Darkstone Code

Chapter 1207 - 1205: Premiere

Lairdmo’s tourism industry is very well-developed, and every year it receives around twenty million tourists.

Based on the official data, this number is increasing annually, which almost equals one-third of the Federation’s population having visited here annually!

Of course, among them are some overseas tourists. As the comprehensive strength of Bail Federal rises internationally, the Federation’s films and culture are increasingly accepted by more people as well.

The rationale behind this is straightforward, similar to when someone gets punched or witnesses someone else getting punched by the Federation, they will certainly analyze why the Federation wins?

There must be a reason!

Understanding another country shouldn’t solely be from military or economic perspectives, but from a comprehensive angle. This makes it easier for the Federation’s culture to be exported.

A vast number of cultural products such as Federal films, books, and music are exported overseas, bringing significant profits to Federations’ merchants and allowing more people to gain a possibly somewhat vague comprehensive understanding of the Federation.

The Federation’s inclusive and open culture attracts many people, and more and more are choosing the Federation as a must-visit option in international tourism!

Now it’s the peak tourist season, and the streets are filled with people!

People focus on those tourist spots, unaware that real big celebrities are right beside them!

The three of them had a meal of "Bullet Steak," which is food the protagonist often eats in a western movie. He has a three-barrel machine gun and loves putting steak on the barrel before shooting!

Continuous shooting rapidly heats the barrel to temperatures that can cook the steak, adding a bit of... gunpowder flavor, which becomes a famous "Bullet Steak"!

Of course, the cooking methods in restaurants aren’t that primitive and are much safer.

In fact, these things aren’t very different from ordinary steaks; they are just cooked on pure copper tubes shaped like gun barrels.

Because the cooking utensils are different from general ones, its price is several times higher than other steaks.

People in Lairdmo are very good at making money, and that’s true for merchants and locals alike.

Along the way, Lynch saw many locals selling celebrity autographs with over a dozen writing boards in hand.

They have their jobs but may moonlight as extras or more often "run the scene."

"Running the scene" means carrying backpacks full of writing boards to chase celebrities.

This is a movie capital where big and small stars constantly come and go; locals have their channels for this information, so they are tasked with getting autographs.

And these autographs are what these vendors hold.

The prices range from tens to thousands of dollars, and some special treasured items can cost tens of thousands.

Tourists love these things because they hope to elicit screams and envy by presenting a writing board with a celebrity’s signature among family and friends once they return home.

According to less authoritative organizations’ estimates, over a million celebrity autographs are sold in Lairdmo annually, and more than eighty percent are fake!

Yes, almost all are fake.

While they might have been real initially, as people discovered tourists who even bought autographs from celebrities they didn’t know, it provided the courage and motivation for forgery.

Anyways, tourists merely want some memorabilia, and what’s sold is memorabilia too.

No need to "run the scene," shout, just imitate on a writing board, and voila, a merchandise worth tens of dollars appears, no slower than printing money.

This also leads to numerous autograph-appraisal organizations in Lairdmo whose handwriting experts can ascertain the authenticity of autographs, providing certificates as proof.

These organizations also sell autographs, though their prices are much higher than those sold by roadside vendors.

"Don’t give out autographs freely; you never know whether they are fans or autograph peddlers. I don’t want my kindness to be turned into a transaction!"

This is what Penny told Lynch; fortunately, the trio was not recognized.

In the afternoon, they returned to the hotel to rest a while, preparing for the premiere event at night.

The premiere was set for five o’clock, a slightly peculiar timing.

The Imperial Palace is one of Lairdmo’s top five cinemas, known for its luxury, originally built for a biographical film whose protagonist was a respected Emperor.

During the era with little film technology, to pursue realistic texture, the producers spent lavishly to create a miniature real Imperial Palace.

Once the film was completed, it wasn’t demolished but sold to a merchant.

This merchant then transformed it into a multifunctional theater offering film viewings, operas, restaurants, meeting rooms, etc., holding significant esteem in Lairdmo.

This premiere was set at Imperial Palace Cinema, with a runtime of around eighty minutes, just in time for dinner post-screening.

For Oscar contention, Fox Film Corporation had to spend generously.

Every audience at the premiere could enjoy a lavish dinner in the large restaurant here after the film ends, accommodating up to six hundred people simultaneously!

Perhaps only here in Lairdmo does such a gigantic restaurant exist, for its purpose was to emulate the scene of the Imperial Family feasting with nobles in the movie.

Little Fox personally selected this location; some understood his intentions, while others feigned ignorance.

Around four o’clock, Lynch and the two girls were already up and ready; he would be the last "star" to appear, so he had some time.

This premiere invited numerous stars, and starting from three o’clock, the path outside the Imperial Cinema was packed.

Locals, reporters, and various tourists behaved like mad, shouting each star’s name as they graced the red carpet.

The passionate crowds created a festival-like atmosphere!

The core production team’s appearance pushed the mood to its peak!

People screamed hysterically, chanting names of the male lead, director, and other actors.

As social animals, human emotions reflect a complex nature, with collective craze spreading, even those initially indifferent or less obsessed with celebrities began acting wildly!

Little Fox observed all this and finally showed a contented smile.

This journey to the pinnacle of his life was inevitable; just a few years ago, he could only offer advice from a cold, damp basement to his loan-sharking father.

Years later, he not only utilized management knowledge from university effectively but also realized one life goal, becoming president of a listed company and a major shareholder.

After tonight, once reviews are out, Fox Film Corporation will be listed in Bupen the day after tomorrow, with a fiery box office igniting market enthusiasm, leading to skyrocketing stock prices!

He might not be the most powerful production company president, but certainly the youngest!

"How many are left?"

Holding his wine glass, he turned to his assistant, who glanced downstairs, "Just one last car!"

Yes, there’s only one last car; people noticed the absence of the female lead and first supporting actress from the core team, realizing someone significant would attend the premiere, keeping the two crucial roles for separate arrival.

As a luxurious ivory-white car with silver trim drove toward them, the flashlights never paused.

Nelly was the first to emerge, eliciting cheers, as fervent fans constantly challenged security guards’ limits.

Penny followed, with heightened admiration and anticipation for the final person in the car.

Someone shouted Lynch’s name loudly, and within moments, everyone joined in chanting Lynch’s name.

As Lynch stepped out of the car, it marked the first peak of the premiere!

Some foreign tourists and reporters, unfamiliar with Lynch, kept inquiring about his identity.

Inside the Imperial Palace Cinema, some watched Lynch receiving cheers like a returning Emperor, displaying varied expressions.

For some who liked him, there were certainly those who did not; traditionalists from film academia weren’t enamored with Lynch as cinema increasingly bore the "art" moniker.

They, after all, were the foundation stones of art.

There are many reasons why they don’t like Lynch.

For example, his youth contrasts their aging, signaling the era slipping away, deepening resentment toward youths.

For example, he’s kind of a screenwriter; within the film industry, screenwriters... are always the least regarded group.

For example, he’s a part of the production company, these individuals scarcely understand art and constantly interfere in film shooting.

For example... he’s very wealthy!

Being rich isn’t wrong, but it is in this artistic sanctuary where art surpasses life!

Yet, they still must show respect to Lynch because here in the Federation, money is everything!

Lynch, with his arms around the two popular girls, walked the red carpet while the tidal wave of fans surged towards them; fortunately, security held back these maniacs.

Each time he paused, the crowd erupted in cheers, and every wave elicited enthusiastic responses, people were utterly absorbed in a certain emotion!

After walking the red carpet, Lynch’s eyes nearly blinded!

He admired the two New Year girls for facing such intense brightness without any discomfort.

Signing his name on the registry, the trio waved to the crowd one last time before entering the cinema.

"It’s finally over..."

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