Chapter 53: Accusations of Racism
John and Wayne, both wearing confused expressions, followed Jimmy back into the small meeting room. Jimmy grabbed the remote, turned on the television, and switched to NBC News.
"This is an NBC News exclusive. Moments ago, actress Halle Berry gave a shocking interview, alleging that young director Wayne Garfield sexually harassed her—and also displayed blatant racial discrimination.
Garfield, fresh off the massive success of his low-budget breakout film Happy Death Day—which grossed $120 million worldwide on a $1 million budget—now faces serious allegations that could end his career before it truly begins.
Is Hollywood's newest wunderkind actually a sexual predator and a racist? Let's go live to our reporter, who just interviewed Halle Berry."
The scene cut to the interview.
"Ms. Berry, did you say that Director Garfield sexually harassed you and made racist remarks?"
Halle Berry's tone was firm and deliberate:
"Yes. It happened right inside the director's office at Warner Studios…"
"If I may interrupt," the reporter asked with rehearsed concern, "can you explain why you were at his office?"
Halle Berry gave a shy, hesitant smile, looking down for dramatic effect.
"Director Garfield asked me to come in for a second audition. He said my first try hadn't gone well and that he wanted me to try again…"
"And what happened next? Why do you say it was harassment and racism?"
She paused, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
"He told me to undress. To kneel at his—"
She stopped herself, lowering her eyes again.
The reporter leaned in sympathetically.
"It's alright, Halle. Be strong. The public deserves to know what happened. Your fans need to see the truth behind this man's image."
With a deep breath, Halle turned to the camera and said:
"He said that if I was obedient, if I served him, I could have the role. But I refused. I want to earn roles through hard work—not by degrading myself."
She paused again, collecting herself.
"When I said no, he tried to tear off my clothes. I escaped before he could touch me."
"And then?" the reporter coaxed gently.
"Then… he called me a nigger. A filthy nigger! And he said if I walked out of his office, he'd make sure every agency in town blacklisted me. He said I'd never act in a movie again!"
SLAP!
Jimmy slammed the remote onto the table, turning off the TV.
Wayne's face was pale, his expression slowly turning from disbelief to pure rage.
"That f**king liar!" he growled. "What the hell is this?!"
It took him a moment to truly process what was happening—but the implication was clear. This wasn't just a scandal. This was a hit job.
"Wayne," John said seriously, locking eyes with him. "I need to know the truth—right now. Did you do any of what she said? I have to know what we're really dealing with before we can talk PR strategy."
Wayne took a breath, steadying his voice.
"No. I didn't. I'm not that desperate, John—not even close."
He shook his head firmly.
"Yes, she came to my office. But everything she said is a lie. I pushed her away when she tried something, and now she's spinning it the other way around. I swear I never touched her."
In America, you can smoke weed, sleep around, even insult senators or the President—but racism?
That's career suicide.
Especially in Hollywood, the heart of progressive public opinion. Once you're labeled a racist, you're done. No audience, no investors, no second chances. The box office doesn't forgive bigotry.
Wayne knew it.
This wasn't just a personal attack—it was a carefully calculated ambush aimed at destroying him.
Chapter 53: Accusations of Racism (Please Bookmark & Recommend)
Jimmy, still flushed from sprinting all the way from the studio gates, looked at Wayne with an uncertain expression after switching off the TV.
"Wayne, seriously—did you do anything to her? You need to be completely honest with me. This is huge. It could ruin your entire career."
Wayne took a long drag from his cigarette, the weight of the situation sinking in.
"I didn't do anything. I need a moment to think—alone."
He waved them off.
"John, please inform the crew—we're wrapping for the day. We'll resume tomorrow."
John and Jimmy exchanged a glance before quietly exiting, leaving Wayne alone in the meeting room.
Outside, Jimmy gave John a quiet warning:
"Tell the crew to avoid any interviews. The press will be crawling all over the studio gates by now—especially the tabloids. They smell blood."
"I'll let them know," John nodded, "but we can't guarantee silence from everyone."
There were over fifty people on the production team, and keeping them all quiet was impossible. Worse yet, several lead actors were African American, and in moments like this, unity among them was natural—and fragile.
Right now, even continuing the shoot was in question.
Word of the scandal had already spread through the set. Small groups of Black actors were huddled together, whispering nervously. When John announced an unscheduled break, the crew quietly filed out under an increasingly heavy atmosphere.
At the studio gate, they were greeted by a wall of reporters. NBC had even parked a mobile broadcast van outside.
Among them, Will Smith stood out like a beacon. The moment he stepped out, the press swarmed him.
"Mr. Smith, has Director Garfield ever made any racist comments toward you?"
"Will, care to speak on the allegations from Halle Berry?"
"Do you support her, given you're both people of color?"
Questions flew like bullets.
But Will, remembering his agent's warning, said nothing. Silent, composed, he walked toward the parking lot surrounded by security.
---
Back inside the studio, Nina entered the meeting room with a phone in hand.
"Boss, it's your mom."
Wayne took the call, his mother's anxious voice filling his ear.
"Mom, don't worry. I'm going to handle it. I didn't say those things. I didn't do those things. I promise I'll fix this."
After he hung up, Wayne let out a heavy sigh. Even his mother, all the way out on the rural farm, had heard. The storm was officially everywhere.
Jimmy returned, slumping beside him with frustration written all over his face.
"I made some calls. Turns out, Halle Berry fired her manager just yesterday. She signed with William Morris instead. That lying bitch."
"Calm down, Jimmy," Wayne said, exhaling smoke. "There's something off here. Even if she wanted to go public—why wait two days to do it?"
"Good question," Jimmy muttered, gears turning.
Wayne narrowed his eyes.
"Also—who pushed the story first? Which network?"
"NBC," both Jimmy and Nina replied simultaneously.
Wayne stayed eerily composed. Panic helped no one. Now was the time to strategize—trace the roots of this mess and figure out a path forward.
"I watched the segment again. So far, only media outlets under Comcast are pushing the story on a large scale. What does that tell you?"
Jimmy's expression darkened.
"A coordinated smear campaign… Comcast... Universal Pictures."
Exactly. That was the missing puzzle piece. Only a major studio like Universal could mobilize this kind of full-spectrum media assault. And Comcast, their parent company, owned all the outlets airing the story.
This wasn't just revenge. It was professional sabotage.
"Jimmy, I can't go public yet. You talk to Warner—find out where they stand."
"Nina, we're heading home. I need time to think through our options."
Wayne crushed his cigarette, stood up, and prepared to leave.
"Hold on," Jimmy stopped him. "What about the production schedule? Are we still filming tomorrow?"
Wayne looked him dead in the eye.
"Yes. Unless it's the end of the world, production does not stop. We stay on schedule. Period."
---
As Wayne's electric cart rolled toward the studio gate, a flood of reporters swarmed forward like a pack of starving wolves. Microphones and cameras were thrust in his face.
He didn't say a word. He knew all too well: the more you talk, the more you slip. In stories like this, the accuser always has the moral high ground.
Seven or eight security guards formed a wall around him. Just as he reached the vehicle, a shrill voice pierced the chaos.
"Director Garfield! Don't you owe Halle Berry an apology? Don't you owe all people of color an apology? Did your family raise you to be a racist?"
That did it.
Wayne froze.
He slowly turned his head and locked eyes with the reporter. It was her—the same NBC anchor who had interviewed Halle Berry.
She quickly shoved her mic toward his mouth, hoping to bait him into an angry outburst.
Instead, Wayne stared her down coldly.
"You're really that sure Halle Berry's telling the truth? That I actually said and did those things? You have proof? You don't. And no—I'm not apologizing. I didn't do anything."
With that, he stepped into the vehicle.
As the car began to move forward, it suddenly stopped.
Wayne lowered the window and looked directly at her.
"What's your name?"
"Jessica Kass. Are you threatening me now, Mr. Garfield?" she said, feigning indignation—but inwardly thrilled. She had gotten to him.
Wayne's voice was calm.
"Think whatever you want, Ms. Kass. I'll be sending you a cease-and-desist letter. You'll be held accountable for what you've said."
Then he raised the window and disappeared down the street.
---
Wayne had never cared for petty fights, especially not with media hacks. But when she dragged his family into it—questioning how his parents raised him?
That crossed a line.
He could forgive the lies, the character assassination, even the career sabotage—but not an attack on the people he loved most in the world.
In this life, he had a perfect family. And he would never let anyone stain their name.