America 1982-Chapter 459 - 79: True Heroes Should Not Be Deceived

Tommy and Martin had dinner at Jeff’s house, seated at the table with Jeff and his wife Jessica, their four children, Jeff’s sister-in-law Gina who was temporarily staying there, and Jeff’s two intelligent friends who also volunteer at the school, Zack and Allen.

Everyone was curious about the camera shooting from a short distance away, occasionally glancing in its direction, and even hesitant to speak, quietly eating their own food, fearing that their little movements would be caught on tape and broadcast on television, becoming the butt of jokes for the viewers.

Tommy looked at Martin, who stood up to ask the cameraman to turn off the equipment, and then sat back down to tell everyone that the day’s filming was officially over, and the camera had been turned off and wouldn’t continue recording, after which everyone at the dinner table relaxed again.

Jessica, Jeff’s wife, was distributing food to the four children while smilingly asking Martin, "Mr. Hart, ever since Jeff signed up for the campaign, do we have to be filmed by this kind of machine every day? Could anything we do possibly be recorded and then broadcast on television?"

"Just call me Martin, it depends on the situation. If it really needs to be recorded, it will be included, but I think for minor things like eating, watching TV, and going to sleep, it definitely won’t appear, Mrs. Raven," Martin replied, spooning a mouthful of sweet mashed potatoes into his mouth and smiling at Jessica.

Just as he finished what he thought was a tactful remark, Martin felt there might be some issue, as he sensed many pairs of eyes at the table suddenly light up.

Jeff’s eldest son, who had just turned ten, eagerly asked, "Would my farting in front of the backyard pool be captured on camera, Mr. Martin?"

"I don’t think that’s something that needs to be recorded," Martin said flatly, then realized a problem, "Wait a second, why would you go out into the yard to do something like farting?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"I heard that if you stick some magnesium powder in your butt and spray it towards the pool, it can create a big splash," the boy described animatedly, his eyes full of longing as he looked at Martin, "If I can make the water splash, would that make it onto TV for everyone to see?"

"What?" Martin’s eyes widened, "Your dad is running for office, and you’re planning to celebrate with fireworks from your butt? And you want all the viewers in front of the TV to enjoy it too?"

Gina, a twenty-year-old Caucasian girl, came from Tallahassee to Miami looking for a job and is currently staying with her sister and brother-in-law. She also looked at Martin with some hope, "Can I show my dance on camera? I was a lead cheerleader in high school and hope to find a job related to dance. Or maybe I could change into my dance outfit and perform for you right now."

"This isn’t a TV job-seeking program, but if you insist... I would of course be happy to watch, I’m not someone who is good at refusing others... I mean, in a few months, after I finish handling Jeff’s campaign, I... might possibly be able to help you," Martin said, struggling to maintain a firm refusal as he watched Gina, Jeff’s sister-in-law, willing to dance for him in hopes of finding a job, constantly glancing at Tommy beside him eating mashed potatoes.

If Tommy had no objections, it wouldn’t be a problem for Martin to help Gina, who was willing to dance for him, find a job at BT Television.

Hearing that Martin was willing to help, Jeff’s second son also immediately spoke up, "If the camera captures my chest hair, will the Abigail family sitting in front of the TV see it? I have vigorous chest hair, just wait for half an hour and I can show it to that machine, right? Of course, like Gina, I’m willing to show you first, Mr. Martin."

"Kid, what has your mother been feeding you? If you really grew that thing, you shouldn’t be looking at me, but at a doctor!" Martin looked at him with an expression that spoke volumes of his doubt about life.

"So... you’re the one who shaved that black stray cat Bob said he feeds?" Jessica reached out and gave her second son’s head a smack, saying sternly, "Listen up, I’m docking your allowance until that cat’s fur grows back. I’ll turn all that money into cat food to make it up to it."

The boy responded righteously, "I asked Abigail’s dad yesterday if he would let me marry Abigail and bring her home. He told me that as soon as I grow chest hair and stop being a little brat, then I can ask him such a ridiculous question without being beaten up as he didn’t want to go to jail for child abuse."

Aside from Jeff’s two eldest sons and younger sister, Jeff’s two brilliant buddies were also excitedly sharing their bizarre ideas with Martin, hoping to showcase their prowess to the viewers in front of the TV.

The undisturbed Tommy quickly finished the dinner Mrs. Jeff had carefully prepared and then left the dining table first to go into the living room, leaving Martin alone to continue dealing with the impressively attention-seeking Florida family.

After a while, Jeff came over as well and saw Tommy standing in the living room, examining an old photo hanging on the wall. He said, "That’s a photo my dad sent from Vietnam."

"Your dad was a soldier too?" Tommy asked, looking at the man in uniform in the photo.

"Yes, he had just been drafted when the Vietnam War broke out, and then he went to Vietnam. The photo was sent in 1965 when I was nine years old. About two months after we received the photo, my mom got the news that he had died in Vietnam. My mom remarried and moved away from Miami with my stepdad, leaving me in my grandmother’s care. She raised me into adulthood with the help of the church and our neighbors," Jeff walked over and joined Tommy, looking at the man in the photo, and continued:

"By the way, Zack mentioned that you and Martin can stay at his place for a while, he’s the only one there."

"I recall you saying you served in the military too?" Tommy turned his gaze from the photo to Jeff’s face and asked.

Jeff nodded, "Yes, I was with the Miramar-based 13th Army Band of the United States Army Florida National Guard."

"What? You played the trumpet during your service?" Tommy was caught off guard and asked frantically.

Jeff immediately clarified, "No, I wasn’t a musician. Musicians are specially recruited. I served in the logistics squadron of the 13th Army Band."

"In the next few days, I’ll contact the Veterans Association in Miami. If they agree, when I arrange for you to visit those old guys at the association, remember to only tell them you served in the United States Army. If you need to be more detailed, say the United States Army Florida National Guard, and if even more detailed, that you served in the logistics squadron of the National Guard headquarters. Just don’t show off your military career of helping move musical instruments in the band with pride like you’re doing right now," Tommy thought for a moment, then advised Jeff.

"Right, why didn’t I think of going to the Veterans Association before?" Jeff looked enlightened, "We can reveal the truth about the shape of the Earth to those who have truly made great sacrifices for this country. Real heroes shouldn’t be deceived."