Chapter 6

As a local TV station, Fox Los Angeles Channel 6 primarily focuses on the latest developments in the Greater Los Angeles area. A serious car accident in the famous Hollywood district would undoubtedly attract many viewers.

For a commercial TV station, ratings are their top priority.

"Kara, are you sure?"

Another person beside her asked the woman with long, golden-brown hair, pointing to the bloody scene on the screen, "During the morning news, viewers usually eat breakfast. This is too bloody."

The woman named Kara showed no concern, "We should have such reports every day. Viewers will talk about it in their companies, discuss it all day, and keep following our program."

Standing behind these people, Murphy had been carefully observing. Upon hearing these words, he immediately picked up some useful information and formed a preliminary impression of the woman named Kara.

Seemingly completely forgetting about Murphy, Kara ignored her subordinate's objections and ordered in a commanding tone, "This will be the top story in the morning. I require a breakdown of the shots, a panoramic view of the scene, and large text for the headline..."

She paused for a moment and added, "First, warn the viewers to watch with caution."

Murphy glanced at her again. From a psychological perspective, caution often triggers more curiosity.

This woman undoubtedly had a lot of ideas. "Also, include other car accidents that have occurred on Sunset Boulevard this year, and say that this is a deadly road."

Upon hearing this, Murphy couldn't help but roll his eyes slightly. These news workers really go all out to attract attention.

The woman continued, "Find out the identity of the accident victim, call her relatives, and record an interview."

She looked around at her subordinates, "You know what to do, go ahead."

The other few people stood up and left the office one after another.

Only then did the woman's eyes return to Murphy. She didn't get up but extended her right hand while sitting, "Hello, I'm Kara Fice, the head of the evening and morning news department at Channel 6."

"Hello, I'm Murphy Stanton," Murphy took a few steps forward and lightly shook her hand, "I'm a freelance journalist."

While speaking, he subtly observed her.

This woman had long, curly, golden-brown hair, and her light blue eyes, hidden behind long lashes, sparkled with intelligence. Her face, typical of a Westerner, was adorned with the professional makeup popular in this era, further enhancing her professional demeanor.

Murphy could sense that this tall and beautiful woman was definitely sharp and capable; otherwise, she wouldn't have become a department head at the age of only twenty-five or twenty-six.

Kara withdrew her hand and asked directly, "How much do you want to sell it for?"

After a moment's thought, Murphy tentatively said, "I think this video can sell for a thousand dollars."

Undoubtedly, he was asking for a high price, but his tone left room for negotiation.

"No!" The woman shook her head and said bluntly, "The price you're asking is too outrageous."

She turned her head and pointed to the paused image on the screen, "This isn't worth a thousand dollars. I'll give you three hundred dollars, and that's my highest offer."

The price she offered was very low. Murphy stood there, considered it for a second, and then nodded in agreement.

This was his first time at this TV station, and they wouldn't give him a high price. Besides, it was just a car accident video.

The woman named Kara turned back, her eyes back on the screen, and casually waved her hand, "Go wait in the lounge in the hall. I'll have someone bring you the money."

Murphy glanced at her back, said nothing, and turned to leave the office. He soon arrived at the lounge at the entrance of the hall and patiently waited. The other party didn't make him wait long; in less than half an hour, they brought him the three hundred dollars.

What Murphy didn't expect was that the woman herself came.

"Here you go."

Seeing the bills Kara handed over, Murphy stood up to receive them and said politely, "Thank you, this was a pleasant collaboration."

Murphy's polite attitude at least didn't cause any aversion. The blonde woman seemed to be in a good mood. Leaning on the back of the bench, she added, "You have a good eye, and the angle you chose for the video is excellent. If you could interview the on-site rescue personnel, it would be even better."

"I did overlook that," Murphy lightly patted his head, "Thank you for the reminder."

Not only do freelance journalists need TV stations, but TV stations also need freelance journalists to provide a large amount of material. Kara's attitude was clearly more enthusiastic than before, "Murphy, right? Your video is very professional."

"I'm just starting out, and to get praise from someone like you..."

When needed, Murphy never hesitated to lower his stance, "It means a lot to me."

Kara couldn't help but smile and reminded him, "If you have more in the future, come earlier, and it's best to call ahead."

She took out a business card and handed it to him, "Bringing in valuable material is also helping me. Contact me whenever you have something."

Seeing Murphy put away the business card, she turned to leave the lounge. Murphy immediately followed, "Videos like this?"

"Yes," Kara nodded as she walked.

Murphy immediately thought of her excited expression when she saw the bloody scene and asked, "Bloody ones?"

Perhaps not expecting Murphy to be so direct, Kara turned and looked at him with surprise, "That's just part of it. We like crime news, but not all crimes."

Following closely behind Kara, Murphy had no interest in admiring her tall and graceful figure and asked, "Can you explain in more detail?"

The blonde woman stopped, looked at her watch, and tried to be concise, "For example, a crime in the city center, no one is interested. It's already a norm, not news. What viewers want to see is crime spreading to the suburbs."

Murphy immediately realized, "So, the victims should preferably be wealthy whites, and it's best if they are harmed by the poor or minorities?"

Kara didn't answer but shrugged. Seeing that Murphy seemed to understand, she said, "To capture the essence of what we need, imagine our news as a woman screaming, running naked in the street, with her throat slit..."

"I get it," Murphy nodded forcefully, "We'll meet again."

With three hundred dollars and a newfound clarity, Murphy left the TV station. However, he didn't go home but drove to a 24-hour restaurant, ordering a plate of pasta and a grilled steak. From noon yesterday to now, he hadn't eaten anything and felt so hungry that he could eat a whole cow.

Sitting in a booth, Murphy kept his left hand in his pocket, gently touching the three hundred-dollar bills. Those who hadn't experienced hunger and hadn't been through what he had wouldn't understand how hard it was to earn money, nor would they have the complex feelings he had at that moment.

Having been in this world for over a year, coming from the other side of the Pacific, this was the first time Murphy had earned money. Although it was only three hundred dollars, it represented a way to stand on his own in this country, at least to feed himself with his own hands.

Only by filling his stomach and standing firm could he talk about dreams and aspire to enter Hollywood.

The texture of the bills brought a special feeling, and Murphy let out a long breath, as if his life had become a bit brighter.

The pasta and the fragrantly grilled steak were successively brought to the table. Murphy couldn't remember the last time he had eaten such delicious food. The meals in prison were not worth mentioning, and after his release, he had always lived below the poverty line. The two hundred dollars he had were from Ross's sponsorship. Finding a job was very difficult, and during this period, he had to stretch every penny. He ate the cheapest fast food and never enjoyed the taste of steak.

Picking up the knife and fork, he cut a small piece of steak, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly, closing his eyes in enjoyment. This was the most delicious food he had ever eaten, not just because of his poverty and hunger, but also because it had a taste of success.

After countless difficulties, Murphy finally earned his first money in this place. The bitterness and sweetness were all mixed in this piece of steak, and for a moment, his eyes almost moistened.

Murphy knew what he should do now was to continue breathing, because no matter what, the sun would rise tomorrow, and he would have to face this real world.

But he still wanted to enjoy this moment, this moment of tasting the fruits of success after countless trials!

Eating the steak and pasta very slowly without any waste, Murphy ordered a cup of coffee, treating it as a reward to himself. From tomorrow, he must strive for his future again.

During the meal, Murphy gradually formed a preliminary plan, especially after hearing what the woman named Kara had said, which undoubtedly pointed out a way to make a living.

Murphy wouldn't easily give up on Hollywood but understood that he needed to wait for the right opportunity. He could continue his predecessor's profession, shooting news footage to earn the money needed for life, then write scripts or apply for related jobs, looking for opportunities to truly enter Hollywood.

Standing firm in Hollywood is not easy, and Murphy now clearly understood this. His thoughts were more focused on professions that could sustain his living.

Although the woman named Kara didn't admit it, she gave enough hints. Combined with his experience of seeing various hype, Murphy knew that to obtain news footage that could sell for a high price, he first needed to consider whether the public was interested.

For example, bloody car accidents in bustling areas like Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood.

And as Kara said, crimes spreading from the city center to the suburbs.

The people living in the suburbs are not the working class but the truly wealthy in this country.

Don't ordinary people like to see the elite and the rich suffer?