Seeing the Stanton followers laughing and chatting as if they were already the biggest winners of this year's Oscars, Leonardo DiCaprio felt a surge of irritation. This sudden wave of frustration made him want to scream. If he didn't do something, he might go crazy.
As the awards season drew to a close, Leonardo DiCaprio knew that his Best Actor nomination was just that—a nomination. His chances of winning were less than 15%, probably lower than Chiwetel Ejiofor's chances for "12 Years a Slave."
The series of money laundering scandals that erupted during the awards season had clearly affected him.
Looking at Murphy Stanton, the leader of the Stanton followers, DiCaprio was certain that these incidents were orchestrated by him, even though there was no evidence to prove it.
A year's worth of effort had gone down the drain, and once again, he was set to be an Oscar runner-up.
If that wasn't bad enough, the $40 million he was forced to give up nearly made DiCaprio spit blood.
That was $40 million!
Thinking about the $40 million, DiCaprio couldn't help but walk towards the Stanton followers.
Even knowing it was futile, how could he swallow this bitter pill?
Alerted by Gal Gadot, Murphy turned his head to see Leonardo DiCaprio walking towards them, just six feet away. He immediately put on a smile and greeted him, "Hi, Leo, it's great to see you."
Leonardo DiCaprio nodded without expression, "Murphy Stanton..."
Robert Downey Jr., James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Margot Robbie, and Gal Gadot all turned to look at DiCaprio.
Except for Downey Jr., who had been friends with DiCaprio in the past, the others looked at him with unfriendly eyes.
It wasn't just a personal grudge between Murphy and DiCaprio. When the Catholic Church attacked Murphy, DiCaprio took the opportunity to drag the Stanton followers' films into the controversy, causing them to suffer as well. Naturally, they didn't like him.
Margot Robbie, who had no previous interaction with DiCaprio, whispered to Gal Gadot, "The famous Oscar runner-up is here."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was just enough for DiCaprio to hear.
DiCaprio glanced at Robbie, his anger flashing briefly. This Australian actress had the support of Murphy Stanton and the Stanton followers, so she didn't need to care about his superstar status. He couldn't do anything to her.
Robbie fearlessly met DiCaprio's gaze, her face still bearing a cheerful smile.
"You guys are starting to celebrate early?" DiCaprio finally turned his eyes back to Murphy. "Do you need me to congratulate you?"
Murphy smiled, not missing a beat. "Thank you!"
Seeing Murphy's confident attitude, DiCaprio's face showed a trace of anger. "You're very confident."
"How can you not have confidence?" Murphy shrugged. "Without confidence, you'd just be a professional runner-up."
DiCaprio's fists clenched instantly, but seeing Murphy's amused expression, he calmed down slightly, knowing that hitting him would spell disaster.
Several feet away, Brad Pitt had been watching Murphy and DiCaprio. Angelina Jolie was also intrigued.
"DiCaprio is confronting Murphy Stanton," Jolie said with a mischievous smile. "Do you think they'll fight? Who would win?"
"They won't," Pitt said definitively. "Remember where we are."
This was the Dolby Theatre during the Oscars. If anyone started a fight, the Academy would never forget it.
Jolie, knowing a fight was unlikely, said, "They've been at each other's throats, and DiCaprio lost $40 million. He definitely wants to vent."
"The fiercer their fight, the better," Pitt laughed. "The more they cancel each other out, the more my '12 Years a Slave' stands to gain!"
He was not only a producer of "12 Years a Slave" but also a major investor. His Plan B Entertainment company had produced the film.
Since entering the Oscar race with this film, Pitt had no intention of leaving empty-handed.
"Some things should be done in moderation," DiCaprio said, looking at Murphy. "Do you know a story?"
Murphy shrugged and gestured for him to continue.
DiCaprio didn't wait for a response. "A mouse falls into a half-full rice jar. Delighted by the unexpected bounty, it eats and sleeps in the jar, growing fat and unable to climb out. Eventually, it's beaten to death in the jar."
"Life ended by greed?" Murphy wasn't fazed by DiCaprio's parable. "A very philosophical story."
He suddenly smiled. "Leo, let me tell you a story."
"God asked an angel to find all the bad people in the world and write them down. The angel struggled and couldn't finish. With the deadline approaching, the angel thought of a solution. Instead of listing the numerous bad people, it listed the few good people. God received a list with the names of good people. Everyone not on the list was deemed bad."
Murphy looked at DiCaprio. "Do you know who was on that list?"
DiCaprio, not understanding the point, asked, "Who?"
"Only God and the angel know," Murphy said, spreading his hands. "But I'm sure neither you nor I are on it."
Murphy's tone grew cold. "Leo, what did you come over here for? Seeking fairness? Condemning the wicked? Don't be silly. The whole world knows we're both bad."
"Bad people should act like bad people," Murphy continued provocatively. "Bad people should admit they're bad. The worst are those who pretend to be good."
"You..." DiCaprio's anger flared up instantly.
Murphy said nothing more, just watched DiCaprio as if waiting for something. DiCaprio's face turned red with rage.
"Uh..." Robert Downey Jr. interjected. "It's about time. We should head to the theater."
"Yeah," Murphy called to the others. "Let's go."
He understood that Downey Jr., once close friends with DiCaprio, didn't want to see him make a scene.
As they left the VIP lounge, Downey Jr. walked beside Murphy and whispered, "Leo and I were friends once."
Murphy nodded. "I was just messing with him."
Downey Jr. said nothing more. DiCaprio might be a friend, but Murphy was like a brother. He felt he had done his best to prevent a blowup.
Having known Murphy the longest among the Stanton followers and having served time together, he knew Murphy's casual words could be laying a trap for DiCaprio.
Murphy's group took their seats in the second row, center, the spot reserved for the "Dark City" crew.
Some members of the crew had already arrived. Josh Griffiths, Helena Espola, David Robey, and Philippe Rousselot sat with their companions, taking up a large section.
With 13 Oscar nominations, "Dark City" had at least 13 seats. Including their guests, they presented a formidable presence.
Murphy and Gal Gadot had just sat down when DiCaprio walked over. The "Great Gatsby" crew's seats were right next to "Dark City," separated only by an aisle.
Soon, more members of the "Great Gatsby" crew joined.
"Is that Carey Mulligan?" Gal Gadot subtly indicated with her eyes.
Murphy glanced over and said openly, "Yes, that's her. She looks more mature now."
His past with Carey Mulligan was long over.
Gadot, knowing she held a unique place in Murphy's heart, merely looked and then turned her attention elsewhere.
"Interesting," she laughed. "The '12 Years a Slave' crew is on our left."
Murphy followed her gaze and saw Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie taking their seats.
On their left was "12 Years a Slave," on their right was "The Great Gatsby," both strong competitors.
Of course, Murphy was more concerned about "12 Years a Slave."
As time passed, the Dolby Theatre grew quiet. Music played, and the curtains on stage slowly parted. The 86th Academy Awards ceremony officially began!
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