[Chapter 474: A Man's Debt]
At the Coastal Building, Hawke had just arrived on the 16th floor when he received a call from Rooney Chasen.
"I'm at Harvard University," the public relations manager said, her ti tight and words brisk. "Natalie Portman just finished her speech at Harvard, and the content has shifted a bit."
Hawke assud sothing unexpected had occurred. "She changed her speech?"
There was so hesitation on Rooney's side before she replied, "Her speech was even more radical and extre than the draft we prepared."
Hawke relaxed. "That's good news."
He opened the office door and continued, "Your next task is to keep her holding that firm, extre stance for as long as possible."
"No problem," Rooney said confidently. "Although I can't quite figure out why, those views genuinely reflect Natalie Portman's real thoughts."
She hesitated, then added, "Honestly, I think she's an extrely intense woman herself."
Hawke pushed those thoughts aside. "Stick to the plan."
"Got it." Rooney quickly ended the call.
...
Hawke put away his cell phone and grabbed the landline to call Caroline. "Did you get the video of the news?"
Caroline answered, "Lareya just forwarded it over. I'm sending it to the team. It's being featured on the news headlines."
Hawke hung up and sat down in front of his computer to work and wait for Natalie Portman's news video.
---
San Francisco. Jennifer Siebel, glowing with recent happiness in love, had completely stepped away from acting. Every day, she was enjoying a wonderful life under the care of Gavin Newsom.
The bright November sunshine lent so warmth to the Bay Area.
Siebel sat by the seaside window with her laptop, scrolling through her Twitter feed full of selfies and a few pictures with Gavin.
People who felt happy often wanted to capture every little mont and share it with the world.
She posted her tweet for the day and suddenly noticed an intriguing news headline.
"Natalie Portman Claims Eating Eggs and Milk Exploits Won!"
Such a headline imdiately grabbed her attention.
Eggs and milk are common foods, so how could they be connected to exploiting won?
Curious, Siebel clicked to read the article.
"This morning at a celebration event at her alma mater, Harvard University, Natalie Portman delivered a speech to 10,000 alumni about protecting won's rights. She specifically spoke about combining won's rights with vegetarianism and called for society to go vegetarian to protect won."
Siebel absentmindedly glanced toward a distant cathedral and for so reason imagined that the crucifix at its peak held Natalie Portman, not Jesus.
Forget Jesus -- Even the Virgin Mary should be renad Saint Natalie.
The news was gripping, so she looked over the comnt section, which was nearly overflowing.
"Is Natalie Portman crazy? If according to her, fruits and grains co from female plants and can't be eaten either -- oh my god, I've discovered a shocking truth: humanity shouldn't eat any food and should just vanish!"
"I have a friend who's a vegan like Natalie. Whenever we eat together, she tries to convince that every piece of at on my plate carries the cries of animals. I can't help but retort, 'Doesn't cutting plants make them cry?'"
"This woman is nuts. Look at what she's saying -- that n owe won a massive debt from birth?"
"It's as if only won, by themselves, can give birth to offspring."
Argunts erupted wildly with no end in sight.
With each evolving version, this world was about to unfold a completely surreal scene.
After reading, Siebel felt uneasy and instinctively wanted to type a response.
Yet as her hands hovered over the keyboard, not a single word ca out.
Having spent nearly a year with Gavin, she noticed things.
...
When Gavin heard this, he felt relieved. If Siebel held the sa views as Natalie Portman, he would have had to reconsider their relationship.
The very thought of owing a huge debt from birth was terrifying -- who could handle that?
Siebel closed Twitter and told Gavin, "I think Natalie Portman's remarks will spark heated debates."
Gavin pointed to the laptop. "It's already started."
From her own perspective, Siebel reiterated a boundary: "Natalie Portman is desperate for attention."
"This will bring so trouble," Gavin checked his watch. "I'm making a call and heading out."
Siebel obediently replied, "Go ahead, don't mind ."
...
Gavin called Jerry Brown, urging him to check the Twitter news imdiately.
This could impact won's rights organizations.
Gavin left and t with assistant Gittens, then drove to a nearby old villa.
Jerry Brown had already watched the news video. His first reaction upon seeing Gavin was: "Is Natalie Portman so kind of undercover operative from the Los Angeles group trying to disrupt our pace and create internal conflict?"
Jerry, a traditional politician, didn't understand: "Isn't she supposed to be a smart Hollywood star? How can she say such ridiculously foolish things?"
Gavin explained briefly: "The so-called intelligence and education are part of the star's image. What matters is her real motives."
Jerry frowned, "She's pushing wild gender conflicts. If she keeps going, supporting groups like that will cost us male voters."
Gavin imdiately responded, "I've asked Fiona to issue a statent from the Feminist Majority Foundation criticizing Natalie Portman's remarks..."
"That's not right either," Jerry interrupted. "She definitely has a large group of supporters. If the Feminist Majority Foundation publicly attacks her, it could split the feminist movent, and internal battles would make them ineffective."
He chose a cautious approach: "Let's wait and see how public opinion develops."
Gavin nodded and added: "Michelle, the Feminist Majority Foundation leader, has returned to Los Angeles, preparing to stir things up there. If a crisis erupts, it will actually play into Natalie's extre positions."
Jerry said, "Then let's wait."
Gavin sensed that with San Francisco starting to officially get involved in the next governor's race, unexpected troubles were upon them.
He said, "I'll et Fiona and contact Michelle."
"Wait," Jerry stopped him. "Are you single now?"
Gavin replied, "I have a girlfriend -- Jennifer Siebel, you know her."
Jerry thought a mont and said bluntly, "If possible, marry her this year. For mature politicians, marriage is essential."
Gavin was puzzled: "Why suddenly push to marry?"
Jerry, recently worn out with blood pressure and heart issues, said, "Previously, we put forward for governor to compete against Arnold Schwarzenegger. For a political novice and traditional governor like Arnold, I was the better choice. But the situation's changed."
He sighed. "Reports from Sacranto confirm Arnold's stepping out to support Brian Ferguson. Our opponent's shifted from the traditional Arnold to the unpredictable Brian and Hawke Osnt."
Gavin understood but hoped Jerry would lead and take the heat. "You have the experience. You might not lose."
Jerry knew his limits. "I'm too traditional and conservative, can't adapt quickly enough to the new generation's tactics."
Mayor assistant Gittens glanced at Jerry, knowing his suggestion of strong asures had almost worsened tensions.
Jerry gripped Gavin's arm: "Only the new generation can handle this. I'm too old and don't understand their strategies or why forr villains can now win sympathy nationwide."
Gavin thought, neither do I.
He hesitated: "I lack experience."
Jerry stressed, "You switched from business to politics in 2003. Brian did the sa. You two are the new generation. California's future depends on you competing."
Gavin couldn't decide imdiately.
Jerry said, "I'll officially announce retiring from next year's governor race and recomnd you as the candidate."
Gavin hesitated, "I'll think it over."
Jerry nodded, "Reply as soon as possible."
Seeing Gavin resistant, he said, "I will."
Gavin needed to consult his father and the Pacific Electric Company and Getty family - fractured and weaker now, but still significant.
...
Gavin left the North Bay area to return to downtown San Francisco.
Along the way, he saw many feminists taking to the streets in support of Natalie Portman.
He called Fiona.
At the Feminist Majority Foundation's San Francisco branch, Fiona said, "Many are supporting spontaneously."
...
Since the Los Angeles fire, feminists had been heavily suppressed in their California stronghold. Even supporting voices faced harsh criticism.
This was all part of Hawke's orchestration.
The polarization was profitable for both extres, dividing the society.
Natalie Portman's remarks seed foolish and extre but hit a nerve with many.
These people praised her as a vanguard.
Won's dia especially exalted her.
The latest issue of Fashion magazine even swapped the cover from Johnny Depp to Natalie Portman.
Feature articles emphasized Natalie's Harvard speech.
Other magazines like Hello Girls and Pink swiftly crowned her a new symbol of modern womanhood.
After battles in the LGBTQ movent, feminists sought a leader figure like Steven Nutt, a true spiritual icon.
Natalie's Harvard speech perfectly answered that need.
...
Rooney Chasen, following Natalie closely and heading dia operations, kept delivering good news.
"Natalie, the largest West Coast feminist group, the Feminist Majority Foundation, has invited you to be their honorary president." Rooney cheerfully shared, "Five won's product companies also want you as spokesperson. You should have your agent contact them. Even if you refuse, it'll make a good impression."
Natalie asked, "Is it really having that effect?"
Rooney replied seriously, "Yes. New won see you as an idol." She handed over a pile of won's magazines. "Look at the headlines, they're all praising you. Your reputation is soaring."
Natalie quickly flipped through the papers, brightening with each page. Seeing so much praise naturally thrilled her.
Rooney dutifully noted, "Of course, there are critics, but they're not our audience and can be ignored."
Natalie said, "Thanks for your efforts."
Rooney suggested, "The Feminist Majority Foundation invitation ans we should head back to Los Angeles."
Natalie agreed.
This Hollywood star descended on her loyal Los Angeles as a feminist hero.
Naturally, so were stirring things to boost her rise.
The banner Hawke had created was now being hoisted to establish her as a 'goddess.'
Her news was everywhere on Twitter.
---
At the Coastal Building, Frank, dressed in a floral shirt and sandals, entered Hawke's office, amazed. "From a small company to a major corporation."
Hawke teased, "I guess I can finally enjoy the view at the top?"
Frank waved his hand, unusually genuine without pretending: "The position you hold was beyond my reach."
He admitted, "I used to be one of Hollywood's top producers but never made it to the very peak."
Edward couldn't help mockingly remark, "So you admit your limits?"
"Limits? Never!" Frank snapped back, back in boastful mode, "Ask the beach lifeguard girls. How many can I charm in one night!"
Hawke cut the banter, asking Frank, "How do you have ti to drop by today?"
Frank didn't answer directly but asked, "You staged the Natalie Portman thing, right? It's blown way up."
Hawke asked, "What's that got to do with anything?"
Frank elaborated, "I told you the beach lifeguard girls are all mbers of feminist groups. Since it's off-season at Venice Beach, they've all taken the day off to join Feminist Majority Foundation protests."
He shook his head. "Maybe I'm just old. I don't get your thods. Online, so many curse Natalie Portman, but the dia supports her, especially won, almost worshipping her."
Hawke said bluntly, "Because I'm a fan. I want her to be huge."
Frank didn't buy it. "She's going to make things harder for n. This morning, one girl told I owe her a debt!"
Edward, who'd known Hawke the longest and understood these movents, quickly added, "You're dood, old man! If you don't pay up, they'll accuse you of harassnt."
Frank slumped on the sofa, frustrated. "How am I supposed to enjoy life now?"
Hawke shrugged. "On the bright side, it'll boost Arica's GDP."
Frank caught that vibe: "Drugs and smuggling count toward GDP; n's debts to won should too."
He returned to the key issue: "You created this ss. Surely you have a purpose?"
Hawke said, "The more the feminists protest, the more n distance themselves. We might lose so support next year in California elections but gain more from n."
Frank offered a blunt truth: "Politics is essentially a n's ga." He'd also seen Arica's societal shifts.
Hawke was prepared: "Don't forget, we also have extre allies."
Frank surrendered, "Even the demons you want to use... Hawke, you're the real devil."
"Impossible," Hawke claid, convinced of his righteousness. "I'm just helping marginalized groups rejoin mainstream society."
Frank and Edward fell silent.
Can normal reintegration require such extres?
Hawke activated the big screen, showing Twitter live streams split between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Large numbers of activists marched the streets in support of Natalie.
Since the Los Angeles fire, feminists had been heavily repressed in their California base, their actions widely criticized.
Hawke told Edward, "Tell Steve: our extre asures can now begin."
*****
spatreon/Sayonara816.
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