Adam could only gape silently. Mr. Smith and his eccentric ways with money - assembling this cadre of hacks solely to flush funds down the proverbial toilet. An extravagant new method for hemorrhaging wealth against all reason!After a pensive pause, he finally mustered: "Mr. Smith, is this really advisable? Promoting it before we've even started, using...that cast and crew, then writing live during production? The online backlash could be intense.""Fear not," Evan waved a dismissive hand. "I want them raging - the angrier, the better. When this disaster finally airs, defying their direst expectations of awfulness, ah, then the money will blissfully drain away!""Very well, I'll notify Devin to abandon Splendid Music's film division for now. No, better yet - have him coordinate with the media on this."Adam retreated, inwardly shaking his head, to execute Evan's directives in conjunction with Splendid Music as ordered.Upon hearing the bizarre requests, Devin could only gape. "What i
Evan swept them with a laden gaze, waving away their guffaws as a sinister smile crept across his lips. "You cannot judge them solely by past failures and ratings - dismiss them as 'kings of dreck.' Do you honor your press credentials? Your integrity? They are all consummate professionals of the highest caliber!"His words rang with self-evident truth, nearly convincing even Adam and Devin backstage.You silver-tongued devil, Mr. Smith! Wasn't assembling these infamous hacks the entire intent? Now you spin it as preserving their reputations - does your conscience not ache?As if sensing their thoughts, Evan threw a glance their way, his eyes stating plainly: My conscience is utterly clear - I spoke naught but the truth just now!That impassioned defense did indeed have the desired impact, quelling any further aspersions or disparagement from the assembled media.Noting the dwindling murmurs, Evan continued. "Third, we have no script yet. Seraphina will write it as we film, in real tim
The words detonated like a thunderclap, leaving Adam and Devin reeling anew - Devin seized his second pummeling, hands quaking as an anguished howl erupted inwardly:"Damn him, 'select a few' as he says?" "Seeking 'generically attractive' faces devoid of skill?""Mr. Smith's zeal for profligacy cannot be deterred by oxen or angels!"Once the trio had departed, the remaining reporters hastily scattered to file their scoops. For today's bombshell revelations would undoubtedly convulse all of Elysia!Tiktoc and Splendid Music were industry titans - the former streaming's sovereign, the latter entertainment's juggernaut. That such behemoths would indulge in such sensationally ruinous caprice? An editorial maelstrom was inevitably brewing.By six-thirty that evening, as workers settled in for their post-commute unwinding before the televised broadcasts, news of Splendid Music's forthcoming "Game of Empire" debacle deluged the airwaves in cascading waves.Some outlets strove for objectivit
"Er..." Leander and the others exchanged baffled looks. Mr. Smith expected their confusion, waiting to clarify matters himself at the Clark?Well, if their apparent overseer deemed it so, they may as well convene with this Mr. Smith to voice their myriad concerns directly.And so the bewildered troupe retraced their steps to the illustrious hotel, with Devin chauffeuring - these pampered stars hardly knew Lumina's streets, and catching public transit could prove troublingly complicated, as previous guests like Pony, Geoff Baysos and Jaimie Ionnone had infamously discovered.Yet no sooner had they settled into the Clark's opulent confines than Devin's phone rang - Evan on the line. "Devin, you've arrived? Wonderful, entertain our guests a moment. I'm stuck in traffic, running ten minutes behind.""Of course, Mr. Smith." Devin obligingly ushered the party into a private suite, preparing to explain the delay. His words caught in his throat, however, as over a dozen liveried staff burst
The words detonated like a thunderclap, sending Devin tumbling from his chair in a crumpled heap as the rest could only gape, struck mute and immobile by shock's icy paralysis."Mr. Smith, you cannot possibly be serious?" Caius's gaze betrayed profound incredulity.Doubts pervaded his mind - could this youth and the hapless soul crumpled beneath the table truly be their appointed overseers? Might this be some insidious ruse, conspired between the pair to ensnare them all?For what legitimate authority would conceive such madcappery? They had merely accepted these strangers' summons at face value, convening obediently at the Clark.Yet Evan met Caius's skepticism with unruffled equanimity. "I assure you, I am quite sincere in this."Of course he was assured - filming a cinematic travesty was the entire intent. What did period-appropriate attire or cuisine matter when crafting an unmitigated fiasco? A trifling consideration when professional lighting and acoustics held equal irrelevance
Somewhat dazed, Devin conveyed the artifacts to the assemblage, and all craned in synchronous curiosity to better appraise this mysteriously manifested debacle. Thunder could hardly have struck with more reverberating force - Devin absorbed its destabilizing impact in stricken recoil, crumpling back to the plush safety of his carpeted sanctuary.Yet this time, no urge towards escape from this dire unveiling gripped him. He could only gape, features slackening into drooling, catatonically vacant horror as he chanted the same unbroken litany like an escaped lunatic:"Ruined...all ruined...Splendid Music is utterly ruined..."Even Devin, who had gained partial immunity, was astounded by Evan's capabilities. The directors, actors, and editors were rendered ashen-faced and trembling in awe."How is this possible? He actually pulled it off, and so masterfully – the quality rivals that of professional equipment!""The script for this first scene is impressively ingenious, an extraordinary f
Whenever an actor flagged, Evan immediately called for a break, during which an array of sumptuous delicacies would be served for all to enjoy.Moreover, Evan demonstrated remarkable magnanimity throughout the shoot. In his presence beside Caius, every actor's performance was approved on the first take – not a single instance of having to reshoot!This prompted Caius to wonder: Could a master director like Mr. Smith truly deem those takes acceptable? Had his own directorial skills improved so drastically that he no longer required coaching?Leander, Ophelia and the others were equally perplexed. How had their acting prowess suddenly soared to such heights when previously, under other directors' guidance, their performances had been repeatedly rejected? Yet here, under a master's tutelage, not a single take was called for reshooting!Evan had not neglected Seraphina either, as her script was being written on the fly. Typically, once she had completed a passage, Evan would give it a cur
Splendid Music's skilled post-production team assumed responsibility for the subsequent editing process, absolving Evan of direct involvement; his intervention may well have altered the series' eventual outcome!Yet, an unforeseen circumstance soon arose!At 10:30 PM, Devin received a call from Splendid Music's post-production crew: "Mr. Devin, you must come to the office immediately – a development of profound implications has occurred!"Devin rolled over languidly. "What could warrant such alarm? Our company won't go bankrupt until after tomorrow at the earliest.""Mr. Devin, explanations would prove inadequate over the phone. Just come and see for yourself! It's highly likely that Mr. Smith's 'Game of the Empire' will catapult Splendid Music back into the limelight!""Very well, I'm on my way." Devin turned again in bed.Wait – what did they just say? That Mr. Smith's supposed dreck would revive Splendid Music's fortunes? How could that be possible?Devin jolted upright, suddenly l