บท 82: The idea of Theme Parks
(William Bryan POV)
The performance of "Lord of the Rings" in just one week here in Empirica was nothing short of... well, to be honest, I'm at a loss for words. Speechless doesn't even begin to cover it.
Every time the box office numbers came in, I felt like I was in a dream. The film had raked in 74 million dollars in Empirica alone. Such figures were once thought impossible in our industry. Even the major Empirican or elven studios wouldn't have dared to hope for such astronomical earnings, no matter how good their films were.
And yet, here we are. A film making that kind of money... and not just any film. Not a human production, not an elven masterpiece, but a demon studio's creation. Or more specifically, the work of Arthur Morningstar - a young demon not even 18 years old, amassing generational wealth that other industry giants could only dream of.
My musings were interrupted as Daniel, my brother, burst into the office unannounced. "William, I've scheduled a meeting with Mr. Morningstar back in the Morningstar Kingdom."
I nodded, my face serious. "Good. Make sure we have all the business proposals we've been working on ready."
Daniel hesitated, his brow furrowing. "I don't mean to be rude, William, but... do you really think this proposal will be profitable at all?"
"I'm sure of it," I replied, a confident smile playing on my lips. "Didn't you see how much we made from 'Lord of the Rings'?"
Daniel shrugged. "Yeah, we made a lot on the film, but our proposal for... amusement parks is a different story." He added, "We could lose a lot of money on this."
I smiled again. I had been working on the amusement park proposal for days, but I knew it was more than just a park. "Trust me. It's going to make us a fortune. After all, these parks are based on 'Lord of the Rings.'"
***
(3rd Person POV)
While the Bryan Brothers were busy hatching their plans, little did they know that Arthur had already beaten them to the punch.
The locations used to film "Lord of the Rings" in the Green Forest hadn't just been left to gather dust. For weeks, even as the film first hit screens, construction had been underway. The iconic tower from the movie wasn't just a set piece anymore - it was becoming a reality.
Arthur had been funneling the box office earnings from "Lord of the Rings" straight into what he called the "Hellfire Theme Parks" project. Talk about striking while the iron was hot.
So when the Bryan Brothers finally sat down with Arthur at a posh restaurant in Ferland two days later, they were in for quite a shock.
"Amusement parks based on Lord of the Rings?" Arthur mused, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I don't mean to rain on your parade, gentlemen, but Hellfire Studios has been working on that for a while now. Our first park is already under construction in the Green Forest."
William's jaw nearly hit the floor. "You... you're telling us you had this idea before the film even blew up?"
Arthur's smile was enigmatic. "You could say that. In fact, we're in the final stages of construction."
The Bryan Brothers exchanged skeptical glances. Surely, Arthur was bluffing, trying to steal their brilliant idea.
Daniel, ever the pragmatist, decided to call Arthur's bluff. "Would it be possible for us to take a look at this park, Mr. Morningstar?"
"Of course," Arthur replied without missing a beat. "We can head there now. It's just a few hours away by car."
The brothers agreed, still convinced they were about to expose Arthur's lie.
A few hours later, however, they found themselves standing slack-jawed in front of a meticulously constructed Shire. The rolling hills, the round doors of hobbit holes, the Party Tree - it was all there, as if plucked straight from the film and made real.
William turned to Arthur, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief. "This is... incredible. How did you manage to keep this under wraps?"
Before Arthur could answer, a group of orcs came into view, strolling through the Shire. The moment they spotted Arthur, they rushed towards him with an eagerness that caught the Bryan Brothers off guard.
"Boss!" one of the orcs called out, his gravelly voice tinged with excitement. "We've been cooped up here for ages! When are we gonna hit the big time? You promised people would start seein' us as more than just savages, right?"
The Bryan Brothers watched, slack-jawed, as Arthur addressed the orcs with a calm smile. "Soon, my friends. Very soon. Before you know it, people will be flocking here to meet you. You'll be the stars of the show."
***
(Arthur POV)
As I watched the orcs' eager faces, a pang of guilt twisted in my gut. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was some kind of villain, trapping innocent creatures in an elaborate zoo.
The truth was, from the very beginning, I'd had bigger plans for these orcs than just casting them in "Lord of the Rings." They were always meant to be the mascots of the Hellfire Theme Park. Living, breathing mascots.
Except they were real. I hoped these orcs would be satisfied entertaining the theme park visitors, welcoming customers with warm smiles on their faces.
I turned to the Bryan Brothers, gesturing towards the gradually rising walls. "What do you think? There's the entrance, and look, the Hellfire Theme Park sign is almost complete."
The Bryan Brothers stood there, speechless and... was that disappointment I saw in their eyes? I could understand their reaction. After all, they'd come here with a proposal for something very similar.
"Hellfire Theme Park?" Daniel finally spoke, his voice a mix of curiosity and surprise. "So you call this a 'Theme Park'?"
I nodded, aware that the term was novel in this world where "Amusement Parks" was still the go-to phrase.
William seemed to gather his thoughts before speaking. "Mr. Morningstar, we are willing to partner with you on this idea."
"Partner?" I echoed, my amusement barely concealed. I was curious about what they thought they could bring to the table.
William, sensing an opportunity, pressed on. "We have extensive reach, Mr. Morningstar. We can market this theme park of yours, and..." He paused, seemingly finding his footing. "We can construct another theme park in Empirica! Bryan Brothers is willing to cover the cost, and you'll still be earning a substantial amount!"
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. The idea of expanding into Empirica was tempting, I had to admit. But I wasn't about to show my hand just yet.
"An interesting proposition, gentlemen," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "But tell me, what makes you think Hellfire Studios needs partners for this venture? We've managed quite well on our own so far."
The challenge in my voice was clear, but so was the hint of interest. I wanted to see how they'd respond, what else they might offer.
บท 83: Hellfire Theme Park opening
(Arthur POV)
The Bryan Brothers exchanged knowing glances before William spoke up, his tone carefully measured. "You'll still need us, Mr. Morningstar. After all, from what we know, your studio has quite a few... shall we say, adversaries."
Daniel nodded, eager to support his brother's point. "Indeed. It'll be quite the challenge for you to break through the promotional barriers with so many media outlets gunning for you."
I tapped my chin, feigning amusement. But deep down, I knew they had a point. The media landscape was a minefield, and having allies could make all the difference.
"You gentlemen make a fair argument," I conceded, my voice carefully neutral. "But can the Bryan Brothers truly handle those who oppose me?"
William and Daniel's faces lit up with confident smiles. "Of course we can," William assured me.
Daniel chimed in, "We have our own media outlets and connections with several major ones in other countries and kingdoms."
"Hmm..." I made a show of considering their offer, watching as anxiety crept into their expressions. Little did they know, I was subtly employing my {Heartstrings} skill, giving me an edge in these delicate negotiations.
"Let's discuss this further," I said finally, and I could practically feel their relief.
***
After several days of intense negotiations - during which my {Heartstrings} skill proved invaluable - I managed to secure a deal with the Bryan Brothers that was more favorable than I'd initially hoped.
Not to be left out, the Lava Brothers also threw their hat into the ring, eager to be part of the theme park venture. Their involvement could prove particularly useful, given their ownership of media outlets like "LB News" and "Lava Headlines," not to mention their connections to the "Powerful Times," a major outlet in the Morningstar Kingdom.
Though "Powerful Times" was based in the Horn Kingdom and ranked last among major newspaper publishers, it still wielded considerable influence. Having them on our side could be a pivotal advantage.
As I signed the final documents, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The theme park was no longer just a dream - it was becoming a reality, and with these new partnerships, its potential seemed limitless.
Of course, I knew better than to let my guard down completely. In this world of magic and media, alliances could shift as quickly as the wind. But for now, I allowed myself a small smile. The next phase of the Hellfire empire was about to begin.
***
(3rd Person POV)
About five weeks after "Lord of the Rings" first hit theaters, its box office had skyrocketed to a staggering 290 million dollars globally and domestically combined. The hype for the film was at fever pitch.
It had already surpassed the months-long box office run of "The Demonfather" - and "Lord of the Rings" was far from done, still going strong just five weeks into its screening.
Around this time, Arthur's first theme park, the "Hellfire Theme Park," finally completed construction.
As soon as it was finished, newspapers like "LB News," "Powerful Times," and the Bryan Brothers' "The Angelic Times" began churning out stories about the "Hellfire Theme Park."
Though it wasn't yet open to the public, Arthur and his partners were determined to strike while the iron was hot, promoting the park aggressively.
The news spread like wildfire among "Lord of the Rings" fans, eliciting a variety of reactions.
At a bustling news stand, a demon couple perused the latest headlines.
"Hellfire Theme Park? What in the nine hells is that supposed to mean?" Rook, a fiend demon, scratched his horns in confusion.
His girlfriend, Liza, rolled her eyes. "Can't you read?" She jabbed a finger at the newspaper. "It says it's like an amusement park with Lord of the Rings fictional places."
Rook's brow furrowed. "Oh... So this Shire actually exists in this Hellfire Theme Park?"
Liza nodded, a hint of excitement creeping into her voice. "Seems like it."
Their conversation caught the attention of nearby demons, who quickly snatched up their own copies of the newspaper, eager to learn more about this amusement park.
At news stands across the city, word of the Hellfire Theme Park spread like a contagious spell. A group of half-dwarves, half-humans were particularly enthused.
"Oh! I can't wait to see the Shire for myself!" one exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.
As half-humans and half-dwarves, they felt a special connection to the Shire and its inhabitants. In fact, thanks to "Lord of the Rings," a new term for people of their heritage had begun to spread. Many who had watched the film started calling them "Hobbits" - a phenomenon further propagated by the newspapers, solidifying this new racial designation.
As for the elves who chanced upon the news in their kingdoms, their reactions mirrored those of the Hobbits.
An elven husband turned to his wife. "Honey, let's book a flight to the Morningstar Kingdom. I want to see Rivendell with my own eyes!"
In Empirica, humans buzzed with curiosity about the tower of Isengard. A wizard teacher, intrigued by his student's description of the "Hellfire Theme Park," mused aloud, "I wonder if Saruman still resides in the tower. Wouldn't mind having a chat with him myself."
The anticipation wasn't limited to the Morningstar Kingdom. People worldwide eagerly awaited the grand opening of the "Hellfire Theme Park."
With the opening date public knowledge, Grass City saw an unprecedented influx of tourists, leaving Lord Antree speechless.
At first, Antree was merely curious about the surge in visitors. It wasn't until his assistant, Rim, an imp demon, enlightened him that the reality sank in.
"City lord," Rim explained, a hint of excitement in his voice, "it seems they're all here for the opening of the Hellfire Theme Park."
"Hellfire Theme Park?" Antree's brow furrowed in confusion.
Rim pressed on, "My lord, do you recall when ex-prince Arthur purchased that significant plot in Green Forest?"
"I remember," Antree nodded, recalling how most of the money had gone to the Royal family and government. At the time, he'd thought Arthur a fool for spending so much on seemingly useless land.
"Well..." Rim hesitated, then continued, "It appears the ex-prince had plans to profit from it. The Hellfire Theme Park is built on that very land. People are flocking here for its grand opening."
Antree's eyes widened as the implications sank in. "You mean to tell me... the ex-prince is about to make a fortune from these visitors? They're not here for Grass City itself?"
"I'm afraid not, my lord," Rim confirmed. "And that tavern Arthur bought and rebranded as the Prancing Pony? It's packed to the rafters."
Antree's expression turned solemn as he processed this information.
***
As March 31, 1272 dawned, anticipation crackled in the air. The "Hellfire Theme Park" stood poised to open its gates in the lush expanse of Green Forest. Arthur, cutting a striking figure before the entrance, found himself surrounded by a sea of eager faces held at bay by vigilant security.
Excited voices pierced the air. "Aragorn! Please, kiss me like Arwen!" "Aragorn!" The cries of adoration washed over Arthur, but he remained focused on the task at hand.
With a flourish, he raised an oversized pair of scissors. The crowd held its collective breath as he sliced through the ribbon, officially christening the park. A thunderous cheer erupted, marking the momentous occasion.
Arthur's voice rang out over the din, amplified by the microphone. "The first Hellfire Theme Park is now open!" His eyes swept over the throng of people, a smile playing at his lips. "And as our inaugural guests, everyone here gets to enter for free!"
The announcement was met with jubilant cries. "Yeah!" "It was worth the wait!"
Amidst the celebrating masses, Lord Antree observed the scene, his expression tinged with regret.
The scale of the event and the fervor of the crowd far exceeded his expectations. If only he had foreseen this, he lamented silently, he could have demanded a far higher price for the land.
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