America: From a Fallen Child Star to the Head of the University of the West

"Run for president," Miller said.

He had read Sean's statement and knew why he had stayed. He also knew what the show was about.

It was a story about a young man who, by a twist of fate, entered politics and rose step by step to the top. He had heard it from his daughter.

"Instead of being a president in a movie, become a real one. You will become the most powerful person in America. Then you can save yourself."

Miller himself found it laughable after saying that. Let a disgraced, washed-up child star, suspected of money laundering, run for president?

It's better to believe he's Washington!

However, Sean's eyes lit up.

"Okay, let's do it! Let's do it!"

Sean had two impressions of America in his previous life.

One type is the America depicted in cartoon parodies like "Family Guy" and "The Simpsons," where various monsters and demons are suppressed.

Another type is the America described by various self-media outlets as sometimes gradually declining and sometimes great and invincible.

Besides that, his understanding of the United States was limited to the level of being able to sit down and discuss things with security guards and taxi drivers, and he only had a superficial understanding of the so-called presidential election.

However, based on his memories, this world is somewhat different. For example, the presidential election period in this world has been reduced to ten years.

In other words, citizens born in the United States can run for president at the age of 25.

Sean Penn is exactly twenty-five years old this year.

Perhaps fate was hinting at something to him.

Regardless, that path would certainly thrust him back into the spotlight. Rather than be scorned by everyone, rather than be discarded like a pawn, he'd rather go for the big shot!

Although it's also possible that it will be a large one.

Miller stared at Sean for a full half minute, as if trying to confirm whether the man in front of him was truly insane.

"Are you serious?" he asked.

"I'm very serious," Sean replied.

"Do you know what it takes to run for office?" Miller mocked. "First, you need money. A lot of money. The primary stage requires at least fifty million dollars in start-up capital, and you can barely afford your bail right now."

Sean nodded without refuting.

"Secondly, you need support. The Donald Party won't want you, and the Elephant Party certainly won't. You're a scandal-ridden, washed-up star; no one will take you in."

"I can run as an independent candidate," Sean thought.

"An independent candidate?" Miller paused, then repeated the word. "Do you know who the last person to win an election as an independent candidate was?"

"It's that fucking George Washington!"

"So, it's time to make history," Sean said shamelessly.

"How did you explain things to the hospital director when you were discharged?" Miller shook his head.

Sean noticed that the number above Miller's head had changed from [38] to [40].

Although the veteran agent wouldn't admit it, he was clearly drawn to Sean's madness. Having spent so long in this industry rife with lies and scheming, encountering a madman who dared to speak the truth had become a rare treat.

"Okay, even if you can run as an independent candidate," Miller continued, "how do you plan to resolve the legal issues you're facing? Do you think announcing your candidacy will make those allegations disappear?"

"Of course not," Sean answered decisively, "but running for office can buy me time."

"Buy time?"

"Although I don't know much about the law, I think... criminal investigations against presidential candidates during elections should go through a special process. While it can't be completely stopped, it can be greatly delayed."

"Moreover, once I announce my candidacy, the media focus will shift from 'Sean Penn is a criminal' to 'Sean Penn is running for president.'"

"Could this be an opportunity?"

He suddenly stopped talking. He didn't know why he had this kind of knowledge. Maybe the original owner of this body really had some research on this?

Miller frowned.

He initially thought Sean was just talking nonsense, but now he began to realize that the young man seemed to have actually thought about it.

"Kid, this policy can't target investigations that have already begun unless you can put together a campaign team or create a buzz for yourself in a week."

“That’s exactly what I’m thinking,” Sean said. “And I’m going to change the public narrative about me, and let those marketing accounts go to hell! Only I can market myself!”

"Change the narrative? You're being a bit hysterical."

Miller was both amused and exasperated, but gestured for him not to stop:

"Continue while the effects of your medication are still wearing off."

"Right now, the media portrays me as a fallen child star, or a greedy criminal. But if I announce my candidacy for president, the narrative will be different: a young man who has made mistakes and decides to stand up and challenge the entire system to fight for his innocence."

What do humans like? They like the underdog story, the underdog challenging the big guy, and the Christian spirit is also happy to give people the opportunity to redeem themselves.

He remembered that the last person to portray himself as a reformed prodigal son was George W. Bush.

"You think the public will buy it?" Miller asked. "You have quite a few scandals to your name. Smoking, alcoholism, promiscuity—any one of these things is enough to get you into serious trouble."

"So I won't deny it," Sean said.

"What?"

"I will not deny those things. I will acknowledge them and then tell the public that that was the me of the past, not the me of today. People hate politicians who lie, but they are willing to forgive someone who honestly faces their mistakes."

As the saying goes, the first step in cutting yourself off is to reconcile with the past.

This made Miller frown even more.

He had worked for the FBI for twenty-three years and seen all sorts of suspects. But he had never seen anyone analyze their situation so clearly and logically when facing imprisonment.

"Who are you?" Miller asked, puzzled. "You don't seem like Sean Penn, the guy I've been investigating for three months. That guy's a brain-dead mess, corrupted by drugs and alcohol. But you..."

“People change, Detective,” Sean interrupted him, “especially when he realizes he has no way out.”

Miller stared at Sean for a moment, then leaned back in his chair.

"Okay, even if what you're saying makes sense," Miller said, "you've overlooked one crucial issue."

"What's the problem?"

"Money," Miller said. "Elections need money, a lot of money. You don't have a single penny right now. How do you plan to raise campaign funds? Sell your blood? Sell your ass?"

"Crowdfunding," Sean replied.

Crowdfunding?

"Internet crowdfunding. I will launch a crowdfunding campaign online to let ordinary people help my campaign. Everyone can donate one dollar, five dollars, or ten dollars, and it will add up."

Where is the donation link?

"It's great that you're willing to support me!" Sean looked at Miller excitedly.

However, the other person's expression was very unpleasant. "You've misunderstood. I just thought you were mentally ill. Do you think anyone would be willing to donate money to you? A washed-up child star suspected of money laundering?"

"They will," Sean said. "I'll give them a reason they can't refuse."

"What reason?"

"I will tell them that I am not running for myself, but for all those who have been abandoned by this system. Those victims who have lost their pensions, those ordinary people who have been swindled out of their life savings by Wall Street, those voters who are utterly disillusioned with politicians. I will tell them that I am a victim of this corrupt system, just like them."

"The only difference is that I decided to stand up and fight back."

Sean's words were not unfounded. In recent years, the world has become increasingly divided, and the discontent of ordinary people with the elite has reached a tipping point.

If someone can successfully position themselves as a spokesperson for "anti-establishment" movements, they are indeed likely to gain a lot of grassroots support.

"Have you really thought about these things?" Miller asked, the sarcasm in his tone completely gone.

"I've thought about it," Sean said calmly. "And I've thought about even more."

"for example?"

"For example, I know who wants me dead," Sean said. "I know their names, what they've done, and where they've hidden their money. If I run for president, I'll have a platform, a platform to bring these things to light."

Miller's expression changed.

Are you threatening them?

“No, I’m buying myself insurance.” Sean shrugged. “As long as I’m alive, as long as I’m still running for office, they won’t dare touch me. Because if anything happens to me, all the evidence will be made public. That’s what they call the ‘dead man’s switch.’”

"You know what," Miller finally spoke, "I've interrogated thousands of suspects, but you're the first one who's made me... somewhat interested."

Sean noticed that the number above Miller's head had jumped to [45].

"So, Detective," Sean leaned forward slightly, "do you think my plan is feasible?"

"From a legal perspective," Miller said slowly, "what you said does have some merit. Special protection clauses exist during the campaign; while they can't completely stop an investigation, they can certainly delay the process."

He turned around and looked at Sean.

"But all of this is based on one premise: you must make people believe in you. Believe that you genuinely want to change this country, and not just to evade legal punishment."

"I will make them believe it."

Miller then asked, "What makes you think people will believe you? Your resume is full of scandals, what makes you think people will believe you?"

"Based on my sincerity," Sean replied.

"Sincerity? In politics, sincerity is the least valuable thing."

“Quite the opposite,” Sean said. “In a world rife with lies, honesty is the scarcest resource. People are tired of politicians who spout nonsense; they crave someone who dares to speak the truth. And I happen to be that person.”

"Because you have nothing left to lose?"

“Exactly.” Sean nodded. “A person who has nothing possesses the greatest freedom. I don’t need to curry favor with any sugar daddies, I don’t need to compromise with any interest groups, and I don’t need to say things I don’t mean.”

"I can say whatever I want and do whatever I want. That's my advantage."

Miller fell silent. He had to admit that in this era where money dominates politics, a candidate who truly has nothing might be a breath of fresh air.

Of course, this is all on the premise that he survives to the day of the election.

"Okay, you make a lot of sense, but I still don't believe you can succeed."

Why?

"Because you lack the most crucial thing: the voters' trust," Miller said. "You can have the best strategies and the most compelling stories, but if the voters don't trust you, it's all for nothing."

"And you, Detective?" Sean asked. "Do you trust me?"

"Me?" Miller pointed to himself. "I'm the one investigating you. You're asking me if I trust you?"

"It's precisely because you're the one in charge of investigating me that your opinion is most valuable," Sean said after a moment's thought. "You know my case better than anyone else, you know what I've done and what I haven't done. If I can convince even you, then I'm confident I can convince others."

Miller looked at Sean, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"I want you to give me a chance," Sean said. "A chance to prove myself."

"interesting."

Then, he did something that surprised even himself: he sat back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest, and looked at Sean.

"Okay, then try to convince me to vote for you."