Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"The student 'Jane' was studying at the Performing Arts Vocational School. She used long leg warmers produced by RTKD Company (Exhibit 1). The leg warmers covered her heels during dance practice, causing her to slip and cause a heel injury on Jane's right leg. Tendon exercise, diagnosed by the doctor (Exhibit 2) as temporary loss of movement ability, making it difficult to pursue a dance career in the future..."

Ronald, who hurried back to Manhattan, browsed the eucalyptus papers with his personal lawyer, Miss Lindsay Dole.

"Why does this happen? Our products use large fonts and pictures, and this taboo is clearly marked on the packaging and instructions. This girl named Jane still has this problem. Is she using it improperly? "

When Ronald saw that the victim had slipped due to the leg warmers covering his heels, he immediately began to cry out. My own factory has repeatedly warned that this method of covering the heel is wrong and may cause slipping and injury.

"Her real name is not Jane, because she needs to use a pseudonym because she is under sixteen years old. It doesn't matter, let's call her Jane." The lawyer lady has gained a little weight in the past two years, and she always works indoors, so her skin is fairer.

"You are right. I also think RTKD should not be held responsible for this. Moreover, her injury was mostly caused by the teacher not being responsible enough and not protecting her when she was doing difficult movements. She herself was also Continuing to practice when tired does not fulfill the due vigilance responsibility.”

"So we can win?" Ronald didn't understand this and could only ask professionals.

"It's hard to say. When it comes to court, it's not about who can stand up legally, but who can arouse the jury's sympathy."

The lawyer lady looked at Ronald, then pointed to her nose and said, "And I don't have the ability to make the jury sympathetic."

"I think you are very professional, right?"

"My professional ability lies in the analysis of cases and the application of legal provisions. But my face really does not please the jury. Bobby from our law firm is different. He is better able to win over the jury. A vote of sympathy.”

Ronald took a closer look at the lawyer lady. Indeed, she had blond hair, expensive clothes, and strong professionalism. It was not easy for ordinary people to get close to her.

This is the same as movie casting. A particularly beautiful actress lacks the ability to communicate with the audience, making it difficult for the audience to empathize. On the contrary, actors with some flaws are more likely to become stars.

"What?" Lindsay thought there was something wrong with her face.

"No, I was distracted.

Let's continue. "

"Where did I say it? Yes... Going to court is our last step. A better approach is to reach a reasonable settlement price with the plaintiff before going to court, and then sign a confidentiality agreement so that she cannot disclose it to the news media in the future. Disclose the truth.”

"How much do you estimate it will cost?" Ronald felt very pitiful when he heard that the little girl had broken her Achilles tendon.

"One hundred thousand dollars."

"What? Why didn't she grab it?" Ronald became angry when he heard the price. What kind of artistic future can a little girl see now? I paid some nutrition and surgery expenses, which can be said to be a sign of compassion. The price was one hundred thousand dollars. Little Bud served for four years and only received one-tenth of his retirement pay.

"The Point Guard Is Here"

"You're right, she hired a vulture lawyer to prepare for a legal robbery." Lindsay pushed over a photo of a hook-nosed man wearing an expensive suit.

"This is the opposing lawyer Yin Lai, a typical vulture lawyer who relies on suing companies to obtain compensation and then shares it with the plaintiff. After the new economic policy of Datong, this kind of lawyer who does not take advance payments and makes money by high shares has almost disappeared for many years. , began to resurge again.”

"Why are they targeting me? Our company is not big?"

"You are their best hunting target. The sales of your leg warmer company are not high, but the profit margin is high. This shows that you generally do not have a top team of lawyers to guard the fence, but you have enough money to pay compensation.

What they are pursuing is not simple compensation. The jury has the power to multiply the normal compensation several times and impose punitive damages to prevent similar negligent behavior in the future. If they succeed in convincing the jury, your damages could be as much as this amount. "

Looking at the numbers on the calculator handed over by the lawyer, Ronald counted six zeros and said, "This is going to bankrupt my company."

"So let me contact the other party's lawyer first."

…

"I was so angry that he dared to question my ability to stand trial and even offered a settlement price of half a million dollars."

The next day, lawyer Lindsay Dole came to Ronald's apartment, put down the file, and started to pick up the cup and drink a whole cup of Coke. "Get ready to fight. This time I want Yin Lai to spit out all the money he earned before."

It was scary for the lawyer lady to be angry. Soon she said hello, and the law firm's partners Bobby Donnell, Elena, Eugene and other lawyers came. Discuss countermeasures together.

"Yin Lai's method is very special. He is not targeting ordinary business owners, but celebrities, TV show hosts, or celebrities. Because you value reputation very much, the outrageous conditions he proposes often succeed.

If you refuse, he will launch a dark offensive in the tabloids. As long as he extracts part of the facts and then embellishes it to leave readers with room for imagination, the celebrities will probably give in. "

"Then let him spread rumors. When the time comes, I will sue him as well."

"Ronald, don't be impulsive. These people are very destructive. Listen to the lawyer's thoughts first." The voice of agent Niceta came over the phone. It was Bobby's lawyer who insisted that Ronald's agent listen to the call. of.

"He would make up some sensational news, such as that you are a foreign spy to undermine America's values. Or you abuse drugs, or you coerce female stars and use the role as a bargaining chip to force them to submit. Marlon Brando was raped by them before Harassed in similar ways."

"But I'm different from Ma Long. I haven't really done any of these bad things." Ronald was furious.

Several lawyers finally discussed a plan, using the results of previous cases to achieve a rational result expected by the other party, and negotiated with the other party again. Mainly bargaining.

After the meeting, Bobby, the founder of the firm, held Ronald alone. "I trust Lindsay's ability, but she may make a mistake this time. The other party is not playing with rational expectations, but is trying to test your counterattack." If you try to reason with him like this, he will think you are weak and can be bullied."

"Yeah." Ronald felt the same way. Some people can't understand reason.

"In addition, there are indications that the opposing lawyer also privately contacted employees of your leg warmer factory."

"What?" Ronald was surprised, "I've been good enough to them, my salary is higher than the average, and I've built workers' apartments to rent to them. Who else wants to betray me?"

"No matter how much benefit you give them, can you stop a few people from being greedy for profit?"

"I..." Ronald felt a little suffocated. How come there are people everywhere who want to make more money?

"Ignoring for the time being what evidence the factory workers will give against you, the other party's lawyer will definitely continue to put pressure. I think you have to be prepared. Once the other party does not agree to Lindsay's second round offer, the other party will definitely We will launch it in the media and let you see the effect."

"Do I have any backup plans?" Ronald stared at the other person. Since they were talking alone, he must have used some less than aboveboard means.

"Do you remember the lawyer Rudy who represented the NYPD in the Michelle Pfeiffer case and Diane's kidnapping case last time?"

"Of course, didn't he become the Deputy Attorney General of the Department of Justice?" Ronald remembered that he also donated money to the NYPD's Southern District Police Department at that time.

"He failed in the fight and was demoted to the position of chief prosecutor of the Southern District of New York. Although theoretically a demotion, this position has great power and is responsible for the prosecution of all major cases in the entire southern part of New York State, including Manhattan. "

"How can I get help?" Ronald asked, staring at Bobby.

"Perhaps you remember that he was a partner of my teacher's law firm before..."

"He is willing to help me like this, what does he need?" Ronald heard Bobby's plan and didn't know what price he should pay.

"When he just took office, he said he would crack down on organized crime in New York and insider trading on Wall Street. This was obviously to prepare for his future career in politics. He likes exposure and the goodwill of the people. But the New York TV circle doesn't like him. , seeing him as a rule-breaker, no one is willing to interview him and cooperate with his plan."

Bobby didn't say it directly, but analyzed the situation Rudy faced.

"Let me see what I can do."

After everyone left, Ronald thought for a long time alone in the apartment. He sorted out his personal connections. Although there were many more connections than when he was dealing with Diane's kidnapping, he was no longer an isolated and helpless young man. people.

However, many relationships are still indirect, and everyone has interests in each other. To get the resources Rudy needs, you have to pay a high price to obtain them.

Moreover, this kind of exchange of interests that is not on the table is not suitable for agents to know.

Finally, he picked up the phone and called Gerald Slater, Vice President of PBS Television.

"Mr. Slater, I have a request and I hope you can help me."

Gerald raised his hand to ask the secretary to leave the office. He listened carefully to Ronald's appeal, and then he took out a cigar and lit it:

"Ronald, I can help you with this. We don't intend to get into too much trouble with Rudy, and we are preparing to agree to his request. But you have to take more care of my daughter in the film industry in the future."

"I will, Gerald."

Three days later, Gerald found CBS New York host Pia Lindström through personal connections and conducted an exclusive interview with Rudy, the prosecutor for the Southern District of New York who had been in office for half a year. "

"My mission is to protect the safety of citizens in the Southern Inspection District of New York. My goals are mainly to combat illegal drug trafficking networks and organized crime. I also want to target financial criminals on Wall Street who undermine social fairness, and corruption within the government... "

"I won't agree to this price, five hundred thousand, not a penny less. Once we go to court, we can get one million, or even more. Let your client prepare a check." Vulture lawyer Yin Lai said proudly He refused the new plan proposed by Lindsay. He didn't even want to meet in person and rejected the proposal directly on the phone.

This method has always been very effective in lawsuits against celebrities, especially those movie, TV stars, and celebrities who cherish their feathers. As long as they are threatened to expose their negative news, they will obediently obey. Just avoid the "Rat Gang" people who are the gangsters behind them, and the female celebrities who have connections with powerful people in the political world.

"Yinlai Dominguez, you were arrested on suspicion of blackmailing many TV hosts and TV stars. You can remain silent, but everything you say..."

"Save it, put away your tricks, I know very well, let me guess, who touched you this time? That young director from Hollywood? When I am released on bail, there will be justice Someone exposed his evil deeds."

Yin Lai was not afraid, but rather proud. It was not like celebrities had used their connections to arrest him before. But because there was no evidence, more scandals were exposed after he was released on bail, which in turn made his price rise even higher.

These so-called celebrities and celebrities just make up some random scandals such as drug abuse and coercion of actresses, and they will obey, which shows that they are not good people in the first place. Most of these casual scandals are based on the truth.

This Ronald dares to use this trick on himself, it seems he is a little green. Would it be better for me to offer 1 million, or 1.5 million?

Yin Lai's hands were grabbed by the NYPD behind him, and he was put in shiny handcuffs.

"Have you completed what you told me?" the young prosecutor asked the NYPD detective who directed the operation.

"It's all arranged." The detective shook his head silently, and now the bug lawyer had hit the iron plate.

"Excuse me, Yin Lai, do you have anything to say about your accusation of blackmailing several celebrities?"

As soon as he left the house, Yin Lai was covered by the television cameras and reporters holding long microphones to ask questions.

"What are you doing? This is an infringement of my rights. Even as a criminal suspect, I am innocent until convicted!"

Litigator Yin Lai finally became nervous. He always used the media to blackmail others, but this time Ronald used his tactics against himself.

In the TV media, the reporter was reporting on his history of blackmailing several female TV hosts. He also blackmailed several TV stars into paying high settlement fees for minor disputes with neighbors.

"No one is here to convict you, leave quickly." Two NYPD officers pushed him, and footage of Yin Lai in handcuffs was shown on television. Even if the judge finally acquits him, New Yorkers will still remember the face of this bad guy who specializes in blackmailing celebrities.

"I refuse to accept it. I was framed," Yin Lai denied desperately, trying to avoid being filmed by the camera.

"Be obedient, Yin Lai, the police car is over there, just walk over."

"Please, even bring me a hood." Yin Lai was grabbed by both arms and had to walk the long dozens of meters before being put into a police car parked on the roadside.

The ugly behavior all the way was captured by the television cameras.

"It's so refreshing." Several hosts on the TV station looked at the ugly behavior of this litigator and started laughing.

"Does this kind of perp walk violate the First Amendment?" A host who regularly runs court news raised an objection.

"This is Rudy's new approach. All Wall Street and government criminals will be dealt with this way in the future." Pia Lindström knows better. The Southern District Attorney is about to start his high-profile crime buster. The difficult journey.

…

"This is five thousand dollars for RTKD to give you and the settlement fee. Sign here and you will not disclose the settlement agreement to any news media in the future."

The female student who danced in leg warmers and did not follow the instructions to look good signed the settlement form. I didn't expect an excessive settlement amount at the beginning, it was all the lawyer's instigation.

"In addition, my client contacted LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. After you recover from the surgery, you can continue to study at the new merged school. You can stay in the dance department, or transfer to the acting or singing major."

The victim was able to stay in school because Ronald donated a small sum of money to LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, which was about to merge with the New York Academy for the Performing Arts.

The performing arts college who refused to film "Famous" back then now regards the film and the TV series of the same name as stories that take place in the school.

At the inauguration ceremony of the new school next door to Lincoln Center that Ronald attended, a bronze plaque with the name "Fame" was embedded under the bronze nameplate, with a line of small words underneath, "This is the school where the world-famous story happened."

Several of the protagonists at that time, including Irene Kara, were busy doing interviews on the TV station and were not able to participate in the completion of the new school site. Only a few minor supporting actors came over, and Ronald recognized Lucy, the black actor who went to eat pizza with him, Antonia, and Gene Ray.

"Lucy, hello."

"Hi, Ronald. I didn't expect you to recognize me." Lucy came over and hugged him.

"How are you doing?" Ronald asked her.

"It's not bad. I've found a job now as a salesperson in a department store. My dream of being an actor has gone. But I watched your break dancing and Long Wei Boy, which were really exciting."

"I'm sorry, Ronald has to leave first. We have other things to do." Little Bud stepped forward to block Lucy, who still wanted to talk to Ronald.

"It's okay, Bud. This is a good friend of mine who used to be on the set." Ronald smiled and asked Bud not to stop him, "Let's go eat the Italian pizza from before."

"Yeah, okay." Lucy was very happy that Ronald still recognized her as a friend from back then, and went with them to the pizza shop in Little Italy that Antonia often went to, and ordered a Margherita pizza.

"Are you from the Bronx, too?" Lucy chatted with Bud.

"Yes, I was actually Gene Ray's neighbor. At that time, Ronald chose him to play Famous, and I was the one who introduced him."

"Oh, I didn't expect that. Why don't you come by yourself?"

"I was not an adult at that time, so the crew didn't want me."

The two grew up in the Bronx and had a great time talking.

Everything felt like it was before, except that the background music changed from Donna Summer's disco to MJ's "Billy King."

"Let's go back early, Bud. We have to send Donna to report to the university tomorrow."

Please remember the first domain name of this book: . :