"My writing career hit a big setback in 1983, when my fourth full-length book, "The Madness of Doom," was nominated for both the Locus Award and the World Fantasy Award, but it sold surprisingly badly, and the commercial failure of the book basically ruined my family's career at the time, and then I turned to Hollywood and started working on the CBS series "Yin Yang Demon World" under the introduction of an acquaintance The first time I got a salary, I came here with my friends to celebrate, and whether I was happy or not, I would come here once a month. ”

Mark was a little absent-minded about Martin's sigh life, he saw his former bodyguard captain Stanley, dressed as a waiter, holding a beer snack and shuttling between the booths, he also found Mark, felt a little surprised and embarrassed, and never dared to look at the bar.

The moment he spotted Mark, his eyes met, Mark raised the beer bottle in his hand, Stanley smiled reluctantly, bowed his head and left.

Martin noticed that Mark was wrong and said, "What's the problem?"

Mark said: "I met an old acquaintance!"

Martin said, "You should say hello!"

Mark said: "There is no need, an abandoned pawn who is not worth cultivating!"

Today's Mark, in and out are accompanied by a few bodyguards, and it is a bodyguard with a gun, it is difficult not to attract attention, and it is quickly recognized by the people in the bar, there is a short fat boy who tentatively asked for a group photo, Mark stopped the intercepted security guard, let the kid come over, and took a group photo together, with the success of the first fall, other people are flocking to ask for autographs and photos, and it is very cool to take a photo with a celebrity.

Anderson had no choice but to organize them to line up, Mark has a shelf, mainly for his subordinates, he still doesn't have a shelf for fans and fans, and he is quite enthusiastic.

After satisfying the group photo request of these people, Mark said goodbye to Martin and left the bar to go home, now he is the man who comes home every night, his son Martin, must be in his arms to fall asleep, he likes Dad's strong arms and warm arms, he will wake up at six o'clock in the morning, Mark must first change his diaper, then feed him milk, eat to his heart's content, and then put it in the baby chair to watch Mark and Giselle exercise, Mark is a little worried, when he goes out to make movies, what should this kid do?

Stanley saw that Mark was born ashamed of himself, and even Anderson next to Mark was so majestic, like the iron guard next to the president, he didn't dare to face them, so he immediately slipped to the back kitchen and asked for leave to go home early.

In fact, he didn't have anything to do when he went home, he fell asleep after eating two pieces of bread, like he used to go out shopping and go to the bar for leisure, which he can't afford now, his current salary is only enough for basic living expenses after paying the rent, like the last time he was beaten by Mark, he went to the hospital to see a doctor, and the consequence was that he ate bread for half a month, so he went home without incident, either watching TV or sleeping.

But he slept until ten o'clock in the evening, he was woken up by the sound of music next door, they were having a party, playing loud music and dancing, he was upset, he couldn't bear it, he jumped up, angrily knocked on the door, because he knocked on the door vigorously, which fully reflected his anger and heart, and the people inside also understood this, and the music became quieter.

The door opened, and a blonde girl looked apologetic, and before Stanley could squirt, the blonde girl said, "I'm very sorry, we just moved here and are having a party to celebrate, we woke you up, we'll pay attention." ”

You can't be angry with a blonde girl, and besides, the other person has apologized and taken action.

Stanley reined in his anger and said, "You'd better be like this. ”

"My name is Jessica. The blonde girl said, "What's your name? You can go to our party, we have fried chicken and pizza here." ”

Stanley said, "No!

"Are you sure!" said Jessica, who heard the sound of Stanley's stomach.

Stanley was indeed hungry, and if he went back, he would have to eat some bread and cake to sleep, and in the face of Jessica's kindness, he had to say, "Thank you!" He was hesitant to go in, because he saw that there were two other girls of the same age, and Jessica had pulled him in.

The other two girls greeted each other, and one of the chubby ones teased: "Jesse only seduced a handsome guy in a minute, and he won't be lonely tonight." ”

Eating Jessica's pizza and drinking beer, Stanley was in a better mood and said, "My name is Stanley, I live next door, and I work at Maxim's Bar!"

Jessica laughs, "It's a coincidence! We work at a hipster bar not far away!" This is a warm and cheerful, unscheming girl, as soon as the box is opened, she talks endlessly, she is from rural Oregon, she has finished her studies early, she has come to Los Angeles to see the world, and she hopes to settle down here so that she can see Hollywood stars every day.

Stanley said strangely: "What's so nice about a star?" When he was the captain of Mark's bodyguards, he dealt with these people every day, and he was also a layman, chasing fame and fortune, intrigue, glamorous appearance, and dirty inside, such as Mark, who was extremely affectionate with Giselle on the surface, but had several lovers behind him.

Jessica said, "You know how old you are, you know what fashion is, what pop culture is?"

It is really difficult for Stanley, a man who has been in the army for many years and has been born and died on the battlefield, to understand the star-chasing culture, and when he follows Mark, he doesn't understand what the guys who chase and scream around the stars are like? Is it a distortion in his heart, or a moral degradation, or a brain-dead or something, he put down the plate and said, "Thank you for your pizza, good night!"

The girls were a little disappointed and disappointed, although this is an uncle, but it looks quite handsome and cold, if you stay, some super friendship things happen, it is also a good thing, they have to stay, Jessica also smiled: "If you stay, we don't have to turn off the music." ”

Stanley said, "Thank you, you can go on, I just drank the beer, and I slept very deeply, and nothing could interfere with my sleep." ”

Jessica said, "Are you sure? You have to understand that you have to be loud to listen to heavy metal. ”

Stanley said, "Yes, thank you for the pizza and beer, good night." He finished and left, and although he said that it was okay to amplify the music, the girls were still a little understanding, and instead of playing loud music and dancing, they were drinking and chatting.

In just a few months, Stanley's life has changed dramatically, it has changed from the top elite to poverty, he never imagined that just a month of desolate and decadent life in Las Vegas would knock him out of hell.

The savings, luxury cars, and mansions are gone, he once hated Mark, he asked him from the Secret Service, lived the life of a human being, and kicked him to hell for a small reason, he even had crazy thoughts, shot Mark, killed him, destroyed it all, but after all, he is a soldier, has strong discipline, will make mistakes, but is a giant beast with rope constraints, he is the first to make mistakes, meritorious will be rewarded, and mistakes must be punished, this is a rule recognized by everyone in the army.

He can only face the reality and accept all this, as for returning to the secret service, it is impossible, and it is even more impossible to defect to his former friends, he is the best of them all, and his personality is arrogant and indifferent, and he has no friends, so now he can only face it himself.

The last time he was beaten by Mark, he not only spent more than 2,000 yuan, but also lost his job, so he had to find a job as a waiter in a bar, who knew that he was actually seen by Mark, it was really a shame, he really wanted to leave, but what about this month's rent?

But Mark didn't take the opportunity to sarcastically or humiliate him, it should be when he is a passerby, no longer a confidant general who relied on his left and right hands, he is sad in his heart, what about his own people?

Back at the bar, everyone was talking about Mark's visit to Maxim's Bar last night, and they were happy to take a photo with everyone.

Now Stanley knows that this bearded old man is actually Martin George, the author of the famous "A Song of Ice and Fire", and everyone calls him Martin.

Stanley's colleagues were making fun of him, saying that he shouldn't have taken time off work and missed the opportunity to take pictures with the amiable superdirector, and many people were showing off their photos, and if nothing happened, they posted Facebook to share them with the public.

Stanley didn't feel annoyed and remorseful, he wouldn't take a picture with Mark, he didn't want to be cold, he ignored the chatter of his colleague Barb, tied his apron, and continued to work, the whole bar was discussing what was going on that night, Stanley was bored, what did this hypocritical and arrogant guy have to fan.

Stanley didn't want to associate with these short-sighted guys, and he decided to ask his boss to quit after work tonight, he didn't want to work here and he didn't want to see Mark.

Throughout Los Angeles, Mark's fame was skyrocketing, his name made headlines in the newspapers every day, his deeds were always talked about by the media, and Stanley hoped that after he had 5,000 yuan in his hands, he would leave the place and look for work elsewhere.

Stanley was idle at the bar when he saw Jessica and her female companion walk in, and when he saw Stanley, he smiled charmingly and greeted him coquettishly!

Stanley had no choice but to say to the bartender, "My friend, three blue ribbons, a potato chip and peanuts, count them in!" He asked for something and brought it to the girls, not because Stanley was changing his style of miserliness, but because he was treated to pizza and beer yesterday, and he was greeted when they met!

As soon as Jessica saw Stanley coming over, she immediately said excitedly, "Mark showed up at your bar yesterday?"