After a few days of peace, John Brown was chatting idly with the security guards in the company lobby when suddenly the harsh sound of police sirens erupted outside, and it seed like more than one vehicle was involved, indicating sothing serious had happened.
"Boss, what’s going on, is there a big case?"
John Brown glanced outside and said, "Who knows?" His mind couldn’t help but think of Helen Wilson. She hadn’t been in touch for so ti, as if she was investigating so case. Could this have sothing to do with her?
"Boss, boss, sothing big has really happened!" One of the security guards rushed to the door of the monitoring room, shouting.
John Brown imdiately went into the monitoring room where there was a TV broadcasting live footage of a kidnapping scene.
"Dear viewers, an important robbery and hostage situation has occurred inside the YODC City Museum. The police have surrounded the museum. We do not yet know the specifics, but we will do our utmost to bring you the most direct reports from the front line."
In the TV, Alice Brown was holding a microphone, surprisingly acting as a reporter. This puzzled John Brown, as he thought Alice Brown was a host, so why was she now on-site as a reporter?
The security guards in the monitoring room were also puzzled. One of them said, "Isn’t Alice Brown our company’s image ambassador? And shouldn’t she be a host? It’s unusual for her to be doing on-site reports."
But Alice Brown did not address these issues in her report, and continued: "This ti, the YODC City Museum has exhibited several priceless antiques, which caught the attention of a group of criminals. They reportedly have powerful weapons and went directly into the museum to rob it, but they were detected by our police, resulting in a shootout. So far, three heroic police officers have sacrificed their lives, but the criminals have been surrounded in the museum. They’ve taken dozens of visitors as hostages, along with so museum staff, and the situation is extrely critical."
Under normal circumstances, after such incidents occur, the police would impose a news blackout. If the case remains unresolved, the police would bear huge responsibility, and governnt departnts wouldn’t want things to escalate. If it becos a bigger issue, upper authorities would investigate, causing trouble for many. Yet Alice Brown dared to report on this, whether it was because the local TV station had integrity or the higher-ups hadn’t had ti to intervene, remained uncertain.
However, when Alice Brown and the other journalists arrived at the museum entrance, they could go no further, as the police had completely sealed off the area, allowing no one to enter.
Alice Brown and her caraman moved to an apartnt building opposite the museum, using a cara from a high vantage point to capture the scene inside the museum.
As the cara zood in, the TV screen displayed a group of people squatting on the ground, each holding their heads. They were in a courtyard of the museum, but no criminals were visible, indicating the criminals were quite professional, not exposing themselves to sniper rifles, but these people squatted there shivering, suggesting criminals were nearby.
Such tense scenes left the security guards wide-eyed. They were all military veterans, but just ordinary soldiers without experiencing real combat in peaceful tis. Participating in exercises was already a feat, and seeing such situations seems like sothing only seen in old movies.
But John Brown frowned when he saw the group of hostages, because among them was Helen Wilson, not in uniform, and he couldn’t figure out how she ended up there. Despite holding her head like the others, she was stealthily glancing around, clearly not one to sit idly by, as if planning sothing.
John Brown could choose to ignore the situation, however, seeing Helen Wilson there, he couldn’t stand idly by. He told a few security guards he was going out, then hailed a cab to near the museum, and quickly made his way to where Alice Brown was.
Alice Brown was with a caraman, who was tensely holding a cara and excitedly said to Alice Brown, "Alice, don’t ss around. We’re just here to capture scenes, not risking our lives. If you want to go, go. I’m not going with you."
Alice was anxious and said, "Brother Clark, if we climb that big tree over there, we can get better shots. This is first-hand information."
"Sorry, I won’t take that risk. I earn just a couple thousand a month, not worth risking my life. You saw earlier, a criminal had a gun. If they discover us, they’d shoot dead."
John Brown spoke up, "Alright, Alice, I’ll be your caraman."
Alice turned around and upon seeing John Brown, she joyously said, "Big Brother Brown, why are you here?"
John Brown chuckled, "I saw this exciting event on TV, so I ca to join the fun."
Alice didn’t quite believe John Brown, but with the caraman there, she didn’t press further. She turned to the caraman and said, "Since you don’t want to take this risk, I’ll go with my friend."
The caraman hesitated and said, "The cara can’t be damaged. If it is, I can’t afford to pay."
"Don’t worry, if it gets damaged, I’ll cover it. Besides, if any honors are due from capturing any footage, you’ll still receive them." Alice didn’t know why John Brown was there but was confident that John Brown wasn’t seeking fa. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have kept a low profile for so many years. Moreover, to soone like John Brown, small honors ant nothing, so she made the decision for him.
The caraman was secretly pleased upon hearing this. Such a dangerous thing, if reported in ti, would indeed be a great achievent. And now he didn’t have to take the risk. Though it seed unscrupulous, since others were willing, he wouldn’t risk such danger for his dead salary.
Once the caraman left, Alice imdiately asked excitedly, "Big Brother Brown, what are you up to?"
John Brown pointed below and said, "I’m here to see if I can help."
"Oh, Big Brother Brown, you’re actually here to help!" Alice’s eyes lit up, but quickly turned concerned, saying, "Big Brother, there are many criminals below, and people wielding guns. Even the special forces have arrived but haven’t found a solution."
John Brown smiled, "Yes, it is indeed challenging, but let’s observe first." He picked up the cara.
John Brown sought Alice for her cara. The cara’s lens was akin to a telescope, which would help him understand the museum’s layout as he was unfamiliar with YODC City Museum. If he wanted to enter, he’d have to grasp the situation fully. Even if he were strong, it would be suicidal to charge into the enemy’s firing range ignorantly.
Watching John Brown skillfully handle the cara, Alice found it interesting and asked, "What are you looking at?"
John Brown casually replied, "Not much, just that such a thrilling event naturally looks clearer with a cara."
"But I’m supposed to do a live broadcast. Just filming the inside won’t work; you have to film too so I can explain to the viewers."
John Brown laughed, "I forgot about that."
Alice quickly instructed him on how to operate it, and they coordinated to report the scene’s current situation. However, she couldn’t capture more detailed information from here and could only say it remained a standoff.
Just after their live broadcast concluded, several police officers charged up and directly escorted them down the building. Alice being a notable figure recognized by the police spared them from being detained as the special forces had also thought of using the rooftop for sniper positions.
After descending, Alice pouted and asked John Brown, "What now? We can’t capture the scene."
John Brown shrugged, "If we can’t, we can’t. We’ll just watch the excitent from outside. Once there’s an outco, we can film it."
"But there won’t be first-hand information." Alice appeared sowhat disappointed.
John Brown turned to Alice and asked, "Why did you suddenly beco a reporter?"
Alice smiled slightly, "I initially joined the TV station wanting to be a reporter, but unexpectedly beca a host due to twists of fate. Today, the station’s reporters weren’t available, and with such a major event, I seized the opportunity to fulfill my dream as a temporary reporter."
Pausing, Alice eagerly looked at John Brown and said, "Unexpectedly, my first ti as a reporter, I got to work alongside you. It’s truly thrilling!"
"Haha, I’m honored. However, not having first-hand info is unsatisfactory. Should we figure out a way to blend in?"
"Really?" Alice’s eyes widened, looking at John Brown.
John Brown squinted his eyes, "Of course, head to that building over there and wait. I’ll be back soon."
Alice promptly nodded in agreent. John Brown escorted her to a governnt office building. Many people had gone outside to watch the museum’s situation, leaving the building relatively empty.
John Brown left Alice there, leaving the cara with her, and then went outside. Minutes later, he returned carrying two bags.
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