Chapter 20: Excitement is Romance

[Chapter 20: Excitement is Romance]

After leaving the hotel, they returned to the banquet hall across the street at CBS, where a crowd welcomed them.

Bert Leek, the CEO of Touchstone Pictures, approached with a hearty laugh and gave Ian a hug. "Congratulations, Ian, on another outstanding piece of news!"

Ian raised an eyebrow. "You knew?"

Nearby, the CBS Channel 4 station head, Ikebod Harnett chuckled, "The police cars showed up; how could we not know? Unfortunately, they wouldn't let my reporters through. You've got the exclusive on this one. God, it happened right under our noses, and my reporters are like blind, deaf, and dumb!"

Ian quietly said, "Two hundred grand, the exclusive is yours, just send some peripheral news."

Harnett shook his head repeatedly. "I'll give you at most a hundred thousand. The story doesn't have enough punch. The only thing worth discussing is that Ian Carr and Kate Beckinsale, after a dangerous event, ended up saving a little girl."

Ian frowned. "Just that alone is worth two hundred grand... Fine, let's settle for one hundred fifty."

Harnett shook his head. "I'm firm at one hundred twenty."

Ian shrugged. "Deal."

Kate Beckinsale rolled her eyes, feeling exasperated. Ian Carr might blend the roles of hero and devil, but Kate thought he leaned more towards the latter these days -- his reason for saving the little girl seemed driven by the pursuit of headlines.

Now that they had set a price, both sides were satisfied.

...

Bert Leek said, "Ian, maybe you're right; we should consider giving some promotional support to the Los Angeles Herald."

This news was bound to make waves, and since Kate was involved, it could heat things up further for Pearl Harbor, but only if the report elevated Kate's role.

So, Leek intended to discuss the advertising business with Ian.

Ian smiled and shook his head. "Pearl Harbor doesn't premiere until May next year; we'll only have a couple of months for promotion before that. We can talk then."

Bert Leek seemed puzzled. "Why?"

Ian smiled, "Because by then, the price may not be the same."

Ian could overlook the other's attitude, but if they were going to discuss business, he wouldn't disgrace himself to appease them. Initially, he planned to sell an ad wave to raise funds for company expansion. Now, with new income presenting itself, he was in no rush to undervalue it.

Hearing Ian's words made Bert Leek feel like he might be missing a window of opportunity. Losing the chance to promote Kate with this news wasn't critical; what mattered was that Ian Carr was demonstrating a strong insight into sensitive situations. He wasn't someone who relied on luck!

Perhaps he wouldn't just have this one or two news pieces. However, with things being as they were, he had no choice. Clearly, Bert Leek thought, I am Party A, how can I be controlled by you, Party B?

That confidence inherent in being Party A kept him from genuinely caring.

Besides, if you didn't promote Kate, they could publicize her role in this story themselves... Such as how her help allowed Ian to 'interview' Blazer.

...

As evening descended, after a few more pleasantries, Ian said his goodbyes.

Kate accompanied him as he left the banquet hall. When they reached the street, Ian walked to his car and said to Kate, "The gossip still needs to be stirred up. How about we meet again three nights from now?"

Kate replied, "Three nights from now is probably not going to work."

"Why not?" He asked.

Kate explained, "Do you know Lili Marlene?"

"Uh-huh, that opera star."

"She has a pre-wedding party three nights from now and invited me."

Bachelor party? Ian's eyes sparkled. 

Kate hadn't realized the importance of what she casually mentioned -- she interacted with reporters far less than she thought, especially not with someone like Ian Carr, the craziest reporter in history! A guy who would go as far as killing for a story!

So Ian smiled and said, "I didn't know you'd be hitting those kinds of parties."

Kate shook her head, "It's just a sit-down. Thanks to you, a lot of people want to hear me talk about the kidnapping story, even though they've all seen it, they still love asking the person involved questions. And I need to get to know some big shots, as that's my chance."

"What do they usually ask?" Ian inquired.

Kate's face turned slightly red as she shook her head. "How would I know?"

Your expression says you do!

"Why not... grab a drink somewhere now?" Ian sought to see if he could charm this beauty tonight -- sometimes the best way to stay calm in the middle of chaos was to deplete one's reserves!

Kate lightly laughed and shook her head. "No thanks, I've already enjoyed the thrill of being with you today!"

As she turned to leave, Ian called after her, "For a woman, sometimes the man who can bring excitement is the ultimate romance!"

Kate bit her lip.

Damn Ian Carr for being right.

If only he were gentler, she might've fallen hard instantly.

But the problem was he clearly enjoyed the thrill of conquest. He wanted a woman, but he wouldn't indulge in flattery. What he sought was a woman who would flatter him!

Not a chance, Ian Carr, I won't be conquered by you!

---

The next day, the Los Angeles Herald and CBS reported extensively on the incident. The fact that a Hollywood producer's stepdaughter was involved soon sparked a stir.

This wasn't particularly rare, but what mattered was how comprehensive the coverage was. With on-site, hard-hitting interviews, extensive talks with the victim's mother, plus Kate Beckinsale's involvement...

Great news stories came from significance, exclusivity, and comprehensiveness along with the allure of celebrity.

News involving both the perpetrator and the victim being interviewed on-site was exceptionally rare, especially with Ian Carr introducing a new form of interviewing: hard-hitting interviews. His aggressive, confrontational interviewing style instantly made this report sensational.

As a collaborating partner, CBS News declared, "Ian Carr is undoubtedly a young man with a strong sense of justice. He possesses keen insight and carries a tremendous social responsibility."

As a partner, CBS rated him significantly.

ABC News stated, "Ian Carr saved an innocent girl, but compared to his brave actions, I believe Kate Beckinsale deserves greater commendation; this British rose exhibited tremendous strength after going through a kidnapping incident."

As part of Touchstone Pictures' network, it was natural to praise Kate.

FOX News remarked, "Using a Hollywood actress as a photographer tends to come off as sensationalism."

As disinterested observers, they showed veiled jealousy, appearing not to agree with Ian's methods.

The networks were somewhat forgiving, given that their conflicts with the newspapers weren't extensive. The journalists, however, were less kind in their critiques.

...

The New York Daily published, "Ian Carr's interview with the victim's mother was overly extreme. As a morally responsible media outlet, we do not endorse this behavior of pouring salt over the wounds of victims."

Nonsense!

How many in the media aren't doing just that?

USA Today commented, "Ian Carr has pioneered an unprecedented interview model: aggressive interviewing. As professional journalists, we should strive to uphold impartiality instead of interrogating suspects like police. Ian Carr had no authority to use violence against a suspect!"

This was typical envy and jealousy -- why wasn't the aggressive interviewing technique invented by our reporters?

The New York Post opined, "Ian Carr did nothing wrong; actions rooted in justice should be rewarded."

This was a rare supportive voice since they primarily focused on international news, bearing little conflict with the Los Angeles Herald.

However, the most intense criticism came from the Los Angeles Times.

*****

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