The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 396 - 396: Equal Rights Vs Privilege

[Chapter 396: Equal Rights Vs Privilege]

On a weekend afternoon, Edward sped along Highland Avenue in his brand new bulletproof Mercedes.

As he approached Hollywood Boulevard, the road became congested with the increasing number of vehicles.

Hawke turned on the car radio, tuning into the traffic channel, where the hosts reported the real-time road conditions.

With the Oscars looming, Hollywood Boulevard was partially closed, allowing only pedestrians, while vehicles were not permitted to pass.

Hawke had already reserved a spot to catch all the action.

As they neared the intersection, Edward pulled into an underground parking garage. They got out and rode the elevator to a nearby hotel, heading straight to the rooftop restaurant on the top floor.

The place was packed that afternoon, bustling with people eager to witness the Oscar excitement.

Hawke had booked the best booth, offering a view of the entire intersection where the Kodak Theatre stood.

...

As Edward sat down and ordered two cups of tea, he looked below and exclaimed, "They are here! They are here!"

Hawke opened his briefcase and took out two binoculars, handing one to Edward.

Edward scratched his head and smiled, saying, "You really came prepared."

Hawke pointed out a row of heavy tanks and said, "The feminists brought in heavy artillery, and the LGBTQ+ group has deployed biochemical weapons, a whole squad of bioweapons."

---

The LGBTQ+ group marched along Hollywood Boulevard, approaching from the other side.

The hired security personnel were on high alert, with multiple LAPD squad cars arriving and blocking the intersection.

Even the enthusiastic fans waiting on either side of the red carpet turned to see what was happening.

Media reporters seemed pumped up, as if they had been injected with excitement, abandoning the red carpet in favor of chasing after what could be a big story.

Anyone who had followed the lead-up to this year's Oscars was aware that there had been nearly ten confrontations between the two sides already.

In such an atmosphere, it was like a collision of planets.

...

Among the LGBTQ+ contingent, someone shouted, "Where are the flags? Where are the banners? Where are the posters? Get them up!"

With a flurry of activity, dozens of huge flags, multiple banners, and dozens of posters were raised on Hollywood Boulevard.

"Oscar is unfair, rejecting LGBTQ+ films!"

"Investigate the Oscar's dark side!"

"Protest Oscar's discrimination against LGBTQ+!"

"The tragedy of cinema, the Oscars lack inclusiveness!"

Many were also holding large posters of Brokeback Mountain, which bore phrases like "Best Picture at the Oscars."

In addition to supporting LGBTQ-themed films, they protested against those they believed had undermined them.

Leading the front row, a Black activist held up a flag targeting another film.

"Winning the Oscar for Million Dollar Baby would be a disgrace!"

"A movie that reeks from start to finish!"

...

On the other side, the feminists also raised their flags, banners, and posters.

Both sides, without coordination, not only rallied for their own supported films but also launched fierce attacks against each other.

The feminist signs and banners were particularly aggressive.

"Perverted crowd!"

"A bunch of troublemakers!"

...

As the two groups moved closer, about to clash, the LAPD, prepared for the situation, formed two walls with their police vehicles and riot shields.

But nothing could quell the determination of these archrivals to attack each other.

Profanity flew from both sides as garments, bottles, and eggs were hurled back and forth.

In the midst of the chaos, even the red carpet segment of the Oscars was affected.

With reporters and filmmakers from around the world present, the LAPD hesitated to use force to disperse the crowds.

...

At the Feminist Majority Foundation, the Vice President, Jenna, implemented Fiona's advice to draw fire, sending a capable battalion of Black and White women through a side alley to flank the nearby Mattachine Society.

Simultaneously, the Vice President of the Mattachine Society, Lawrence, agreed with Rosa's idea and dispatched a biochemical strike team through a side alley to hit the Feminist Majority Foundation.

The strongest fighters from both sides were sent out, each taking different alleyways, successfully flanking the other.

Before long, a line of bulky tanks nearly a meter wide charged into the LGBTQ+ camp.

They overwhelmed the regular LGBTQ+ group in terms of weight, impact, and fighting spirit.

The LGBTQ+ members were forced to drop their flags, posters, and banners in retreat.

Yet the harsh realities faced for decades had forged their resilience, and although they were in disarray, they held on.

...

Separated by the two lines of LAPD officers holding riot shields, the Feminist Majority Foundation burst into laughter as Vice President Jenna praised her counterpart Fiona.

However, the cheer didn't last two minutes before nearly a hundred individuals, primarily Black women with visibly splotchy skin, surged out of a nearby alley.

The red spots on their skin were alarming.

For the Black women, it was less evident but still unsettling.

The first Black woman charged forward, laughing uproariously, shouting, "I have late-stage AIDS!"

Another person echoed, "I have syphilis!"

These voices sent the feminist crowd running, fearing the unpredictable outbreak.

In contrast, the LGBTQ+ community could only crumble under the heavy tank assault, leading to a complete rout.

...

Under the cameras of many reporters, the fighters again proved they were only formidable with their words.

The biochemical squad yelled, and the Feminist Majority Foundation broke apart.

Many sobbed, pleading, "I am a woman, you can't attack women!"

"Women deserve privileges!"

The leading bioweapon fighters only shot back, "Who's not a woman here?"

The biochemical squad completely dispersed the fighters, shifting back to support their own team, launching a joint attack with the heavy tank force.

The intersection descended into chaos.

...

In a nearby command police car, the commanding sheriff sat sipping coffee with calm composure.

An officer beside him inquired, "Chief, are we just going to sit back?"

The LAPD had dealt with these two groups numerous times before and learned key lessons. The sheriff replied, "Both sides are troublesome. Let them tear at each other until they're exhausted. We'll step in to clean up the mess. It'll be quick work."

The officer nodded, understanding, "Let them fight it out for now!"

The sheriff smiled knowingly while continuing to savor his coffee.

...

At the end of the red carpet in front of the Kodak Theatre, many guests preparing to step onto it were curiously looking toward the unfolding events.

Americans were more or less accustomed to the commotion over the past months.

However, the international filmmakers stood wide-eyed in disbelief.

Christophe Barratier, the director of The Chorus, shook his head repeatedly, commenting to producer Gerard Junau, "I haven't been to Los Angeles for just two or three years, and it feels like a completely different city. Don't you think it's starting to resemble Paris?"

Gerard Junau agreed, "I can't even fathom what this city has been through to make it feel like its 18th and 93rd districts in Paris."

---

The masterminds behind pushing this city toward greater freedom and democracy sat in a high booth, savoring an exquisite afternoon tea while enjoying the beautiful street views.

Hawke watched on with great satisfaction, realizing California's largest LGBTQ+ and women's rights organizations were now easily influenced by him.

The more they trained, the more useful they became.

Edward picked up the teapot, pouring tea for Hawke, saying, "In a real face-off, the feminists don't stand a chance. They lose so quickly every time."

Hawke replied, "Today's LGBTQ+ community is fighting for equal rights, but feminists are seeking privilege; their general mindset is to enjoy the privileges while letting others fight the hard battles. Together they can throw words, but when it comes down to real confrontation, this outcome is not surprising."

He then glanced at the chaotic scene at the intersection, watching the Feminist Majority Foundation scatter in all directions, like headless chickens running away.

"Do you think they have privileges?"

Edward looked puzzled, asking, "Boss?"

Most of the Feminist Majority Foundation had fled, and the remaining members acted quite wisely, retreating.

The LGBTQ+ members of the Mattachine Society took control of the intersection, and the atmosphere quickly quieted.

Hawke continued, "To keep Los Angeles and all of America stirred up, these organizations can't be allowed to dominate. Only with evenly matched forces clashing can we all gain from it."

Edward scratched his head, "It feels complicated."

...

The red carpet ceremony, which had been interrupted in chaos, began again outside the Kodak Theatre. Due to the delay, staff urged the guests to quicken their pace.

In many ways, the Mattachine Society and the Feminist Majority Foundation stole the Oscars' spotlight.

The latter didn't lose in this battle either, for as the media reported, their fame increased.

Hawke noticed Tom Cruise stride down the red carpet and into the Kodak Theatre, drained his tea, and stood up, saying, "Savior, let's go."

Edward followed suit, and they made their way down, exiting the parking garage.

On the road, they could still see scattered fighters leaving in disarray.

*****

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