Chapter 226: The Surprise

In the Warner TV studio, "The Helen Show" was about to begin its live broadcast. Martin had just finished styling and was going over the script one last time to avoid any mistakes.

Helen arrived at that moment. As soon as she saw Martin, she opened her arms, hugged him, and jokingly said, "You've finally agreed to be on my show."

Martin smiled and replied, "You have to be merciful. I can't handle the torture."

Their relationship was unique. Helen reassured him, saying, "Everything, except for the final surprise, will go according to our plan."

Curious, Martin asked, "What surprise have you prepared for me?"

Helen playfully responded, "It's a secret. I promise not to embarrass you."

Martin nodded in agreement.

With her earplugs in, Helen listened to the director's instructions. She then moved from backstage to the front stage, pointed at the camera, and announced, "The Helen Show will be here every week!"

Her expression turned serious as she continued, "I've personally faced a terrible situation in the past and was lucky to survive, all thanks to Martin Davis. Please welcome my guardian angel, Martin Davis!"

Martin, dressed in a plain jacket and jeans, walked out from the backstage. He looked like a friendly neighbor next door.

Helen warmly hugged Martin.

At the same time, in Nicholson's mansion on Sunset Boulevard, an old man had gathered a group of his old friends for a night of drinks and conversation.

Among them were Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, William Hurt, and Dustin Hoffman. They had their share of conflicts when they were young, but as they grew older, they became more peaceful, occasionally reminiscing about the past.

Nicholson took the remote control, switched to Warner TV, and remarked, "Let's watch a show while we enjoy some food and drinks."

Dustin Hoffman pointed out, "Isn't this the young man you've just met?"

Nicholson chuckled, "He's quite an interesting guy."

William Hurt, reading from an Empire magazine, commented, "It's too easy for young people to become famous these days. We old guys are outdated."

Robert De Niro suggested, "Let's watch the show first."

Back on Helen's show, the routine opening greetings ended, and the show got down to business.

Helen mentioned, "In 'The Departed,' currently in theaters, you played an undercover agent, a bad guy undercover, and your performance received widespread acclaim." She pointed to the big screen behind her, which displayed images of both Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston.

She added with excitement, "On the same day, both Jolie and Aniston praised you highly, applauding your excellent character portrayal, dedication, and hard work. What are your thoughts on this praise, both publicly and privately?"

Martin responded with a well-rehearsed answer, "I've had the privilege of working with Angie and Jen on two films. They are incredibly talented and dedicated actors, and we became good friends both on and off the set."

Helen, always ready for some gossip, inquired, "As far as I know, Jolie and Aniston have a bit of a history. Have you ever considered playing mediator?"

Martin replied with a mischievous grin, "We've got something in the works."

Helen then surprised him, asking, "Are you ready to mediate on the spot?"

Martin wondered if this was part of the show's surprise.

The show continued, and Helen looked a bit regretful, saying, "Our show's budget is limited, and we can't afford both big-name actresses."

She turned to Martin and asked, "Can you help us out?"

Martin shrugged, saying, "I'll talk to them privately and give it a try."

Helen seized the opportunity to shift the conversation, asking, "You're now friends with big-name stars like Angelina and Jennifer. Did you ever imagine this before coming to Los Angeles?"

Martin shook his head, revealing his humble beginnings, "I didn't dare to dream of it. Back then, I only hoped to find my place in Los Angeles."

Helen continued, "Have you ever aspired to become a big star?"

Martin reflected on his journey and admitted, "Anyone who's been through what I have doesn't dare to have extravagant dreams for the future."

Helen probed further, "News reports mentioned your tough upbringing in a slum, an unhappy family, and a difficult life. Is that true?"

Martin shared his painful past, "It's true. The neighborhood was riddled with gangs, violence, and traffickers. Many of my peers got involved in that world. I was lucky to have a father who taught me acting since I was a teenager. We worked together, but he had his own issues."

Helen asked, "Was your father a great person?"

Martin replied, "No, he had his problems with drugs, alcohol, and fraud. He took all the money I earned from acting and disappeared, leaving me with a mountain of debt. I had to work as a bartender in a strip club to make ends meet."

This revelation captivated the audience and sparked conversations.

Helen guided the conversation, "You didn't give up on acting, though."

Martin, with a determined tone, said, "No, I didn't. I didn't want to be part of the gang life or become a hustler. I wanted to change my destiny, but it was incredibly challenging, especially with the debt I carried."

Helen dug deeper, asking, "What kept you going?"

Martin shared his story, portraying himself as hardworking and determined, "I couldn't give up. I wanted to prove that I could make it out of that tough situation."

With a commanding and robust voice, Martin began his story, "I had only one path, the only way to act. I crossed paths with noble people like Captain Jerome and Ms. Kelly Gray." He continued, mentioning those who had assisted him and delved into his own journey. "After landing the key role, I spent every day dissecting the character, seeking advice from everyone around me. I invested my all because I had no other way. Failure wasn't an option. I've witnessed a childhood friend get shot during a gang confrontation, right in the chest and abdomen."

Helen reacted with shock, "That's horrifying!"

"In an effort to prevent such tragedies," Martin continued, "I bought a gun to protect myself and the neighboring family that had supported me since my childhood. Thankfully, a late-night movie turned my luck around. I managed to pay off my debts. But instead of resting, I worked even harder. I discovered that Hollywood, the realm of filmmaking, was a place I could call my own."

He recounted his journey from Atlanta to Los Angeles, emphasizing, "Along the way, I met many artists who taught me one thing: the world of performing arts is not a sprint; it's a long-haul battle, a marathon. You can't give up halfway. You must persist, work diligently, and strive to touch the hearts of the audience. That's the true essence of performing art."

Helen brought up the praise from renowned directors like Martin Scorsese. Martin, always humble, responded, "Some people are Hollywood's darlings in the world of performing arts. I've never felt like I belong to that category. I see myself more as a blue-collar worker in the industry, willing to put in several times more effort. I know I have no way out."

He emphasized his relentless dedication, saying, "I've pushed the boundaries of performing arts. In this marathon of life, I never considered giving up. From the Wax Museum to Wanted, from The Departed to The Reader, I've kept pushing. The support of my mentors has helped me achieve a bit of success. The more successful I become, the more driven I am to work harder."

While the show continued, in Nicholson's living room, the group had enjoyed a few rounds of wine. Dustin Hoffman, watching the show, remarked, "This young man is quite interesting, much smarter than Tom Cruise when he worked with me on 'Rain Man.'"

William Hurt, with his own experiences, was fond of Martin, saying, "It's clear that it wasn't an easy journey for him."

Robert De Niro chimed in, "He may have little formal training, but someone who works this hard deserves a chance."

Nicholson got straight to the point, "Gentlemen, can you find anyone from the younger generation who's more appealing than him? Look at today's young actors, many come from well-off families. Bastards like us, who climbed out of poverty, are getting rarer."

As the self-proclaimed boss of the "bastards," Nicholson sought support, "That young lad is like a brother to me. I'm asking for your nomination votes and any influence you can wield."

Al Pacino, however, raised a concern, "I admire Martin, but he's quite young."

William William Hurt concurred, "Indeed, there are many seasoned individuals in this category. Colleagues with extensive experience are vying for the title of Best Supporting Actor."

He appeared to be contemplating something privately, thinking, "They may never secure the title of Best Actor in their lifetime."

Dustin chimed in, "I pledge to cast my vote for Allen Atkinson."

William Hurt added, "I'm with you."

Nicholson graciously served wine to his companions, stating, "Remember, it's just a nomination."

After this assurance, William Hurt nodded, "I have no reservations."

Others also expressed their willingness to grant Martin a nomination vote, even if not their top choice, they'd mark him as their second choice on the ballot.

Following a brief discussion, their focus shifted back to the talk show.

The stage's backdrop transitioned to images related to American rumors.

Helen inquired, "I've noticed a lot of online discussions. Is the information published there accurate?"

Martin paused before confirming, "It's true."

The revelation stirred the audience into a frenzy.

Martin clarified, "However, their reports were selective, ignoring the underlying causes and consequences. The actual situation was that gang members in the southern part of Atlanta had taken over our community, aiming to establish illicit operations. This led to turmoil within the community, with no sense of peace. Unfortunately, the friend I mentioned earlier lost his life in one of the confrontations. Given that we resided in a slum and had limited police presence, several neighbors and I formed a community defense alliance."

This situation is quite common in the United States, and the audience could relate to it.

Helen inquired, "So, did conflicts arise between the defense alliance and the gang members?"

Martin recounted without embellishment, "Four gang members had intentions of breaking into a neighbor's house to commit robbery, but we got wind of it in advance."

Helen continued, "So, you protected four of your friends from the neighboring house?"

Upon seeing Martin nod in agreement, Helen dropped the surprising news, "And now, one of them is here on the show."

Martin was taken aback, wondering who these four individuals could be. Elena? That seemed highly improbable. Hall was preoccupied with other matters. Harris would undoubtedly have informed him it he was coming. It had to be Lily, the daring one, that stupid idiot!