Chapter 30: Creative Motivation

No one is a fool; everyone wants to use public opinion to tip the scales in their favor for a lawsuit.

Reverend Edward, who initiated the litigation, swung into action early. With the church's backing, he began a massive campaign to collect signatures for a petition accusing The Sun of wrongdoing. It was said he aimed for at least one hundred thousand signatures—he believed that when such a thick stack of petitions was laid before the judge and jury, all evil would be brought to justice.

However, the old man did not yet know that he was about to face a "dimensional strike" from the young man’s "eat shit" strategy.

After Logan assembled his legal team, his first order of business to Richard was, "We are going to establish a radio station!"

Richard: "?"

With a lawsuit looming, why aren't you focusing on the legal defense? What is this all about? Didn't you say you wanted to fight this case "fair and square"?

Logan didn't even blink. "Pursuing a 'fair and square' trial doesn't necessarily mean you have to be fair and square in how you win it... Besides, a radio station is the most fair and square tool there is."

Although the first human radio experiment took place in 1906, true radio broadcasting did not emerge until 1920—last year. In the spring of that year, a doctor at Westinghouse in Pittsburgh discovered that a large number of amateur radio enthusiasts were tuning in to the various audio signals—such as music and baseball scores—that he was broadcasting from his lab during experiments. Seeing a business opportunity and wanting to boost sales of radio components, Westinghouse decided to establish KDKA, the first radio station in human history. Yes, the first radio station was created just to sell radio parts.

By this year, listening to radio broadcasts had become a relatively popular form of entertainment. However, after listening a few times, Logan shook his head. While radio stations existed, programming was scarce; some stations did nothing but play records over and over. He decided to bring a little "program shock" to the American radio audience.

...

Jeff Hackman never imagined his career would have anything to do with radio. Born into an Irish immigrant family in Chicago, he dreamed of becoming an actor because his parents worked as handymen at a third-rate theater. But he wasn't exactly leading-man material—calling his appearance "plain" would be a generous understatement. Naturally, as a substitute actor at a third-rate theater, his greatest achievement had been reciting three lines last week for a drunk extra. His only saving grace was his voice; those who heard it said it sounded "electric." But he had no musical talent, and a good voice couldn't put food on the table.

Just then, a female classmate from his acting class told him that a new radio station in Chicago was hiring announcers and all they required was a good voice. Jeff knew this classmate—she was one of the famous "Page Three girls" from The Sun, rumored to have great acting talent and sent to acting class for a crash course. She said the new station was being set up by The Sun, which sounded plausible.

A radio announcer? That’s basically just "reciting lines" in front of a microphone, right? Surely, no one had to look at his face. So, he decided to give it a try. Honestly, Jeff didn't think about making a career out of radio; he just wanted to make a living.

Because of this, he was incredibly calm during the interview. It wasn't a stage; there were no scrutinizing or mocking eyes below. Even when he was asked to read from an erotic novel—the very one being serialized in The Sun, the rather intense "Fifty Shades of Grey." He knew this novel was popular in the acting world; many actors reportedly liked to reference its descriptions to play strange, indescribable "intimate games." Having read the original, he poured some emotion into his reading.

Clear, steady, and carrying a strange, soothing warmth, his voice instantly pierced the stuffy air of the recording booth. When reading about the "protagonists meeting," his voice seemed to hold a soft, warm glow. When describing the "open-ended game sequences," there was no lewdness in his tone, but rather a sincere admiration for exploring the beauty of nature. When he reached the "increasingly perverse game segments," he improvised subtle pauses and light sighs, as if he truly felt the coexistence of pain and pleasure. His emotional tone imbued every explicit word and every mushy sentence with a sense of... lyrical philosophy?

Logan’s eyes lit up as if he had discovered a rare treasure! Among the previous interviewers, when they realized the material was an erotic novel, they all stumbled; their voices trembled, their breathing became ragged, or they deliberately skipped paragraphs, as if the words would burn their tongues. There was even a young man who simply choked, crumpled the manuscript, cursed, and stormed out.

Only this man—plain-looking, his gray wool suit hanging loosely on his frame like a walking clothes hanger—read without stuttering, without dodging, and without a hint of obscenity. Instead, he radiated a sincerity and passion he didn't even realize he possessed.

Logan slapped his thigh. "You're the one! What's your name... Jeff, right? You were born for radio!"

"Huh? Me?" Jeff Hackman was bewildered. He didn't even think being "born for radio" was a good thing. What kind of future could radio have? He did not know then that he would become a legend in American radio broadcasting, nor did he understand the remark Logan made after laughing heartily: "With General Jeff on my side, I can command a million-strong army!"

...

The radio station founded by The Sun was named "The Voice of Freedom" by Logan.

"Good evening, Chicago, and to our friends on the other side of the airwaves, perhaps listening from Boston, Philadelphia, or even San Francisco." Jeff Hackman’s opening was so natural, as if it crossed mountains and rivers to reach everyone’s ears. "This is 'The Voice of Freedom,' and I am your old friend, Jeff Hackman. Tonight, let us continue to discuss the latest developments in the 'Undergarment War' erupting across the country..."

How does a new station get listeners to accept it as quickly as possible? The answer: ride the trending topic! And the biggest trend in America right now was, without a doubt, the national "Undergarment Debate." Not to mention that the creator of this trend was the owner of the station.

Jeff Hackman proved to be the "general" Logan had identified. Shortly after "The Voice of Freedom" went on air, he stood out with his magnetic voice, elegant demeanor, and ability to think on his feet, becoming the station’s star anchor. His reporting on the "Undergarment War" was like a carefully woven audio drama. He would vividly describe the new standoff between "pro-bra women" and "anti-bra women" on Fifth Avenue in New York, his tone level and almost whispering, as if sharing a secret meant only for close friends. When reading the arguments of both sides, he would pause subtly for half a second, instantly turning vulgar insults into laugh-out-loud metaphors.

The most engaging segment was "Listener Mail," where Jeff used his gifted vocal magic to bring letters from all over the country, with vastly different stances, to life. Even when people wrote in to curse him, he didn't argue back; he simply replied in a tone so plain it was almost innocent: "Thank you for your intense criticism. The purpose of 'The Voice of Freedom' is only to deliver what is happening and what people care about to your ears as truthfully as possible. As for the judgment, that always remains with you and the millions of other wise, discerning listeners like yourself."

This "conversational" style possessed an incredible magic. For the first time, listeners in Chicago and beyond experienced the ability to hear the clamor and debate from across the nation while sitting in their own living rooms, by the fireplace, without stepping outside. This wasn't "live" in the true sense, as Jeff was often relaying information gathered from newspapers across the country. Yet, few people had the ability to collect newspapers from everywhere. Listeners only knew that they just had to sit by the radio to know about dramatic events happening thousands of miles away "in real-time," hearing the most direct and vivid reactions from different classes, regions, and stances.

Jeff’s voice became a wondrous bridge connecting the individual to grand events. It felt novel, exciting, and carried a strange sense of participation. "The Voice of Freedom" was a hit! And Jeff Hackman was a hit, becoming the most beloved radio broadcaster in the United States. A Chicago newspaper wrote: "Every night, when you walk down the streets of residential areas, you can hear Jeff Hackman’s voice coming from every home—it’s the whole family, after dinner, gathered around the radio to listen to Jeff Hackman’s program."

Jeff Hackman’s mellow, magical voice had become an indispensable "dessert" after dinner for countless families, turning the smoke and absurdity of the national "Undergarment War" into the most exciting fireside chatter.

When public sentiment was stirred to its peak, Jeff Hackman dropped a carefully designed bomb during prime time: "Here is the latest bulletin: The inventor of the Victoria's Secret bra has been formally sued by church officials!"

"Friends, 'The Voice of Freedom' will broadcast this significant lawsuit from start to finish, without reservation!"

"Every moment in the courtroom, every clash between the prosecution and the defense, will be delivered to your ears via the airwaves the moment it happens! Please lock your dials to our frequency and join us in witnessing this head-on collision at the center of the Undergarment War storm!"

The listeners sitting by their radios had eyes wide with excitement! Wow! A huge scandal! Live broadcast, we love it!

Originally, the parties involved in this lawsuit were not celebrities, so people hadn't paid any attention at all—even *The Sun* itself hadn't mentioned it. Now, with Jeff Hackman announcing an unprecedented live tracking of the case, the attention it received in America skyrocketed.

Jeff Hackman also "followed the will of the people" and invited the accused, Logan, into the broadcast room.

"Friends, this is Logan. Wow, what a spirited young man..." Accompanied by the slight sound of footsteps and a chair being pulled, Jeff’s introduction—wrapped in a strange sense of calm and affinity—instantly sketched an image in the minds of countless listeners: a handsome young man with a resilient, unyielding spirit.

"Logan, can you share with us how you ended up on this... well, controversial and challenging path? I know this hasn't been smooth sailing."

Jeff Hackman naturally teed him up, and then it was Logan’s performance. Logan’s voice was crisp, filled with youthful vigor. First came the tragic story of a "father who passed away unexpectedly, forcing him to drop out of school and take over a small newspaper with a vow to make it big." Jeff chimed in at the right moment, his voice full of respect: "Unimaginable pressure, a young man bearing the weight of a newspaper company through his grief..."

The listeners' sympathy was instantly hooked—what a hard-working boy! What an inspiring story!

Jeff shifted the tone, gentle and guiding: "I know your newspaper is famous in Chicago for its open style, which has also caused great controversy..."

Logan followed up with an adventurous story of a "young man who believes in new-style freedom and feels that through his own efforts, he can change the thoughts of conservative people overnight."

Listeners: He really is just a young man with a hot head, diving in without considering the consequences, but can you say he isn't inspiring?

Jeff continued to play the straight man: "And under what kind of overwhelming pressure did you invent the Victoria's Secret bra?"

This was another brave story of "caring for female friends, helping them break free from their constraints, and starting a business to invent the modern bra."

Jeff seamlessly connected, full of emotion: "It hasn't been easy..."

Listeners nodded in unison by their radios: It really wasn't easy; it was so inspiring!

Finally, Logan’s voice dropped, filled with grievance: "I never thought that my thoughts, my invention, would be seen by some as a monster!"

"I am very reluctant to see my invention trigger such huge controversy nationwide! I really just hoped my invention would quietly benefit women."

"I never expected that I would be taken to court because of it..."

Jeff played the role of the perfect sidekick, first letting out a long, understanding, and resonant sigh, then explaining to the listeners the massive influence of the Chicago Church, the party bringing the suit.

In the listeners' minds, an image emerged: a brave, handsome, resilient young fighter challenging the old order and bearing the weight of insults, being dragged to the stake by a stubborn, conservative, and powerful church.

Housewives' hearts tightened, and even some men who were originally neutral frowned—this bullying of the weak by the strong was a bit shameless!

Only Reverend Edward, sitting by his radio listening to Logan’s flowery, inspiring story, stood there like a fool. He could see that the person was alive, but his eyes were frozen in place. After a long while, his face began to contort.

He had only collected less than ten thousand petition signatures, yet the other side had set up a radio station and bewitched how many people? A hundred thousand? A million? Millions? And after all that, he was still the "poor little thing" being suppressed by "evil forces" in the public eye?

"God! Send down heavenly fire! Burn this glib-tongued hypocrite to ashes!"