Kapitel 44: Chapter 44. Playing with Extra Flair
The summer in Atlanta was not exactly scorching, but Peachtree Street was incredibly lively that day as thousands of people dressed in matching outfits marched towards the Georgia State Capitol.
Along the route, the APD officers were fully prepared.
Hundreds of media reporters were thrilled.
Television stations, having received the news early on, brought over their broadcast trucks at dawn.
The crowd's slogan resonated deeply: "I am the master of my life!"
What was even more attention-grabbing than the slogan was the pink water bottle in their hands.
Realistic in design, flamboyant in style, oversized in volume, and with peculiar uses, it created a sensational effect.
CNN, headquartered in Atlanta, broadcasted this event live, with the footage spreading all over the United States.
When, under the lead of Congresswoman Erica, seven to eight thousand people simultaneously used the bottle to drink water and then raised it high, shouting "I am the master of my life," not only were the media reporters and conservative onlookers at the scene stunned, but TV viewers nationwide were also blown away.
Georgia was truly crazy.
Congresswoman Erica climbed onto the high platform, tightly gripping the pink water bottle, and passionately declared, "What we're holding is not just a bottle, it's freedom!"
She took a sip using the straw, "What we're drinking is not just water, it's the enjoyment of inherent freedom!"
Maybe she had used it last night, or perhaps the straw was not fixed securely, but the straw fell to the ground with a snap.
Without the straw, the bottle's design became even more eye-catching.
All the camera lenses focused on Congresswoman Erica, giving her extended close-ups.
In politics, one's face is long discarded; Erica felt today she could create a sensational effect nationwide. She gripped the bottle tightly as if it were a lover, while making a victory gesture with the other hand.
As long as it could increase exposure and influence, what did it matter?
Kelly Gray, accompanying President Julia, stood right behind Congresswoman Erica. It was her first time standing on the stage of a major event in Georgia.
Congresswoman Erica stepped back and stood beside Julia, nodding towards Kelly Gray, "You did a great job."
Kelly quickly responded, "I just did my part."
Looking from above, media reporters seemed to go crazy. Erica was very satisfied with the event's outcome, "Julia, the person who planned this, in the name of the Freedom Association, should be rewarded."
This is a money-driven society, and money is the best incentive.
Julia nodded and softly said, "Kelly, you prepare the list and plan."
Previously, this had been the vice president's duty, and Kelly Grey was ecstatic. "I'll prepare it immediately after the event."
She craned her neck to search the crowd. There were many people participating, she couldn't find Martin at all.
There were too many people. The flag of the Beast House was hardly noticeable, all the attention was stolen by the bottles.
Hart held the bottle, moving up and down, and said, "Which idiot came up with this design? It's so damn cheap."
He asked Martin, "Daddy Martin, the idiot didn't design it based on himself, right? That's too much; it could compete with you."
Martin warned, "Son, if you keep talking like that, I'll send you to Thailand."
By noon, the crowd began to disperse.
The streets were filled with people holding pink bottles, creating a beautiful landscape.
If anyone doubted, someone would immediately retort - "We are holding freedom!"
...
Los Angeles, Headquarters of the Freedom Association.
President Caroline saw the CNN broadcast end and dialed a number, "Louise, was this event organized by the Georgians themselves?"
"Yes, wasn't it interesting? So much fun."
"Those conservative and rigid Georgians played so boldly." Caroline was baffled. "Even bolder than us; I can't understand."
Louise replied, "The ATL Freedom Association has a genius who played with extra flair. That bottle and slogan, all designed by him."
Caroline pondered, "He should come to Los Angeles; we are the ones at the forefront of the world."
Louise hung up the phone, the car door opened, and Kelly Gray got in.
She grabbed Louise's arm excitedly, her voice trembling, "Congresswoman Erica and President Julia are nominating me for vice president."
Louise slumped on the seat, "You're that excited?"
Kellie let go, "Although my family has some resources, most of it went to my two brothers. I had to manage a small company that didn't even dare to produce theatrical films."
Louise teasingly asked, "How are you going to thank that Martin?"
Kellie laughed, "He loves acting and wants to make money to escape the slum. I gave him the opportunity. Of course, provided I earn more."
Louise coyly lifted her chin, "I thought you'd have had him by now."
"He's good-looking, charming, sensible, fun, and talented, better than many same-age peers from affluent backgrounds," women talking privately tend to exaggerate, Kelly took a big sip from the pink bottle, and said, "As far as I know, he designed this based on himself."
Louise couldn't help laughing, "What an interesting person." She grabbed the bottle with both hands, "Have you used it? Is it good? Not just for show? Really so exaggerated?"
Kelly ignored her lewd talk and sighed, "Too bad, his background is too poor. You don't find many talented people like him among the poor."
Louise recalled yesterday, "His acting was good, above the baseline."
Kelly said, "Actually, his best talent isn't acting."
"I know," Louise tapped the bottle on Kelly's face, "This."
Kelly snatched it back, "Joking aside, his best skill is bartending. Remember the Paper Plane I told you about?"
Louise, who initially found the conversation amusing, immediately sat up straight when she heard about the cocktail she hadn't tried. "Call him, call him right now."
She then slapped her forehead, "Damn it, I have important work in the afternoon, can't get drunk. If I don't get drunk, it's not worth drinking."
Kellie said, "Alcoholic!"
Once an alcoholic's craving is triggered, it's hard to suppress it. Louise said, "Call him and ask if he's free tonight. I'll pay him by the hour."
...
In the afternoon, Martin received a call from Kelly and headed to the Freedom Association's headquarters.
The council held a brief meeting to recognize Martin and others for their outstanding performance in this event, awarding a special honorary certificate along with a $5000 reward.
For Martin, financial incentives were the most invigorating.
He followed Kelly Gray to her office and asked, "You seem in a great mood, something good happened?"
Kelly Gray was almost ecstatic, "Vice president, almost confirmed."
"Congratulations," Martin said like an old friend, "Kelly, you have to treat us."
Kellie Gray replied, "How about tonight? Louise is an alcoholic. When I mentioned Paper Plane, she couldn't wait. Are you free? Her suite has a minibar, and she can order more drinks anytime."
She reminded, "If you want to be a star, Louise can help you."
Martin's smile was as bright as ever, "Kelly, I don't know how to thank you."
Kelly joked, "When you become a big star, act in a movie for me."
They chatted for a while, especially about Louise's taste in drinks.
When he left the Freedom Association and went to the club to fetch the drinks he had prepared in advance, Martin asked his boss Vincent for leave.
He was also considering that now with financial security in life, he could give up his part-time job at the Beast House.
Since he earned money, those kids obeyed him. In the short term, it's fine, but what about the long term?
What would Vincent think?
*****
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