Chương 129: Chapter 129: Taking Advantage of the Situation
[Chapter 130: Taking Advantage of the Situation]
In the morning, Matthew Broderick dressed in a tailored suit and came downstairs. Sarah had already prepared breakfast. The couple shared a harmonious atmosphere, seemingly with no rifts between them. Just last night, they reached a new agreement that once Broderick finished up his current commitments and Sarah snagged a Golden Globe, they would find a willing third party to join their game.
They could have started sooner, but Sarah decided to hold off due to her pregnancy, planning to wait until after a potential miscarriage before diving into the fun. She hadn't informed Broderick about the pregnancy yet, planning to surprise him when her baby bump started to show and the three-person dynamic kicked in. The thought of her husband watching her with another person sent a thrill down her spine. If she could pull Hawke's sorry self into it, she thought it would be even more intriguing.
Broderick quickly finished his breakfast and said, "I need to get ready for a New Year's party; I might be busy for a while. The public opinion on you has already flipped. If anyone gives you trouble later, just pin it all on me."
Sarah laughed and replied, "You're my husband; I won't let you off that easily."
...
After finishing breakfast, Broderick grabbed his briefcase and left for work. Sarah accompanied him to the car. When he arrived at Ackerman Films in Santa Monica, Broderick noticed many people were giving him odd looks. He glanced around, and the stares quickly retreated.
Once in his office, Broderick asked his secretary for several newspapers to see how the media had been attacking him as a bad husband. Sure enough, many outlets branded him as a disgrace among men, with some even labeling him an abuser. Broderick wasn't a celebrity and didn't really care about that. However, when he turned to the Los Angeles Times, the headline on the entertainment section made him frown: "Sarah Parker: A Sad and Pathetic Woman - Weakness and Compromise Only Enable the Abuser." The entire piece lamented Sarah's situation and criticized her choices, calling her a bad role model.
The Hollywood Reporter slammed Sarah for being entirely different from the character she portrayed on screen, stating she wasn't a modern woman but rather lived decades behind the times.
Another paper claimed her actions were a regression for society.
Broderick closed the paper and called Sarah. "Have you seen today's papers? Some media reports?"
Sarah's voice sounded low. "Caroline just called me. I saw them."
Broderick reassured her, "Don't pay them any mind. After a few days, the hype will die down, and they'll quiet down."
"Don't worry; I'm fine." Sarah sounded very composed. "You focus on your work. Don't let this little issue distract you."
After hanging up, a knock came at the door, and his assistant, Guerrero, walked in, closing the door behind him. "Are you still going to the training session?" Guerrero asked.
Broderick replied, "You handle this round; I'm busy preparing for the New Year's party." He inquired, "Any suitable candidates?"
Guerrero explained, "There are two women around twenty years old -- outsiders with a strong desire to become stars. They live in Los Angeles, come from broken families, and have little contact with their parents. Their looks are outstanding."
Though Broderick had a lot on his plate, he still needed to delegate tasks. "Contact Carl. Use the usual method."
Guerrero acknowledged and left.
...
In Sherman Oaks, Sarah and Caroline were discussing the media's criticism when loud noises erupted from outside.
"Are those reporters out there?" Sarah asked.
Caroline suggested, "It doesn't sound like it. It seems like there are some protests. Should we go upstairs to check it out?"
Sarah got up to go to the second floor with Caroline and looked out at the courtyard. A large crowd, easily over a hundred women, had gathered in front of the entrance, holding banners and showcasing posters of Sarah from Sex and the City with protest slogans. Some encouraged her to be braver and use legal means to protect her rights.
Fuming, Sarah exclaimed, "Have they lost their minds? I forgave Broderick; what does it have to do with them?"
Caroline soothed her, "Just ignore them. They love the spotlight."
Soon, a swarm of reporters showed up, clued in by the protest. By noon, several entertainment news outlets covered the issue on their midday broadcasts. The media landscape was split; right-leaning outlets like Fox News were in the minority, while most left-leaning outlets portrayed Sarah as a weak woman unable to escape her husband's violence.
In the afternoon, another wave of protestors arrived. Women's hormones during pregnancy often led to emotional turmoil, and Sarah was livid. Caroline, while appearing comforting, subtly stoked the flames.
California was a stronghold for leftist activism, and Feminist Majority Foundation had long been a staple in Los Angeles, capable of mobilizing a considerable number of people. This wasn't just limited to traditional media -- online, waves of critiques aimed at Sarah emerged.
...
Broderick noticed the public sentiment and the ongoing situation at his home. He returned early to comfort his wife. As an orchestrating producer, he immediately directed Caroline, a seasoned professional, "You need to work on defusing this situation as quickly as possible."
Caroline said, "I suggest we divide our approach. I'll handle direct communications with the media to minimize negative publicity. On the legal side, we'll have your lawyer send a cease and desist letter to the pertaining media; that should reel them in a bit."
She added, "The women's rights organization could be a hassle; we'll ignore them and let it cool off over time."
Knowing the difficulties surrounding feminism in Los Angeles, Broderick warned Sarah firmly, "Do not engage or interact with them. Understand?"
Sarah replied, "You're my husband, my family. You're supposed to provide me with protection. I'm not stupid."
While saying that, her first priority was still herself. An idea suddenly sprouted in Sarah's mind: if she could push Broderick back into the spotlight, perhaps it would quell the uproar. After all, it had worked once before.
Shouldn't a husband bear the brunt of such repercussions for his wife? Broderick kissed her and said, "I'm going to the study to call the lawyer."
...
While Broderick left, Sarah contemplated the hidden items she discussed with Caroline. She hurried off to the ladies' lounge, finding everything untouched. Relieved, she changed her jacket and returned to continue discussing with Caroline.
Caroline, as a public relations manager, suggested standard public relations strategies, but given her current involvement with Hawke, she knew they wouldn't suffice.
Due to past incidents with surgery, Sarah had grown more sensitive and sensed a looming crisis. Taking advantage of Broderick's absence, she asked, "What if we can't gain control over public sentiment?"
"I need to know your thoughts," Caroline replied. "What's your stance?"
Having struggled for years in Hollywood to achieve her current status, Sarah asserted, "I cannot abandon my career."
Having just read those articles fortified her, and she nonchalantly said, "You should meet with Hawke tonight. This is a residual issue from the last public relations crisis; he's obligated to help me resolve it."
"I'm on it." Caroline hopped in her car and left Sarah's house, glancing at the growing crowd of women and driving straight to East Hollywood.
...
On Fountain Street at the West Coast Studio, Hawke instructed Edward to take Brad Pitt's Mexican nanny file to Campos. He then settled in front of his computer, opening IMDb to check the comments for Sex and the City and then went to the show's official website to jot down the studio address.
Like many Hollywood productions, Sex and the City operated under an independently financed sub-company.
As Hawke scrolled through the website's comment section, he noted that some female viewers had already expressed their dissatisfaction.
Sex and the City was aimed primarily at women, featuring a protagonist living in New York, and with each season, its narrative evolved toward a more independent and even feminist ethos.
However, Hawke's notion of a statement, crafted by Caroline, encouraging Sarah to forgive Broderick for his abuse, fell flat on ideals of feminism.
There was a knock on the studio door, and Hawke opened it to find Caroline. "What's the situation with Sarah?" he asked directly.
Caroline ran through her traditional response strategy. "Sarah made it clear to me that she doesn't want to give up her career."
"Good." Hawke called her over to his computer. "Get in touch with the Feminist Majority Foundation and rally support to leave positive comments on IMDb and the show's website."
Caroline pulled out her phone.
Hawke continued, "I want the FMF to organize a group of female fans to protest outside the Burbank Sex and the City studio. Keep this situation heated today, and tomorrow we'll focus on three specific areas."
Given Miss Baa's reaction, he made suitable adjustments. "Since Sarah doesn't want to give up her career, let's present her with a choice."
Caroline pocketed her phone. "I'll head back to the women's group." Sjhe asked, "When will you meet with Sarah?"
"Let her know I'm out of town handling another client's business," Hawke said, wanting to let the situation intensify further. "I'll return early tomorrow. I should be in Los Angeles by noon."
...
Soon aftr Caroline left, Campos called. "Boss, I received the materials Edward delivered."
"Since you're Mexican, connecting with Mexican immigrant families should be easier," Hawke instructed. "Just fo as the Savior says; the money isn't an issue."
"I got it."
Hawke's target was, of course, Brad Pitt's Mexican nanny. Nannies usually lived in older, predominantly Mexican neighborhoods like Old Ovilla Avenue, where financial circumstances weren't great.
Hollywood stars often sought nannies through third parties. The salaries were significantly reduced from what the nanny actually received.
...
That afternoon, many media outlets and websites in Los Angeles received letters from Sarah and Broderick's lawyers. The legal letters had some effect, as the media's reporting the following day suggested a softer stance.
Caroline's public relations maneuvering seemed to be working. But in reality, the battlefield had shifted.
Outside Sarah's mansion, only a few scattered demonstrators protested, urging her to stand up bravely against compromise and weakness for women's rights. However, more demonstrators had congregated outside the Burbank Warner Bros. studio, gathering at the Sex and the City working lot.
Under the guise of being fans of the show, these activists condemned Sarah Parker's perceived weakness and demanded that she be removed from the cast for the upcoming season, as her character, Carrie Bradshaw, was supposed to represent an independent female.
On unofficial forums for the show, posts emerged calling for a boycott against Sarah Parker's return for the next season of Sex and the City.
Inside the studio, producer Patrick stood by his office window, observing the hundreds of female protesters outside, a surge of irritation bubbling up inside him.
The previous cosmetic surgery scandal had already riled him quite a bit, but it had only impacted Lancome and quickly cooled down. He didn't expect this fire to reach the production team, too.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. The associate producer, Cindy, entered and said, "You should check the official website and IMDb. More and more fans are leaving comments, and the sentiments against Sarah are heating up."
Patrick sat at his computer and pulled up the web pages. The furious female commenters swarmed both sites like locusts.
"A weak, ineffectual woman in reality is portraying an independent woman. It's nauseating."
"If this is the Sarah Parker we have, I'll drop the series next season."
"Me too."
Patrick turned to his assistant, "What's your take?"
Cindy replied, "There are only a few hundred people outside; the online comments aren't too numerous yet, and the negative sentiment has just begun. But public opinion rises quickly, and if it gains traction, we could easily lose half of the goodwill we worked for in the earlier seasons."
Patrick nodded slightly. "The viewership for this show was already declining; this will force Sex and the City to end abruptly."
Cindy added, "Let's pressure Sarah Parker to resolve this, ideally by today; we need a solution."
"Give her a call," Patrick instructed.
"I'll call her." Cindy returned to her office to pressure Sarah. As an associate producer, she could afford to speak more firmly, especially with Patrick's backing. "Sarah, you need to resolve the current issues quickly. The situation is quite precarious, and your supporters could turn into your worst critics at any second. If that happens, the foundation of your career will crumble."
...
In Sarah's Sherman Oaks mansion, she hung up the phone. Caroline asked, "What's the studio saying?"
"Can they step in?" Her manager, Sophia, took great pains and worked with several partners to get Sarah's agency business, but wasn't getting any commissions amidst a whirlwind of nagging issues.
Her interests were now tied to Sarah's success.
"The studio issued me an ultimatum; they need a resolution proposal from me today," Sarah replied. This raised her anxiety. "Can't you sense the urgency? If this isn't handled well, I'll lose my supporters."
Sophia exclaimed, "Their reactions are over the top."
Caroline knew the underlying reasons all too well. Without Hawke and her meddling, the so-called public relation crisis would have already evaporated.
Another idea emerged in Sarah's mind. She remembered the hidden items and felt fortunate, believing that the situation was still in her control.
Having known Sarah the longest, Caroline, who was involved with Hawke, saw her in deep thought and deliberately remarked, "Most of your fans are women. If this escalates, it could affect your endorsements, not just Lancome."
She sighed, "We're all women here; we know how women think. Our spending habits lean toward emotion, swinging from one extreme to the other."
Still wavering, Sarah felt conflicted about her feelings for Broderick. Caroline, always direct about her work, said without hesitation, "The hottest female singer this year is Allison Faith. Her rise is thanks to her social media presence amidst the trending topics."
Sophia, being a woman herself with leftist ideals and little knowledge of the actual situation, pointed to the bruise on Sarah's neck. "Abuse like that is cyclical. Once it happens once, it occurs again and again. Look at the extent of your injuries."
Sarah remembered Hawke's whispered advice about the risks surrounding this publicity stunt.
Back then, Hawke suggested Broderick might not even be willing to step up. But now, uncontrollable factors manifested elsewhere.
Sarah held her trump card. "I need to hear what Hawke has to say."
"He'll arrive by noon," Caroline informed her.
"Let's go to him." The seeds of her plans had not only sprouted but were now flourishing.
She envisioned herself with another man while Broderick watched excitedly from the sidelines, instructing the other guy to give it his all.
Thinking back to that night when Broderick had beaten her, she darkly reveled in the image of her exquisite self-interest.
As she walked towards the living room, she shot one last glance at Broderick's framed photo and muttered softly, "Shameless! Pervert!"
Rushing to the dressing room, she pulled out three suitcases. One was for daily clothing, accessories, and makeup. The second one held disguised cameras and evidence of his offenses. The last suitcase, she dragged to her safe, where she packed documents, contracts, and various valuables.
Once Sarah packed her items and tidied the house to appear unaffected, she called Caroline and Sophia to help load the suitcases into her Bentley.
Caroline asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Sarah bared her arms and legs, revealing a multitude of scars. "I can't take it anymore!"
Sophia and Caroline were taken aback, gasping, "Oh my god!"
As fellow women, they shared a sense of camaraderie.
"I can only depend on you two now," Sarah said firmly, gripping their hands tightly.
Sophia nodded vigorously.
"Don't forget Hawke," Caroline reminded her.
"Let's go see him." The three of them got into their cars, heading out when Broderick's vehicle turned the corner, coming towards them.
He parked and rolled down the window. Without waiting for him to question her, Sarah halted her car, "Honey, why are you back?"
Broderick said, "The public sentiment isn't right."
Sarah smiled and reassured him, "Don't worry, everything is fine. The studio and HBO are preparing to take action, calling me in for discussions. Just wait for the good news."
With HBO behind them, Broderick felt somewhat relieved. "Call me if you need me."
"I will." Sarah rolled up her window, driving off.
...
Broderick, too busy with work, turned around to head back to his company in Santa Monica, as he had been swamped with tasks lately.
Upon returning to Ackerman Films, he found the head of the charity foundation, Barack Bernanke, waiting for him.
Barack shut the office door and said, "I went to Malibu. We need to move some funds through your production company."
Hollywood productions were a convenient front for money laundering, and Broderick was already accustomed to it. "Just give me the documents."
Barack pulled out the paperwork and handed it over. Teasing his old friend, he said, "The wife you're so devoted to has been stirring things up lately. If I were you, as a producer, you could have anyone you wanted..."
Broderick interjected, "You don't understand my happiness! Also, Sarah is my wife; stop joking about her."
Barack waved him off. "You and your dedication to her leave me speechless." He lost interest in further conversation. "I'm out."
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
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