NBC Television Station Evening News.
"According to our latest reports, this afternoon, the famous American multi-billionaire and owner of Page Pictures, Mr. Kyle Page, was struck in the face with a leather shoe by a middle-aged man in full view of the public while attending the new Internet Summit in Silicon Valley."
"The shoe print was clearly visible, his nasal cavity was injured, and he bled profusely on the spot!"
When the news channel broadcast this story, it shamelessly aired a ten-second video clip and included screenshots.
They even zoomed in, turning it into a close-up shot.
"According to our reporter, the man is named White Sand, a native of Mort City, Pennsylvania, and a Hollywood screenwriter. This act of striking Page in the face with a shoe was a deliberate act of revenge fueled by resentment."
"Currently, 11,000 screenwriters from the Hollywood Writers Guild are participating in a general strike. However, just as the strike began, the incident of Mr. Kyle Page being struck in the face occurred, which forces us into deep reflection."
"Using violence to vent dissatisfaction is undoubtedly a violation of American law and an act that tramples on social morality."
"Therefore, this station believes that the Producers Alliance and the Writers Guild should sit down calmly to discuss this matter rather than resorting to violence."
At that moment, television audiences across America watching the NBC news program were in an uproar.
Kyle is a film company owner, and logically speaking, he is a behind-the-scenes worker whose fame is far inferior to the actors and stars on screen. But who told Kyle to be so rich?
And extremely rich at that!
People have a frantic obsession with the pursuit of wealth.
Kyle, young and wealthy, built a ten-billion-dollar Fortune from scratch. This point alone gave Kyle immense fame throughout America.
Therefore, how could Kyle's current assault not attract massive attention?
"Is this for real?"
"The screenwriters are on strike, and they can make a fuss, but they shouldn't hit someone in the face with a shoe!"
"This is an act of violence!"
"If violence could settle matters, then what do we need laws for?"
"Too rampant!"
Many citizens expressed sympathy
for Kyle regarding this assault.
Of course, there were also many who laughed heartily.
"Well hit!"
"Exactly, what's so great about Kyle Page? He just has some stinking money!"
"A celebrity figure? To put it bluntly, he's just a Vampire, a capitalist constantly sucking blood from our hardworking people."
"White Sand did a great job! If I had been there, I definitely would have given him a hard blow too!"
Jealousy is a mountain in the human heart; it is everywhere.
As expected... in less than a few hours, Kyle successfully topped the news of major media outlets, newspapers, and television stations, becoming a headline figure.
"We must report this, and with emphasis!"
An editor-in-chief of a media publication shouted: "Normally, we see members of Congress arguing during sessions, often resulting in physical fights or shoe-throwing. I didn't expect Kyle Page, a businessman with a ten-billion-dollar Fortune, to face the same thing. If we don't report this frantically, how will we sell our newspapers like hotcakes?"
Sympathy for Kyle's undeserved misfortune? Non-existent!
In the eyes of the media, there is no so-called sympathy or lack thereof, only news hotspots!
...Meanwhile.
Regarding the incident of Kyle's assault, the heads of various Hollywood companies were all laughing.
"Look, just look at this!"
"How glorious has Kyle Page been this year!"
"Page Pictures has successively produced 'my big fat greek wedding', '300', 'the blair witch project', 'Finding Nemo', and 'final destination', all of which have been frantically harvesting box office returns globally."
"Especially during the Halloween season, he and Warner released films together, carving up the entire window. As for us, didn't we suffer blood-red losses?"
"This is karma!"
Quite a few production companies in Hollywood harbored grievances against Kyle. After all, the cake is only so big; if you take more, it means everyone else gets less. Therefore, many were very pleased to see Kyle assaulted this time.
But... amidst their smugness, they couldn't help but feel a sense of 'the fox mourning the death of the rabbit'!
"Since these screenwriters can attack Kyle, then... it's entirely possible they will use violence against us too!"
This was the thought of many film company owners.
Rampant!
Too rampant!
In 1988, the Hollywood Writers Guild held a major strike, causing asset losses for countless film companies.
Moreover, there was also violence!
At that time, Crawford, the CEO of United Artists, was severely beaten by two masked thugs while out with his wife, resulting in a two-month hospitalization. It was later discovered that the two attackers were registered members of the Writers Guild;
Rupert Murdoch, the boss of 20th Century Fox, had his Mercedes-Benz set on fire with gasoline by several screenwriters;
The New York office of Artisan Entertainment was also suddenly stormed by a dozen screenwriters, who smashed everything and left behind a mess;
...Such assault incidents were common during the 1988 screenwriters' strike.
Therefore, with the current 1999 screenwriters' strike, how could the members of the Producers Alliance and film company owners not be worried?
They were also worried about following in Kyle's footsteps!
Strike! Strike!
Almost every time, it was accompanied by bloodshed and violence.
"Compromise?"
Kyle said resentfully: "Compromise my foot! A strike is a strike, and I knew they would cause trouble, but I never expected someone to target me. Do they think I'm a pushover?"
Kyle hated the attacker, White Sand, to death.
The next day.
Two senior officials from the Hollywood Writers Guild personally visited Kyle.
"Mr. Page, the two of us are here on behalf of the 12,000 registered screenwriters of the Writers Guild to express our condolences and hope for your understanding," Teshaun said.
Teshaun Williams, the Executive Secretary-General of the Hollywood Writers Guild, was one of the top five figures in terms of power and status within the entire guild.
"Heh!"
Kyle sneered: "Do I dare not be understanding? Right now it's just a shoe; there's no telling if it'll be bullets or even bombs later."
Hearing this, Teshaun's face was full of embarrassment.
However, another high-ranking official from the Writers Guild who came along was instantly enraged by Kyle's sarcasm.
"Mr. Page, you are a multi-billionaire and a well-known figure in America. You just got hit in the face, that's all. Is it necessary to be so sarcastic and even refuse to let go of poor White Sand, making such a big deal out of it?" Franklin said coldly.
"So I should just take the hit? And after being hit, I should smilingly forgive the attacker, is that what you mean?" Kyle was extremely annoyed.
When the conversation is disagreeable, even half a sentence is too much!
Undoubtedly, this meeting ended on a sour note for both parties.
The entire Producers Alliance also united because of the incident where Kyle was attacked, presenting a united front and refusing to easily compromise with the Writers Guild.
Even though many in the Producers Alliance disliked or were jealous of Kyle, their overall interests were aligned; no one wanted to be the next victim of an attack.
The screenwriters wanted more money? Don't even think about it!
For a time, as the Producers Alliance took a firm stance, the conflict between the two sides exploded, and the situation escalated further~