Chapter 1: The Paradise of the Rich, the Hell of the Poor

The car was parked beside the intersection, and Murphy grabbed his bag, just as he was about to get out of the car, he was stopped by Ross, who pointed at the guy sitting in the passenger seat and said in an authoritative tone, "Take out your phone and wallet"

Murphy also acknowledged that these experiences were self-inflicted. The British director he injured reportedly suffered from lingering effects, with impaired cognitive function. However, he feels that he must pay the price for the mistakes of his predecessor, which he finds difficult to come to terms with.

If it were in the past, Murphy would definitely not accept it, but in the face of the harsh reality, there were not many choices. He hesitated for a moment before putting away the money and the phone. He first nodded slightly to Ross and then said to the person in the passenger seat, "Thank you, buddy, I will return it to you as soon as possible"

He spoke these words without any reservations, and there was no need to be discreet about the camaraderie forged between the two of them during their time in prison. Murphy let out a long sigh and said with utmost certainty, "I will earn dollars, I want the most beautiful movie star, my future is in Hollywood"

Although he had accepted the fact of coming from across the Pacific and becoming this twenty-year-old named Murphy Stanton, the depression in Murphy's heart since arriving in this world was truly indescribable. The transition of identity and language was particularly maddening at first, and merging with the original owner's memories was certainly not a pleasant experience. It felt as if another person's thoughts were crammed into his head, as if someone were stirring his brain matter with their hands. The transition of identity and language was particularly maddening at first, and merging with the original owner's memories was certainly not a pleasant experience. It felt as if another person's thoughts were crammed into his head, as if someone were stirring his brain matter with their hands.

That unfortunate fellow is undoubtedly a fool, clearly caught up in a conflict that someone of his insignificance should not be involved in, becoming a pitiable pawn.

Just wait! Murphy stood by the roadside, his posture straight and upright, his brown hair shining brilliantly in the sunlight. He replied with great confidence, "Ross, you will soon see the name Murphy Stanton spread across the entire United States."

However, the issue raised by Ross is indeed very realistic

Especially Summer Laird, who directly sent him to prison, Murphy remembers very clearly that due to the immense pressure exerted on the California judicial system, not only did it lead to his own imprisonment, but also resulted in the forced confiscation of his property in Los Angeles to offset the fines

Although that guy's house was confiscated, the studio for his work as a freelance journalist was simply transformed from his aunt's apartment in the UK, and it can also serve as a residence

"No need, Ross," Murphy said, shaking his head once again, not wanting to waste time in prison. "If I really can't make it, I will definitely come to rely on you."

If Murphy were to evaluate himself, he would undoubtedly describe this country as a paradise for the wealthy and a hell for the poor

The person in the passenger seat hesitated for a moment, then took out a Nokia phone and a black wallet. Ross took them, first throwing the phone to Murphy, then opened the wallet and rummaged through it, handing over all the more than 200 dollars inside.

You are truly unfortunate

Having experienced a year in prison, Murphy's entire demeanor appeared somewhat tough. In a place like a men's prison, someone like him, who is relatively good-looking, must become sufficiently tough to protect himself and avoid situations like picking up soap.

This is also the place where he will reside and live

In simple terms, it is about earning a living for oneself

Walking out of the prison with Murphy was a typical Latino man, strong in build, who raised his tattooed hand to pat Murphy on the shoulder. He pointed to a car parked by the roadside ahead and said, "Let's go, our car has arrived."

Shaking his head, which was already feeling somewhat swollen, sore, and painfully torn, Murphy couldn't help but sigh inwardly; his previous situation had been miserable enough, and now his circumstances were clearly even worse

The Latino's gaze was withdrawn from the window, looking over here and asking, "Murphy, why not join me? I promise, dollars and beautiful women..."

Ross beside me spoke again, sometimes the friendships formed in prison are often relatively strong, "Hollywood is not what you imagine, and for people like us, it is very difficult to find work"

Murphy was also unceremonious, getting into the car from the left and right doors with Ross. The car started and turned, heading towards Los Angeles, fifty miles away

He is currently penniless, unsure of how he will manage to eat his next meal

Due to the unbearable experiences in prison, Murphy remained haunted by them. However, he was well aware that Summer Lestington was an unequivocal giant, one that he could not provoke at his current state. For such a titan, even if a dragon-slaying warrior wielding a sword stood before him, he might deign to glance down for a moment. In contrast, for a vagabond like him, empty-handed, the other party would likely not even spare a glance.

He slightly lowered his voice again, "If we join forces, we can definitely dominate the heroin and underground firearms market in the city center..."

Recalling the roads here, Murphy reminded the driver, "I will get off at the intersection ahead."

The car finally arrived in Los Angeles, without stopping in the suburbs, but instead went directly into the city center. After all, Murphy has the memory of a native Angeleno, and with a year of personal experience, he has some understanding of the situation in the Greater Los Angeles area. Like most places in this country, the city center does not represent prosperity; rather, it is synonymous with slums.

"Ross," Murphy interrupted him, shaking his head and saying, "Do you want me to join you in selling heroin and firearms? I certainly do not wish to return to prison"

Murphy believes that the profession of selling heroin and arms is not suitable for him

"Poor little fellow..." Ross raised his hand and patted his shoulder again, "Haven't you woken up from your dream yet? Your house has been forcibly seized to offset the fines, what do you have to establish yourself in Los Angeles? Murphy, every year there are tens of thousands like you who come to Hollywood in pursuit of their dreams, but how many actually achieve them?"

The side gate of the California Chino State Prison opened, and Murphy Stanton along with his companion Ross stepped out, breathing in the air of freedom for the first time. However, what came to mind was the scene from a year ago. Perhaps he was the unluckiest reincarnator in the world, having come to Los Angeles from across the Pacific, only to find not the legendary glamorous world, but rather a tremendous tragedy—at that time, he had already been arrested by the Los Angeles police, facing multiple charges, and ultimately convicted, spending nearly a year in a California state prison.

For a person of his stature, even the most basic survival is not an easy task

Despite his grand ambitions, Murphy was acutely aware that what he had to confront now was not the elusive Hollywood, but rather how to survive.

Ross did not believe these words at all, "That must be a nude photo of Summer Raistone."

This is the original cost of Murphy's greed and the sacrifices of growth, yet he is the one who must bear the consequences

What are your plans for the next step

If one year ago Murphy was still a student, somewhat naive, then this year's life in prison has been enough to make him understand just how real and cruel this world can be

The only fortunate aspect is that, over the course of this year, Murphy has essentially resolved some issues related to language and adaptation

The prison is located far from the city center, making it not an easy task to catch a ride. Murphy nodded and followed him to the car, where the two individuals standing in front of the vehicle immediately displayed flattering smiles towards Ross and opened the rear doors for the two of them.

Murphy repeated the most frequently spoken phrase from the past year, reflecting that compared to now, his former self was indeed much luckier. Previously, he was merely a student at a mediocre film academy across the Pacific, soon to face the reality of graduating into unemployment. But now, how is he supposed to continue living in the future

The speed of the car is very fast, especially after getting on the highway

The car slowly drove away from the intersection, and Murphy shifted his gaze from the receding tail of the vehicle to his surroundings. The buildings here appeared old, dilapidated, and crowded, truly a typical slum.

Although Murphy was just a student about to graduate from a lesser-known film academy on the other side of the Pacific, he had studied Hollywood as the center of world cinema and understood that Ross's words were not exaggerated at all, and could even be considered optimistic, as the reality was much more challenging than that

Murphy Stanton was found guilty of the crimes of illegal intrusion into a private residence and negligent injury, and was sentenced to a fine of 200,000 dollars and imprisonment for 12 months

Murphy is well aware of how difficult this path is. The question is, what will he do about his future if he does not take this road? He was once just a student at a low-tier film academy, and his only expertise lies in film. Returning to Los Angeles in 1999, after spending another year in prison, if he does not choose the film industry, which he is most familiar with, does he really intend to sell heroin with Ross?

How many people who come to Los Angeles ultimately achieve both fame and fortune? One in a thousand or one in ten thousand?

Born in the slums of Los Angeles, my parents met their demise in a car accident due to alcoholism

A year in prison is certainly not easy, and the numerous scars on Murphy's body are the best evidence of this. If it were not for his acquaintance with Ross, a local power broker, he might have had an even more miserable experience. More importantly, the precious time of his first year in this world has been completely wasted

Murphy opened the car door, got out of the vehicle, and turned to look at Ross inside. Ross had already moved to the seat near this side of the window and said loudly, "If your Hollywood dreams do not come true, do not forget that you still have me as a friend"

Seeing Ross next to him also deep in thought, Murphy muttered to himself, recounting the glorious history of this body's previous owner: "Dropped out of public high school at sixteen; worked as a lawnmower for a month, the only thing gained was hay fever; worked as a mechanic, got fired for damaging a customer's car during repairs; hit the streets of Los Angeles intending to sell drugs, but lacked the courage to go through with it; stole manhole covers and airport fence nets, fortunately realized in time and was not caught; ..."

Turn right ahead

Initially, as a so-called freelance journalist, he actually accepted employment from a private detective agency, not only to photograph the personal privacy of media tycoon Summer Lestond, but also to intrude into the latter's private residence. He was caught in the act and, in the ensuing chaos, accidentally caused a problem for a British director who was visiting Lestond's home. Originally, he could have escaped by paying a certain fine; however, Summer Lestond felt that his reputation was severely damaged and personally pressured the Los Angeles police, resulting in him having to spend a year in prison. In the chaos, he accidentally caused a problem for a British director who was visiting Lestond's home. Originally, he could have escaped by paying a certain fine; however, Summer Lestond felt that his reputation was severely damaged and personally pressured the Los Angeles police, resulting in him having to spend a year in prison.

In the amalgamated memories, the person known as Murphy Stanton was previously described as a freelance journalist in flattering terms, but less charitably, he could be seen as an unemployed individual without a fixed profession, making a living by capturing various chaotic footage on the streets to sell to local small television stations. The terms "impoverished" and "meager" are perhaps the best descriptors of his financial situation, and beyond that, he possesses no particular skills. The only asset he can boast of is his familiarity with the terrain and streets of Los Angeles, having grown up there; otherwise, he would not be able to engage in such work.

For any circle to ascend to a relatively higher position is not an easy task. Hollywood is merely Murphy's long-term goal; his immediate objective is actually just one: how to survive in this country

What are you thinking about

The guy from back then was undoubtedly a fool blinded by money. Murphy admitted that he too was tempted by money, but he would never commit such a foolish act that would lead to that guy being sent to prison

As Murphy turned his gaze towards the window, he watched the rapidly receding scenery, and everything that had happened upon his arrival in this world came back to him.

Murphy, are you really not considering my suggestion?