Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

Leaving the Miramax headquarters, Quentin's head was buzzing with Harvey Weinstein's endless chatter. Shaking his head and taking a deep breath, he managed to clear his thoughts a little.

Quentin couldn't help but feel that Harvey was growing increasingly reckless lately. Perhaps it was time to look for a way out? Picking up his phone, he dialed a number.

"Hello, Matt. Long time no see. Got time for a drink?"

Meanwhile, Martin was blissfully unaware that someone was attempting to cozy up to his younger brother to gain access to him.

At that moment, Martin was dancing.

Yes, street dancing.

Moving with the rhythm of the music, Martin poured his creativity into the routine. He incorporated iconic street dance moves from later generations, blending them with the seductive, elegant movements of the succubi and elves from the Mystic Realm. The result was a performance bursting with energy, flair, and a breathtaking sense of beauty.

When Martin finally stopped, he smiled and asked, "What do you think?"

"My God, this must have been crafted by the hands of the divine!" exclaimed Ivana Markasmovich, the film's dance coach, in awe.

Anne Fletcher, the director with a background in dance, looked equally stunned. "It's incredible—power, rhythm, technique, and beauty all wrapped into one. This sequence could absolutely be used for the climactic finale of the film!"

Martin shrugged casually. "As long as it works."

Anne, visibly excited, couldn't help but press, "Martin, have you ever considered a career in dance?"

She chuckled immediately after, realizing how absurd the suggestion was. Martin was a billionaire, a genius actor, writer, and musician. Why would he ever become "just" a dancer?

"Forget I said anything!"

Meanwhile, Jessica Alba gazed at Martin with wide, admiring eyes.

The production of Step Up was moving swiftly. Excluding the time spent on the actors' dance rehearsals, the entire shoot wrapped up in just 27 days.

On March 18, 2003, President Bush's military action against Iraq finally received congressional approval.

Two days later, on March 20, 2003, the Iraq War officially began.

It was clear that Bush had been preparing for war long before this. The UN's investigation into Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction was still incomplete, but Bush couldn't wait. He was under immense pressure, especially after the debacle with the Oil field, which had caused significant dissatisfaction among the Texas oil barons. He needed this war to divert attention and appease his backers.

Iraq, rich in oil, was a prize for the Texas oil groups. The war itself would also please the military-industrial complex—a win-win for Bush.

At 5:30 AM Baghdad time on March 20, the U.S. and its loyal ally, Britain, launched the "Shock and Awe" campaign, a massive air and ground assault targeting Iraq.

In a televised address, President Bush announced the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein's regime and promised a "swift and decisive" victory.

However, the public reaction was markedly different from that during the Afghanistan War.

Swift and decisive?

The Afghanistan quagmire had trapped tens of thousands of American troops. Who would believe him this time?

But public sentiment didn't matter. After all, America was not the "democracy" it claimed to be but a nation controlled by capital.

The intensity of the war was staggering.

In the initial strikes, U.S. and British forces dropped over 2,000 precision-guided bombs across cities like Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Umm Qasr. Among these were 500 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Countless civilians were killed.

Meanwhile, Saddam Hussein delivered a televised speech, calling on Iraqis to resist American aggression and defeat the coalition forces.

This war seemed far removed from Martin's world. He made a public anti-war statement as usual, then turned his focus to preparing for the Oscars.

On the afternoon of March 23, Pacific Time, the 75th Academy Awards began amidst the most contentious atmosphere in its history.

For three days leading up to the ceremony, demonstrators had gathered at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard to protest the Iraq War.

Soon, pro-war demonstrators appeared on the opposite side of the street, clashing verbally with the anti-war crowd.

The LAPD deployed heavy security to separate the two groups, ensuring tensions didn't boil over.

Separated by a single street, the two factions chanted slogans, hurled insults, and occasionally tossed water balloons. Despite the heated exchanges, no major incidents occurred.

Overall, the anti-war camp far outnumbered the pro-war demonstrators. As time passed, the anti-war crowd continued to grow.

Their signs carried messages like "Bush Betrayed America," "Bush Is the Real Terrorist," "No More War," and "Oscars for Peace." The roar of their voices drowned out the opposition.

Clearly, the Afghanistan War had shaken American confidence built up during the Gulf War.

Under the shadow of war, the usual glamour of Hollywood's biggest night felt unusually somber.

Given the situation, the Oscars canceled the red carpet walk and pre-show interviews, though a red carpet was still laid out for tradition's sake. Some anti-war celebrities wore pins with peace slogans.

Martin's pin drew considerable attention. It featured a strange bird soaring through flames, its outstretched wings bearing the words "anti-war" and "peace."

Leonardo DiCaprio noticed the unique design. "Hey, buddy, that's a cool pin. Who made it?"

Grinning proudly, Martin pointed to himself with a thumbs-up. "Me!"

"You designed it? Nice! What kind of bird is it?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Martin replied with a cryptic smile. (Anyone figured it out yet?)

To ensure the Oscars proceeded smoothly, a National Guard unit and mobile testing equipment were stationed nearby to screen for any suspicious materials. The FBI and LAPD deployed elite tactical teams to secure the Kodak Theatre.

After all, this was the night when the crème de la crème of Hollywood would gather under one roof.