In this day and age, life moves pretty fast. Information can reach the entire world before one can cross the street. Instant celebrities are born every minute. Over thousands viewers opened the video of Adam Belfort killing the Kraken. Over a hundred times in that first hour, then shared around all of the social media sites. In addition, every time viewers shared the video, the spike in total number of viewers increased. Before Adam knew it, he became a media sensation.
With Adam's newfound fame, the media is at his beck and call. Being a long time journalist, it seemed strange to him to be on the receiving end to interviews. The video of him fighting the Kraken was shown from different angles. The video blasted not just on social media, but the local and national outlets blasted the video of Adam fighting the Kraken from different angles.
It seemed that everyone with a cellphone and camcorder had a different angle of Adam taking down the Kraken. After social media outlets went crazy over the video, it went viral. Then the local media got a hold of the battle of the century. It did not take long for national outlets to pick it up and blasted it all over every station.
From there it led to Adam being featured on the local morning show, "San Diego Today". It seems that these Talking Heads have no imagination with their light banter. Adam down played the details, but because they want sensationalism, the news media embellishes the story in a true fish story fashion.
The goal for this newly crowned hero is not receiving backslaps, but to bring down Edward Wilcox. However, the goal on these morning talk show is soft news and no hard-hitting questions. So there is no chance of them bringing up any sort of conflict with the real estate magnate. Therefore, reporter Adam decides to sneak it in.
During the segment broadcasted on San Diego Today, Adam sits back and waits for his moment. The host Chuck Thomas repeats the same line of questions that all of his fellow "Talking Heads" has been asking Adam. "So, what went through your mind as the beast was about to eat you?"
Tired of answering in the same manner, Adam puts on a new spin to it. "One thought in my mind was, 'Boy does her breath stink!'" This gets a laugh. However, that was not his intent. He wanted the host to drop his guard so Adam can get an opening. When that one-second lag happened, Adam made his move.
Knowing that he has a platform much bigger than that small newspaper he worked for in Arizona, he lays it all on the line explaining every detail of the problems that Silicon Beach Realty created. Adam is well aware that the camera is going in tight on him. "All of these problems… well most it… was orchestrated most notably by one man," he pauses for dramatics. "Edward Wilcox." Adam lifts up the corner of his mouth in a satisfying smile.
The host Chuck Thomas is very curious. "Tell us more."
"Yes," says the co-hostess Christine Rivera, "Please elaborate."
"Edward Wilcox has used the community of Harbor Shores as his cash cow for too long now."
"How so?" asks Chuck.
"Have you ever heard of a bait-and-switch?"
"Sure," says Chuck, "It's where you show one item that is usually really expensive, then give them a cheap, knock of version instead."
Christine chimes in, "Oh, that happened to me and my husband on our recent trip to Tijuana. We were shown an expensive gold bracelet… was told the cost was reduced at a bargain price… but when we got it home, it was cheap costume jewelry instead."
Chuck says, "Are you saying that Edward Wilcox is in the selling of fine jewelry?"
"No, the bait-and-switch I am referring to is selling millions of dollars of stocks to investors on a master planned community with a well-stocked fresh water lake."
"Well," the host says, "What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing… if it lived up to the hype."
The co-hostess Christine is confused. "Where does the switch come in?"
Adam replies, "The switch is that the estuary is a phantom that does not exist in the wild. Kind of like Big Foot."
"That's pretty serious charges on mere speculation," Chuck says. "Where's your proof?"
Adam knows he has them now. "For me to back up this wild claim, I'll have to do a 'show and tell' so there is no denying my claim."
"Okay," Chuck says, "You don't happen to have the pond in your pocket do you?" He and the co-hostess laughs.
"No," Adam replies, "Tomorrow, come with me to the estuary and I'll prove it to you."
The host puts his hand to his ear as if someone is talking to him. "Alright Adam Belfort… um, I have been told by my producers that we will most definitely take you up on your challenge."
Theatrically, Adam brings the crew of San Diego Today to the sight of the estuary. They all set up the lights and boom mike covered with a fuzzy cover. The crew struggles to bring their equipment across the colorful gravel sands of the estuary lake. When they get to the water's edge, the TV crew carefully places the tri-pods and cameras so as not to get wet by the lapping waves of the shoreline.
Folding chairs are set up on a pristine lake area. Seagulls walk by in a vain attempt to find any sort of leftover food. The crew shoo them away. The host Chuck Thomas and co-host Christine Rivera takes their places on the chairs. In between them sits Adam.
A director tells the host that they will be on the air in a few seconds. He motions to them and they go live. Because the word got out of this segment, the audience for this live remote is now much larger than the previous day.
Chuck recaps on what is going on for those viewers just joining in. The camera shows the beautiful views of Harbor Shores, the New England facades complete with a lighthouse and all. The segment might as well have been a commercial for Silicon Beach Realty.
Then the moment everyone was waiting for is Adam Belfort and his proof of the bait-and-switch. With a plastic cup in his hands, he bends down and scoops up the water. "Edward Wilcox claims that this body of water connected to the ocean is also a fresh water pond stocked with fish. If that was the case, then this water would be clean, safe enough to drink." Adam hands the glass to the host. "Chuck, I dare you to take a sip of this water."
With his index finger, the host scratches the top of his head. "Isn't that the site were you killed the Kraken?"
"Okay," says Adam, "I'll save you the trouble… the water is salty. Not only salty, but it comes directly from the ocean. No fresh water fish can live in it as advertised. Instead of a fishing haven, it is a Ponzi nightmare. Edward Wilcox has investors tied up with more money than the value of the stock."
Christine tilts her head to one side and grimaces. "Um, uh… Isn't that illegal?" Her tone uncertain.
"Yeah," says the host, "Where's your proof?"
"Right here." What seems like sleight of hand, Adam produces out of thin air documentation and hands it to Chuck Thomas.
The host skims through this set of papers. Christine Rivera leans on his shoulder and reads it along with him. "What are we looking at?" he asks.
"My set of experts dug up important legal papers that uncovered info obtained from scammed investors whose holdings equals more than what they thought they were receiving."
"I don't get it," the host says.
"In short Chuck and Christine, their million dollar investment into this double dipping scheme made these holdings useless."
Chuck looks up from the mountain of paperwork. "So, what are you saying?"
Adam points to it. "That, right there… is not only a wild fish story… but it's deceptive and illegal. Wilcox should go right to jail. Don't pass go… don't collect two hundred dollars. Case closed!"
****
The local morning show broadcast to the San Diego area residents, soon became an overnight hit worldwide. The segment with Adam saying, "Case closed" trends all over social media. If this were a normal story about "he said, she said" it would have died out. But, a crime was committed. It did not take long for the DA to make a case.
Once a case was made, a judge issued a search warrant to bring in the once mighty Real Estate magnate. The police drove up the building that housed the Silicon Beach Realty. They swarmed his office. Suzy tells them that Edward was not in.
"Where can I find him?" asks one of the police officers.
"I have no clue," snapped back Suzy. "You're the detective, you find out for yourself."
****
From his private penthouse suite, Edward Wilcox lives in the height of luxury. The collection of laundered millions has afforded him all of the amenities a person with his created status might ever need.
Despite his wealth, Edward is not happy these days. In his hands is a remote control device that operates his state of the art entertainment system. Above his opulent fireplace hangs a flat screen TV. Stuffed into his lounger, Wilcox watches in stunned disbelief on how the MSM has pumped up this asshole Belfort and made him a media star.
Frustrated, Edward changes the channel. However, no matter where he lands, there… right in front of his blood shot eyes… is Belfort. EVERY CHANNEL! Ah, maybe the food network will be a change of pace from the hard news stations that seems to dominate the airwaves. He clicks the changer and sees their logo in the corner of the screen.
The chef host displays a seafood platter nicely decorated with the usual garnishes. "I hope you will enjoy all of today's cuisine, brought to you from… under the sea." The frustrated Vegas Lounge Lizard sings proudly. Edward rolls his eyes. "And the main feature of this dish," the host shows the platter up to the screen. "…is calamari a la Kraken, courtesy of Adam Belfort."
Uggggggh! He clicks the button turning off the television. He lays back and stares at the high ceilings.
A sound from Edward's security system motion sensor, detects strangers. This startles him. The midday suns pierces through his floor-to-ceiling windows boasting a skyline view of Downtown San Diego. He walks over to the French doors and a "smoosh" sound of the sliding glass door gliding along its path. This leads him to a tiled patio.
The nice serenity of his condominium is interrupted by a thickness noise formed by a bevy of helicopter circling around. This results in a sound wave pulse created by the repetitive rotary motion of air displaced by the blades of the copters wings.
Whoop, whoop, whoop
Outside is a frenzy of cops, hovering around like a pack of sharks.
He paces about his spacious living area. His face has turned ashen white. Back and forth, the usually calm Edward Wilcox wanders aimlessly, clicking his shoes over the Italian marble floors.
It is just a matter of time now until the police come through the door. Instead of waiting for them, Edward gets on the phone to talk to his high priced lawyer. "What do you mean there is nothing you can do," Wilcox yells at the phone. "Heads will roll, mark my words. If I go down, you all will follow."
****
A video shows police escorting Wilcox down his private elevator to the front entrance of the complex. While taking his perp walk, with chest thrusted out, he swaggers towards the rows of law enforcement vehicles. As reporters gather around him, Wilcox gives them a dismissive glance. One of the cameras come in for a close-up, he just sneers at it in pure Wilcox defiance.
All of America saw the lasting image of the Real Estate mogul's smugness broadcasted to every news outlet around the world. After many months of idle gossip, the truth of the land deals and payolas come to light. The follow up to the mounting evidence, which details the fraud committed by Wilcox. Expert commentary talk about his odds of beating the rap on the upcoming trial.
"He's Edward Wilcox," one said, "He'll beat it."
"I don't think so," said another, "I am confident that this cat has seen the last of his nine lives come to an end."
The anticipation of the trial builds as judgment day arrives. Amongst the throng fighting to get in, are reporters and TV cameras sprawled around the courtroom. Missing is Adam Belfort who is watching from the comforts of his home. It was decided that with Adam there, it might create too much of a circus.
Inside of the courtroom, excitement builds. Much mumbling amid those who have their opinions of the proceedings outcome. Treating it like a sporting match. In the midst of the humid gallery, giant churning fans above sends whooshing sounds throughout.
The slamming of the side door opens gets everyone's attention. The spectators grow quiet. Edward Wilcox enters with a team of high priced lawyers going to the desk set up for them.
Expert testimony shows Wilcox in a bad light. Yet, his team of attorney's counter. All those hoping to see a slaughter sit confused. Even the neutral court recorder hesitates in between banging on her keys. The evidence presented by the Defense is so compelling, that it seems that they are trying a different case.
The defendant's well-dressed lawyer pleads his case. He does such a good job that the self-assurance opinion of Edward Wilcox serving time wanes. In a bold move, the main attorney has his client testify. The Real Estate mogul struts across and takes his place in the gleaming polished wooden witness stand.
The very slick attorney guides Wilcox along a series of questions that paints Edward as the victim. He shows an easel in a show and tell moment displaying evidence on the location of the estuary and the ocean.
"Is it possible that you could have known that water was going to seep into the estuary?"
"I thought as much, but I was assured by the contractors that this would not occur. I paid them a lot of money for this research as well as its construction. All with the guarantee that fresh water fish would be swimming about, all for the pleasure of the fishing loving residence."
Power point demonstrations shows step-by-step each and every instances where Wilcox was completely innocent of the misleading facts presented by the general contractor. The main attorney excuses himself and acquiesces to the Prosecutor for cross-examination.
The Prosecutor was not as kind when he walked up to question the intent of the defendant. "Did you knowingly defraud investors out of millions?"
Cocky, Wilcox knows very well that the entire courtroom is listening to every word he says. "Everything that I presented to them was done with the honest of intensions."
"Are you a boy scout Mr. Wilcox?"
"Once… many years ago," he responds. The gallery of spectators whispers to each other. The Judge pounds his gavel. Edward continues. "Are you saying am I perfect? Of course not. But, in my business one cannot scheme up a land deal as stated by the prosecutors."
"How so?"
"Well, for one thing, we are under the microscope constantly. Any "i" not dotted or "t" not crossed will be noticed in a New York minute. You can't even leave off a single punctuation and the real estate board will come down on you."
"You must be a saint Mr. Wilcox."
"I'm a rascal and a sonna bitch." The crowd laughs. The judge gavels them to be quiet. "However, in deals like this, one cannot double cross investors, even if I wanted to.
"Did you want to?"
Wilcox' attorney yells out, "I object."
"That's okay," Edward says, "I'll answer that. Of course I didn't want to."
"And yet there is evidence that you did just that."
"I was duped."
"How so Mr. Wilcox?"
"I was sold a bill of goods that the estuary did what it was supposed to do. I am a businessperson, not an environmentalist. There is no way I could have known that it would not work. I guess I should have though."
"And why is that Mr. Wilcox?"
"You know that old saying, 'If it's too good to be true… then it is.'"
Stunned, the prosecutor just stands there stupefied. "You want us to believe that you had no foreknowledge on the failure of the project?"
"So help me God."
The attorney for the defendant dramatically gives his closing argument, "Here stands before you is a man of his community giving back by presenting one of the most beautiful master planned community ever. And what is his reward? Shameless accusations of fraud. We have proven that my client was just as deceived as every one of the investors. Hoodwinked by a shell game perpetrated by the construction company responsible for building the estuary.
"We have also proven that each and every share had the correct investment amount attached to it. Later it was discovered as per evidence presented before this court, the time stamp on said documents had the price of the stock at the time of the sale. We also have shown that by the time that the share was deposited and finalized, the price had changed. This is common as no deposit can ever be placed into an account right away. Buyers and sellers still need to be found and that does not happen instantaneously. If losses occurred, it was that of sore loser investors. My client too lost his shirt on the deal.
"In conclusion, my client is just a successful businessman being targeted by those who just want to take him down. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, please let justice prevail and find my client not guilty."
****
Watching from the confines of their apartment, Adam and Ashley is shocked at what they are witnessing. Adam says, "I should have been there. I should have been there to testify like I wanted to."
Ashley replies, "And what good would that have done?" She points to the television. "You can see it's a circus, pure fabrication to make Edward Wilcox look like a pillar of his community."
"But, still—"
"—still nothing. If you were there, they would have torn you up and make you libel for bringing this up in the first place."
Shaking his head, Adam knows that she is right.
After a day, the jury was summons back to court, and Adam and Ashley watches the reading from the Jury Forman. Adam seethes as he sees the smug expression on Wilcox' face. "Look at him… he knows he is getting off."
The verdict states that, "…on the charges of two counts of conspiracy and ten counts of money laundering… we the jury find the defendant… Edward Wilcox…"
Everyone in the courtroom is hushed, almost holding its breath. Even Wilcox looks a bit worried.
"…not guilty of all charges." The Real Estate mogul breathes a sigh of relief. The throng in the gallery gasp in shock.
Adam is beside himself with rage. "I knew it. I knew he would buy his way to freedom. I wonder how much it cost him?"
"Apparently more than he bargained for?" said Ashley.
"What do you mean?"
"Look at that poll." On the screen, viewers called in to give their opinion on whether, despite the verdict, if Edward Wilcox is innocent or guilty. Adam is shocked to see that 91% think he is guilty of defrauding the public and taking the money of the investors.
Adam shakes it off. "That mean nothing. He will still go on with his life, screwing potential home buyers."
As the months went by, Adam turned out to be dead wrong. Not only are buyers stay away from the Silicon Beach Realty in droves, but the place goes under. The news reports that Edward Wilcox is a ruined man and has lost everything. Even that fancy condo downtown.
Making their daily rounds among the community of Harbor Shores, Adam and Ashley walk by the offices that used to house Silicon Beach Reality. The sign still hangs above, but on the inside it sits empty, with faded marks on the walls where pictures once hung.
Adam smiles. "Well," he says to Ashley, "I guess the most important court has laid down their verdict."
"And which one is that?"
"The court of public opinion."