HBWnovel Chapter 102: I Would Pay Any Price
Chapter 102: I Would Pay Any Price
[Chapter 103: I Would Pay Any Price]
Century City, Beverly Business Club.
Hawke, dressed in a sharp suit, arrived at the door with his aide Edward and asked the receptionist a question.
The pretty receptionist led the two to a private room.
Caroline was sitting outside the room with an Hermes bag, sporting a strange look on her face.
Hawke noticed her expression and asked, "What's up? Did you accidentally eat some shit?"
"Hey, you country bumpkin!" Caroline snapped, "I'm trying to introduce business for you; can you be a bit respectful?"
Hawke feigned respect, asking, "What's the deal? Who's the client? You didn't say when I called."
Caroline was deliberately withholding, taking the lead, "You'll know when you get inside."
...
Hawke followed her into the room and, to his surprise, found himself facing Josh Hartnett.
What a small world.
Caroline, trying to stifle her laughter, introduced the two, clearly pleased with herself.
They shook hands and took their seats.
Will jumped straight to the point, "Hawke, I don't know if you've been following the news about Josh. He's in a lot of trouble; he's been cut from three projects in a row."
He detailed the situation Josh had faced that morning, alongside some recent trouble including issues with his Black girlfriend.
After Johnson signed his contract, Hawke had finished that business and tossed it aside.
Who would've thought that the failed party would seek him out for help, not to cause trouble but rather for crisis PR?
What a mess!
Hawke quickly adjusted himself and remarked, "Getting a Black girlfriend isn't a bad way to go, but it needs to be long-term. A short-term relationship could lead to public backlash, where critics deride you for merely having a Black girlfriend."
Josh sighed, "That's right." He added with a hint of disappointment, "The other side has publicly stated we're just friends."
Hawke said directly, "Actually, your PR manager's method wasn't wrong. If you keep at it, even if all else fails, a staged marriage could help deflect this incident from public attention, and then you could gradually make your return."
"That would take too long," Josh said impatiently. "Hollywood is too competitive. Hundreds or thousands of people compete for each spot; many have better acting skills than me. My past luck was just coincidence, and it'd be hard to strike lightning twice."
He had seen countless stars rise and fall: "It's too hard to get famous again."
Hawke understood now, "You want to shake off the negatives in a short time and create some buzz to re-enter the public and media's eye, right?"
"Exactly," Josh replied, but having seen Steve Nutt earlier, he wished for more. "If I could be a unique symbol like Steve Nutt and become synonymous with discussions, that would be perfect." R̃????ɴÖ????Ęş
Will looked at Josh, doubting that request's feasibility.
Even at his peak, when was released, Josh's media impact was average, primarily focused on negative perceptions like lacking skills and the vacant look in his eyes.
Hawke was deep in thought.
If time were extended, this wouldn't be difficult at all, but the closer Josh got to the issues related to his race, the more backlash he would face.
After a moment's contemplation, Hawke couldn't help but curse internally: what a mess!
Wasn't he digging his own grave?
Hawke stated, "Becoming a unique symbol like Steve Nutt won't be that easy."
Josh's star dream ignited once more with Will's encouragement: "I'm willing to pay any price!"
Hawke shook his head. "It won't get that serious."
Will chimed in, "Fans and audiences are forgetful -- if we take it slow, one day they'll forget about Josh's trouble and forget about him, especially since he's just a new star, not an A-lister."
Hawke pondered for a moment before saying, "Here's the deal: you provide me with comprehensive material on Josh, including his personal background, past films, connections in the industry, and dating history, the more detailed the better."
On their way here, Will had asked Caroline, and he learned that Hawke himself had catapulted Steve Nutt to his current status.
Without hesitation, he said, "Give me some time to prepare."
Josh felt a sense of hope: "Can you really do that?"
Hawke laid out his conditions, "I'll review your materials and think of a solution. If I can create a plan, I'll reach out to discuss signing a contract; otherwise, I'll return the materials without any charge."
Josh found that very reliable: "Okay."
Hawke exchanged contact information with both of them before leaving the Beverly Club.
Josh and Will left first in their cars.
...
After they'd left, Hawke turned to Caroline and said, "Miss Baa, come with me."
Caroline clutched her Hermes handbag to her chest, "What do you want?"
Hawke pulled out a $5 bill, handing it to her, "Let's chat about a $5 topic."
Caroline took the money, following him to a shaded area where she stated, "Don't misunderstand; I'm just trying to introduce business for you."
Her eyes sparkled with dollar signs, "If you land this deal, don't forget my commission."
"I'll deliver," Hawke replied as he glanced at her red heels. "I'll chop off your red hooves and make a soup for you."
Caroline bristled, "I'm genuinely trying to help you grab clients..."
Hawke cut her off: "Oh really? You seem more interested in watching the show."
Caroline laughed, enjoying herself: "I just want to see how you dig your own hole and then climb back out."
Hawke wasn't joking: "Do you have any ideas?"
Out of nowhere, Edward chimed in, "Take him to Compton to streetwalk, specifically catering to Black clients, then film it..."
"You can shut up," Caroline interjected. "Time is the best remedy, but he's too impatient."
Hawke stated, "He's a star; right now, he's a fallen star. Seeing Steve's presence and charisma, being envious and jealous could lead to a warped mindset -- that's normal."
With Steve drawn into the conversation, Caroline sought to add her thoughts: "Since becoming a champion for rights, Steve's performance has declined on the field."
Hawke shrugged, "That's beyond my control; my contract with Steve has ended."
Caroline pivoted back to Josh: "What've you thought of?"
Hawke shook his head, "Not yet; don't worry; if I think of something, I won't give you a commission. This is a business introduced by Steve."
Money meant everything to her. "I only want five percent."
Hawke successfully maneuvered his leverage, saying, "If I use your skills, I'll personally pay your stakes."
Caroline quickly avowed, "I'm on call for anything."
...
Hawke sent her away before getting into the Mondeo, instructing Edward to drive back while sitting in the passenger seat, deep in thought.
Without debating difficulty or ease, a client had come to the door, and with anything possible, he must work to strike a significant deal.
Once the two returned to the studio, Edward received a call from a news tipster, asking him to head out and shoot some photos.
Hawke conducted an internet
"Follow me," Hawke signaled toward the business vehicle as they drove into Koreatown, turning into a nearby community with their car stopping behind a clinic.
Hawke stepped out to knock, and an Asian mixed boy opened the door.
Hawke didn't waste his breath, handing over two $100 bills: "There's a patient -- he's homeless."
The mixed-race boy opened the door, eyed Campos tightly, checking his forehead before lifting his eyelids and gesturing, "There's a wheelchair behind the door; just roll him inside."
Hawke positioned the wheelchair beside the van.
The big and small men assisted in lifting Campos onto the wheelchair.
The Asian pointed at the first two men, adding, "They look too scary; wait outside."
Hawke had them wait in their car as he accompanied Edward into the clinic.
On Campos's leg, a wound was badly infected from a lack of treatment, which had recently worsened with hot weather inducing a fever.
Fortunately, it wasn't a critical situation.
*****
/Sayonara816.