America 1982-Chapter 69 - 24: Teaching Us to Maximize Benefits_2

The black police officer hung his head low; it seemed that whenever the issue of appearing on television arose, Chief Dennis would transform into an entirely different person. After their conversation, he had become the wise man, and he felt like the buffoon who chased wild boars.

"The temperature today hit twenty-eight degrees— are we sure that kid won’t get heatstroke?" After Dennis left, the cameraman asked in a low voice, "When that cape fluttered up, it looked to be made of rather heavy material."

Elton shifted his gaze and began, "Although that uniform somewhat gives me the impression of being a hybrid product of an England-Italy alliance, in the end, his method was absolutely correct. I’m from Missouri, where the farmers are indeed accustomed to confronting wild boars head-on with hounds while they aim guns from the side."

"I’ve said it before, this country is running like clockwork under our administration," Tommy chimed in from the side, "Next, everyone is welcome to tour inside the government building."

For the whole morning, Elton and the filming crew were soaked in the government building, watching a group of high school students seriously handling all sorts of daily affairs. In the afternoon, they visited Prime Minister Madoff on the beach during his vacation. After careful questioning, they were completely convinced that this elder truly had handed over this little town... no, this country, to a group of high school students for a life experience, and indeed, these students performed even better than the previous officials had.

Once back in the conference room, Elton told Tommy—who had called over Minister of Trade Steve to accompany him for the meeting—seriously:

"Tommy, or should I say, Prime Minister Hawk, first of all I think your summer camp idea is absolutely fantastic, far more interesting and profound than most summer camps. Secondly, I’m quite willing to help you promote it, but if we make a special single episode about your summer camp, the cost will be very, very high."

"You think we can’t afford the cost?" Tommy looked at Elton, frowning slightly as he asked.

Steve laughed from the side and then said to Elton, "I, too, am curious about what kind of price would be described by Mr. Byrne as very, very high."

"I know that both of you, one has founded this summer camp and is likely to make tens of thousands or even more in one summer—more than many earn in ten years—while the other is about to inherit an astronomical sum of money. However, I’ve always treated you both as adults. You’re more mature than your peers, no doubt about that. When I was your age, I only knew about writing love letters to girls, asking them out to the movies," Elton said with a warm smile:

"I believe you two mature and intelligent individuals wouldn’t waste money, right? After all, adults appreciate maximizing benefits."

Tommy nodded in agreement, "Of course, that’s always how I operate."

Then, glancing at Steve beside him, he added, "We."

"You want to promote your summer camp and hope our Nick Kids Channel helps produce a special episode to document everything that happens here. No matter how outstanding your summer camp is, you can only pay the TV station to promote it as a commodity, like advertising your own product on TV. I think it would be better to switch to a partnership. I’ll persuade the channel to make a brand new summer program documenting the story of your summer camp, maybe three episodes, six episodes, or even nine, and perhaps we could continue collaborating next year. This way, it becomes a matter of both parties investing in the creation of the program, rather than you alone paying the advertising fees."

After Elton’s proposal, Tommy and Stephen exchanged glances, whispering to each other briefly, and ultimately Stephen shrugged, not too keen:

"It sounds like you want to take our money to make your program, and how would I know if the program you produce meets our taste? I still think it’d be simpler if CSLS pays while you take care of the production. That way, we avoid any potential conflict during production that neither side is willing to concede on. Now it’s much simpler— we pay, you follow our lead."

"If you two can represent CSLS and grant us the exclusive TV production rights for the summer camp program, you won’t have to pay the production fees. However, since it’s essentially promoting CSLS’s summer camp, don’t expect us to pay you. While we take on the production risk, we can also attach the title of co-producers for both of you, with the honor of being Nick Kids Channel producers. You have to realize this is an honor many high schoolers would break their heads over to get. With this on your resume, whether for university or for work after graduation, it’s a glittering credential. Without exaggeration, combined with this experience, majoring in film and television in college, you could start your career at a high point as assistant producers right out of the gate at major TV stations."

"The career aspect is none of your concern, Mr. Byrne," Tommy struggled to keep a straight face to maintain the poise expected of a Prime Minister, but still couldn’t suppress the slight upward curl of his lips.

Knowing what he had in hand, Elton confidently stated, "As for the question of resolving differences, we are just observers. We’ll document how this country is managed by you all, we won’t interfere with your actions. However, I hope you would consider making the program a bit more exciting. For instance, arrange for your students to do work that would attract the audience’s attention. I mean, don’t just flip through documents at the desk all the time. It would be better if you, like Chief Dennis, did some real work for the country, making the program more lively and the summer camp more persuasive."

This time, Tommy and Stephen looked at each other and both burst out laughing. Tommy spoke up, "If that’s the case, of course we can cooperate. It’s always good to save on promotional costs." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"I’ll have legal draft a contract, which we can send to your office shortly," Elton, too, smiled and then got to his feet, extending his hand for a shake, "Pleasure doing business, Prime Minister, Minister of Finance."

Once Elton’s people left, Tommy sighed with relief, loosening his suit jacket to reveal the Walkman around his waist. He pressed play, and Elton’s voice began to resound:

"However, I hope you would consider making the program a bit more exciting. For instance, arrange for your students to do work that would attract the audience’s attention, I mean, not just flipping through documents at a desk all the time. It would be better doing some real work for the country like Chief Dennis..."

Stephen handed Tommy a cigarette, asking with a laugh, "We’re pure and innocent, right?"

"Mr. Elton can give everyone the answer—Yes," Tommy took the cigarette, "Unbelievable, a man in his forties who’s still just a children’s program producer trying to teach us about maximizing benefits."