Drew Barrymore knocked on the door.
Martin’s voice rang out.
Drew pushed the door open and walked in.
"Good news, Martin. Batman is getting even more screenings. Ugh, too bad we didn’t invest in it."
"Alright, alright, Drew. That’s the nth time you’ve said that. Sure, we didn’t invest in Batman, but we do have Pirates of the Caribbean 2, Brokeback Mountain, and Harry Potter 3. You can’t expect to pocket all the profits—that’s a major no-no in this business."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it!"
Drew cooed in a sultry voice, then casually closed the door behind her—and locked it. She sauntered up to Martin and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What are you doing? We’re still at work~ you know!"
"Pleasing you is my most important job," Drew giggled flirtatiously. "Those little bitches probably never imagined it, but this position gives me the most access to you! Come on now, and besides, you were the one seducing me just now~"
"I was seducing you?"
"The way you just got all serious and started lecturing me about business—that’s totally your seduction mode. You know I can’t resist when you do that. Heehee, just give in to me already~"
Another knock on the door.
"Who is it?!" Drew snapped impatiently.
"It’s me!" came Ivanka’s voice from outside.
"Damn it, did that little bitch sniff her way here or what?"
Annoyed, Drew got up from Martin’s lap and went to open the door.
Ivanka strode in, her heels clicking with purpose. She eyed Drew and Martin suspiciously... and subtly sniffed the air.
But both Martin and Drew caught her little move clearly.
Drew smirked inwardly. She really did sniff her way here. That bitch’s nose is too sharp!
Martin played it cool. "Something you need, Ivanka?"
"Yes," Ivanka said with a straight face. "Brokeback Mountain is coming out in September. If we want to compete for the Oscars, we need to start PR right now. I need to know which categories you want to prioritize?"
Martin straightened up and thought for a moment. "Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor—I mean my role. As for Leo, his team can handle that on their own."
"Hmm... Director, Picture, Actor—three categories is a bit much. Can you rank them by priority?" Ivanka asked.
"Then Best Picture and Best Actor. As for Best Director, I’ll talk to Lee and have him push on his end too."
The sound of the door locking again.
Martin and Ivanka both looked over in surprise—only to see Drew grinning mischievously.
"Now that the serious talk is over," she said, "let’s get started."
"Started with what?" Ivanka blinked in confusion.
"Having fun, obviously! Lucky you, bitch~"
Drew stepped forward, scooped Ivanka up in her arms, and tossed her onto the couch—then began undressing her!
As she tugged at Ivanka’s clothes, she turned and called to Martin, "Well? What are you waiting for!"
Martin chuckled and walked over.
He picked up Drew and tossed her onto the couch too, then turned to Ivanka. "Hold her down!"
Freed up, Ivanka immediately pounced on Drew.
"Help, help!" Drew meowed in a strange voice that was somewhere between a cat’s purr and a squeaky toy.
It was less a cry for help and more of an erotic tease.
Even Ivanka felt her heart flutter a little just hearing it.
And thus began... the war!
Santa Monica Commercial Center.
The AMC multiplex was bustling with excitement.
People pouring out of the screening rooms were animatedly discussing Batman. Some curious fans waiting in line tried to ask them about it, but most moviegoers were careful not to spoil the experience for others.
At 12:30 sharp, Benjamin Imray and his two friends emerged from the screening room.
All three were visibly thrilled.
"So what’d you guys think?" Benjamin exclaimed. "I loved the style! Martin didn’t let me down. That final battle—absolutely pumped me up!"
His buddy Turner waved his arms excitedly. "Oh my god, this is hands-down the most unique superhero movie I’ve ever seen. It was so damn cool! Did you see that Batmobile?! Freakin’ awesome!"
Their friend Kyle chimed in, "Totally badass! And the Batsuit! And all that high-tech gear! Let’s hit the merch store—I want a full Batman setup."
"Let’s go, let’s go!"
Their mood reflected the reaction of most young viewers who had just seen the film.
As soon as the credits rolled, these eager fans had swarmed the merch store right next to the theater.
The hottest seller? Batarangs.
Next up? Batman masks.
But the biggest showstopper was parked right in the center of the shop—a matte-black Batmobile.
Crowds were gathered around it, snapping photos from every angle.
Benjamin squeezed his way in and checked the price tag.
"F***, two hundred grand?! I couldn’t afford it even if I sold myself."
Benjamin’s family wasn’t exactly broke, but his dad sure as hell wasn’t giving him $200k to buy a movie car.
Nearby, people were chatting:
"This thing’s way too expensive. Even a Porsche 911 is only like $150k."
"You don’t get it. This is a real prop from the set, made by Lamborghini just for the movie. There’s only one in the world."
"So you’re saying Batman himself drove this?"
"You could put it that way."
Whoa, Benjamin was amazed. Batman himself had driven this car! He turned around, eager to discuss it with his friends...
Only to see both of them already on the phone.
Turner: "Dad, I’d like to cash in all my future allowance—yes, including my next life’s. Can you lend me $200k?" [HAHAHAHAHA]
Kyle: "Hey Mom, remember that college fund you set up for me? If you could give it to me early, I swear I’ll get grades good enough to win a Harvard scholarship and waive all my tuition."
Are these guys crazy?
Benjamin slapped a hand to his forehead... and then found himself reaching for his own phone.
"Hi, Dad? So I wanted to talk to you about something..."
Unsurprisingly, all three got flat-out rejected—and a good scolding to boot.
Just then, a store clerk called out:
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you really love the Batmobile, we also have scale models available. Not $200,000—just $29.90, and you can take the Batmobile home today!"
The three friends exchanged a look.