0p0 Chapter 226 Studying Journalism
Chapter 226 Studying Journalism
Chapter 226 Studying Journalism
"50 dollars, I bet they won't come."
Ignoring the barrage of cameras from the media below, Nick Fury approached Captain America and asked, "Want to make a bet?"
Hearing this, Captain America laughed helplessly: "Can I bet on the same side as you?"
Nick Fury is now eyeing his own pension as a centenarian.
Captain America clearly also thought that Superman and Iron Man wouldn't come.
No matter what the matter is, once higher-ups get involved, it immediately becomes a complete mess.
After Galactus's head, as large as the sun, appeared before the eyes of everyone on Earth, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s so-called "keeping things in the shadows" became nothing but empty words.
Everything has to come to the forefront: the Security Council, S.H.I.E.L.D., and even the soon-to-be-formed Avengers.
It was merely to "boost public confidence".
"Those sons of bitches of a legislator never stop making mistakes!"
Even if reporters recorded some good things on set and then went back to compare their lip movements frame by frame, Fury, who had already vented his frustrations by verbally abusing the entire family of the higher-ups, didn't care:
"They've turned what should have been a perfectly good Avengers team into something like a football league game!"
He understands that after such a massive catastrophe, the public lacks a sense of security and urgently needs the government to provide them with security.
But what he couldn't understand was why S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers had to put on this kind of monkey show.
There are many ways to quell public fears. Showing more episodes of SNL and the Kardashian family reality show, letting them immerse themselves in a massive amount of trashy programming, can ultimately achieve the same effect.
Few people worry every day that they might die tomorrow because an intruder falls from the sky and shoots them in the head!
Guess what an organization that fights off alien invasions, protects the world, and maintains social order from a group of super-powered terrorists with antisocial tendencies would least need?
Exposing them to the media like this is practically the same as making them targets for everyone to attack.
Under such circumstances, apart from Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, who are not afraid to reveal their secrets, no one else was willing to make a public appearance at the press conference.
Dr. Banner and several other candidates who could be contacted were interested in joining, but they wouldn't risk having their family trees exposed by the media to cooperate with S.H.I.E.L.D. in this charade.
Tony might be willing, but he's been temperamental and uncooperative more than once or twice. In such a solemn occasion, it's actually a good thing he didn't come.
If this lecherous fellow were to spout nonsense on such an important occasion, S.H.I.E.L.D. would ultimately have to clean up his mess.
Give me 50 dollars.
The cheers from the media outside the arena interrupted Fury's thoughts, as Captain America shamelessly reached out his hand to him:
"Superman and Iron Man have arrived after all."
Upon hearing this, Fury's eyes widened, even his remaining one: "You damn bastard, you didn't even place a bet!"
After symbolically touching his pocket, Fury calmly pressed Captain America's raised hand down: "I didn't bring any money today, I'll pay you back next time."
Anyway, if the money is given to an old stubborn guy like Captain America, he'll lose it back sooner or later. It's better not to give it to him at all and just settle the score with him in the next bet.
"Thanks, please make me look handsome in the photo!"
As expected, Iron Man and Superman did not land on the central stage of the venue, but instead landed directly in the press area:
"Oh, this beautiful lady from BCC, could I have your contact information? That way, next time we meet, you can ask me anything you want!"
If it weren't for the law, Fury, already furious and his face turning black, would probably have already ordered Hawkeye to shoot Tony on the spot.
"Someone go and bring that bastard back!"
It's one thing for Tony to treat the press conference as a hookup session—everyone and the media know what kind of person he is—but it's a bit inappropriate for him to drag Superman along and involve the media in the mix.
No one knows how well Superman handles the media, or even what kind of person he really is.
If anything goes wrong, it could become a major mess that even S.H.I.E.L.D. would have a hard time cleaning up.
While Fury was worrying, NNC reporters on the scene took the initiative to strike:
"Superman, was that silver giant you from the Battle of New York a few days ago?"
"That's right." Joey didn't answer, but Tony spoke up first:
"Superman can be big or small."
To be honest, Joey wanted to deny it, because he knew that there were few easygoing people in the media, and that the way the other party asked the question would definitely lead to an even more fatal problem.
Very quickly, the next second the NYT reporter next to him threw out a tricky question:
"After that giant turned to stone, it went out of control and even destroyed the entire island of Manhattan in a battle with newly appeared giants. Shouldn't you be held responsible for that?"
Upon hearing this, Tony, who was still treating the press conference like a romantic stroll, immediately changed his expression.
A New York newspaper dares to ask such a question? Don't you want to lose your job as a reporter?
Just as he was preparing to launch a direct and forceful attack, labeling the New York Times as "Fake News" and subsequently firing the reporter, Joey chimed in:
"I'm glad you asked that question."
Deep down, Tony was already sweating for Joey, this honest kid—the feedback from such a question, whether answered or not, would always be negative.
He shouldn't have blurted out that stupid question with such a crude joke!
It shouldn't be illegal to disable all electronic devices in the Washington, D.C. area using an EMP before Superman says anything inappropriate, right?
Before Tony could even take any action to devise a solution, the media's questions immediately followed:
"Shouldn't you be held responsible for this? Don't we have the right to an answer?"
"Of course, that's exactly what I was about to answer." Joey smiled slightly.
"As I just said, I'm glad you asked this question."
"..—" The reporter was a little confused. She wasn't unfamiliar with high-level interviewees, but this kind of personality was not usually found in superheroes.
"But you still haven't answered my question?"
"The key issue is not this problem. The real problem is that after repeating his car spiel countless times and confusing several reporters present, Superman finally managed to escape the encirclement and interception in a dignified manner, and flew safely onto the terrace of the Avengers unveiling ceremony with Iron Man."
Here, some distance from the media, and no longer worried about being disturbed, Joey secretly gritted his teeth and unleashed a torrent of abuse on Iron Man:
"Fuck Tony!"
Tony, who had been f*cked on the spot, felt a little guilty:
"What's wrong? I saw you handling those stupid questions from those unscrupulous reporters quite well, didn't I?"
"The questions they asked weren't stupid, at least not as stupid as my response!"
Joey never imagined he'd one day be able to use these incredibly stupid platitudes to deal with a colleague who wasn't stupid but was very malicious:
"What's even more pathetic is that these stupid things I said were actually the optimal solution!"
Such questions are inherently unsolvable. Even the determination of liability for incidental damages caused by law enforcement agencies maintaining order is a complex and contentious issue that is subject to ongoing debate.
What's more, what about superheroes whose very existence transcends morality and law?
In this situation, how should legal and moral responsibility be allocated? Joey has an answer in his mind, but most people would not like this answer.
Joey couldn't exactly say, "If it weren't for me, your planet would have been wiped out long ago," could he?
Humans are such strange creatures. Although they like to say "they have the right to hear the truth," no one likes to hear the truth that is no different from slapping them in the face.
"Looks like this isn't the first time you've witnessed how formidable these reporters are."
Nick Fury stood behind Joey at the opportune moment; he was also a very pragmatic realist.
Given Superman's skill in dealing with his opponent, Fury didn't bother to explain the situation further.
The media has always been fond of stirring up trouble and is always looking for a big story, even if it means dragging the newly crowned savior into a media storm.
The Avengers should focus on ensuring Earth's survival in the universe, rather than wasting time on these maggots.
Unless Fury completely lost his mind, he was certain that none of the reporters present would ever dare to direct their petty accusations at their Avengers.
"Don't worry, we'll send someone to 'communicate' with them properly, and we'll make sure they can't write anything coherent."
Even if Fury remains wary of Superman's existence, it is an objective fact that Superman has only recently saved the Earth.
"You are now the savior of billions of people around the world, enjoy your victory."
Nick Fury clapped his hands, signaling the crew to adjust the equipment and turn on the lights.
The heroes are in place, and a grand press conference themed around the formation of the "Avengers" is about to begin.
First, Captain America gave a speech:
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon, I am—
Inside the Spider-Man Hub at the other end, Spider-Man, who had just arranged accommodations for the invincible young hero, stepped out to find several parallel versions of himself, taking a break from their busy schedules, huddled around an old television set salvaged from a junkyard:
"Look, Captain America!"
Captain America, speaking on the other end of the television screen, said, "In real life, Captain America is quite a capable leader, so why does he look so awkward on television?"
"The captain has never been very comfortable in front of the camera."
"In my universe, the Avengers didn't have this much fanfare when they were formed."
"Who isn't!"
"How boring. Do you think Captain America will eventually raise his shield and shout 'Avengers Assemble!'?"
"Are you an idiot, Peter? This is clearly inappropriate for this situation!"
"Hahaha!"
"What are you laughing at? You're Peter too!"
We may not be perfect, but we are necessary. Unite, and we will always stand before you. On the TV screen, Captain America is still referring to the script in his mind, adding some improvisation, while the talkative Spider-Men in front of the TV seem to be pulled into silence by an invisible force.
"Did you all feel it?"
"My hair stood on end."
"A sharp pain in my temples!"
Something's not right!
The Spider-Men on TV looked at each other, confirming that they weren't the only ones having this feeling:
"Spider-Sense!"