Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"So where the hell did you hide that poor girl?"

"So why can't I see a lawyer?" Ronald was handcuffed and tied to a stool. He couldn't block the strong light coming from the other side with his hands, so he could only squint his eyes.

Ronald had no experience in dealing with powerful departments at all. He only knew from high school general textbooks that it was one of the inalienable rights of Americans for criminal suspects to request that lawyers be present during interrogations.

The FBI agent on the other side laughed angrily. It was rare to see such a stubborn criminal playing this trick in front of federal law enforcement.

"So December 13, 1978, June 1, 1979, October 11, and February 12, 1980, and today, no, yesterday, where were you? What were you doing?"

"In 1978, I was filming the movie 'Rock of Ages' in Los Angeles. I was filming the movie 'Famous' in New York last June. I was auditioning for the crew of 'Endless Love' yesterday. I can't remember the other dates."

Ronald was being shone hard by the light, but the male FBI agent was just asking the same question over and over again, "And when can I see my lawyer?"

"Ronnie, Ronnie, what can I say?" The detective said to him in a caring tone, "As long as you tell me where you hid the girl yesterday, I will make you feel comfortable."

Ronald was a little tired of being asked the same questions over and over again, "I've told you many times that Michelle is at my aunt's house. Why don't you check?"

"She was defrauded of all her money by two scammers. Maybe they falsely accused me. You should go check them out."

On the other side of the one-way mirror on the wall of the interrogation room, a task force composed of the FBI and the New York police was carefully observing Ronald's every move.

"How's it going? Claire, is it him?" asked an old man wearing an FBI vest.

"Unlike, serial killers usually play a game of cat and mouse, delaying time with us and making their victims suffer. But this Ronald is quite cooperative except for insisting on not having a lawyer and not talking when he first came in. Go check him out. What were the results of the information provided?”

"Still checking." Another FBI agent replied.

This FBI agent named Claire is a rare female agent. She belongs to the New York Bureau. She is proficient in her business and has helped catch several unsolved murderers. Professionally, other members of the task force respect her quite a bit.

"Boss", the low-level police outside knocked on the door and came in. "A lawyer came outside to bail the suspect, and the so-called victim also came together. They made it clear that someone took the opportunity to make a false accusation. This is the certificate they provided."

The person in charge of the FBI, an old man in a vest, took the ID and saw that he was the same person as the photo of the victim received by the task force, and immediately walked out of the interrogation room.

After a long time, the old man returned to the interrogation room and threw several documents heavily on the table. "What do you New York police do about this kind of thing?"

These words of the New York police provoked all the police in the task force.

"How did you get the search warrant based on just a verbal call to the police? There were no relatives of the victim, so they brought the person here rashly. They also said that the background of the suspect and the serial killer were similar. Isn't this misleading the direction of the investigation?"

A police officer from the New York Police Department's temporary task force took the document and saw that it was a search warrant application. After reading it, he became furious. "Who let this go, and dared to approve Crazy Rennie's search warrant application?"

Crazy Reni is a celebrity in the New York Police Department. He has joined a religious sect and spends his days persuading others to become vegetarians. Everyone stays three feet away from him.

Everyone thought they had caught Manhattan Bundy, but who knew that something went wrong at the beginning? Everyone looked at each other and were very frustrated. They didn't expect to waste most of the night on an innocent civilian.

This matter happened to be everyone's blind spot. As soon as they saw the Southern District of Manhattan police report that there was such a kidnapping case, and the victim was also a blonde beauty, everyone became excited, thinking that when the Manhattan Bundy went wrong, no one went there. Check who requested the arrest and whether the evidence is sufficient.

"I'd better go and explain to him." Agent Claire said proactively.

…

"It's okay, Agent Claire...this is your job." Ronald moved his wrist, but it was not injured except for the red mark.

Taking a cup of instant coffee brought by Agent Claire, Ronald took a sip and ate a piece of packaged cake. After facing the bright light for a long time and not eating, I still feel a little dizzy.

"Your lawyer and family are waiting for you outside. This is all to catch the serial killer. I hope you don't mind."

"Do you mind if I dare to talk to the FBI?" Ronald smiled bitterly, "What happened to the two liars who falsely accused me?"

"This is not under the control of the FBI. You can ask your lawyer to cooperate with the New York police and file a lawsuit."

"Thank you. Also, can you give me back the script that was taken away by the police?"

"You have to report it to the New York Police Department, and they will return it to you after completing the process." Claire looked at Ronald with a pitiful expression and smiled.

"Weren't you very tough just now? These are all necessary procedures, red tape. Here, this is my business card. If you have any problems getting your documents back, you can call me."

"Thank you, Agent Claire." Red Ribbon is synonymous with bureaucracy, and is said in both Britain and America. Official documents from the early British Empire were tied with red ribbon.

"Ronald!"

Ronald, who signed and walked out of the Southern District of Manhattan Police Station, was hugged by Michelle Pfeiffer, who took the initiative to clarify the facts. "It's great that you're okay."

"Yeah, it's okay," Ronald patted Pfeiffer's back gently, and then hugged his aunt, lawyer Lindsay, in turn.

"God bless you, Ronnie, you scared Auntie to death this time." Aunt Karen suddenly crossed herself.

"Congratulations. I heard that you were very brave in the FBI interrogation room." Lawyer Lindsay came up and teased.

"Don't mention it. I only dared to say that I wanted a lawyer. They took me to an interrogation room. There was only a table and a chair. I was quite scared when the bright light was shining on me." Ronald replied.

"So who is setting me up? Is it those two liars?" Ronald asked Lindsay when he returned home and ate the scrambled eggs prepared by his aunt.

"The two liars reported you, and they found a believer in the police station to help them.

Also I suspect they bribed someone in a key position. Accepting reports, applying for search warrants, and approving search warrants are all out of order. "

Lindsay explained over a cup of coffee:

“All of this seems like someone who knows the workings of the bureaucracy just right enough to make people in key positions turn a blind eye to irregularities.

For example, when a judge approves a search warrant, one of his assistants happens to insert your search warrant into a pile of predetermined approval documents. "

"Fortunately, Helen revealed that you are in the hands of the FBI. We will take Michelle there immediately. The FBI has nothing to do with the reputation of the New York Police Department. As long as it is clear that you did not kidnap Miss Pfeiffer, they can let you go without worrying about our reaction. Come and sue them for abuse of power.”

Bobby also explained, and glanced at Michelle Pfeiffer, "If you are still in the hands of the New York police, we will still have some trouble with the procedure."

Bobby, the owner of the law firm, is very handsome and looks a bit like John F. Kennedy Jr., the son of former President Kennedy.

"This will not hinder Miss Pfeiffer's acting career." He finally added.

"So I can still sue the New York police for abuse of power?" Ronald discovered the meaning of his words and asked.

"I suggest you not to do this. If you have enough money, you can sue them just to vent your anger. But you are just a student. If you sue like this, the lawsuit may drag on for a long time. It is better to go to the police station and ask them to give you some money. convenient."

"What do you think?" Ronald turned around and asked Lindsay. When he was riding home in the car, Michelle Pfeiffer, who was riding in the same car, had already told him the details of the conflict of interest between the two lawyers.

"I agree with Bobby on this point. If you agree to give up the prosecution, then you can let them make some compensatory actions, such as investigating the two liars who falsely accused you and making it easier for Miss Pfeiffer to sue them for fraud. "Lindsay spoke eloquently.

"However, you must file a complaint first and let the Southern District of Manhattan Police Department know your grievances and anger before you can negotiate with their attorney."

"Lindsay, you clearly know that the lawyer representing the Southern District is a partner of my teacher's law firm, Rudy..."

"I'll leave this matter to you, Lindsay." Ronald set the tone.

"Don't be like this, Lindsay. You still have to report to the police station and ask them to return your client's seized materials. If they just block it with a red tape, you will waste a lot of time."

"I don't care. I was wronged in this matter. Do you still need me to apologize afterwards?" Ronald smacked the scrambled eggs, then picked up a can of Coca-Cola and drank it down.

"Um..." Ronald said after burping, "Sorry, I'm starving."

"Don't worry, Auntie, we still have it here." Aunt Karen brought out another plate.

…

"How long will it take for me to get my script back?" Ronald filled out many forms and submitted an application to retrieve his searched information. The policewoman in front of him was still very cold to him.

"Three months. Next!"

"They said it will take another three months, and they don't know where our taxes have been paid. Do taxpayers enjoy this kind of service?" Ronald complained angrily to lawyer Lindsay and agent Richard. .

"Don't you have a backup?" Richard asked him.

"There are backups, but they were all kept in the apartment and were confiscated by the police." Ronald said helplessly, "Can you wait for a few days? I can write it out from memory. Or I can start the Vietnam War first. ’s script.”

"Actually, you don't have to worry," Richard looked at lawyer Lindsay, "I think Miss Dole can help you get the script back faster."

"And this time I'm not here to pick up the script, but to sign you, the future gold medal screenwriter."

As he spoke, Richard took out two contracts and showed them to the lawyer.

"Paula was very interested in the young actor you were interviewing, so after you called her, she went to report her ideas to her boss."

"I know, and I'm happy for Tom too. I felt from the last audition that he deserves a better agent who cares more about him." Ronald didn't mind. "But you really can't sign Michelle." El Pfeiffer?"

"I'm sorry. I just graduated from the mailroom and am still an apprentice. I have limited authority and can only sign you as one client. Paula has her own ideas. She always feels that the peak period of a male star is longer and more worthwhile. Select and train young people.

Female celebrities will face many practical problems, especially young female celebrities, and the risks are actually not small. Agents will be more willing to sign those who are already established. "

"I understand. I have asked Eddie to help search in Los Angeles."

"No problem, you can sign it." The lawyer lady read the contract and was very sincere. The one-year contract will draw 10% of the income. After the expiration, both parties will automatically renew the contract for three years if there is no objection. "

"Okay, sign above the dotted line." Richard pointed to the location of the signature.

Ronald picked up the pen that Richard handed over and signed his name, Ronald V. Lee, below the signatures of Paula Wagner and Richard Lovett.

"In this way, after I bring Mr. Niceta's signature, you will officially be our caa customer. At your convenience, we will invite you to Los Angeles, and Mr. Ovitz will meet you in person to understand your needs and Your script will be recommended to the eight major studios, which is also a treatment that all CAA customers will enjoy. "

"Welcome to the CAA family." Richard Lovett formally shook hands with Ronald.