Chapter 215: Chapter 215: Girl's New Name
February arrived, bringing with it mild temperatures in Los Angeles, ranging from 18°C to 12°C. It was the perfect weather for windbreaker jackets, and Hardy found it much more comfortable than the summer heat.
Today, he was at the airport to welcome the crew of "Across the World" back to Los Angeles, but more importantly, to pick up Ava Gardner.
As the crew disembarked, the director and actors greeted Hardy with respect. He exchanged a few encouraging words with them before leading Ava to the car.
In the car, Ava hugged Hardy excitedly. "I'm so happy to be back! Now I can finally get some rest."
Hardy smiled. "It's up to you how you spend your time."
They chatted as they drove. Ava mentioned watching "The Ghost and the Human" in New York. "That movie was fantastic. Even though it wasn't full of big scenes, it left a lasting impression."
"And the theme song is incredible. You've created another classic, Hardy. The song's popularity has definitely contributed to the film's success."
"By the way, how did the show do? What's the box office like?"
"The film has officially ended its run. MGM hasn't released the final figures yet, but they told me the total box office is $11.2 million."
"Wow, that's a lot!" Ava exclaimed.
"I was wondering if 'Across the World' could compete with 'The Ghost and the Human,' but now it seems challenging," Ava said.
"Don't worry. With the right promotion, 'Across the World' can still be a big hit," Hardy said confidently.
"What's your plan for promotion?"
"I've got a special role lined up for you that will definitely boost the film's visibility," Hardy said.
Ava raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, just came back, and you're already putting me to work? You're such a capitalist."
"Just hear me out," Hardy continued. He introduced Ava to the 'Super Draft' program, which involved a nationwide audition leading up to finals.
Ava listened, intrigued. "It sounds like a fantastic opportunity."
"I want you to be a judge alongside Heidi Ramah, Johnny Fontaine, and Gary Grant. I think this lineup will be impressive enough," Hardy said.
The judge panel was indeed stellar. Ava Gardner was a renowned female singer whose record "Scarbro Market" had become a classic. Heidi Ramah, a top actress, had gained popularity from her role in "The Ghost and the Human." Johnny Fontaine, a celebrated American singer, and Gary Grant, an Oscar-winning actor, rounded out the panel.
"Alright, I'm in," Ava agreed.
With the judges decided, the rest was up to ABC TV. A production team was formed and preparations began.
Meanwhile, Bill orchestrated a covert operation to acquire a bottle cap factory in the suburbs of Atlanta. He spent over $10,000 to secure it and produced a batch of counterfeit Coca-Cola bottle caps. After production, the factory was sold off, and the workers were sworn to secrecy.
These fake bottle caps were distributed across major U.S. cities and stored in warehouses. A few weeks later, Bill reported to Hardy, "Everything's set. We can start in three days."
Hardy had already informed Andy of the plan to undermine Coca-Cola. Andy arranged to short Coca-Cola stocks using secret accounts.
During this period, Coca-Cola's sales surged due to their prize redemption activity, with 70 to 80 million bottles sold in just over a month. However, many people were accumulating bottle caps, but very few were winning prizes.
Distributors began exchanging caps for prizes, which initially seemed normal. But soon, the volume of exchanges grew suspicious. Coca-Cola's head office was alerted when the redemption amounts reached millions.
The CEO of Coca-Cola was overwhelmed and issued an immediate halt to the redemption process. Distributors were instructed to stop processing claims, but reaching the small grocery stores and supermarkets was a challenge.
The media quickly picked up the story. Newspapers reported on the scandal, highlighting the massive losses and Coca-Cola's declining reputation. The company's stock price plummeted by 26% in response to the crisis.
Pepsi-Cola capitalized on the opportunity, with Chairman Walter Mack announcing new, secure redemption methods for their bottle caps.
Coca-Cola's failure to address the situation properly led to further declines in credibility and stock prices. The company's internal strife continued as the new president was forced to deal with the fallout from the scandal.
As Hardy moved on to focus on the "Super Idol" talent show, February 14 arrived—Valentine's Day.
The Global Times announced the launch of the talent show hosted by ABC TV, inviting participants from around the world to Los Angeles. The show promised a chance for aspiring stars to secure record deals and make a name for themselves.
In a modest Los Angeles apartment, a girl carefully reviewed the newspaper ad for the show. She considered her chances and, despite her doubts about her singing, decided this could be her opportunity. She remembered her previous struggles and the fruit photo offer she'd turned down.
Determined, she dressed up and made her way to the registration location. The line was already long when she arrived, but she felt hopeful.
As she filled out her registration form, she hesitated before writing her name. Finally, she made a decision and signed with her new name:
Marilyn Monroe.
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