Chapter 30 Classified Ads

On Christmas Eve morning, Ronald left the apartment. 

He bought two professional Hollywood newspapers, "Daily Variety" and "Hollywood Reporter," as well as a copy of the Los Angeles Times at a kiosk not far from his apartment.

"Happy Christmas!"

"Happy Christmas!"

After greeting the kiosk owner, Ronald looked on his way home. He wanted to study three newspapers and place some portrait photography ads in them.

Ronald flipped through the two professional newspapers. There were very few ads. It was probably not cheap, and he couldn't afford it. He picked up the Los Angeles Times again and flipped through the classified ads.

There was a large stack of classified ads. These columns are for individuals to publish, and each person only has a piece the size of dry tofu. Weddings, obituaries, marriage proposals, and finally, I got to the service page.

"Hollywood portrait photographer, 120 yuan, available that day."

"10 years of experience in portrait photography, good at guiding subjects."

"If you're handsome, have no cash, and want an audition photo, call..."

…

Ronald felt the market was good and there was a lot of potential.

After finding the hotline for classified ads, Ronald found a phone booth to call and asked for the address of the nearest agency office. It wasn't too far, so Ronald just walked there.

As he walked, he flipped through daily variety shows and newspapers specifically covering Hollywood. Of course, the content was full of news that certain crews were starting production, there were rumors that the female lead and the director were disagreeing with each other, and a certain actor had fallen in love with an actress from the same drama and they were openly a couple, among other gossip news.

"Jane Fonda's new movie, The Wedding Ring, is causing controversy. Is it appropriate for a married woman to cheat in a movie?"

It's this year's box office hit "Coming Home."

Jane Fonda plays the wife of a Vietnam War officer in the movie. While her husband was serving in Vietnam, she still wore her wedding ring and had an affair with a former high school idol who is now a disabled soldier.

Ronald remembers that Aunt Karen didn't like the movie and complained on the phone that "Hanoi Jane" was staining the honor of Vietnam War wives.

"The Deer Hunter has been well received. Will it gain an edge in the race for Oscar nominations?"

This article is about the new movie "The Deer Hunter" that Demi Moore wants to see. Reports say that the studio only released the film for seven days, which was intentional to meet the minimum screening requirements to qualify for the Oscars.

Not many people have seen the movie; everyone just talks about it. It seems that those who have seen it are the ones with connections and friends, and are true connoisseurs.

This is marketing, raising audience expectations. Ronald secretly admired it. Now that the movie has received much acclaim, it is expected to be nominated for an Oscar.

When he arrived at the agency that published classified ads, Ronald asked the price and purchased four consecutive ads.

"What do you want to publish? You can write it here." The staff handed him a piece of paper.

Ronald took the pencil and said: 

"A formal member of the Directors Guild, explaining how to take audition photos to win the favor of the director."

"The author has worked as a screenwriter, assistant director, photographer, and in other positions, and has extensive experience."

"Contrary to what most people think, the prettier the audition photos, the better."

"Interior or exterior? Black and white or color? The author will analyze it in detail."

"The basic package costs 99 yuan, and the upgraded package costs 149 yuan."

"Please call for more details..."

"Can I show a photo?" Ronald asked.

"Yes, but it can only be printed in black and white."

Ronald pulled out a small reprinted photo of Demi Moore and handed it to the staff: "Put it in the top left corner. The text begins below the photo."

The staff took the photo and asked, "How many days do you want to send it?"

"Three days."

It turns out that it is a holiday and people are at home, so more people will read the newspapers. And very few weddings are held on Christmas, so there are many vacancies in the newspapers to choose from. Ronald wanted to take the opportunity to work three consecutive days.

Ronald took the receipt handed by the staff with the publication date of the ad and returned to the apartment.

It was Christmas Eve, and after Ronald hung up the phone to greet Aunt Karen, he found he had nowhere to go.

Thinking that after the ad was published, many people might call to inquire, and since he would be working after the holidays to study editing, Ronald considered whether to buy an answering machine.

He took out the phone book and looked up the number for the electronics store RadioShack. The staff at Ruishal said the cheapest one cost 1,000 dollars, which scared Ronald and he immediately hung up the phone.

It's better to pay someone to answer the phone.

Just as he was thinking about his business, Mrs. Weber, the neighbor next door, knocked on the door: "Ronald, are you there? Come to my house for Christmas dinner today. I cooked turkey."

Mrs. Weber is also a single mother. Her daughter is in the 12th grade of high school. Mrs. Weber worked as a waitress in a restaurant and now works as a secretary in a small company. Similar family backgrounds allow Mrs. Weber and Ronald to communicate more often. Knowing that Ronald was alone in Los Angeles, she invited him to have dinner with them on Christmas Eve.

Ronald was very happy because today he had nowhere to go.

Cameron went home to be with his wife, Sharon. This workaholic usually doesn't go home, and his wife has many objections. Gail went back to her parents' house. His other colleagues and friends were all natives of Los Angeles. Ronald still didn't know them well enough. He hadn't received an invitation for family dinner and couldn't go.

He was invited to several rave parties for young people, but Ronald didn't want to go. Alcohol and drugs kept him away.

He went out and bought a bottle of red wine, wrapped it in a paper bag, and gifted it to Mrs. Weber.

When he entered, Mrs. Weber was coming out of the kitchen with a roast chicken. Ronald stepped forward to help. The three of them sat at the dining table: 

"For the food we are hungry,

To allow us to rest in peace 

and have a home where memories endure, 

we are grateful."

Mrs. Weber pronounced the prayers, clasped her hands, and prayed to God.

"Amen," Ronald and her daughter responded, crossed themselves, and began to have Christmas dinner.

"Ronald, what have you been doing lately? I see you rarely at home."

After the meal, Mrs. Weber brought coffee, and the three chatted, waiting for the television station to broadcast the annual Christmas Eve program: the movie "It's a Wonderful Life."

"I work on a filming crew, but soon I will start a portrait photography business. If I make enough money, maybe I can go to college. It depends on the admission results in February next year."

"Ronnie, can you take photographs? Can you take one of me?" asked Mrs. Weber's daughter.

"Of course, you and your mother come to my apartment tomorrow, and I will take a photo of you both."

"That's very kind of you, Ronald," said Mrs. Weber.

"That's okay. We, the working class of Venice Beach, need to help each other."

"Yes, we help each other," Mrs. Weber nodded. "We are still from very close places. My parents' family is in New Jersey, very close to Staten Island."

"Really? What a coincidence." Ronald took the coffee and took a sip.

"Yes. In fact, your Staten Island is closer to New Jersey and is connected by an interstate highway. However, you have to take a ferry from Stanton to Manhattan, the center of the universe."

"Yes... A few years ago, Aunt Karen took her on a ferry to see a doctor in Manhattan. Donna was also clamoring to go, which greatly distressed Aunt Karen..." Ronald thought of the past, and suddenly his heart was moved as he looked at Mrs. Weber's daughter, who is in the 12th grade.

"Mrs. Weber, I placed a portrait photography ad in the newspaper, but I don't have a suitable operator. During the holidays, would your daughter be willing to be my temporary operator? I can pay her 5 dollars a day."

"What do I have to do?" the girl asked eagerly.

All you have to do is write down the name and phone number of the person calling while I'm taking the photo, and I'll call them back when I finish taking the photo. "That's when you can rest."

Mrs. Weber thought about it and agreed. If her daughter worked at a fast-food restaurant, she could earn the minimum wage of 2.65 dollars an hour, but it would be much harder.

The next day, Christmas, it was time to publish the classified ads.

Ronald got up early and turned the living room into a reception and reception desk. He placed a table and took out the phone. On the table, there was a large notepad, and next to it were two pens. Everything was ready.

Ah, yes, and this. Ronald pulled out copies of the audition photographs of Demi Moore and Natasha Kinski, put them in wooden frames, and placed them on the table. He adjusted the position repeatedly to ensure that clients could see them at a glance when they walked through the door.

Mrs. Weber's daughter also came to help, which was considered her first day of work. As a high school student, she was very eager to be called Miss Weber

, so she picked up the phone and hung it up again, simulating it many times.

"Good morning, this is Ronald's portrait photography studio." Ronald taught the girl how to say it. Then let her practice a few times.

Shortly after 9:50, calls began to come in. Ronald signaled Miss Weber not to move, and he himself would answer the first call...

"Ring ring ring ring..."

End of chapter