Bab 58: Chapter 58 – This is a Publicity Strategy
Ava excitedly informed Hardy that the recording of her song was finally complete. Hardy took her to the film company's arrangement department, where they were met by several arrangers, including Director Nolan.
The phonograph played Ava's recording, filling the studio with the beautiful strains of her rendition of *Scarborough Fair*. Hardy watched as the room was captivated by the melody.
"Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme…"
The song ended, and the studio erupted into applause. Hardy was quick to praise Ava. "This is the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I'm sure it will be a hit not just in the U.S. but across Europe."
Ava beamed, her nerves about Hardy's reaction melting away.
Benson, the head of the music department, was equally impressed. "This song is mesmerizing. I played it on repeat last night and fell asleep to it. It's truly enchanting."
The other arrangers echoed similar sentiments, admiring the song's beauty.
Nolan, though appreciative, had reservations about how the song would fit with the upcoming film *Red Dead Redemption*. The western theme of the film, with its desolate and rugged imagery, seemed at odds with the song's lyrical elegance.
Hardy addressed Nolan's concern. "Actually, the song's primary purpose is for publicity. Our budget is tight, so I thought using Ava's song on the radio as if it were a film's soundtrack would generate curiosity. When people hear it, they'll wonder about the film, which should boost interest when the movie is released."
Nolan's eyes lit up as he realized the clever marketing strategy behind Hardy's idea. "That's a brilliant approach. The song will certainly create buzz."
Hardy added, "I plan to incorporate the song into the film by having a scene where Marisa sings a short segment in a cage. The full song will play during the end credits, with Ava walking in the wilderness. The visual might be simple but should be striking."
Nolan agreed, seeing the potential in Hardy's concept. "I think that could work beautifully. As for the theme song, Benson, have you come up with anything?"
Benson admitted, "We've tried several options, but none have satisfied me yet. We'll need to wait until after the shooting to finalize the theme."
Hardy, recalling a memorable whistle theme from a previous film, decided to share his idea. "I've got a short whistle piece that might fit well. It's just a snippet, but it might be a good starting point."
Benson and the arrangers listened intently as Hardy whistled a tune. The melody was evocative, capturing a sense of solitude and desolation.
"That sounds quite fitting," Benson said, impressed. "With the addition of a guitar, it could be even better."
The team quickly engaged in a discussion about enhancing Hardy's whistle tune with additional arrangements. Nolan praised Hardy for his creativity and insight.
"Assistant Hardy, your talent is truly remarkable. That whistle piece is inspiring," Nolan said.
Hardy then inquired about the film's production schedule. Nolan explained that the equipment and cast were in place, with filming set to begin next week at MGM's New Mexico base. The shoot was expected to take about three months, with an additional two months for post-production, targeting a release in six months.
As the conversation continued, Hardy requested several vinyl records of Ava's song to distribute to radio stations, aiming to increase the song's exposure.
Returning home, Hardy and Ava relaxed. While Ava took a bath, Hardy played the record of her song on repeat, savoring its beauty. Ava emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, and joined Hardy by the turntable. She knelt beside him, softly singing along with the record.
"Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme…"
Hardy stroked Ava's hair, enjoying the intimate moment. Ava expressed her regret about leaving for the movie shoot next week.
"It's okay," Hardy reassured her. "I'm a filmmaker too. I'll find time to visit New Mexico and see how things are going."
As the night progressed, they listened to the song repeatedly, basking in its timeless allure. The turntable played on, the melody weaving a magical spell over them.
Bab 59: Chapter 59 – The Song is Booming
On the sofa, Hardy and Ava shared an intimate moment, discussing their dreams and aspirations. Ava expressed her satisfaction with having achieved her dreams of acting and singing.
"Jon, do you know, my dream was always to be both an actress and a singer. Now I've achieved both, and I feel so happy."
She looked up at Hardy, her big eyes reflecting curiosity. "What about you? What are your ideals?"
Hardy pondered for a moment. In his previous life, he had aspired to make money and succeeded to some extent before being tragically cut short. Now, in this life, his current ideal was straightforward: to accumulate wealth and exact revenge. However, he realized that the people he sought revenge against might not even exist in this world.
"My ideal?" Hardy replied, his voice thoughtful. "It's world peace. A world filled with love, where the dove of peace soars with an olive branch, spreading love across the earth."
Ava looked at him with surprise, clearly skeptical. Hardy smiled, brushing off her doubt. "But enough about that. In a couple of days, you need to take some art photos."
Ava's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Will they be clothed or not?"
Hardy gave her a playful swat. "For the public, of course, you'll be fully dressed."
---
The crew of *Red Dead Redemption* departed for New Mexico, leaving Hardy behind. He took Ava's record to Paley, the head of CBS Los Angeles radio station, requesting them to play the song.
Paley agreed without hesitation. During an evening chat show, hosts Paul and Finkel introduced the record with little expectation, considering it just another promotional tool.
As Ava's song, *Scarborough Fair*, played, Paul and Finkel were immediately captivated. The song's poignant and soulful melody resonated deeply, making the minutes seem like seconds.
Paul, visibly moved, rushed to the microphone after the song ended. "Listen, friends, I have to say this song is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard. It's a rare gem. The song is called *Scarborough Fair* by Ava Gardner, and it's part of a new movie."
Paul's enthusiasm was palpable. "I believe this song will become a classic. The voice is extraordinary, and the song is simply amazing. I would go see the movie just for this track."
Soon, the radio station was inundated with requests to replay the song. Paul and Finkel obliged, and as Ava's voice filled the airwaves once again, the song became an overnight sensation in Los Angeles and California.
The following day, the song's popularity continued to soar, increasing the radio station's listening rate by 5 percentage points. Perry, head of CBS, was astonished by the surge in popularity. To capitalize on the success, he sent a copy of the record to CBS headquarters in New York, hoping to replicate the buzz on the East Coast.
Within two days, the song's charm had spread to the East Coast, gaining acclaim and widespread attention. Newspapers lauded the song's beauty and Ava's performance. Despite this, Ava remained unaware of her rising fame and continued to focus on her work in the New Mexico wilderness.
As *Scarborough Fair* continued to captivate audiences both in the U.S. and abroad, Ava Gardner's name and the song's enchanting melody became the talk of the town. The media buzz and public interest only grew, setting the stage for a promising future for Ava and the upcoming film.
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