hotmtlnovel Chapter 100: You Gain Fame, I Gain Profits
Chapter 100: You Gain Fame, I Gain Profits
[Chapter 101: You Gain Fame, I Gain Profits]
The Santa Monica Yacht Club was swarmed by over twenty marked LAPD vehicles encircling the entire dock, with more arriving continuously.
Such a large-scale mobilization inevitably caught the attention of the media, with some journalists capturing footage from behind the barricades.
Onboard, Hawke had already transferred the recording video onto his laptop and awaited further developments.
Erica immediately reported the incident to the detective bureau, and the chief of detectives was among the first to arrive, separately questioning her about the events.
With the video evidence in place, this incident would have fewer complications.
Before heading over, Erica informed Hawke that she'd notified her family.
Hawke had suspected her family wasn't ordinary since the Robert Downey Jr. incident.
In the yacht's lounge, Johnson observed teams of officers boarding the vessel to conduct thorough
Megan instinctively started to argue.
Hawke cut her off. "This is a series of cases involving a new Mexican trafficking organization called the Mule Gang. LAPD will pursue targeted strikes. You've always wanted to delve into social reporting and explore the intersection of celebrity and crime. This is your chance."
He laid out his conditions upfront: "If you want to collaborate, specific demands must be met; otherwise, I'll find someone else."
Megan gestured for him to go on.
Hawke stated, "LAPD will hold a press conference at 11:30 AM. This video must air by noon latest; you won't snag the prime news slot if you wait."
"I'll make a call," Megan replied, taking out her phone and dialing the network director, Cynthia's office.
Hawke exited the small room, giving her space.
Before long, Megan reappeared. "I got it sorted; today's midday news slot is ours, Channel 11 will air it at noon on the dot."
Hawke instructed, "Handle the rest of the arrangements with Suzy."
Megan sought Suzy next, discussing their promotional strategies as Dany quickly joined.
The Fox Network's platform was large enough for all.
...
Hawke called over Erica and Dwayne.
"Guys, there's something." Hawke proceeded, ensuring clarity. "I'm selling the video filmed on the yacht for $300,000..."
Dwayne interjected, understanding immediately, "I get fame while you secure the profit; it's only fair."
Erica chimed in, "This was your footage."
Hawke extended his hand. "No more pleasantries; we're allies in this endeavor."
Having gone through life-and-death together, Erica placed her hand beneath his while Dwayne's rested atop them.
Hawke reminded them, "I heard the Mules are ruthless; once you're exposed, be cautious."
Erica deemed it a significant point but swayed the conversation into her usual tone, "Well, LAPD is the largest armed violence organization in Los Angeles."
Dwayne said, "I'll hire a few bodyguards."
In Hawke's view, this also presented an opportunity to promote Allison.
However, with Allison now too shaken to face people, she kept avoiding interactions.
Without compensation, he certainly wouldn't play the philanthropist.
...
Suzy beckoned Hawke over, and he joined the ongoing discussion.
He spoke little, as the presence of his video warranted a standard promotional approach for safety's sake.
Half an hour later, Suzy exited the yacht, announcing to the media that a press conference would commence in the yacht club hall at 11:30 AM.
A mob of reporters quickly dispersed, rushing to secure advantageous spots in the club's hall.
Yet Gretchen stayed put; Megan had yet to come down from the yacht.
A few moments later, Hawke gathered his luggage, following Megan off the yacht.
A business vehicle pulled up to the dock ramp, ready to take Megan, Hawke, and Claire.
Although it was a distance away, Gretchen spotted that Megan was accompanied by Hawke Osment.
Her suspicions rose.
The vehicle departed the ramp, leaving the yacht dock, heading straight for Century City.
...
On the way, Megan commented, "Your business is really taking off; even the LAPD is getting involved."
Hawke replied honestly, "Just a matter of coincidence."
Megan countered, "When opportunity knocks, it's your skills that will make the difference."
Upon arriving in Century City, the vehicle halted at the Fox Tower's entrance, and everyone rode the elevator up to the Midnight Entertainment studio.
Megan clapped her hands together emphatically. "Alright, everyone, let's move! Adjust the electronic backgrounds in the studio; we're handling the 12 PM noon news today."
Everyone was taken aback, the director asked, "Is there breaking news?"
"Super news!" Megan said quickly, "Something we can track in multiple reports."
An assistant producer immediately led the charge.
Megan instructed Claire, "Go and secure $300,000 in funding. Cynthia has already approved it, so hurry."
Claire set off to fulfill her task.
Hawke made his way to the reception area, awaiting contracts and checks.
Megan stopped him. "Are you free tomorrow morning?"
"Can't do mornings," Hawke explained, "Today's events aren't over, and I need to supplement my report at LAPD, handle some evidence storage matters."
His fishing slingshot and fish harpoons were temporarily held by LAPD.
Suddenly, a commotion spilled out from the studio entrance. Megan shifted her gaze, whispering, "Cynthia Rosenberg has arrived."
Hawke looked toward the incoming woman at the door.
A middle-aged lady stepped in. It was hard to judge her looks, but her surname denoted a likely Jewish background.
Megan provided introductions between the two.
Cynthia gave Hawke a light handshake. "I've heard of you; you often catch major news."
Hawke affirmed, "Indeed, I've contributed to Fox on several headlines."
"You're doing well -- keep it up," Cynthia remarked, casually charting a prosperous path. "Fox values every partnership."
Megan and Cynthia headed to the producer's office.
...
Hawke waited for a time in the reception area before Claire returned with the agreement.
As usual, Hawke signed the licensing agreement and soon received the check.
At 11:30 AM, the LAPD press conference at the Santa Monica Yacht Club commenced on time, with Suzy presenting the yacht trafficking case and armed robbery against crew members.
Soon, Dwayne Johnson and Erica Ferguson took the stage.
Suzy highlighted the duo's heroic actions during the ordeal.
Director Eric Emerson, actress Lauren Hashian, and the yacht captain joined them, extending their gratitude to Erica and Dwayne.
However, several journalists raised concerns during the session, with many claiming Eric and the others supposedly missed witnessing both Dwayne and Erica in action during their intoxicated slumber.
Suzy refrained from clarifying or allowing Erica and Dwayne to rebut.
As noon approached, a large screen in the hall lit up and switched to Fox Channel 11.
To everyone's surprise, the previously entertainment-themed Megan Taylor was now co-hosting the midday news.
In a collective gasp, the audience saw Megan report the exclusive breaking news.
The video footage captured by Hawke displayed various segments as broadcast on television.
For a moment, the hall fell into silence, accompanied only by muffled voices from the footage.
Once the video concluded, someone from the audience broke into applause.
Suddenly, the hall erupted with claps.
Others shouted: "You're heroes! Erica Ferguson, you're a hero! Dwayne Johnson, you're a hero too!"
*****
/Sayonara816.