America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

New York Presbyterian Columbia and Cornell University Hospital.

Leonardo sat in the stark white lobby of the mental illness center, staring blankly at the entrance, like a person in darkness longing for the light to come.

That bastard Martin promised to call every two days, but it ended up being only once a week.

Leonardo rubbed his face, trying to muster a bit more energy.

In terms of his job, he was very dedicated, even spending several nights in the wards to adapt to Scorsese's requirements for filming "Shutter Island".

Although it wasn't the intensive care unit, the various sounds at night were quite stimulating.

Just then, the door opened and a few people walked in, among whom Leonardo spotted Martin.

Leonardo stood up excitedly, his face flushed and his eyes reddened, with his legs trembling slightly.

The bastard even knew to come!

He strode over to Martin, full of complaints, "Why have you just come now! Do you know what I've been through this week?"

Martin didn't respond but instead asked, "You haven't gone mad? Quite disappointing."

The doctor who accompanied him said, "You guys talk, I've got work to do."

Martin said with a smile, "Dr. Fletcher, please go ahead."

Dr. Fletcher nodded slightly, pointing to another doctor, "If you need anything, just find O'Shea."

O'Shea, dressed in a lab coat, sat behind the medical reception desk at a distance.

After Dr. Fletcher left, Leonardo questioned, "You promised to call me every two days. What happened? Only once a week, and that was last night!"

Martin said seriously, "Because I have confidence in you."

The two left the vicinity of the lobby entrance and sat down in the bench area; after chatting for a short while, Leonardo insisted on taking Martin to the patient area to experience life.

O'Shea let them change clothes and gave them temporary passes, leading them through the building and into the backyard garden area.

Many patients would recreate here during the day.

A nurse came to find O'Shea, who told Martin and Leonardo to wander around while he followed the nurse to see a patient.

Leonardo had been here for a week, familiar with the rules and taboos, and hadn't caused any trouble, so O'Shea was quite reassured about him.

The patients allowed to play here were also those without violent tendencies.

Leonardo walked along the checkered brick pathway, telling Martin, "I've made a lot of contact with many patients and doctors this week and have learned a great deal."

Martin nodded, "It shows. You seem to be under a lot of stress."

Leonardo revisited an old grievance, "That's why I wanted you to call me, to have a normal chat with you so I could decompress."

Martin offered his way to help Leonardo decompress, "I saw in the media that Tom Brady has gone back to Boston, and Gisele has stayed in New York. Go find her to decompress. I'll keep your secret."

Leonardo shook his head, "Am I the kind of person to backtrack?" He countered Martin, "If you had to go back to Annie-Hathaway, would you do it?"

Martin was principled, "Only if she approached me first."

An old man sitting under a tree, lost in thought, looked up at the sound of their voices and greeted Leonardo, "Hey, Leo, you're back."

"Hey, Kean." Leonardo greeted the man and then whispered to Martin, "I talk to him quite a bit."

Kean glanced at Martin and asked, "Is he a patient?"

Leonardo said seriously, "A completely recovered person, ready to be discharged."

"Cured?" Kean stared at Martin, "Do you really meet the recovery criteria?"

Martin nodded casually, "Of course."

Kean questioned, "Recovery requires a test, have you done it?" He made a judgement, "It seems you haven't, let me help you with that."

Martin tried to speak but was held back by Leonardo.

Kean pulled out his glasses case from his pocket, put on his reading glasses, and looked as dignified as a knowledgeable professor, "The test is simple, to pass you have to be declared recovered. So, if you had to empty a swimming pool filled with water, given a spoon and a bucket, which would you use to empty it?"

Martin immediately knew there was a trick, but after a brief pause, decided to go along with it, "Of course, the bucket."

Kean took off his glasses and shook his head, "Any normal person would just open the drain."

Leonardo patted Martin's shoulder, "Buddy, you need to be hospitalized."

Kean said earnestly, "Dr. Leo, this person doesn't meet the recovery standards; he must continue to be hospitalized for treatment."

Leonardo pulled Martin along, "Don't worry, he's not going anywhere."

Once away from others, Martin spoke, "Quite a unique experience, Leo, you're a great actor."

Leonardo lifted his chin proudly, "When it comes to dedication, how many in the industry can compete with me?"

They went indoors and saw a guy in the entertainment area who had hung himself in a net hanging from the ceiling beam.

Martin was astonished, "What's he doing?"

Leonardo knew what was happening, "He thinks he's the chandelier of this house."

"Don't the doctors care? Aren't they afraid something will go wrong?" Martin asked, his ability to adapt quicker than most.

Leonardo responded, "How can they? Without the chandelier, wouldn't the house be pitch black?"

Martin looked at him, "Are you Leo? Or some kind of devil that came from hell?"

Leonardo nodded, "Of course, I'm Leo."

Martin automatically took a few steps back.

Leonardo laughed, "How about that? Scared you, didn't I? Haha, my acting has improved a lot—I scared you, you big dummy!"

Martin said, "I was about to draw a gun." He was serious, "I thought you were possessed by the devil, and I was getting ready to perform an exorcism on you."

Leonardo frowned, "You should have used holy water and a crucifix."

"Physical exorcism is more effective," Martin made an exaggerated gesture, "Boom! Your head explodes, blood and brain splatter flying out, and the possessing demon would definitely run away. Then the exorcism would be successful."

Leonardo quickly walked forward, looking for Dr. O'Shea as he went, "There's a madman here, get him admitted quickly!"

Assured that Leonardo had no mental issues, Martin lost interest and guessed that Nicholson back in Los Angeles felt the same.

After accompanying Leonardo for a few laps and chatting for a while, Martin prepared to say goodbye and leave.

But Leonardo pulled at him, "Come to see me again in a few days, or I really will go mad."

Martin nodded, then said, "Don't see me out, there are a lot of reporters outside."

Leonardo didn't understand.

Martin said, "I'm here to see a doctor."

Leonardo deliberately said, "It seems Kean was right, you haven't recovered."

Martin met up with Bruce at the entrance of the mental health treatment center, his relaxed demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by a heavy presence tinged with a bit of evil madness as he strode out of the main entrance.

The dozen or so reporters waiting there promptly raised their cameras and camcorders to film, the high-definition lenses capturing every expression on Martin's face.

Dr. Fletcher, who had accompanied Martin out and was also the "John Wick" production's consulting psychologist, even gave an interview to the media, "Psychological and mental illnesses are the most stubborn. Martin's case is quite complex. He was showing signs of improvement, but playing a new role caused a relapse."

Armed with an authoritative doctor's interview, the entertainment reporters treated it like treasure, rushing back to their cars to file stories and be the first to post them online.

Before Martin's car even returned to the hotel where the crew was staying, the news of his visit to the New York Presbyterian mental health treatment center had already begun to spread wildly on the internet.

Entering the hotel lobby, Martin found Nolan had come to New York and was waiting for him in the lounge area.

With the release of "The Dark Knight" drawing nearer, the English director was under immense pressure, suffering from insomnia every night, and had even had several major arguments with his wife, Emma Thomas, over some trivial matters.

When under too much pressure, it's common for people to lose control of their emotions.

More than three hundred million US dollars weighing on his shoulders, even though Nolan was extraordinary in his marketing tactics, he was becoming worn out.

When Nolan saw Martin, it was as if he saw a partner who could share the burden of marketing. He said, "Let's find a place to have a good talk."

The crew had a special business lounge in the hotel, and Martin called Nolan and his assistant to join him there for a chat.

Nolan specifically ordered an iced coffee, took a big gulp, and said, "I just watched the news tonight, and you did a great job, stirred up another discussion wave."

Martin smiled, "I can't get away right now, I can only do so much at the moment."

Nolan asked, "You mentioned on the phone last time that you don't have any work plans for the second half of the year?" Your journey continues with empire

Martin looked serious, "After this movie is done, I plan to take a few months off."

"That's good, I have a proposal," Nolan, who always strived for realism, made a genuine suggestion, "When you finish shooting and return to Los Angeles, announce to the public that due to the psychological and mental stress caused by the Joker, you'll be taking a break to seek treatment for a while, and won't accept any new roles until the end of the year."

He had considered a lot, "Martin, including 'The Dark Knight,' you have three unreleased films; a temporary adjustment isn't a bad thing."

It was easy for Nolan to say, but asking a star at the height of his fame to do so was difficult.

Martin wouldn't commit lightly, "I need to discuss this with my agency."

Nolan downed the rest of his iced coffee in one gulp and said, "Martin, if 'The Dark Knight' is a big success, both of our futures will take a huge step forward, finding new projects won't be a problem."

Martin nodded slightly, "Chris, I believe the film will succeed because I believe in your ability."

Nolan, wanting Martin's full cooperation, added, "I already have ideas for a new project, Jonathan has started writing the script, and if possible, I'd still like you to play the lead."

The idea had been in his mind for a long time, originally intended for Christian Bale, but Bale's various actions during the filming of 'The Dark Knight' had been disappointing to say the least, a troublemaker machine.

In contrast, Martin was every bit as professional as Bale, more likeable, and understood collaboration.

Most importantly, he had strong commercial appeal.

Of course, if 'The Dark Knight' were to fail, all of this would be irrelevant.

Since Nolan had taken the initiative to invite him, of course, Martin wouldn't refuse. A good actor definitely needs a great director, and he said, "I'd like to continue working with you, to continue the perfect collaboration we had in 'The Dark Knight'."

"You're an outstanding actor, the kind every director would love," Nolan wasn't any less flattering than Martin, "Since 'The Dark Knight' began, I've felt we could become long-term collaborators like Scorsese and Leonardo."

Martin laughed heartily, "Chris, we can be the best partners."

Nolan nodded, bringing up the marketing for 'The Dark Knight' again, "Next month, Bale will come from England to Los Angeles. According to the publicity plan, the two of you will appear together at a public event."

He made an explosive gesture, "Boom, Batman versus the Joker, a fierce clash of good and evil."

Martin showed a Joker-like maniacal smile, "I've been looking forward to this day for a long time!"

Nolan said, "Also, what about your move on Nicholson's side, when is that happening?"

Martin knew what he was referring to and said, "I've talked to Jack, he plans to attend Warner Bros.' screening, and there will be an interview arranged specifically after that."

Nolan said, "No problem."

The two talked for a long time, exchanging many ideas about promotional marketing.