America 1982-Chapter 382 - 41: Apologizing in Advance_2
"Your tone just now didn’t seem like you were joking," Sandra regained her composure and understood that Tommy was just joking to scare her, but she still kept a cold face, dissatisfied.
"You didn’t seem like it either when you mentioned your father’s death. You believe that everything I’ve done was to get you to introduce me to your father, just like you believe I would really frame your father. Don’t you think they’re both equally absurd and ridiculous? Come on, how could that be possible?" Tommy finished speaking and even turned his head with a radiant smile, shouting to Zoey, who was chatting with Ottelia not far away:
"Hey, Zoey, I want you, the justice-filled journalist, to dig up some dirt and frame Miss Sandra Block’s father. I can pay you a lot of money."
"When you’re hitting on women, do you always make these untimely and completely unfunny jokes? Didn’t Ottelia teach you how to grow up?" Zoey glanced at Tommy with disdain and said scornfully.
Tommy turned his head to look at Sandra Block: "You heard? Aside from giving you a scare, no one would take it seriously. I just wanted to say that Zoey is a journalist, and you’re going to play her, and both your father and I are SSD alumni. It’s a wonderful coincidence, that’s all. Maybe the four of us can sit down and chat, and perhaps Zoey could do a personal interview with your father, since Zoey works at my news network’s Germany reporting station, and your father has spent many years in Germany and now has his business focused there. He understands Germany well, and could offer insights from the perspective of an American businessman and former serviceman on Germany’s current situation. That’s all I meant. What do you think? I suggest Zoey interview Mr. Brock, your father, and maybe chat about the night he met your mother?"
"You’ve investigated my father, you mentioned the first time my father and mother met..." Sandra sensitively caught on to Tommy’s last sentence.
"Page 33," Tommy cut off Sandra Block; "Go back and mention this page to your father, he will know why I know it. Among SSD brothers, there are no secrets."
Sandra looked at Tommy skeptically: "What did he say?"
"Isn’t it time to give Sandra back to me? She’s supposed to play me, not Tommy Hawk." Zoey also came over from not far away at this point, smiling at Tommy: "Ottelia is right there watching you, Tommy. I’m doing this for your own good, your awkward jokes are only making the conversation worse."
Tommy ignored Zoey but gave Sandra an answer: "In the article, he mentioned that night, your mom fell in love with him at first sight. But he had a girlfriend back home, so he ignored her and even spent the whole evening avoiding her, until your mom found a chance to get him drunk. Then, unexpectedly, she got pregnant, and what could your father do as a responsible young officer? He dutifully brought her back to the States and married her."
"You really talk about everything to your alumni?" Sandra’s expression softened slightly upon hearing Tommy mention her parents’ meeting: "Including each other’s family life?"
"We might mention it occasionally, but it’s not the main thing. So, does my greeting your father sound more reasonable now? You and Zoey, me and your father, a marvelous coincidence. And Zoey is just about to start working at the Germany reporting station. As the elder, I’m asking someone familiar with Germany to take care of my friend. After all, Germany isn’t that peaceful, and the journalism profession has a very high risk. Plus, I will give him something in return. I said I’d have Zoey do a promotional character interview for him. I know you’ve been in New York and Los Angeles for the past two years, getting used to the filth of the movie circle, wary of others. I understand, but I have no designs on you," Tommy explained to Sandra once again.
He spoke as sincerely as possible, wanting Sandra to believe that his interest in her father was just alumni affection, and he had no reason to seek his help. It was merely a coincidence, and he hoped that Zoey, who was about to start working at the Germany reporting station, could get an idea of the situation in Berlin from him.
"What’s in it for me if I arrange for you guys to chat?" After careful analysis, Sandra felt that it was highly unlikely that Tommy would have much to do with her father. The guy was making movies and running a TV station, which didn’t seem to have any connection to the military, and he had a beautiful girlfriend, even less likely to have designs on her.
"It looks like I should be the one raising my guard," Tommy laughed after hearing Sandra’s words:
"What can I say, that you could get the role? It’s already yours, so actually, I’ve also invested in a movie that has a chance to make a run for the Oscars. If you’re interested, I can arrange for the director to talk with you when he’s free."
"Wow, a film aiming for the Oscars? That’s an offer one can’t refuse."
Sandra looked at Tommy skeptically, "Before you and your girlfriend came here, Mr. Stephen Binn introduced me to your TV station, saying it was full of vulgar programs, and he gave a negative description of your character. So, I have my doubts about your word."
"Stephen must not have told you that this vulgar and shameless guy he can’t stand has managed to get him to willingly help me borrow two hundred million from his uncles and aunts, with him as the guarantor," Tommy said, his smile fading slowly as he heard the girl disparaging the taste of his own TV station, and he spoke more deliberately:
"Stephen may call me vulgar and shameless, but that doesn’t mean you can. Excuse my frankness, even your father isn’t qualified enough. I respect SSD, so I respect your father, and because I respect your father, I’ve been polite to you, Miss Block. But I hope you’ll show me respect too, respect is mutual, right?"
"When I feel you’re worthy of respect, maybe I’ll do just that, but definitely not today." With that, Sandra stood up and walked toward the restroom.
"This chick seems smart, but she’s actually pretty naive, isn’t she? Just like our queen Catherine." After she left, Tommy turned to Zoey, who had come over, and asked.
Zoey looked at Tommy as if he were an idiot: "Aside from Ottelia, do all women deserve nothing but your verbal humiliation? Haven’t you realized that what you said just now was a bit over the top?"
"Over the top? Don’t joke, compared to her father, I’m as civilized as a thoroughbred gentleman," Tommy replied, taking a sip of his coffee and dismissing the concern.
Zoey stood up and headed in the direction of the restroom, preparing to comfort the enraged Sandra. She really liked this actress named Sandra. In previous conversations, she found the girl to be very opinionated, with a cool style of doing things, and had attempted to be independent early on, though not completely successful, as she carried several credit cards given to her by her mother.
At this moment, Stephen came over and said to Tommy: "I was all ears just now, eavesdropping. Is this the inside information from SSD you were talking about? Her father sounds like a decent man with a sense of responsibility."
"Go ahead and reverse the touching love story I just told, Stephen. This girl’s mother performed opera at a club, her father took a liking to her, got her drunk, and took her to bed by force. The only surprise was later finding out that the other party had a father who was a German rocket expert. If she weren’t of any use, guess what difference there would be between this girl named Sandra and the tens of thousands of bastards raised by single mothers impregnated by US soldiers in the Federal Republic of Germany?" Tommy patted Stephen’s shoulder:
"US soldiers in Germany have everything except a sense of responsibility."
"How do you know? I guess it wasn’t from a story printed in magazines; nobody would publicize such affairs, not even to a trusted brother." Stephen wasn’t too shocked after hearing it, just curiously asked.
Tommy picked up his mobile phone, dialed a number, and said, "No need, though not many, but I do have some connections in the military. Oh, Stephen, I have to say sorry to you first."
"Why apologize?" Stephen looked puzzled at Tommy.
As Tommy listened to the phone ringing, he said, "You’re about to find out why I’m apologizing. Since you called me vulgar and shameless in front of Sandra, I’m about to call you a lecherous silversmith in front of her father. My words might be a bit exaggerated, so I’m apologizing in advance."
