Even if Gao Guang were a nobody, let alone having made a name for himself with substantial family wealth, he wouldn't have the power to view surveillance footage whenever he wished.
Mr. Smith would be in the same situation, no matter how much money he had, it wouldn't be the airport's concern.
And the police at Los Angeles International Airport didn't indulge anyone; even if you filed a police report claiming you lost something, it would hardly be of any use.
So, to see the surveillance footage, one had to resort to some tricks. Gao Guang filed a report, claiming his wallet containing one thousand US dollars in cash was lost, along with a wristwatch worth one hundred thousand dollars.
Under nine hundred and fifty dollars, no case would be filed—that was Gao Guang's understanding of theft and robbery in Los Angeles, whether it was correct or not. In any case, in order to see the surveillance footage, it was better to report a higher value.