Chapter 17

"Plans for the documentary have been set, and it will be broadcast on Channel 6 first."

In the Audi driving, Kara Fice, who was driving, talked about recent work with Murphy, "If the response is good enough, we will fully promote it to the VHS and DVD market."

"That sounds pretty good." Murphy leaned back in the passenger seat, feeling a bit uncomfortable in his well-fitted suit, "Time waits for no one. If the black people disperse, the appeal of the documentary will also decrease."

Kara gave a thumbs up, "Your news sensitivity is getting better and better."

"Thanks." Murphy replied casually, "I learned it all from you."

Since the media never gave up on hyping this news event, and given the black community's super-sensitive nature, although some time had passed since the initial incident, the black protests in Los Angeles showed no signs of dissipating. Instead, they began to spread to surrounding areas, and even some human rights organizations joined in.

The two black men were criminals, but criminals also have human rights. Human rights organizations are experts at nitpicking, especially when the victims are black.

The media also fanned the flames, fearing that the news wasn't big enough, constantly raising the question of whether the police would have fired if the suspects were white.

This incident had the potential to become a national social focal point. The issue of black human rights was once again pushed to the forefront by the media, in stark contrast to the widespread praise received during the large-scale shooting in North Hollywood a few years ago. The Los Angeles Police Department was under immense pressure, and even the police officers involved in the operation were forced to take leave.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Murphy deep in thought in the passenger seat, Kara couldn't help but ask, "Are you feeling guilty?"

They could be considered the catalysts for this incident, and it was they who opened this Pandora's box.

However, Kara had never regretted it. She had always been pursuing a major news story that would shock the nation, and the effect of this incident was exactly what she had hoped for.

As for the means used in the process, Kara, with her years of experience in journalism, knew very well that there was no major news story without some behind-the-scenes tactics.

"Dear, you're joking." Murphy had a completely puzzled look, "What did we do?"

Even while driving, Kara couldn't help but turn to look at Murphy. Murphy said calmly, "The ongoing protests in front of the Los Angeles City Hall and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are due to the LAPD's mishandling and the sensitivity of the black community. What does it have to do with us?"

Hearing this, Kara Fice couldn't help but laugh, "Indeed, it has nothing to do with us."

She turned to look at Murphy again, seeing his strong profile, which was unusually calm, as if what he had just said was an undeniable fact.

"What are you looking at?" Murphy turned to ask.

Kara shrugged, "You still look very handsome."

No one had ever made her feel so compatible with herself.

The Audi left the city and drove onto the road leading to Santa Monica. As Kara passed an intersection, she suddenly thought of something else, "You've made quite a bit of money recently. Why are you so reluctant to buy a new car? Your Ford is practically scrap."

"Any car will do."

It was because the Ford was so old that Murphy ended up in Kara's car, "Every dollar I have is for something important. I can't spend it casually."

Kara recalled some things Murphy had said and asked, "Do you really plan to leave this industry?"

"Yep." Murphy nodded, "It shouldn't be too long."

"That's really a pity. You're very suitable for this line of work." Kara's expression showed some regret. The past month or so had been the fastest period of growth in her career, all thanks to the guy in the passenger seat, "Do you have any plans?"

She had a certain understanding of Murphy and knew that he would never act without a plan.

"Of course, I might need your help then." Murphy paused, looking at the straight road ahead, and finally said, "I want to go to Hollywood to produce movies."

"What?"

After asking this question instinctively, Kara suddenly laughed, "You... you want to make movies, Murphy? Are you kidding?"

Murphy shook his head seriously, "Of course not."

"How did you come up with such an idea?" Kara turned to look at him again, her eyes full of disbelief, "You must be crazy to want to enter a completely unfamiliar industry."

At this point, she suddenly emphasized, "I almost forgot, you're a lunatic."

"Thanks."

This wasn't the first time she had said such things, and Murphy didn't mind. Instead, he said, "You know me best."

Indeed, to want to go to Hollywood to produce movies without any credentials or connections was no different from being crazy.

But Murphy had always been telling himself that there was once a lunatic who gave up his job as an engineer to come to Los Angeles to be a director, and ended up being a huge success, winning the Oscar for Best Director and becoming the 'King of the World' with the highest-grossing film ever!

Yes, he couldn't compare to a true genius like James Cameron, but he was still willing to try.

He was only twenty-one, legally just an adult. Even if he failed, he had enough time and energy to find another path.

The Audi gradually entered the area of Santa Monica, and Kara drove directly towards the seaside villa district.

"No wonder you suggested the TV station make a documentary." She seemed to understand a lot, "You had the idea of entering the film industry early on."

The car stopped near a luxurious villa. Kara parked by the roadside, called Murphy to get out, and walked towards the villa.

Murphy followed, "You look especially beautiful today."

Kara wore a short evening dress that fell just above her knees, fully showcasing the visual beauty of her long legs. The tight-fitting design of the dress also highlighted her graceful figure. With her delicate face and curly blonde hair, in terms of appearance and demeanor, she was no less than the Hollywood actresses in Murphy's memory.

"Thanks." Kara glanced at Murphy in his well-fitted suit, his tall and strong figure exuding a powerful aura, and couldn't help but praise, "You look good too."

After saying that, she added teasingly, "If you fail in Hollywood, you can always go to the San Fernando Valley. I'm sure the directors there would be interested in you."

Murphy shrugged but didn't say anything.

Kara Fice naturally placed her hand in the crook of his arm. Murphy turned to look, and the woman in high heels was almost as tall as him, a head and shoulders above the crowd.

Murphy was not used to these Western courtesies but could always adapt. He walked into the villa with Kara Fice, following the direction pointed by the staff to the back garden by the sea.

There were quite a few people walking around, some of whom were vaguely familiar. Murphy couldn't recall them immediately, but the old Murphy was just a low-level freelance journalist. The people he found familiar now were likely to be some well-known figures.

From this, it was clear that the party Kara Fice had brought him to was not a low-level one.

"What are you thinking about?"

Ignoring the man who came over with a lecherous look, Kara leaned in slightly and whispered, "Thinking about the consequences if your plan fails? Don't worry, if you can't make it in the future, my door will always be open to you."

The tone seemed casual, but Murphy could hear the sincerity in it. For a woman like her to say such things was enough to show her recognition of him.

"I will." Murphy suddenly thought of what Ross had said and whispered, "By the way, a friend mentioned to me today that the victims and perpetrators in the Bill Road case might all be drug dealers."

"What?" Kara Fice turned to look at him, "Is the information reliable?"

"Very reliable." Murphy shrugged, "He has seen them before."

Kara frowned, "What kind of friends do you have?"

Murphy slowed his pace slightly, "I met them in prison, comrades-in-arms."

Hearing this, Kara Fice remembered that the man she was holding was a former convict, and her pace also slowed.

She came from a wealthy background, received a good education, and had a respectable and promising job, which was a world apart from the man she was holding.

But... this person had never shown the lowly demeanor of a small character.

Kara shook her head slightly, not thinking about it anymore, and walked into the party with Murphy.

This was a grand party, held in the entire back garden and a private beach, covering thousands of square feet. Murphy saw hundreds of fashionably dressed men and women, and dozens of bikini-clad models hired by the host on the beach near the sea.

Kara Fice was here more because of the TV station she worked for, and she didn't know many people. Most of the people she introduced to Murphy were also unfamiliar to him.

However, Murphy was polite and chatted with them, a circle he rarely interacted with, making it a good opportunity to expand his network.

Of course, Murphy didn't say he was a freelance journalist. In Kara Fice's introduction, he was the chairman and president of Stanton Studios.

No one doubted or found it surprising. In Los Angeles, the capital of media and entertainment, such studios were countless.

But these people wouldn't have thought that Stanton Studios, from management to employees, actually consisted of only Murphy himself.

After mingling at the party with Kara Fice, the two walked to a resting area by the beach, preparing to order something and sit down for a drink. At this moment, a black man suddenly walked over.

"Hello, beautiful lady."

This black man was very tall, "Can I have a drink with you?"

He seemed to be attracted by Kara Fice's outstanding appearance and completely ignored Murphy.

Murphy, however, carefully examined the black man, as his dark skin stood out against Kara's fair complexion, and he looked very familiar.