The Wolf of Los Angeles-Chapter 418: You Have Countless Sisters Standing Behind You

[Chapter 418: You Have Countless Sisters Standing Behind You]

With the plan set, Fiona got busy, starting by selecting the right candidates to strengthen the San Francisco and Sacramento branches. She spent the whole morning meeting with four members originally from San Francisco.

In the afternoon, her assistant informed her that Jennifer Siebel had arrived. Siebel was born in San Francisco, growing up in a typical middle-class family. Her father worked as an investment manager, and her mother co-founded an exploratory museum. She graduated from Stanford's Graduate School of Business.

Under normal circumstances, with such a background, Siebel would have gone into business and gotten a decent job. But this woman was set on becoming a star. She even went to a drama school to study acting. However, she was stuck in Hollywood without making it big, only landing minor roles with a few lines.

Siebel entered the small conference room, and the assistant brought her a cup of coffee. Fiona smiled and said, "I watched Rent; your role was really great." Siebel gave a polite smile. "It was just a small supporting role. There wasn't much room to showcase my acting skills."

Fiona asked, "I heard you got an important role in a horror film by Dimension Films?" Hearing the name Dimension Films stirred some unpleasant memories for Siebel. She shook her head slightly and said, "It's a B-movie, and we're not sure if it'll even get a theatrical release."

Fiona encouraged, "I believe it will."

Siebel replied, "I hope so."

"The Feminist Majority Foundation has formulated a development plan for San Francisco. We want to help the sisters there," Fiona said, playing the usual line with an unreadable expression. "I'm in charge of this plan and want to find sisters from San Francisco to get a better sense of the situation there. If anyone is willing to return to develop there, that would be even better."

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Siebel took out a pack of cigarettes. "Is that okay?" Fiona said, "Go ahead." Siebel lit a cigarette and said, "I don't really go back to San Francisco much. I can't say much about the specifics, but I am clear about one thing: Los Angeles has always been at the forefront of equality in California."

Fiona asked, "Do you have any thoughts on returning to develop in San Francisco?" Siebel shook her head without hesitation, "Not in the short term. I... haven't thought about it."

"I see," Fiona's real target was Siebel, so there was no way she would give up. She had already coordinated with Hawke and had corresponding strategies. "We'll hold several events in San Francisco in the second half of the year, inviting hometown sisters to participate. The time won't be too long, all costs covered by the organization, and there will be subsidies..."

Siebel said, "That's no problem. If time permits, I can participate."

Fiona smiled, "Of course, if there are difficulties, just let us know. Sisters help sisters."

Siebel almost blurted something out but swallowed it back, her face a bit uneasy. Fiona noticed and asked, "Having trouble? In life or work? I'm somewhat familiar with Hollywood."

Hearing that, Siebel recalled the Jamie Foxx and Alice incident from last year, which Fiona had handled personally. The Feminist Majority Foundation had won a great victory in that case, reclaiming public support in Los Angeles after the devastating fires. But Siebel still did not bring up what weighed heavily on her heart. Alice had only faced a black star like Jamie Foxx, whereas she had to confront the real big shots in the industry.

Fiona, like a sincere sister, handed Siebel a personal business card. "If it's inconvenient to talk, that's okay. You can always come to me if you need help."

Siebel accepted it and left her own contact info. After thinking for a moment, she changed the subject, "Since you handled the Alice and Jamie Foxx incident, you must understand Hollywood's ecosystem."

Fiona nodded slightly, "I've heard some things. The red sofa may be gone, but hotel auditions are everywhere."

Siebel smiled, extinguishing her cigarette in the ashtray. "It's tough for women to survive, especially pretty women -- not just in acting but everywhere in the workplace. There are unwritten rules everywhere."

Fiona said seriously, "That's also why the Feminist Majority Foundation exists."

Siebel continued, "Paying some price to achieve our goals isn't a big deal. That's just how society is. But the problem is some people are too unscrupulous. They ask us to pay but don't give proper returns after we've sacrificed."

The supporting female role in that Dimension Films horror film was something Siebel had gotten through a deal. Originally, she was told it would be a number two female role, but after kissing up, she still only got a minor part. Siebel was angry but dared not speak out. That was the unspoken rule in Hollywood: anyone who breaks it will be shunned.

Fiona said, "We are always trying to develop Hollywood, hoping one day to break these rules to help all sisters. But that's not achievable just yet. We can only use case after case to gradually penetrate Hollywood."

Siebel said, "I understand. Some recent cases, like Robert Redford's, Brad Pitt's, and Alice's, have made parts of Hollywood more cautious."

Fiona added, "My personal advice is to try to keep evidence to protect your rights."

Siebel found that to be a good approach. Fiona reminded her, "Don't forget, you're a member of the Feminist Majority Foundation. Countless sisters stand behind you!"

Being from San Francisco and a Stanford graduate familiar with electronics, Siebel left the FMF and drove straight to a computer mall.

---

In July, the Congressional Budget Committee issued a notice for the first hearing on the Manhattan AI Project. Hawke and Harland rushed to Washington to attend and speak at the hearing.

Additionally, representatives from seven supporting companies appeared. Each represented different interests.

The plan looked promising but was actually a long shot; results might appear after 30 years. But the funding was very real. The first appropriation was a massive $35 billion.

Twitter's own efforts, the lobbying by Elizabeth Carter's team from Peterson Strategic Consulting, the coalition of interests, and Hawke's amazing promises made the first hearing go smoothly.

A key factor was the rising hype around the Russian threat. Russia was supposedly researching AI and stealing Twitter's ideas and technologies. Even if not true, it was treated as truth. Washington wouldn't believe Russia's denials because America needed it to be true.

After the hearing, the Appropriations Committee would formally discuss, then schedule a second hearing, and possibly a third if opposition was strong. If all went well, a vote on funding projects would happen by October, with some results delayed until February next year.

...

"I can guarantee there will be a result by October," Elizabeth Carter said in the Peterson Strategic Consulting meeting room. Her pale skin almost reflected the lights. "Out of the twelve subcommittees in Appropriations, we've secured six. We're still working on the rest. Getting over 50% in October is not a problem."

Hearst, Twitter's PR director, with years of political experience, was also lobbying. Being older and conservative, he warned, "We must prepare for betrayals during the vote; it happens too often."

Elizabeth took it seriously, "So we need to win over some Democrat members."

"One thing not to disclose outside," Hawke had to inform them honestly to avoid misunderstandings. "I've secured Senator Hillary Clinton from New York. She will support our proposal."

Elizabeth's expression softened, "Hillary is a key Democrat voice in Appropriations."

Hearst was pleased, "This improves our chances a lot."

The project had advanced with no turning back. Hawke stood up, "The proposal must pass. Whatever it takes, ensure smooth progress. If obstacles come up, find solutions. If you can't solve it, tell me; I'll crush it!"

This directly related to their interests, so Hearst and Elizabeth paid close attention.

Later, Peterson arrived, promising to use decades of connections.

...

After leaving the consulting firm, Hawke took a car back to the hotel and called Roger Keene, the investment director of his foundation, asking him to quickly gather information on small software and electronic parts companies for potential acquisitions.

Hawke wasn't interested in investing in tiny companies for their own sake but intended for his foundation's companies to act as supporting manufacturers for the Manhattan AI Project. They wanted to secure funding in a legitimate but lucrative way.

They planned to learn from the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, the Trade Committee, and Treasury, whose practices included outrageous expenses like $90,000 screws, $700 coffee mugs, and $90 straws.

Hawke's West Coast Environmental Technologies Group would participate too. This company had already established a stable international trade channels, able to place custom orders anytime and even label goods as Made in America.

*****

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