[Chapter 10: I'm a Good Guy]
"Daddy Kirk" was a nickname for a black old man in his sixties.
He had been hanging around South Los Angeles for years, known as a small-time street gang leader who ran a local radio station, a bar, and a car repair shop among other assets.
Mord and Lamont had once been unofficial members of this group.
In the gritty, crime-ridden America, major cities often had such organizations.
Charlie needed funding, partly to produce better films and partly to grow his own team.
However, the kind of money Daddy Kirk had was not what Charlie was aiming for.
Money in different hands served different purposes.
Gert frowned and said, "Boss, I don't recommend we take money from him."
Melche hesitated for a moment and added, "Yes, that would bring us some headaches, like tax issues, and there'd be profit sharing afterwards."
Mord appeared a little worried, "But if we don't agree to Daddy Kirk, he'll keep bothering us. He has some influence here in Los Angeles."
"Ha..." Charlie laughed scornfully, "A street gang, that's all. Who does he think he is? Fancy investing in a 20th Century Fox project? By the way, what's up with the gang trouble?"
Although Charlie seemed unconcerned, privately he didn't underestimate them.
If it was really a Fox project, Kirk wouldn't dare to make any plans even if he had ten times the courage. But dealing with newbies like himself could be threatening. Constant trouble during filming would mean huge losses.
Charlie's past was as a small-time street character: spending days cruising and chasing girls, and at worst getting into fights.
His reputation was mainly based on his strong physique and fighting skills, being a local boss with loyal friends around, plus Ophir, who worked in the LAPD special task force, occasionally lending muscle.
Without conflicting interests, life was decent.
Now it was different. Charlie was ready to do legitimate business and had some early success for his age. People like Daddy Kirk probably thought they could bully him.
Daddy Kirk was an old man probably hoping to snag a bargain. His methods were mostly coaxing or trickery.
Charlie could handle that with some effort.
But the Bloods gang was a bigger problem.
Mord pulled out a newspaper, "I don't know the details myself, but Jada is stirring the pot. See, our actions have embarrassed her."
It was the Los Angeles Times, showing a photo of Lamont and Will as close buddies hugging warmly.
Charlie's marketing plan was already in motion.
...
Yesterday morning, Eddie Murphy and some other African American Hollywood stars openly indicated that the person they criticized recently was Will Smith.
They explained that due to uncertain information, previous interviews were nonspecific criticism, hoping nothing actually happened.
Moreover, news from the premiere exploded.
All of this was pushed by Fox as planned.
Will quickly became the target of public outrage.
Negative labels like cheating, having a baby out of wedlock, and being a dishonest white collaborator were plastered all over him.
Los Angeles onlookers gossiped wildly.
This time, the other major film companies along with their media backing didn't stir the pot or make sneaky moves.
Hollywood had no secrets -- many high-ups knew about Charlie's scheme.
They calmly watched the drama, waiting for developments, focusing on Charlie, the newcomer.
...
In the evening, NBC's Tonight Show featured the hot news figures -- Lamont and Alicia -- boosting ratings dramatically.
Why the Tonight Show?
Because Fox Television, founded in '86, was mostly known for cartoons like The Simpsons.
They only recently gained NFL broadcast rights and had been struggling to develop strong talk shows.
On the show, Alicia delivered an Oscar-worthy performance, tearfully sharing her story of unrequited love.
Lamont did well too, admitting that harsh words he uttered were unguarded and meant to defend his good neighbor.
At a key moment, Will appeared.
Together they staged a dramatic spectacle.
It ended with Lamont apologizing sincerely, Will generously forgiving and embracing him like brothers.
Leaving a cliffhanger: Will's complicated, regretful look towards Alicia.
Clearly, the story wasn't over.
The onlookers hadn't fully erupted in anger and soon shifted feelings, moved by black unity and paying attention to Will's romantic issues.
...
Listening to Mord's vivid storytelling, everyone in the office smiled broadly.
"Hahaha, too bad I missed the show," Charlie said. "I think they deserve acting awards. Lamont is an actor too now."
Then he frowned. "So, Jada wasn't handled? She not only refused to cooperate, she's causing me trouble?"
The next plan was to reveal Jada was infertile and still entangled with ex-boyfriend Tupac.
Will fell into a pit of despair.
With Alicia's relentless pursuit, Will was eventually moved and agreed to date her for the child he longed for, leading to their sweet engagement.
This would span about a month, matching the Independence Day release.
Mord showed no sympathy for Jada, smirking, "Fox paid compensation. But boss, your plan is brilliant. Jada must be furious."
More than furious, Jada and Will almost fought at home.
Her career was going well with her current film The Nutty Professor, and love seemed blossoming.
Then everything collapsed. Even with Fox compensation, it would be hard to recover.
Most importantly, Jada cared about Will's career and didn't want to break up.
Charlie sneered, "Childish, no sense of long-term interests. If she temporarily left, her future with Will might be closer. But..."
What puzzled him was, "Jada mobilized the Bloods gang?"
Unlike Daddy Kirk, the Bloods gang was astonishingly powerful.
It was a famous California African American group with many members, initially to fight the Crips.
Getting involved with these gang things was never a good idea.
If Charlie could spend a little effort dealing with Daddy Kirk, handling the Bloods would consume much more energy.
As an experienced operator, he was confident facing complex situations.
But he was busy with business, no time to deal with these fringe folks.
"Not sure, maybe because of Tupac," Mord shook his head.
Gert and Melche couldn't answer either.
Charlie sighed deeply, seeing their worried faces, smiling to comfort them, "Just a small hassle. Who can beat 20th Century Fox? I'll investigate quickly, don't worry. Keep working as usual."
Mord snapped, "Godfather, I'm going to kill her!"
Charlie laughed nervously, patter his shoulder, "Very good, you are very loyal, I appreciate that. But have you done this before? If you just rush in, how are you going to get away afterwards? I don't want my brothers to get into trouble on my behalf."
His friends were small-time street characters -- most never handled guns. At worst, petty theft.
Real criminals without backup either ended up dead on streets or behind bars.
Mord scratched his head sheepishly, "Heh, boss, I haven't, but for you I'll learn. Teach me, I'll work hard."
Charlie grimaced, "Me? Teach you? This isn't playtime! It takes skills: investigating targets' schedules and security, understanding area environment and buildings, police presence, escape routes, tools, attire, planning escapes..."
Mord listened eagerly.
Gert and Melche exchanged odd looks.
Charlie quickly stopped. "Hey, what's with those looks? I'm a good guy, a legit businessman and producer! Don't tell me you think I've done this stuff?"
"Seems... no, I don't remember Judy mentioning it," Melche hesitated.
Gert wasn't sure either, "Maybe, probably not?"
"Definitely not!" Charlie snapped annoyed.
Damn, is that how they see me?
He slapped Mord on the back, "You're the one who led this conversation astray."
Mord looked hurt and confused.
Charlie clapped his hands, "Alright, no more jokes. I'll handle the Bloods trouble. It's a loose group. I think Jada only got a few regulars to rough me up. Let her try."
Glancing at his phone, "It's noon. Mord, grab some lunch. Spike's coming this afternoon. We need to discuss a strict project proposal ASAP."
*****
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