America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The studio had been set up to resemble an ancient Roman-style underground castle, with a huge bathhouse built in the largest central hall.

Martin, wearing a black suit, sat in the rest area and beckoned Bruce over.

He spoke in a low voice, "Nolan's use of authentic behind-the-scenes footage for movie promotion is actually worth learning from."

Bruce spoke the truth, "Chad doesn't have Nolan's ability. Nolan can creatively come up with such authentic extras while shooting the current film. Chad can't do that."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "Remember this, we might use this extra for pre-screening promotions, just don't write it down in a notebook."

Bruce patted his forehead, "My memory is better than yours."

Martin couldn't be bothered to argue and said, "During the shooting of 'John Wick: Chapter 2,' Leo, Jack, and I suspected that a Russian spy might have infiltrated the crew with malicious intent towards America and decided to find the spy."

Bruce reminded him, "It's only useful if you can find the spy." Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire

Martin nodded, "So, we need to figure out which one is the spy and what she wants to do."

On the other side, Nicholson and Leonardo stood at a spot overlooking the entire set, seemingly watching the crew film, but in reality, their gaze was fixed on the elegantly dressed Marina Alexandrova.

Leonardo said, "Martin, that scoundrel, has a good eye for women. This Russian woman may look average at first glance, but the more you look, the more flavorful she gets. She has a very special aura."

Nicholson's eyes were hidden behind sunglasses, "Like you, Martin has a particular taste in women. The women he picks are quite out of the ordinary."

Leonardo acknowledged this and then asked, "Any discoveries?"

Nicholson shook his head slightly, "Not for now."

"Are you capable or not?" Leonardo doubted.

"Don't doubt the eyesight and abilities of the great detective Jack," Nicholson pushed his sunglasses up, "If anyone on this set can find that swallow, it's me!"

He emphasized with a heavier tone, "The great detective Jack Nicholson!"

Leonardo reminded him, "There are only two suspects on the set."

Nicholson didn't continue the conversation because Martin and Marina had both entered the set, and shooting was about to begin.

With a command from director Chad, the clapperboard snapped, and a new scene commenced.

Martin entered the hall with a gun in hand, and after a brief exchange of dialogue, Marina took off her clothes, slashed her wrists, and lay down in the bath, choosing to end her life.

She was enveloped in scarlet.

Martin fired a shot and left.

The long continuous shot of a few minutes was completed in one take and declared a success.

Marina's acting was far superior to that of a mere pretty face.

"Cut!" Chad called out, "This one's good!"

Marina, clad in a bikini, emerged from the bath, and someone immediately brought over a blanket.

Marina looked at Martin and asked softly, "Was my performance okay?"

"Not bad," Martin urged, "Go take a hot shower first, we'll talk later."

Marina had only three scenes in total, and after completing this one, the other two would have to wait a while.

As the crew moved locations, Martin took the firearm handed to him by Bruce and personally checked it according to the crew's regulations, getting ready to film a gunfight action scene.

While he was preparing, Marina, who had bathed and changed, returned to the set.

Martin's mind raced as he handed Marina a Glock with an empty magazine, saying, "Want to give it a try?"

Marina took the gun, turning it over in her hands. She seemed unfamiliar with firearms, holding it awkwardly.

Nicholson and Leonardo also found Martin, one toying with an AR and the other curiously inspecting a Benelli shotgun.

Seeing Marina's unfamiliarity with the gun, Martin asked, "Never played with guns before? I remember there's no shortage of civilian firearms in Russia."

"I played with my dad's pistol when I was little. My dad was a military officer during the Soviet era," Marina seemed to be telling the truth, "I was too young then; I don't remember much about guns. Later, when I went to study in Moscow, I didn't get the chance to touch weapons again."

Martin seemed very curious, "Is your father still an officer?"

Marina replied simply, "During the Soviet era, he retired before it dissolved."

Martin continued, "Life must have been tough during that special period, right?"

"It was okay," Marina expressed a nostalgic look, "Compared to other places, life in Moscow and Saint Petersburg was still decent."

Martin said casually, "I hope to have the chance to visit Moscow and Saint Petersburg someday."

Marina smiled, "I can be your guide, especially in winter, you can see a different kind of scenery."

Martin went along with her, "Look at me, you've been in New York for so long, and I haven't shown you around."

Marina replied, "Svetlana and I have already explored Manhattan. The salary you gave us is very generous, we bought a lot of stuff."

"How do you feel about it here?" Martin asked casually, "Many people come to New York and don't want to leave."

Marina had come here with her own special purpose, and like Svetlana, she expressed her longing for the lighthouse, saying, "I would also like to stay here."

Nearby, Nicholson's eyelids flickered slightly, but he controlled his expression and continued to fiddle with the rifle in his hands.

After chatting with Marina for a few more sentences, Martin was notified by Chad to get ready for the shooting.

The following scenes were all gunfight sequences.

Strapped with guns and carrying an AR on his back, Martin shouldered a shotgun and walked into the nearby set.

Svetlana also arrived on set, directing her subordinates to surround and kill Jonathan.

The sound of gunfire started, and Martin dodged and weaved through the ancient castle's underground passages, taking down one assassin after another.

Pistols, rifles, and shotguns were used in turn, with even grenades and flashbangs making an appearance.

The gun battles and action choreography still followed the style of the first installment.

Whether it was close combat or shooting from a distance, Jonathan was ruthless.@@novelbin@@

Martin's proficiency with firearms was now on full display.

Action scenes shot in long takes tested not only the crew behind the scenes but also the actors' skills.

The hallmark of the "John Wick" series' action scenes is their avoidance of fast-paced, short-take editing, with nearly all the action being comprised of long shots.

Martin's personal performance and the continuity of the action became the utmost importance.

Of course, it was also extremely tiring for the lead actors.

After half a day of shooting action scenes, an exhausted Martin gasped for air and sat on the rest chair, not wanting to get up for a while.

Nicholson appeared behind him like a ghost.

Martin turned and glanced at him, "Can't you make some noise when you walk? You could easily get shot by me."

Nicholson replied, "Don't you want to know the results of my observation?"

Leonardo hadn't forgotten the events of the previous day, "How is a underling speaking to his boss? Assume your respectful and adoring attitude!"

Martin, quite helpless, said, "Alright, bosses, what's the result?"

Nicholson stated very seriously, "According to my observation, Marina lied and acted far more times than Svetlana during her chat with you, making her more suspicious."

He would not mislead Martin on such matters, adding specifically, "This is just my subjective feeling, I can't guarantee it's 100% correct, but if one of these two is indeed a 'Swallow', based on my over seventy years of life and acting experience, Marina is more likely."

Martin said directly, "Although your character isn't trustworthy, I believe you when it comes to acting."

Nicholson gave him the middle finger, "Actually, we could test this, you know, like the FBI, baiting with some false information, perhaps we could catch a mermaid."

Martin inquired, "And what after we catch her?"

Nicholson did not answer immediately.

Leonardo said, "The problem is that we're not professionals in doing this."

Martin thought for a moment, "Let's not make any moves for now, just identifying the prime suspect is enough. As for what to do next, I need to think about it."

"Leave it to me," Nicholson proposed with curiosity about the legendary 'Swallow', "I will definitely entertain her well, making her spill everything she knows, and in the meantime, turn her into a real 'Swallow'."

Martin shook his head, "We are good people, not perverts! We can't do illegal things like kidnapping and torture."

Leonardo suggested, "Just hand her over to the FBI, let them handle it."

Nicholson immediately opposed, "Absolutely not, we can't let the FBI's butchers have all the fun."

Martin interrupted their argument, "This matter is only to be known among the three of us and Bruce, don't let it leak further. If Marina or Svetlana is indeed a 'Swallow' sent here by Russia, what is their purpose?"

Nicholson said, "It's either to get some information from you or to achieve some unspeakable purpose through you."

Leonardo added, "You're the Sect Hierarch of the Cola Cult, and the cult's gatherings are attended by more and more political figures..."

Martin nodded, "Then there's no rush to deal with it. What's the benefit of exposing it now, apart from giving the FBI a merit? We'll wait for an opportunity; maybe we can benefit from this situation. If not, we can sell the information to the FBI."

Both Nicholson and Leonardo agreed, "That could work."

The former even specified, "But Martin, you have to realize one thing, this 'Swallow' was discovered by us three. You can fully enjoy her beautiful body but you absolutely can't sell her out on your own."

Following his words, Leonardo said, "Exactly, the 'Swallow' is the collective property of the Trio of Scoundrels. You can't have her all to yourself. Whatever action you want to take must be done by the three of us together."

"No problem on my end," Martin deliberately said, "If there's trouble, we back each other up, and if there's fun to be had, we enjoy it together."

Nicholson said, "I hope you can find some really good fun."

Leonardo added, "Martin has never let us down when it comes to creating mischief."

"No, I've learned it all from you," Martin humbly responded, "When it comes to screwing people over and causing trouble, you're the masters, and I'm just a student."