The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 365: Movie Adapted from the LA Fires]

On the very day that Hawke reached an agreement with Mehlman, he and Brian took a flight out of Washington, D.C.

In Hawke's own words, the winds in this place were too strong, and their strength wasn't yet formidable enough. They decided to return home first and solidify the benefits they had gained. As for Elizabeth Carter's suggestion about potential collaboration, that would require funding up front.

...

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Hawke convened a meeting with the company executives to discuss details regarding federal subsidies and policy support. He instructed Caroline to assemble a suitable team to head over to Washington to negotiate with the authorities.

After the meeting, Caroline, in her high heels, followed Hawke into the chairman's office. "The city of Los Angeles has a $330 million subsidy, planned to be spent on the Coast Tower and server upgrades. This money hasn't all been allocated yet, and now you've found new subsidies, half of which is cash. That's fantastic!"

Hawke gestured for her to sit as he replied, "The next four years are crucial for us. If we can't rapidly scale up and become a true internet giant, when the Democrats regain power in Los Angeles and California, Twitter will face significant challenges."

Caroline adjusted her custom blazer, a burst of crimson punctuating her outfit, and said, "Four years' time, let's turn California completely red."

"Southern California should be manageable, but Northern California is another story," Hawke cautioned, not wanting to sound overly optimistic.

While this caused a rift within the California Democrats, Barbara did not switch sides.

...

With thoughts of women's rights swirling in his mind, Hawke approached his office window and gazed out at Venice Beach. He grabbed a nearby pair of binoculars and held them up to his eyes.

As November ushered in cooler weather, the beach had seen a decline in tourists, making it easy to spot patches of bright red. These were the members of the beach rescue team clad in red swimsuits.

According to Frank, they were members of the Feminist Majority Foundation. Hawke recalled how, during the Los Angeles fire, Twitter had reported numerous instances of female firefighters struggling, plunging Los Angeles into greater disaster. It seemed as if these women were aiming at Twitter directly.

The Feminist Majority Foundation had gathered so many beautiful women near Twitter, perhaps hoping to test the executives.

Although they posed some challenges, Hawke was already prepared to use his influence. From the Los Angeles fires to the Ackerman family incident, and onto the election, these events had broadened his horizons and changed his perspectives on people and situations.

Everything connected directly to the resources one could control and utilize. When amassing a million-dollar fortune, one thought of cooperating with similar organizations to achieve win-win outcomes. With a ten-million-dollar fortune, one could mobilize resources to counter them. But once one's wealth soared to billions and commanded a vast media platform, they simply viewed such groups as tools to achieve their goals.

...

Caroline stepped closer, squinting at the distance, her busy work had taken a toll on her eyesight. "What are you looking at?"

Hawke handed her the binoculars, "See for yourself, those reds over there."

Caroline took the binoculars and scanned the beach, immediately spotting the red swimsuits. She frowned, "Terrible fashion sense."

She said playfully, "You've been in Los Angeles for two years, and that hasn't changed at all."

Hawke chuckled and replied, "Men only like one type."

Caroline scrutinized the styles of the red swimsuits closely, but she soon realized that those outfits were not appropriate for the office, given that she only interacted with the boss there.

Hawke ignored her musings and said, "According to Frank's intel, they're all members of the Feminist Majority Foundation."

Caroline remembered that organization, "We've collaborated with them before."

Hawke nodded, "That's right, it was back when I first arrived in Los Angeles. We partnered two or three times; the most interaction was around the Alison Faith tape incident."

"Recently, we've been standing against them." Caroline asked, "Are you a bit wary of them?"

Hawke waved his hand dismissively, "Not wary, more like... how to describe it? Facing this feminist front feels like encountering a stinking pile of dog shit; if you really put in the effort, you could crush them, but your shoe would get dirty, and it's just disgusting."

Caroline laughed, her voice ringing melodiously, "That description is spot on."

Hawke returned to his desk, "FMF sent them here, are they trying to annoy us? I need to find a way to make them annoy themselves."

Caroline moved to sit opposite him, "This is your specialty." She pulled out a document and placed it in front of Hawke, "The position for the chair of the charity foundation you wanted; here are three candidates. The final decision is up to you."

Hawke briefly skimmed through the options and said, "I'll have Edward call them."

Caroline was busy and said, "I'll head back now."

...

Hawke thoroughly reviewed the documents and passed them to Edward, instructing him to make the calls. If all went well, interviews would be held that afternoon.

After lunch, three candidates arrived one after another. Hawke personally conducted the interviews and ultimately chose a candidate named Pierce Madden as the acting chair of the Osment Charity Foundation.

On one hand, he had relevant experience; on the other, he had the recommendation of Jett Brown, the manager from the prestigious headhunting firm, Glimmer International.

Over the past year, Jett Brown had been instrumental in helping Twitter find top talent, and those he brought in were all capable.

Currently, the charity foundation was being managed by an intermediary, but as Hawke's income increased and the additional charity facilities from the Ackerman Charity Foundation were incorporated, the Osment Charity Foundation was bound to become a tangible entity.

When Twitter moved to the Beach Tower, which consisted of four floors, half would serve as the charity's office. The other half would belong to a shell company, West Coast Environmental Technologies.

This company acted as a legitimate intermediary, siphoning off budget from Los Angeles city. Once Brian stepped down from the mayoral role, the West Coast Environmental Technologies would fulfill its mission.

However, unlike the money-burning Twitter, this company would bring in substantial cash flow for Hawke.

---

After several days of busyness, Tom Cruise and Eric Emerson came to visit Twitter. Hawke met with them in the reception area.

Tom Cruise laughed and embraced Hawke, "Long time no see, my friend."

Hawke smiled back, "A lot has happened since we last met."

"Indeed," Tom Cruise replied with a hint of unease, "The fire nearly destroyed Los Angeles."

Eric Emerson pinched his nose, "The ash triggered my nasal allergies. Even now, I still feel like the air in Los Angeles is filled with floating ashes."

Hawke nodded, "It was extremely dangerous. I hired two private firefighting teams to be on call 24/7 near the office."

The trio discussed the Los Angeles fires, and Eric suddenly had an epiphany, saying, "This fire was so devastating, an unprecedented event in Los Angeles's history, and quite rare in American history as well. The entire process was filled with drama."

Hawke sensed the idea brewing in his old friend's mind and asked, "Are you thinking of adapting it into a movie?"

"Absolutely, adapting it into a film," Eric said with enthusiasm. "When the fire broke out, I was in Los Angeles. It got alarmingly close to my studio, less than five kilometers away. I drove into the fire zone personally and witnessed the intense scene of destruction first-hand."

He sheepishly admitted, "Sorry, I know that description might not be suitable. I filmed a lot of footage, and in those windswept flames, there was a kind of breathtaking beauty that felt like the end of the world, truly astonishing."

Tom Cruise pondered the matter, "This fire is a scar that will not fade in our era, especially with the wild missteps that occurred during it."

Eric chimed in, "This situation itself is full of dramatic tension; everything that transpired was a collection of blunders."

Hawke, inspired by Eric's comments, saw a golden opportunity.

Eric continued, "Many homes belonging to Los Angeles stars, directors, producers, and executives turned to ashes in the fire. They particularly detested those who contributed to the chaos. If we could produce this film and submit it during awards season, it would have a natural edge."

Tom Cruise, having been in Hollywood for over twenty years with his own production company, had a keen sense for these matters. He remarked, "Over forty percent of Academy members reside in Los Angeles."

Hawke thought more broadly. Such a film would serve as excellent publicity, keeping interest alive for a long time.

If California, especially Los Angeles, turned blue again, Twitter would face considerable challenges. Preventing the Democrats' resurgence aligned with Twitter's interests.

Hawke declared, "The Los Angeles fire was a disaster, but it was also a man-made calamity. From former Mayor Antonio to the various failures of the fire department and the incompetence of city planners, each should be etched in history's shame. All Angelenos and Californians should revile them."

Suddenly, Tom Cruise thought of something crucial, "The fire department was entangled with feminist organizations. Even if we try to replicate the news footage precisely, those extremists will surely cause us trouble."

He pointed out a reality, "In their view, there's no reasoning or even legality; they see themselves as existing above all else in society."

Eric, who had only moved to Los Angeles in early 2003, didn't feel particularly affected by it all,

"Are we giving up just because of this small group?"

Tom Cruise, backed by significant forces, didn't want to provoke those groups.

Eric wore a frown of confusion.

Hawke believed that creating the film would have far-reaching effects, even if it resulted in nothing at the Oscars.

Eric's film Nightcrawler had received considerable acclaim, demonstrating his exceptional skill in adaptation and filmmaking.

*****

/Sayonara816.