As the shadows deepened into the heart of the night, Elizabeth Olsen gently placed the gleaming Oscar statuette inside a polished glass display case. The soft click of the lock echoed faintly as she secured the treasure.
No sooner had the key turned than Lily appeared behind her, her voice tinged with anticipation, "Remember the promise you made me, Liz?"
Elizabeth turned, her eyes catching the playful ribbon bow adorning Lily's hair, and chuckled softly. "Eager, aren't we? Why don't you deliver it yourself?"
Lily, her figure outlined by the dim light, sighed melodramatically as she headed toward the staircase. "I've been waiting forever for this."
Elizabeth watched her friend's graceful retreat. Lily, mirroring her own age, stood tall and willowy, her delicate features illuminated momentarily by the passing light. Her beauty was undeniable.
Catching up, Elizabeth grasped Lily's hand reassuringly. "Want to make an unforgettable impression on Martin tonight?"
Lily paused, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "I... how do I do that?"
"Just stay calm, and wait for my cue," Elizabeth murmured as they ascended the stairs together, their whispers filling the air.
Reaching the upper hallway, they paused at the master bedroom door. Lily lingered outside, her ear pressed against the door, eyes straining to see through the narrow crack.
Inside, Martin emerged from the bathroom in a bathrobe, his voice playful. "So, are you going to give me that special treat you promised?"
Elizabeth, her smile secretive, replied, "Prepare yourself for a surprise," before slipping into the walk-in closet.
Curiosity piqued, Martin watched the direction she had gone, wondering about the nature of the surprise.
Moments later, Elizabeth reappeared, a black sleep mask in one hand and two silk ties in the other. Her movements were smooth and assured as she approached him.
"What's this? Some kind of game?" Martin asked, a mix of amusement and intrigue in his tone.
Elizabeth's response was a whisper, sultry and close. "I'm taking charge tonight. Follow my lead and you'll get your reward."
Obediently, Martin raised his arms, resting them against the intricately carved back of the sofa. Elizabeth deftly looped the ties through the carvings, securing his hands with a firmness that contrasted with her gentle touch.
Martin settled back, anticipation flickering across his features. "Let's see what kind of magic my little sorceress has conjured up for me today."
With a quick, fluid motion, Elizabeth placed the sleep mask over Martin's eyes, plunging his world into darkness. She then gestured silently towards the door.
Lily, her breath held in suspense, slipped into the room. The atmosphere charged with excitement, she approached Martin cautiously, her inexperienced but eager hands a stark contrast to Elizabeth's experienced touch. The night promised to unfold with intriguing possibilities.
Under the moonlit sky, Elizabeth took on the role of Lily's mentor, while Martin, unfortunately, found himself entranced by the sway of the carving knife.
Long envious of their game, Lily finally became a participant alongside Martin and Elizabeth.
The following morning, over breakfast, Lily enlisted Elizabeth's aid in relocating.
Previously confined by Martin to the ground floor, Lily was now poised to move into the grandeur of the master bedroom, joining Martin and Elizabeth.
The duo devised plans to replace the master bedroom's bed with a larger one, ideal for both exercise and relaxation.
Additionally, they earmarked the master dressing room to be transformed into Lily's personal sanctuary.
Originally stationed in Santa Monica, Lily's studio was a piece of property she had acquired from none other than Ben Affleck, thanks to Martin's assistance in navigating the purchase.
Adjacent to the auxiliary building lay a slew of vacant houses, prompting discussions between Elizabeth and Lily about converting two of them into studios.
Martin, unconcerned with these minutiae, left the women to their deliberations as he ventured off to the studio mid-morning.
Despite the conclusion of the Oscar ceremony, Davis Studio's involvement in the aftermath was far from over.
The publicity team remained hard at work, steering public opinion through various digital channels.
Martin's win for Best Actor was a testament to his merit, though the looming task ahead was to avoid falling prey to the pitfalls of celebrity, akin to the infamous Gwyneth Paltrow.
Known for her eccentricities and controversial decisions, Gwyneth's antics, such as subjecting her young daughter to cosmetic procedures, sent shockwaves even through the jaded hearts of Hollywood insiders like Elizabeth.
Her notoriety had earned her the dubious title of North America's most despised actress on numerous entertainment websites, a feat achieved through sheer force of personality.
Thanks to meticulous planning and execution, Martin emerged from the Oscar aftermath relatively unscathed, basking in the glow of positive media coverage encapsulated by his Vanity Fair cover feature holding the coveted Best Actor statuette.
"At the 84th Academy Awards, Martin Davis, a name synonymous with passion and perseverance, etched his own miraculous tale by clinching the Best Actor Award, a testament to his unparalleled talent and dedication. As he embarks on this new chapter, Martin vows to continue his journey in the realm of acting, using his boundless enthusiasm and skill to breathe life into even more profound and meaningful roles."
The Hollywood Reporter, a bastion of entertainment journalism, adorned its front page with a tribute to greatness from the hero's perspective.
"Martin Davis, hailing from the humble streets of Atlanta, ascended to the pinnacle of Hollywood's pantheon with his Oscar win, a triumph forged through raw talent and years of unyielding toil. His victory is well-deserved, for every portrayal he embodies pulsates with authenticity, each performance resonating with an undeniable force that encapsulates the full spectrum of human emotion – from rage and sorrow to unbridled joy."
In the tumultuous world of showbiz, accolades from mainstream media serve as a shield against the arrows of criticism, deflecting doubts and dissent.
While dissenting voices inevitably arise, the chorus of praise for this year's Best Actor award winner remained resounding. Save for a few dissenters across the pond who championed Gary Oldman, North American media stood united in their belief that Martin was the rightful heir to the accolade.
For it wasn't merely the greatness of Martin's roles and performances that secured his victory, but also the comparative mediocrity of his contenders.
In the arena of talent, Martin emerged as an undisputed champion, his victory resonating throughout the digital realm where the masses declared his triumph just and true.
Glancing through the chatter on Twitter and YouTube during his commute to the office, Martin's mind flashed back to the Canadian director he had encountered the previous night. Turning to Bruce, he inquired, "Did you remember to bring the script and business card?"
Bruce fumbled through his bag, retrieving the items from their late-night encounter and placing them on Martin's desk.
As Martin prepared to review the contents, Bruce's phone buzzed incessantly. Excusing himself to take the call, Bruce returned with news of an unexpected excursion. "I'll be out for the afternoon or evening," he informed Martin.
Waving him off, Martin replied, "No worries, handle your business. If there are any gifts, just stash them in the warehouse."
As Bruce descended the stairs and exited the company, a sleek nanny car awaited him at the curb. Without warning, two arms – one long, one short – snaked out from the vehicle, ensnaring Bruce in an impromptu embrace reminiscent of a Hollywood kidnapping scene.
Caught off guard, Bruce found himself sandwiched between the formidable figures of Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian as they whisked him away on their unexpected adventure.
Khloe playfully draped her arm around Bruce's, teasing, "You've been quite the elusive one lately, always jetting off to New York."
Jin shot him a pointed look. "Found another set of buns to chase after, have you?"
Bruce shook his head adamantly. "No, not a chance. None could compare to yours!" His sincerity shone through as he explained, "With Martin vying for the Best Actor Oscar, my plate's been overflowing with work."
Kim and Khloe exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging Bruce's earnestness. Clearly, his recent absences were justified – no butt-chasing escapades in sight.
Having just witnessed Martin's triumphant Oscar win, they were all well aware of the whirlwind of events Bruce must have been navigating as Martin's manager.
Kim, the eldest sister, cut to the chase. "Bruce, you and Martin have some time off. This afternoon and evening, you're with us – no excuses."
Bruce looped an arm around one of them, nodding. "I'll be right there with you. Martin's given the green light."
Khloe signaled to the driver. "Let's roll."
Upstairs in the office, Martin picked up the business card, bearing Denis Villeneuve's name and contact details.
The name sparked a flicker of recognition in Martin's mind, hinting at more than just a passing acquaintance from the previous night's Oscars.
Struggling to place it precisely, Martin's memory teased him with vague recollections from entertainment reports or movies in his past life.
Yet, he couldn't pinpoint the exact moment.
Turning his attention to the printed manuscript, devoid of a title but bearing the name "Screenwriter: Taylor Sheridan," Martin furrowed his brows in concentration.
Though familiar, the name eluded him in terms of specific works.
Armed with a glimmer of recognition, Martin delved into the script, devouring its contents with intent.
It opened with a poignant introduction:
"The word 'Sicario' hails from the Jerusalem zealots, signifying those who relentlessly pursued the Roman invaders of their homeland. In Mexico, 'Sicario' denotes a professional killer."
As Martin delved deeper, the script unfurled a gripping narrative:
"Chandler, Arizona.
An FBI team springs into action, led by Captain Kate as they breach the doors of their target's abode..."
As Martin immersed himself in the story, the vivid imagery painted a chilling picture of the harrowing world of drug cartels and law enforcement.
With each turn of the page, Martin's certainty solidified – this was undoubtedly the script for "Sicario."