American Entertainment 1982

New York, Brooklyn, Merlin Apartment Building.

Merlin Apartment Building is a small single-family apartment building, suitable for young people who come to New York, a big city with the American dream, as a temporary shelter.

Vanessa Williams, wearing an apron and cleaning gloves, was kneeling and wiping the floor. Soon, the small apartment, including the windows, was cleaned up spotlessly by her.

In fact, her home is in New York, or her parents’ home is in New York. It is a two-story villa with an instrumental music practice room and a gymnasium transformed from a basement. Compared with this one located near a subway station, The tenants of the building can clearly perceive the 40-square-meter old apartment that shakes every time the subway passes through the underground tunnel, just like the difference between heaven and hell.

But now she doesn't want to go back to live with her parents at all. Although her parents have never blamed her for paying nearly one million yuan in compensation to prevent her from being forced to go bankrupt, she can't face her parents looking at her. own gaze.

After wiping the floor clean, she straightened up and took a moment to catch her breath, then walked to the framed picture hanging on the wall of the living room, carefully admiring the picture that made her notorious.

The culprit who caused her to lose all honor in this picture is actually very exquisite in composition. In the backlight of the setting sun, she stands naked on the top of Mount Kisco, like an angel who came to the world for the first time.

The whole composition does not have any obscene taste, and even because of the backlight, her whole body looks more like a black silhouette. If you don't identify it carefully, you can't detect that she is naked.

It was a part-time job she received when she was just in college. A photographer named Tommy needed a model to take a group of photos for Mount Kisco in New York to promote the local scenery. She remembered that the photographer said that she hoped to use the top of the mountain , Sunset, freedom, women who take off their shackles to show the free atmosphere of this small town in Mount Kisco, New York.

There were thirteen such a group of photos. After she signed a model authorization letter, she received a reward of two thousand dollars from the photographer.

Later, she became more and more dazzling in college, participated in the beauty pageant, passed all the way, first became Miss Syracuse, then won the crown of Miss New York, and finally became the first in the United States in the Miss America pageant Black beauty pageant champion.

In the winter of 1983, the names of two young men, one male and one female, one black and one white, appeared dazzlingly in newspapers and on TV, telling all Americans to believe in miracles and the American dream would eventually come true.

She is that lucky black girl, the new Miss America 1984, Vanessa Williams.

It’s just the story behind, which seems to be a nightmare. First of all, many white people can’t accept this American beauty pageant that started in 1920. They will choose a black woman to represent the image of American women. They can tolerate black women signing up for the competition, but they can’t Accept that America is represented by black people.

As a result, many white radicals and racists mailed bullets to her and sent threatening letters to her family, forcing her to return the championship honor.

She bravely stood on the TV talk show and said that she would never be intimidated. She would use herself to change the image of black people in everyone's eyes and tell the world that women in this country are not only white, but black people can be beautiful .

Later, what happened was based on her hearsay. Some tabloids swore that the gaming company in Las Vegas opened a market for the beauty pageant. Because she was elected as a black man, many high-rollers suffered heavy losses, so Another gamble was opened, betting that she would not be able to complete the one-year Miss America in a safe and sound way, and she would definitely step down in embarrassment.

She thought it was just a rumor that she didn't need to pay attention to, but then she realized that she was too young and too innocent, and only saw the beautiful side of this world.

Soon, "The Penthouse" published the group of artistic photos she had taken. If it was just the same as before, full of artistic silhouettes, Vanessa would not care at all, because she was indeed naked during the shooting, but because of the light effect , In fact, it is not considered exposed at all, and the important parts are not exposed.

Unfortunately, she underestimated the shamelessness of the "Penthouse" magazine, and the magazine increased the exposure of the photos. Therefore, what was originally an artistic silhouette turned into an unsightly large-scale photo in the magazine, causing her body in the photo to be distorted. Those readers have a glance.

Miss America, who was supposed to be beautiful, generous and perfect, represented the image of American women, was exposed to take large-scale photos and published them in the "Penthouse" magazine, which made everyone unacceptable.

Almost instantly, she changed from the envied American darling to the American slut everyone shouted and beat.

Cinderella's American Dream has become the American Nightmare.

Those high-quality black compatriots who praised her before, scrambled to be friends with her, and asked her to participate in various high-end events, immediately turned against her after seeing her photos published in "Penthouse", accusing her of ruining the reputation of black women , Let the white people find an excuse to criticize the black people for not self-love.

The white people who were not reconciled to being robbed of the Miss America crown by a black woman found even more reasons to ridicule her as a shameless black person who was not qualified to represent the United States at all, which would only make the world feel that American women are A woman who is unrestrained and does not love herself.

Even every time I appear on the stage, someone mocks me with enlarged nude photos.

Photographer Tommy earned hundreds of thousands of dollars by selling his photos to Penthouse, and Penthouse earned twenty-six million in a single issue by publishing his photos in magazines.

The only one who was injured was herself. She was confiscated the Miss America title, lost all the advertising endorsements, and the liquidated damages were as high as millions.

And the American film and television industry rejected her even more. They dared not provide themselves with jobs, fearing that if they provided her with a job, her unhealthy and imperfect image would cause complaints from the audience, which would have a negative impact on their own company. .

She tried to sue "Penthouse" magazine for publishing photos without her permission, but the other party took out the model authorization letter, the ownership of the photos does not belong to her model, the photographer has the right to buy and sell photos, and "Penthouse" bought the photos, There is also the right to publish.

Before she started her career in the American entertainment industry, she had already been bitten and devoured by the American entertainment industry, and then completely isolated her from the circle.

The doorbell rang at this moment, Vanessa took off her gloves, walked over to open the door, and her manager and friend Ramon stood outside the door.

"Seeing you appear always makes me feel good, Ramon, because you brought me a job, so, what job is it today? No matter what it is, I am ready." Vanessa saw the agent After the person, he showed a gentle and sunny smile and asked.

In the past two years, thanks to my manager and friend Ramon, I have been helping me find some job opportunities. Although they are all makeup artists, musicians, or playing ugly roles in third-rate sitcoms, at least I have guaranteed that I will not be completely unemployed and bankrupt, and live in the slums .

Of course, I also want to thank my parents for finally helping me bear a large part of the liquidated damages, and did not let her die in the autumn of 1984 when countless advertisers demanded liquidated damages.

"There are two jobs. One is that a British black female artist comes to Broadway from London to perform in musicals. During her stay on Broadway in New York, she needs a short-term makeup artist. It takes about two weeks and the weekly salary is 350 yuan." Ramon walked in, looked at the clean and tidy room, and said calmly.

Vanessa turned around, walked to the corner of the living room, picked up her makeup case, and shrugged cutely at Ramon: "So, what are you waiting for? I can start working anytime."

"Vanessa, you have to accept the reality." Seeing Vanessa's appearance of being ready to leave at any time, Ramon did not praise her work attitude, but frowned, and said in a somewhat stern and emotional tone.

"Of course I accept the reality." Vanessa looked at Ramon with some confusion: "I will not let the other party hate me, nor will I be jealous of the other party, I will not mention any of my past, I am just a professional makeup artist Teacher, you know, I never say anything, I just do what I should do."

Ramon looked at the artistic photo on the wall that eventually caused Vanessa to fall from the altar: "I'm talking about accepting reality... It's not that you want to look energetic every day and take on some odd jobs , you have to accept the reality, Vanessa, you are unlikely to be considered by those big TV stations and film companies again, and you are no longer likely to be a popular star."

"Ramon, I can't guarantee that those big companies will give me a chance, but what I should do now is at least let everyone who sees me not hate me. Before I became Miss America, I was a makeup artist. It’s just a harmonizer, or an unknown little actor, and now he’s just continuing to do his previous job.” Vanessa said to Ramon, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this attitude.”

Ramon shifted his gaze from the photo to Vanessa's face, and remained silent for a few seconds before speaking again:

"For another job, there is an established adult film company in California who wants you to star in a movie. They are willing to pay half a million for your debut in a small movie."

Vanessa looked at Ramon in astonishment, and couldn't believe what her friend said: "You, suggest that I make those adult movies?"

"It's okay to change the industry and earn more money. I haven't received your commission for a long time. I don't even know if there is a chance to get a commission. I have been your agent for so long, what have I gained?" , nothing, you have persisted for so long, what have you gained? Nothing, so give up fantasy, be realistic, it’s time to make some money, if you agree, I guarantee that in the first year, with your popularity, you will be here A line can earn at least three million, if you are willing to work harder and add some Las Vegas nightclub performances, five million is not impossible..." Ramon persuaded Vanessa sincerely.

"So, they humiliated me as a slut, so I'm going to do what they want and really become a shameless slut?" Vanessa stared blankly at her manager: "Let those who laugh at me People, really get what they want?"

Ramon lowered his head: "If you continue to insist on being a makeup artist, all I can say is, goodbye, Vanessa, I need another job, there is a black actress who needs an agent, her assistant Contacted me, I hope I can help her, goodbye."

After finishing speaking, the manager Ramon turned around and wanted to walk out of the room, but Vanessa said behind him: "Ramon."

Ramon turned around and looked at Vanessa. Vanessa tried her best to show a bright smile, but her eyes were already full of tears. She tried her best to smile and asked the manager:

"You at least tell me how much commission I owe you. I will definitely work hard to make money and compensate you."

"Forget it, Vanessa, just treat me as a madman, and I have been dreaming with you for several years, but there is always a moment of waking up from the dream. You can continue to dream, but I have to accept the reality." Ramon said to Vanessa bowed slightly:

"Goodbye, Miss Vanessa-Williams."

"Ramon~ One more thing, can you leave me the contact information of the makeup artist job, and say goodbye?" Vanessa wiped away her tears and said to Ramon with a smile.

Ramon nodded, took out his business card from his suit pocket, and put it on the cabinet at the door: "I once... wanted to save you and put you back under the flashlight, but..."

"Goodbye, Ramon." Vanessa interrupted Ramon, took a few steps forward, and closed the door. Before the door closed, she said with a smile.

As the door closed, she leaned against the door, sat on the floor with her knees bent, and began to cry.

She finally lost her last friend, and at this point, only she was left to fight against this damn country.

"I'm not going to let those people get their way, I'm not going to be what they want me to be...Vanessa Williams, you're right, you have to believe it."

She stopped crying, went to the bathroom to touch up her makeup, and was about to go out to start the job of a makeup artist with a weekly salary of 350 yuan, when the phone rang.

The automatic answering function of the phone started to work, and he said softly to the phone: "Hello? This is Vanessa Williams, professional makeup artist, harmonizer, model, actress, singer, what can I do for you? Yes? Please leave a message after the beep, and I will call you back in time."

"This is BT Television, I'm Sean Ray, Vice President, Miss Vanessa Williams, we'd like to sign you for a mid-budget black TV series, if your schedule allows, and I am also interested in TV series, you or your agent are welcome to call me, we can discuss cooperation matters face to face in Los Angeles." A gentle male voice rang out from the TV.

Vanessa, who was touching up her makeup, was stunned at first, and then big drops of tears poured out of her eyes again, washing away the makeup she had just put on.

...

Los Angeles, BT TV headquarters.

"Have you talked with Sean and Rick? How do you feel?" Tommy offered to reach out his hand to Vanessa, and greeted with a smile: "Tommy Hawk, the puppet boss of BT TV station."

Tommy felt that there was a reason why Vanessa could win the crown of Miss America. In addition to her tall and graceful figure, she also had quite delicate facial features and a pair of blue eyes as clear as Caribbean sea water.

Moreover, her skin color is not pure black, but more like a lustrous and attractive honey color. It is obvious that she is the product of black and white mixed blood after a white man and a black man formed a family.

She was not an uneducated black from the bottom. This beautiful girl was born in a middle-class black family. Her parents were both music teachers in private elementary schools in New York.

"Vanessa Williams, thank you for the valuable job opportunity from your TV station." Vanessa took off her sunglasses, shook hands with Tommy Hawke, and said to Tommy with a smile: "Actually, in Before today, I have seen your face and heard your name countless times, Mr. Hawke."

"Really?" Tommy looked at this tall black girl with some puzzlement, and asked curiously: "I... I just started to join the TV industry this year, and we shouldn't have had any intersection before."

"In the winter of '83, when...the papers said that in that year, two young men realized the American Dream, a man and a woman, and the woman's name was Vanessa Williams, who became the first black American Miss, the man's name is Tommy Hawk, he fought against big companies in the software industry in order to help many low-income people, and won the victory." Vanessa sat opposite Tommy and talked about her impression of him .

Tommy stared at Vanessa for a few seconds, and then smiled emotionally: "It was a few years ago, and I don't read Social Digest newspapers very much, so I may not have noticed, but anyway, It is also a wonderful fate, it is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Williams."

"You can call me Vanessa, friend...everyone calls me that," Vanessa said to Tommy.

"Sean said to me, you came to Los Angeles in person, and you didn't even bring an agent, which shocked me."

"Five minutes before I received Mr. Sean Ray's call, I just parted ways with my manager friend." Vanessa lowered her head and said with emotion, but then shook her long hair and continued to look up at Tommy: "I You need to hire an agent before you can start talking about work, or..."

"No no no, when Sean told me you didn't have an agent, we talked about it internally, this is black TV, we're helping black people, not exploiting black people, frankly, it's better for us to talk to you , we have legal affairs and public relations who are responsible for communication and negotiation, you can’t take advantage of them, but we are not going to do that, so, you really need a broker, here is California, there are brokerage companies everywhere, there is one It is the best solution for a broker to help you fight for greater benefits." Tommy picked up a stack of documents on the table:

"Here are some information about brokerage companies in California that I asked to help you sort out before you came. You can choose one that you think is good, and then I will ask my assistant Sophia to accompany you to find a professional broker first, and then he can The lion opened his mouth wide and talked business with us."

Vanessa seemed to be looking at an alien, looking at Tommy who handed her the agency information at this time. To be honest, she had dealt with film companies, TV stations and even Broadway before, and met all kinds of partners. But those partners all hope to squeeze themselves, pay themselves less and get more benefits.

The white young man in front of him was just the opposite. Knowing that he didn't have a broker, his first reaction was to help provide the brokerage company's information first, so that he could find a strong enough broker to negotiate business with him, so as to ensure that he could get more money. much income.

Vanessa was a little confused by Tommy's reaction. She had never experienced such a scene, and she had never seen such a kind and generous TV station owner.

"I... I met a photographer named Tommy last time, and he let the name Tommy... not give me a good impression, but today, in reverse, another Tommy in front of me, It's so good that it's unbelievable." Vanessa didn't look through the information, but looked at the office environment, and said a little dumbfounded.

Tommy observed Vanessa's expression: "It sounds like the name Tommy didn't make you feel good before today?"

"I knew a photographer named Tommy before. He...was an asshole." Vanessa looked at Tommy, nodded with a smile, "Those photos that caused trouble were taken for me."

"My friends who know me also call me that, maybe those named Tommy are jerks." After hearing this, Tommy Hawke said with deep emotion: "It should be like this, because I also know someone named Tommy. Tommy Westie's guy, a bad guy too."

Vanessa looked at the white young man in front of her who seemed to be about the same age as herself. She lowered her head and smiled: "Being called a jerk by a friend and being called a jerk by a collaborator are two different things, Mr. Hawke, more friends It’s a well-intentioned ridicule, but collaborators often come from the heart.”

"Sean and I introduced some of your situation. In the past two years, you seem to be... a bit difficult? There is no front stage work, only harmony, makeup and other work. I mean, your agent may have left long ago. He Unqualified." Tommy took a sip of coffee and said to Vanessa:

"So, don't rush to start work, Vanessa, we can take our time, we are going to shoot a pilot episode first, see the feedback, so you can sign a short contract with us first, and use this period Time, you can use the information we provide you to contact the brokerage company, of course, you can also search for it yourself without those information, in short, take your time, there is no shortage of jobs here."

"Have you always talked with actors, Mr. Hawk? I mean, you might be called a fool for this kind of behavior."

"Just call me Tommy." Tommy shook his head seriously: "No, Vanessa, a fool can't earn 700 million net worth, I just don't earn poor man's money, if you don't work hard enough, you You can see the other side of Tommy Fool, stingy, petty, irritable and even racially discriminatory, Ku Klux Klan, cross, in short, all kinds of pictures that shock you will appear in..."

Seeing Tommy's serious nonsense, Vanessa laughed: "Well, these threats sound weak, but I will seriously consider your suggestion and find an agent."

"Do you have a place to live in Los Angeles?" Tommy continued.

Vanessa shook her head in confusion: "No, but I can stay in a hotel and it won't affect my work."

"There is a villa in Beverly Hills, which is the staff dormitory of BT TV station. At present, there is only one black employee named Martin Hart living there. If you don't mind sharing with him, I think you can save a lot of hotel expenses. , and the scenery of the hotel should not be as beautiful as the scenery of Beverly Hills." Tommy looked at Vanessa: "Sophia, you have met, my assistant, she also lives nearby, if you don't mind, she can bring You go and see where you live."

"You used the villa in Beverly Hills as a dormitory for TV employees?" Vanessa had never heard of the act of persuading herself to find an agent first, and now Tommy told her that BT TV station staff quarters in Beverly Hills.

The mansion that 90% of Hollywood stars can’t afford or can’t buy is used by the young man in front of him as a staff dormitory.

The benefits of this black TV station are a bit too exaggerated.

"Yes, and I live in another building not far away, about five minutes' walk away." Tommy said to Vanessa.

"Why? I..." Vanessa looked at Tommy: "Why help me, I really don't understand, Tommy, I have seen all kinds of evil in human nature in the past two years, and the kindness shown by BT TV station , besides being moved and warm, I feel more uneasy at this moment, because I can't figure out what is the reason for all this."

"Maybe it's because you and I were lucky enough to realize the American Dream, maybe it's because you're beautiful enough to make me fall in love at first sight? Who knows, maybe I never thought of helping you, maybe it's just your wishful thinking." Tommy seemed Looking at Vanessa with a smile, she spread her hands:

"I want to prove to those TV stations that ignore the black people at the bottom, what size audience they have left behind. What they ignore is what I cherish. No one in this industry cares what TV shows black people want to watch. I, a layman, do care. And you To prove to those who have hurt you that they will not destroy you, they will only make you stronger, you will stand on a more dazzling stage, and sting the eyes and hearts of those people, I think, this is It's the American dream we all want to achieve, and I'm not helping you, I'm just telling you that we are fellow travelers in this dream."

"Do you often say such things to...the people around you?" Vanessa rolled her eyes and looked away. This girl who just turned 24 this year seems to have not heard such comforting words for a long time.

Tommy shook his head: "Often, but I'm surrounded by guys with lawyers or political science backgrounds. Their rational values ​​are scary. They don't respond after listening, or they just dislike me for being too nagging."

"I think what you said is very touching, Tommy, I haven't heard similar words for a long time, full of warmth and strength." Vanessa shook her long hair, looked away and smiled lightly, then looked at Tommy: "Can you say a few more words? It's been a long time since anyone encouraged me. Before I came to Los Angeles, my agent had persuaded me to make small movies."

"There is nothing more painful than returning to the top, or even surpassing past honors, to make those who have hurt you more painful." Tommy picked up a small Bible on the table, opened it casually, and read out:

"This Bible tells us that only by performing miracles in the enemy, and in the land of Ham, will the elect bless the name of God."

I'm still in the hospital, my son's condition is a bit relapsed, I'm so busy during this time, I'm sorry~