[Chapter 465: Hollywood Stars Take on the Responsibility of Cultural Shift]
At the Coastal Building, Campos walked into Hawke's office.
Hawke motioned for him to sit casually and asked, "Has Philip's sister and mother been contacted from Japan?"
"I've communicated with his mother," Campos answered. His prepared statement didn't require much effort, as white police shooting black individuals was all too common in America. Campos added, "Philip's sister just needs some more time to recover."
It's no exaggeration to say Hawke was gradually transforming into a capitalist. The only difference was the target of his ambitions.
Hawke asked, "Who claimed Philip's body?"
Campos already made arrangements: "Using his mother's name, a lawyer was hired to temporarily hold the body, and the funeral will be arranged after both return."
---
The storm grew fiercer. After politicians, Hollywood stars joined the scene.
The movement in San Francisco was still in full swing, and Hawke was already planning the next phase.
He summoned Rooney Chasen, director of BWR PR. She was formerly Caroline's superior and had been both an adversary and collaborator with Hawke.
...
In the Coastal Building's reception room, Rooney wore a warm smile. "Hawke, we're old friends. Whatever you need, just say the word."
Hawke smiled: "About some Hollywood matters, can I know which actresses BWR PR currently represents?"
Rooney no longer looked at Hawke with the old eyes; the gap between a billionaire and a PR director was monumental.
She naturally thought of matters of romance: "Should I organize a party for them? I hear your foundation invested in Hollywood film projects, which would be a great pretext. They would definitely love to come."
Hawke shook his head: "That's not what I need you to do."
"Hold on a second," Rooney quickly took out pen and notepad.
Within five minutes, she handed the list to Hawke: "All the female clients at a star level who have long-term contracts with BWR PR are here."
Hawke examined the list and pointed out several names: "Natalie Portman is a feminist, right?"
Rooney answered, "Yes, she joined a feminist group in New York and is a strict vegetarian."
Hawke asked Edward beside him to take note, then continued: "Emma Watson, Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively -- all are new-generation promising actresses represented by BWR PR."
Rooney smiled: "They all have bright futures."
Hawke nodded slightly: "I have an important assignment for you. Money is no object..."
"We're friends; forget the money," Rooney said cleverly. "I'll give it my all."
Hawke raised a finger, shaking his head: "This is a long-term plan requiring time and effort. If you don't take money, how can I let you do it?"
Free things are the most costly. He preferred spending big money than owing favors. "This job relates to your clients. Once started, it can't be quit midway. I'm not forcing you; think it over before deciding."
Rooney paused briefly, then decided: "I choose to work with you and won't regret it."
Hawke said: "Your task will be your usual job, aligning with your clients' publicity needs."
He glanced at the list: "Natalie Portman is a feminist, right? Push her to go further, become more radically feminist."
Rooney was puzzled: "What exactly do you want to do?"
Hawke recalled: "Feminism can blend with strict vegetarianism by criticizing factory farming and advocating society not only to stop eating meat but also abstain from eggs and dairy, as they all exploit females and female animals."
Rooney was shocked -- this version was too extreme, too ahead of its time.
Seeing her surprise, Hawke asked, "Is there a problem?"
Rooney honestly admitted: "No one before combined feminism and vegetarianism so perfectly. I believe I can persuade Natalie Portman; she would like this view."
"Good, push Natalie Portman towards extreme feminism," Hawke said, "She will face media backlash eventually."
In Rooney's eyes, hundreds of Natalies couldn't compare to being in Hawke's favor. She smiled: "If my clients don't face major crises, we PR managers wouldn't exist."
Hawke continued: "Emma Watson, Scarlett Johansson, and Blake Lively, guide them to stand empathetically with the LGBTQ community."
Rooney, having been following recent events in San Francisco, responded immediately: "To pit them against Natalie Portman?"
Hawke said: "They also support feminism, just a different style -- women are not just born women but can become women later."
He elaborated a more advanced version.
No one was better suited than Hollywood actresses to take on the role of cultural transformation.
Rooney was stunned, silent for a long time.
After a moment, she lightly tapped her face, looked out at the sunny Venice Beach and the blue Pacific Ocean.
This world is the real world, but why did Hawke's words sound so surreal?
Rooney finally asked: "Are you trying to redefine what womanhood means?"
Hawke politically correctly replied: "How can womanhood be casually defined? This is just a social movement."
Rooney said, "I'll push it, but success isn't guaranteed."
"Go all out," Hawke had planned before approaching her. "My fund manager has already negotiated with BWR PR's major shareholders. The acquisition should be completed next month, making us the controlling shareholders."
Rooney was surprised -- buying the whole PR firm just to eat one dish?
But then she realized BWR PR's assets only added up to tens of millions, just a small investment to Hawke.
Now Rooney had no worries: "I'll push this plan fully."
She knew refusing outright would mean losing her job soon.
"Get started soon," Hawke handed a business card to Rooney, "Contact Edward for media resources. He'll coordinate everything."
Rooney said goodbye: "I'm drafting the detailed plan now."
The governor election was still some time away. The LGBTQ group merely occupied City Hall Plaza, but if it lasted too long, media fatigue and public boredom would set in. Occasional new tricks were necessary to remind all of California and America that the San Francisco Democrats were a bunch of bastards with no sense of fairness or justice.
Hawke understood the California governor's race was more of a Los Angeles vs. San Francisco battle than a Democrat vs. Republican one.
---
San Francisco on a regular workday, Gavin Newsom went to work as usual.
As his car turned onto the road by City Hall Plaza, the speed immediately slowed down to a crawl.
The sidewalks on both sides were dotted with many tents.
Colorful protestors streamed freely across the lanes.
SFPD officers, fearing becoming the next Eddie, only shouted symbolic warnings without taking real action.
No cars could speed through.
A large number of journalists mingled among the crowd.
This was America's hottest news at the time.
A few minutes' drive turned into over half an hour just to reach City Hall.
Gavin's face flushed with anger, eyes almost red.
He entered his office, itching to order riot police to clear the area.
But that would only worsen San Francisco's position.
The National Guard required Schwarzenegger's approval, and he wouldn't help even if at odds with the Ferguson family.
...
Gavin called Mayor's assistant Gittens in: "How's the communication with the police department?"
Gittens replied: "I spoke with several deputy chiefs, none want to be chief. Mr. Berman also declined your invitation."
After days of chaos, even with Gavin's mild temper, he was furious: "Those bastards ran away when things were good, now that it's tough, they hide."
Gittens, effectively a city official, spoke frankly: "San Francisco's situation is tough. The Philip incident and LGBTQ issue are complex. Finding a suitable police chief is hard."
Gavin regretted: "Shouldn't have let Heather resign. She resigned and was relieved, but the tough issues landed on City Hall."
In Gittens' eyes, Gavin had the background, education, money, and capital support -- but lacked management ability.
This was typical among many new politicians.
Gittens analyzed: "The Philip incident and the insurance contract issue we created are basically unsolvable -- no matter what, there is no real resolution."
Gavin argued: "We resolved the contract issue in Los Angeles."
"Actually, the Ferguson family and Schwarzenegger side never resolved it," Gittens studied it closely: "This incident might be planned by Brian and Hawke Osment. They ignored our LA offensive, even abandoned defense, and struck San Francisco with a bold marginalized group movement to overshadow the insurance contract controversy."
Gavin's head ached: "Can we quickly calm this down?"
Gittens hesitated: "Unless we agree to all LGBTQ demands and become their agent in San Francisco."
Currently, Gavin was a feminist's ally; LGBTQ groups opposed feminists from the start.
He would never surrender his base to the 'monsters': "That would be a bigger loss."
Gittens had no better idea: "Maybe we handled it wrong from the start -- shouldn't have been so tough with them."
Gavin recalled Jerry Brown.
The young politician vented his anger: "Jerry pushed hard for tough handling, but his politics are outdated now."
Gittens agreed. Jerry Brown's last term was in the late 1970s; times had changed.
Gittens had one more idea: "We still have a card -- Satanist video."
He elaborated: "We attacked LA; Hawke and Brian didn't retreat, striking San Francisco directly. We could learn from them: fight fire with fire and drag in Hillary's side."
Gavin had arranged for Erica to receive the Satanist video package, but that reckless woman didn't investigate it, forcing use of backup plans.
He was looking for a chance to involve Hillary Clinton but got overwhelmed by LA's combined strikes.
Gavin said: "You implement this."
"Understood," Gittens left the office.
...
After handling business, Gavin heard noise outside, looked out.
The protestors gathered again, shouting slogans.
He closed the heavy soundproof curtains, finally quiet.
He picked up newspapers on the rack; headlines criticized San Francisco harshly.
"San Francisco's leaders expose their arrogant, ugly faces."
"Gavin Newsom's ability is poor; San Francisco pales next to Los Angeles."
"Compared to looks and charisma, Gavin beats Brian Ferguson; in ability, he loses badly!"
Gavin's approval rating in his base San Francisco had dropped below 50%.
But this was just the start.
...
Days later, Philip's sister and mother came to San Francisco. Accompanied by Steve Nutt, Rosa, and Solana, they claimed Philip's body.
They shared with reporters Philip's sacrifices to care for them.
...
Meanwhile, Los Angeles attorney teams formally sued San Francisco City Hall, demanding $30 million in damages.
Organizations like the Mattachine Society and Compton Foundation also announced lawsuits over arrests and injuries suffered by protestors, demanding various compensations.
...
A few days later, Philip's funeral was held in San Francisco.
Tom Cruise appeared at the church.
Schwarzenegger made a special appearance.
Brian came in person.
The White House sent Chief of Staff Andrew Card.
An anonymous Hollywood star donated $1 million for the funeral.
Saint Steve read eulogies.
Twitter and Fox Channel 11 broadcasted the entire funeral live.
Over 8,000 attended inside and around the church.
The funeral had plenty of politicians, especially those eyeing the next presidential election.
For example, Obama arrived; Democrats Tom Emmer and John McCain also came.
Unavoidably, the funeral became a campaign event.
Steve announced a statue of Philip would be erected at the NAACP headquarters.
As the hearse slowly drove to the cemetery, tens of thousands of San Franciscans lined both sides, placing flowers along the route.
The path of flowers led the hearse into the cemetery.
An American flag covered Philip's coffin.
Though mistreated in life, Philip received such honor in death, becoming an American hero!
...
Just after checking into their hotel, political and business groups approached Philip's family.
The first was expected: Philip's relatives were vote-winning assets.
Several businesses had their own interests -- sponsoring their products for daily use and media appearances, also seeking rights to Philip's image, and so on.
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.