Burbank Middle School, front entrance.
The LAPD's alert has been lifted. Since dawn in the morning, Los Angeles citizens have come to lay flowers and mourn the victims.
A very ordinary Volkswagen parked on the side of the road. Martin got out of the car holding a bunch of flowers, walked to the campus gate with a heavy face, took off his sunglasses, and placed the flowers in the memorial area.
Like others who laid flowers at the same time, they observed a moment of silence in the direction of the campus.
Many people around looked at him, and many people recognized Martin.
An old woman with white hair walked towards Martin with open arms, and Martin hugged her gently.
"Child, don't be too sad, you have done a good job." The old woman comforted Martin: "May God bless each of us."
Martin separated from the old woman, with a solemn expression and red eyes, as if he was still immersed in grief.
Others came over to shake hands or hug Martin and send words of comfort.
"You've done your best."
"Kid, you're a hero."
"No one can do it better than you."
Martin remained silent, as if he was about to be overwhelmed by heavy pain.
Of course, media reporters are indispensable in this kind of place where flowers are used to pay tribute. They use their cameras to record everything that happens.
A reporter came over and wanted to interview him, but Martin politely declined.
Martin walked towards the car, leaving his back to the camera.
This back was slightly stooped, as if it was carrying the weight of Los Angeles.
As the Volkswagen drove away, many entertainment reporters and paparazzi followed.
Soon, the car stopped in front of a famous psychological clinic, and Martin entered the clinic accompanied by his agent Thomas.
"No matter how strong a man is, there are times when he is weak." A female reporter said to her assistant: "I hope there will be no mental problems with him."
After the slightly obscene assistant took the photo, he maliciously guessed: "He's not pretending to do this, is he? In fact, he's fine with it, because he's very happy with his sudden fame."
The female reporter said: "He saved 16 people! No matter what you say, it can't change this fact."
Of course there was nothing wrong with Martin's psychology. Thomas was worried and asked him to come see a psychiatrist. Considering his actual needs, he just had a casual chat with the psychiatrist.
Thomas received a call, waited for Martin to come out and got into the car, and said: "The company just received a call from Coca-Cola headquarters. The Coca-Cola Company wants to invite you to be the spokesperson for North America."
Bruce, who was driving, couldn't help but laugh: "Coke God Cult!"
"It's okay to talk, but don't make it public immediately." Making the news public now would give the public the illusion of eating steamed buns made of human blood. Martin warned: "What I do is high-profile enough, so I should be a little more low-key as a person."
Thomas understood what Martin meant: "The negotiation is not so fast. It is just preliminary contact now. It will take some time to negotiate. In a few days, I will accompany you to Atlanta to shoot a movie, and I will go there to negotiate with Coca-Cola."
Of course, Martin will not refuse Coca-Cola. With the current posture of the Coca-Cola God, he still wants seven figures in endorsement fees.
They say he is a hero in Los Angeles. A hero in Los Angeles doesn't even have a house in Los Angeles.
Bruce checked the time and turned on the car radio.
The classmate Xiao Bu who is in the White House will give a televised speech on the incident at Burbank Middle School at 10:30 in the morning.
…………
Washington, White House Press Room.
Xiaobu told the camera sadly that many families experienced the most terrible nightmare yesterday, and flags across the country were flown at half-mast in mourning. He promised that the authorities would take more powerful measures to protect the safety of campuses, teachers and students, etc.
When a reporter asked about the issue of gun control, George W. Bush said directly: "Actually, what I can do is not as much as Martin Davis did. He could knock down the gunman and save 16 people, and I except Prayers and condolences, nothing can be done.”
Another reporter said: "Condolences and prayers cannot stop a bullet."
Xiaobu found the best shield: "Martin Davis prevented the tragedy from spreading." He forcibly changed the topic: "I am very pleased to see that a hero like Martin Davis has come forward. He is a young man. A man who represents the hope of America, I recommend awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom!"
This is America's highest civilian honor, awarded annually by the President.
The reporters' attention immediately turned to Martin Davis, and they no longer asked difficult and meaningless questions about gun control.
After the press conference, the White House forwarded Martin's information to the Committee on Distinguished Civilian Service, who nominated a list of candidates, and then George W. Bush made the final decision.
…………
In a villa in Los Angeles, Julie watched the live TV news and fell into thinking.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is almost the highest federal honor that a civilian can receive. Bush dared to say it at the press conference. He was not just trying to catch on to Martin's popularity, but he really intended to do so.
After all, it is a medal approved by the President.
Julie was a little greedy, how good she could get this thing, how in line with the route she planned to take, and how stylish it was outside of movies.
How many actors in Hollywood have received this honor?
When Julie thought about it carefully, she could only remember two people, one was Audrey Hepburn and the other was the black actor Sidney Poitier.
The cell phone rang next to me. It was a call from Brad Pitt.
"Hi, tonight? Is your wife not here?" Julie was still staring at the TV. The TV news once again played the scene of Martin's heroic rescue yesterday. For some reason, she suddenly felt that Peter on the other side of the phone was boring and looked for him casually. An excuse: "I have a very important script discussion tonight and I don't have time to go on a date. Let's talk about it another day."
Pete on the other side was very disappointed, but he didn't force it.
Julie put down her phone and picked up the remote control to change channels. Martin's name and image could be seen on almost every news station.
As long as nothing too big happens, Martin and Burbank High School will still occupy a prominent place in the hot news in the coming days.
Julie looked at the news video where Martin hit the gangster with a Coke bottle. She unconsciously picked up the phone and dialed Martin's number. When the call was connected, she said with a smile: "Teacher Martin, I am you." Student Angie, do you have time today? I have many questions to ask you."
Martin's schedule today was full, so he declined: "Sorry, Angie, I'm very busy today. Once yesterday's incident happened, there will be a lot of trouble to deal with."
"It doesn't matter." Julie said with a smile, "Wait until you have time."
Someone was talking over there, so he hung up the phone first.
Julie looked at her phone and put it on the sofa, where Martin's warmth would be gone for a while.
Originally, she wanted to use Martin's heat to ignite herself.
Julie stood up, came to the window, took the newspaper over, and saw Martin.
Martin is everywhere.
Julie calmed down and told herself not to worry. The filming of "Wanted" was about to start. As a student, she had plenty of time to ask Teacher Martin for advice.
…………
Two days later, Los Angeles City Hall.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom has not yet been determined, and even if it is determined, it will have to be awarded before Independence Day.
But the honor, bestowed by the city of Los Angeles, was quickly confirmed.
In order to control the direction of public opinion, the Los Angeles City Hall and City Council awarded Martin himself as quickly as possible.
Martin, accompanied by Thomas, attended the memorial service in the Town Hall Square.
McClain, the LAPD's public relations specialist, has been by Martin's side.
Before the event officially started, Martin and McClain were interviewed by television stations including the Los Angeles Times, Warner Television, CNN and NBC on the side of the podium.
After three consecutive days of silence, Martin finally spoke a few words and provided an assist to the LAPD.
His voice was soft and hoarse, which reminded people of excessive sadness: "I have always wanted to express my gratitude to the LAPD, but I have had some mental problems in the past few days and have been unable to speak and communicate with others."
Many reporters present had seen Martin see a psychiatrist.
Martin said: "With the help of doctors, I gradually recovered and was finally able to say thank you to the LAPD. My companions and I were once trapped in the corner of the corridor by a gunman. At the most critical moment, it was the LAPD who rescued us."
McClain, who was following him, immediately answered: "No, it was Martin who saved sixteen people, subdued two gunmen, and cooperated with the LAPD to kill the last gunman. The LAPD should express its gratitude to Martin!"
As for the tragedy, it doesn't matter. What matters is that both Martin and the LAPD deserve credit.
The memorial service began soon. After a moment of silence, Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa took the stage and spoke: "In the past three days, the entire Los Angeles has been immersed in grief..."
He talked for a while, then wiped his tears while talking behind him.
The top movie stars are all in politics.
Grief was not the theme of the event, Villaraigosa added: "We can't forget every victim, every injured, every person and family who has been traumatized, and we can't forget the people who helped Los Angeles. Martin- Davis, an ordinary actor, an ordinary young man, faced the gunfire of gangsters, he bravely stood up and saved 16 people. He is a hero, a hero of Los Angeles."
The mayor raised his head and faced the sunshine, as if seeing hope: "In that dark time, Martin Davis was like the sun! Los Angeles will always remember Martin Davis, and I honor him on behalf of Los Angeles. Citizen title!"
Villaraigosa said: "Please Martin Davis!"
McClain pushed Martin, and Martin stepped onto the podium and took the golden key symbolizing honorary citizenship from Antonio.
The whole square burst into warm applause.
The public has seen the video and knows what Martin did, and they believe their own eyes.
Martin held the golden key and came to the microphone given by Villaraigosa. What he said was: "I'm sorry, I tried my best..."
Before he finished his sentence, he burst into tears: "I...I'm sorry, I can't go on..."
After saying this, Martin turned around and walked off the stage.
There was silence in the square at first, and then someone shouted: "Martin, you are good!"
"You should be proud!"
The sound was instantly drowned out by applause, and the warm applause lasted for several minutes.
(End of chapter)
