Chapter 15: Getting the Most Out of the Catch

A black sedan drove toward the Great Salt Lake Cinema, while Damian, who had been watching from the roadside, made a call and reported the license plate number.

George, who knew nothing about high-level business schemes, only wanted to embarrass Eric. Since Eric had ruined his screening, George was determined to ruin Eric’s as well. With a ready-made plan in front of him, George didn’t even have to think—he just had to follow it.

“He didn’t come through the front door; he’s headed to the backyard,” someone on the roadside informed Hawk over the phone.

In the hallway, Hawk received the call. Holding a camcorder, he gathered his people and rushed to the backyard. He told Beard and Larson, “He’s here. Get ready.”

Beard chuckled, “I won’t be drinking your black coffee for nothing.”

Hawk stood by the back window, turned on the camcorder, adjusted the lens, and started filming the backyard.

Eric was confused. “Is this part of the movie-watching experience?”

Hawk motioned for silence. “Just wait, you’ll enjoy this.”

There was still money to be collected, and customer satisfaction was crucial.

After waiting for a bit, Eric saw two items fly over the backyard’s low wall, followed by his nemesis, George, climbing over. George picked up a wooden baseball bat and pulled the safety pin on a car fire extinguisher.

Swinging the bat, he knocked over a discarded Christmas tree blocking his path, raised the extinguisher, and headed toward the cooling window of the electrical room.

Beard circled around from the side of the electrical room, sneaking up on George and then launched a tackle.

With a thud, George landed on the ground, letting out a bizarre cry as his hands automatically let go of the bat and extinguisher. Grabbing his backside, he rolled on the ground as if he were suffering intense pain.

Beard was stunned and raised his hands, saying, “It wasn’t me. I didn’t do anything!”

George deeply regretted agreeing to wear the bald cap all day. At that moment, he felt like he was dying.

Hawk turned off the camcorder and called Mason, the cinema’s owner. “Some jerk tried to mess with your electrical room, but we caught him.”

George continued rolling on the ground, utterly miserable.

Eric grabbed Martin’s hand, laughing heartily, feeling great. “Yes! This is amazing! Bro, you really got back at him for me!”

Hawk said, “I’ll need to use the camcorder for a bit longer. I have to transfer the footage.”

Eric wasn’t joking when he said, “You like it? It’s yours now,” pointing at George, still rolling on the ground. “You have to take it. This camcorder isn’t enough!”

At this moment, Eric felt completely relieved. He no longer cared about the film itself and added, “Even if we don’t sell the movie rights, I’ll still pay you another 2% of the production cost.”

After all, it wasn’t his money. Worst case, he could just grovel a bit more.

Mason arrived and, after asking a few questions, called the police.

Hawk reminded him, “Keep this contained in the backyard. Don’t let it affect the front.”

Mason, who had pocketed extra money from Eric, was cooperative. “Don’t worry, the officers are on our side.”

In small towns, it’s all about connections.

Hawk used Eric’s computer to transfer the footage to the storage drive Eric had provided.

Back in the backyard, the police and an ambulance had arrived.

Hawk handed over the footage as evidence, and Mason pulled out a security contract he had just signed for temporary cinema protection.

Beard wouldn’t face any trouble.

George, still wailing, was placed on a stretcher and loaded into the ambulance.

“What happened?” someone asked.

A paramedic gestured with both hands, “It’s pretty bad. At least seven inches, all the way in. God help him.”

As soon as the ambulance and police cars left, a female reporter with a press badge rushed over and blocked the door, asking Mason, “What happened?”

Mason shook his head, “Gina, you’re too late. The story’s already cold.”

Hawk glanced at the cameraman behind her and then at the badge hanging over her flat chest. “You guys head back. I’ll chat with her for a bit.”

Gina shook hands with Hawk, flashing her badge. “Gina Encke, local reporter, Channel 7, Salt Lake City.”

Hawk waved his camcorder. “I’ve got a big story here. Some idiot tried to sabotage the cinema’s electrical room.”

Gina responded quickly, “Fifty bucks, and I’ll take the footage.”

“Let me finish,” Hawk said, continuing his earlier point. “This idiot’s also a director, and his feature film is part of this film festival. Jealous of a competitor’s better work, he came here specifically to wreck the screening.”

Gina smelled a bigger story.

Hawk added, “This kind of scandal happening at the St. Denis Film Festival will send shockwaves through the film industry—and even the entire entertainment world. My time’s valuable. If you won’t pay a thousand dollars, I’ll take this to a reporter from Fox or CBS.”

Gina pointed at the camcorder. “Let me see the footage first.”

Hawk took her to the computer, played the video, and made sure to emphasize the "seven inches" part.

A simple story of George sabotaging the cinema’s electrical box was worth about fifty bucks.

But once you added his identity as a director and the context of the St. Denis Film Festival, the value multiplied.

In the eighteen years since the St. Denis Film Festival began, this was the first time something like this had happened.

Gina made a call for approval and temporarily borrowed $1,000 from Mason to buy the footage from Hawk.

Back in the cinema’s lobby, Brand, who had been following along, whispered despite his sore mouth, “I realize I didn’t really know you. Hawk, you’ve managed to grab every advantage you could.”

Hawk chuckled. “We’re partners. There’s a share for you too.”

Brand fell silent, deep in thought.

He had a feeling that if he could learn even half of Hawk’s skills, student loans and such wouldn’t be a problem anymore.

...

At Crystal Cinema, four sedans pulled up and parked along the street.

Wearing a wool coat, Robert Reiner arrived at the cinema’s entrance with his assistant and four staff members.

Katherine, who got out of the last BMW, automatically stopped at the bottom of the steps.

No one from the film crew was there to greet them. Only a man in a cowboy hat was pacing on the steps.

Robert frowned, slightly annoyed.

With the power outage at the cinema, several film crews were facing breach of contract issues. The owner, who was already frustrated, saw the group approaching and impatiently said, “The power’s out. No screenings today. Go watch your movie somewhere else.”

Robert glanced at his assistant.

The assistant hurriedly said, “I’ll make a call.”

Robert waved it off. “No need. We’re leaving.”

Just then, one of the staff members pointed toward the bottom of the steps. “Boss, Katherine’s still waiting.”

Robert paused for a moment, then walked toward Katherine with a softened expression. “You’re just like your father, relentless until you get what you want. Alright, lead the way.”

Katherine acted as if nothing had happened, smiling. “Uncle Robert, this way. It’s not far, just a few minutes by car.”

The four cars left and headed straight to the Great Salt Lake Cinema.

On the way, the assistant remained cautious, not daring to speak. He could tell his boss was displeased with him.

The assistant cursed the agent who had set it all up.

Unlike the deserted Crystal Cinema, the Great Salt Lake Cinema’s crew was waiting by the roadside, warmly greeting the car convoy when it arrived.

Katherine made the introductions between the two sides.

Robert glanced at the entrance of the cinema, where audience members were steadily entering. “Let’s not waste time. Let’s watch the movie first.”

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