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

thump... thump...

When the urgent knocking came at the door, it was already fully light in Los Angeles.

He opened the door.

Good, it's not someone coming to kill him, it's Rachel.

Rachel Jones stood in the doorway. She wore a dark gray trench coat, her blonde hair casually tied in a ponytail, and carried a voice recorder and a notebook. Her glasses perched on her high-bridged nose, behind which were a pair of eyes as clear as spring water.

She had regular features and excellent posture. That was Sean's first impression of her, but her glasses might have limited the possibilities of her beauty.

"Merry Christmas, Rachel." Sean stepped aside to let her in, his tone calm.

Rachel paused for a moment, then glanced at the mess in the room. "Have you kicked the habit?"

"I've turned over a new leaf, Rachel, trust me this once," Sean said helplessly.

"Okay, I'll trust you this once." Rachel nodded, but she still didn't respond with "Merry Christmas." Instead, she walked straight into the living room and tossed her bag onto the sofa without hesitation.

"You'd better be big enough for me to take this risk, Sean. The FBI just released you, and you dare to drop bombs online? Those victims want to tear you apart right now."

Sean closed the door and turned to face her.

"Only terrorists drop bombs. I'm just telling the truth. Sit down, we have plenty of time."

However, Rachel did not sit down; she simply stood there with her arms crossed.

"The truth? In your video, you said Avalon's money flowed to more powerful people, and you even said you wanted to run for president. That's not the truth, that's a suicide declaration. Many of those investors are retired police officers and teachers; their pensions are gone, and some people have already started offering bounties on forums for your address. Did you know that?"

"Now I know."

Sean then went to the kitchen, took a bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator, and handed it to her.

"So I need the media's magnifying glass, not guns pointed at me. Rachel, you're an educated intellectual; you certainly understand that this foundation wasn't run by me alone. You know better than I where that money went."

Rachel took the water, finally sat down, and turned on the recorder.

"Okay, then tell me. Where's the list? Where are the transfer records? Can I see that phone you were waving around in your 'confession' video?"

Sean, sitting opposite her, shook his head.

"I can't give it to you yet. If I do, do you think I can still record videos safely in my rented apartment tomorrow?"

These three wishes are a bit difficult to fulfill...

"What!?"

But Rachel squinted her eyes:

"So you're looking for me just to make me go back empty-handed? Sean, you used to call me a 'paparazzo who only chases after celebrities' when you were drunk at a party, and now you want to use me?"

"You wouldn't need someone to tip you in US dollars before you'd tell the truth, would you?"

And the number above Rachel's head is:

【60】

"How come it's 60? It's even higher than I expected. Is this guy a masochist?" Sean wondered.

"I'm not that shameless, nor do I want to use you. I just need a channel, a channel that won't be immediately shut down. I recall you've written similar reports before, so you should know how to protect informants."

"You help me, and I'll give you a real story, the kind that can win you the Pulitzer Prize."

"But a list? I'm sorry, not yet."

Rachel sighed and continued:

"Pulitz? Sean, you can't even afford a lawyer now, and you want to make a big splash? The victims won't wait for you to tell your story; they'll come to you first. And the big shots certainly won't."

"Listen, I hate you, but I really don't want to see you die in the street. You need protection, real protection. Not something a tabloid reporter like me can provide."

Sean leaned back in his chair. "So who do you think can give it to me?"

After hearing his words, Rachel hesitated, as if she was weighing something.

"You need a big enough umbrella, someone those people dare not touch. This person must hate the system and be powerful enough."

"Let me think..."

After what seemed like an eternity, she finally said:

Elon Musk.

Sean was surprised to learn that she was referring to Elon Musk, the biggest hype machine in America.

In any world, his career is incredibly successful. In any world, his outspoken nature remains unchanged.

"Musk? The Tesla guy?"

Rachel nodded. "Yes, he's been really bashing Washington on X lately. He hates regulation, he hates Washington bureaucracy, and he's publicly called funds like Avalon 'parasite games.'"

"More importantly, he has money, a platform, and a security team. If he's willing to stand up for you, those people won't dare to make a move openly, at least not in the public eye."

Musk remains a prominent figure in the world, and he has always been anti-establishment and enjoys supporting dissenting voices. Gaining his endorsement would not only significantly boost safety but also dramatically increase media exposure.

But how can I get close to him?

The original owner's network of connections clearly did not include any big shots of this caliber.

"Affection System..."

Sean thought of his secret weapon: if he could meet Musk face-to-face, he might be able to adjust his strategy in real time through conversation.

Why would he help me?

"He might not help you. But you can try tagging him on X and sending him your video. He's been promoting anti-corruption and anti-elitist issues lately, even though he himself is part of the elite."

"Your sensationalist remarks perfectly match his tone. Moreover, he hates old-money politicians, and there are several people behind Avalon who are his mortal enemies."

She looked at Sean, the number above his head jumping to [63]. She was wavering; she was beginning to believe he wasn't simply going crazy.

"Do you have his contact information?" Sean asked.

"No. But I can help you write a report, portraying you as a 'rebel abandoned by the system.' Then you tag him and add a video. But the prerequisite is that you have to connect with him first."

"Of course, it's best to just make contact. If you get too close to him, you might end up hurting yourself."

"No problem, I'll be careful." Sean thought for a moment, "But it's best not to mention the list in the report, only hint at it."

"I understand, but you need to give me some solid evidence, at least to convince me that you're not talking nonsense," Rachel said helplessly.

Sean frowned. "Okay. I'll give you a name, not the biggest one, but enough to give you a glimpse into the iceberg: Kentucky Senator Harris Crane. He's on the list of early investors in Avalon, and there are questionable sources in his campaign funds. If you check his financial statements, I think you should find related companies."

Rachel's eyes lit up, and she quickly memorized the name.

"Kran? That guy who always claims to be incorruptible?"

"Yes. Once you find out, you'll know I wasn't lying to you."

"Okay. I'll go write the article. It'll be online this afternoon. But Sean, you better pray Musk sees your tweet. Otherwise, you won't make it through the weekend." Rachel put away her notebook and stood up.

She walked towards the door, glancing back at him. At the same time, the number above her head rose to [65].

"By the way, Rachel, why did you help me?" Sean asked a question that even he himself thought was stupid.

Rachel paused for a moment. "Because if even a bastard like you can stand up and tell the truth, then this country is truly beyond saving. I want to see if you can prove me wrong."

"Is it possible, exactly the opposite?" Sean said with a wry smile. "I mean: I'm not an asshole, or rather, I'm not that much of an asshole."

"I hope so," Rachel sighed, then stopped abruptly, looking into Sean's eyes. "Merry Christmas, Sean Penn."

After the door closed, Sean immediately opened X.

He edited a new tweet, along with a link to a YouTube video.

@elonmusk I'm Shawn Penn. That child star who got ripped off by the Avalon Foundation is now running for president. Because I'm fed up with the parasitic games in Washington. You said the government should be accountable to the people, not the lobbying groups. Do you dare endorse a candidate with nothing to show for it? Let's make those bastards pay! #ShawnPenn2024

Sent successfully.

Then he stared at the screen, waiting patiently.

The notification bar was quiet for a few minutes.

Then, a verified blue account replied.

@elonmusk: Interesting, let's talk about it.