บท 10: Chapter 10 Creating Panic
Karla seemed momentarily incredulous at the figure she heard. "Are you out of your mind, Murphy?"
"You know that's impossible," Karla sighed, then turned back to the screen. "How much?"
Murphy also knew that no television station would pay a hundred thousand dollars for a murder news video, especially when the victim was just a wealthy person, not a celebrity like Tom Hanks or Spielberg.
The previous price seemed more like a probe. Murphy pulled over a chair, sitting opposite Karla. "Fifty thousand dollars!"
Karla didn't even look at him. "Time is tight, Murphy, stop kidding. What's the real number?"
With utmost seriousness, Murphy repeated, "Fifty thousand dollars!"
"That's impossible," Karla's eyes shifted from the screen back to Murphy. Her light blue irises looked exceptionally bright. "I need a more realistic figure."
"I've given you two," Murphy wasn't joking. Once more, he said, "Fifty thousand dollars!"
The expression on Karla's face gradually faded. "Five thousand dollars, that's the highest I can offer."
Murphy shook his head directly, reminding her, "This time it's not a black person or a Mexican immigrant who died, but a very wealthy white person!"
He emphasized 'white person', "Extremely wealthy white person, murdered in their own mansion, a housewife dead on the bedroom floor! I know you, Karla."
Staring into those bright light blue eyes, Murphy spoke quickly, "I know how excited you were when you saw the video, and I know it's worth more than five thousand dollars to you!"
Karla's expression changed as she stood up, circling around Murphy before facing him directly from a higher vantage point. "Ten thousand dollars."
Murphy knew fifty thousand dollars was out of the question and made a concession, "Forty thousand dollars!"
Karla remained expressionless. "Fifteen thousand dollars!"
"Thirty-five thousand dollars..."
"Twenty thousand dollars..."
"Thirty thousand dollars!" Murphy stood up, leveraging his height advantage, looking down slightly at the woman opposite him. "Thirty thousand dollars!"
"No," Karla stepped back, using distance to bring their gazes to the same level. "That's impossible. There's no precedent for this. Twenty thousand dollars is my highest offer. I can't allocate an entire month's budget to your video."
"Fine," Murphy unplugged the data cable, retrieved his storage disk, and without looking at Karla, walked straight to the office door. "It seems this deal won't work out."
"What are you going to do?" Karla's voice sounded slightly urgent from behind. "Where are you going?"
Murphy turned around, pointing towards the Disney building in the west. "To ABC Television. I've been in touch with them before coming here. They're very interested."
He looked directly at Karla. "You know, Miss Fess, I've always considered you the most reliable partner. Other TV stations offered big money for this video, but I came to you first because I believe it's worth it. It can help your career and provide me with the appropriate return."
The words were sincere, but Karla subtly smirked. Someone who filmed such footage, how much of what they said could be trusted? She wasn't a naive little girl full of fantasies.
"The head of ABC News has contacted me many times."
Seeing Karla still considering, Murphy continued confidently, "They'll offer a higher price. I can still make it there in time."
He turned to leave, but Karla couldn't hold back any longer. "Wait, Murphy!"
Murphy turned back, standing at the doorway, looking at Karla. Karla crossed her arms, her expression changing to a softer tone. "We've been working together for so long, I thought we were friends. Are you going to treat a friend like this?"
Murphy rolled his eyes. "If the TV station were yours, I'd give it for free."
He glanced at Karla's towering chest and delicate face. "If that's the case, I'm willing to provide you with any news video to express my affection for you."
Pretending not to hear these seemingly sincere but actually deceptive words, Karla took a deep breath. "Putting thirty thousand dollars on one news story would drive me crazy."
While her attitude and tone loosened, Murphy, who held the upper hand, added fuel to the fire. "I think you forgot, the criminal is still on the loose, roaming free, mingling with the crowds. Those with families, especially those living in suburbs thinking they're safe, will lose sleep and continue to follow the progress of this matter."
Murphy picked up the storage disk and shook it. "This video will draw viewers to Channel 6 and keep them glued to your show for a long time."
Karla remained silent for a moment, finally nodding slowly.
But Murphy's demands didn't end there. Some things were considered on the way. "I consider you a friend, Karla. I also appreciate your dedication. But you should know, thirty thousand dollars isn't my only request."
Looking at Murphy with a surprised expression, Karla seemed to have just met him.
"When you broadcast this video..." Murphy emphasized, "I request the anchor to introduce my work and display subtitles indicating it's from my company—Stanton Studios! A highly professional video production company!"
He couldn't be a freelance journalist forever. Once he had the funds, he would definitely transition to the film industry. This could be seen as an opportunity for publicity.
Karla looked at Murphy, unable to say a word.
It was only now that she realized this young man, like herself, had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and was willing to do anything for it.
After saying those words, Murphy approached Karla, raising a hand. "So, can we make a deal?"
Though she wanted to slap the expressionless face in front of her to see how thick his skin was, Karla truly needed that video. Just as he said, it was a tool that could attract viewers' attention and increase the show's ratings for a long time!
Raising a hand, Karla tapped Murphy's hand. "Deal."
Both parties reached an agreement. After Karla made a phone call to her superiors, Murphy didn't have to wait long before receiving a check for thirty thousand dollars. However, he didn't leave. Instead, he stayed in the TV station's editing room, waiting for the news to be broadcast.
After this news was broadcast, he had more work to do.
As time approached six in the morning, with a ring, the morning news of Channel 6 began. Murphy stood in a corner, carefully watching Karla's side, wanting to see how this woman would manipulate the video.
"Double shot, close-up on camera one." Karla stood in front of the workstation, skillfully issuing instructions. "Prepare the large headline I want, 'House of Blood', don't mess it up!"
With arms crossed, Murphy watched with interest. Although he had provided many news videos before, this was the first time he had seen the manipulation behind the scenes of a news program.
"Last night, a home invasion robbery occurred in Santa Monica Valley, resulting in four deaths..."
As the news switched to the footage, the female anchor quickly spoke in sync with the subtitles displayed, "This video is exclusively purchased by Channel 6 from Stanton
Studios, a professional video production company."
Hearing this, Murphy couldn't help but smile. The footage shown on television was appropriately edited by the station, and some overly sensitive content had been processed. However, the bloody and thrilling scenes still cleverly appeared in the news program, stimulating the audience's attention.
During the broadcast, Karla repeatedly emphasized the brutality of the case and the fact that the perpetrator was still at large, potentially committing another crime at any time...
Even though he wasn't an expert, Murphy could tell that Karla was using fear-mongering tactics to increase the program's appeal.
As for whether it would actually cause panic, neither Murphy nor Karla cared. Otherwise, they wouldn't have left the police and the victims behind and engaged in such a long tug-of-war over the price of the video.
What Karla cared about was the show's ratings, and what Murphy cared about was how to use this news to bring him a hefty income.
"This is really cruel, such serious violence spreading to the highest and safest community in Los Angeles, the criminal still at large..."
Once again emphasizing the brutality of the case and the perpetrator's escape, and reminding the audience that the program would follow the latest developments, the news ended.
"Insert commercial." Just as Karla gave the order, the phone in the editing room rang. She immediately picked up the receiver. "This is Karla Fess."
"Well done, Karla!"
It was a voice from a high-ranking person at the station. "Very exciting, very attractive news."
After hanging up the phone, Karla felt quite good. After completing this episode, she turned her head to look at the corner, where that bastard was still standing, his expression quite smug, as if he had just done something remarkable.
After some thought, Karla walked over, not too politely saying, "Why haven't you left yet?"
Murphy shrugged, answering evasively, "Excellent news. After you guys hyped it up, even I couldn't resist seeing how it would develop."
Although she had plenty of opinions about Murphy, Karla still recognized his ability and even admired him a bit. To be able to film such news footage couldn't simply be attributed to luck.
"You've done well with your filming," Karla rubbed her brow. "Your photography skills have improved a lot since before."
"Thank you," Murphy completely ignored the curious glances around him, tentatively suggesting, "It should be time for you to get off work, right?"
Karla nodded lightly.
"I heard there's a good Italian restaurant nearby called Carbaret. Do you like Italian food, Karla?"
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