83 Chapter 83: The Turnaround Begins

"Good Morning America" is a morning news program on ABC. As a for-profit commercial television station, the content of "Good Morning America" is not entirely comprised of dull news reports; rather, it is very flexible.

In addition to the hot news that the public cares about, the program also features many anecdotes, celebrity interviews, and even variety-style mini-games, occasionally inviting big-name singers for live street performances.

The weekend version of "Good Morning America" lasts only one hour and is broadcast live at 7 a.m. in each time zone.

Inside an apartment in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

As the clock neared seven, Jennifer Rebelde tiptoed out of her room, carefully made her way downstairs, and yet still found her father, James Rebelde, already sitting in the living room reading the newspaper.

Shrinking her neck, Jennifer thought to quietly retreat, but James had already noticed his daughter and pointed to the sofa opposite him without lifting his head: "Jenny, come here."

"Morning, Dad."

Giving up on the idea of sneaking away and greeting him, she obediently went over and sat across from her father. Hesitating briefly, Jennifer still picked up the remote control from the coffee table, turned on the living room TV, and switched to the ABC channel.

James Rebelde watched his daughter's movements, raising his eyebrows slightly.

Then, suddenly remembering something, James looked at his daughter, already tall and graceful, and didn't scold her but asked instead, "Why did you suddenly come back yesterday, and so late?"

Jennifer glanced at the TV screen before turning to her father, "There was something urgent, I arrived in New York at 5:30, and only got back after handling it."

James Rebelde waited a moment, seeing that his daughter didn't continue to explain, he didn't ask further.

The girl was indeed growing up.

Since Jennifer insisted on working in Los Angeles rather than staying in their law firm in New York, James Rebelde realized that he had been a bit too strict with his daughter over the years. Although he had no regrets about it, he and his wife understood that it was time to let their grown-up daughter make her own way.

Thinking this, James Rebelde changed the subject, his tone gentle, "I spoke with Professor Robertson over the phone last week; he thinks you did a great job on your thesis. Tell me about it."

Jennifer's attention returned to the TV screen, slightly distracted, "Dad, it's Saturday, can we not talk about this today?"

James Rebelde looked at his daughter, suddenly more understanding and somewhat uncomfortable from a father's instinct, and ventured to ask, "Jenny, are you dating someone?"

Jennifer paused, her face inexplicably blushing, but she shook her head, not meeting her father's gaze, "Dad, no. I'm just, um, tired. Can we just watch TV?"

James Rebelde smiled and simply put aside his newspaper, "Sure, let's watch TV."

On the TV screen, "Good Morning America" had already started, and after a few main news items, the screen switched to a studio.

Jennifer looked at the large poster of "Run Lola Run" in the studio and perked up.

This was the result of her insistence yesterday, for which she had officially signed a contract.

Though the content of that videotape was that guy, the rights were in her hands. If it were someone else, asking for $100,000 from a TV network wouldn't be too much. Hence, she made it a condition with Robert Ager and ABC that it be played on this morning's "Good Morning America," otherwise, she would contact other networks.

James Rebelde noticed the content on the TV screen and his daughter's reaction, and his mood suddenly improved a lot.

So it wasn't about dating, it was about being a fan.

Still, James said, "Is that a piece by Simon Westeros? The controversy around it has been significant lately."

Jennifer couldn't help but retort, "Dad, can't you see that those news stories are manipulated? They just don't want 'Run Lola Run' to make too much at the box office."

James Rebelde laughed without arguing, also focusing his attention on the TV screen.

In the studio, "Good Morning America" host Charles Gibson sat on one side of the sofa and smiled as he gestured behind him to the audience, "Seeing this poster, you must have guessed today's topic. But, I have to say, you're all wrong."

As the audience wondered, Charles Gibson introduced briefly, "As you know, the film 'Run Lola Run' directed by young Hollywood director Simon Westeros has recently sparked a series of controversies and doubts. Many people suspect that an 18-year-old boy couldn't possibly have the capacity to make such an outstanding film. We won't comment on that for now. Yesterday, our

 team received a videotape, and after watching it, we started frantically calling many singers: Hey, friend, do you need a guitarist? Finally, one singer replied: Sure, let me see how he plays. Then, she came to our studio today."

After these intriguing words, Charles Gibson stood up and said, "Welcome, Madonna."

Among the applause, Madonna, dressed in a jacket, tight leather pants, and high heels, walked out from backstage, lightly hugged Charles Gibson, then sat down on another sofa, her eyes curiously fixed on the "Run Lola Run" posters behind her.

In front of the TV, Jennifer frowned slightly at Madonna's appearance; she wasn't too fond of the singer, whose public image was always quite bold, and she was somewhat dissatisfied with ABC's arrangement.

However, Jennifer also knew she couldn't demand too much.

On the TV screen, after briefly exchanging pleasantries, Charles Gibson asked Madonna, "Madge, before recommending our guitarist to you, I want to ask if you've seen 'Run Lola Run'?"

Madonna nodded decisively, "Of course, the film is so cool. Unfortunately, I've been too busy lately and haven't met that guy who's said to have directed it himself."

Hearing Madonna's response, Charles Gibson smiled, "So, Madge, you also suspect that 'Run Lola Run' wasn't made by Simon Westeros?"

"I just think it's too unbelievable, he's only eighteen after all," Madonna said, suddenly seeming to realize something, "Charles, the guitarist you're recommending to me, isn't it Simon Westeros?"

Charles Gibson smiled without answering, simply gesturing behind him, "Well, let's watch a video."

The studio lights dimmed, and a projector beam shone on the big screen at the back of the studio. The video began with a casual shot in front of a handicraft stall, and ABC had added subtitles for several voiceovers, clearly showing phrases like 'little boy...' and 'Flight of the Bumblebee, for Jenny.'

Then, the pouring guitar sound made everyone feel as though they were witnessing a dive-bombing bumblebee.

The camera then shifted, and despite the loss of clarity due to zooming in, the identity of the guitarist was immediately recognizable from the recent discussion: Simon Westeros.

In the studio, the increasingly frantic and rapid notes continued, and even those completely unfamiliar with music could feel the virtuosity of the guitarist.

Meanwhile, the camera swept across the studio audience, nearly everyone with their mouths slightly open in astonishment.

Originally just turning to watch the screen, Madonna had unknowingly knelt on the sofa, her hand on her chin, clearly restraining herself from putting it in her mouth as the screen showed Simon's increasingly wild playing, her lips visibly repeating 'incredible, incredible.'

After five minutes, when the video ended, the studio almost immediately erupted in uniform applause. Madonna, completely disregarding her image, clapped her hands and shouted, "What-a-crazy-boy!!!"

At the same time.

In front of countless TVs, seeing Simon's astonishing guitar solo on the screen, many people couldn't help but utter various exclamations.

"It's so cool."

"Is this really possible for a human?"

"Can't believe how talented this young man is, the media lately has definitely been talking nonsense."

"Mom, I want to learn the guitar."

"I knew those attacking Simon were just maliciously smearing him, I'm going to watch 'Run Lola Run' again today."

"Maybe I'll go see 'Run Lola Run' today too."

"My God."

"He really is a crazy guy, a very cool crazy guy."

"..."

"..."

Although it was a day when people generally didn't wake up early, as a national network, ABC still had a huge audience base. Moreover, with so much recent news related to "Run Lola Run," the segment about Simon on "Good Morning America" quickly caused a huge response.

Seeing is believing.

Seeing Simon Westeros's crazy guitar performance in the video, many people immediately doubted the recent media narrative: You say this boy lacks musical skills and couldn't possibly have done the soundtrack for "Run Lola Run" himself. Now, who dares say that? If you can, try playing "Flight of the Bumblebee" yourself.

If the accusations against Simon Westeros in this regard are false, what about the other aspects?

Even though it was an era without the internet, interpersonal interactions were consequently more frequent. However, in just a few hours, many people had completely shifted their support to Simon's side due to the video.

In Los Angeles.

ABC had not informed Simon in advance about today's program content, but, as "Good Morning America" aired, Simon and many people around him still received the news immediately.

Before seven in the morning on the West Coast, everyone gathered again in the Palisades mansion.

Yet, what amused Simon the most was a handwritten note faxed from New York that

 Jonathan Friedman brought him, with just one sentence: Little boy, you owe me one.

It was signed by Madonna.

That's too opportunistic. Queen, have we met?