American Fame and Fortune

Chapter 12 Priority of debts

Early on Thursday morning, Martin drove into the old Ford and rushed to the Midtown Arts Theater.

Hundreds of people gathered in Theater Square next to Peachtree Street.

This is Atlanta’s gathering place for extras.

 To put it bluntly, it is a temporary labor market.

 Martin came yesterday morning and encountered the TBS TV program selecting audience actors, but he was not selected.

 Whether it’s Los Angeles or Atlanta, the supply of low-level actors far exceeds the demand.

 Lack of personal connections and no certain organization, even if you find a job as a purely background artist, you still need luck.

 Martin found a place to park his car, and when he entered the square, he saw Robert's big head.

Robert’s hair was neatly combed and he was wearing an old-fashioned formal suit. He said, “Wait a minute, the leader hasn’t come yet.”

 Martin looked at it for a moment and said, "Specially made?"

Robert said: "This way, I have a greater chance of being selected. Actually, I don't have any other ideas. I just have a line."

It really depends on luck, Martin said: "Good luck to you, man."

People from the Marietta Theater Company arrived one after another, including Martin, all of whom were temporary workers and paupers.

The leader, Jerome, drove over in a Lexus and asked everyone in the troupe to wait at the edge of the square. He made a phone call. When a bus stopped on Peachtree Street, he shook hands with the fat man who got off the bus and said a few words. He waved to the square: "Get in the car."

The fat man saw that there were no crooked and odd-looking people, so he said something to Jerome before going to select temporary workers.

Martin walked quickly and got on the bus at the front. He glanced at the first row in front of him. There were folders on the seats inside.

 He chose a seat on the other side of the row and Robert entered.

Martin sat on the outside and looked at the square through the car window.

 Fatty is selecting people. The method of selecting people is very simple. Choose whoever you like.

Based on the news he has collected recently, it is not difficult for Martin to judge that Atlanta is far away from film and television production centers such as New York and Los Angeles. Preferential policies have just been released, and there is currently no mature acting market and supporting agent system.

 Jerome is somewhat of a broker.

 The laws and regulations in California and New York do not apply here.

 The bus was quickly filled with people, and there was only a narrow aisle between Fatty and Martin.

 Martin did not strike up a conversation rashly.

The bus drove along Peach Tree Street not far when it suddenly slowed down.

 A procession appeared ahead near the State House.

There were also reporters from TV stations and newspapers following the filming.

The fat man stretched his neck and looked ahead. Instead of cursing, he said: "Make way for those people. When they pass the next intersection, we will turn around."

　　The name of "ATL Freedom Association" was printed on the marcher's vest. Martin judged the fat man's attitude, as if saying to himself: "Are you fighting for legitimate rights and interests?"

The voice was not loud, but it could fall on Fatty's ears. Fatty said casually: "This is a well-known liberal and progressive group in Atlanta. It has done many great things."

　　Martin was sure that the fat man’s position was in favor of the marchers, and immediately adjusted the position of his butt: “You are also doing something great this time?”

Fatty obviously knows: "Several conservative leaders of the Georgia Methodist Association declared that women are just family subordinates and must follow the will of the family, which triggered this protest."

  Martin said: "A very socially meaningful action."

Fatty and Proud: "One of the organizers of this event is Ms. Kelly Gray, the boss of our Gray Company." Unexpectedly, the fat man was also a good employee who was anxious about the boss's concerns, and Martin quickly found a way to close the relationship. On the topic, he said: "My friend, and many of her friends, have always wanted to join the Freedom Association and do something to fight for freedom rights. They can participate in such socially meaningful activities at any time, but it is a pity that they cannot find a suitable one. Introducer.”

As long as she takes care of the food, Elena can draw hundreds of people from the Clayton community, let alone dozens of people.

As for Elena, she volunteers at the conservative Methodist Association.

This is not the point. Elena said that as long as the remuneration is appropriate, it will be the same for everyone.

“I know many outstanding people in the association.” Fatty definitely has a future in Gray Company and took the initiative to attract supporters for his boss. He took out his business card and handed it to Martin: “My name is Andrew. If you want to join, please call me anytime.”

 Martin then put it away solemnly, took out the business card he had prepared and handed it over: "Martin Davis."

Just before the bus turned out of Peachtree Street, another parade entered Peachtree Street, carrying the flag of the Methodist Church.

　　The two sides exchanged insults in the distance, and the whole city was in trouble.

 The happiest people are media reporters.

 …

 The bus took more than half an hour and arrived at a farm north of Atlanta.

The crew rented a farm and temporarily built some 19th-century plantation-style sets. As a temporary dressing room, actors dressed in old-time costumes were put on makeup next to the wooden house.

 Martin got off the bus and found the group leader Jerome waiting at the entrance of the farm.

Andrew came to Jerome and said directly: "There are two special roles. The daily salary is 100 US dollars. The working hours are until 4:30 in the afternoon. Overtime is calculated at 10 US dollars an hour. Call a few of your best actors." come over."

 The hourly salary based on purely temporary performance is only US$5.15.

Jerome immediately thought that the idiot Martin still owed him dues, and was the first to call Martin's name: "Martin, come here!" Then he shouted: "Koehler, Robert, Jones."

No one can owe me money! Jerome said to Fat Andrew again: "Martin is good, you can give him priority."

 Andrew remembered the name, and as soon as the people arrived, he asked Martin: "Martin Davis, and... you, come with me."

Robert, who followed Martin, became another lucky person.

Jerome led the two of them towards the wooden house, while the others could only follow the stage manager to the outdoor temporary dressing area.

Robert poked Martin, who told him to shut up with his eyes.

The two of them followed Jerome to the wooden house. After waiting for a while, someone told them to go in and put on makeup.

While putting on makeup and changing clothes, an assistant came over to explain the play.

 A character with no lines, but a lot of acting.

　　The two played the role of assassins who assassinated the heroine. They rushed to the garden where the heroine was with guns and were killed by the hero with two shots. Then the hero and heroine fell in love after the hero saved the beauty.

 In other words, Martin and Robert had to lie down throughout the filming of this scene.

The background artist with a corpse lying on the ground is certainly paid more than the background artist who is standing.

Robert has a senior background, let alone Martin.

 There was no difficulty in the previous part. I strictly followed the positioning requirements and passed it after two takes. The director called for a jam once, but the actor missed the shot.

Then the highlight came, the two of them lay motionless on the ground.

The male and female protagonists embrace each other affectionately...

 (End of this chapter)