[Chapter 102: This Cursed World]
In a reception room at the Los Angeles Police Department.
Hawke finished taking his statement and grabbed a few newspapers from the rack to browse through.
Yesterday's news had made the front page of the Los Angeles Times.
"Brave Act: Female Detective Teams Up with Hollywood Star to Rescue Victims and Break Up Drug Ring!"
The most eye-catching photos displayed two sets of images featuring Erica and Johnson. One set showcased Erica in full gear and a still from Johnson's role in The Scorpion King. The other included snapshots from a news video, showing Erica on a yacht, gun in hand, while Johnson took down a thug with a bear hug.
Strictly speaking, such news stories didn't carry as much societal weight as Hollywood stars' gossip scandals. But one involved a beautiful detective and the other a Hollywood newcomer, causing the buzz to rise significantly.
The headlines of other newspapers were inevitably about Erica and Johnson, but especially in the entertainment tabloids, Johnson was the talk of the town. Hollywood Report focused not only on yesterday's news but also featured an extensive article about Johnson's upcoming role in S.W.A.T., where he would portray a SWAT officer.
Hollywood productions had a knack for sniffing out stories, and surely the studio had paid for the press coverage. Such a good opportunity for press promotion couldn't be ignored; that wasn't the Hollywood way.
Hawke heard noises outside, stood up, and walked to the window, finding the entrance of the police department packed with reporters.
Erica was bound to become a star at LAPD.
The door to the reception room opened, and someone came in, notifying Hawke that he could leave now.
...
Hawke grabbed his briefcase, left the reception room, and arrived at the main hall of the office building, where a guy was coming downstairs.
It was Brian Ferguson, whom he had met on the boat the day before.
Brian greeted him, "Hey, buddy."
Hawke shook his hand, "Didn't expect to see you here."
Brian replied, "I'm Erica's lawyer, here to handle some legal matters." He casually pulled out a business card and handed it to Hawke. "If you need legal assistance, feel free to call me."
Hawke accepted the card and took out his own to hand over. "My studio mainly deals with crisis PR consulting and business strategy planning. If you need anything, give me a call."
Brian took it, nodding towards the exit, "Let's leave together."
Hawke responded, "I've finished my business here."
"Let's go." Brian walked with him outside and said, "I heard Erica say you're good at helping people deal with crises?"
Hawke simply replied, "I've helped many people, not only clearing their scandals but also helping them become leaders in their fields."
Brian, being well aware of his cousin's character, saw he wasn't joking around. He immediately asked, "Have you dealt with the political sphere?"
Hawke shook his head, "Not yet." He took the initiative to ask, "Why, are you planning to get into politics?"
"Not really," Brian replied with a slight sense of resignation. "But some things aren't for me to decide alone."
Hawke was curious and inquired, "What does your family do?"
Brian looked surprised. "You don't know?"
Hawke simply explained, "I'm shooting buddies with Erica; she likes shooting, and we used to shoot together."
Brian thought for a moment and vaguely answered, "Well, we have a large family; some engage in politics, some in business, some like me just kind of float around, and others like Erica are PDs."
The two exited through a side door and entered the parking lot.
Hawke prepared to get into his car while Brian sized him up.
Despite his simple attire, Hawke wore a tailored suit and a Rolex watch. He had an ordinary appearance but radiated a mild confidence.
Brian knew he would eventually go into politics and needed to establish a base; thinking of Hawke's industry, he chuckled, "We should grab a drink sometime."
He made sure to remind him, "If you stumble upon some interesting Hollywood scandals, don't forget to give me a call."
Hawke replied, "No problem."
They shook hands once more before heading to their cars.
...
Hawke drove to the bank to cash in yesterday's checks. While passing by the Beverly Shopping Center, he noticed a commercial on the outdoor screen featuring Johnson in S.W.A.T.
"The Real Hero of Hollywood: Dwayne Johnson!"
The ad was clearly newly produced.
Hawke's phone rang; it was Erica calling.
She said, "I'll be really busy these next few days, so I might not have time to go shooting."
Hawke understood, "Just give me a ring when you're free."
Erica answered briefly, "Sure."
...
After hanging up, Hawke drove back to East Hollywood and parked on Fountain Street, entering the studio.
Edward was organizing cameras and equipment, preparing to shoot that afternoon, while Frank sat at the desk, sipping free beer and munching on sausages, looking quite content.
He saw Hawke return, "Did you shoot that video with the LAPD girl and that fake wrestler?"
Hawke sat at the desk in front of the computer, replying, "That was me."
Frank nodded, "You're even better than I thought."
Edward looked up and said, "Boss, I really regret not going with you."
"What could you have done?" Frank mocked, "Go eat fried chicken and drink watermelon juice?"
Edward shot him a middle finger, "Shut your ugly mouth."
Frank went on, "If you had gone, you'd just be a hindrance. Didn't you see the news coverage video? That LAPD girl is impressive, and Johnson's strong too, whereas you don't even know how to farm cotton!"
He looked at Hawke, "You guys took out a few bad guys using your handcrafted slingshots. Isn't that a great feeling? The last time we made slingshots, what are we going to make next?"
Hawke displayed a middle finger from behind the monitor.
Edward asked, "Boss, regarding the LAPD report, were those guys from the Mule Gang?"
Hawke stated, "The Mule Gang is employing new methods for distribution. LAPD and DEA are currently targeting yacht clubs for a major sweep."
"Be careful of retaliation from the Mule Gang," Edward suggested.
Compared to Edward, who grew up on the streets, Frank was less concerned, "Just a dealer organization; they're not even a big deal. Now that they're in LAPD's sights, they won't have time to protect themselves."
Some things, he understood but didn't voice.
The faces on display were star Johnson and the LAPD girl, while Hawke, that cunning guy, hid in the back; if the Mule Gang sought revenge, they would probably target those two first.
...
Hawke checked his email; one new email came from a brokerage firm in Jeffrey City, Wyoming.
Before coming to Los Angeles, he had been to Wyoming, investigating basic information about Hawke Osment.
The Osment family had little population. After their small ranch went bankrupt, his parents passed away early. Hawke Osment himself left the area before he turned 18, with friends and relatives so few they were negligible.
No one knew where he went until Hawke found his driver's license in a cabin in Provo.
Hawke had done some investigation too and could basically confirm that this person was likely a skeleton at the bottom of Lake Utah.
Wyoming was vast and sparsely populated; in over 250,000 square kilometers, fewer than 40,000 people resided.
Before leaving Wyoming, Hawke had asked the brokerage firm in Jeffrey City to keep an eye out for small farms or ranches for sale.
The email from the brokerage firm notified him of a small auction taking place recently in Jeffrey City.
After reading the email, Hawke called to book a flight.
Jeffrey City was a very small town, so he needed to fly to Buffalo first and then drive there.
...
After booking the ticket, he told Edward, "I'll be flying back to Wyoming tonight and might stay there for a few days. Here at the studio, you take photos based on tip-offs. Put other matters on hold for now, and we'll talk about them when I return."
Edward assured, "Boss, don't worry, I'll take care of the place."
Frank's sarcasm continued, "Given the nature this guy, he'll probably sell off all your belongings and make a run for it."
He suddenly said, "You might as well leave the studio to me."
Hawke shot back, "Your ex-wife will be there tomorrow to tear the studio apart for cash."
Hearing his ex-wife mentioned, Frank lost his appetite, as the free beer and sausages tasted like horse pee mixed with splinters.
The old man bagged his leftovers and left without a word.
Hawke went to pack his luggage.
Edward followed him and said, "Boss, on Saturday, Deborah took me to visit Downey."
Hawke turned to him, puzzled.
"To the cemetery," Edward quickly explained. "This was my idea, and Deborah agreed; we bought flowers together and visited Downey. I assured him Deborah would be fine with me looking after her; he could rest easy."
Hawke patted his shoulder, "You're a good subordinate; I've decided to raise your weekly salary by $200."
Even if a savior did nothing, the emotional support alone warranted that extra $200.
...
Hawke finished packing his luggage and flew to Wyoming that night, renting a Mercedes G-Class in Buffalo, arriving in Jeffrey City, and then attending the farm auction, eventually purchasing the small ranch that had once belonged to the Osment family.
The ranch was given to the brokerage firm for basic maintenance.
He then found the graveyard of the Osment couple and, adhering to local customs, presented two bouquets of marigolds.
Hawke managed his affairs with money in Wyoming, handling several matters before leaving after nearly a week.
...
In Sherman Oaks, inside a villa.
"That's it for today; I'll take my leave now." A Black girl waved at Josh Hartnett, leaving the villa without looking back.
She got into her car and called PR manager Julius, saying, "The impact isn't good. The media has recently been mentioning me and Josh Hartnett, both sarcastically saying he took a Black girlfriend to redeem himself. Being with him didn't create that one-plus-one-is-greater-than-two effect; it dragged me down instead."
Julius, also Josh's PR, tried to persuade her, "This is only half a month in; the media and public will naturally have doubts, but over time, they'll get used to it, and the criticism will fade."
The Black girl wasn't naive, "The criticisms surrounding Josh Hartnett indeed will gradually fade, but what benefits do I get? I've recently been rejected by a project from a Black director's crew."
Julius wanted to say something more, but the Black girl wouldn't give him the chance, cutting him off: "Let's leave it at that; don't waste your time on me. You can find someone better. I have an appointment with a journalist today, and I'll tell them we're just friends."
...
After hanging up, Julius quickly called Josh's agent, Will.
They both arrived at Josh Hartnett's home.
As soon as they entered, a strong smell of alcohol hit them. Josh Hartnett had opened a bottle of whiskey, drinking it alone.
Almost half of the large bottle was already gone.
Will rushed over, grabbed the bottle, and pulled it aside, saying, "At this rate, you'll ruin yourself and have no second option."
But Josh shook his head, "Hollywood Homicide rejected my audition, and so did the Wicker Park crew. I've been abandoned by Hollywood."
Will warned, "If you give up now, not only will the crews abandon you, but the agency will too!"
Josh raised his drink again.
Will decided to take a hard approach. "Do you know the consequences? Your mortgaged house will be taken by the bank, your car will be taken by the bank, and you won't even be able to pay next year's taxes; you'll be homeless."
He slammed his palm down on the table, adding, "What happens to a guy like you living on the streets? Those street folks will use you like a toilet!"
"If I stay in Hollywood, I'll just be a toilet or a toilet brush." Josh retorted while he put down his glass, his hands running through his hair, "This relationship with my Black girlfriend backfired; is there any other way?"
Julius added, "Learn from Steve Nutt. Find a Black girl, get married, and get her pregnant as soon as possible."
"I'd rather go homeless." Josh revealed the crux of the problem: "I'm just a new star, not a superstar; after waiting so long, how many will still remember me?"
The public relations manager reminded Will: "There are rumors circulating that Steve Nutt and his Black son, originally a scandal, turned the situation around through incredible maneuverings, gaining tremendous fame and becoming a leading figure in the Black empowerment movement."
"Are you implying we should reach out to Steve Nutt?" Julius asked.
Josh widened his eyes, "That bastard has always been attacking me. If he weren't attacking, I wouldn't be in this position now."
Will, being a competent agent, advised, "That doesn't matter; what matters is benefits! Benefits come first."
Julius concurred, "Apologize to Steve. Let's go and ask him for help pointing a way out."
To exonerate himself from accusations of racism, Josh broke up with his girlfriend Ellen, and started dating a Black girl, already investing a lot. Giving up now meant throwing away all the previous investments.
He dared to demand roles while serving as the crew's associate producer; taking the initiative to seek out Steve now wasn't out of the question.
His bottom line had been crossed not long after entering Hollywood; Josh was gradually retreating.
Will, through his connections, soon found the contact for Steve's agent and quickly reached out to Biles.
They agreed to meet, but required Josh to apologize to the Black community and film it for media release.
Will easily guessed their motive -- leveraging Steve's strong charisma and prestige to compel the allegedly racist Hollywood star to apologize to a Black person.
This was also an opportunity for Steve to gain further recognition.
Under Will's persuasion, Josh endured; after all, he wouldn't throw away his path to stardom.
...
The next morning, Josh Hartnett, accompanied by Will and Julius, arrived at the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP, publicly apologizing and confessing under the gaze of numerous media representatives.
Josh felt utterly humiliated.
But the media didn't care about his apology; they didn't care about his attitude.
All eyes were fixated on Steve Nutt, who unsurprisingly received a roaring applause.
Recently, he had started to shift his focus toward the empowerment movement.
How much money could a professional baseball career provide? This could bring a lifetime of wealth and even opportunities for erecting a statue.
Steve addressed the crowd, delivering a speech.
Miss Caroline Jones's script allowed Steve to bask in the spotlight.
Josh stared dumbly at Steve, who seemed to possess a magical power, effortlessly stirring the emotions of reporters and the audience present.
He wanted to be like that.
But reality was harsh; he was a textbook example of how not to act in a crisis.
As the commotion continued, two hours passed.
...
Steve met with Will and Josh in a reception room.
Will cautiously asked, "Mr. Nutt, I wonder if Biles conveyed our intentions to you?"
"I know about this matter," Steve said gracefully, tearing off a sheet of note paper, scribbling on it before handing it over: "You should reach out to Hawke Osment at West Coast Media Entertainment Studio. Whether he can be moved depends on how much you're willing to invest."
Josh took the slip, which contained an address and phone number.
He was unfamiliar with West Coast Media Entertainment Studio and Hawke Osment, but he figured that even if he ended up doing something embarrassing, it wouldn't be that big of a deal.
Steve left.
Will and Josh followed.
Josh wasn't willing to give up, speeding up to catch up with Steve, whispering, "We have no grudges; why are you being like this?"
"We have no personal grudge; I don't even know you," Steve replied, appearing radiantly like a divine figure, "But you have undermined the very foundation upon which our society and country exist."
Josh froze, feeling as though he and Steve were operating on entirely different wavelengths.
Steve had achieved his aim, pointing to Caroline Jones, who was preparing to leave, "That's my PR manager, Caroline Jones. She's friends with Hawke Osment; you should reach out to her for help."
...
Will saw the woman in red heels leaving, quickly ran toward her, waving, "Miss Jones! Miss Jones, please wait!"
Caroline paused, watching as Josh Hartnett and his manager hurried toward her. She suddenly wanted to kick off her heels and make a run for it.
She suspected they might have caught on to what she had been involved in.
But upon seeing Steve approach and the numerous Black individuals around, she held her head a bit higher.
For the first time, Caroline realized that Black individuals could provide a sense of security.
Will approached her, introducing himself, and said to Caroline, "I heard you're friends with Hawke Osment at West Coast Studio. Could you introduce us?"
Josh added, "I really need to get out of this predicament; money is not an issue."
If he could be like Steve, he could sell off his current assets because he'd earn them back quickly, and probably even earn more.
Even though Caroline Jones had seen a lot of the entertainment industry's absurdities, she was momentarily stunned.
Caroline instinctively turned to glance at the sun overhead, realizing the direction was indeed right.
A guy who had been driven to the ground by a country idiot named Hawke was seeking help from him?
This world was truly cursed!
*****
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