704 Chapter 704: Bring him home.

The sleek, white yacht cut through the water, its distinctive appearance catching Martin's attention, prompting him to set aside his fishing rod and peer in its direction. As the vessel drew nearer, its whistle echoed across the waves.

Menet, always one for intrigue, leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Could it be the ship carrying those enchanting sirens we've been eagerly anticipating?"

Martin chuckled, giving Menet a playful pat on the shoulder. "Are you the one who summoned them?"

Catching sight of Celine Dion's subtle gesture, Menet's curiosity peaked. "Now, how could that be possible?"

Bruce bounded over, clutching the radio in his hand, excitement evident in his voice. "Martin, the folks on that boat are calling for you!"

Taking the radio, Martin excused himself from the gathering crowd and responded, "Hello?"

"Isn't this Leonardo's vessel?" a voice crackled through the device.

Straight to the point, Martin clarified, "I'm Martin Davis. And who might you be?"

Laughter erupted from the other end. "Oh, come on, old friend, can't you recognize my voice? Blast this wretched radio; it distorts everything!"

With a dramatic flourish, the voice boomed, "I'm Elon Musk!"

Martin, recalling their past interactions during sponsorship negotiations for "The Martian," extended a casual invitation. "I've borrowed Leonardo's yacht for a little soirée. Care to join us?"

"Wait for me!" Musk's voice chimed before the line went silent.

Shortly after, a speedboat ferried Musk and Dalulla Riley to Martin's side, where they were welcomed with waves and smiles.

Martin introduced Musk and Riley to the assembled guests, assigning Elizabeth the task of entertaining Riley while he and Musk slipped away for a private chat.

As they settled in for some fishing, Musk deftly prepared the rods, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Don't forget to save me a spot at the premiere of 'The Martian.'"

Martin secured his rod and grinned. "Consider yourself on the guest list already."

Musk leaned in conspiratorially. "And make sure there are plenty of beauties in attendance."

Pointing towards the stern, Martin quipped, "You have a wife, remember?"

"Ah, but you're no stranger to throwing lavish parties," Musk retorted, referencing Martin's reputation. "I've heard rumors about your rigorous supermodel tests. Care to confirm?"

Martin shrugged nonchalantly. "Just a standard procedure. Alessandra Ambrosio, Karolina Korkova, Angela Lindworth—they've all been through it."

Musk, always up for a challenge, joked, "Sign me up for the next round of tests!"

During a break in their banter, Martin got serious. "You know, Elon, investing in space exploration is commendable. But don't underestimate the allure of a little glamour and fun."

Musk, ever the visionary, nodded solemnly. "I hear you, Martin. But my focus now is on advancing technology and getting us to Mars."

With a grin, Martin clapped him on the back. "Well, if anyone can do it, it's you. Just don't forget to enjoy the ride along the way."

Martin couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Musk's proposition. "Invest with you? Sorry, I've already placed my bets on Tesla."

Musk's gaze narrowed slightly, his curiosity piqued. "But haven't you been acquiring quite a few shares on the secondary market?"

Martin offered a vague explanation, veiling the truth with half-truths. "Well, year-end settlements are looming, and I'd rather put that money to work than let it gather dust in my account, especially with taxes in mind."

Reading between the lines, Musk caught on. "So you're eyeing Tesla's financing and stock expansion?"

Martin simply grinned, letting the silence speak volumes as he focused on reeling in a deep-sea catch, the electric wheel whirring to life.

While financing and stock expansion were on Musk's mind, the sight of Martin's successful catch sparked a different idea—one involving tram promotion.

Aware of the challenges in promoting electric vehicles against the entrenched dominance of fuel-powered cars, Musk broached a new topic. "How about becoming a global spokesperson for Tesla? If you're onboard for our future fundraising and expansion efforts, I can make a compelling case to the board."

Martin raised an eyebrow. "Why not discuss this with my agent?"

Negotiations with Thomas had hit a snag, primarily due to ongoing commitments with Cadillac.

As Musk reeled in a fish, he steered the conversation towards more personal matters. "Speaking of connections, what's your relationship with Amber Heard?"

Martin's interest was piqued. "Are you interested in her?"

Both men shared a mutual understanding of their shared proclivities. Musk didn't mince words. "Appearance aside, she's my type."

Martin offered a playful retort. "You've got quite the discerning taste. But are you sure you're ready for whatever antics she brings to your bed, or do you just enjoy the challenge?"

Unfazed, Musk shrugged. "What's there to fear? She can clean up beforehand."

Martin chuckled. "You haven't lost your edge."

Musk proposed a partnership akin to a clandestine alliance of super pimps. "How about a trade? You handle Hollywood, and I'll take care of Silicon Valley and tech circles."

Intrigued, Martin quirked an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware there were famous beauties in the tech world."

Musk waved off the skepticism with confidence. "I'll introduce you to some soon enough."

Martin grinned mischievously. "And I'll introduce you to the world of 'The Lone Ranger.'"

Musk nodded, recalling entertainment gossip. "Ah yes, the infamous incident with Depp during filming."

Inspiration struck Martin. "Imagine this, Elon. I handle Depp's business, and you assist with the revenge plot."

Martin revealed his plan to leverage connections for a premiere invite, and Musk couldn't help but laugh. "Brilliant!"

Their banter escalated, with Martin proposing a tantalizing exchange. "I'll bring tech beauties to the premiere, and you can trade Amber for them. It's a game we both win."

As the day wound down, the two continued fishing, sharing a meal aboard the yacht before parting ways at dusk, the promise of future collaborations lingering in the air.

As the evening drew to a close, one by one, the guests bid their farewells.

Martin hoisted the fish box into the trunk of his Escalade, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

Observing the majestic yacht, Elizabeth couldn't help but inquire, "Is this Leo's boat?"

Martin shrugged nonchalantly. "He snagged it from a Silicon Valley tycoon."

A spark of excitement lit up Elizabeth's eyes. "You know, there are plenty of yacht dealerships in Los Angeles. Perhaps Lily could accompany me to scout around. Who knows, we might commission one and christen it 'The Elizabeth.'"

A grin spread across Elizabeth's face as she nodded eagerly. "I'm game."

With everything stowed away, Martin and Elizabeth settled into the car, embarking on the journey back to Beverly Hills.

Meanwhile, Bruce veered off course, heading straight for Judy's place.

The allure of the yacht and the prospect of having a yacht named after her seemed to fuel Elizabeth's determination as she worked tirelessly into the night, forsaking even breakfast the next morning.

...

After a brief respite, Martin threw himself into the whirlwind of "The Martian" promotion, joining forces with key players like Ridley Scott and Jessica Chastain for a flurry of media appearances.

The campaign for "The Martian" was in full swing.

Come September, Disney Pictures partnered with NASA and SpaceX to endorse the film's scientific and technical accuracy, with NASA astronauts like Jim Green lending their expertise to promote Mars exploration.

By October, the finished film had made its way to the International Space Station, marking the first instance of movie marketing in outer space. Special edition posters, having traveled to space and back, became prized collectibles.

The film's main poster, featuring Martin in his spacesuit with the tagline "Bring Him Home," was released to much fanfare.

Early previews garnered an enthusiastic response from female audiences, a demographic typically overlooked in sci-fi films. Recognizing the potential for wider appeal, Disney crafted a global marketing strategy centered around emotional resonance.

As ticket sales surged, Disney's strategy paid off handsomely, solidifying their status as the dominant force in Hollywood for the foreseeable future.

By mid-November, "The Martian" had become a cultural phenomenon, plastered across billboards, airwaves, and social media platforms alike.

"This movie isn't just about rescuing one man from Mars," the promotional material declared. "It's about humanity's indomitable spirit and our relentless pursuit of discovery."