Thirty-year-old Gardner has not read many books, and naturally he cannot find a high-paying job without any academic qualifications. His last official job was as a salesman, but he lost that job due to company layoffs. He had to work odd jobs at a nearby gas station while looking for a new job.
Gardner felt that he was an extremely unlucky person. At the age of thirty, he had accomplished nothing and did not even have a formal job. His girlfriend who had been dating for many years also left him because he was unemployed. An incident that happened not long ago made Gardner realize what it means to be unlucky enough to even drink cold water.
When Gardner was walking on the road, someone fired a cold shot, and the shot happened to hit his leg.
At the time, Gardner thought he was going to die. He called the police, but a large-scale shootout ensued. It wasn't until he entered the hospital that Gardner learned that the person who shot him was a hostage kidnapped by the robbers. The hostage hoped to use this method to call the police.
For Gardner, this was really a sudden disaster. He injured his leg and was unable to work for a long time. Moreover, because he was unemployed, he did not buy medical insurance. He had to worry about the subsequent medical bills. He felt that You will go bankrupt because of this.
At this moment, a fat lawyer came to the door. He expressed his willingness to bear all medical expenses for Gardner and would also give him a large amount of compensation.
When Gardner heard that he was offered money, he agreed without hesitation. What he lacked most now was money. So Gardner gave the medical bill to the lawyer, got a check for $200,000, and signed an agreement not to pursue further charges.
Two hundred thousand dollars, this is really a very high number. It was about the same as his salary for four or five years when he was a salesman. Moreover, this was compensation for injury and was not considered income, so it was tax-deductible. With this money, Gardner can live a nurturing life for seven or eight years even if he does not work.
Gardner felt that his fortune had turned around. He left the dilapidated apartment he originally rented, moved to an apartment with a better environment, and bought himself a practical car.
At this time, the lawyer came to the door again. This time he also brought a reporter, saying that he wanted to interview Gardner, and also invited Gardner to appear on a talk show. In addition, the lawyer also said that he is contacting the publisher to publish a book for Gardner called "Bullet Changed My Life".
Gardner never thought he would have such an opportunity. He was an out-and-out scumbag when he was a student, but now he has to accept exclusive interviews from reporters, appear on talk shows, and publish a book!
…
A talk show was playing on television, and the guest was none other than Gardner.
"Not long ago, I was a poor man with nothing, living in danger every day. I rented the cheapest apartment, received food stamps to eat, and could go bankrupt at any time. I relied on doing odd jobs at a gas station to make ends meet." Gadde Na said pitifully.
"Don't be ridiculous, I heard that you recently moved into a new apartment and bought yourself a new car." The host said, waving to the big screen, and a video was immediately played on the screen. , the content is that Gardner led reporters to visit his apartment and new car.
"Yes, you have all seen, this is my life now, all because I was shot in the leg!" Gardner said as he lifted up his trousers, revealing traces of gunshot wounds.
"I don't quite understand what the relationship is between being shot and changing a house or a car. Mr. Gardner, tell everyone your story!" the host said immediately.
Gardner began to tell his story.
"Mr. Gardner, are you saying that the person who injured you with a gun helped pay all your medical expenses and gave you two hundred thousand dollars in compensation? This is the income of ordinary people for many years." The host deliberately showed a surprised expression.
"Yes, he is such a good man, I want to thank him." Gardner said.
"Thank you? He hurt you, but instead of hating him, you actually want to thank him? So you have completely forgiven him?" the host then asked.
"Of course, he is also a victim. He was kidnapped and locked in a room without windows. He had no way to call for help or call the police. He did it just to save himself. I can understand him. What's more, he gave me enough The compensation has completely changed my life than money. I don’t have to be as precarious as before, no longer have to worry about survival, and I don’t have to worry about not being able to pay off my credit card bills every day. I can live in a brand new apartment and have a car. New car, exactly what I wanted!”
Gardner paused and then said: "I'm just an ordinary person. I don't want to be famous. My dream is very simple. I can have an ordinary house and an ordinary car, and then marry the person I love. , have two children, and live a stable life. But I have worked hard for so many years, but still have nothing, and my dream is getting further and further away from me. But now, I see hope of realizing my dream!"
Gardner's words immediately resonated with many in the audience. The vast majority of people were ordinary people, and they had no illusions about getting ahead. Their requirements were also very simple, which was to live a prosperous and stable life. However, this is However, simple requirements make many people unable to obtain them even after working hard all their lives.
Gardner continued: "Although two hundred thousand won't allow me to have everything immediately, it can greatly relieve my financial pressure. At least I have paid off all the loans and there is still a lot of balance. I can Driving to watch a football game, you can go to a larger restaurant to eat something good. And all of this is thanks to the man who shot and injured me. Thank you for letting me see hope again! I feel that he actually He didn't hurt me, but he helped me. If it happened again, I would still be willing to be shot by him."
Some people in the audience at the talk show immediately began to applaud. This was of course the "shill" that Lawyer Wilfrid had found. Under the leadership of the "shill", other viewers also began to applaud.
After the applause ended, the camera focused on the host again, and the host said: "I was shot by someone. Instead of resenting the person who shot the gun, I expressed gratitude to him! This is the first time I have seen this. This situation. This may sound ridiculous, but when we see Mr. Gardner's current living situation, I can understand this behavior. Although Mr. Gardner was shot in the leg, he got With the compensation of two hundred thousand dollars, he is one step closer to the comfortable and comfortable life of his dream."
…
Under the instruction of Wilfrid's lawyer, many media interviewed Gardner and reported on his affairs. In all reports, Gardner portrayed himself as a lucky man, and Gardner described the $200,000 compensation given by Dai Li as Dai Li's help to him, allowing him to escape. a life of poverty.
Reporters tracked down Gardner and took photos of his newly rented apartment and new car. Although the apartment is not big, the surrounding environment is very good and very suitable for living. Although the car is just an ordinary passenger car, it is a very practical and popular type among consumers.
It is also something that ordinary people can touch. If you are showing off a villa with a swimming pool or a luxury sports car, ordinary people will not feel it at all, because they cannot afford a large villa with a swimming pool or a luxurious sports car. For ordinary people, luxury houses and sports cars are too unreal. , naturally it cannot arouse resonance in the heart.
But I don’t understand these seemingly ordinary things. These can directly touch the hearts of ordinary people, especially for the majority of ordinary people, an apartment with a good environment, an ordinary but very practical car, Just what they need and what they can fight to get.
Stories like "The Pursuit of Happyness" in which poor people become millionaires are indeed shocking and inspiring, but for ordinary people, such stories are still too far away. The goal of millionaires is that most people Out of reach. But Gardner's story makes people feel very close, very close to life, and even makes every ordinary person feel that they can do it.
Another discussion quickly emerged in public opinion: Would you like to be shot in the leg in exchange for $200,000 in compensation
When it comes to money, the question "Would you hurt an innocent person to protect yourself?" rings hollow. This is actually talking about 200,000 US dollars, and in reality, some people did get these 200,000 US dollars.
With the help of Wilfrid's lawyer, various questionnaires appeared on the Internet, and reporters once again took to the streets to interview passers-by.
When it comes to money, Americans decisively show their honesty.
"Of course I do! That's two hundred thousand dollars! Look at that guy named Gardner. He was originally a poor loser, but now he has a car and a house, and his life has completely changed!" Passerby A said said.
"I definitely want to! I know that man named Gardner. He received two hundred thousand dollars in compensation, and he called the police and helped the hostage who was kidnapped by the kidnappers. He can help others and free himself. Poverty, why not do it!" Passerby Yi said.
"If one shot can be exchanged for two hundred thousand dollars, then please give me a few more shots! If it were me, give me two hundred thousand dollars, and I will also thank the person who shot at me. He is really grateful. Generous!" Passerby C said.
In just a few days, the direction of the media took a 180-degree turn. Previous public opinion described Li Dai as a "villain" who harmed others in order to save his own life, and believed that Li Dai lacked morality. But today's public opinion has portrayed Li Dai as a generous "good person". He helped Gardner escape from poverty and live a prosperous life. Li Dai was completely doing good things.
…
Prosecutor Nick Reese was holding a tablet computer and looking at the photos of Gardner posted by the media, his face was extremely pale. He knew that his public opinion offensive had completely failed. Gardner, the man who had been shot, actually stood up and thanked the person who shot him. Based on this, Reese had already lost this out-of-court confrontation.
"The photos posted by the media are too easy to confuse people's minds. Apartments with good environment and economical and practical scooters are standard equipment for ordinary people. And most of the jurors are also such ordinary people. They Seeing these pictures, they will definitely resonate in their hearts. They will naturally think about the problem from Gardner's perspective. They also feel that they should thank the defendant! During the trial, the jurors may not side with me. .”
Reese took a deep breath, but there was a strong fighting spirit in his eyes.
"As expected of Wilfrid, the reputation of being the best criminal lawyer in the United States is not in vain. I have to go all out to do it! I have to use that trick..."