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Chapter 91:The Great Battle of Animal Protection
🕑 Added 2024-10-20 20:13:13 +0000 UTCThere were no pleasantries, no small talk, no modesty; as the debate began, Gilbert was immediately besieged by seven experts from the Animal Protection Organization.
"Director Gilbert, I've heard that during the filming of 'Real Steel,' a cow was abused. Do you admit this?" The chief expert of the Animal Protection Organization, Jack Wells, was the first to attack.
Facing Jack Wells's aggressive stance, Gilbert appeared utterly indifferent. He even wiped his face with a tissue, as if to brush away the spittle spewing from Jack Wells.
However, in reality, Gilbert was quite far from the seven experts; unless it was intentional, saliva couldn't fly that far.
This very posture only served to infuriate Jack Wells further. Did he think this was a vacation spot? This was a battleground!
In fact, Gilbert did this on purpose, aiming to provoke the expert team, causing them to lose their calm in their anger and leading them step by step into a trap.
Of course, as debate experts, they wouldn't be easily swayed by emotions, so this was only the first step.
In response to Jack Wells's interrogation, Gilbert maintained his polite tone, seemingly unconcerned with the intensity of his opponents.
"Mr. Wells, I don't know where you heard this rumor, but since it's just hearsay, it indicates that this matter is not true.
I've already stated that the cow named 'Black Lightning' is a local champion cow, having won three consecutive bullfighting competitions.
We respect this spirited champion cow and thus wanted to collaborate with it in the film.
I'm curious where your claims of abuse come from?"
"We have photos as evidence," said Jack Wells, displaying several images of Black Lightning.
It was clear to see that Black Lightning had many wounds, some of which looked quite serious.
If there were an internet livestream with a comment section, it was likely that the comments would be filled with sympathy for the cow and condemnations of Gilbert.
But Gilbert showed no signs of backing down: "The wounds you've displayed are actually proof of Black Lightning's status as a champion cow.
Moreover, some of the wounds are clearly old; how can you say they were inflicted by the crew during filming?"
As he spoke, Gilbert pulled out a certificate: "This is a report from an authoritative veterinary expert, which clearly states the diagnosis of the wounds, their approximate age, and how they were caused."
Another expert took the certificate and scoffed, "Mr. Gilbert, I am an animal medicine expert, and this so-called certificate of yours is clearly forged."
"Exactly! We have evidence that it was your crew's robots that caused these injuries to the cow," another expert banged the table, trying to create psychological pressure on Gilbert.
"Robots?" Gilbert laughed, signaling the host, Abby, to display more photos, pointing at the screen: "Are you referring to this robot?"
As the experts nodded in agreement, before they could speak, Gilbert interjected: "Gentlemen, please think seriously with your brains.
We're almost in the 21st century; don't try to fool the unaware public with such notions.
If there were indeed a robot capable of defeating a champion cow, do you think the Pentagon would let such a weapon go unutilized?"
Thanks to the long-standing influence of Hollywood's science fiction films, many uninformed North American audiences subconsciously believed that robots and artificial intelligence, like those in "Terminator," actually existed.
However, anyone with even a slight understanding of technological development knew that while robots existed, there was no T-800 like in "Terminator" in reality.
The viewers across the country, following Gilbert's reasoning, finally began to think.
Indeed, according to both sides' statements, Black Lightning was a champion cow. What kind of robot could face off against a champion cow and inflict such injuries?
The direction of the debate became quite interesting, as the experts from the Animal Protection Organization tried their best to prove that Black Lightning was just an ordinary cow.
Gilbert seized upon this, loudly condemning the Animal Protection Organization on live television, saying they did not truly care for animals.
"If you truly cared for animals, why would you deprive a champion cow of its glory? Is a cow's honor not honor? Are you discriminating against humanity's best friend, the cow?"
Jack Wells's eyes bulged with rage, his face turning red from anger.
These were my words! This despicable bastard dares to twist my words…
The expressions of the other experts from the Animal Protection Organization were equally grim. Under the guise of protecting animals, they had long bullied many Hollywood productions.
Who would have thought that one day the boomerang would come back and hit them instead?
What kind of person was Gilbert? His arguments were clear, he could confuse the issue, and his eloquence was highly persuasive.
He shouldn't be making movies; he was wasting his talents—he should be in Washington, where his stage truly belonged.
Many directors, producers, and actors who had been wronged were watching this show, including potential rival Tom Cruise.
Watching the experts from the Animal Protection Organization become speechless, Tom couldn't help but clap in celebration.
He himself had previously been made a mess by the Animal Protection Organization, and he held a grudge against them.
However, due to financial interests, CAA was currently entangled with the Animal Protection Organization.
His agent, Pat Kinley, couldn't help but say, "Tom, don't get too excited. Remember, this was planned by Michael and Martin.
Gilbert will definitely hold you responsible for the actions they took, and we'll bear the consequences of their misdeeds."
Nicole Kidman hesitated, saying, "Tom, I think it's best we don't get involved in this.
Naomi said Gilbert holds grudges; if it's normal competition, he won't care, but if it's malicious, he will surely retaliate."
Though Tom Cruise was arrogant, he was still a smart person when reminded.
After pondering for a moment, he said to Pat Kinley, "Pat, tell Michael that I won't attend any activities with the Animal Protection Organization.
By the way, what if Michael brings it up?"
Pat Kinley seemed unconcerned, saying, "Tom, you're a Hollywood superstar; Michael can't handle Gilbert, so he can't do anything to you.
As for me, I also have support within CAA; they won't be able to deal with me either."
Hearing this, Tom Cruise felt reassured.
The debate on the live television program continued, with attacks on Gilbert using the cow Black Lightning, which were countered by Gilbert seizing the opportunity to fight back.
After this, the experts from the Animal Protection Organization became much more cautious, realizing that Gilbert was not an easy opponent.
Indeed, although he was young, his ability to carve out a place for himself in Hollywood at such a young age meant he was no ordinary figure.
Subsequently, the Animal Protection Organization resorted to a despicable tactic: attacking Gilbert for his love of eating meat.
Once again, it was Jack Wells; the screen displayed several photos of Gilbert as a chef grilling ribs.
Gilbert chuckled, "Mr. Wells, I eat meat; is it illegal to love eating meat? I'm not eating protected animals."
"Of course it's not illegal," Jack Wells seemed to have found a new angle of attack, regaining his composure. "But you eat meat, and it's the flesh of animals."
"So, is it to say that Mr. Wells never eats meat?" Gilbert began to set a trap.
Jack Wells and the other experts, not sensing anything amiss, readily admitted they were vegetarians.
Little did they know, Gilbert suddenly slammed the table, startling the experts across from him.
"So, you're saying you're all vegetarians? Don't you have a conscience?"
The audience in front of their screens were puzzled; what was the connection between being vegetarian and having a conscience? Meanwhile, Robert Iger, Jeff Robinov, and Doug Walt laughed out loud.
Clearly, they had long known Gilbert's strategy.
