America 1982

New York, Brooklyn, Merlin Apartments Building.

The Merlin Apartment Building is a small-sized single apartment building, suitable for young people who come to the big city of New York with the American dream to stay temporarily.

Wearing an apron and cleaning gloves, Vanessa Williams was kneeling down to wipe the floor. Soon, the small apartment, including the windows, was kept spotless by her.

In fact, her home is in New York, or her parents' home is in New York. It is a two-story villa with an instrumental music practice room and a gym converted from the basement. Compared to this place, which is located near a subway station, Tenants of the building can clearly feel the vibration in the 40-square-meter old apartment every time the subway passes through the underground tunnel, just like the difference between heaven and hell.

But now she doesn't want to go back to live with her parents at all. Although her parents have never blamed her for paying nearly one million yuan in compensation to prevent her from being forced to go bankrupt, she can't face the way her parents look at her. own gaze.

After wiping the floor clean, she straightened up and took a breath for a moment. Then she walked to the picture frame hanging on the wall of the living room and carefully admired the photo that made her infamous.

The main culprit for her losing all honors is actually a very exquisite composition. In the backlight of the setting sun, she stands naked on the top of Mount Kisco, like an angel coming to the world for the first time.

The whole composition doesn't have any lascivious flavor. Even because of the backlight, she looks more like a black silhouette. If you don't identify it carefully, you won't be able to notice that she is naked.

It was a part-time job she received when she was just in college. A photographer named Tommy needed models to take a series of photos for Mount Kisco, New York, to promote the local scenery. She remembered the photographer saying that he hoped to use the top of the mountain to , sunset, freedom, women taking off their shackles to show the free atmosphere of this small town in Mount Kisco, New York.

There were thirteen photos in this set. After she signed the model authorization letter, she received a remuneration of US$2,000 from the photographer.

Later, she became more and more dazzling in college, participating in beauty pageants, and passed all the way. First she became Miss Syracuse, and then won the crown of Miss New York. Finally, she successfully became the first in the United States in the Miss America pageant. Black beauty pageant winner.

In the winter of 1983, the names of two young people, one male and one female, one black and one white, were dazzling in newspapers and on television, telling all Americans that if they believe in miracles, the American dream will eventually come true.

She is that lucky black girl, the new Miss America 1984, Vanessa Williams.

It’s just that the following story seems to have become a nightmare. First of all, many white people cannot accept that this American beauty pageant, which began in 1920, will select a black woman to represent the image of American women. They can tolerate black women signing up for the competition, but they cannot Accept that America is represented by black people.

As a result, many white radicals and racists mailed bullets to her and sent threatening letters to her family, forcing her to return the championship honor.

She bravely stood on the TV talk show and said that she would never be intimidated. She would use herself to change the image of black people in everyone's eyes and tell the world that women in this country are not just white people. Black people can also be beautiful. .

Later, what happened was what she heard from hearsay. Some tabloids swore that the gambling company in Las Vegas had opened odds for the beauty pageant because she was elected as a black man, causing many high-rollers to suffer heavy losses. Another bet was opened, betting that she would not be able to safely complete her one-year term as Miss America, and that she would surely step down in embarrassment.

She thought it was just a rumor that she didn't need to pay attention to, but then she discovered that she was too young and too naive, and she only saw the beautiful side of the world.

Soon, "Penthouse" published the group of artistic photos she had taken. If they were just the same artistic silhouettes as before, Vanessa wouldn't care at all, because she was indeed naked during the photos, but due to the effect of the light , in fact, it is not exposed at all, and no important parts are exposed.

Unfortunately, she underestimated the shamelessness of Penthouse magazine. The magazine increased the exposure of the photo. As a result, what was originally an artistic silhouette became an unsightly large-scale photo in the magazine, causing her body in the photo to be Those readers have a clear view.

Miss America, who is supposed to be beautiful, flawless and represents the image of American women, was revealed to have taken large-scale photos and published them in Penthouse magazine. This was unacceptable to everyone.

Almost instantly, she went from the American darling that everyone envied to the American slut that everyone shouted for.

Cinderella’s American dream turned into an American nightmare.

Those high-quality black compatriots who had previously praised her, rushed to be friends with her, and invited her to participate in various high-class activities, immediately turned their backs after seeing her photos published in "Penthouse" and accused her of ruining the reputation of black women. , allowing white people to find another excuse to criticize black people for not loving themselves.

The white people who were not willing to let a black woman take away the Miss America crown found even more reasons to ridicule her as a shameless black man who was not qualified to represent the United States. This would only make the world feel that all American women are Women who are dissolute and do not love themselves.

Even every time he appeared on stage, someone would hold up an enlarged nude photo to mock him.

Photographer Tommy made hundreds of thousands of dollars by selling his photos to Penthouse, while Penthouse earned 26 million in a single issue by publishing his photos in the magazine.

She was the only one injured. She was deprived of her Miss America title, lost all her advertising endorsements, and received millions in liquidated damages.

The American film and television industry even turned her away. They did not dare to provide her with a job. They were worried that if they provided her with a job, her unhealthy and imperfect image would cause complaints from the audience, which would have a negative impact on their own company. .

She tried to sue "Penthouse" magazine for publishing the photos without her permission, but the other party produced the model authorization letter. The ownership of the photos did not belong to her as a model. The photographer had the right to buy and sell the photos. "Penthouse" purchased the photos. There is also the right to publish.

Before she even started her career in the American entertainment industry, she was already bitten and devoured by the American entertainment industry, which completely isolated her from the outside world.

The doorbell rang at this time, Vanessa took off her gloves, walked over and opened the door, and her agent and friend Ramon stood outside the door.

"Seeing you show up always makes me feel good, Ramon, because you bring me work. So, what work is it today? No matter what it is, I am ready." Vanessa saw the agent Behind him, he showed a gentle and sunny smile and asked.

In the past two years, thanks to my agent friend Ramon, he has been helping me find some job opportunities. Although they are all makeup artists, harmonizers, or guest appearances in third-rate sitcoms as ugly characters, at least I have ensured that I do not have to be completely unemployed, bankrupt, and live in the slums. .

Of course, she must also thank her parents for eventually helping her bear a large part of the liquidated damages and not letting her die in the autumn of 1984 when countless advertisers were pursuing liquidated damages.

"I have two jobs. One is that a black British female artist comes from London to perform in a Broadway theater musical. While she is on Broadway in New York, she needs a short-term makeup artist. It takes about two weeks and the weekly salary is 350 yuan." Ramon walked in, looked at the clean and tidy room, and said calmly.

Vanessa turned around, walked to the corner of the living room, picked up her makeup box, and shrugged cutely at Ramon: "So, what are you waiting for? I can start working at any time."

"Vanessa, you have to accept the reality." Ramon saw Vanessa looking ready to go at any time. He did not praise her work attitude. Instead, he frowned and said in a stern and emotional tone.

"Of course I accept the reality." Vanessa looked at Ramon with some confusion: "I won't let the other person hate me, and I won't be jealous of the other person. I won't mention any of my past. I'm just a professional makeup artist. Master, you know, I never say anything, I just do what I should do."

Ramon looked at the artistic photo on the wall, which ultimately made Vanessa fall off the altar: "What I'm talking about is accepting reality... I'm not saying you're willing to look energetic and take on odd jobs every day. , you have to accept the reality, Vanessa, that you are no longer likely to be considered for consideration by those major television stations and film companies, and you are no longer likely to become a star that everyone loves."

"Ramon, I can't guarantee whether those big companies will give me a chance, but what I should do now is at least let everyone who sees me not hate me. Before I became Miss America, I was a makeup artist. He's just a harmony engineer, an unknown little actor, and he's just continuing to do his previous job." Vanessa said to Ramon: "I don't think there's anything wrong with this attitude."

Ramon shifted his gaze from the photo to Vanessa's face, and was silent for a few seconds before speaking again:

"For another job, there is an established adult film company in California. They want you to star in a movie. They are willing to pay you half a million for your small film debut."

Vanessa looked at Ramon in astonishment, unable to believe what her friend said: "You suggest that I make those adult movies?"

"There's nothing wrong with changing industries and making more money. I haven't received a commission from you for a long time. I don't even know if there is any chance of commission. What have I gained from being your agent for so long? , nothing. What have you gained after persisting for so long? Nothing, so give up your fantasies and be more realistic. It’s time to make some money. If you agree, I guarantee that in the first year, with your popularity, you will earn a lot of money here. A group of people can earn at least three million. If you are willing to work harder and add some performances in Las Vegas nightclubs, five million is not impossible..." Ramon persuaded Vanessa in a sincere tone.

"So, they humiliated me as a slut, and I am going to follow their wishes and really become a shameless slut?" Vanessa looked at her agent blankly: "Let those who laugh at me People, do they really get what they want?"

Ramon lowered his head: "If you continue to insist on just being a makeup artist, all I can say is, goodbye, Vanessa, I need another job, there is a black actress who needs an agent, her assistant She contacted me and hoped that I could help her. Goodbye."

After finishing speaking, the agent Ramon turned around and wanted to walk out of the door. Vanessa said behind him: "Ramon."

Ramon turned around and looked at Vanessa. Vanessa tried to show a bright smile, but her eyes were already full of tears. She tried to smile and asked her agent:

"At least tell me how much commission I owe you. I will definitely work hard to make money and compensate you."

"Forget it, Vanessa, just think that I am out of my mind and have been dreaming with you for several years, but there must be a moment of awakening in the dream. You can continue to dream, but I have to accept the reality." Ramon said to Vanessa bowed slightly:

"Goodbye, Miss Vanessa Williams."

"Ramon~ One more thing, can you leave me the contact information of the makeup artist job before saying goodbye?" Vanessa wiped away her tears and said to Ramon with a smile.

Ramon nodded, took out the business card from his suit pocket, and put it on the cabinet at the door: "I once... thought about saving you and letting you return to the spotlight, but..."

"Goodbye, Ramon." Vanessa interrupted Ramon, took a few steps forward, and closed the door. Before the door closed, she said with a smile.

As the door closed, she leaned against it, sat on her knees on the floor, and began to cry.

She finally lost her last friend, and now she was left alone to continue fighting against this damn country.

"I will not let those people succeed, I will not be what they want me to be... Vanessa Williams, you are right, you have to believe it."

She stopped crying, went to the bathroom to touch up her makeup, and was about to go out to start her job as a makeup artist with a weekly salary of 350 yuan. At this time, the phone rang.

The automatic answering function of the phone started to work, and he said softly to the other side of the phone: "Hello? This is Vanessa Williams, professional makeup artist, harmonist, model, actor, singer, how can I help you? ? Please leave a message after the beep and I will call you back in time."

"This is BT TV, I am Vice President Sean Ray, Miss Vanessa Williams, we would like to sign you and ask you to participate in a medium-budget black TV series, if your schedule allows, and If you are also interested in a TV series, you or your agent are welcome to call me and we can discuss cooperation in person in Los Angeles." A gentle male voice sounded from the other side of the TV.

Vanessa, who was touching up her makeup, was shocked at first, and then big tears welled up in her eyes again, washing away the makeup she had just put on.

…

Los Angeles, BT TV headquarters.

"Have you talked to Sean and Rick? How do you feel?" Tommy took the initiative to reach out to Vanessa and greeted with a smile: "Tommy Hawke, the puppet boss of BT TV station."

Tommy felt that there was a reason why Vanessa won the title of Miss America. In addition to her tall and graceful figure, she also had exquisite facial features and a pair of blue eyes as clear as Caribbean water.

And her skin color is not pure black, but more like a glossy and attractive honey color. It is obvious that she is a mixed-race product after a white man and a black man started a family.

She is not one of those uneducated black people from the lower class. This beautiful girl comes from a middle-class black family. Her parents are music teachers in private elementary schools in New York. She has received elite education since she was a child, and her words and deeds can show her good education.

"Vanessa Williams, thank you for the valuable job opportunity provided by your TV station." Vanessa took off her sunglasses, shook hands with Tommy Hawke, and said to Tommy with a smile: "Actually, in Before today, I have seen your appearance and heard your name countless times, Mr. Hawke."

"Really?" Tommy looked at the tall black girl with some confusion and asked curiously: "I...I only started to join the TV industry this year. We shouldn't have had any interactions before."

"In the winter of 1983, at that time... the newspaper said that that year, two young people realized the American dream, a man and a woman. The woman was named Vanessa Williams. She became the first black American Miss, the man’s name is Tommy Hawke. In order to help many low-income people, he fought against big companies in the software industry and won.” Vanessa sat across from Tommy and talked about her impression of him. .

Tommy stared at Vanessa for a few seconds, and then smiled with emotion: "It was a few years ago, and I don't read social digest newspapers very much, so I may not have noticed it, but no matter what, It's a wonderful stroke of fate, nice to meet you, Miss Williams."

"You can call me Vanessa, friend...that's what everyone calls me." Vanessa said to Tommy.

"Sean said to me, you came to Los Angeles in person, without even bringing an agent, which shocked me."

"Five minutes before I received the call from Mr. Sean Ray, I had just parted ways with my agent friend." Vanessa lowered her head and sighed, but then shook her long hair and continued to look up at Tommy: "I Do I need to hire an agent before we can start talking about jobs, or..."

"No, no, no, when Sean told me that you didn't have an agent, we discussed this issue internally. This is a black TV station. We are helping black people, not exploiting black people. Frankly speaking, it is more beneficial for us to talk to you. , we have legal affairs and public relations who are responsible for communication and negotiation. You cannot take advantage of them, but we are not prepared to do that, so you really need an agent. This is California, and there are brokerage companies everywhere. There is one The best solution is for your agent to help you fight for greater benefits." Tommy picked up a stack of documents on the table:

"Here are some information about California brokerage companies that I asked people to help me compile before you came here. You can choose one that you think is good, and then I will ask my assistant Sophia to accompany you to find a professional broker first, and then he can The lion opened his mouth to discuss business with us."

Vanessa seemed to be looking at an alien, looking at Tommy who handed her the agency information at this time. To be honest, she had dealt with film companies, TV stations and even Broadway before, and had met all kinds of partners. But those partners prefer to squeeze themselves, pay themselves less and get more benefits.

The white young man in front of me happened to be on the other side. When he learned that he didn't have an agent, his first reaction was to help him provide information about the agency so that he could find a strong enough agent to negotiate business with him and ensure that he could get more money. more income.

Tommy's reaction made Vanessa a little confused. She had never experienced such a scene, and she had never seen such a kind and generous TV station boss.

"I... I met a photographer named Tommy last time, and the name Tommy... left a bad impression on me, but today, it's the other way around, and there's another Tommy in front of me. It's almost too good to be true." Vanessa didn't look through the information, but looked at the environment of the office and said with a bit of laughter and tears.

Tommy observed Vanessa's expression: "It sounds like the name Tommy made you unfavorable before today?"

"I used to know a photographer named Tommy. He... was a jerk." Vanessa looked at Tommy and nodded with a smile: "He took those photos that caused trouble for me."

"My friends who know me also call me that. Maybe those who call me Tommy are bastards." After hearing this, Tommy Hawke said with deep emotion: "That should be the case, because I also know someone named Tommy. Tommy Westy's guy, he's a bad guy too."

Vanessa looked at the white young man in front of her who seemed to be about the same age as her and who called himself a jerk. She lowered her head and smiled: "Being called a jerk by your friends and being called a jerk by your collaborators are two different things. Mr. Hawke, I have more friends. It’s meant as good-natured ribbing, but collaborators often mean it from the bottom of their hearts.”

"Sean told me about your situation. It seems that you have... been having a hard time in the past two years? There is no front-of-stage work, only harmony and makeup work. I mean your agent should have left long ago. He Unqualified." Tommy took a sip of coffee and said to Vanessa:

"So, don't rush to start work, Vanessa, we can take our time. We are going to shoot a pilot episode first and see the feedback, so you can sign a short-term contract with us for one episode first and use this period at the same time. Time, you can use the information we provide you to contact the brokerage company, of course, you can also look for it yourself without using the information. In short, take your time, there is no shortage of jobs here."

"Do you always discuss cooperation with actors? Mr. Hawke? I mean, you might be called a fool for this kind of behavior."

"Just call me Tommy." Tommy shook his head seriously: "No, Vanessa, a fool can't make 700 million. I just don't make poor people's money. If you don't work hard enough, you You can see the other side of stupid Tommy, stingy, stingy, irritable and even racist, the Ku Klux Klan, crosses, in short, all kinds of scenes that shock you will appear..."

Seeing Tommy's serious nonsense, Vanessa laughed: "Okay, these threats don't sound strong, but I will seriously consider your suggestion and find an agent."

"Do you have a place to live in Los Angeles?" Tommy continued.

Vanessa shook her head in confusion: "No, but I can stay in the hotel and it won't affect my work."

"There is a villa in Beverly Hills, which is the staff dormitory of BT TV station. Currently, there is only a black employee named Martin Hart living there. If you don't mind sharing it with him, I think you can save a hotel fee. , and the scenery in the hotel should not be as beautiful as that in Beverly Hills." Tommy looked at Vanessa: "Sofia, you have met, my assistant, she also lives nearby, if you don't mind, she can take her You go and see where you live.”

"You used the Beverly Hills villa as a dormitory for TV station employees?" Vanessa had never heard of her previous advice to find an agent, Shi Dao, and now Tommy even told her that BT TV staff quarters in Beverly Hills.

The luxury house that 90% of Hollywood stars can't afford or can't buy is used by the young man in front of him as a staff dormitory.

The benefits of this black TV station are a bit exaggerated.

"Yes, and I live in another building not far away, about five minutes' walk." Tommy said to Vanessa.

"Why? I..." Vanessa looked at Tommy: "Why are you helping me? I really don't understand. Tommy, in the past two years, I have been used to seeing all kinds of evil in human nature. The kindness shown by BT TV station , besides being moved and warmed, I feel even more uneasy at this moment, because I can’t figure out the reason for all this.”

"Maybe it's because you and I were both lucky enough to realize the American dream, maybe because you were beautiful enough for me to fall in love with you at first sight? Who knows, maybe I didn't even think about helping you, maybe it was just your wishful thinking." Tommy seemed like He looked at Vanessa with a non-smiling smile and spread his hands:

"I want to prove to those TV stations that ignore the black people at the bottom, what size of audience group they have abandoned, what they ignore is what I cherish, no one in this industry cares about what black people want to watch on TV, I, a layman, do. And you To prove to those who have hurt you, they will not destroy you, but will only make you stronger. You will stand on a more dazzling stage and sting the eyes and hearts of those people. I think this is This is the American dream that we all want to realize. I’m not helping you, I’m just telling you that we are fellow travelers in this dream.”

"Do you often say this to... people around you?" Vanessa rolled her eyes and looked away. This girl, who just turned twenty-four this year, seemed to have not heard such words of comfort for a long time.

Tommy shook his head: "Often, but I'm surrounded by guys with a background in lawyers or political science, and their rationality scores are frighteningly high. They don't react at all, or they just think I'm too nagging."

"I think what you said is very touching, Tommy. I haven't heard similar words in a long time. They are full of warmth and power." Vanessa shook her long hair, looked away and smiled lightly, then looked at Tommy: "Can you say a few more words? No one has encouraged me for a long time. Before I came to Los Angeles, my agent had already advised me to make small films."

"Nothing causes more pain to those who have hurt you than returning to the top, or even surpassing past honors." Tommy picked up a small Bible on the table, opened it casually, and read:

“This Bible tells us that by performing miracles among the enemies and performing miracles in the land of Ham, God’s name will be praised by the elect.”

I'm still in the hospital. My son's condition is relapsing. I've been very busy during this period. I'm sorry~