assistant, "Contact the private jet company immediately, I need a business jet that can fly directly to New York within half an hour! And, keep my itinerary a secret!"

That day, the incident of Heath Ledger's drug driving, which was originally reported only by a gossip media outlet, was re-posted by many online media and followed up by other media outlets.

"Brokeback Mountain" was hot during the award season and the film had received a lot of attention for its portrayal of homosexuality. Heath Ledger had been very likely to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, generating significant buzz on its own.

Of course, the media was not willing to let it go.

At the end of the workday, the assistant producer Damian approached Martin and director Boyle, and said, "There has been a hiccup; our Central Park filming application has been postponed by New York citing weather and environmental conservation reasons."

Boyle frowned, "The shooting schedule has to change again? We've already had one change due to the heavy snowfall." He reminded them, "In a while, the ice in Central Park is going to melt!"

Martin said, "Let someone from Warner Bros. make the contact, the crew shouldn't step in again."

Boyle took a look at Martin, had a rough guess, but since he was just the director of the crew, he didn't want to get involved in futile conflicts and said nothing more.

Damian said, "I've called Daniel, and Warner Bros. is on it, but even if they can resolve it, the shooting will have to be postponed."

Martin, who like in the previous crew was also listed as a production manager, said, "Adjust the shooting schedule again, continue with the indoor scenes that we are shooting on the stage sets."

Boyle nodded, "That's all we can do."

Martin didn't want the director to be involved in messy situations, but rather to concentrate on filming the movie. After Boyle left, he asked, "Is Weinstein behind this?"

Damian, who was a subordinate of Louise, spoke without reservation, "It doesn't seem like it, it's hard for us to get information on such matters. The Weinstein brothers started their career in New York and have a wide network."

Martin, as usual, rode back to the hotel in the same car as Aniston.

Aniston was not too pleased, "CAA wouldn't dare to do anything to me, but they're pressuring Steve. It seems in their eyes, I'm already on the decline."

For the umpteenth time, Martin said, "Put all the blame on me, and let me handle them."

Aniston ran her hand over Martin's face and said, "How can I let you face this alone when it's something we are both involved in? If it wasn't for you, I could have been hit by that car."

Martin got straight to the point, "In the trailer, you said you want to leave CAA?"

Aniston said, "I got famous with CAA, I've been with CAA all these years, but ever since Friends ended, things have been changing."

"Probably in the eyes of the old agents at CAA, it was CAA that made you a star." Martin also speculated, "I haven't been an entertainment agent and don't understand much about it, but many commercial companies don't value their homegrown staff as much as those they've worked hard to poach from the outside."

Aniston chuckled, "What, you want to poach me?"

Martin teasingly cheered her up, "I've dug through all the important places of you."

Aniston bit Martin's ear and left twin rows of teeth marks before proposing, "How about I dig into you tonight?"

Martin hastily changed the subject, "Ari Emanuel is coming to New York to deal with Heath Ledger-related matters, how about you meet him?"

Aniston felt a little better and said with a smile, "So it's WMA that wants to poach me. Fearing they couldn't do it, they sent you with a 'handsome man' strategy."

Martin asked, "Was my 'handsome man' strategy successful?"

Aniston put away her smile, pondered carefully for a moment, "I will discuss with Steve; you talk to Ari first."

Martin nodded, "No problem."

These matters couldn't be rushed.

After returning to the hotel, they had dinner together and talked about CAA and WMA. Aniston called her agent Steve to join the conversation about the future.

Martin received a call from Thomas; Ari Emanuel had arrived.

In a business suite in the hotel, Martin met with WMA's leading agent and co-partner.

Seeing Martin, Ari eagerly approached and said, "I'm aware of the difficulties the crew is facing; rest assured, I have already contacted people to handle it."

Martin had heard from Thomas that Ari's older brother, with considerable clout in politics, was currently part of the Democratic team preparing for the next election campaign.

"Whenever facing difficulties, having WMA as a backer always brings peace of mind," Martin seated himself in an armchair, "Ari, seeing you puts me at ease right away."

Ari smiled, "Just part of the company's business." He got down to business, "Are you sure Aniston is considering leaving CAA?"

Martin replied, "She's had some thoughts about it."

Ari understood, "And you are the main reason?"

Martin didn't deny it, "I can give WMA a head start over the other companies."

Ari had flown over right away also for the sake of confidentiality, "Let's keep this matter between us for now, and remember, I'm not in New York."

He knew to get Martin's cooperation, he needed to offer substantial benefits, and was straightforward, "Martin, we've been old friends; tell me what you want."

Martin didn't beat around the bush, "I'd like an Oscar nomination for my role in 'Infernal Affairs,' which is releasing this award season. I believe I did a pretty decent job, and Director Scorsese thinks highly of me. The quality of his gangster films is never in question. I'm looking for an Oscar nomination."

Ari nodded, indicating for him to continue.

Martin added, "Role and film quality are only the basics for an Oscar, but money, marketing, connections, and public relations are key. I want the company to provide sufficient resources to help me with the campaign."

Ari considered briefly and then said, "Assisting clients in award campaigns is indeed part of an agency's duties. I promise, the company will make every effort."