In a Los Angeles café frequented by celebrities, Martin and Leonardo lounged in a secluded, circular booth.
"So, when's your film with Scorsese kicking off? I've wrapped The Joker, and you guys haven't even started?" Martin asked.
"Still locking down roles," Leonardo replied. "I wanted Robert for Chuck's part, but he's off shooting Iron Man. And we haven't settled on a filming location. Scorsese scouted a few spots, but none fit."
"For the mental hospital? Try Medfield State Hospital in Massachusetts. James Wan shot Saw III there. I saw his location photos—it matches Shutter Island's vibe perfectly."
"Really? I'll call Scorsese when I get back. Hope you're right."
"Leo, since Shutter Island's schedule is still up in the air, how about starring in a film for me first?" Martin proposed.
"Another one?" Leonardo raised an eyebrow. "You just finished The Joker. Don't you need to handle post-production?"
"I work fast—post and shooting. If you're in, we start January next year and wrap by April."
"Alright, I'll check with Scorsese and get back to you by tomorrow. Can you give me a hint about the film?"
"It's a dream-heist movie. Dom Cobb, a seasoned thief, infiltrates dreams when people are at their most vulnerable, stealing valuable secrets from their subconscious. On one job, Cobb and his partner Arthur are thwarted by Cobb's late wife, Mal, haunting his subconscious, preventing them from getting the client's intel. They've got two days before they're marked for death…"
Martin laid out the story, and Leonardo was hooked.
"Wow, that's a wild concept—dreams within dreams. If we pull it off, it'll blow people minds! Thanks for thinking of me, man. I'll push Scorsese to align schedules and confirm by tomorrow."
He grinned mischievously. "Business done—now let's talk about that girl you left with three nights ago. Who is she? How'd you meet? What happened?"
"Goddamn, Leo, why're you gossiping like a tabloid?" Martin laughed.
"Gossip's human nature. Who said that? Oh, right—Martin Meyers, when Blake and I started dating. What's that saying? Karma's a bitch? You and Jack roasted me back then—now it's my turn."
"Fine, fine," Martin relented. "It's no big deal. Men and women hooking up is human nature too, right? Her name's Kris, and…"
…
The next day, Leonardo called with good news. "Talked to Scorsese. Shutter Island starts late April or May. I'm free for your film first."
"Hell yeah, that's awesome. Thanks, Leo," Martin said.
"No problem. I love that story."
With the lead for his next film locked, Martin called in Burat [Burat, means China], then dove into The Joker's post-production in the editing room.
…
In China, Liu Yifei was feeding her cats in the courtyard of her sprawling 25-acre mansion in Beijing's Shunyi District. The estate was divided into residential, fitness, entertainment, and dining areas, so vast that golf carts were kept on hand for getting around.
Her phone rang with "There's a girl, but I let her get away…" She set down the cat food and picked up. Yang Mi's excited voice burst through.
"Yifei! Martin called! He cast me in his new film—female lead!"
Martin had decided to reimagine Inception's Ellen Page role, Ariadne the "Architect," as a Chinese-American character, with Yang Mi in the part. He chose her for her more three-dimensional features, distinct from the traditional Eastern beauty of actresses like Zeng Ni or Hu Jing, making her more palatable to international audiences.
"Really? Congrats!" Liu Yifei said, genuinely happy for her friend.
"Hehe, it's whatever," Yang Mi said, feigning modesty while gloating. "It's the female lead, but Martin said it's not a huge part—more like a supporting role. Not like you, starring as the main lead in that big-budget The King of Kung Fu!"
At the mention of The King of Kung Fu, Liu Yifei's mood soured. The film had caused friction with China Film Group's boss, Wang, and its box office flopped, leaving her with no new offers in China. All because Mom got greedy, she thought. If we'd just passed on China Film and skipped that movie…
"When's your film starting?" Liu Yifei changed the subject.
"January next year. I'm heading to the U.S. in December."
"You'll miss Chinese New Year?"
"Eh, what's the big deal? No fireworks anymore, just boring family gatherings and the Spring Festival Gala. Oh, you mentioned wanting Martin's signed album last time—I'll grab a few in the U.S."
"I'd rather ask him myself," Liu Yifei thought, but said aloud, "Thanks."
Hanging up, she sat quietly.
"Who was that? Yang Mi again?" Liu's mother approached, noticing her daughter's low mood. "You look upset. Did that girl say something? I told you, she's too cunning to be a good friend."
"It's not her," Liu Yifei sighed. "I'm just… too idle lately."
Her mother fell silent. Liu's idleness was her fault. She'd sweet-talked China Film's Wang brothers to secure The King of Kung Fu's lead for her daughter, expecting it to launch her to stardom. Instead…
She sighed inwardly and shifted topics. "What'd Yang Mi say?"
"She got a Hollywood film with Martin directing. She's heading to the U.S. soon."
"What?!" Liu's mother's regret deepened. They shouldn't have passed on that "Qiu Zhang" role in the Harry Potter series. It was small, but if Yifei had built a rapport with Martin like Yang Mi did, it'd be worth more than any big-budget Chinese drama!
She didn't know Yang Mi had slept with Martin, assuming it was just savvy networking. Liu Yifei, for her part, kept her friend's secret.
…
The Voice of America: "On the 21st, senior Democratic and Republican senators said Democrats could secure 60 of the Senate's 100 seats after the November election. The economic crisis has weakened Republicans, potentially giving Democrats a decisive majority for the first time in 30 years, avoiding partisan gridlock…"
International Herald Tribune: "Obama's rise from humble roots embodies the American Dream, but also reflects the power of elite politics. Despite his modest background, his Ivy League education at Columbia and Harvard, combined with the vast network of Ivy League graduates in media and finance, makes his success unsurprising. It underscores the enduring role of elite institutions in American politics…"
Entertainment Weekly: "Reports say The Joker hasn't premiered, but Martin is already planning his next directorial project, possibly reteaming with Leonardo DiCaprio…"