The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 318: Los Angeles Heat]

Los Angeles, Century City.

A Mercedes sedan pulled up in front of the Fox Tower. As Hawke stepped out, a wave of heat hit him square in the face.

Just as meteorologists had predicted, summer had arrived early in Los Angeles this year, and the heat was relentless.

"Mr. Osmond." Megan Taylor's new assistant was already waiting at the entrance.

Hawke gave her a slight nod and followed her inside the Fox Tower. They took the elevator upstairs to the floor where Channel 11's director had his office.

The assistant spoke softly, "The director is in a meeting. Please wait in the office for a moment."

"Alright." Hawke entered the Channel 11 director's office.

...

This office was three or four times larger than Megan's previous one. In addition to a spacious seating area, it also had a private lounge and a bathroom. Outside, there was even a dedicated workspace for her assistant.

Hawke sat on the sofa in the seating area and picked up a copy of the Los Angeles Times.

The front page was filled with political news.

After all, it was an election year.

Hawke read carefully. The Elephant Party's candidate, often ridiculed by the media as "the Texas Pig," was currently serving his first term and was expected to run for re-election.

On the Donkey Party's side, the candidate was yet to be decided. John Kerry and Johnny Edwards were still battling it out, and a winner wouldn't emerge until mid-year at the earliest.

The Los Angeles Times seemed to be favoring Kerry.

California had been part of the Red camp in the early '90s, but over the last decade, thanks to a series of spectacular blunders by the Elephant Party, it had firmly shifted to Blue.

...

The office door opened from the outside. Megan walked in, dressed in a dark women's suit. She gestured toward Hawke and said, "A small situation came up, so the meeting ran a bit longer than expected."

Hawke put down the newspaper. "I just got here."

Megan placed the documents she had brought back on the desk and sat on the armrest of the single-seater sofa next to him. "Last time, you mentioned going to New York for an art auction?"

She was curious. "Since when did you become interested in art?"

Hawke put on a scholarly air. "I've always been studying different cultures and art throughout history. This trip to New York was quite rewarding. I also happened to invest in a company."

"What kind of company?" Megan asked. "If it caught your eye, it must be something special."

Hawke replied, "An internet company. It will officially launch soon, and when it does, I might need some TV advertising."

Megan understood. "Just have them come straight to the marketing department."

"There's more. We're planning some media coverage as well." Hawke briefly explained the two major initiatives that SugarBaby was about to roll out.

They would be using both traditional and digital media — Fox's Channel 11 on one side, and Twitter on the other.

Megan's expression was amused. "So this is the kind of website you invested in." She teased, "Darling, you're corrupting America's youth and dragging the nation into depravity."

Hawke, however, responded seriously, "I'm saving young men and women across the country by giving them a spiritual sanctuary. Think about it — if they spend their free time on this instead, won't it diffuse their frustrations and aggression? Society will be more peaceful."

Even though she knew he was talking nonsense, Megan was entertained. She played along, "So by that logic, I'm also a savior of America since I'm involved?"

Hawke laughed. "If you really want to be part of the salvation effort, you should consider investing when the company seeks funding."

Megan trusted his instincts. "Alright, I'll follow your lead."

Hawke continued, "Once I have more capital, I plan to start an investment firm."

Megan smirked. "And then you'll scam me out of both my money and my affection?"

Hawke burst into laughter.

...

After chatting for a while, Megan asked, "You didn't come to Fox just for this, did you?"

"Of course not. There's something more important." Hawke took Megan's hand. "Fox's local stations all broadcast weather reports daily. Channel 11 focuses on California, and you have deep collaborations with local meteorological institutions, right?"

Megan leaned against his shoulder. "Yes, especially with Caltech's meteorology lab. We've been working with them for years, and their weather models for California are highly accurate."

Hawke asked, "This year's heat wave started early. Can you check with your most reliable experts and see if temperatures will keep rising and if rainfall will be below average in the coming months?"

"This year's temperatures are indeed high. Summer and fall are already dry seasons in L.A., and we haven't had a drop of rain since the Oscars." Megan pressed his hand against hers. "I'll make a trip to Caltech and ask."

She was curious. "What exactly are you planning?"

Hawke didn't answer directly. "There's one more thing — if there's going to be strong seasonal winds, have your partners give you an early heads-up."

This was a normal part of the station's collaboration with meteorologists, so Megan agreed readily. "No problem."

Hawke kissed her. "Make it look natural."

Megan said, "I'll have my team do a segment on Southern California's increasing drought issues. That will give us a reason to reach out to our partners."

Hawke knew Megan was more than capable of handling this.

She asked again, "What exactly are you planning?"

Hawke gave her a hint. "I'm setting up a big news event. Fox and Twitter will report on it together — it'll generate a massive wave of attention."

Megan caught on. "You're planning a major incident? In what area?"

Hawke didn't hesitate. "You've heard that Brian Ferguson is preparing to run for L.A. mayor, right?"

Megan asked, "Isn't the election next year?"

"We're laying the groundwork early." Hawke recalled how Arnold Schwarzenegger had entered office through a recall election and added, "If the timing is right and the conditions are favorable, we might push for a recall vote."

Schwarzenegger had risen to power that way.

Lately, Brian had been calling Hawke daily because this wasn't just an isolated mayoral race — it was part of a bigger political strategy.

The Elephant Party had lost California for just over a decade and desperately wanted it back. Given the current political climate, they needed a bold move to have a shot.

Megan didn't ask further. Fox News Network already leaned conservative, and Hawke would keep her informed on the necessary details. It wasn't something she had to stress over.

After discussing business, the two of them headed into the lounge.

Before entering, Megan had already told her assistant — no interruptions for the next two hours.

...

West 5th Street, Los Angeles Fire Department Headquarters.

Brian's Cadillac pulled up near the crowded entrance.

"Find a spot to park," he told the driver.

The driver circled around and finally found an empty space a bit farther from the fire department's gate.

The fire department was hiring, and the influx of applicants had made the entrance congested.

Brian pulled out the binoculars Hawke had given him and scanned the fire department's courtyard.

...

The gates were wide open, and three long lines of applicants stretched deep inside.

All of them were women, ranging from their 20s to their 40s.

Since February, the department had been aggressively recruiting female firefighters, dedicating substantial resources to the effort.

Reporters from the Los Angeles Times and NBC arrived at the scene and were welcomed inside by the newly appointed female deputy chief.

Cameras flashed, and an NBC crew set up their equipment.

...

Meanwhile, Michelle, a leader from the FMF feminist group, shouted, "Hold up our signs! Quick!"

Most of the slots in this recruitment drive were unofficially reserved for L.A.'s major feminist organizations.

At Michelle's command, the women raised their banners and placards, displaying slogans advocating for women's rights, along with messages supporting the city and the fire department.

...

Just then, two vehicles from City Hall arrived, and Mayor Antonio stepped out, greeting the cameras with a wave before mingling with the crowd.

He shook hands, made small talk, and delivered a speech about empowering women in all professions, promising that female firefighters would play a crucial role in Los Angeles.

The crowd erupted in applause.

...

Brian watched from afar, considering how to counter this.

His faction had the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People led by Steve Nutt.

If there was a conflict with the feminists, he would unleash the Black community's influence.

Black women had both gender and racial leverage — a double-layered shield.

Brian signaled for the driver to leave and made a phone call.

He had already planted people inside the recruitment drive.

After arranging a meeting with his informant, he sent a message to Hawke.

*****

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