[Chapter 83: Conflict Everywhere]
At the Fox building, Channel 11's television center, in the producer's office, Megan Taylor closed the issue of People magazine she had been flipping through. She glanced at the cover featuring a family of three and turned to Hawke. "There's been a backlash against discrimination in sports. Last week, several MLB games featured anti-discrimination slogans on site."
Hawke stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows. "I just wanted to shift the focus and give it a little push."
Megan looked down to see Steve, Daisy, and Wilson getting out of their car, preparing to enter the Fox building, but they were blocked by a large group of people.
It wasn't just fans; there were several zealots from equality organizations, many of whom were white. In terms of public impact, the issue affected the California white demographic far more than it did the Black community.
Once inside the building, Megan said, "Let's go."
Hawke followed her out of the office, and they waited a moment at the entrance of the crew's workspace before Caroline and Biles turned the corner, accompanying the three of them.
Steve stepped forward, lightly punching Hawke on the arm. "I have some good news for you. I just scored a new endorsement."
"Congratulations." Hawke promptly introduced both sides.
...
Caroline led the three of them to discuss the show's process with Megan. Biles stayed behind.
Hawke took Biles to the reception room. At Midnight Entertainment, he felt just like he was in his own studio.
"I need to ask you something," Hawke said directly. "When are you going to pay the remaining $400,000?"
Biles looked surprised. "Hasn't it been paid yet?"
Hawke just smiled at him.
Biles realized there was an issue. Not paying someone their due wages was definitely not a wise choice. He'd seen firsthand how Hawke controlled public opinion.
"Wait a second," Biles said as he left the reception room to find Steve.
Hawke waited about five minutes before Biles returned.
"Steve had the accountant pay you the remaining wages the day after the People photo shoot," Biles explained earnestly. "But Daisy believed the photo shoot was moved up and thought it should be paid according to the original schedule, so she told the accountant to hold off..."
Biles knew the crux of the issue. "Steve called the accountant again."
Hawke nodded slightly. Not long after, the business manager from the connected bank called, reminding him that there was a $400,000 deposit in the studio account.
Biles went to the studio to accompany a client.
...
The door to the reception room swung open, and Caroline sauntered in, plopping down onto the armchair. "This woman is really hard to deal with."
She asked Hawke, "Did she drive a hard bargain on all the news pieces you brought in?"
Hawke tucked his phone away. "On the contrary, I always ask for top dollar."
Caroline, having done similar work, understood immediately. "You're always getting headlines that are hot. That kind of news is in demand. With so many media outlets in Los Angeles, there are always buyers."
Hawke said, "Turns out you're smarter than I thought."
Caroline's face darkened, but she suppressed her annoyance. "Next time, let's create some news together."
"By the way, Steve's commission has all cleared. I'll transfer $60,000 to you tomorrow." Hawke baited her with this info and added, "Collaborating is fine. You just need to find the opportunities."
Thinking about that $60,000, Caroline readily agreed. "No problem."
Hawke had already figured out how to leverage Ms. Baa.
...
In the office of the Channel 11 director upstairs, since Midnight Entertainment's ratings had exploded and there was a major event happening tonight, Director Cynthia Rosenberg decided to take the day off and come into the station at night.
As she managed her time carefully, she turned on the television in her office.
There was a knock at the office door, and a blonde woman in her thirties walked in.
Cynthia looked at the Channel 11 news anchor. "Gretchen, what brings you here?"
Gretchen, producer and anchor of Channel 11's prime-time Ace News, pointed to the TV. "I wanted to talk to you about something."
Cynthia gestured for her to sit down.
As Midnight Entertainment began its broadcast, it was reviewing the Steve incident.
Gretchen smiled and said, "Wouldn't this story perform better in prime time?"
Cynthia instantly understood what she meant. "The news avenue was developed by Megan, not given by me."
Gretchen, being the first-choice female anchor at Channel 11, had some clout. "Such trending news would perform better in prime time and would have a more noticeable impact on the entire channel."
Cynthia, mastered in the art of balance, replied, "Our industry has rules. Even I can't force Megan to hand over her news sourcing."
Gretchen mentally rolled her eyes. When it was convenient, they adhered to the rules; when it was not, they acted as the rule.
But since the conversation had reached this point, she found it hard to retort to the director, so she sat silently beside Cynthia to watch Midnight Entertainment.
...
As the trio featuring the outrageous figures behind the black little kid segment appeared, the show's ratings skyrocketed like a rocket.
Women's jealousy is particularly strong, especially when they're in direct competition as anchors. Gretchen endured watching for a while but eventually couldn't take it anymore and decided to leave.
As she exited the director's office, she saw Cynthia's assistant on one side of the office and leaned in. "Are you free this weekend? Let's go shopping - Burberry just released new stuff."
The assistant understood she was being offered a gift and didn't refuse. "Sure!"
Gretchen lowered her voice. "Do you know much about the West Coast studio? Have you met Hawke Osment?"
The assistant leaned in closer. "All of Megan's recent hot news has come from the West Coast studio."
Gretchen was aware of this.
The assistant continued quietly, "He's apparently in the Midnight Entertainment crew tonight."
"Thanks," Gretchen said, walking out. She pulled out her phone to send a text.
Before long, she received a response: "He's wearing a tailored gray business suit, has short black hair, and is about six feet tall."
Gretchen headed straight for the elevator, descending to the first-floor lobby. She found a spot where she could observe the elevator area and patiently waited.
...
As Midnight Entertainment wrapped up smoothly, the audience erupted in applause.
Daisy was the first to leave the studio, heading toward the ladies' room.
Outside the studio, Edward caught sight of her and said to Hawke, "Boss, wait for me a moment. I'll be right back."
Hawke waved him off nonchalantly.
Steve and Wilson exited one after the other.
Hawke waved at both but didn't approach.
After this show, their contracts officially ended.
Megan also stepped out, her mood evidently high. A bright smile graced her perfectly made-up face as she stopped by Hawke. "This incident started with Channel 11 and will end with Channel 11; it's perfect."
Hawke, always straightforward, replied, "If it's so perfect, how about the crew pays me $150,000 more?"
Megan's smile instantly vanished. "The last party was delayed due to your news until this weekend. Are you free?"
Hawke reiterated, "Call me with the time and place."
Megan went to remove her makeup.
Hawke had nothing pressing to do, so when Edward returned, they headed to the elevator down.
Curious, Hawke asked, "What did you go to do?"
"I went to get Daisy's contact info. She seems to really like Black guys, and she gave me her card without hesitation," Edward said.
Hawke raised an eyebrow. "Since when are you into married women?"
"Not interested in married women," Edward clarified, explaining to Hawke, "Look, Daisy and Steve will definitely get divorced in the future, which means Daisy will eventually become a divorced woman with a kid, right?"
What could Hawke say? He just admired, "You really are forward-thinking."
...
As they exited the elevator area, ready to leave Fox, a blonde woman hurriedly approached Hawke.
"Are you Hawke Osment?" she asked, extending a greeting.
Hawke took a quick look at her. She seemed to be in her thirties, tall, dressed in the typical Fox female anchor attire of a short skirt, tights, and high heels. She had a mature, intellectual beauty likely enhanced by makeup.
He frequently visited the Fox television center. While he hadn't seen her in person, he recognized her.
Gretchen smiled and gestured toward a section in the lobby. "Can we have a chat?"
Hawke waved off Edward and followed Gretchen to a seating area.
Gretchen said directly, "I'm sure you know who I am; I'm the anchor and producer for Ace News. If you have any hot news, feel free to come straight to me."
Hawke was certainly open to another avenue for selling news. "I only deal in hot news, so my prices will be high."
"If your news appears on my program, it's not just about the money," Gretchen said, effectively leveraging her position. "News in prime time versus late-night gossip has a completely different impact on the studio's development prospects."
Hawke replied, "My news may predominantly fall in the gossip category."
Gretchen asserted, "Stories like Steve Nutt's can still make headlines on my program."
She pulled out a card with her name and phone number and handed it to Hawke. "Feel free to contact me with any big news; don't worry about the price."
Hawke accepted it and handed her one of his own cards in return, effectively promoting: "Besides news, my studio also takes on public relations consulting work. If you or anyone you know needs help, just give me a call."
This caught Gretchen off guard. She hesitated for a moment, piecing together what was implied based on Steve's news and said, "If I need anything, I will definitely call you."
...
After Hawke bid farewell, he reunited with Edward, left the building, and got into the car.
Gretchen watched the elevator doors, having just seen Claire walk out with Steve and his group.
She smiled and nodded at Claire, adjusting her handbag as she headed toward the exit.
Gretchen deliberately chose a busy lobby, wanting Megan to understand she was Channel 11's ace -- resources were readily at her fingertips.
Claire noticed the exchange between Gretchen and Hawke, turned around, and caught the elevator back upstairs.
In the past month, all of Midnight Entertainment's hottest news stories had come from Hawke.
Claire knocked on the door to Megan's makeup room, finding Megan already finished with her makeup. She waved the makeup artist away, and the artist hurried out.
When the door was closed, Claire said to Megan, "Gretchen just approached Hawke."
Megan tied her loose hair back, replying coolly, "I know."
*****
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