[Chapter 72: Ability and Ambition]
In the area bordering West Los Angeles and Santa Monica on Wilshire Boulevard, a fierce argunt erupted in a standalone villa by the street, with the sounds of a man and a woman shouting coming through to the neighbors' hos. Accompanied by the sound of objects being smashed, Miller Collins was tossed out of his house by his wife.
His wife, Maria, shouted her intention to divorce him and told him to "go die."
Their daughter was still at ho, leaving Miller unable to do anything but get into his car and head out, irritated and choosing instead to drink at a nearby bar.
Bad luck tends to compound upon itself.
In the small bar, a large screen TV played Midnight Entertainnt, and Miller beca the center of attention.
The laughter of patrons echoed, and so even loudly asked how he felt.
Hiding his face in his hands, Miller ran out of the bar and sped off in his car.
He was speeding, drinking too much, and losing control of the vehicle, quickly drawing the attention of a patrol car from the LAPD.
When God closes one door, he surely seals another.
Miller was detained by the LAPD, taken for alcohol testing, and then charged with DUI, being temporarily held.
...
"From the video evidence, the person standing in the pool is undoubtedly Miller Collins, the San Diego Team's wide receiver."
On the TV screen, Midnight Entertainnt was airing the video Eric had taken, while host gan Taylor's voice provided comntary.
When Miller finally looked up and reached for his lips, she was noticeably taken aback: "Did he... consu the whole thing?"
In the West Coast studio, laughter erupted.
Hawke raised the can in his hand: "Congratulations, our news has hit the headlines again!"
Edward, Eric, and Frank clinked their drinks with him and joined in the celebration.
Eric watched the close-up of Miller Collins on the TV, and the frustration he'd been feeling evaporated instantly. He chugged half a can of beer, with the ideas bubbling up like a volcano breaking through the surface. ＲаꞐȯBЕṠ
"Guys, guys, listen!" He stood up, animated: "I've got an idea for our next project! This real-life experience has unleashed my entire artistic potential!"
Frank piped in, "You're not thinking of turning this into a movie, are you?"
Eric pointed at Hawke and Edward: "Their work is ordinary yet thrilling; they're natural movie stars! I must base a movie on Hawke's character; that's my mission as a director!"
Hawke burst out laughing: "Using as a model is fine, but don't ntion my na in any context."
Eric asked, "Don't you want royalties?"
Hawke shook his head: "By the ti you finish adapting that movie, I might not need the money anymore."
Eric didn't push: "I'll take your word for it."
Edward interrupted, "The news is on again."
Midnight Entertainnt aired the surveillance video.
"Our special correspondent who provided us with the news captured the footage you see here, but then the studio was invaded; four thieves rummaged through cheap CDs and tapes, but the LAPD arrived in ti, capturing them on the spot. Witnesses heard one of the suspects boast about having crossed a major figure in the sports world."
Earlier, they had seen Miller swallowing the milk, and with the video and gan's voiceover, anyone with half a brain would connect it to Miller Collins.
Once the video ended, the scene shifted back to the studio.
gan reported, "We've been in contact with Sheriff Lucio from the West LA division responsible for this case."
Sheriff Lucio filled half the TV screen and answered gan's questions: "All four suspects had prior records, and after interrogation, we've confird their identities. They all belong to the white gang known as the Dwarfs' Gang..."
After concluding the link, the screen transitioned to show clips of news articles.
gan continued, "Over the past few years, various dia outlets have reported on Miller Collins' ties to the Dwarfs' Gang."
There were nurous clippings, constantly flashing, proving the rumors were not unfounded.
They even showed Miller Collins' response, where he previously defended himself in the dia, claiming he was seen with a gang mber because they were childhood friends, purely a personal relationship.
As the segnt entered its final monts, gan Taylor specifically addressed the celebrity cri topic.
She brought up the deceased Robert Downey Jr., using him as a talking point for sensationalism.
The ratings for the program reached unprecedented levels.
"Celebrity and cri is a topic that inherently draws interest," Frank remarked, setting his can down: "This woman's doing great with the news; she's ambitious and capable."
Hawke stated honestly: "She's also quite daring. I've got a feeling she's aiming to shift towards social comntary."
As the program wrapped up, Frank prepared to leave, grabbing a bag to toss the empty cans inside: "Want to climb the ladder? I haven't kept up with Channel 11 for years, but if Roger Ailes interferes, heh... that could be trouble."
Hawke fully understood the aning behind those words.
Edward couldn't stand Frank's ego and chugged his beer, purposely tossing the empty can at him: "Sell it if you can; no need to thank ."
Frank was left speechless, struggling to form a retort and composed himself, taking the empty can with him.
Hawke turned off the TV, handing Edward a reassembled Taser: "You'll sleep downstairs tonight; do you know how to use this?"
"I can use it," Edward glanced at Eric, annoyed: "Why do I have to sleep downstairs?"
Hawke replied directly: "Put on so black clothes, make a dark bed on the floor. If soone really attacks us, they won't see you."
Edward protested: "So just because my skin is dark, I'm on the front line?"
Hawke pulled out a Glock handgun and grabbed a magazine, heading upstairs to sleep.
Eric was in high spirits, having drunk a lot, and Edward helped him upstairs to lie down, before returning to change into black clothes and pants.
...
At the Fox Television Center, Midnight Entertainnt just wrapped up their broadcast.
gan Taylor erged from her makeup session, only to be greeted by applause.
Picking up her pace, she turned a corner into the office area where everyone was clapping enthusiastically.
Claire rushed over, announcing, "The latest ratings are in; we've made it into the top five for all shows nationwide at the sa ti!"
A huge wave of joy crashed over gan, covering her mouth with her hands, utterly incredulous.
The entire team was applauding her.
"Thank you, thank you, everyone," gan pressed her hands down, exclaiming, "At the end of the month, we'll have a buffet party, and I'll cover it!"
The applause turned into cheers.
gan smiled as she returned to her office. Just as she sat down, the channel director Cynthia's phone call ca in.
"Congratulations, you did well," she said on the other end.
gan thanked her and said, "Director, I promised you I'd bring back the lost advertising revenue with our ratings."
"You did just that," Cynthia replied.
As gan hung up the phone, she felt a wave of relief wash over her; she'd managed amidst the pressure.
The show's success and material were noteworthy.
Quickly, gan picked up her phone and called Hawke.
"Need sothing?" he asked on the other end.
gan spoke softly, "Just wanted to congratulate us; our show's ratings have made the top five nationwide."
Hawke was blunt: "Will I get a bonus for that?"
gan laughed, enjoying the mont: "I'm planning to throw a party for the whole team; you can co too."
"Just call with the ti and place once it's set." Hawke then recalled sothing and reminded her: "That jerk has ties with the Dwarfs' Gang. Be cautious when you go out; watch out for him going crazy."
gan took his warning to heart. After work, she purposely walked to the parking lot with several male colleagues before driving ho.
...
The next day, entertainnt news, sports news, and even social comntary flooded with stories on Miller Collins.
Images of him with his head down and wiping his mouth were published on the front pages of major newspapers and magazines, presented as giant posters in the most eye-catching spots.
Five sponsors had issued announcents in succession, terminating all co-operations with Miller Collins and seeking to hold him accountable for breach of contract.
The San Diego Chargers halted its contract renewal negotiations with Miller Collins.
Hawke had Eric call a tabloid.
Starting with this tabloid, Miller Collins' new nickna spread across the country: "The Milk Drinker."
There were still points yet to resolve; the four mbers of the Dwarfs' Gang remained tight-lipped, taking the fall for everything.
Furthermore, there were forces within the LAPD that obstructed outcos.
Every well-known gang had to have legitimate influences backing them.
Maria Collins, after making a public appearance crying, suddenly went silent.
*****
/Sayonara816.
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