[Chapter 57: Counter-Surveillance and Surveillance]
Burbank, Nova Theater.
A large crowd of fans donned in Sex and the City T-shirts stood under the lights in front of the entrance, eagerly lining up to get in.
Hawke was in the midst of the group, wearing a blonde wig, carrying a bag, and sporting a T-shirt featuring a photo of Sarah Jessica Parker, as he navigated through the throng.
Edward started the car and turned toward the back of the theater, finding a secluded spot to patiently wait.
Hawke passed through ticket check and followed the main group inside. After entering the screening room, he found a suitable spot for observation and sat down. He looked toward the stage, where bright lights had been set up for what was clearly a media event.
The legit entertainment media hired by the production team typically got paid for their coverage, posing no competition for him.
As shadows flickered in front, most fans remained standing rather than sitting down.
Hawke had no choice but to stand up, pushing his glasses up his nose, mimicking the various antics of the surrounding fans to blend in.
...
At 8 PM, the meet-and-greet kicked off.
Director and producer Anders, along with the star and producer Sarah Jessica Parker, took the stage with the creative team behind the fifth season.
Then came the usual segments of the event: media interviews, interactions between creators and fans, and the like.
During this time, Sarah Jessica Parker walked to the front of the stage, shaking hands with the fans.
As she got closer, Hawke could see more clearly that the 37-year-old star's skin appeared taut, as if the passage of time hadn't left many traces on her face.
Hawke speculated that Sarah Jessica Parker had likely resorted to cosmetic treatments.
Beverly Hills was known for being a global leader in cosmetic technology.
...
After watching for a while, Hawke left the screening room, taking the safety corridor to the restroom. He retrieved a sweater from his bag and swapped out his T-shirt.
Not far away was the back exit where the audience could exit.
Hawke made his way to the other side, where the safety corridor led backstage, guarded by a person at the backstage entrance.
Occasionally, fans 'mistook' the way to the restroom, attempting to enter, only to be turned away by two burly security guards.
Hawke bought some snacks and drinks from the concession stand, searching for a place in the break area where he could observe the corridor. He settled down to snack.
...
Within half an hour, he noticed a female server who went in and out of the corridor three times, complaining to the concession staff about how difficult the actresses were to handle, each with worse quirks than the last.
One actress dumped bottled water right on the floor because it had soda.
Another actress, who disliked her, did the same with a bottle because it didn't contain soda.
Complaints aside, the server went to the supply room for a mop.
Once she turned down another corridor, Hawke got up and followed her.
As the server entered the supply room for tools, she turned around to see a blonde man closing the door, her mouth opening as if to scream.
Hawke's movements were quicker, and with a flick of his hand, his calming ability activated, revealing a $50 bill to the woman.
He glanced at the name tag on her chest: "Lina, want to make some money?"
Seeing that he had pulled out cash first and had looked at her chest while asking if she wanted to earn money, Lina reached into her pocket, lifted her skirt, and was about to undress: "You have to wear a condom; for $50, you only have three minutes. After three minutes, it'll cost you another $50."
Hawke was left dumbfounded -- was this really happening?
It was beyond ridiculous!
Noticing the blush her face, Hawke quickly clarified, "Not that."
Lina stopped her actions, surprised: "You didn't find me attractive?" She sounded slightly annoyed: "You wasted my time."
Hawke, with no choice, pulled out another $50, cutting her off before she could say anything, "Help me gather some information, about the female lead of the production."
Lina firmly declined: "Forget it; I'd get fired."
Hawke sized her up and realized he wouldn't get far, so he pocketed his cash and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Lina called out, stopping him: "You haven't told me what exactly you need."
Hawke replied: "Just keep an eye on when Sarah Jessica Parker leaves, and notify me." He understood how to make it enticing: "If you gather intel, I'll give you another $50 afterward."
Lina snatched the $100.
Hawke provided her with a new backup phone number.
Lina secured the cash, grabbed a mop and bucket, and left, murmuring under her breath: "Those jerks think they can get information for $10? Please! Am I that kind of person? At least this guy understands the value of a worker."
Hawke returned to his snacks.
...
After a while, Lina ventured out again, and as she passed by Hawke, she whispered, "Right now, she's in the break room; she hasn't left yet."
Hawke called Edward, asking him to wait at the side door leading to backstage.
Edward's call came through: "There are a lot of people here, about twenty reporters. Most are probably waiting for those stars, like Sarah Jessica Parker."
Hawke replied, "Let's wait and see how it unfolds."
...
As the event drew to a close, Sarah Jessica Parker was seated in the makeup room, instructing her assistant to gather her personal items.
The door was suddenly knocked from the outside, and the assistant went to open it, revealing a handsome guy standing there.
Jason Lewis, an actor turned model, not only had a striking face but also an impressive physique, flashed a smile to the assistant: "I'm looking for Sarah."
The assistant took the hint, stepping out to close the door.
Jason approached Sarah from behind and gently brushed his fingers through her long hair, saying, "I just bought a new house in North Hollywood; it has fantastic privacy. Want to come check it out?"
During filming, they had gotten involved, and Sarah's only concern was: "There are so many paparazzi outside."
Jason snapped his fingers: "My new female assistant has a figure just like yours. I'll have her wear your clothes and drive your car."
He offered a self-deprecating smile: "I'm past my prime; no one pays attention to me anymore."
Sarah nodded gently: "That's fine; have her come over."
Jason stepped out to call his assistant over.
...
Meanwhile, Lina, who was left on edge by the $50, quietly observed while cleaning the corridor.
Before long, the blonde man led a woman into Sarah's makeup room.
After a while, the assistant escorted Sarah out, but the blonde man and the other woman still hadn't emerged.
Lina sensed something was off; having spent so much time cleaning, she had become acutely aware of floor prints.
The woman, who wore Sarah's clothes and had donned a hat and sunglasses, sported flats.
But Lina recalled that Sarah had worn high heels when she arrived.
Realizing that events at Nova Theater were frequent, the thought hit Lina -- this had to be a ruse.
They must have found someone to impersonate Sarah to distract the reporters outside.
Lina stepped into a secluded corner and dialed a phone number.
She was told to keep watching and noted which car the people exiting the makeup room got into.
...
The event had concluded, and fans filed out one by one.
The stars came out from their individual makeup rooms, heading toward the side door closest to backstage, gradually making their way to their cars.
As these individuals departed, the waiting reporters and paparazzi followed closely behind.
A red Bentley pulled up, stopping right at the side door as the assistant and security escorted Sarah Jessica Parker inside.
As the car started up, the majority of remaining reporters trailed behind it.
Edward also followed but received a call from Hawke to stop at an intersection.
The last two reporters waited by the side door, growing impatient as no star figures emerged, and decided to follow the director Anders instead.
Moments later backstage, unnoticed, Jason Lewis drove out, parking his car front and center.
He observed carefully for a moment, seeing no paparazzi, then dialed Sarah Jessica Parker.
The latter, dressed in assistant attire, wearing brown hair extensions and reapplying her makeup, hurried toward the main entrance.
The inexplicable thrill made Sarah tighten her legs in excitement.
...
Lina, still holding the mop bucket, wobbled along behind her.
At the concession stand, she spotted the blonde man chatting animatedly with the female clerk, feeling a twinge of annoyance in her heart, secretly cursing the female seller she had once called a friend as a bitch.
Hawke recognized the woman with brown hair and simultaneously noted Lina with her mop bucket, piecing together the situation.
Lina quickened her step toward the concession stand, subtly indicating the brown-haired woman to Hawke.
He gave a slight nod, wrapping up his chat with the female seller and as he passed by Lina, he slipped the $50 bill into her hand.
As the brown-haired woman exited through the front door, walking toward a car while glancing around,
Hawke lingered at the corner, knowing his phone camera was already on, subtly reaching out.
The night view wasn't clear, but he could make out that the woman climbed into a black Ford.
As the car started up, Hawke dashed out the door and caught a glimpse of the license plate, dialing Edward immediately.
Then, he quickly took the stairs down, got into his Mondeo, and followed the vehicle.
*****
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