America 1929: John F. Kennedy, the Great Writer

Roosevelt smiled and said:

"Arthur, you are a smart man, but I'm not here tonight entirely for politics. I think some of the issues raised in your work are crucial to America today."

George Bernard Shaw chimed in from the side:

"I've always believed that art isn't about preaching, it's about inspiring. You've done a great job; you've simply presented a ridiculous, absurd, yet real scene. That's the kind of criticism that truly touches people's hearts."

"And you were clever to choose a fictional city and a fictional mayor. This avoided direct legal risks."

Roosevelt laughed heartily:

"Although everyone knows who you're alluding to, legally they can't find any evidence against you. It's a clever move. It also gives me a reason to attend."

Arthur said modestly, "I just wanted to tell a good story."

George Bernard Shaw waved his hand:

"Stop pretending, young man. You know exactly what you're doing. A true artist always understands the political implications of their work. Only second-rate people say, 'I'm just doing art for art's sake.'"

Roosevelt then pulled a business card from his pocket:

"Mr. Kennedy, this is my personal assistant's contact information. You can contact him if you encounter any problems in the future, such as tax audits or licensing issues."

Arthur took the business card, understanding what it meant.

This is both protection and investment.

Roosevelt was betting on Arthur's future.

We hope he will continue to create such works, continue to voice criticism, and continue to create a favorable public opinion environment for Roosevelt's reform agenda.

George Bernard Shaw also pulled out a business card:

"This is my address in London. If you want to develop your career in Europe, or need letters of recommendation, write to me. Fabian Agency has extensive connections in Europe, and we can help you."

Arthur took the two business cards, feeling their weight in his hands.

Arthur said:

"Thank you both."

George Bernard Shaw said:

"You're welcome. We're just investing in the future. You're twenty-four now, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, you can write for another forty years. Who knows what kind of works you'll create in the future?"

Roosevelt stood up, or rather, he had his aide help him up.

He supported himself on the table with both hands, standing in that special way to make himself look as tall as an ordinary person.

"Keep writing, Mr. Kennedy. This country needs voices like yours. But remember, be careful. On the road to reform, there are enemies on both sides."

The words were spoken subtly, but Arthur understood what he meant.

Radicals will criticize him for being too moderate, while conservatives will attack him for being too radical. And the Tammany Association will certainly not let him off the hook.

Arthur nodded earnestly: "I will be careful."

George Bernard Shaw walked to the door, turned around, and said:

"By the way, there's something I'd like to remind you of. Your work is good, but there's room for improvement. The character of Humphrey is brilliant, but Mayor Hack is a bit thin. He shouldn't just be a bad guy; he should be a tragic figure."

Arthur asked, somewhat puzzled, "A tragic figure?"

George Bernard Shaw said:

"Yes. The most terrifying thing is not the evil people, but the good people who are distorted by the system. A person who originally wanted to serve the people is ground into something else by the bureaucratic machine. That is the real tragedy."

He paused for a moment:

"Think about it, if Mayor Hack was young, or even when he was first elected, full of ideals like you, wanting to change the world, but later he became like this. That kind of transformation is the most frightening."

Arthur was stunned. When he was adapting the story, he had simplified Hack's changes to suit the differences between the TV series and the written version.

George Bernard Shaw's words directly pointed out the shortcomings in his adaptation, proving he was indeed a master.

Seeing that Arthur seriously indicated he would consider it, Shaw nodded in satisfaction and continued:

"Okay, remember, great drama isn't black and white, it's gray. Human nature is complex."

At this moment, Roosevelt, supported by his aides, slowly walked out.

……

Half an hour later, when Arthur walked out of the lounge, he felt like he had just woken up from a dream.

Isabella was still waiting for him in the hallway. When she saw him come out, she immediately went to greet him.

"How is it?"

Arthur briefly recounted the conversation, then said:

"Although Roosevelt didn't say anything specific, he gave me a business card for his personal assistant. This means he's achieved the effect he wanted tonight."

Isabella pressed, "What effect?"

Arthur said:

"Build an image. Let all of New York see who's on the side of reform and who's on the side of corruption. Tomorrow's newspapers will portray him as an enlightened reformer and Walker as an enraged dictator."

Isabella thought for a moment: "So, we've been used?"

Arthur said:

"You could say it was mutually beneficial. Roosevelt used our plays to shape his image, but in exchange, he gave us political protection. With the governor backing us, the Tammany Association didn't dare to go too far."

"And what about George Bernard Shaw?"

Arthur thought for a moment and said:

"George Bernard Shaw was more genuine. He truly appreciated the play. And he gave me some very valuable advice."

They headed towards the theater exit.

Outside, the crowds hadn't dispersed. Groups of three or five audience members discussed the plot and debated the meaning of the lines.

In the distance, a black sedan slowly drove away.

That was Roosevelt's car. Through the window, you could see him talking to his assistant, a satisfied smile on his face.

Another car was also preparing to leave; George Bernard Shaw sat inside, lighting his cigar. Seeing Arthur, he rolled down the window and called out:

"Remember, kid! Let them think, don't tell them how to think!"

After saying that, the car drove away.

Arthur stood on the street, watching the direction in which the two cars disappeared, lost in thought.

He thought to himself that in the 1932 presidential election, Roosevelt would defeat Hoover and become President of the United States. He would then be re-elected four times, leading the United States out of the Great Depression and winning World War II.

He will become one of the greatest American presidents of the twentieth century.

But now, in November 1929, he was just the governor of New York State, a politician who didn't want anyone to see his paralysis, and was building his political capital step by step.

Tonight, he used a play to complete a small step in his plan.

Whether he could gain more initiative in his plan, after all, Roosevelt was far from being as powerful as he would be in the future.

Seeing Arthur standing motionless in the cold wind, Isabella said, "Come on, go home and get some sleep. Tomorrow, you'll be the most famous person in all of New York."

Arthur laughed: "Incidentally, I'll become one of the top names on Jimmy Walker's grudge list."