The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 222: Can't Drop the Ball

[Chapter 223: Can't Drop the Ball]

On Ocean Park Avenue, at the Twitter office building, Caroline and Sasha arrived with their assistants at a small meeting room. Once they entered, they discovered that in addition to Hawke and Edward, there was also Tom Cruise sitting there.

Both assistants felt a bit excited; after all, the biggest star in Hollywood for the past twenty years was right in front of them. Caroline gave a strict look toward them, and the assistants immediately quieted down.

Hawke was flipping through a notebook in front of him when he looked at Edward and said, "Please brief us on the basics."

Edward turned on the projector, and the Twitter interface appeared, showing the list of accounts they followed. It was the official Twitter account of the Cedar-Sinai Hospital's ALS re

Just after 9:30, an ordinary business van pulled up outside the institute. Tom Cruise opened the back door and stepped out with his assistant.

Dr. Kurt immediately approached and shook Tom Cruise's hand.

Flashes from cameras lit up the scene.

Inside the van, Hawke looked out at the tinted windows and told Edward, "Let's go to the side entrance."

Edward steered the vehicle to the side, and the two got out of the business van, changed into the prepared volunteer vests and ID tags, and through Dr. Kurt's assistant, they quickly blended in with Tom Cruise and his group.

...

Tom Cruise was a competent actor. When he first entered the institute, he appeared relaxed.

However, once Dr. Kurt began showing him around the wards, he became increasingly serious, displaying a somber expression after visiting a few patients.

Tom Cruise then went to meet the fan in the hospital room and fulfilled her dreams of taking a photo and getting an autograph with him.

He also encouraged the girl to bravely fight her illness.

With a pre-agreed script, combined with Tom Cruise's acting skills and star power, the atmosphere of the event was particularly warm.

The girl was so moved that she began to cry.

Tom Cruise consistently cheered her on, like a hero suddenly appearing in her life.

Not only Hawke, the planner, but also the media personnel present, as well as Dr. Kurt and others, all knew that this was a show. Yet, they also knew that such a performance could help these patients.

The doctors and patients at the institute were very cooperative with Tom Cruise's visit, having been informed of the plan in advance by Hawke.

As far as the visiting segment was concerned, it deserved full marks.

...

At the conclusion, there was a donation ceremony, where Tom Cruise donated DVDs of all the films he had starred in, along with a charitable fund.

This was typical for such events.

Everything appeared to be well arranged.

But Hawke had prepared a twist.

Just in front of the institute, at the end of the donations, Tom Cruise faced the cameras of numerous media reporters and, recalling the script Caroline had written, said excitedly, "Just under an hour ago, a 12-year-old girl told me she would not give up, even if all she could do was blink to express her thoughts! Such strength is admirable!"

He looked at Dr. Kurt and the others, "Here, I see that everyone wants to help them. The doctor told me that illness may freeze their bodies, but it cannot freeze hope! We are their hope, and hope comes from the caring and assistance of more people!"

At a critical moment, Tom Cruise didn't forget the script and continued, "My power alone is limited, but I am willing to step up to help them, to bring them more hope. I have decided to establish an ALS charity foundation, a completely open charity foundation, to assist all ALS patients!"

*****

/Sayonara816.