Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The governor's wonderful appearance greatly changed the public's attitude towards him, and even fell in love with the Donkey Party candidate Dukakis.

Some people even openly shouted, "Fuck, maybe we picked the wrong candidate." This sentence was originally said by the media at the time after the current leader, Ronald Sr., failed in the primary election in 1976 and delivered a wonderful speech at the national convention.

Everyone clearly saw a younger version of the current commander-in-chief, with a deep personal demeanor and a good sense of humor.

It even rankled the real candidate, Michael Dukakis. Fortunately, the governor publicly stated on Johnny Carson's show that he would not be interested in running for office until his daughter grows up. This kind of public statement still counts in the American political arena.

Therefore, the powerful figures in the Donkey Party had no intention of suppressing him. However, it is obvious that the media controlled by the Donkey Party began to tone down the reports on the governor, and more news focused on the small economic miracle brought about by Dukakis' high technology in Massachusetts.

For a time, Dukakis' approval ratings skyrocketed in various newspaper polls. After the Persian Gate weapons scandal, everyone is a little tired of the current commander-in-chief who has been praised for eight years. The small economic miracles brought about by the two high technologies of computers and medicine in Massachusetts have given the people new expectations.

Coupled with the attention brought by the governor of Arkansas, the approval rate actually exceeded George Sr. by 10%. The Elephant Party suddenly became nervous and began to prepare for the largest national convention in history in New Orleans. They wanted to use the convention to confront the convention and attract media attention. The focus is back on, and we look forward to a big rebound in support.

Ronald had already arrived in New York at this time. Here, he and Douglas Jr., together with some of Staten Island's leading figures, including banker Bannon, New York City Council member Susan Molinari of the First District and others, convened a meeting to "continue to promote employment and Regular meeting of Action for Prosperity Action Committee.

This action committee is nominally to promote the policy concepts of low unemployment and rapid economic development of the current commander-in-chief. It is hoped that the next commander-in-chief can maintain it and bring benefits to the people of America. In fact, it is a group of wealthy people from Staten Island and Wall Street who hope that after George Sr. is elected, the existing tax incentives and income tax deferral policies can be maintained without modification.

By the time the Elephant Party's national convention was held at the weekend, the candidates from both parties had settled down and officially entered the decisive stage of the general election. In a battle, the most important thing is logistics. Barbara has hinted and stated multiple times that the committee continues to donate to George Sr.’s campaign.

Whether it is George Sr. or Michael Dukakis, they are the kind of candidates who have no personal charisma and rely entirely on campaign funds and advertising to gain influence and support. Therefore, donations are ammunition. Seeing that the ammunition is about to run out, the deputy commander is very anxious.

"It's not that we don't support the deputy governor. In fact, we have done more support than ordinary committees during the primary election. But the vice president only acquiesced in the extension of the tax cut bill. He did not express his position in public..." Douglas Jr. seemed to be Becoming the spokesperson of this small political group, he made demands on behalf of Ronald and the local faction of the Elephant Party.

On the vice-command side, those present were Roger Ailes and his eldest son, George Jr. Now is the most critical moment. Barbara kicked out her children to raise money for her husband. The youngest son, Jeb, is also in New York. He went to raise funds for a select group in Brooklyn, where Latinos are concentrated. After the fundraising here in New York is completed, the two will go their separate ways. George will go to Texas and Jeb will go to Florida.

Barbara's running a family is similar to running an army. Everyone has to contribute to the big family and will be rewarded based on their achievements. Internal rivalry arose between the two sons. All want to win the fundraising competition.

"You don't have to worry about this. The vice-commander will officially express his position at the national conference at the weekend." Roger Ailes assured firmly.

Douglas Jr. curled his lips, you said the same thing last month, always investing money without seeing a formal commitment, this is not a good investment.

"Doug, my father has his own difficulties. Most people now want to continue the economic policies of the current president, but continuing the policies does not make voters happy. They always want something new. Balanced budgets, green environmental protection and so on. "

Little George was very anxious. This was his "turf", an action committee with relatively strong fundraising capabilities. Unlike the fundraisers on Wall Street, Ronald still owned several factories, as well as their relatives and friends, and supporting factories. There are many job opportunities brought by the service industry. The people of Staten Island have "simple" customs. Whoever asks them to bring bread home will vote.

Little George turned to look at Ronald. He wanted to get support from his friend.

"The vice-commander's promise is still trustworthy." Ronald spoke up, calming his cheeks. After all, this was the strategy he and Douglas Jr. had discussed. One plays the doubter, and the other plays the good guy who trusts the other person. In short, old George should know that their hosting was not in vain, and it was time for him to promise something.

As soon as these words came out, Councilor Susan, Bannon, and Roger Ailes all breathed a sigh of relief. If there is no continued support at this time, all the early investment will be in vain. In the final analysis, Ronald and Doug Jr. have the final say on this committee.

"You have helped me a lot. I don't want to lose to that guy Jeb." Little George came over and thanked Ronald with the attitude of a good buddy exposing his own ugliness, "But you still have to help me. A favor."

"Tsk...", Ronald had a familiar feeling. George Jr. had been in the campaign committee for a long time, and he acted more and more like a politician, similar to the governor. The more you invest in them, the more they will take advantage of you and let you invest more.

Of course, this is also a common characteristic of successful politicians in America. Ronald didn't expect that the former playboy George Jr. would have reached this level now.

"I have to rush to Texas immediately. Can you help me send someone to New Orleans, Louisiana? It's not convenient for her to take a commercial flight."

"Who?" Ronald was just going to visit the filming location of "Steel Magnolias" in Louisiana, and by the way, supervise Herbert Ross's directing style and whether it was in line with a group of actresses. He took a business jet to go there, and it was no problem to bring someone with him. But George Jr. used the female pronoun "she", could it be that he had a lover outside without telling Laura?

"It's your Hollywood actress, you know. She doesn't want to be disturbed, so you go to her house to pick her up, I'll call her, she's very punctual."

"Where does she live? I'll find someone to pick her up." Ronald thought to himself, why is George dating an actress? Anyway, it's not a problem to secretly pick someone up.

...

"Oh, I never knew there was such a beautiful place in Manhattan, it's very similar to Beverly Hills in Los Angeles."

On the day of going to Louisiana, Ronald and Douglas, who wanted to meet George's lover, came to pick up the actress. Little Bud drove all the way north from the Broadway Theater District, along the Hudson River, through Washington Heights, and the college district, to the North Broadway area, near the address, what came into view was a large white Victorian-style house surrounded by hills.

The car drove up the road, through a large area of ​​tall trees, and more details of the house were revealed. The house is located halfway up the hill between two small hills. Apart from a road, tall trees separate the hustle and bustle of the city. The very good air quality cheered Ronald up.

This actress is from a wealthy family.

Ronald and his friends walked along the road. There was a large yard next to the house, with bright red and yellow roses planted in it. They seemed to be a special variety, and the color and size of the flowers were extraordinary.

When they approached the door of the house, the hills were completely blocked, revealing the view of the backyard. This was even more amazing, as there was a view overlooking the Hudson River. The river bank was very quiet in the morning. Except for a few boats on the river, the river bank opposite New Jersey was also a high-end residential area.

"Ding Dong..." Ronald rang the doorbell.

"I'm here," a short old lady who looked over 70 years old answered the door, "You must be Ronald, George called me, and I've prepared my luggage."

Ronald was stunned. Isn't this Helen Hayes, the actress who played the stubborn and affectionate Queen Mother in Ingrid Bergman's movie "Anatomical" in 1956?

"Mrs. Hayes, I'll help you with your luggage."

Ronald was in awe of the old actress. Helen Hayes, born in 1900, is known as the First Lady of Broadway and is a top actress in both drama and film. She has won the Oscar for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Tony Award for Best Actress, and Golden Age Emmy Award for Best Actress. This is called the triple crown, the highest honor an actor can get.

The most interesting thing is that she has also recorded audiobooks for record companies and won the Grammy Award for Best Language Recording. She is a veritable "EGOT (abbreviation of four awards)", the highest honor winner in the entertainment industry.

How come the Elephant Party invited this 88-year-old actress to go to the National Convention to promote the party? Ronald turned around and looked at Douglas.

"You should call her Her Majesty the Queen Mother." Douglas was naughty and called Hayes by the character in "The Princess Diaries".

"Haha, I like you, young man, come and give me a hand." Helen Hayes got in the car.

The old lady was in good spirits, but she looked much older than when she played the Queen Mother. Ronald told Bud to drive more steadily.

"This is the rose I cultivated. They call it Helen Hayes Rose." The old lady was full of love for this house and introduced Ronald to the front and back of the house.

Marilyn Monroe and John Gilbert, a male star in the silent film era, were once hosted here. Fitzgerald, the author of "The Great Gatsby", and Katharine Hepburn were also frequent visitors here. Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh and their husbands would definitely stay here when they came to Broadway.

Ronald liked the old lady's plays very much. She played the Russian Empress Dowager vividly. Later, she played a retired teacher who evaded the ticket in "Airport". She also played very well. You can't tell that she played the Empress Dowager before. Both roles brought her Oscar nominations, and she won the award for the latter.

The car drove along Broadway Street, all the way south. The old lady also pointed out the charity hospital named after her to Ronald.

Ever since she was appointed to the board of visitors of this public hospital in a poor community in 1944, the hospital had tried to use her popularity to obtain more funding. They later changed the name to Helen Hayes Hospital. The old lady actually regarded the hospital as her honor, kept running hard, and used her influence to win numerous grants from the city council. She also successfully opposed the relocation plan proposed in the 1970s. This hospital also He was able to stay in the community that needed him most.

"I didn't know there were supporters of the Elephant Party like you in Hollywood." After boarding the business jet, the old lady was still chatting with Ronald.

"Actually, when we were young, we were all leftists and sympathized with actors who were bullied by studios. But starting with Franklin, our income and freedom were reduced to the point where almost no one wanted to work in the film industry.

You see, even James Cagney, the former president of the Hollywood Screen Actors Guild, eventually became an Elephant Party supporter. The Donkey Party always talks about fairness and justice, but in fact it makes a mess. "

What the old lady said was the truth. Back then, actors were a disadvantaged group, and the union used to help these poor low-income earners a lot. But as time goes by, it gradually becomes corrupted, and now it has become a place where it only knows how to fight for power and profit, regardless of whether members have no jobs or income...

After all, she was an eighty-eight-year-old man, and the old lady quickly dozed off on the plane.

The plane arrived in New Orleans, and Ronald personally helped Helen Hayes off the plane. The person who came to pick her up was already waiting at the airport.

"It's really nice to meet you. Next time my hospital does a charity fundraiser, you have to come..." The old lady liked Ronald very much. She held Ronald's hand with both hands and refused to let go. , until Ronald promised her to go back to raise funds for the hospital, she happily got into the car going to the hotel.

She had a smooth life, engaged in the career she wanted to do, and loved the person she wanted to love. When she got old, she met good friends like Lillian Gish, and the only thing she couldn't let go of was the hospital named after her. .

Douglass Jr. remained in New Orleans to attend the national convention. Ronald also flew to Nastosh, the filming location of "Steel Magnolias."

…

"Hmm...you come to see me so soon?" Diane hugged Ronald and was so happy. She stayed at the house of screenwriter Robert Harlin's friend. For the filming of the movie, many people in the town went to live with friends and relatives, and gave their southern-style houses to the actors.

"I'm always here for the start of filming. How is Herbert (director) treating you? Are the rehearsals going well?" Ronald scratched Diane's nose. It looked like she had an important supporting role, and Diane's spirit was high. much better. She really loves acting, not other things that come with the profession of acting.

"Herbert's relationship with Olympia (Dukakis), Sally (Field), and Shirley (McLean) is pretty good. It's a normal director and actor relationship. But..."

"But what? Was he mean to Julia (Roberts), or was he bad to Dolly (Parton)?"

"Not very good, Herbert is quite strict..." Diane stuck out her tongue, "Dolly is not a professional actress, and Julia has just made a movie. Herbert always accuses them of not having acting skills."

"Tsk..." Ronald thought to himself, this matter needs to be resolved. There are so many actresses and the director is too harsh. It would be bad if they make them cry.

The two of them hugged each other, lying on the sofa and watching TV. Both Diane and Ronald regard their time together as a kind of break and very relaxing.

"I believe that just as he has done an outstanding job as deputy commander for eight years, he will also excel in the more important work, and I believe that I have found for you the best person to continue to lead the people of America forward. ”

At the conference, the commander-in-chief once again endorsed George Lao.

"As everyone knows, I am an elephant party..." Helen Hayes also came on stage, praising the deputy commander's characteristics and giving him special recognition.

Much later, George Sr. finally took the stage and began his speech accepting the Elephant Party's 1988 presidential nomination.

Ronald put his hand on Diane's shoulder, and he watched George Sr.'s speech attentively. Roger Ailes promised.

Halfway through his speech, George Sr. began to explain his economic policies. Strict scrutiny of the southern border, preventing the influx of illegal immigration and illegal drugs, a more balanced budget, advocating for environmental protection and more...

But what Ronald is most concerned about is the issue of whether to raise taxes.

"Look at my lips, there are no new tax increases!" The tax issue finally came up. This time Old George was very tough. In front of the TV cameras, he used a cowboy-style statement and categorically said there would be no tax increase.

"Hahaha, that's it." Ronald saw what he wanted to see and was about to turn off the TV.

“I want to continue to support volunteer organizations, whose brilliant diversity spreads out like stars, like a thousand points of light in a vast and peaceful sky.

We are going to keep America moving forward, ever forward—for a better America, for an endless abiding dream and a thousand points of light. "

Old George read aloud the speech written for him by the writer in a dry tone on the podium.

"What is a thousand points of light?" Ronald didn't understand at all. It was probably a metaphor in some literary work.

The next day, Ronald got up very late. When he got up, he took the newspaper outside the door and read it. The Washington Post and the New York Times both praised George Sr.'s speech yesterday.

In a sample survey of voters, George Sr.'s approval rating also began to rebound sharply.

It seems that yesterday's statement of no new taxes was indeed very effective!

Ronald thought to himself that many voters were actually looking to see if they could get benefits. Dukakis' so-called balanced budget, isn't it just about paying more taxes?

Turning on the TV, the stock market today also began to turn green. Especially Coca-Cola, Ronald saw the financial channel on TV, and the stock price of the blue-chip stocks he had just bought also ushered in the first big rebound this year after a negative decline and consolidation.

Everything went well, but it seemed that he had forgotten something important. Ronald touched his head.

"Ring, ring, ring..." The phone rang.

"Hello, Doug. How are you in New Orleans?"

"It's okay, but the room is too expensive. This is the second time that the Democratic National Convention is held in the Deep South. There are only 20,000 rooms in the two cities, and more than 30,000 people came."

"Well, can you call and ask George Jr.? Who is the candidate for vice president? People from our action committee kept calling me last night." Douglas Jr. chatted for a few words and still told Ronald the reason for disturbing him in the morning. The committee also wants to invest in the deputy commander candidate, and now they can only worry.

"I didn't have time to watch last night. Didn't old George announce it later?" Ronald finally remembered what he had forgotten. Didn't the deputy commander candidate announce at the conference?

"George, I'm sorry to bother you and Laura this morning. But people in New York have been urging me. Wasn't the deputy commander originally scheduled to be announced at the conference? Who is it?"

"It's Quayle. It will be announced in the afternoon. You can tell your companions."

"What's the fuss?" Ronald didn't understand.

In the afternoon, the TV station finally announced that Dan Quayle, a senator from Indiana, became the deputy commander candidate and ran for election with old George.

"Tsk, this is because he doesn't want to be robbed of the limelight by others." Ronald looked at the senator who looked like a movie actor on TV and finally understood why it was not announced at the conference.

Old George knew that his image and affinity were not good, and Dan Quayle was a handsome guy who was comparable to the governor of Arkansas. He didn't want the deputy commander candidate to steal the limelight from the original candidate like the governor of Arkansas.