America 1982

New York, One World Trade Tower, 83rd floor, KeyBank New York Headquarters.

In Otilia's office, two stylists stood against the wall, staring at Otilia who was sitting at the desk and smiling and chatting with Heidi, a reporter from the famous American women's magazine "Charm", always paying attention to each other. On the details of her makeup, she exchanged opinions in a low voice from time to time, reminding herself how to adjust the details of her makeup after the interview is over and before the photo is taken to ensure that Otilia's image adds some independent temperament in the shots that will be taken later by the magazine. At this moment Otilia looks a little too soft.

In fact, there are more than just these four people in the office. If you zoom out a little further, you can see the entrance to the office and the opposite corner. Two cameras are working, silently recording everything that happens in this office.

But Otilia, her assistant, or everyone at KeyBank are used to having cameras following their eldest lady wherever she goes.

"If you were asked to define your identity, how would you define it?" Heidi held the recording pen in her hand, looked at Otilia opposite with a smile, and asked.

Otilia thought for a moment: "Working woman, yes, I am a working woman."

"I thought you would pay more attention to publicizing and emphasizing your independence or charity activities. Why do you simply describe yourself as a working woman." Heidi continued to ask with some curiosity.

Ottilia said seriously: "I am just doing a job that I should do, that's all. It is not great or independent. On the contrary, people see Ottilia Farrell Go to Africa and Europe to do some charity activities. In fact, she is not the only one doing it. Many people are doing the same thing as me, and this kind of thing is not great, but something that everyone will do, because I believe that everyone Good people will do this if they can.”

"Do you think working women who are independent of men can be understood this way?" Heidi asked Otilia after thinking about a short play.

"I'm just temporarily independent from work. I have a boyfriend. I rely on him very much in my life. In his spare time, he helps me take care of the two adopted dogs." Otilia said seriously to Heidi:

"In fact, I found that the longer I worked independently, the more psychologically I became dependent on him. I looked forward to finishing a period of work and then ushering in the holidays to see him, vacation and travel with him. So, I She’s just an ordinary woman.”

Seeing Otilia's expression, Heidi nodded understandingly, but then she paid attention to her relationship: "Aren't men and women in love more willing to be by each other's side all the time?"

"He has his job, and I also have my job. Although work will separate us, it also makes our lives more fulfilling. More importantly, it makes us realize that we should cherish every moment when we get along with each other. One minute," Otilia said to Heidi.

"Before this exclusive interview, I obtained some information about you, Miss Farrell, collected by my colleagues, and then I discovered a very interesting fact. Is your boyfriend called Tommy Hawke?"

"Yes, that's right."

"You were his high school teacher."

"Uh... I don't have a teaching qualification certificate, I don't have a teaching position, I just have an administrative position, but we did meet for the first time when he was in his last year of high school, but we didn't have a teacher-student relationship. We only started after he went to college. Try dating.”

"Tommy Hawke was a popular figure in the computer software industry at a certain time. At that time, newspapers called him a gangster in the software industry, but soon he disappeared, so is he still engaged in the software industry? "

"Are we really going to focus on my boyfriend in an interview with a women's magazine? I don't think that's a good idea." Otilia couldn't bear it when Heidi asked about Tommy's current situation. He smiled and asked Heidi: "This is so strange."

Heidi also laughed: "Well, in fact, many people still know your boyfriend's name, but he has been very low-key in the past two years, and people don't have the latest news about him. Let's get back to the topic, Farrell Madam, I noticed that many of KeyBank’s charity projects are located abroad. Do you have similar charity plans in China?”

Otilia nodded: "Yes, there have always been. We have made experimental attempts before, mainly in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and other places, to provide small businesses to low-income people who have been blacklisted by the financial system in these areas. loans to encourage them to get out of trouble. So far, the attempt has been very successful. Many people have relied on KeyBank’s loans and good repayment habits, which have changed the bad situation. As far as I know, there have been at least dozens of people in California who have been receiving loans every week or even Low-income people who earn less than 100 yuan have now founded their own companies and recruited other low-income people to provide them with jobs that can sustain their lives. This is what all KeyBank colleagues hope to see. I This time when I return to China, in addition to accepting interviews, another arrangement is to go to Los Angeles, California, to listen to the experiences of successful people and see whether their successful experiences can be replicated in Africa or Europe."

"Speaking of being interviewed, why don't you talk about why you accepted the interview with Charming magazine? I mean, your assistant has rejected me more than a dozen times in the past year, but the editor-in-chief of the magazine suddenly said last week Inform me that you will receive a personal visit from me."

"Um... sorry, Heidi, I've been overseas... and I'm a little embarrassed to say it because Ms. Dana Conde, the owner of Glamor magazine, called me to talk about her plans to launch an ongoing campaign to combat drought in Africa. She asked me to give her some ideas for her charity project. I said I could donate to her project, but she insisted that I co-sponsor it with her. She felt that maybe my experience in the past few years could give this foundation some experience, and then ...Because this kind of project requires three sponsors, so after a long discussion, the two of us sent an invitation to Ms. Hillary Clinton, chairman of the New World Foundation. She did not refuse us and was very happy that we invited her. So, Africa That’s how the Mother’s Well Foundation was born.”

"I, Ms. Dana Conde, the owner of "Glamour" magazine, and Hillary Clinton, the chairman of the New World Foundation, the three of us met at the headquarters of the New World Foundation in New York. When we talked about this foundation, Ms. Dana Conde Said, the three of us are going to tell American women what we are going to do, and maybe other ladies are willing to join in. She said, "Charm" magazine is hers, and the first interview with Mother Well of Africa must not be cheap for other media... Yes, I don’t know much about her arrangements. I can only say that maybe in a recent issue of "Charm", there will be three interviews in a row... Haha... This is crazy, isn't it? Dana brought it up Diane (Hillary) and I were laughing so hard that that issue of the magazine was going to be scolded for being misprinted.”

"So, in addition to me visiting you, my colleagues may also be visiting my boss, and the wife of the governor of Arkansas, right now?"

"Yes, the title of my interview is called "Charm", and the title of Diane's interview is called "Independence." Dana helped us pick both of them, but the two of us also helped her pick the title of the interview, which is called "Immortal." , the overall title of the three interviews is "Three Women."

“So, what is Mother Africa’s Well?”

"Ensuring that every mother in Africa has clean and convenient well water is a long-term project. KeyBank will donate 5 million in the initial stage, New World Foundation will donate 3 million, and Ms. Dana Conde will donate 10 million. This It is our early disposable funds, and according to predictions, this money can provide clean and hygienic domestic water for hundreds of thousands of African mothers."

"A very great cause, worthy of the admiration of each of us, so what is your initial plan for this project?"

…

"Do you know how much money KeyBank sent to send your wife to the New World Foundation, the stronghold of the American New Left, Tommy?" Jim Manz looked at the office environment of BT TV station, his mouth full of displeasure. Complained about Tommy Hawke:

"Five million, we also need to help Hillary Clinton hang the title of co-sponsor of the African Mother's Well Foundation, and promise that if her husband comes out to run for office one day, we will provide a sum of no less than two million The campaign funds were used in exchange for Otilia’s status as a member of the New World Foundation’s board of directors.”

"You always have to find enough like-minded people to do business. Doing business requires investment, Jim." Tommy said to Jim:

"Civil rights, political rights, environmentalism, feminism, same-sex rights, racial equality... every political movement promoted by the New Left is actually a business. They know it, and we know it too. We are all assholes who just hit it off with each other. When traditional capitalists already control other money-making industries, if you still want to make some extra money with both fame and wealth, using this kind of extensive political movement to expand your wallet is the smartest and safest way. Don't pretend to be stupid with me. You do not understand."

"Understanding doesn't mean I won't feel distressed. You people are always talking about spending large sums of money one after another, while I can only be so busy trying to figure out how to make that money back. I'm so tired... I actually didn’t think about finding a woman to sleep with for four days..."

"How about being a mascot compared to the Lotus days?"

"I have to admit, although it's tiring, I make enough money, and the social level of the people I deal with is much higher than that of software sellers and program developers." Jim sat on the boss's chair behind Tommy's desk and felt The comfort brought by this chair: "Actually, when Otilia joined the New World Foundation, the company paid five million. Do you know how I convinced the board of directors?"

"That's not something I should think about."

"Hillary's husband Bill Clinton, the governor of Arkansas, eliminated the sales tax on drugs for people over 55, so we will open six branches in Arkansas to support low-income people around Arkansas. According to the predictions given by the model, we can earn back the money from Arkansas in about nine months.”

"While you are in Los Angeles, calling you over is actually another matter. KeyBank and BT TV need to cooperate on certain public welfare projects. That is, through our programs, you can lend money to some black people in need, which will help Increase the bank’s profile.”

Jim crossed his legs on the table and shook them: "So, if those black people can't pay back, can I sell their debts to Big Jack and the others? They are really good at collecting debts and lending money. Black people wear gold and silver." It makes me very uncomfortable, but for the three brothers and their great mother, even if they have a mouth full of gold teeth, I will not be jealous, I just feel that it is what they deserve."

"Whatever you want, I'm only responsible for introducing customers and advertising. As for how KeyBank operates, I won't interfere. If you have nothing to do, you can leave. Someone will come to see me later."

"I guess it must be a woman."

"No, it's a black man. The reason why you were asked to deal with Otilia last week was partly because of him. He accounts for about 10%?"

Jim put his feet down from the table and said with some doubts: "You are unlikely to marry Otilia to him, are you? And then you actually said that you would send Otilia to the New World Foundation to work with him. Does a black man have something to do with it?”

"Of course, I have even thought about the name of the child Otilia gave me. Jim, how could it be possible for Otilia to marry a black man?"

"Bah bang bang bang~" Jim stood up from his seat and clapped his hands: "Goodbye, wish that black supervisor good luck for me. I'm very glad that you were still a human being when I fucking met you, and even more fortunate that I am a human being." White guy, Tommy.”

"Yes, thank you for your praise and compliments. I know that in your heart at this moment, I am already a perfect righteous person..."

Jim walked out of Tommy's office without looking back: "F*ck You! Righteous Tommy!"

…

"Mr. Hawke, my name is Earl Rush, you can call me Earl." Earl Rush looks like the most honest and reliable black friend around him, with neat and white teeth and a simple and friendly face. smiled and extended his hand to Tommy.

Tommy shook hands with the other party slightly: "Delia never said that my friends usually call me Tommy? Mr. Earl Rush."

"Okay, Tommy, you have such a strong grip, do you exercise regularly?" Earl withdrew his palm, made an exaggerated hand shake, and said to Tommy.

Tommy smiled and greeted the other person into the living room of the villa where Martin was the only employee for the time being: "Actually, I just recently started to find a fitness instructor to help me formulate a fitness plan, because I know that many black people like to exercise. This may help us There are some common threads.”

"Racial stereotypes are everywhere and it's this country's fault. When I was in law school, like you, I thought every white person with good grades was gay because that's what all my black friends told me. So I went to ask and was treated as a retard by my white classmates." After hearing Tommy say that black people like to exercise, Earl Rush talked about his impression of white people in college.

"So, give me some advice. Should I fire that fitness coach? Her salary is still a bit expensive." Tommy waited for Earl Rush to sit down and looked at him with a smile.

Earl looked at Tommy with gentle eyes and said helplessly: "The message conveyed by your words is a bit big. For a moment, I don't know whether you want to fire her or whether you want me to give you a reason to keep her. Huo Mr. K."

"Okay, I understand." Tommy laughed. After Dorothy brought the drinks and left again, he continued to say to Earl: "Delia should have introduced you to me and BT TV. Some circumstances, some needs of mine, right?”

Earl Rush nodded: "Yes, Ms. Keyes introduced some information about you."

"OK, let's skip the small talk and talk about topics we are both interested in. For example, why do you think I should find a lawyer instead of a professional manager to manage the TV station?" Tommy picked up the juice at hand and took a sip. , looking at Earl Rush expectantly.

Earl Rush did not answer immediately. He just looked at Tommy with a smile, watching Tommy sip the glass of coconut juice. It was not until Tommy put down the cup that he slowly spoke:

"Because it's not business, it's politics. What you need is not a black manager to help you increase your financial income, but a black politician to help you reap political benefits?"

"Then do you think you, who even failed to run for a seat on the Oakland City Council, will be a qualified politician? Earl?"

"Of course, it's not surprising to lose to the Republican Party. California is the base camp of President Reagan of the Republican Party. As long as you give me this stage to increase my visibility, the Democratic Party will give me the opportunity to be nominated within the party. I think this is my job, or, cooperate?"

"It's good, but it lacks depth. Earl, as a late-blooming lawyer, what you said is very good, but it's still not enough, but it's enough for us to start the second topic, such as CBS, NBC, ABC The three major TV networks all lean toward the Democratic Party and the Liberal Party. In your opinion, what position should BT TV take?"

Earl seemed to be laughing at himself: "The Black Panther Party, the Democratic Party, if I say now that BT TV station is best to support the Republican Party, it means that I have changed my position three times. If I were a businessman, of course I think the Republican Party is the best choice. It is convenient for cooperation and profit-taking, but I am not a businessman, so I think the value of black people is that they are not in a hurry to express their position, so it is easier for both parties to bid and everything can be discussed."

"If you manage BT TV station, what will you do after it starts broadcasting?"

"I'm not good at program production, but if the program is successful, has a small range of ratings, and the funds flow back normally, then I will find an ordinary TV station with similar ratings as a target, create opportunities to annex it at a low price, and grow BT."

"You do a lot of preparation."

"So, Mr. Hawke, is my guess accurate?"

Tommy stared at the blank space for a few seconds before looking at Earl again: "If it's a lie, what you said is impeccable. If it's the truth, Earl, you are just a kid with tens of thousands of people." level of city mayoral candidates.”

"Good, because I said that on purpose. You exposed me instead of continuing to praise me against my will. This makes me believe that you are not going to treat me as a puppet. After all, my answer just now sounds like a perfect one." Puppet." Earl also looked at Tommy with a smile:

"Political and commercial peace talks have to go in both directions, right?"

"Are you married?"

"I have a white wife. I've been married for seven years and our relationship is pretty good."

"I suggest you change to a black wife, because my woman is a director of the New World Foundation's board of directors. She will not recommend another white woman to join the foundation. It goes both ways. What is my attitude towards going?"

"Full sincerity."

"Then maybe you'd be willing to improve your standing as a candidate in my mind a little bit?"

"Use the TV station to first gather the black group, and then trigger a black conflict at an important political node in California. After attracting everyone's attention, we will perfectly calm the conflict, prove to everyone that we have a strong enough sense of social responsibility, and tell everyone at the same time Those potential collaborators, BT's leadership on black people."

"Before, you were just a candidate for mayor of a small city, but now, you are a candidate for mayor of a big city like Los Angeles."

"I think the level of the mayor of Los Angeles should be enough to manage BT TV station."

"Of course, welcome to your own station, Earl."

Much better. After a week of infusion, most of the symptoms have been relieved~ I finally got through it again...