For impoverished Guinea, the global economic crisis barely registered. The country had no "finance" to speak of—it still clung to a barter-based economy.
But Martin's maneuvers were rapidly transforming it into Africa's industrial "powerhouse." With Guinea's government firmly under his control, sweeping infrastructure projects and education reforms were underway. As the global unemployment crisis worsened, Martin aggressively recruited talent from U.S, and Europe.
While the world sank into gloom, this small African nation buzzed with vibrant prosperity.
"Is this Guinea?"
One early morning, as Kaili Onia stepped off a bus into Conakry's city center, the scene before him was staggering. Construction sites sprawled everywhere, workers bustling with purpose. Men pushed carts or wielded shovels, darting between projects. Women carried woven baskets brimming with food prepared for their families. Children, bookbags slung over their shoulders, jogged or pedaled bicycles to school.
No one here was idle.
Was this the same Guinea, notorious for its loafing crowds?
Most shocking was the diversity—not just Black locals, but white, brown, and Asian faces, adults and children alike.
Stepping off the bus, Kaili stamped his feet, unaccustomed to the smooth, wide concrete road beneath him—a rarity even in Egypt. Though it was Guinea's only paved road, a phrase popped into his mind: This is just the beginning!
He'd seen it on a billboard entering the city, a slogan that stuck with him.
The city was plastered with them:
This is just the beginning.
Let's make it big.
This city doesn't feed the lazy.
Progress, progress, progress—we need progress.
It reminded Kaili of Libya in 1972, three years after Gaddafi's coup, when the nation pulsed with similar fervor and ambition. Back then, Kaili was dispatched to Egypt, becoming a "sleeper" agent. Now, over thirty years later, the twenty-year-old operative was a fifty-year-old grandfather, settled in Egypt with a wife and family.
He'd thought his life would coast along quietly—until he was "activated."
Truthfully, he'd resisted. After years in Egypt, married to an Egyptian woman, he'd grown attached to the country. But resistance wasn't an option.
Thankfully, his mission wasn't against Egypt. He was sent to West Africa to track down Saddam.
Several agents were activated simultaneously, assigned to different regions. Kaili's destination was Guinea's capital, Conakry.
He knew why Gaddafi wanted Saddam. Libya and Egypt were vying for dominance in Africa, and Libya lagged behind the continent's established powers. Controlling Saddam—and through him, parts of Iraq's regime—could massively boost Libya's influence.
But such a move would surely provoke the U.S. and Israel. Kaili wasn't sure it was a smart play.
"Whatever," he muttered, shaking his head as he checked into a hotel. "I'm just a spy, and an old one at that. None of this is my problem."
Unbeknownst to him, shortly after he settled in, a Guinea intelligence agent moved into the room next door—a wiry, sharp-eyed Black man.
Guinea's intelligence agency was Martin's creation, staffed entirely by his loyalists. Its director, a man named Malton Tarkes, was a former CIA operative ousted after clashing with his superiors. Recommended by James Hendriks, a New York FBI field office chief and West Point classmate, Tarkes had joined Martin's fold. Divorced, he'd brought his two kids to Guinea, taking citizenship and becoming a true Guinean.
At thirty-five, Tarkes was a force, having earned his stripes combating drug traffickers and poachers. He kept a close watch on anyone sniffing around Saddam—or potentially doing so. Egypt was a key focus, so Kaili, fresh off a flight from Cairo, was flagged the moment he entered the country.
"Track him," Tarkes ordered. "Report his every move, but don't get spotted."
"Got it," replied the agent in the hotel, hanging up.
Later that evening, after eating, Kaili stepped out. The agent trailed him silently.
…
Los Angeles, USA.
Once The Joker was greenlit, it sparked immediate buzz.
"After 127 Hours, Martin takes the helm again, writing and starring. What kind of story will he deliver this time? Let's wait and see."
"The Joker? Is that a codename or the actual title? If it's real, who's this Joker? DC's iconic villain?"
"Martin's finally bringing the Joker's story to life. Ever since Batman: The Dark Knight, fans have clamored for a standalone Joker film. The character's charisma surpasses even Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs, making him Hollywood's most magnetic villain."
Casting for The Joker kicked off swiftly. Though the lead was set, supporting roles drew a flood of eager young actors.
Even Leonardo DiCaprio called.
Not for himself, of course.
"Martin, any roles that'd fit Blake?"
"Leo, Blake's only twenty," Martin replied. "There aren't any parts for young women in this film. That said, if she's really interested, she could audition for Sophie's role. But I can't guarantee she'd get it—she's awfully young."
"Got it. A shot at auditioning is enough. I'll let her know."
Leonardo trusted Martin wouldn't mislead him. If Martin said there wasn't a suitable role, he meant it.
When Leo relayed the news to Blake, he braced for a tantrum. Surprisingly, she took it in stride.
"No big deal," Blake said with a laugh. "Sophie's probably not right for me anyway."
Meanwhile, Martin's home was hosting a private audition.
The candidate: Cameron Diaz.