America 1982-Chapter 433 - 63: The Philosophers_4
Rick couldn’t help but reflect, wondering if there had been any problems with the show’s taste when it was first planned. It didn’t seem like it, he really did design it to be a family show for American families to watch together on the couch, definitely not the malicious slander of those TV program critics.
Tommy continued, "Dirty-minded people find everything sleazy. I have a friend named Dennis who is just like that. Let me put it this way, he once forgot to bring his ’Penthouse’ poster and ended up firing one off to Jesus’s exposed chest on the cross at church. Does anyone find a bare-chested Jesus sleazy? Of course not, what’s sleazy is Dennis."
"If we want to change our country, we have to do it in a more straightforward and understandable way. That is to get people to think while they’re watching simple and straightforward programs. Why did a white girl from a prestigious school end up peddling goods and selling her body on the streets of a black neighborhood, without even enough money to buy Trojan? Why does an underprivileged black person, who becomes rich overnight and enters high society, first think of buying a bunch of flashy jewelry to pile on themselves and then try to sell crack to the super-rich?"
"What exactly is wrong with this country? How long will the road to racial equality be? When will the issue of employment discrimination against women in America be taken seriously? These are the real depths of our reality show, every issue is worth deep contemplation, very much so. And who has raised these profound questions? Not fucking Socrates, but you."
"Don’t think of yourselves as spreaders of lowbrow culture. You are philosophers greater than Socrates. Socrates only talked, but what about you? You possess wisdom, depth, greatness, sanctity, kindness, and all other virtues. You rather bear the stigma yourself, yet do not forget to try and change America."
"You are the true philosophers, doers, social activists."
"I am proud of you."
"BT is proud of you."
"America is proud of you, and the history of television will forever remember your names, to be sung by generations to come."
A few young attendees excitedly started clapping, and then, after some hesitation, other people began to clap too. In the midst of applause, Tommy was escorted out of the meeting hall by Rick.
In the corridor where others couldn’t hear, Tommy told Rick, "Those young ones who started clapping, give them a 15% raise. Then have Mark’s headhunting company send out a few invitations to those three old bastards with experience in social beatdowns, trick them into resigning and rolling out of BT on their own. Also, tell the rest that they don’t have to worry about the Emmy and the congressional problems; they’ll be arranged to be nominated."
"Sure thing, Boss," Rick said obediently.
Who the fuck could elevate a sleazy program to the heights of Jesus and Moses parting the sea? Who could elevate the makers of this sleazy program to a level even Socrates could only look up to?
His boss, Tommy Hawk.
Rick had been curious about how Tommy had become a billionaire at such a young age. Now he knew, not only could he become a billionaire, but if he wished, he could even become the most followed cult leader.
As Rick turned and walked towards the meeting room, Tommy straightened his tie and strode forward, saying to Martin and Page who approached to follow him:
"Martin, go have a chat with Er. Have his grass-roots black organization Rainbow resolve those accusations. Oh, and you can tell Big Jack and the rest to give those California newspapers a lesson on behalf of Compton’s elders and fellows. In short, anyone who fucking insults this money-making show for me is insulting all of America’s sleazy black people. Arrange the funds with Sophia; tell her I’ve authorized you to take an extra five grand to get yourself some custom-tailored Bijan suits."
"I’m ready to blow up the newspapers right now, I, this sleazy black person, have been insulted!" Martin, hearing that the boss had already rewarded him with a custom suit worth five thousand before he even did a thing, eagerly shook his fist and said, "How great would it be for this kind of black insult to happen a few more times, I’ve also got my eye on a pair of Italian hand-made leather shoes that cost fifteen hundred."
Tommy ignored Martin’s excitement and said to Page:
"Page, call Sean, who’s in charge of BT’s public relations, and have him think about whether it’s possible to convey a message to the American viewers that the experts insulting and slandering ’Counterfeit Heiress’ are all on the payroll of Fox Television Network. Also, remind him that this is all Er’s decision. I know nothing about any of this. Apart from discussing philosophy with everyone, I’ve mainly been in Newport Beach doing business with South Koreans."
