Chapter 6 First Income

As a local television station, Fox Los Angeles Channel 6 prioritizes the latest developments in the greater Los Angeles area. A serious car accident in the famous Hollywood area undoubtedly attracts many viewers' attention.

For a commercial television station, viewership ratings are their primary concern.

"Kara, are you sure?"

Another person beside the woman with long golden brown hair asked, pointing to the bloody scene on the screen, "During the morning news, viewers are usually having breakfast. This is excessively gruesome."

The woman named Kara seemed unconcerned, "We should have such reports every day. Viewers will talk about it at work and discuss it all day, keeping an eye on our program."

Standing slightly behind these people, Murphy had been observing carefully. Upon hearing these words, he immediately grasped some useful information and also formed a preliminary impression of the woman named Kara.

Seemingly forgetting Murphy completely, Kara disregarded her subordinate's opposition and ordered in a commanding tone, "As the headline for the morning, I request a breakdown of the footage, a live scene wrap-up, and use large fonts for the headlines..."

After a moment's thought, she added, "First, warn viewers to watch with caution."

Murphy glanced at her again, realizing that caution often piqued curiosity from a psychological standpoint.

This was undoubtedly a woman with many ideas. "Also, include other accidents that happened on Sunset Boulevard this year and say it's a deadly road."

Upon hearing this, Murphy couldn't help rolling his eyes slightly. These news workers really go all out to attract attention.

The woman continued, "Check the identities of the accident victims, call their relatives, and record interviews."

She looked at her subordinates, "You know what to do, go."

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

Only then did the woman's eyes return to Murphy. She didn't get up but extended her right hand, "Hello, I'm Kara Fes, head of the evening and morning news department of Channel 6."

"Hello, I'm Murphy Stanton." Murphy took a few steps forward and lightly shook the woman's hand, "I'm a freelance journalist."

As he spoke, he subtly scrutinized the woman.

The woman had curly golden brown hair, light blue eyes hidden beneath long eyelashes, shimmering with a savvy light. Her typical Western-style firm face was adorned with the popular professional makeup of the era, further enhancing her corporate female aura.

Murphy could sense that this tall and pretty woman was definitely astute and capable; otherwise, she wouldn't have become a department head at such a young age, looking only around twenty-five or twenty-six.

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

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

There was no doubt he was asking for a high price, but his tone also left room for negotiation.

"No!" The woman opposite shook her head, bluntly saying, "Your asking price is outrageous."

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

The offer was very low, but Murphy stood there, considering for only a second before nodding in agreement.

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

The woman named Kara turned back to the screen, casually waving her hand towards Murphy, "Wait in the lounge in the lobby. I'll have someone bring the money to you."

Murphy glanced at her back and said nothing, then turned and walked out of the office. He quickly arrived at the lounge area near the entrance of the lobby, patiently waiting on a bench. The woman didn't make him wait too long. In less than half an hour, she sent the three hundred dollars over.

What surprised Murphy was that the woman herself came.

"Here you go."

Seeing the money Kara handed over, Murphy stood up to accept it, saying politely, "Thank you, it was a pleasant cooperation."

Murphy's polite attitude, at the very least, wouldn't cause any resentment. The blonde woman on the other side was obviously in a good mood, supporting herself against the back of the bench, and said, "You have a good eye, and you chose good angles for shooting the video. It would be even better if you could interview the emergency personnel at the scene."

"I did overlook that." Murphy lightly tapped his head, "Thank you for the reminder."

Not only do freelance journalists need television stations, but television stations also need freelance journalists to provide them with a large amount of material. Kara's current attitude was obviously warmer than before, "Murphy, right? Your video shooting is very professional."

"I've just started, to receive praise from someone like you..." When needed, Murphy never minded lowering his posture, "It means a lot to me."

Kara unconsciously showed a smile and reminded, "If there's a next time, come earlier, and it's best to call ahead."

She took out a business card and handed it over, "Bringing some valuable material would also be helping me. Shoot anything valuable and then contact me."

Seeing Murphy take the business card, she turned and walked outside the lounge area. Murphy immediately followed, "Similar videos like this?"

"Yes." Kara nodded as she walked.

Murphy immediately thought of the excitement Kara showed when she saw the bloody scene earlier and asked, "Bloody ones?"

Perhaps not expecting Murphy to be so direct, Kara turned her head slightly surprised to look at him and said, "That's only part of it. We like crime news, not all crimes."

Following behind Kara, Murphy didn't even have the mind to appreciate her tall and graceful figure. He asked again, "Could you elaborate?"

Kara stopped in her tracks, glanced at her watch, and tried to be concise, "For example, crimes happening in the downtown area are not of interest. That's already normal, not news. What viewers want to see is crime spreading to the suburbs."

Murphy immediately realized, "So the best victims are wealthy white people, preferably harmed by poor people or minorities?"

Kara didn't answer, just shrugged. Seeing Murphy seemingly understanding, she continued, "If you want to capture what we need, imagine our news as a screaming woman running naked on the street, her throat slashed..."

"I understand." Murphy nodded vigorously, "We will meet again."

With three hundred dollars and a sudden realization, Murphy left the TV station, but instead of going home, he drove to a 24-hour restaurant and ordered a serving of spaghetti and grilled steak. He hadn't eaten anything since yesterday afternoon and felt like he could eat a whole cow now.

Sitting at the table, Murphy kept one hand in his left pocket, gently stroking the three crisp hundred-dollar bills. Only those who have experienced hunger and hardships like him would understand the difficulty of earning money and the complex feelings at this moment.

It had been over a year since he arrived from the other side of the Pacific Ocean. This was Murphy's first time earning money here, although it was only three hundred dollars, it represented finding a way to survive in this country and at least being able to fill his stomach with his own hands in the future.

Only by filling his stomach could he stand firmly on the ground, talk about

dreams, and hope to enter Hollywood.

Feeling the unique texture of the bills with his fingertips, Murphy let out a long sigh. It seemed like his life had become a bit brighter.

The fragrant spaghetti and grilled steak were served successively on the table. Murphy couldn't remember the last time he had eaten such delicious food. There was no need to elaborate on the food in prison, and after his release, he had been living below the poverty line. The only two hundred dollars he had came from Ross's sponsorship. Coupled with the extremely difficult job search, he had to split a penny into two to spend. He had only eaten the cheapest fast food during this time, never had he tasted the flavor of steak.

Picking up the knife and fork, cutting off a small piece of steak, and slowly chewing it, Murphy closed his eyes in enjoyment. This was the most delicious food he had ever eaten in his life, not just because of his impoverished and hungry state, but also because there was a taste of success in it.

After countless hardships, Murphy finally earned his first money since coming here. All the bitterness and sweetness were mixed in this piece of steak, and for a moment, his eyes almost became moist.

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

But he still wanted to enjoy this moment, the moment when he tasted the fruit of success after countless trials and tribulations!

With a very slow pace, not wasting a single piece, Murphy finished the steak and spaghetti. He ordered another cup of coffee as a reward to himself, because starting from tomorrow, he must continue to strive for the future.

During the meal, Murphy gradually formulated a preliminary plan, especially the words spoken by the woman named Kara, undoubtedly pointing out a way to make a living.

Murphy wouldn't easily give up on Hollywood, but he also understood the need to wait for the right moment. He could continue his previous profession, shooting news material in exchange for the necessary money for living, and then write scripts or apply for related jobs, looking for a genuine opportunity to enter Hollywood.

It's not easy to establish oneself in Hollywood, and Murphy understood this now more than ever. His thoughts were more focused on professions that could provide a livelihood.

Although Kara didn't admit it, she gave plenty of hints, combined with having seen various sensational news before, Murphy knew that to get news videos that could sell for a high price, he first needed to consider whether the public was interested.

For example, bloody car accidents in busy areas like Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood.

And those like Kara said—crime spreading from downtown to the suburbs.

Those living in the suburbs were not the working class but the truly wealthy in this country.

Ordinary people just like to see elites and rich people suffer, don't they?