Chapter 149: 149
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September 1, 2012 – 12 nn. Saturday – New York City
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Darbut."
"It's nice to see you too, Tayaw. It's been a while. Please sit down. Let's order first."
Tayaw just joined Yarag at a table in a fancy restaurant, their lunch a courtesy of Yarag's wallet. Despite the free delicious lunch, Tayaw is quite apprehensive of why Yarag himself invited him out to lunch.
"Mr. Darbut. Congratulations by the way." Tayaw says as he takes a seat.
"On what?" Yarag asks, confused.
"The film of your company. Right? 'Before Love' won the Golden Reel Award back home." Tayaw clarifies.
This makes Yarag pause before shaking his head.
"Ugh. No thanks to you, the awards of those weren't even satisfying to receive. The Actress, the director? They were not happy receiving their awards." Yarag says.
"Hm? What do I have to do with that?" Tayaw asks in confusion.
"That's exactly why. You didn't have anything to do with any of the Teungebian awards! Everyone knows back in Teungeb that your film is the best film that came from our country in YEARS. Probably even decades. But because you didn't register for any Teungebian film award shows, or even participated in Clambu Film Festival; the next best films, which are nothing compared to your film by the way, have won by default." Yarag rants non-stop.
Tayaw processes Yarag's words for a moment before shaking his head.
"Not about winning the award, but by deserving it. I get it." Tayaw can only say in understanding.
"Precisely." Yarag shakes his head as he downs whatever is in his glass.
"How's my film doing in the homeland, by the way?" After ordering, Tayaw changes the subject.
"Oh. It's doing great! Every week last month, we're still selling an average of two million tickets. Your film just isn't a film anymore back home. It's a date hang-out." Yarag reports happily unlike his bitterness earlier. The report surprises Tayaw, pleasantly.
"Oh? I thought it would slow down by now. Most films only last two months, three months at the longest." Tayaw says.
"That's what I thought so as well. But from what I heard; your film is very re-watchable. The message is layered. I mean, I didn't see it at first because I don't like romance that much, but I too saw the film more than once. Also, you have no idea how proud Teungebians are at your film, winning top prize and all." Yarag explains.
"Well, that's good. I thought we could take it off by September 9th. You know. 'September Ninth' ending on the 9th. It's poetic." Tayaw chuckles.
"Pff. That's stupid. I get it if it's your birthday or something, but this is big man." Yarag shakes his head, but undestands the strange impulse that Tayaw has. "But, you're not entirely wrong either. With the declining ticket sales, I estimate that your film will be off the theaters by the end of the month." Yarag says.
"Hmmm. That's numbers though. Like it's my impulse of taking the film off on the 9th, what if many people will see it on the 9th, just for the f*ck of it, and with the same poetic impulse? Right?" Tayaw says.
"Oh. I didn't think of that. Wouldn't that be nice?" Yarag smiles at the idea as he waves at a server for a wine re-fill.
"So, what have you been up to? I heard from your ... Chala. Whatever he is to you.. I've heard from him that you've been holed up like a hermit here." Yarag asks.
"Nice of you to ask. Well, I haven't told Chala shit, but I'm not just holed up. I've had my adventures too. Who knows? Maybe I'll make it into a film too." Tayaw chuckles mysteriously. This gets Yarag's attention.
"Yeah? How about working with Black Deer Pictures with the production this time? Hm? I can write up a contract that is much more generous than the average." Yarag offers, not wanting to miss out this time.
"Nah. I've got plenty of money. How much have you sent to my swiss account already? That's enough to start my own production company here in the United States if I want to." Tayaw chuckles.
Yarag felt like he was shot with an arrow at this.
Since 'September Ninth's' release, it sold 83 million tickets locally and worldwide, earning it $622 million after taxes, with Tayaw's cut being $275 million. Even taking out the personal tax, Tayaw still has $173 million. Adding the $150 million he saved from the book sales, Tayaw still has more than $320 million in readily accessible cash in his Swiss bank accounts.
"I almost forgot. The entire budget came out from your pockets. Good lord. I wish I could be as lucky as well." Yarag sighs in a rare moment of honesty for him.
Watching hundreds of millions of dollars flow through Black Deer Picture's accounts only to be given most of it to Tayaw still breaks Yarag's heart.
"Hey. While luck is important, I deserve it for making something that is first in this world." Tayaw shrugs. Yarag only straight up gulped down his wine again to that. Unbeknownst to Yarag, Tayaw is feeling at a loss at the money he earned.
"This is making me depressed. Anyway, I'm here to ask you something." Yarag changes the subject.
"Oh? I thought it's just lunch?" Tayaw says sarcastically, his initial apprehension rising.
"Heh. I wish we're close enough for this lunch to be just lunch. Anyway. I want you to make an appearance in a talk show in Los Angeles." Yarag drops casually. Tayaw is unsure whether he heard it right.
"What?" Tayaw can only ask.
"I want you to appear at a late-night show." Yarag clarifies.
"….. huh… Why me? Isn't Iliene and Uranto available?" Tayaw asks, caught off-guard by the request.
"Uranto and Iliene can sure have the interview but they will alienate American viewers by using translators." Yarag argues.
"What about Nielg and Jouny? They are both fluent in English." Tayaw suggests. Yarag meanwhile finds Tayaw's insistent refusal strange.
"Frankly, TV networks are not interested in unknown supporting actors and screenwriters. Look. Not only will you promote your film, you can also have the chance to promote your music. This is good, so what's with the reaction?" Yarag asks.
"I just find it… phony, man. You know how talk shows are." Tayaw says.
"Ah. I see." Yarag got it, with annoyance. "Look kid. Everyone in the industry knows, and not only you feel that way. However, you have to swallow it down sometimes and go with how the industry works." Yarag says with a tinge of envy for Tayaw's privilege of not having to do promotional work.
"Man. I said I'm not doing press. We agreed on it." Tayaw says firmly.
"Yes. We did. But think of it this way. Your actors and screenwriter dealt with the 'phoniness' for your film by appearing on talk shows and interviews back home. Can't you do the same for them? Use the talk show to promote your friends too." Yarag argues.
This reminds Tayaw a couple of things. He would not have made 'September Ninth' as good as it is without his actors embodying their characters. He would not even have made an original film without Jouny.
"Well, if you don't care about them enough, then I have nothing to say, I understand." Yarag adds.
Even though Yarag's remark might have been be a psychological play, it is working on guilting Tayaw.
"Alright. Fine. Which show?" Tayaw finally relents.
"It's 'Late Night with Aiden Gerty'. We chose him because he treats non-English speaking guests well, unlike other hosts who would present non-English speaking guests like aliens. But now that you've agreed, we don't have concerns anymore with that alienation. I think you'll like him too. He's the least phony out of all the late-night hosts."
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
Clambu City – 8pm
""""""
"Headache and tired again? It's still early!" A man walks up to a 'co-worker'. "That's low sugar and low energy, my guy." The man pats his co-worker's shoulder. "But not you! What's your secret?" The co-worker asked. "It's THIS! ZONE ENERGY DRINK. You'll be in the zone for the whole day!
"Party last night? Your baby cried all night? Had an all-nighter? Then ZONE ENERGY DRINK is for you."
-zone energy is not advised for consumers with heart diseases and diabetes-
""""""
"Good evening! Did you see it?! HAHAHA!" Nielg brags to Uranto through the phone.
/Yeah. Yeah. Good for you man./ Uranto is amused at Nielg's mood.
"At least it's not just you and Iliene who has a commercial now." Nielg says.
/Well. We still have more than you. Hahahaha./ Uranto busts Nielg's balls.
"What can I do? I was a supporting character! One commercial is already great! That means I was recognizable enough from the film. That ALSO means that I'm famous too!" Nielg counters.
/That makes sense. Hey. Speaking of famous, I heard from my agent you were casted for a TV show?/ Uranto asks.
"Yeah. But I'm pretty scared. I'm the only one who's not theater trained among the cast." Nielg says.
/You'll do great, man. Just apply what you learned from Tayaw and 'theaterize' it. That would do enough./ Uranto advises.
"I hope you're right. That's what I'm planning as well. I'll just have to see how they will shoot though." Nielg says.
/They won't shoot Tayaw-style, right?"/ Uranto asks.
"No. I don't think so. I mean, a TV show is different, so I think they won't shoot Tayaw-style. Hey. What about you? Not working yet? I was sure that you would be flooded with offers by now." Nielg asks as he has not indeed heart about Uranto working on anything.
/Oh you're right. There are a lot of offers. But oh my lord! They're basically knock-offs of our movie! Some of them even wanted us and Iliene to lead. They're not even trying man./ Uranto says.
"HAH! Man, really? Well, it couldn't be that bad, right? How about the scripts that are not knock-offs?" Nielg asks.
/After being in an awesome film, the offers I got were….. EEEEEEEhhh. Man, I don't know. They're not new. They are scripts that I think I already seen before. They're not knock-offs of our film, but they're like… recycled stories from other films./
"Hah. You pompous son of a b*tch... BUT! I get what you mean." Nielg shakes his head. "Hey, have you heard that thing about Ilene?" Nielg asks.
/Like, that show at CVN? Yeah, she was about to refuse a role when I said I'm not doing it with her, but I told her to do it if she wants./ Uranto says.
"Yikes. Anyway. No famous directors contacted you?" Nielg asks.
/None. I haven't got news from my agent yet./ Uranto says.
"Still, don't be too choosy man. Who knows how long you'll find a good script? By the time you do, people might already have forgotten about you." Nielg advises.
/That's exactly what my agent said. Hahaha. Him and I are actually looking for roles I can audition for./
"Hey, why don't you try TV? It's constant exposure man." Nielg said.
/I want to but I'm pretty sure that the scripts I got won't even make it past pilot. Your show though, the writers in them are great, at least from what my agent says. /
"Yes. That's why even though they offered me a similar role to the one in our film, I still took it. You know, striking the iron while it's hot. You should too." Nielg said.
/Cool. I'll do that. /
"Choosy f*ck." Nielg chuckles after Uranto hung up on him.
"Aiyay. Fck. Here we go." Nielg curses as he is back again in his original mood before the call.
He is currently in a hotel room booked by the executive producers for the cast and crew's party of the TV show he landed.
His experience in the Sorrento Film Festival after party taught him a lesson that these celebrity parties are not celebrations for celebrations sake but for other reasons. He would not have attended this party tonight had he not want to be on good terms with his future co-workers.
After dressing up, Nielg finds himself in the hotel ball.
"Hey Nielg. What's up?"
"Hey Nielg. I'm ****** from ******."
"Hey Nielg, can we talk for a moment."
Nielg is trying his best to maintain his amicable smile and not lash out at the fake smiles of the scheming strangers approaching him. He already knows how these conversations would go and he wants to avoid them as much as he can.
A few minutes later, Nielg figures he has already shown his face enough. He is not however leaving without enjoying the refreshments.
"Excuse me. I'm starving." Nielg excuses himself, grabbed a plate, filled it, and went to one of the hotel's balcony to be alone.
Before he can enjoy his time alone however, "Hey, Nielg. What's wrong? What are you doing here alone?" a fellow actor interrupted him.
'FUUUUCKKKKKKK!' Nielg could only scream in his mind as he conversed with the actor with a smile.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
September 1, 2012 – 12 nn. Saturday – New York City
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Darbut."
"It's nice to see you too, Tayaw. It's been a while. Please sit down. Let's order first."
Tayaw just joined Yarag at a table in a fancy restaurant, their lunch a courtesy of Yarag's wallet. Despite the free delicious lunch, Tayaw is quite apprehensive of why Yarag himself invited him out to lunch.
"Mr. Darbut. Congratulations by the way." Tayaw says as he takes a seat.
"On what?" Yarag asks, confused.
"The film of your company. Right? 'Before Love' won the Golden Reel Award back home." Tayaw clarifies.
This makes Yarag pause before shaking his head.
"Ugh. No thanks to you, the awards of those weren't even satisfying to receive. The Actress, the director? They were not happy receiving their awards." Yarag says.
"Hm? What do I have to do with that?" Tayaw asks in confusion.
"That's exactly why. You didn't have anything to do with any of the Teungebian awards! Everyone knows back in Teungeb that your film is the best film that came from our country in YEARS. Probably even decades. But because you didn't register for any Teungebian film award shows, or even participated in Clambu Film Festival; the next best films, which are nothing compared to your film by the way, have won by default." Yarag rants non-stop.
Tayaw processes Yarag's words for a moment before shaking his head.
"Not about winning the award, but by deserving it. I get it." Tayaw can only say in understanding.
"Precisely." Yarag shakes his head as he downs whatever is in his glass.
"How's my film doing in the homeland, by the way?" After ordering, Tayaw changes the subject.
"Oh. It's doing great! Every week last month, we're still selling an average of two million tickets. Your film just isn't a film anymore back home. It's a date hang-out." Yarag reports happily unlike his bitterness earlier. The report surprises Tayaw, pleasantly.
"Oh? I thought it would slow down by now. Most films only last two months, three months at the longest." Tayaw says.
"That's what I thought so as well. But from what I heard; your film is very re-watchable. The message is layered. I mean, I didn't see it at first because I don't like romance that much, but I too saw the film more than once. Also, you have no idea how proud Teungebians are at your film, winning top prize and all." Yarag explains.
"Well, that's good. I thought we could take it off by September 9th. You know. 'September Ninth' ending on the 9th. It's poetic." Tayaw chuckles.
"Pff. That's stupid. I get it if it's your birthday or something, but this is big man." Yarag shakes his head, but undestands the strange impulse that Tayaw has. "But, you're not entirely wrong either. With the declining ticket sales, I estimate that your film will be off the theaters by the end of the month." Yarag says.
"Hmmm. That's numbers though. Like it's my impulse of taking the film off on the 9th, what if many people will see it on the 9th, just for the f*ck of it, and with the same poetic impulse? Right?" Tayaw says.
"Oh. I didn't think of that. Wouldn't that be nice?" Yarag smiles at the idea as he waves at a server for a wine re-fill.
"So, what have you been up to? I heard from your ... Chala. Whatever he is to you.. I've heard from him that you've been holed up like a hermit here." Yarag asks.
"Nice of you to ask. Well, I haven't told Chala shit, but I'm not just holed up. I've had my adventures too. Who knows? Maybe I'll make it into a film too." Tayaw chuckles mysteriously. This gets Yarag's attention.
"Yeah? How about working with Black Deer Pictures with the production this time? Hm? I can write up a contract that is much more generous than the average." Yarag offers, not wanting to miss out this time.
"Nah. I've got plenty of money. How much have you sent to my swiss account already? That's enough to start my own production company here in the United States if I want to." Tayaw chuckles.
Yarag felt like he was shot with an arrow at this.
Since 'September Ninth's' release, it sold 83 million tickets locally and worldwide, earning it $622 million after taxes, with Tayaw's cut being $275 million. Even taking out the personal tax, Tayaw still has $173 million. Adding the $150 million he saved from the book sales, Tayaw still has more than $320 million in readily accessible cash in his Swiss bank accounts.
"I almost forgot. The entire budget came out from your pockets. Good lord. I wish I could be as lucky as well." Yarag sighs in a rare moment of honesty for him.
Watching hundreds of millions of dollars flow through Black Deer Picture's accounts only to be given most of it to Tayaw still breaks Yarag's heart.
"Hey. While luck is important, I deserve it for making something that is first in this world." Tayaw shrugs. Yarag only straight up gulped down his wine again to that. Unbeknownst to Yarag, Tayaw is feeling at a loss at the money he earned.
"This is making me depressed. Anyway, I'm here to ask you something." Yarag changes the subject.
"Oh? I thought it's just lunch?" Tayaw says sarcastically, his initial apprehension rising.
"Heh. I wish we're close enough for this lunch to be just lunch. Anyway. I want you to make an appearance in a talk show in Los Angeles." Yarag drops casually. Tayaw is unsure whether he heard it right.
"What?" Tayaw can only ask.
"I want you to appear at a late-night show." Yarag clarifies.
"….. huh… Why me? Isn't Iliene and Uranto available?" Tayaw asks, caught off-guard by the request.
"Uranto and Iliene can sure have the interview but they will alienate American viewers by using translators." Yarag argues.
"What about Nielg and Jouny? They are both fluent in English." Tayaw suggests. Yarag meanwhile finds Tayaw's insistent refusal strange.
"Frankly, TV networks are not interested in unknown supporting actors and screenwriters. Look. Not only will you promote your film, you can also have the chance to promote your music. This is good, so what's with the reaction?" Yarag asks.
"I just find it… phony, man. You know how talk shows are." Tayaw says.
"Ah. I see." Yarag got it, with annoyance. "Look kid. Everyone in the industry knows, and not only you feel that way. However, you have to swallow it down sometimes and go with how the industry works." Yarag says with a tinge of envy for Tayaw's privilege of not having to do promotional work.
"Man. I said I'm not doing press. We agreed on it." Tayaw says firmly.
"Yes. We did. But think of it this way. Your actors and screenwriter dealt with the 'phoniness' for your film by appearing on talk shows and interviews back home. Can't you do the same for them? Use the talk show to promote your friends too." Yarag argues.
This reminds Tayaw a couple of things. He would not have made 'September Ninth' as good as it is without his actors embodying their characters. He would not even have made an original film without Jouny.
"Well, if you don't care about them enough, then I have nothing to say, I understand." Yarag adds.
Even though Yarag's remark might have been be a psychological play, it is working on guilting Tayaw.
"Alright. Fine. Which show?" Tayaw finally relents.
"It's 'Late Night with Aiden Gerty'. We chose him because he treats non-English speaking guests well, unlike other hosts who would present non-English speaking guests like aliens. But now that you've agreed, we don't have concerns anymore with that alienation. I think you'll like him too. He's the least phony out of all the late-night hosts."
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
Clambu City – 8pm
""""""
"Headache and tired again? It's still early!" A man walks up to a 'co-worker'. "That's low sugar and low energy, my guy." The man pats his co-worker's shoulder. "But not you! What's your secret?" The co-worker asked. "It's THIS! ZONE ENERGY DRINK. You'll be in the zone for the whole day!
"Party last night? Your baby cried all night? Had an all-nighter? Then ZONE ENERGY DRINK is for you."
-zone energy is not advised for consumers with heart diseases and diabetes-
""""""
"Good evening! Did you see it?! HAHAHA!" Nielg brags to Uranto through the phone.
/Yeah. Yeah. Good for you man./ Uranto is amused at Nielg's mood.
"At least it's not just you and Iliene who has a commercial now." Nielg says.
/Well. We still have more than you. Hahahaha./ Uranto busts Nielg's balls.
"What can I do? I was a supporting character! One commercial is already great! That means I was recognizable enough from the film. That ALSO means that I'm famous too!" Nielg counters.
/That makes sense. Hey. Speaking of famous, I heard from my agent you were casted for a TV show?/ Uranto asks.
"Yeah. But I'm pretty scared. I'm the only one who's not theater trained among the cast." Nielg says.
/You'll do great, man. Just apply what you learned from Tayaw and 'theaterize' it. That would do enough./ Uranto advises.
"I hope you're right. That's what I'm planning as well. I'll just have to see how they will shoot though." Nielg says.
/They won't shoot Tayaw-style, right?"/ Uranto asks.
"No. I don't think so. I mean, a TV show is different, so I think they won't shoot Tayaw-style. Hey. What about you? Not working yet? I was sure that you would be flooded with offers by now." Nielg asks as he has not indeed heart about Uranto working on anything.
/Oh you're right. There are a lot of offers. But oh my lord! They're basically knock-offs of our movie! Some of them even wanted us and Iliene to lead. They're not even trying man./ Uranto says.
"HAH! Man, really? Well, it couldn't be that bad, right? How about the scripts that are not knock-offs?" Nielg asks.
/After being in an awesome film, the offers I got were….. EEEEEEEhhh. Man, I don't know. They're not new. They are scripts that I think I already seen before. They're not knock-offs of our film, but they're like… recycled stories from other films./
"Hah. You pompous son of a b*tch... BUT! I get what you mean." Nielg shakes his head. "Hey, have you heard that thing about Ilene?" Nielg asks.
/Like, that show at CVN? Yeah, she was about to refuse a role when I said I'm not doing it with her, but I told her to do it if she wants./ Uranto says.
"Yikes. Anyway. No famous directors contacted you?" Nielg asks.
/None. I haven't got news from my agent yet./ Uranto says.
"Still, don't be too choosy man. Who knows how long you'll find a good script? By the time you do, people might already have forgotten about you." Nielg advises.
/That's exactly what my agent said. Hahaha. Him and I are actually looking for roles I can audition for./
"Hey, why don't you try TV? It's constant exposure man." Nielg said.
/I want to but I'm pretty sure that the scripts I got won't even make it past pilot. Your show though, the writers in them are great, at least from what my agent says. /
"Yes. That's why even though they offered me a similar role to the one in our film, I still took it. You know, striking the iron while it's hot. You should too." Nielg said.
/Cool. I'll do that. /
"Choosy f*ck." Nielg chuckles after Uranto hung up on him.
"Aiyay. Fck. Here we go." Nielg curses as he is back again in his original mood before the call.
He is currently in a hotel room booked by the executive producers for the cast and crew's party of the TV show he landed.
His experience in the Sorrento Film Festival after party taught him a lesson that these celebrity parties are not celebrations for celebrations sake but for other reasons. He would not have attended this party tonight had he not want to be on good terms with his future co-workers.
After dressing up, Nielg finds himself in the hotel ball.
"Hey Nielg. What's up?"
"Hey Nielg. I'm ****** from ******."
"Hey Nielg, can we talk for a moment."
Nielg is trying his best to maintain his amicable smile and not lash out at the fake smiles of the scheming strangers approaching him. He already knows how these conversations would go and he wants to avoid them as much as he can.
A few minutes later, Nielg figures he has already shown his face enough. He is not however leaving without enjoying the refreshments.
"Excuse me. I'm starving." Nielg excuses himself, grabbed a plate, filled it, and went to one of the hotel's balcony to be alone.
Before he can enjoy his time alone however, "Hey, Nielg. What's wrong? What are you doing here alone?" a fellow actor interrupted him.
'FUUUUCKKKKKKK!' Nielg could only scream in his mind as he conversed with the actor with a smile.
September 1, 2012 12 nn. Saturday New York City "Nice to see you again, Mr. Darbut." "It's nice to see you too, Tayaw. It's been a while. Please sit down. Let's order first." Tayaw just joined Yarag at a table in a fancy restaurant, their lunch a courtesy of Yarag's wallet. Despite the free delicious lunch, Tayaw is quite apprehensive of why Yarag himself invited him out to lunch. "Mr. Darbut. Congratulations by the way." Tayaw says as he takes a seat. "On what?" Yarag asks, confused. "The film of your company. Right? 'Before Love' won the Golden Reel Award back home." Tayaw clarifies. This makes Yarag pause before shaking his head. "Ugh. No thanks to you, the awards of those weren't even satisfying to receive. The Actress, the director? They were not happy receiving their awards." Yarag says. "Hm? What do I have to do with that?" Tayaw asks in confusion. "That's exactly why. You didn't have anything to do with any of the Teungebian awards! Everyone knows back in Teungeb that your film is the best film that came from our country in YEARS. Probably even decades. But because you didn't register for any Teungebian film award shows, or even participated in Clambu Film Festival; the next best films, which are nothing compared to your film by the way, have won by default." Yarag rants non-stop. Tayaw processes Yarag's words for a moment before shaking his head. "Not about winning the award, but by deserving it. I get it." Tayaw can only say in understanding. "Precisely." Yarag shakes his head as he downs whatever is in his glass. "How's my film doing in the homeland, by the way?" After ordering, Tayaw changes the subject. "Oh. It's doing great! Every week last month, we're still selling an average of two million tickets. Your film just isn't a film anymore back home. It's a date hang-out." Yarag reports happily unlike his bitterness earlier. The report surprises Tayaw, pleasantly. "Oh? I thought it would slow down by now. Most films only last two months, three months at the longest." Tayaw says. "That's what I thought so as well. But from what I heard; your film is very re-watchable. The message is layered. I mean, I didn't see it at first because I don't like romance that much, but I too saw the film more than once. Also, you have no idea how proud Teungebians are at your film, winning top prize and all." Yarag explains. "Well, that's good. I thought we could take it off by September 9th. You know. 'September Ninth' ending on the 9th. It's poetic." Tayaw chuckles. "Pff. That's stupid. I get it if it's your birthday or something, but this is big man." Yarag shakes his head, but undestands the strange impulse that Tayaw has. "But, you're not entirely wrong either. With the declining ticket sales, I estimate that your film will be off the theaters by the end of the month." Yarag says. "Hmmm. That's numbers though. Like it's my impulse of taking the film off on the 9th, what if many people will see it on the 9th, just for the f*ck of it, and with the same poetic impulse? Right?" Tayaw says. "Oh. I didn't think of that. Wouldn't that be nice?" Yarag smiles at the idea as he waves at a server for a wine re-fill. "So, what have you been up to? I heard from your ... Chala. Whatever he is to you.. I've heard from him that you've been holed up like a hermit here." Yarag asks. "Nice of you to ask. Well, I haven't told Chala shit, but I'm not just holed up. I've had my adventures too. Who knows? Maybe I'll make it into a film too." Tayaw chuckles mysteriously. This gets Yarag's attention. "Yeah? How about working with Black Deer Pictures with the production this time? Hm? I can write up a contract that is much more generous than the average." Yarag offers, not wanting to miss out this time. "Nah. I've got plenty of money. How much have you sent to my swiss account already? That's enough to start my own production company here in the United States if I want to." Tayaw chuckles. Yarag felt like he was shot with an arrow at this. Since 'September Ninth's' release, it sold 83 million tickets locally and worldwide, earning it $622 million after taxes, with Tayaw's cut being $275 million. Even taking out the personal tax, Tayaw still has $173 million. Adding the $150 million he saved from the book sales, Tayaw still has more than $320 million in readily accessible cash in his Swiss bank accounts. "I almost forgot. The entire budget came out from your pockets. Good lord. I wish I could be as lucky as well." Yarag sighs in a rare moment of honesty for him. Watching hundreds of millions of dollars flow through Black Deer Picture's accounts only to be given most of it to Tayaw still breaks Yarag's heart. "Hey. While luck is important, I deserve it for making something that is first in this world." Tayaw shrugs. Yarag only straight up gulped down his wine again to that. Unbeknownst to Yarag, Tayaw is feeling at a loss at the money he earned. "This is making me depressed. Anyway, I'm here to ask you something." Yarag changes the subject. "Oh? I thought it's just lunch?" Tayaw says sarcastically, his initial apprehension rising. "Heh. I wish we're close enough for this lunch to be just lunch. Anyway. I want you to make an appearance in a talk show in Los Angeles." Yarag drops casually. Tayaw is unsure whether he heard it right. "What?" Tayaw can only ask. "I want you to appear at a late-night show." Yarag clarifies. ".. huh Why me? Isn't Iliene and Uranto available?" Tayaw asks, caught off-guard by the request. "Uranto and Iliene can sure have the interview but they will alienate American viewers by using translators." Yarag argues. "What about Nielg and Jouny? They are both fluent in English." Tayaw suggests. Yarag meanwhile finds Tayaw's insistent refusal strange. "Frankly, TV networks are not interested in unknown supporting actors and screenwriters. Look. Not only will you promote your film, you can also have the chance to promote your music. This is good, so what's with the reaction?" Yarag asks. "I just find it phony, man. You know how talk shows are." Tayaw says. "Ah. I see." Yarag got it, with annoyance. "Look kid. Everyone in the industry knows, and not only you feel that way. However, you have to swallow it down sometimes and go with how the industry works." Yarag says with a tinge of envy for Tayaw's privilege of not having to do promotional work. "Man. I said I'm not doing press. We agreed on it." Tayaw says firmly. "Yes. We did. But think of it this way. Your actors and screenwriter dealt with the 'phoniness' for your film by appearing on talk shows and interviews back home. Can't you do the same for them? Use the talk show to promote your friends too." Yarag argues. This reminds Tayaw a couple of things. He would not have made 'September Ninth' as good as it is without his actors embodying their characters. He would not even have made an original film without Jouny. "Well, if you don't care about them enough, then I have nothing to say, I understand." Yarag adds. Even though Yarag's remark might have been be a psychological play, it is working on guilting Tayaw. "Alright. Fine. Which show?" Tayaw finally relents. "It's 'Late Night with Aiden Gerty'. We chose him because he treats non-English speaking guests well, unlike other hosts who would present non-English speaking guests like aliens. But now that you've agreed, we don't have concerns anymore with that alienation. I think you'll like him too. He's the least phony out of all the late-night hosts." O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O Clambu City 8pm """""" "Headache and tired again? It's still early!" A man walks up to a 'co-worker'. "That's low sugar and low energy, my guy." The man pats his co-worker's shoulder. "But not you! What's your secret?" The co-worker asked. "It's THIS! ZONE ENERGY DRINK. You'll be in the zone for the whole day! "Party last night? Your baby cried all night? Had an all-nighter? Then ZONE ENERGY DRINK is for you." -zone energy is not advised for consumers with heart diseases and diabetes- """""" "Good evening! Did you see it?! HAHAHA!" Nielg brags to Uranto through the phone. /Yeah. Yeah. Good for you man./ Uranto is amused at Nielg's mood. "At least it's not just you and Iliene who has a commercial now." Nielg says. /Well. We still have more than you. Hahahaha./ Uranto busts Nielg's balls. "What can I do? I was a supporting character! One commercial is already great! That means I was recognizable enough from the film. That ALSO means that I'm famous too!" Nielg counters. /That makes sense. Hey. Speaking of famous, I heard from my agent you were casted for a TV show?/ Uranto asks. "Yeah. But I'm pretty scared. I'm the only one who's not theater trained among the cast." Nielg says. /You'll do great, man. Just apply what you learned from Tayaw and 'theaterize' it. That would do enough./ Uranto advises. "I hope you're right. That's what I'm planning as well. I'll just have to see how they will shoot though." Nielg says. /They won't shoot Tayaw-style, right?"/ Uranto asks. "No. I don't think so. I mean, a TV show is different, so I think they won't shoot Tayaw-style. Hey. What about you? Not working yet? I was sure that you would be flooded with offers by now." Nielg asks as he has not indeed heart about Uranto working on anything. /Oh you're right. There are a lot of offers. But oh my lord! They're basically knock-offs of our movie! Some of them even wanted us and Iliene to lead. They're not even trying man./ Uranto says. "HAH! Man, really? Well, it couldn't be that bad, right? How about the scripts that are not knock-offs?" Nielg asks. /After being in an awesome film, the offers I got were.. EEEEEEEhhh. Man, I don't know. They're not new. They are scripts that I think I already seen before. They're not knock-offs of our film, but they're like recycled stories from other films./ "Hah. You pompous son of a b*tch... BUT! I get what you mean." Nielg shakes his head. "Hey, have you heard that thing about Ilene?" Nielg asks. /Like, that show at CVN? Yeah, she was about to refuse a role when I said I'm not doing it with her, but I told her to do it if she wants./ Uranto says. "Yikes. Anyway. No famous directors contacted you?" Nielg asks. /None. I haven't got news from my agent yet./ Uranto says. "Still, don't be too choosy man. Who knows how long you'll find a good script? By the time you do, people might already have forgotten about you." Nielg advises. /That's exactly what my agent said. Hahaha. Him and I are actually looking for roles I can audition for./ "Hey, why don't you try TV? It's constant exposure man." Nielg said. /I want to but I'm pretty sure that the scripts I got won't even make it past pilot. Your show though, the writers in them are great, at least from what my agent says. / "Yes. That's why even though they offered me a similar role to the one in our film, I still took it. You know, striking the iron while it's hot. You should too." Nielg said. /Cool. I'll do that. / "Choosy f*ck." Nielg chuckles after Uranto hung up on him. "Aiyay. Fck. Here we go." Nielg curses as he is back again in his original mood before the call. He is currently in a hotel room booked by the executive producers for the cast and crew's party of the TV show he landed. His experience in the Sorrento Film Festival after party taught him a lesson that these celebrity parties are not celebrations for celebrations sake but for other reasons. He would not have attended this party tonight had he not want to be on good terms with his future co-workers. After dressing up, Nielg finds himself in the hotel ball. "Hey Nielg. What's up?" "Hey Nielg. I'm ****** from ******." "Hey Nielg, can we talk for a moment." Nielg is trying his best to maintain his amicable smile and not lash out at the fake smiles of the scheming strangers approaching him. He already knows how these conversations would go and he wants to avoid them as much as he can. A few minutes later, Nielg figures he has already shown his face enough. He is not however leaving without enjoying the refreshments. "Excuse me. I'm starving." Nielg excuses himself, grabbed a plate, filled it, and went to one of the hotel's balcony to be alone. Before he can enjoy his time alone however, "Hey, Nielg. What's wrong? What are you doing here alone?" a fellow actor interrupted him. 'FUUUUCKKKKKKK!' Nielg could only scream in his mind as he conversed with the actor with a smile.
