บท 128: Wrapped up and renting failed
(3rd Person POV)
Weeks flew by, and Arthur's production of "Demonfather Part 2" neared completion without major hitches.
Anubis, Leviathan, Anus, and the other mobsters who'd witnessed the production found themselves in a complex emotional state. They'd become too invested, and Michael's arc left them conflicted.
The order to kill his brother Fredo hit hard. The mobsters didn't want to accept it, yet their line of work made Michael's decision grimly understandable. Fredo's betrayal had nearly cost Michael and his wife their lives, all because he couldn't stomach taking orders from his younger brother.
Still, watching Fredo's death scene on the boat was heart-wrenching.
After filming the final scenes, the crew erupted into applause, celebrating the project's completion.
Arthur addressed his team, "Guys, we deserve to celebrate at the restaurant in Fantasia Plaza!" He gestured to Anubis and his friends. "Anubis and the others will order us free drinks!"
"Yeah!" the crew cheered.
Anubis and his mobster friends smiled wryly but acquiesced. "I'll order the most expensive dishes for everyone!" Anubis declared, with the other bosses promising top-shelf liquor.
Arthur smiled inwardly. 'This is the perk of having mobs as friends,' he thought.
"Arthur, can we talk later?"
Arthur turned to see Firfel.
"I have something to discuss about the amulet," she said quietly.
Arthur nodded. "Of course." Then, with a grin, he added, "But first, we celebrate!"
Firfel returned his smile and nodded.
"Master Arthur, can we finally scare other people as a reward?" Diddy approached Arthur eagerly.
"Yes, but don't go too far," Arthur conceded. The ghosts celebrated as he added, "Don't even think of escaping. I've honed my ability to pull you back from the ends of the earth. I've imprinted on all of you."
Diddy and the others visibly sweated. "We won't stray, boss! We'll return obediently!"
"Good," Arthur chuckled as the ghosts vanished.
Firfel watched the exchange, curious. "You're sure it's okay to let them go like that?"
"Hehe, I wasn't lying about my ability to pull them back. And I really did imprint on them," Arthur giggled.
Firfel looked astonished. "You're indeed full of surprises."
"Haha, am I?" Arthur grinned.
"Though I kind of feel bad for those ghosts. They're like unpaid workers for you," Firfel mused.
"Come on, don't feel bad," Arthur reassured her. "I think they've started to enjoy filming."
Seeing Firfel's skepticism, he added, "I also promised to include them in future films. They're excited about it."
Firfel smiled. "Hehe, why are you trying so hard to convince me? They're your ghosts, you shouldn't care about my feelings."
Arthur felt a twinge of embarrassment. He quickly turned to the crew and co-stars, leading them towards Fantasia Plaza.
Fantasia Plaza, owned by the Empirica-based real estate giant Westfield, was a hub of luxury. It housed high-end stores and expensive restaurants, all vying for the attention of the wealthy.
Arthur had visited several times before, yet the establishment's design still impressed him. As they walked past luxury boutiques and chic cafés, a thought crossed his mind.
'I wonder if the arcade machine is already completed by Drake, Josh and the others?' he mused silently.
Arthur eyed the Fantasia Plaza, considering renting a space. So far, every spot seemed occupied by thriving businesses.
His gaze lingered on the casino section. An idea sparked - perhaps he could rent space there for his arcade machines. It was strategic; casino-goers might stumble upon the video games and play those instead.
Lost in thought, Arthur and his group arrived at the expensive restaurant.
Their celebration was frequently interrupted by fans. "Are you Arthur?" one asked.
"Yeah," Arthur nodded, signing an autograph without much thought.
Firfel, however, drew the most attention. "Lady Firfel! I've watched Demonfather, Lord of the Rings, Lovely Lady, Innocent Angel. Can I have an autograph?"
"Sure," Firfel smiled graciously.
Arthur noticed her popularity surpassed his own. Besides their shared projects, she had other works. He, on the other hand, was often the media's favorite antagonist. People admired his films, but not necessarily him.
Yet, Arthur found he didn't care much about fame.
After the celebration, Firfel pulled Arthur aside. "This amulet is strange. It's somehow unlocked a healing effect," she said. "Did you do something to unlock such a function?"
Arthur replied smoothly, "It was always the amulet's function. After the curse was removed, the amulet unlocked it." Inwardly, he was surprised by this development.
Firfel nodded, describing more features she'd discovered - dream control when the amulet was near her while sleeping, a calming effect when she was nervous.
Arthur listened, nodding, while secretly yearning to borrow the amulet again to explore these new functions.
***
The next day, Arthur visited the computer research facility. The "Arcade Machine" project was complete, with four prototypes produced. They already featured several video games Arthur had instructed them to program.
"Which games have you played the most?" Arthur inquired.
Drake smiled. "I played Space Invader, but the others prefer Ping Pong."
After discussing the project further, Arthur left the secret warehouse, his mind buzzing with possibilities.
With the arcade machines complete and loaded with several video games, Arthur was ready to introduce this new form of entertainment to the world. His next step: securing a prime location in Fantasia Plaza.
Arthur arranged a meeting with the Plaza's general manager, a human named Delvin Smile. The GM's secretary promptly confirmed the appointment.
The following day, Arthur entered Delvin's office. The general manager didn't bother to stand, greeting Arthur with indifference. "I heard you want to meet with me?"
Arthur nodded, "Yeah."
"What do you want? My time is precious," Delvin said curtly.
Unfazed by the cold treatment, Arthur stated his purpose. "I'm planning to rent space in the casino section of Fantasia Plaza."
Delvin frowned. "That's it?"
Arthur nodded again.
Delvin sighed, "I'm sorry, but several casino companies have the whole section rented out. It's called the 'Casino Section' for a reason."
"That's why I wanted to meet you," Arthur smiled. "I heard White Casino's lease is about to expire? I'd be happy to fill that spot."
Delvin shook his head. "White Casino is a loyal tenant. We're already in talks for renewal."
"Come on, I'm willing to pay double," Arthur pressed, well aware of the valuable foot traffic in Fantasia Plaza.
Curiosity piqued, Delvin asked, "What do you need the space for anyway? Is it for a film project?"
"No, it's for my gaming machines," Arthur replied with a smile.
"Gaming... machines?" Delvin echoed, assuming, "Are they gambling devices?"
"Something like that," Arthur chuckled, not quite ready to reveal the full nature of his arcade machines.
Delvin considered for a moment before shaking his head. "Sorry, but I can't risk our loyal tenant for someone with unclear intentions for the area."
As Delvin's words hung in the air, Arthur realized he'd have to change tactics. The general manager clearly valued loyalty and certainty over potential profits.
Perhaps a demonstration of the arcade machines would be necessary to sway Delvin's opinion.
"What if I could show you exactly what these machines can do?" Arthur proposed, a new plan forming in his mind. "I think you'll find they offer something unique that could draw even more visitors to Fantasia Plaza."
Delvin showed no interest in learning about the "gaming machine," firmly shaking his head.
Despite Arthur's continued attempts to persuade him, Delvin remained rooted in his stance.
Arthur shook his head, feeling a twinge of pity. He understood Delvin's desire to keep a loyal tenant, but it was a missed opportunity. Fantasia Plaza could have been the birthplace of video games in this world.
He didn't want to force the issue with an arrogant general manager. Clearly, Delvin's position at Fantasia Plaza, owned by the powerful Westfield real estate company, had gone to his head. He wasn't open to potential new business ventures.
'I guess it's time for Plan B,' Arthur thought to himself.
He'd already prepared for the possibility of Fantasia Plaza's rejection. The alternative: Hellscape Center.
While not as popular as Fantasia Plaza, Hellscape Center could serve as a decent substitute.
While the Hellscape Center appeared to be thriving, the property firm that owned it was struggling with bankruptcy.
Although Arthur was initially hesitant to venture into real estate or property businesses, he began to consider acquiring the company solely to implement his plan for introducing video technology.
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บท 129: Arcade Machines
(3rd Person POV)
In the Dominion Estate Headquarters CEO office, demon imp Donald Black faced the infamous ex-prince, Arthur Morningstar.
"You want to buy my company?" Donald said quietly, attempting to project an intimidating aura despite his diminutive stature. The effect was more comical than menacing to Arthur.
"Yes. I'm willing to buy your property firm for 220 thousand dollars," Arthur stated matter-of-factly.
Donald's expression darkened. "220? No, I think my company is worth 500!"
Arthur sneered, "500? Get real. Your property firm is in the red. No one wants it, and if you keep running it, you'll only sink deeper into debt. You won't even break even; you'll be in the negative."
Donald visibly struggled, realizing Arthur wasn't as naive as he'd initially thought. "Okay, how about 450?"
Arthur shook his head firmly. "No can do."
"Come on," Donald pressed, "Dominion Estates has two hotels and one mall, Hellscape Center. Even if we're struggling, those establishments are doing fine—"
"Doing fine?" Arthur cut him off. "I don't think so. Your properties have maintenance issues, they're in poor condition. Tenants are complaining, profits are declining, and businesses are leaving for that new mall in town or Fantasia Plaza."
Donald sweated, his composure crumbling. "How about 350? That's the lowest I can go—"
Arthur stood up, feigning to leave. "Alright... I guess I won't be buying a property firm anytime soon—"
Donald panicked, practically leaping from his chair. "Okay, how about 250?"
Arthur paused, a faint smile playing on his lips. "220," he said, unmoved.
"240?" Donald's 'intimidating' act had completely dissolved, his face a mask of desperation.
"220." Arthur didn't flinch at the counter-offer.
The tension in the room was palpable. Donald's eyes darted between Arthur and the door, weighing his options. He knew his company was in dire straits, but pride made it hard to accept Arthur's offer.
Arthur, for his part, maintained his calm demeanor. He'd done his homework on Dominion Estates and knew exactly how much leverage he had. The properties might be struggling now, but with the right management - and the introduction of his arcade machines - he could turn things around.
"Okay, this is really the last offer. If you don't accept, you can leave," Donald said seriously. "235, that's the lowest I can go."
Arthur looked thoughtful, then pulled a coin from his pocket. "How about we toss a coin?"
Donald flinched. "You want to gamble?"
Arthur chuckled. "Not quite. If it's heads or tails, depending on which side we choose, we'll go with either 220 or 235. Whoever wins, that's the price we agree on."
Donald's interest piqued. "So if I choose tails and win, you'll buy the company for 235?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes. It's that simple."
Donald gritted his teeth. "Alright, let's do it."
"Head or tails?" Arthur asked.
"Tails," Donald decided after a moment's thought.
"Okay, I'm heads," Arthur nodded and tossed the coin. He employed a subtle trick, facing the 'heads' side up when tossing to increase his chances of winning.
After all, the 50/50 chance in coin tosses was a myth. In reality, the odds slightly favor the side facing up when tossed, due to the coin's center of mass.
The coin landed on Donald's desk. They both leaned in to see the result...
"Yes!" Donald jumped in triumph.
Tails.
Arthur shook his head. 'Must be an off day for my luck.'
"So you'll buy my company for 235?" Donald asked, grinning.
Arthur nodded. "Yes."
Donald laughed. "Alright, let's discuss the procedure, hehe."
***
The transfer of Dominion Estate to Arthur, which typically would have taken weeks or even months, was completed in just two weeks. Horn Kingdom politicians favored Arthur's takeover, expediting the process.
Arthur felt grateful. In Morningstar, this would have dragged on for much longer.
With ownership secured, Arthur turned his focus to addressing the declining state of the two hotels and the mall. He knew he had his work cut out for him, but the potential rewards - especially with the introduction of his arcade machines - made it all worthwhile.
As Arthur surveyed his new properties, his mind raced with plans. The hotels could be renovated to attract a new clientele, while the mall - Hellscape Center - would be the perfect venue to introduce video games to this world.
Despite losing the coin toss and paying slightly more than he'd intended, Arthur couldn't help but feel satisfied.
While addressing the hotels' and mall's issues, Arthur turned his attention to promotion. His ace in the hole: James Blaze, now a household name throughout Horn Kingdom.
An event featuring James at Hellscape Center would draw crowds in droves.
As renovations on Hellscape Center progressed, Arthur selected a prime location to showcase his video game arcades.
In the short span of two weeks, Arthur's computer research team had doubled their output, increasing the original four arcade machines to eight.
"We'll set them up here, boss?" A behemoth demon asked, hefting an arcade machine.
"Yes," Arthur nodded, pointing. "They need to be highly visible to passersby."
As the behemoths positioned the machines, curious onlookers began to gather.
"Look, isn't that Arthur Morningstar?"
"You don't say. Yeah, he looks like Arthur..."
"Maybe it's just a lookalike."
"No, it's definitely Arthur!"
Their chatter caught Arthur's attention, but he remained focused on the task at hand.
"What are those devices the behemoths are placing?" One bystander wondered aloud.
The crowd's curiosity grew. "I don't know, but they look interesting."
Indeed, the arcade machines were eye-catching. Their cabinets boasted vibrant, thematic artwork. The screens glowed invitingly, and the control panels gleamed with colorful buttons and joysticks.
As Arthur departed with the behemoth demons, curious onlookers approached the mysterious arcade machines.
Stickers on the cabinets instructed users to "Insert a coin and get surprised!"
A dwarf, stroking his beard thoughtfully, pulled out a precious coin. "Alright, let's see what this is about..."
He inserted the coin while others watched intently. The screen flickered to life, startling everyone.
"What should I do now..." the dwarf muttered.
Text appeared on the screen: "You can control the arcade machine through the controller and choose games."
The dwarf and onlookers leaned in, fascinated. The screen displayed instructions that corresponded to the controller's layout. Gingerly, the dwarf grasped the controller.
He pressed a button, and a list materialized:
=Space Machine=
=Ping Pong=
=Tetris=
The left side of the screen provided control instructions. The dwarf, quick to learn as his race was known for, navigated the menu using the arrow buttons.
Unknowingly, he was providing a tutorial for the watching demons and elves, who were slower to grasp the concept.
The dwarf selected "Tetris." As he hit enter, the program sprang to life.
To everyone's astonishment, simple animations of colored blocks in various shapes began to fall from the top of the screen.
"What's this?" the dwarf wondered aloud.
Being clever, he quickly grasped the game's mechanics from the introductory instructions. Soon, he was rotating and placing blocks, his fingers dancing across the controls.
The onlookers watched, mesmerized, as the dwarf cleared line after line. The simple yet addictive nature of the game was apparent even to those who didn't fully understand it yet.
Within the hour, all eight arcade machines were buzzing with activity. The initial confusion gave way to excitement as patrons quickly grasped the concept of these novel devices.
An old demon fiend, engrossed in a game of "Ping Pong," reminisced about his younger days. "I never thought such a device could exist," he muttered, recalling the Magical Ping Pong Tournaments he'd played against humans in his youth.
Though the pixelated representation barely captured the feeling of a real match, it stirred a pleasant nostalgia in him.
From a distance, Arthur observed the scene with a satisfied smile. His decision to let the mall-goers discover the arcade machines on their own had proven wise.
Initially, he'd harbored doubts about this hands-off approach. But watching the growing crowd, their faces lit with fascination, he knew he'd made the right choice.
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