[Chapter 93: We Teach the Audience How to Watch the News]
In the van, Hawke tossed the keys to the minivan over to DaShawn. Then he pulled out a stack of cash from his bag, evenly dividing it into three parts and handing them to the trio.
Carter, with nimble fingers, quickly counted the cash and announced, "Five hundred dollars."
The three guys grinned from ear to ear.
Hawke said, "Old rules."
DaShawn immediately reassured him, "We'll keep our mouths shut. We're going out tonight, won't know anything."
"Good, a night out." Hawke pointed at the minivan. "This ride is for you too. Take it out of town, sell it, and enjoy a week before coming back."
DaShawn stuffed the money away and asked, "Can we make it ten days?"
Hawke replied, "It's up to you."
As the trio prepared to leave, one of them suddenly remembered something. He turned to Hawke and said, "Boss, about that Mexican guy you wanted us to keep an eye on -- Campos, he's a bit slow, doesn't usually cause trouble, but he looks out for his fellow countrymen..."
Hawke had almost forgotten about him and said, "Just don't provoke him."
The three exited the van, filled with excitement, and drove off.
They decided to head straight north, checking out San Francisco.
...
Edward closed the van door, removed his dreadlock wig, and tore off the fake beard from his face, grimacing from the pain.
Hawke returned to his usual appearance, connecting the camera to his laptop to stream the video and make copies.
Edward gathered up the makeup supplies and leaned over, asking, "Boss, how did it go?"
"Let's just say it was passable." Hawke opened the video. "After all that pressure, he still didn't say anything explicitly discriminatory. It seems his management or publicity team has educated him on this."
Edward scratched his head and said, "We failed."
Hawke replied, "Not exactly a failure, just not very successful."
The video started with the moments leading up to the confrontation with the dreadlocked guy, shifting to the sidewalk amidst the commotion. In that same instant, two people collided -- Josh Hartnett and one of the trio, Carter, had a brief confrontation.
"Get lost, you disgusting bastard!"
The insult rang clear.
Even though the footage showed the hurried and shaky nature of a hidden camera, Hawke's skill made Josh Hartnett's face distinctly recognizable.
Especially when Josh left, hand over his nose, casting a disgusted look at Carter on the ground.
...
Hawke shut the laptop and said to Edward, "Drive to the Fox Television Center."
Edward immediately started the car and made a turn out of the parking lot.
After pondering for a while, Hawke took out his phone and called Megan Taylor.
On the other end, Megan asked, "Are you free tonight? Coming over?"
Hawke got straight to the point. "I just got some news; I'm on my way to the Fox Television Center."
Megan replied, as usual, "I'll be waiting for you at the office."
The van pulled into Century City and soon arrived at the entrance of the Fox building.
Hawke grabbed his laptop and got out of the car.
Edward poked his head out and asked, "Boss, should I stay here for you?"
"Head back," Hawke waved him off.
...
The security at the building had already seen Hawke and pulled out his phone to make a call. "Millie, the Hawke Osment you wanted me to keep an eye on just showed up."
"Thanks," Millie promptly went to inform her boss.
...
As Hawke entered the Fox building, Gretchen rode down in the elevator.
They crossed paths in the elevator.
"Good evening, Hawke," Gretchen greeted him, then asked directly, "What's up? Any big news?"
Hawke replied, "I caught a scandal with a Hollywood star cursing today. You interested?"
Gretchen, who worked on the primetime Ace News, was hoping to get something as sensational as the Steve Nutt scoop from Hawke. But upon hearing that, her interest waned. "Gossip doesn't align with my program's focus."
Hawke needed to make a plan with the video, and there was no way he could sell it to Gretchen. If the video ended up in her hands, it could mean losing control.
Gretchen maintained a composed smile and said, "Remember to contact me if you get some big news."
Hawke casually acknowledged her and took the elevator up.
...
Upon reaching the Midnight Entertainment crew, he went straight into Megan's office.
Megan, already eager for some explosive news, asked, "Something breaking? Is it headline-worthy?"
Hawke opened his bag and pulled out his laptop, powering it on as he said, "It's about Josh Hartnett, the leading man from Pearl Harbor. He got into a scuffle on the street."
Megan said, "Josh Hartnett? He starred in Pearl Harbor, but his personal response is lukewarm. He's barely mid-tier..."
Hawke clicked on the video. "You should watch it first."
Megan sat next to him, examining the video intently.
She usually watched it once all the way through, then slowed it down for a detailed analysis.
The video was short, and Megan hit pause often.
The two black men appeared in the footage; the one kicking the car had his dreadlocks obscuring his face -- he was a big guy with a beard. The one who collided with Josh Hartnett was barely visible, only a side view that didn't show his face.
But it was clear he was black.
Josh Hartnett, despite wearing a hat, was on screen multiple times, his face captured by the camera.
Hawke's shooting style was particularly adept, whether it was the frantic camera shifts or the shaky footage -- everything suggested it was an urgent response to an unexpected event.
After finishing the second round of viewing, Megan remained silent, dragging the video to the end and replaying the part where Josh Hartnett shouted, analyzing his disgusted expression as he left.
"You want to take him down?" Megan had a good reading on Hawke's intentions.
Knowing he couldn't hide his plans from her and needing the crew's cooperation, he replied, "I picked up a gig to help someone land a role, and Josh Hartnett is a competitor."
Megan raised her hand. "You don't need to tell me more, I won't know about that. I'll just report based on what I see in the video."
Hawke directly asked, "What's your plan?"
"Strictly speaking, this video isn't heavy enough for a headline," Megan said, switching off the video and pacing back and forth in the room. "However, Josh Hartnett's last words and expressions leave room for media framing."
Hawke agreed, "We control the narrative; we teach the audience how to perceive it."
Megan halted, a decision solidifying in her mind. "Recently, the Black Rights Movement sparked by Steve Nutt has remained hot, especially around California and Los Angeles. I plan to invite a representative from the movement and a civil rights activist for a video linkage to debate whether the person in the video shows racial discrimination."
Pausing slightly, she added, "This way not only raises the stakes but also allows our program to dodge as much risk as possible."
Hawke suggested, "You can invite Steve Nutt as the representative. He's taken on the persona of a civil rights champion and collaborated with you recently. Your coverage has been favorable toward him; I doubt he would refuse."
Megan considered the idea and saw the potential for increased program interest. "I'll personally call him up to extend the invitation."
Hawke continued, "The video's worth ten grand."
"That video's only worth five thousand at most." Megan was relentless in business discussions, handing him a storage drive. "After you copy the video, go find Claire, sign the agreement, and get the check."
Hawke started to duplicate the video.
Megan stood beside him and quietly said, "Business aside, how are you planning to thank me?"
Hawke replied straightforwardly, "In the office?"
"Are you crazy?" Even though Megan liked to play it wild, she wasn't that reckless. "If you're done, just wait for me to finish work, and we can go to my place tonight."
"Alright, to thank you, I won't sleep tonight." Hawke packed his laptop and left the office to find Claire for the agreement.
...
After getting the check, Hawke called Caroline. "Miss Baa, I remember when your client needs to attend a media event, they need your advice on that."
Caroline answered, "That's stipulated in the contract."
Hawke replied directly, "If Steve Nutt ask you about participating in Midnight Entertainment, you need to make that happen since it ties into our current work."
Caroline first clarified, "This won't harm Steve's interests, will it?"
"Absolutely not," Hawke confirmed.
Caroline agreed.
...
When Hawke got back with the check, Megan was already gathering the team for a meeting.
She approached Hawke, mentioning that Steve Nutt received the call, quickly considered it, and confirmed he'd join the video linkage tonight.
Caroline then called in, informing Hawke she was heading to the Fox Television Center to discuss the video linkage details with the crew.
Hawke settled into the reception room to rest and ponder future developments.
During this time, Dany called, asking, "Everything go smoothly?"
Hawke replied, "Smooth as butter."
Dany didn't say more and hung up.
After some time, Caroline knocked and came in, a new Hermes bag placed on the table, sitting on the sofa beside Hawke. "It's done."
Hawke inquired, "What did he say?"
Caroline explained, "Steve viewed the video and believes Josh Hartnett's remarks were a subtle form of racial discrimination. He'll engage in a debate during the video linkage."
Hawke handed her a bottle of water, saying, "Take a sip, rest a bit."
Caroline twisted open the bottle and took a drink, then said, "I have a feeling Steve is pouring too much energy into this cause; he's more proactive than some of the black community..."
"Sunken costs, really. He's invested so much, he has to stick with this path," Hawke noted. He kept choosing Steve because it made influencing him easier. "You need to get Steve to instigate a new campaign within the black rights organization to protest at the event where Josh Hartnett will be."
Caroline responded, "You're exhausting every resource available."
Hawke stated, "Isn't that our job? As you said, Steve wouldn't say no."
"Given his current mindset, he'll be eager to participate," Caroline remarked, somewhat moved. "You've changed a sports star's life."
Hawke quipped, "Not just that, I also changed a PR manager's life."
Caroline's face tightened. "You haven't changed mine."
Hawke reminded her, "Did you used to make sheep sounds?"
Caroline ground her teeth in frustration, warning Hawke, "One day, you'll pay for that."
"Alright, enough joking." Hawke returned to seriousness after teasing her, "We need to start preparing to ensure the news will be featured in more media tomorrow, also getting Insurance Manager Green to see it."
Caroline added, "Don't worry about Director Clark. Before I arrived, Steve already alerted the Black Rights Organization in Los Angeles, asking them to watch tonight's program. Spike Lee is a significant part of that group."
Hawke remarked, "I wonder who Josh Hartnett might suspect first."
Caroline speculated, "Normal thinking would likely land on the threats from Kevin Spacey and Colin Farrell."
Hawke had a sudden thought and pulled out his phone to call Dwayne. "Dwayne, later on, hit the road, find someone trustworthy to bump into you for me. I'll have Edward film it."
"No, not one of your buddies," he rejected Dwayne's suggestion. "Have Dany find a professional stunt driver. Considering your future, he'll gladly help you out."
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.