Chapter 10: Spreading Fear

Kara seemed unable to believe the number she heard. "Are you crazy, Murphy!"

"You know that's impossible." Kara exhaled and turned to look at the screen. "How much?"

Murphy knew very well that no TV station would pay a hundred thousand dollars for a murder news video. The victim was just a wealthy man, not someone like Tom Hanks or Steven Spielberg.

The earlier price was more of a probe. Murphy pulled over a chair and sat opposite Kara. "Fifty thousand dollars."

Kara didn't even look at him. "Time is tight, stop joking, Murphy. What's the real price?"

Murphy repeated seriously and solemnly, "Fifty thousand dollars."

"That's impossible." Kara's eyes shifted from the screen to Murphy's face, her light blue eyes exceptionally bright. "I need a realistic number."

"I've given you two." Murphy was clearly not joking. He repeated once more, "Fifty thousand dollars."

Kara's expression gradually vanished. "Five thousand dollars, that's the highest I can offer."

Murphy shook his head and reminded her, "This time, the victims are not Black or Mexican immigrants, but extremely wealthy white people!"

He emphasized the word "white." "Extremely wealthy white people, gunned down in their mansion. A housewife died on her bedroom floor! I know you, Kara."

Staring directly into her bright blue eyes, Murphy quickly continued, "I know how excited you were when you saw the video, and I know it's worth much more to you than five thousand dollars!"

Kara slapped the armrest of her chair heavily and stood up, circling around Murphy before stopping in front of him, looking down. "Ten thousand dollars."

Murphy knew fifty thousand dollars was unrealistic and made a concession. "Forty thousand dollars."

Kara's face was expressionless. "Fifteen thousand dollars."

"Thirty-five thousand dollars..."

"Twenty thousand dollars..."

"Thirty thousand dollars!" Murphy stood up, using his height to look down slightly at the woman in front of him. "Thirty thousand dollars!"

"No way..." Kara took a step back, using the distance to bring their eyes back to the same level. "That's impossible. There's no precedent. Twenty thousand dollars is my highest offer. I can't put an entire month's budget on your video."

"Alright then." Murphy unplugged the data cable, retrieved his storage drive, and without looking at Kara, walked towards the office door. "It seems this deal won't work out."

"Where are you going?" Kara's voice, tinged with urgency, called out behind him. "Where are you going?"

Murphy turned and pointed west towards the Disney building. "To ABC. I contacted them before coming here, and they are very interested."

Looking directly at Kara, he continued, "You know, Ms. Faith, I've always considered you my most reliable partner. Other stations offered big money for this video, but I came to you first because I thought it was worth it. This could help your career and give me a fair return."

His words were heartfelt, but Kara was not easily swayed by such apparent flattery. She wasn't some naive young girl.

"ABC's news director has contacted me many times."

Seeing Kara still contemplating, Murphy continued, spinning more tales, "They'll offer a higher price, and I can still make it there in time."

As he turned to leave, Kara finally couldn't hold back. "Stop, Murphy!"

Murphy turned back, standing at the door looking at Kara. She crossed her arms, her expression softened. "We've worked together for a long time. I thought we were friends. Is this how you treat a friend?"

Murphy rolled his eyes. "If the TV station were yours, I'd be happy to give it to you for free."

He deliberately glanced at Kara's ample chest and delicate face. "If that were the case, I'd provide any news video to express my affection for you."

Ignoring Murphy's seemingly sincere but clearly deceitful flattery, Kara took a deep breath. "Putting thirty thousand dollars on one news story would drive me insane."

Sensing her change in attitude and tone, Murphy pressed his advantage. "I think you're forgetting that the criminals are still on the loose, mingling with the public. Those with families, especially those living in the suburbs who think they're safe, will be too scared to sleep and will closely follow this story."

Murphy waved the storage drive again. "This video will turn viewers to Channel 6, keeping them glued to your show for a long time."

Kara was silent for a moment before slowly nodding.

But Murphy's demands weren't over. He had considered some things on the way over. "I consider you a friend, Kara. I also admire your dedication, but you should know, thirty thousand dollars isn't my only request."

Kara looked at Murphy with surprise, as if seeing him for the first time.

"When you broadcast this video..." Murphy emphasized, "I want the anchor to introduce my work and display captions showing that it comes from my company—Stanton Studios! A highly professional video production company!"

He couldn't remain a freelance journalist forever. Once he had the funds, he would transition to the film industry. This was an opportunity for promotion.

Kara stared at Murphy, speechless.

Only now did she realize that this young man had a strong ambition, just like her, and was willing to do anything to achieve it.

After saying his piece, Murphy approached Kara and raised his hand. "So, can we make a deal?"

Although she wanted to slap his expressionless face hard to see how thick his skin was, Kara needed that video. As he said, it was a tool to attract viewers and increase ratings for a long time.

Raising her hand, Kara slapped Murphy's hand. "Alright, deal."

They reached an agreement. After Kara made another call to her superiors, Murphy didn't have to wait long to receive a check for thirty thousand dollars. However, he didn't leave. Instead, he stayed in the editing room, waiting for the news to air.

After the news aired, he had more work to do.

As the clock neared six in the morning, the Channel 6 morning news began. Murphy stood in an unobtrusive corner, watching Kara's side, curious to see how she would spin this video.

"Double shot, two-person close-up on Camera One." Kara stood at the control desk, issuing commands with ease. "Get my big headline ready. It should be 'Bloody House,' don't mess it up!"

Murphy watched with his arms crossed, interested. Although he had provided several news videos before, this was his first time seeing the behind-the-scenes production of a news show.

"Last night, a home invasion robbery occurred in the Santa Monica Valley, resulting in four deaths so far..."

The news cut to the footage, and as the scene began, the anchor's voiceover matched the captions. "This video is an exclusive purchase by Channel 6 from Stanton Studios, a professional video production company."

Hearing this, Murphy smiled. The station had done some editing, and some overly sensitive content had been processed. However, the bloody and thrilling footage was cleverly included to captivate viewers.

During the broadcast, Kara repeatedly had the anchor emphasize the brutality of the crime and that the perpetrators were still at large, capable of striking again at any moment...

Even though he wasn't an expert, Murphy could see that Kara was using fear tactics to enhance the show's appeal.

As for whether it would actually cause panic, neither Murphy nor Kara nor the TV station cared. Otherwise, they wouldn't have haggled over the video's price for so long, ignoring the police and the victims.

Kara cared about the ratings, and Murphy focused on how to use this news to generate a substantial income.

"This is truly horrific, such severe violence spreading to Los Angeles' most upscale and safest communities, with the criminals still at large..."

After another emphasis on the crime's brutality and the criminals' escape, along with a reminder that the program would follow the latest developments, the news segment concluded.

"Insert ads." As soon as Kara gave the order, the editing room phone rang. She immediately picked up the receiver. "This is Kara Faith."

"Well done, Kara!"

The voice on the other end belonged to a high-ranking station official. "Very impressive, very compelling news."

Putting down the phone, Kara felt quite good. After completing this program, she immediately turned to the corner where Murphy was still standing, looking rather pleased with himself as if he had just accomplished something great.

Thinking it over, Kara walked over and said bluntly, "Why are you still here?"

Murphy shrugged, dodging the question. "A very well-produced news segment. After all your enhancements, even I'm curious to see what happens next."

Despite her grievances against Murphy, Kara acknowledged his abilities, even admiring him. Capturing such news footage couldn't simply be attributed to luck.

"You did a good job filming." Kara rubbed her forehead. "Your camera skills have significantly improved."

"Thank you." Murphy ignored the curious stares around him and tentatively asked, "It's almost time for you to get off work, right?"

Kara nodded lightly.

"I've heard there's a great Italian restaurant nearby called Cabaret." Murphy extended an invitation. "Do you like Italian food, Kara?"