บท 98: Announcement
(3rd Person POV)
Two days after exploring the city, on May 11, 1272, Arthur finally completed editing "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly." He promptly invited the Righteous Film Studio executives for a viewing.
Rayleigh Wang, the 45-year-old Monkey Demon CEO of Righteous Film Studio, greeted Arthur with unexpected warmth. "Delighted to meet the mastermind behind Demonfather, Arthur Morningstar!" He enveloped Arthur in a bear hug as if they were old friends.
"Uh... Likewise," Arthur responded, slightly uncomfortable.
A glance at Jerry Yan's face told Arthur to just go with it. Jerry seemed resigned to his boss's overfamiliar behavior.
As they walked to the private theatre, Rayleigh chattered incessantly. "I'm beyond excited about this third film of yours, Arthur. I've been losing sleep wondering what His Highness has created after Demonfather and Lord of the Rings."
He continued without pause, "Will it be as profitable? I certainly hope so. Otherwise, wouldn't all this anticipation and our warm welcome be a waste?"
Rayleigh's bluntness was startling, especially given Arthur's presence. Only after Jerry's nudge did Rayleigh catch himself. "Hahaha - my apologies," he said, not sounding particularly sorry.
Arthur just shook his head as they reached the theatre.
"At last, the moment of truth!" Rayleigh announced shamelessly.
Throughout the exchange, Arthur maintained his composure, adapting to Rayleigh's eccentric personality.
He realized that navigating such characters would be crucial in establishing himself in Horn's entertainment industry.
As they settled into their seats, Jerry leaned close to Arthur, whispering, "I apologize for my boss's behavior. He's always like this."
"Don't worry about it. I understand," Arthur replied with a nod.
Jerry seemed relieved by Arthur's graciousness.
The studio lights dimmed, and the projector whirred to life, its beam hitting the white wall.
"This is going to be interesting!" Rayleigh muttered, while Jerry and the other executives shook their heads at their boss's antics.
The Hellfire Studio intro appeared, followed by the film's opening.
Although Arthur had previously explained that the film would be set in Empirica's Wild West, Jerry, Rayleigh, and the others were still caught off guard by the unmistakable Western flair.
As the soundtrack began, Arthur smiled, recalling how he'd managed to produce it amid the company's relocation challenges.
The opening sequence introduced "The Ugly" Tuco, "The Bad" Angel Eyes, and "The Good" Blondie.
Initially, Jerry, Rayleigh, and the executives were skeptical of the Western-style film. Past attempts by demons to adapt this genre had failed miserably, leading many to believe martial arts films were safer bets.
They expected Arthur's third film to follow suit. However, as the story unfolded, they found themselves unexpectedly engrossed, only realizing how immersed they'd become as the film neared its end.
The executives became especially thrilled and tense during the final standoff between Blondie, Tuco, and Angel Eyes.
As the powerful, dramatic orchestra piece with its sweeping melodies played, the three characters eyeing each other with hands on their guns, Jerry and the others sat on edge.
Rayleigh, gripping his helpless subordinate's arm, declared, "If Blondie and Tuco kill each other, I'll hate this film forever."
His words left the executives unsure whether to laugh or not.
Rayleigh's investment in Blondie and Tuco's relationship was obvious, mirroring Jerry and the others' feelings. Arthur smiled, noting their engrossment.
When the shooting began, the audience held their breath, half-expecting to see Blondie or Tuco fall while Angel Eyes emerged victorious.
Instead, Blondie and Tuco jointly shot Angel Eyes.
"Hell yeah!" Rayleigh cheered, raising both his and his subordinate's hands.
"It's not over yet, boss," the subordinate reminded him helplessly.
Rayleigh tensed again as Blondie and Tuco eyed each other warily.
"No, no. They won't shoot each other. They're friends," Rayleigh muttered, though unsure given the two characters complicated love-hate relationship.
Relief washed over Rayleigh and the others when Blondie shot Angel Eyes again, ensuring his demise.
The film concluded with Tuco struggling, hung from a tree by a rope, before Blondie saved him.
As the credits rolled, Rayleigh applauded enthusiastically. "Very good! Very good!"
Rayleigh's enthusiastic clapping continued, with Jerry and the other executives joining in, their eyes now fixed on Arthur.
"I love it!" Rayleigh exclaimed, approaching Arthur. "Your Highness, I won't let you down. I'll do everything to distribute this film across Horn Kingdom!"
Arthur smiled, gently reminding him, "Please, no royal titles. I'm an exiled prince."
Rayleigh laughed heartily. "Exiled or not, you're royalty to me. At least in filmmaking, you're certainly a prince."
Arthur, still uncomfortable with Rayleigh's quirks, steered the conversation, "Let's discuss the distribution details."
Rayleigh nodded eagerly. "Although the number of cinemas here in Horn Kingdom can't compare to Morningstar Kingdom, a large portion of our population can afford to watch films," Rayleigh explained. "I can release the film in about four hundred cinemas, which is almost 90% of what Horn Kingdom has. Plus, I also have reach in the Kingdom of Choson and Japon in East Watch - in total, the film will be screened in thousands of cinemas."
Arthur was taken aback. "Righteous Film Studio has reach over Choson and Japon?" He glanced at Jerry, seeking confirmation.
Rayleigh cleared his throat. "Allow me to explain, Your Highness. I have a half-brother, also my business partner, who owns a studio in Choson. My aunt lives in Japon, and her husband owns a studio there too. He's also my business partner."
Arthur was genuinely impressed by the man's connections.
Even his "Lord of the Rings" and "Demonfather" had failed to reach Japon Empire and Choson Dynasty - not because these nations lacked free trade, but because they harbored animosity towards the Morningstar Kingdom.
It seemed Arthur could finally break through to these nations with Righteous Film Studio's help.
***
Two days later, Arthur finalized an agreement with Righteous Film Studio. On May 14, 1272, Hellfire Studio and Righteous Film Studio hosted an event at the renowned Peninsula Hotel in Dragon Peninsula to announce their film's release date.
The high-profile gathering drew notable figures from the entertainment industry. Reporters indulged in complimentary meals and drinks, adding to the festive atmosphere.
To Arthur, it felt more like a celebration than a formal announcement. He observed that such events seemed commonplace in Horn Kingdom's entertainment scene - a party-like atmosphere to entertain guests and reporters before revealing a film's release date.
This approach, Arthur noted, appeared to be one of the foreign influences Horn citizens had adopted and made their own.
As he surveyed the room, Arthur couldn't help but reflect on how different this was from his experiences in Morningstar. The blend of business and pleasure, the easy mingling of industry insiders and media - it all spoke to a more relaxed, yet potentially more effective, way of doing things.
***
Finally, Arthur faced the reporters, flanked by his partners. He leaned into the mic and declared, "My third film, 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly' will hit theaters on May 25, 1272. Coincidentally, it's also my birthday."
The reporters immediately fired off questions. When asked about the film's style, Arthur replied simply, "It's a western."
This revelation set the reporters' minds whirring, articles practically writing themselves.
The next day, headlines blazed across newspapers:
"Ex-Prince Arthur's Upcoming Third Film Set for May 25 Release—Experts Predict Box Office Failure in Horn Kingdom Due to 'Western Style'"
Horn citizens scoffed at the news. "Hmph. It's bound to flop. Demon filmmakers have tried westerns before, and they've earned peanuts."
More headlines followed:
"Can 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly' Match Arthur's Previous Blockbusters?"
Then came a surprising news: Titan Pictures announced their film, "The Desired Crown," would also premiere in Horn Kingdom on May 25, 1272.
This move seemed to confirm Titan Pictures' intent to challenge Arthur's third film, potentially splitting audience attention and cutting into his earnings by releasing on the same day.
บท 99: Wild West Premier
(3rd Person POV)
Across Horn Kingdom's public spaces - bus stops, train stations, lobby cards - film posters for "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" and "The Desired Crown" vied for attention, their simultaneous release date fueling a promotional battle that caught the public eye.
A demon, spotting a fallen poster, picked it up. It depicted three figures: a demon, a dwarf, and an elf. Below read the title: "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly".
"Western style, huh?" The demon sneered, tossing the poster aside. "Bound to be trash like those Empirican westerns."
This sentiment echoed throughout Horn Kingdom. Most believed "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" would flop, given that even Empirican western style films struggled to captivate Horn citizens.
Arthur's third film faced widespread indifference. Demonfather fans, upon seeing the posters, often shook their heads in disappointment.
"What a shame," one fan sighed. "If that exiled prince had made a Demonfather sequel, I'd be interested. But this?"
Meanwhile, "The Desired Crown" garnered more attention. Its premise, reminiscent of "Lord of the Rings," intrigued many. Titan Pictures' lavish promotional spending - renting expensive venues and plastering the city with massive billboards - ensured the film was hard to ignore.
In the capital, Titan Pictures' high-quality poster for "The Desired Crown" dominated the city's largest billboard. They'd outbid Arthur for this prime spot, along with key advertising sites across the city.
Rayleigh often grumbled, "I despise Titan Pictures! Can't they leave even one billboard for us?"
Jerry sighed, "It's just business, boss. Our hands are tied."
"His Highness must be fuming at Titan Pictures," Rayleigh mused, feigning concern.
Jerry, seeing through Rayleigh's act, replied, "I just spoke with Arthur. He said he wouldn't care if Titan Pictures rented the entire city."
Rayleigh's astonishment was genuine. "Does he care at all?"
Jerry chuckled wryly, "I think Arthur's just confident in his film."
***
As days passed, the rivalry between Hellfire Studio, Righteous Film Studio, and Titan Pictures intensified.
Finally, on May 25, 1271, both "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" and "The Desired Crown" was about to premier across Horn Kingdom.
That early morning, Arthur turned 17. He celebrated his birthday alone in his penthouse, his mind likely on the day's events to come.
Meanwhile, in cinemas across the kingdom, "The Desired Crown" premiered to eager audiences. Excited chatter filled the air as people filed in:
"I can't wait. Hope it's as good as 'Lord of the Rings'."
"Hmph. Titan Pictures says it's better than 'Lord of the Rings'. I believe them."
"Yeah, I hope so too. Been waiting weeks for this, man."
Long-time Titan Pictures fans were already declaring the film's superiority before it even started.
They settled in with popcorn and drinks, anticipation high.
But as the film progressed, their expectations slowly crumbled.
From start to finish, "The Desired Crown" proved utterly mediocre. Not only did it fail to surpass "Lord of the Rings," it couldn't even hold a candle to it.
Audiences left spitting with disgust.
An elf cursed as he exited, "Fucking trash. Nothing but a 'Lord of the Rings' rip-off."
His companion agreed, "Yeah. What's with that protagonist Freya? Becoming the crown's protector, chased by enemies? It's just 'Lord of the Rings' with a crown instead of a ring!"
The disappointment was palpable as viewers, once excited, now left the theaters feeling cheated and let down.
After "The Desired Crown" screening, "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" was up next. A few disgruntled viewers from the previous showing decided to stick around, buying tickets for the exiled prince's third film.
It seemed the Horn citizens had money to burn, willing to risk disappointment again after "The Desired Crown" let-down.
While the western-style film didn't draw the same crowds as its predecessor, curiosity about Arthur's third offering after two hits ensured a decent turnout.
The holdovers from "The Desired Crown" entered with low expectations, ready to bail early if needed.
Yet as the film began with its catchy orchestral piece introducing Tuco, "The Ugly," the audience fell silent, intrigued.
The introduction of Angel Eyes caught them off guard. Initially appearing upright, his merciless killing of a father and son sent chills through the viewers.
When Angel Eyes murdered his employer, smothering him with a pillow before firing a bullet, the audience tensed. As he was labeled "The Bad," someone piped up from the audience, loud enough for many to hear, "You don't say."
Laughter rippled through the cinema. Indeed, Angel Eyes was "bad" to the bone. The film's labeling seemed almost comically obvious.
Without realizing it, the audience found themselves drawn deeper into the story. From Tuco's introduction to Angel Eyes' ruthlessness, and especially Blondie's entrance as "The Good," they were hooked.
Blondie and Tuco's partnership in fooling the authorities and splitting the bounty drew chuckles from the crowd. Blondie's sharpshooting skills particularly impressed them.
However, Blondie's morally ambiguous actions didn't go unnoticed. Someone in the audience questioned, "If he's 'The Good,' why's he tricking the police like that?"
The question hung in the air, unanswered but adding to the film's intrigue.
What the audience did realize was that Blondie and Tuco were two compelling and humorous characters. The film they'd expected to be tense and serious turned out to have light, even comedic moments.
Of course, Angel Eyes' presence brought gravity to the story, especially in scenes showcasing his ruthlessness.
The film masterfully alternated between the light-hearted antics of Blondie and Tuco and the serious, menacing presence of Angel Eyes.
As the story progressed, Blondie and Tuco parted ways.
Later, Tuco's gun acquisition from a firearm store had the audience in stitches, particularly when he unceremoniously shoved the "Closed" sign onto the old shopkeeper.
The film then ramped up the tension, with various characters gunning for Blondie. Yet, Blondie's cool competence in handling these threats kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
When Blondie reunited with Tuco by the window, delivering the line "There's two kinds of spurs," the audience chuckled. Tuco's habit of making the Solarus Faith's "circle" sign added to their amusement.
As minutes ticked by, tension built around Blondie and Tuco's dangerous relationship. Despite their funny dynamic, the threat of them killing each other loomed large.
The scene with a weakened Blondie in bed and Tuco's ambiguous empathy struck a chord. Tuco's line, "I have you, you have me," seemed genuine despite his crocodile tears.
This scene evoked conflicting emotions in the audience - humor mixed with an undercurrent of something deeper. It was a novel experience for many, a film scene evoking such complex feelings.
Tuco's persistent "circle" sign habit continued to draw laughs, clearly an ingrained quirk of his character.
Without realizing it, the audience had forgotten their disappointment with "The Desired Crown," fully immersed in "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" for hours.
Tears began to flow as Tuco endured his beating. The scene's impact was intensified by a group of musicians within the film, playing instruments that perfectly matched the brutal spectacle.
The audience's emotions were further stirred by the violinist in the scene, whose own eyes brimmed with tears as he played with raw feeling. This diegetic music added a layer of realism and emotion that deeply affected the viewers.
Gone were the light, comedic moments between Blondie and Tuco. In their place was a powerful, heart-wrenching scene that had many in the audience sniffling.
An elf elder, choking back tears, muttered, "I didn't expect that I would cry over an ugly criminal dwarf like this..." as he dabbed at his eyes.
The sadness was palpable throughout the theater. The audience, caught off guard by the depth of their emotional response to a character they'd initially seen as merely comical, found themselves deeply moved by Tuco's suffering.
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