Chapter 626 626 Butterfly Effect

Hugo smiled bitterly, "Michael, I don't want to give up, because I don't want to give up, but..." Hugo didn't say the following words, because he seemed to have any constructive opinions other than "never give up" If you can't say it at all, it's like saying nothing, because "never give up" is not something that can be accomplished by shouting slogans. It feels so bad.

"Hugo, no, I don't think this is giving up, it's just a temporary compromise, and it's a compromise I have to make." Michael's mentality has quietly changed. Before calling Hugo, he felt that he was just telling him in person. Hugo's result was nothing, and that was the real giving up; but now, Michael knew that things had started to change because of Hugo.

"What? What did you say?" Although Hugo had grown up a lot, he still knew too little about the entertainment industry. He couldn't immediately understand what Michael meant by "temporary compromise", and , why is this another compromise that must be made?

"You know, although there is no evidence to support Jordan's statement, the jury will not ignore Jordan's testimony as a witness, so the whole litigation investigation will last a long time, six months, a year, even two years, My physical and mental conditions are already unbearable." Michael whispered, although this was the decision he made after the physical examination, but the mentality at this time and yesterday's mentality has been turned upside down. , If yesterday was a give-up compromise, now Michael realizes that this is not giving up, but a fight in another way.

"I'm a singer, so many people have been hurt by this, I still want to be able to continue singing, recording, performing, I hope to continue my life, use my talent, work hard, I don't want to Continue to entangle on this matter." Michael went on to say that this made Hugo on the other end of the phone more and more angry, he felt that this was bowing his head to the society and compromising to the media, which for him was psychologically It's hard to accept, Michael seems to feel Hugo's fluctuating emotions too, he quickly said, "Hugo, calm down, listen to me, this matter has been hyped too much, you know, countless media I hope to make money through the negative news of this incident. The supermarket tabloids are even more so to obtain the so-called exclusive. Even the Los Angeles police have been bribed. If this continues, more and more people will be hurt. Now They're just attacking me, but what's next? They're going to attack my family, they're going to attack my friends..."

Having said this, Michael paused for a moment, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "You know, there are more and more vicious rumors against you now..." Michael is admitting that Hugo is his friend, This is not an easy task for Michael.

But Hugo didn't notice it at this time, he just blurted out, "I don't care, let those crows continue to shout, it has no effect on me."

"I know you don't care, but what about the others? Where's my family, where's my work mate, where's the rest of my Neverland folks? You know, even the Neverland cleaner's family is surrounded by paparazzi, and they're now Going to the supermarket will be attacked by a lot of paparazzi flashing lights, they are all innocent, but because of this, I have suffered." Michael's series of rebuttals made Hugo gradually calm down, "You know why there are so many in Hollywood Are homosexuals afraid to come out publicly? There are many reasons, such as fear of being discriminated against, fear of losing their jobs, etc., but one of the most important ones is that they are not allowed to come out.

Michael's words left Hugo speechless. Although he didn't know these things, he immediately understood them. In fact, in short, it was the word "responsibility", only to hear Michael go on to say, "Because every artist They are all a combination of interests. In theory, an artist's sexual orientation is only their privacy, and has nothing to do with their career, not to mention all audiences. But in fact, the artist itself is an insider and an outsider. The common combination, the powerful PR machines of film companies and brokerage companies, uses the smiles and frowns of artists to deify them into public images and package them into a commodity; once this image takes root in the minds of the audience, it will have an independent detachment from the artist himself. Sex, when the details of his life that don't fit that image come out, that image is destroyed, and the impact is huge."

"Let's make an assumption that if Tom Cruise is gay, he also has the courage to admit that he is not even afraid of losing the box office and losing millions of dollars, but he still has to consider other people's livelihoods because his Work directly affects the interests of a lot of people. If his salary is reduced by half, the income of his agents, managers, public relations, assistants, etc. will all be affected. Then everyone around him will convince him that it is not 'sincere' but 'selfish'."

Michael's words had a huge impact on Hugo. He always knew that an artist is actually a commodity, and even everyone in the society is a commodity. Only those commodities with utilization value and commercial interests will companies be willing to hire them. Generate social value, but Hugo did not expect that behind the value of commodities, there are corresponding responsibilities.

In fact, this is a very simple truth. The owner of a factory cannot do anything reckless, because this is not only his business, but also the livelihood of the entire factory's employees. This is a matter of responsibility. At the end of the movie "Crazy Stone", the factory manager sold the factory to a developer for his own benefit, but he left the factory with more than 200 people, old and young, without a source of livelihood, so he was scolded for this reason. .

The same is true in the entertainment industry. The higher the position of the artist, the heavier the responsibility. Leaving aside the issue of coming out of the closet mentioned by Michael, the artist is drinking and smoking. The reason why issues such as drugs, fights, and racing cars have been repeatedly emphasized by the media is because they are role models and public figures, and their every move has a huge impact. Only when they take the corresponding responsibility can they be regarded as true superstar. Tom - Hanks, George - Clooney and others are examples, known as representatives of Hollywood.

This is the reality of society. As said in "Spider-Man", "As much as you have the ability, you have as much responsibility", and the corresponding status must take the corresponding responsibility. A beggar is selfish and may have no impact on society; but if government officials are selfish, their impact on society will be infinite and far-reaching, that's why.

Michael sighed, "So choosing to reconcile, this is the best choice for me, because I really have no way to continue; it is also the best choice for everyone around me, and it is the best choice for those chattering crows. Good choice, I don't want them to continue talking about this topic."

Hugo is really silent this time. He can feel the weight of this topic, but this is also the most important lesson he has learned since he entered Hollywood. Human beings have never been absolutely free, and real freedom should be restricted within a certain framework. below. But Hugo still felt unwilling, did he just let Chandler and his son succeed? Is this so that the Chandler and his son get something for nothing? Is this how the Chandlers can go unpunished?

Michael seemed to be able to feel the heaviness of Hugo's breathing, but at this time he was much more relaxed and smiled lightly, "Hugo, you know? You have worked hard enough, and you have done a lot of good things for me. Chandler called last night and offered to reconcile, and he was obviously hesitant and scared. I think, your threat to him in the media really worked, so what happened He's messed up."

This made Hugo quite surprised. He originally thought that Chandler and his son would not give up until their goals were achieved, so they would never bow their heads. And Hugo also remembers that historically, Michael used $22 million to reach a settlement. From this, it can be seen that the Chandlers are cobras that never let go of their prey.

"Tomorrow our lawyers will meet. I think maybe this out-of-court settlement will be smoother than expected." Michael still had the energy to smile, which surprised Hugo. Even through the phone, Hugo could feel it. Get the relief and ease in Michael's tone.

"What about after the reconciliation? Is this the result? You know, if you choose to reconcile, then the reporter will definitely think that you have a ghost in your heart and admit the crime this time." Hugo was persuaded by Michael, he knew that maybe Reconciliation is the best choice, because this is a dead end, especially Jordan Chandler's testimony as a minor is decisive, but Hugo still feels unwilling, this is him, always unwilling to give up, always insisting to the last minute.

Michael could hear the unyielding stubbornness in Hugo's words, which made the corners of his mouth curved, "Hugo, you know? If it was before this call, I would have compromised if I wanted to, maybe I I would choose to disappear for a few months, take a good rest, and then concentrate on my music work when things calm down; but now, I don't think so."

Michael's words revived a little hope in Hugo's heart, just like the sunlight leaking behind the dark clouds, thin but bright, "You know, taking a step back doesn't mean giving up, maybe it's just a temporary compromise, and then continue with enough strength. , and then give a strong counterattack. I think, I'm just taking a step back now, and I'm going to start to continue the force and then let the media who want to see my jokes fall out of their eyes, like you always do.

Michael smiled and said lightly. At this time, the shackles in his heart could finally loosen up a little, and the arc of the corner of his mouth rose slightly, "Have you forgotten? When everyone is laughing at you for taking the 'Seattle Night' When you didn't sleep, you didn't stand up to fight back, but let the media slap yourself with your excellent performance after the movie was released; now, almost everyone thinks that the movie you choose to call "Pulp Fiction" is a Wrong, you're still not in a hurry, because you know, facts are always more powerful than words. So, I think, I should learn from you."

Hugo listened to Michael's words, and the smile on the corner of his mouth began to bloom little by little. Could it be that he really changed history? Did his little butterfly really change the course of history with weak force?

Listen, Michael's weak but firm voice sounded in his ears, "They want to see my jokes, but, I! Absolutely! No! Allow!"