America 1982-Chapter 285 - 12: Big Shot Martin_2
"Helen, your children are watching an R-rated movie with lots of explicit scenes,"
Unconcerned, Helen opened the fridge and took out a cheap cola to offer the host:
"Don’t worry, they’ll think that women showing their chests on TV are just part of a food advertisement."
Laughter erupted again in the bar, even the two black police officers couldn’t help laughing out loud. These words might seem scandalous to many white people, but for the lower-class black community, it was nothing out of the ordinary. When their children asked about the explicit scenes on TV, most black mothers would casually lie, telling them not to worry, that it was just an advertisement for breast milk.
"I mean, maybe the Los Angeles Children’s Services Department might give you trouble..." said the host.
Helen took a sip of cola and looked at the host, her expression numb, "I’ve been waiting for them to come take these little devils away for two years. If they were going to come, why would I seek the help of your show?"
The people in the bar watched with great interest the hour-long videotape, finding it extremely amusing. The TV station had hired a professional private detective team who, using information provided by Helen and various investigative methods, ultimately flew from Los Angeles to Toronto, Canada, bringing her to the last man who had abandoned her, now working in a Toronto lumber mill.
Everyone burst into laughter at the man’s ghost-seeing expression when he saw Helen. Indeed, if they were that irresponsible man, they wouldn’t believe that Helen, who could barely recognize slightly complicated words, could actually find him.
And when the legal teams from the United State America and Canada, brought by the show, informed him of the serious consequences of abandoning and evading, the man was so despondent he was close to tears.
With the help of a lawyer, Helen managed to sort out the child support issue. No consent from the other party was needed; as long as the mill paid salaries, 40% of the money would be deducted for fees and directly deposited into her account.
In the end, through KeyBank, the TV station even prepared a $2,000 interest-free loan for Helen to support her in improving her living conditions, overcoming difficulties, and welcoming a new life. The show ended with Helen in shock and ecstasy after receiving the check.
It wasn’t until the entire show had finished that Martin, who had been sitting with legs wide open arrogantly on the bar counter, hopped down and asked the crowd, "Niggers, what do you think of the show I put together?"
The twenty-some female patrons clapped vigorously, one of them exclaiming loudly, "Mr. Hart, you did a great job! Fantastic! Many of us here would love to be on this show! We need help!"
The men present mostly thought the show was boring, putting them to sleep, and suggested that Martin would do better to switch to a hip-hop music show or something more popular.
Seeing the men express their dislike of the show, before Martin could retort, the women who had been applauding him were already cursing at the men, openly accusing these bastards of having similar pasts and fearing that one day the show would bring their ex-girlfriends and children in front of them!
"Do you like it?" Martin asked the crowd.
"Yes, we love it! This is exactly what black people should be watching!" a group of women excitedly said, "We want to sign up, too! Mr. Hart!"
"To be on this show? Come on, girls, you’re too pretty for that. Listen, I’m going to produce another show that’s perfect for you, Battle of Youth. We’ll invite America’s best black hairstylists to design hairstyles for you for free, making you even more beautiful! You’ll decide what’s trending in the United State America!" Martin winked at a few relatively attractive black women as he spoke loud and clear.
Seeing Martin show some interest in them, the black women quickly came closer, boldly inquiring about Hart’s background, wanting to know how wealthy he was. One even explicitly invited Martin to her car for a few minutes alone to leave a lasting impression on him.
As Martin reveled in the fawning adoration and bold advances, Page quietly came forward and reminded him in a low voice, "Mr. Hart, it’s time, you have another meeting to attend."
"Ladies, I will be waiting for you to sign up at the TV station. You, you, you— and you, I think you have the potential to be stars, but I have to go ahead," Martin stepped back, distancing himself from the women, and said.
Seeing the women still trying to approach Martin, Page stepped in front of Martin in two strides, glaring at the black women with an emotionless face, "Don’t make me tell you twice, back off."
The women were intimidated by Page’s gaze and didn’t dare to advance further.
"Page, mind your manners," Martin spoke up.
Page looked at the women, "Politely, back off."
As the women made way, Page guarded Martin’s side, escorting him out of the bar.
Not until the Cadillac left the black neighborhood did Page pull over to the side of the road. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
Without waiting for Page’s order, Martin obediently opened the rear car door to get out, first helping Page with the passenger door, then running to the driver’s seat to start the car.
Page, expressionless in the passenger seat, took out a stun baton from his pocket and went to work on Martin.
