[Chapter 81: Hot Headlines]
In the Westwood area, inside a newly decorated mansion.
Dwayne Johnson sat on the big sofa in his bedroom, intently watching TV. Dany Garcia emerged from the makeup room, joining him to watch a gossip show.
After a while, Johnson couldn't help but exclaim, "Steve Nutt is amazing." According to the one-drop rule, he was Black too. "If it were me, I definitely couldn't do that. The Dodgers' cohesion must be incredibly strong after this."
Dany laughed, "What you're seeing may not be the truth."
Johnson had been watching since the show's start, catching the moment when Megan Taylor connected with the Dodgers' Black players. He argued, "You didn't see earlier. The information wasn't released by the Dodgers nor promoted by the Nutt couple. It was caught by paparazzi."
"Just because a journalist got a scoop doesn't mean it's true," Dany reminded sternly. "Did you forget? We were also photographed last month."
Johnson was startled, tapping his forehead. "You mean..."
Dany picked up the thread. "During the day, Steve Nutt's manager called to confirm whether Hawke had worked with us. I spoke highly of Hawke since he was no ordinary person. Yet, it was less than a day before Steve Nutt dropped this bombshell."
"It must be related to Hawke," Johnson confidently stated. "He used unconventional methods last time."
Dany remarked, "Unconventional, but very effective. Even you believe this is real."
Johnson marveled, "That guy has so many tricks up his sleeve. Who would've thought something snapped by a paparazzi could be fake?"
After thinking for a moment, Dany noted, "This is exploiting the media and public psychology."
"I'll call Joanna," Johnson said, rummaging for his phone. He dialed his friend's number and said, "You should tune in to Channel 11. Yes, it's about Steve Nutt and his wife. Remember the friend I introduced you to last time? That's who it's about."
Joanna had been hoping for the washed-up pop star daughter, Allison, to make a comeback.
Johnson added, "If you want Allison's album to sell big and for her to regain fame, working with him seems much more promising."
Joanna was serious. "Thank you. I'll definitely reach out when I need to."
"Have Allison check out the Channel 11 show too," Johnson suggested.
"She isn't here," Joanna replied with a hint of frustration. "She went out on a date and hasn't returned."
Johnson had a great personal relationship with her and advised, "You need to rein Allison in a little. She's about to release a new album, and this kind of partying can lead to trouble."
"I'll try," Joanna said.
Once Johnson hung up, Dany asked, "You're so eager; did you manage to get a cut from Hawke?"
"I've known Joanna since I was a teenager. If I can help, I will. Allison is a washed-up child star. Making a comeback is hard enough, and traditional promotion has limited chances," Johnson replied.
"Alright, enough of that," Dany said, sitting on him. "Big guy, let me see your little guy."
...
Beverly Hills, Four Seasons Hotel.
After a grand Hollywood party, Waddell, the deputy editor of People, exited the hotel and climbed into a waiting car.
Once the car began to move, the assistant in the passenger seat quickly stated, "Sir, in the recently concluded Midnight Entertainment show, Steve Nutt dropped a bombshell. The father of Daisy's child is actually his Black teammate Wilson..."
Waddell's surprise interrupted the assistant's explanation. "What?"
"The content revealed by the show is like this..." The assistant detailed everything, finally emphasizing, "Megan Taylor video-called several Black players from the Dodgers, who were so moved by Steve that they went crazy. Then, they connected with Cecil, a leader from the NAACP, who praised Steve as a real hero."
Waddell sensed a major news break and instructed the driver, "Back to the office." He then said to his assistant, "Gather the top editorial team. They need to get to the office within half an hour."
He pulled out his phone, calling Steve's PR manager, Caroline, asking, "What's the matter with the revelation in Midnight Entertainment?"
Caroline's voice came through amidst car honks, "I'm on my way to St. Joseph Hospital. I just spoke with Steve and his agent Biles. Wilson indeed went to the hospital this afternoon, and Steve talked to him."
Waddell pressed for the key detail. "What's the deal with the IVF?"
Caroline was prepared. She immediately threw down a bombshell: "I asked. Steve said fans and professionals have faced repeated racial discrimination, particularly last year's Boston incident when extreme Red Sox fans openly acted inappropriately outside the hotel. Boston officials did nothing, and it made him determined to fight discrimination his way!"
Waddell didn't know what to say at that moment. No matter how he felt privately, some things couldn't be said out loud, or it would lead to huge trouble.
...
Upon arriving at the People office, he immediately reviewed the footage from Midnight Entertainment.
The show had pulled together every racist incident that had occurred in sports and its surroundings over the past three years, all as background for Steve Nutt.
Steve Nutt's image loomed large, as if he could sit at the Lincoln Memorial.
Waddell then checked online for related information.
Within half an hour of the show finishing, Steve Nutt's news had become a trending topic on the internet.
Numerous sports and entertainment bloggers were re-sharing the news.
Having worked in the media industry for years, Waddell sensed something unusual was brewing, but he was even clearer that Steve's news was destined to explode.
And it was in a positive direction.
He understood exactly how to proceed. He called Caroline again: "Work with the hospital to find out the earliest time we can get a photo of the child. I want it for the next magazine cover."
...
St. Joseph Hospital, parking lot.
Caroline stepped out of a red Mercedes, looking at Hawke standing beside the car. "Done. The position from People is pretty much what we expected, but Waddell wants those photos fast."
Hawke headed toward the hospital building. "You're responsible for communicating with the Nutt couple and the hospital."
Caroline had only taken a few steps when her phone rang. She answered, saying, "Yes, I just arrived at St. Joseph Hospital. For detailed information, please look at tomorrow's announcement."
Hawke inquired, "Has the media called?"
"Yep." While Caroline was answering, her phone rang again, still media inquiries.
For more than an hour, her phone didn't stop ringing, with various media outlets frantically asking for information.
On the traditional media side, Hawke wanted to hear Caroline's opinion, "What do you think?"
Caroline replied, "Let the news simmer overnight. Tomorrow, Steve will be on the front page of numerous entertainment and sports media. We can let him respond then."
Hawke pondered slightly. "Sounds good."
...
As they returned to the temporary office, Steve greeted Hawke with a fist bump.
All his earlier anger and despair had vanished, and he excitedly said, "Buddy, you're incredible! You managed to control the narrative effortlessly."
Hawke cautioned, "This is a critical moment. You have to watch what you say and do."
Steve repeatedly agreed and added, "The teammates and the team manager just called me saying they'd be coming over tomorrow morning."
"Great," Hawke said. "You've moved the whole team. Next, you'll touch the entire state of California and America."
Steve smiled widely.
Hawke turned to Caroline, "Find a news tipster to notify the media that the Dodgers will come to visit Steve and Daisy tomorrow morning."
Caroline pulled out her phone and called another assistant still in Los Angeles.
Sasha, who had already fallen asleep, had to get up, find her backup phone, and start calling the media.
That night, reporters from many publications, including the Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated, Sports News, and the National Enquirer, all received one message: the Los Angeles Dodgers would collectively visit St. Joseph Hospital the next day to support Steve Nutt and his wife.
By the time the clock had struck midnight, it was destined to be a sleepless night for the media workers in the Los Angeles area.
...
As others gradually turned in for the night, Hawke kept an eye on the trending news online.
Steve's report had already become the top trending story.
The anti-discrimination campaign was picking up steam, and mainstream media's stance was quite clear.
Hawke found Caroline. "You stay up and write a speech for Steve."
Caroline stretched, "Country boy, it's 1 AM. You don't intend to let me sleep?"
"I'll keep you company through the night," Hawke replied.
Caroline grabbed some paper and a pen, sitting at the desk. "Theme?"
Hawke had been considering for a while. "Steve should express the intention behind doing IVF, share his stance against discrimination, and the pride of having a Black son while calling America to pay attention to Black issues."
Caroline's lips twitched, and she wrote a title on the paper: My Black Son and I.
The piece took a full two hours to write, during which Hawke reviewed and suggested edits multiple times, continuing until after three in the morning.
Crossing into the other rooms that were all occupied, Hawke finished reviewing the notes and sat on the couch, preparing to rest for a bit.
Caroline, too tired to keep her eyes open, sat down beside him and pressed down hard on his shoulder, "Can I borrow this?"
Hawke closed his eyes. "Whatever, Miss Baa. I've told you a long time ago, I'll cooperate with you no matter what you want."
Caroline leaned against him. "I'll just sleep for a bit, country boy, and don't move. I have a taser."
Hawke casually responded, "I'm not into little sheep."
Caroline didn't reply, quickly falling asleep and mumbling in her dreams, "Baa! Baa--"
...
The next morning, the entrance of St. Joseph Hospital had turned into a tourist attraction.
Hundreds of people almost blocked the road.
Irving's police had to increase their manpower to maintain order.
Large numbers of fans held up huge posters of their Dodgers players, gathering at the hospital entrance to show support.
Hundreds of media reporters amassed on both sides of the entrance.
The number of TV broadcast vans parked nearby had increased from two to six.
When the Dodgers' vehicles arrived, the media went wild, crowding the cars to take pictures and hoping for interviews.
In the early stages of summer, Los Angeles erupted into the hottest news event since 2002.
*****
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