Gray Film Company had been busy for nearly two weeks when Benjamin-Calvin received the preliminary budget for "Zombie Stripper".


    "1.2 million US dors?" When Benjamin saw the number, he almost copsed, "I told the boss that we could get it done with no more than one million dors."


    Prowse, the head of the budget team, said, "Ben, you asked for on-set costume and prop work, plus special effects, and arge amount of action scenes. From the beginning of preparations to thepletion of post-production in four months, to catch this year''s Savannah Film Festival, we can''t go lower than 1.2 million dors."


    Benjamin slumped into the chair, "The boss won''t possibly give the green light."


    In a low voice, Prowse said, "There''s another way, to shoot it the old-fashioned way, make it ate-night movie."


    "Late-night movie? I''m sick of the stupidte-night movies!" Benjamin jumped to his feet, "I want to make a theatrical movie, one that can be shown in theaters, even if it''s only in Georgia."


    Prowse said, "I''m out of options unless you can pull in some outside investment."


    Benjamin threw the budget report on the desk, "Where am I going to pull investments from? Sell my ass?"


    Picking up the budget report, Prowse said, "There''s only one way then, find a way to convince the boss."


    Benjamin stayed silent until Prowse left, then picked up the phone and dialed Martin''s number, "Martin, it''s me, Ben, how''s it going on your end?"


    On the other end, Martin said, "Kelly''sing back to Anta tomorrow, there are some things we must discuss in person."


    Benjamin asked, "How confident are you?"


    In the Clearwater Bar, Martin put down the newspaper and said, "Director, is there a new development?"


    "The preliminary budget is out." Benjamin sounded like a man who had just experienced relief, utterly drained, "We need at least 1.2 million dors."


    It was a little less than the 1.5 million dors Martin had estimated. He purposely paused for a moment to give Benjamin a very difficult feeling and then said after a while, "We will both think of something."


    Benjamin said, "That''s the only way."


    Martin put away his phone as the rxing music of the Clearwater Bar yed. Elena stood behind the bar, speaking softly with the middle-aged female owner.


    The middle-aged female owner had tasted several drinks mixed by Elena and approved of her skills.


    It wasn''t long before Elena hurried over, "I''ve got some special..."


    She quickly corrected herself, removing the swear word she usually had on the tip of her tongue, and used as polite anguage as possible, "Mary decided to hire me, 7 dors an hour plus tips are mine, and I can start working today."


    "Congrattions." Martin stood up and hugged her tightly, "Wasn''t I right? I knew you could do it!"


    Elena gave him a strong kiss, "You teach well."


    Martin let go and had her sit down, "You''ve mastered all the vors of the Paper ne, if someone asks, say it''s your invention, and if someone wants to buy the recipe, feel free to sell it."


    Elena said, "The Paper ne is yours."


    Martin shook his head, "It''s no use to me, but it is to you. Elena, I''ve looked carefully, and you have more talent for mixology than I do. Don''t waste that talent; the Paper ne can help you make a name in this business."


    Just like expansion screws and penicillin, these things are only valuable when put to use.


    Martin''s goal wasn''t to be a mixologist, either.


    Elena wasn''t one to mince words, "Okay then." She suddenly squinted her eyes, "I''ll reward you properly when we get back."


    Martin tore off a corner of the newspaper, folded a delicately made paper ne, and handed it to Elena, "This is for you."


    Elena took it, noticing a customer at the bar, she said, "I''m off to work."


    Martin picked up the newspaper and continued reading. The Anta Constitution Newspaper''s major pages were all about the DEA''s joint operation with the APD on drug enforcement.


    Theyunched a major crackdown in South City, busting one hideout after another, arresting many ck dealers.


    The phone vibrated, and Martin took it out. It was from Bruce, answered with, "Have you arrived? I''m at the Clearwater Bar, a ssy ce. I''ll buy you a drink."


    Bruce and Monica entered the bar together.


    Thetter stayed at the bar, ordered a drink, and started talking to Elena while Bruce came and sat across from Martin.


    Martin ordered two drinks and two tes of dried fruit and asked, "Working normal hours now?"


    Bruce stared at Martin, "What shady business are you getting into this time?"


    In all of Anta, aside from Elena and her siblings, Martin trusted no one more than Old Cloth. He appropriately said, "There''s a deal, how about we broker it together?"


    Bruce agreed readily, "Spit it out, who are we dealing with?"


    Martin was resigned, "Old Cloth, we''re the good guys, civilized people, let''s not be so quick to mess with others." He then stealthily asked, "Cleaner, what else do you mess with besides people?"


    Bruce understood what Martin was getting at but didn''t respond, instead, he asked, "Do you eat avocados? They''re extremely popr across the United States, with prices climbing year by year and heavily depending on imports from Mexico. But, it''s not easy to obtain an import license."


    Martin didn''t know much about avocados, but he understood Bruce''s point, saying, "I''m thinking of persuading Vincent to invest in a movie."


    Bruce frowned, "Vincent might not be receptive to that."


    Martin still wanted to talk with Kelly, "I''m going to meet with Vincent in a couple of days."


    Bruce said, "You can''t really hide those petty club matters, you piece of crap, but I won''t help you with this. You know where Vincent is, you can meet him anytime."


    Martin didn''t say more, he simply changed the subject and talked with Bruce about other things.


    ......


    At Anta International Airport, Erica, Julia, and Kelly Gray, each apanied by their assistants, exited the arrival gate.


    Members of the ATL Freedom Association had been waiting there to pick them up.


    Kelly caught sight of Martin at once and simply nodded, first ensuring Erica and Julia got into their respective cars before leaving.


    Martin took Kelly''s luggage and helped E ce it in the trunk of the BMW.


    Once in the car, Kelly asked, "Why did youe?"


    Martin shed his badge, "I''m an official member of the Freedom Association, isn''t it part of the job to pick up the Vice President?"


    Kelly sensed something was off in the way he talked, "What''s with your ent?"


    Martin said, "Practicing Hollywood ents, gotta start with the everyday."


    The two chatted idly for a bit, and shortly the car arrived at Kelly''s downtown apartment.


    Carrying the luggage, Martin apanied her upstairs.


    As soon as they entered, Kelly kicked off her high heels and sprawled on the sofa with a long stretch, "Nothing beats thefort of your own home."


    Martin moved toward the liquor cab, "Fancy a drink?"


    "I''m not a drunk," Kelly quipped as she eyed Martin, "I''m surprised, I thought for sure you''d have run off to Los Angeles with that she-wolf."


    Martin came over and sat beside Kelly, pulling out a USB and handing it to her, "Louise left this for you. It contains proposals for the car production center refurbishment, she said you''d know the encryption code."


    Kelly sat up, taking the USB, "Guess that harlot does have a conscience."


    Martin seemed hesitant, "There''s another thing, Director Benjamin came to see me."


    Kelly was quick to respond, "He''s trying to rope you into Zombie Dancer?"


    "That''s right, he actually said that," Martin was, of course, on Kelly''s side between her and Benjamin, "The budget team has set the minimum budget at 1.2 million US dors."


    Kelly nodded slightly, "That''s too high an investment."


    Martin said, "You were in Washington at the time, Benjamin called me several times, I didn''t know what to tell him, so I specifically sought advice from Louise. She discussed a topic with me that you mentionedst time."


    Kelly asked, "What topic?"


    Martin lowered his voice, "Last time you talked to Louise, you said you''d rather cooperate with moneyunderers."


    Kelly''s attitude was simr to Louise''s, "I thought it was something serious, turns out it''s this." She countered, "So, you''re telling me you have the funds?"


    Martin nodded his head, "After you mentioned itst time, I''ve been keeping an eye out, I have some leads."