Chapter 10: Creating Panic

Well then. Murphy reached out to unplug the data cable, took back his storage drive, did not even glance at Carla, and directly walked towards the office door, stating, "It seems this deal cannot be completed."

The price just mentioned seemed more like a test. Murphy pulled over a chair and sat opposite Carla, "Fifty thousand dollars!"

It seemed unbelievable to Kara, who paused for a moment and exclaimed, "Are you out of your mind, Murphy!"

This is the voice of a senior executive at the television station, "Very exciting, very captivating news"

"This is impossible." Kara's eyes shifted from the screen back to Murphy, her light blue pupils appearing unusually bright. "I need a more realistic figure."

Looking at Murphy with a look of surprise, Carla seemed as if she had just met him.

She raised one hand and tapped Murphy's hand, saying, "That's it, it's a deal"

Kara looked at Murphy, unable to utter a single word

Kara cares about the show's ratings, while Murphy is focused on how to leverage this news to generate substantial income

He deliberately looked at Carla's towering chest and exquisite face, "If that is the case, I would be willing to provide you with any news video to express my feelings for you"

Kara fell silent for a moment, and finally nodded slowly

Seeing that Carla was still contemplating, Murphy continued to speak nonsensically, "They will offer a higher price, I can drive over there in time."

After this news broadcast, he has more work to do

Once again emphasizing the brutality of the case and the escape of the criminal, and reminding the audience that the program will focus on the latest developments, this news segment comes to a close

Even if he is not an expert, Murphy can see that Carla is using the method of creating panic to increase the appeal of the program

As for whether it will truly cause panic, Murphy does not care, Carla does not care, and the television station does not care either; otherwise, they would not have abandoned the police and the victims, dragging out the negotiations over the price of the video for such a long time

Although Kara has many criticisms of Murphy, she still recognizes his abilities and even admires him to some extent. Capturing such news footage cannot simply be attributed to luck.

Murphy clearly understood that fifty thousand dollars was impossible, and he made a concession, "Forty thousand!"

After some thought, Carla walked over and said rather impolitely, "Why haven't you left yet?"

She is not a little girl filled with fantasies

Upon hearing this, Murphy couldn't help but laugh. The footage broadcasted had been appropriately edited by the television station, with some overly sensitive content having been processed. However, the bloody and shocking images still appeared in the news program through some clever means, in order to capture the audience's attention

Kara didn't even look at him, "Time is tight, stop joking around, Murphy, how much is it?"

Although I really want to slap that expressionless face across from me and see just how thick-skinned he can be, Kara indeed needs that video very much. As he said, it is a tool that can attract viewers' attention for a long time and enhance the program's ratings

twenty thousand US dollars

At this point, he looked directly at Carla and said, "You know, Miss Fess, I have always regarded you as my most reliable partner. Other television stations are offering a high price for this video, yet I came to you first because I believe it is worthwhile. This can help your career and also allow me to receive appropriate compensation"

You know this is impossible. " Kara sighed and turned back to the screen, " How much? "

Well done, Carla

He turned to leave, and Kara finally couldn't hold back and shouted, "Stop, Murphy!"

"Double shooting, close-up of two people with lens one." Carla stood in front of the workbench, skillfully issuing commands, "Get ready for the large title I want, it's 'Bloody House', don't get it wrong!"

The news switched to a video segment, and as the camera began, the female anchor quickly spoke in sync with the subtitles, "This video is an exclusive purchase from Stanton Studios by Channel 6, a professional video production company"

Looking directly into those bright light blue eyes, Murphy quickly said, "I know how excited you were when you saw the video, and I also know that it is definitely worth more than five thousand dollars to you!"

Feigning ignorance to these seemingly sincere yet utterly deceitful ramblings, Carla took a deep breath and said, "Betting thirty thousand dollars on a single piece of news would drive me insane"

"This is impossible, there is no precedent for this. Twenty thousand dollars is my highest bid; I cannot stake an entire month's expenses on your video."

Murphy shrugged and answered evasively, "It's excellent news. After you all have rendered it with your words, I can't help but want to see how it will develop next."

Murphy picked up the storage disk and shook it, saying, "This video will lead viewers to switch to Channel 6, keeping them engaged with your program for a long time"

The expression on Carla's face gradually faded, "Five thousand dollars, this is the highest figure I can offer."

I have given you two. "Murphy is clearly not joking," he said again, "fifty thousand dollars!"

Your photography is quite good as well. Kara rubbed her brow and said, The photography skills have improved significantly compared to before

Putting down the phone, Kara felt quite good. After completing this episode, she immediately turned to look at the corner where that bastard was still standing, wearing a rather smug expression on his face, as if he had just accomplished something remarkable.

The other party's attitude and tone have already softened, and the dominant Murphy added fuel to the fire, "I think you have forgotten that the criminal has escaped and is still at large, mingling among the crowd. Those with families, especially those living in the suburbs who believe they are safe, will be anxious and unable to sleep, continuously monitoring the developments of this matter"

Murphy turned around and stood at the door, looking at Carla. Carla crossed her arms, her expression changed to another one, and her tone began to soften, "We have been cooperating for so long; I thought we were already friends. Are you really going to treat a friend with such an attitude?"

With a heavy slap of her right hand on the armrest of the chair, Carla stood up, circled around Murphy, returned to face him, and said condescendingly, "Ten thousand dollars"

"Thirty thousand dollars!" Murphy stood up, taking advantage of his height to slightly look down at the woman across from him, "Thirty thousand dollars!"

Murphy rolled his eyes and said, "If the television station belonged to you, I would be willing to give it to you for free"

This statement is deeply emotional, yet Kara subtly curled her lips in disdain. How credible can the words of someone who dares to shoot such a video be

He deliberately emphasized the term "white people," "extremely wealthy white people, shot dead in their own mansion, a housewife lying dead on the bedroom floor! I understand you, Carla"

As the time gradually approached six in the morning, with the sound of a bell ringing, the morning news on Channel 6 commenced. Murphy stood in a corner where he would not be in the way, carefully observing Carla, eager to see how this woman would make the video come alive.

Murphy shook his head directly and said in a reminding tone, "This time, the deceased is not a Black person, nor a Mexican immigrant, but a very wealthy white person"

Kara's expressionless face, "Fifteen thousand dollars!"

I heard there is a nice Italian restaurant nearby called Cabaret. Murphy extended an invitation, "Do you like Italian food, Carla"

"Fifty thousand dollars!" Murphy repeated with an extremely serious and solemn tone

This is truly cruel, such severe violence has spread to the most upscale and safest communities in Los Angeles, and the criminals are at large

thirty-five thousand US dollars

He cannot remain a freelance journalist forever; once he has funding, he will undoubtedly turn to the film industry, which can be seen as an opportunity for promotion

Last night, a home invasion robbery occurred in the San Monica Valley, resulting in four fatalities

During the broadcast, Kara repeatedly urged the announcer to emphasize the brutality of the case and the fact that the criminal remains at large, potentially able to commit further offenses at any moment

It was only now that she realized this young man, like herself, possessed a strong ambition for his career and was willing to go to any lengths for it

Thank you. Murphy completely ignored the curious gazes around and tentatively said, "You should be off work by now, right?"

But Murphy's demands did not end there. Some matters were already considered on the way here. "I regard you as a friend, Carla. I also appreciate your dedication, but you must understand that thirty thousand dollars is not my only requirement"

Murphy turned around and pointed in the direction of the Disney building to the west, "Go to ABC Television Station, I contacted the people over there before coming, and they are very interested."

"When you broadcast this video..." Murphy emphasized, "I request that the announcer introduce my work and display subtitles, so that the audience knows this comes from my company—Stanton Studios! A highly specialized video production company!"

Murphy crossed his arms and looked over there with great interest. Although he had previously provided a considerable amount of news videos, this was the first time he was witnessing the behind-the-scenes manipulation of a news program.

Murphy also knows that no television station would spend one hundred thousand dollars to purchase a murder news video, especially when the deceased is merely a wealthy individual, rather than a celebrity like Tom Hanks or Steven Spielberg

What do you want to do?" A slightly urgent voice from Carla followed, "Where are you going?

Kara nodded gently

After saying those words, Murphy approached Carla and raised a hand, "So, can we make a deal?"

Insert advertisement. Kara had just finished giving orders when the phone in the editorial office rang. She immediately picked up the receiver, "This is Kara Faye."

The head of the ABC News Department has contacted me many times

The two parties reached an agreement. After Kara made another phone call to her superior, Murphy received a check for thirty thousand dollars shortly thereafter. However, he did not leave; instead, he remained in the television station's editing room, waiting for the news to be broadcast.