America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

In front of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel entrance, hundreds of reporters gathered, waiting for the first-hand Oscar news.

The Hollywood awards season spans several months, with numerous awards, but the climax is undoubtedly the Oscar ceremony.

The nominee luncheon is the final buildup.

Hundreds of stars and celebrities arrived one after another, and Martin, amidst them, looked just like an ordinary member.

In the banquet hall, he sat at a table with Leonardo, Nicholson, and Scorsese, among others.

Not many people were interested in the exquisite dishes of the luncheon.

Martin nudged Nicholson on his left, signaling with his eyes, "Your favorite."

Nicholson saw, "Tower of Babel's" leading actress Blanchett and said, "Meryl told me, you were there when she had a conflict with this woman last time?"

Martin took the initiative to take credit, "Without me, Meryl would have been at a disadvantage." Then he asked for his reward, "Are you going to thank me?"

Nicholson picked up the wine bottle, poured a glass, and handed it to Martin, "Thanks given."

Martin shook his head, "As I thought, you're shameless."

Leonardo on the right chimed in, "You should be asking Meryl's husband for thanks in New York."

Martin said earnestly, "Indeed, let him thank the great Jack Nicholson..."

Nicholson didn't care, "You think he doesn't know? Don Gummer knows more than you think."

Martin asked, "That's Meryl's husband?"

"A sculptor," Leonardo explained, "and a very famous artist too."

Martin said, "I see."

Those involved in art are indeed extraordinary, and art itself is a profound subject.

To achieve success in art, sacrifices are essential...

Nicholson lowered his voice and leaned in, "Next weekend, let's go to Venice Beach together."

"You two bastards aren't afraid of getting shot up?" Martin mentally calculated the time.

Leonardo said, "That's why we're inviting you."

Martin shook his head, "I don't have time, I promised to attend a friend's birthday party then."

"Female friend?" Nicholson asked.

Martin said offhandedly, "A girl I saved at Burbank Middle School, the younger sister of the Olsen twins."

Leonardo, who had been paying attention, asked, "The one who played the Cola Cult priestess in last year's Coca-Cola ad by your side?"

Martin nodded, "That's her."

Natalie Portman, who was also with WMA, passed by and took the initiative to greet Martin.

While Martin turned his head to talk to someone, Nicholson gave Leonardo a look.

Assholes have an exceptional understanding of each other, and Leonardo immediately knew what he meant.

When Martin turned back around, he said, "Your friend's birthday, can I join? I'd like to join the fun."

Nicholson leaned in, "Count me in too."

Martin's first reaction, "You guys aren't planning to cause trouble, are you?"

Nicholson shook his head, "Martin, you have a dirty mind."

Leonardo teased Martin, "Every time there's a fun party, I bring you along. Where's your brotherly loyalty?"

Recalling those bachelor parties, and not too worried about these two causing trouble, Martin said, "I'll ask the host first."

The luncheon hadn't even begun; he texted Elizabeth Olsen.

In less than two weeks, it would be her eighteenth birthday, and the Olsen twins were planning a big birthday party for her.

Stars of the caliber of Leonardo and Nicholson going would also add to the party's flair.

Elizabeth Olsen's text came back quickly, and Martin relayed, "The host agrees, just remember to bring a birthday gift."

Nicholson responded, "Easy." He pointed to Leonardo, "You're in charge of getting the gift."

Leonardo glared, "Why me?"

Nicholson said, "Because you understand what young girls like."

Scorsese glanced at these three clowns and secretly felt relieved, thankfully they hadn't acted up in his film.

That cow... forget it, let's not think about cow stuff now. After the Oscars, just slaughter it for steak, skewers, and beef stew with potatoes, three ways to enjoy one cow!

The luncheon host Maggie JillEnhall and Academy chairman Sid Ganis appeared on stage.

Scorsese reminded them, "It's about to start."

Martin, Leonardo, and Nicholson stopped chatting and perked up three pairs of ears to listen to the nominee list.

After Sid Ganis finished speaking, Maggie JillEnhall first announced the list of winners for the Scientific and Technical Awards.

Though "Art and Science" is in the Academy's name, the latter is not highly regarded, and the related awards don't even make it into the official ceremony.

Then, they announced the nominees for various awards.

Nicholson looked relaxed and amused as he watched the three idiots at his table with their eyes wide and ears perked, finding them increasingly entertaining.

He whispered, "There are four people sitting at this table, each averaging three Oscar statuettes. Who are the winners, may I ask?"

Martin and Leonardo simultaneously flipped him the bird.

Scorsese was so mad he felt like hitting someone.

But the three of them were also helpless; the other person did have three little golden men!

Martin retracted his middle finger, but his mood relaxed, knowing that it's not difficult to get nominated, but winning is a different story.

With Leonardo next to him for comparison, he felt his luck couldn't be too bad.

Maggie JillEnhall read out the nomination list one by one, which was then displayed on the big screen behind her.

Soon it was time for the Best Supporting Actor nominations.

"Ellen Arkin, Eddie Murphy," and then Martin heard his own name from Maggie's mouth: "Martin Davis!"

Martin clenched his fist, all his work during this period was not in vain!

Leonardo and Nicholson bumped fists with him, congratulating him in turn.

When the list was complete, Scorsese joined in the applause, nodding towards Martin.

Martin smiled, feeling a bit excited inside, after all, it was a rare achievement.

Just like Scorsese and Spielberg, and the Leonardo sitting beside him, entering this industry meant chasing the recognition of your peers, in addition to fame and profit.

Moreover, the Oscars themselves are a means to fame and fortune.

Leonardo's name was then announced in the upcoming Oscars list for Best Actor.

He was nominated for "Blood Diamond."

Leonardo just smiled, appearing nonchalant, and didn't forget to mock Martin, "Look at you, getting all excited over a single nomination."

"I'm not like you," Martin's retort cut right to the quick, "You have years of experience as a runner-up; I do not."

Leonardo was about to glare but had to maintain his smile as the camera panned their way.

By the time he came back to his senses, the banquet hall erupted in another round of enthusiastic applause.

It was Scorsese and "Infernal Affairs" respectively nabbing nominations for Best Director and Best Picture.

The biggest winners on this list of nominees were "Infernal Affairs" and "Tower of Babel."

The former secured five nominations while the latter racked up an impressive seven.

After that, the host for the Oscars ceremony was announced—it was Ellen Degeneres.

Martin wasn't too fond of her.

Nicholson, semi-retired and always nosy, asked Martin, "I remember your appearance on her talk show didn't go too well?"

Martin bluntly said, "She can't take a joke, tried to play me, wasn't successful, and then complained about me being uncooperative, back when I was still a minor actor."

Leonardo suggested, "How about the three of us go on her show together and mess with her?"

Martin shook his head, "That would only boost her ratings, not worth it. Besides, she's a lesbian; they're difficult to mess with."

Leonardo pointed out, "Since 'Brokeback Mountain' won the Best Director award, Hollywood has started to shift its attitude toward homosexuality."

"As long as we old white guys are still around, the core of Hollywood won't change," Nicholson chimed in.

Martin, seeing Academy Chairman Sid Ganis gearing up for a lengthy speech, said, "Old bastard, you're idle anyway, why not run for Academy Chairman?"

"You don't think becoming Academy Chairman is an easy competition, do you?" Nicholson asked, not needing Martin's response, "In recent years, the real power of the Academy Chairman has been on the rise. Internal competitions are never transparent; let me tell you, the struggle for Academy Chairman is far more intense and tight than any Oscar PR."

Martin, seeing Scorsese nod in agreement, knew Nicholson was speaking the truth.

Nicholson continued, "Even if an actor competes, they seldom succeed. Firstly, actors often have limited time, and most are rascals like you and Leo, spending all their spare time on frivolities."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He bluntly used the two rascals as examples, "You two running for Academy Chairman—how many members would vote for you? Would 6,000 Academy members really entrust this position to a couple of rascals like you?"

Martin was self-aware, "I don't have the seniority."

Leonardo retorted, "Young female models aren't fun? Go mess with the Academy politics."

"To lobby and do PR and networking for the internal Academy election, could actors outdo producers?" Nicholson elaborated, "Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, that power couple, have competed several times already."

He pointed at Sid Ganis on the stage, "And what about that? This old fox has been re-elected Academy Chairman three times."

"Actors like Reagan and Schwarzenegger are too few," Martin added.

Leonardo joked, "You rascal, you're not thinking of running for president, are you?"

Martin vaguely recalled his drunken bluster from the day he drank too much. He replied, "No, I plan to lead an army of beauties, march into Washington, conquer the White House, and dissolve the Federal."

Scorsese suddenly cut in, "If you could actually pull that off, you might even win the Nobel Peace Prize."

The main course for the luncheon was served, and the Academy, never short on funds, certainly didn't skimp on the Oscars gala, offering a lavish spread.

Martin and his group were in a good mood, chatting while they ate.

However, Scorsese had a headache; the three blockheads at the table were planning to bombard the dating hotspots of every production studio.

It made him firm in his resolution: no matter what project he directed in the future, he could not let these three blockheads gather in his crew.

They would surely turn the world upside down.

After a satisfying meal, everyone moved to the lobby set up with Oscar backdrops, where over a hundred people gathered for the annual luncheon group photo.