Chapter 6: The First Income

As a local TV station, Fox Channel 6 Los Angeles focuses primarily on the latest happenings in the Greater Los Angeles area. A severe car accident in the famous Hollywood district would undoubtedly draw many viewers' attention.

For a commercial TV station, viewership ratings are their top priority.

"Kara, are you sure?"

Another person asked the woman with long golden-brown hair, pointing at the bloody scene on the screen, "Morning news is usually watched during breakfast. This is too gory."

The woman named Kara was indifferent. "We should have such reports every day. Viewers will talk about it at work, discuss it all day, and continue to follow our program."

Standing slightly behind these people, Murphy had been observing closely. Hearing this, he immediately picked up some useful information and formed a preliminary impression of this woman named Kara.

Seemingly oblivious to Murphy's presence, Kara ignored her subordinate's objections and commanded in an authoritative tone, "This will be the headline for the morning news. I want split shots, an on-site surround, and large fonts for the title..."

She paused for a moment, then added, "First, warn the viewers to watch cautiously."

Murphy glanced at her again. From a psychological perspective, warnings often arouse more curiosity.

She was undoubtedly a woman with ideas. "Also, include other car accidents that happened on Sunset Boulevard this year and call it a death road."

Hearing this, Murphy couldn't help but roll his eyes. These journalists really went all out to grab attention.

The woman continued, "Check the identity of the car accident victim, call her relatives, and record the interview."

She looked around at her subordinates. "You know what to do. Go ahead."

Several people stood up and left the office one after another.

Only then did the woman's gaze return to Murphy. She remained seated and extended her right hand. "Hello, I'm Kara Faith, the director of the evening and morning news departments at Channel 6."

"Hello, Murphy Stanton." Murphy took two steps forward and gently shook her hand. "I'm a freelance journalist."

As he spoke, he subtly sized up the woman.

She had long, curly golden-brown hair and light blue eyes shaded by long lashes, sparkling with shrewdness. Her typical Western sharp features were enhanced by professional makeup, further highlighting her career woman aura.

Murphy could sense that this tall, beautiful woman must be highly capable; otherwise, she wouldn't have become a department head at what seemed to be only twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

Kara withdrew her hand and directly asked, "How much do you want to sell it for?"

After a slight hesitation, Murphy tentatively said, "I think this video footage can sell for a thousand dollars."

Undoubtedly, he was asking for a high price but left room for negotiation in his tone.

"NO!" The woman opposite shook her head unceremoniously. "Your asking price is too outrageous."

She turned and pointed to the paused image on the screen. "This isn't worth a thousand dollars. I'll give you three hundred dollars. That's the highest price."

With such a low counteroffer, Murphy stood there and, after just a second's thought, nodded in agreement.

It was his first time at this TV station, and they wouldn't offer a high price. Besides, this was just a car accident video.

The woman named Kara turned back, her eyes on the screen again, and casually waved her hand. "Wait in the lobby lounge. I'll have someone bring you the money."

Murphy glanced at her back, said nothing, and left the office. He soon reached the lobby lounge, leaning back on the bench and waiting patiently. It didn't take long, about half an hour, before the three hundred dollars was delivered.

To Murphy's surprise, it was that woman who came.

"Here you go."

Seeing Kara handing over the cash, Murphy stood up and took it, politely saying, "Thank you. It was a pleasant cooperation."

Murphy's courteous attitude at least didn't cause any dislike. The blonde woman opposite seemed in a good mood. Holding onto the bench's backrest, she said, "Your perspective was good, and the shooting angle was well chosen. If you could interview the on-site paramedics, it would be even better."

"I did overlook that." Murphy lightly tapped his forehead. "Thanks for the reminder."

Not only do freelance journalists need TV stations, but TV stations also need freelance journalists to provide a lot of material. Kara's attitude now was clearly more enthusiastic than before. "Murphy, right? Your video shooting is very professional."

"I just started, and to get praise from someone like you..."

When necessary, Murphy never hesitated to lower his stance. "It means a lot to me."

Kara unconsciously smiled and reminded him, "If there's another next time, come earlier. It's best to call ahead."

She took out a business card and handed it over. "Bringing valuable stuff here is also helping me. Contact me if you capture anything."

Seeing Murphy put away the business card, she turned and walked out of the lounge. Murphy immediately followed, "Like this kind of video?"

"Yes." Kara nodded as she walked.

Murphy instantly recalled the woman's excitement when she saw the bloody scene earlier and asked, "Bloody?"

Perhaps not expecting Murphy's directness, Kara turned back, slightly surprised, and said, "That's just part of it. We like crime news, not just any crime."

Following closely behind Kara, Murphy had no mind to appreciate her tall, graceful figure and asked, "Can you be more specific?"

The blonde woman stopped, looked at her watch, and said as concisely as possible, "For example, crimes happening in the city center don't interest anyone. That's normal, not news. What viewers want to see is crime spreading to the suburbs."

Murphy immediately understood. "So, the victims should ideally be wealthy white people, preferably harmed by the poor or minorities?"

Kara didn't answer, just shrugged. Seeing Murphy's realization, she said, "If you want to capture what we need, imagine our news as a woman running naked down the street, her throat cut open..."

"I got it." Murphy nodded vigorously. "We'll meet again."

With three hundred dollars and a newfound enlightenment, Murphy left the TV station but didn't go home. Instead, he drove to a 24-hour diner, ordered macaroni and steak. From noon yesterday until now, he hadn't eaten anything and felt he could eat a whole cow.

Sitting in a booth, Murphy kept his hand in his left pocket, gently stroking the three hundred-dollar bills. Those who haven't experienced hunger and hardships like his wouldn't understand the difficulty of earning money and the complex feelings at this moment.

It's been over a year since Murphy came to this world from the other side of the Pacific. This was the first time he earned money, even if only three hundred dollars, it meant he found a way to make a living here. At least now, he could fill his stomach with his own hands.

Only by filling his stomach and standing firm could he dream and hope to enter Hollywood.

The unique texture of the bills under his fingers, Murphy let out a long breath, feeling his life become a bit brighter.

The macaroni and fragrant steak were soon brought to the table. Murphy couldn't remember the last time he had such a delicious meal. The prison food was not worth mentioning, and after release, he lived below the poverty line. The two hundred dollars he had was sponsored by Ross. Coupled with the difficult job search, he had been stretching every penny, only eating the cheapest fast food, never enjoying steak.

Picking up the knife and fork, cutting a small piece of steak and putting it in his mouth, Murphy closed his eyes in enjoyment. This was the most delicious food he ever tasted, not just because of his tight living and hunger, but because there was a taste of success.

After numerous hardships, Murphy finally earned his first money here. The mixed bitterness and sweetness made the steak taste rich, almost bringing tears to his eyes.

Murphy knew what he needed to do now was keep breathing because, no matter what, the sun would rise tomorrow, and he would continue to face the real world.

But he wanted to enjoy this moment, the moment of tasting the fruit of success after countless trials!

With very slow speed, without wasting a single bit, Murphy finished the steak and macaroni. He ordered a cup of coffee as a reward for himself because, from tomorrow, he would have to fight for his future again.

During the meal, Murphy gradually formed a preliminary plan, especially considering what that woman named Kara said, which undoubtedly pointed out a way to make a living.

Murphy wouldn't give up on Hollywood easily, but he understood the need to wait for the right time. He could continue his former profession, shooting news material to earn necessary money, then writing scripts or applying for relevant jobs, looking for real opportunities to enter Hollywood.

It's not easy to establish oneself in Hollywood. Murphy was well aware of this now and focused more on a livelihood.

Though Kara didn't admit it, she gave enough hints. Combined with his experience of various promotions, Murphy knew that to get valuable news videos that could sell for a high price, he first had to consider whether the public was interested.

For example, bloody car accidents on Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood.

And as Kara said—crime spreading from the city center to the suburbs.

Those living in the suburbs are not the common people but the truly wealthy in this country.

Ordinary people love to see elites and the rich in trouble, don't they?