Chapter 175: 175
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(Cont'd)
The dome's door soon opens and the janitors enter. As soon as the janitors walk in, groups of people also filter out. Juliana notes the average looking people she assumes as the Teungebian crew. Her interest is piqued once again when a group of Caucasian men, some of them having their vintage costumes soaked or smeared in blood, walk out of the dome with disgusted expressions on their faces. Juliana then sees the actors be flocked by a crowd of people that promptly assists them out of their costumes or helping them wipe the grime.
"Oh that's the boss man!" The PA excitedly points at Tayaw, also exiting the dome.
"Can I disturb him? He looks really busy." Juliana says as she sees that Tayaw is also approached by a few people.
"I think you can. He only comes out when he takes a break." The PA says, dragging Juliana to Tayaw.
A minute later, Tayaw brings Juliana to his office.
"Please, have a sit Juliana." Tayaw gestures Juliana to a comfortable looking chair.
"Huh. It looks better inside. I can't believe we're in a mish mash of cargo... shipping container... whatever it's called." Juliana says as she looks around the well-organized office.
"Hm. This is the best I can do for what I've got, heh. I'm gonna build my own office after this is over." Tayaw says as he sits down too.
"So… What brings you here?" Tayaw asks, not used to a foreign friend visiting his town.
"What? I can't visit a friend?" Juliana says.
Tayaw only stares at Juliana at the answer. Juliana, not being able to withstand the questioning stare, looks away from Tayaw's eyes.
"When I left, you weren't exactly… yourself. How are you doing?" Tayaw asks.
Juliana scoffs.
"I'm fine. Still dealing with it, but I'm feeling better. Your film helped, by the way." Juliana says.
"Mhm." Tayaw brushes aside the comment on his film.
"Well, I'm glad to see you better now." Tayaw sincerely says.
"Thanks. Anyways. I'm gonna play around here for a while. I've been in Teungeb a few times but I've never visited these parts." Juliana says.
Tayaw seeing no signs of deception from Juliana, simply nods.
"That's great. Our tourist spots here are not as visited by foreigners compared to the ones at the south and our beaches, but there sure are some great views up here in the mountains." Tayaw advertises.
"Yeah. I already hired a personal tour guide and interpreter." Juliana says, excitement in her face.
"Wait. Wait a minute. I thought you'd be busy? Weren't you juggling some development projects just last September?" Tayaw asks, remembering Juliana's job.
"Hey. I'm doing fine, but I'm not there 100% yet. I need to get away from New York for a while." Juliana says in honesty.
"Oh, I see. I'm sorry." Tayaw can only apologize at his potential lack of empathy.
"It's fine." Juliana says.
"By the way. Why did it sound like there was war back there?" Juliana asks in interest.
"Oh. That. You know the story when Don Gonzalo his men were once ambushed by the Russian, Jewish, and Italian mobs in Vegas in the late '50s?" Tayaw asks. "Yeah? That's in the movie?! Wait." Juliana asks, excitedly.
"Yeah. It's a lot of fun to shoot, but the most difficult scene to shoot so far. I've even hired some science nuts and fireworks people just to make illusions that show bullets hitting." Tayaw says.
"Hmm. Wait.. Isn't that when my grandpa died?" Juliana says, her interest deepening.
"Yeah. Your grandpa on your father's side. Yes. This is a very important part of the movie. Don Gonzalo does not want Rocco Sabattini to be forgotten." Tayaw explains. This gives Juliana a round of nostalgia and melancholy.
"Okay. Can I watch?" Juliana says.
"Sure. Let's go. They might be done cleaning up now. The actors are also strapped up." Tayaw says in estimation.
"Strapped up for what?" Juliana asks as they start their way back to the warehouse.
"You'll see. Maybe you can even play with them before they go back in storage. You'll experience the illusion of getting shot." Tayaw says.
"I… I can't wait." Juliana says.
While she is apprehensive at the grimy state of the actors earlier, her curiosity drowns her apprehension.
"Hm. You're gonna need a shower after. Speaking of a place to shower, which fancy hotel are you staying?" Tayaw asks.
Juliana can only scoff as she indeed is staying at the best hotel Ouigab can offer.
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
8PM – The Beverly Theater, Los Angeles
The four representatives of September Ninth are now sitting on their assigned seats in the theater.
"Nice meeting you..." Jouny and the group said to the nth person that approached their table to say hi.
"Okay. That guy." Uranto says to Iliene after the person left.
"Yeah. You recognize him?" Iliene asks.
"No. Do you?" Uranto asks.
"Yeah. I've seen him in that movie last year." Iliene.
"Ugh. Okay. What's the score?" Uranto asks.
"7, me. 3, you." Iliene says smugly.
"Damn."
Uranto and Iliene are playing their 'I know that celebrity' game they just came up with earlier in the evening. Unlike Jouny and Nielg whose jobs it is to speak for the group, Uranto and Iliene who cannot speak English are exhausted using their interpreter to talk to people. This resulted to the two of them being more carefree than their two friends.
*VVRRRRRUUUOMMM*
Suddenly, the award attendees are interrupted from their chatter and socializing when a drum roll from a timpani starts blasting. Music starts playing from the orchestra behind the stage which signals the award attendees that the show is about to start.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Archie Lane!" A voice soon follows and reverberates throughout the theater.
A Caucasian man in his 40s, who is apparently Archie walks out from the backstage and after waving to random people, he steps on the podium.
"Welcome everyone to the 67th annual Academy Awards, live from The Beverly Theater. To the viewers at home, you might know me as an actor and a singer. I'm Archie Lane, your host tonight.
"It is an honor to be here in a room full of the biggest and most important names in show business. The people in this room, provide entertainment that we need in our hardest times through the art of film. I guess that deserves an applause?" Archie begins his speech
---
"ughh. Patting themselves in the back." Jouny, through her fake smile, and fake applause, says to Iliene beside her, as she listens to the applause of the award attendees.
"What?" Iliene can only ask in confusion as she blindly follows the influence of the crowd.
---
After a few more words from Archie, everyone is now ready for the first award. Archie introduces the first presenter who will announce the nominees, and ultimately, the winner of the Best Supporting Actress Award.
The first presenter, some actress, enters the stage and greets the crowd after stepping on the podium.
"The best actress in the supporting role is …" The presenter introduces the meaning of the first award. After a few more words from her, she proceeds to finally announce the nominees. Each nominee she introduces is shown live in the huge screen just beside the stage, side-by-side with their best scenes in their movie. "… Iliene Partros, 'September Ninth'." The presenter concludes the list.
Iliene, looking at herself in the screen looking at the screen, is giving an odd feeling to her.
"Hey, just nod and don't find the camera." Nielg instructs, which saves Iliene from looking awkward.
The screen display is then split six-way among the six nominees.
"And the Academy Award goes to…" The presenter then opens her envelope and reads it for herself.
There was however, a split-second shock on her face and her body language, her 'taken aback' reaction is seen clearly by the attendees nearest the stage. This adds another intense anticipation by the crowd.
"Merriam Brown, 'The Blue Rose'!" The crowd took two or so seconds to process the name of the winner before *APPLAUSE* giving an applause. The applause however is awkward at first before intensifying on a full out applause.
"Congratulations Merriam, please receive your award." The presenter invites Merriam on stage.
"Ah… A shame." Iliene, finally processing the proceedings, applauds for Merriam too despite feeling a bit disappointed.
"Yeah…" Her companions too are feeling the same.
"Thank you. Thank you. I-I can't believe this… Oh… I can't believe this." Merriam meanwhile can barely gather herself as she looks at the gold statue in her hand.
"I first want to thank the Academy for acknowledging my work…" Merriam's tearful speech moves the award show along.
Half an hour later, the Best Supporting Actress, the Best Actress and the Best Supporting Actor Academy Awards are finally given to their recipients. Now, the presenter for the Best Actor has taken the podium, with the customary envelope in his hands. Uranto and his group are now waiting again in anticipation.
"Hello. I am Maury McCray. It's an honor to present this year's Academy Award for the Best Actor in a Leading Role. Here are the nominees. Damian Buchanan in 'Hard Ice'. George Corver in 'Fallen Memory'. Ellis Duncan in 'Mermaids and Sirens'. Jackson Rice in 'My Week with Mary'. Uranto Virenza in 'September Ninth'…" Maury cited the nominees.
"The Academy Award goes to…" Maury pauses as he gracefully opens the envelope and takes a look. The audience sees Maury's face freeze for a moment while suddenly holding his diaphragm as if minorly shocked at what he is looking at.
"Damien Buchanan, 'Hard Ice'. Congratulations!" Maury announced theatrically, yet awkwardly.
The announcement is met with awkward applause from the audience, before quickly evolving into a genuine sounding clamor. Damien is shown in the huge screen standing up dully as if receiving a great shock. He is pulled out from his state by the people beside him and the people from neighboring seats by giving him gestures of congratulations. After the short celebration with his group, he proceeds to walk briskly towards the stage.
"Wow… Just… Wow." Nielg mirthlessly comments as he claps his hands for Damien.
"Sorry, Uranto." Iliene says.
"It's alright. At least I got nominated." Uranto says, hiding his disappointment from the cameras.
"Heh. I won't take it to heart if I were you, Uranto." Jouny chuckles, her oddly non-serious reaction getting the attention of her mates. Jouny, seeing her friends' questioning stares, just shrugs.
"These awards are won with the help of marketing and politics. We didn't market, we didn't do politics. It had nothing to do with your acting ability. A nomination is enough to prove that you deserved that statue." Jouny says.
This hugely consoles Uranto and Iliene.
"Why are we even here?" Nielg chuckles at the situation.
"It's for you guys to get more recognition from Americans. We're here for you guys' publicity." Jouny says, parroting Tayaw's words.
Jouny also asked the same question that Nielg asked to Tayaw a few weeks ago when she found out how Golden Globes and the Academy Awards work. The answer Jouny gave Nielg is the same one that Tayaw gave her.
Uranto, Iliene, and Nielg, with Jouny's explanation are now feeling much lighter and are now more predisposed to enjoy the show more.
"These next few awards, I think really deserve their awards. I think these awards don't really bother politicking at all." Jouny says as she looks at her invitation where the list of awards is written.
The awards that Jouny is referring to are the best adapted screenplay, best animated feature, and the best foreign language film.
"Congratulations again to 'As Long as I Wait' for winning the Best Animated Feature. I will receive this award on behalf of the artists as they cannot make it tonight." The presenter says as he steps off the podium.
"Here it is…" Nielg says to his group as the next award involves them.
"Thiago Ponzo" The award show's announcer announces.
Thiago Ponzo, a Brazilian actor is to present the next award.
"Good Evening. I am Thiago Ponzo, here to present the Academy Award for the Foreign Language Film." Thiago begins in a heavily Portuguese accented English.
"Here are the nominees. 'Signora del Mare', Italy, directed by Eugenio Insigne. 'Sous La Lune', France, directed by Armand Bassot. 'Dirtball Diary', Taiwan, directed by Huang Nianzu. 'September Ninth', Teungeb, directed by Isaac Yawat. 'Schatz', Germany, directed by Timm Egner." Thiago cites.
He then opens his envelope and a genuine smile blooms in his face as he reads it.
"'September Ninth', TEUNGEB! Isaac Yawat!" Thiago announces gladly to the audience.
The audience immediately gives a loud round of applause and cheers to the announcement.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
(Cont'd)
The dome's door soon opens and the janitors enter. As soon as the janitors walk in, groups of people also filter out. Juliana notes the average looking people she assumes as the Teungebian crew. Her interest is piqued once again when a group of Caucasian men, some of them having their vintage costumes soaked or smeared in blood, walk out of the dome with disgusted expressions on their faces. Juliana then sees the actors be flocked by a crowd of people that promptly assists them out of their costumes or helping them wipe the grime.
"Oh that's the boss man!" The PA excitedly points at Tayaw, also exiting the dome.
"Can I disturb him? He looks really busy." Juliana says as she sees that Tayaw is also approached by a few people.
"I think you can. He only comes out when he takes a break." The PA says, dragging Juliana to Tayaw.
A minute later, Tayaw brings Juliana to his office.
"Please, have a sit Juliana." Tayaw gestures Juliana to a comfortable looking chair.
"Huh. It looks better inside. I can't believe we're in a mish mash of cargo... shipping container... whatever it's called." Juliana says as she looks around the well-organized office.
"Hm. This is the best I can do for what I've got, heh. I'm gonna build my own office after this is over." Tayaw says as he sits down too.
"So… What brings you here?" Tayaw asks, not used to a foreign friend visiting his town.
"What? I can't visit a friend?" Juliana says.
Tayaw only stares at Juliana at the answer. Juliana, not being able to withstand the questioning stare, looks away from Tayaw's eyes.
"When I left, you weren't exactly… yourself. How are you doing?" Tayaw asks.
Juliana scoffs.
"I'm fine. Still dealing with it, but I'm feeling better. Your film helped, by the way." Juliana says.
"Mhm." Tayaw brushes aside the comment on his film.
"Well, I'm glad to see you better now." Tayaw sincerely says.
"Thanks. Anyways. I'm gonna play around here for a while. I've been in Teungeb a few times but I've never visited these parts." Juliana says.
Tayaw seeing no signs of deception from Juliana, simply nods.
"That's great. Our tourist spots here are not as visited by foreigners compared to the ones at the south and our beaches, but there sure are some great views up here in the mountains." Tayaw advertises.
"Yeah. I already hired a personal tour guide and interpreter." Juliana says, excitement in her face.
"Wait. Wait a minute. I thought you'd be busy? Weren't you juggling some development projects just last September?" Tayaw asks, remembering Juliana's job.
"Hey. I'm doing fine, but I'm not there 100% yet. I need to get away from New York for a while." Juliana says in honesty.
"Oh, I see. I'm sorry." Tayaw can only apologize at his potential lack of empathy.
"It's fine." Juliana says.
"By the way. Why did it sound like there was war back there?" Juliana asks in interest.
"Oh. That. You know the story when Don Gonzalo his men were once ambushed by the Russian, Jewish, and Italian mobs in Vegas in the late '50s?" Tayaw asks. "Yeah? That's in the movie?! Wait." Juliana asks, excitedly.
"Yeah. It's a lot of fun to shoot, but the most difficult scene to shoot so far. I've even hired some science nuts and fireworks people just to make illusions that show bullets hitting." Tayaw says.
"Hmm. Wait.. Isn't that when my grandpa died?" Juliana says, her interest deepening.
"Yeah. Your grandpa on your father's side. Yes. This is a very important part of the movie. Don Gonzalo does not want Rocco Sabattini to be forgotten." Tayaw explains. This gives Juliana a round of nostalgia and melancholy.
"Okay. Can I watch?" Juliana says.
"Sure. Let's go. They might be done cleaning up now. The actors are also strapped up." Tayaw says in estimation.
"Strapped up for what?" Juliana asks as they start their way back to the warehouse.
"You'll see. Maybe you can even play with them before they go back in storage. You'll experience the illusion of getting shot." Tayaw says.
"I… I can't wait." Juliana says.
While she is apprehensive at the grimy state of the actors earlier, her curiosity drowns her apprehension.
"Hm. You're gonna need a shower after. Speaking of a place to shower, which fancy hotel are you staying?" Tayaw asks.
Juliana can only scoff as she indeed is staying at the best hotel Ouigab can offer.
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
8PM – The Beverly Theater, Los Angeles
The four representatives of September Ninth are now sitting on their assigned seats in the theater.
"Nice meeting you..." Jouny and the group said to the nth person that approached their table to say hi.
"Okay. That guy." Uranto says to Iliene after the person left.
"Yeah. You recognize him?" Iliene asks.
"No. Do you?" Uranto asks.
"Yeah. I've seen him in that movie last year." Iliene.
"Ugh. Okay. What's the score?" Uranto asks.
"7, me. 3, you." Iliene says smugly.
"Damn."
Uranto and Iliene are playing their 'I know that celebrity' game they just came up with earlier in the evening. Unlike Jouny and Nielg whose jobs it is to speak for the group, Uranto and Iliene who cannot speak English are exhausted using their interpreter to talk to people. This resulted to the two of them being more carefree than their two friends.
*VVRRRRRUUUOMMM*
Suddenly, the award attendees are interrupted from their chatter and socializing when a drum roll from a timpani starts blasting. Music starts playing from the orchestra behind the stage which signals the award attendees that the show is about to start.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Archie Lane!" A voice soon follows and reverberates throughout the theater.
A Caucasian man in his 40s, who is apparently Archie walks out from the backstage and after waving to random people, he steps on the podium.
"Welcome everyone to the 67th annual Academy Awards, live from The Beverly Theater. To the viewers at home, you might know me as an actor and a singer. I'm Archie Lane, your host tonight.
"It is an honor to be here in a room full of the biggest and most important names in show business. The people in this room, provide entertainment that we need in our hardest times through the art of film. I guess that deserves an applause?" Archie begins his speech
---
"ughh. Patting themselves in the back." Jouny, through her fake smile, and fake applause, says to Iliene beside her, as she listens to the applause of the award attendees.
"What?" Iliene can only ask in confusion as she blindly follows the influence of the crowd.
---
After a few more words from Archie, everyone is now ready for the first award. Archie introduces the first presenter who will announce the nominees, and ultimately, the winner of the Best Supporting Actress Award.
The first presenter, some actress, enters the stage and greets the crowd after stepping on the podium.
"The best actress in the supporting role is …" The presenter introduces the meaning of the first award. After a few more words from her, she proceeds to finally announce the nominees. Each nominee she introduces is shown live in the huge screen just beside the stage, side-by-side with their best scenes in their movie. "… Iliene Partros, 'September Ninth'." The presenter concludes the list.
Iliene, looking at herself in the screen looking at the screen, is giving an odd feeling to her.
"Hey, just nod and don't find the camera." Nielg instructs, which saves Iliene from looking awkward.
The screen display is then split six-way among the six nominees.
"And the Academy Award goes to…" The presenter then opens her envelope and reads it for herself.
There was however, a split-second shock on her face and her body language, her 'taken aback' reaction is seen clearly by the attendees nearest the stage. This adds another intense anticipation by the crowd.
"Merriam Brown, 'The Blue Rose'!" The crowd took two or so seconds to process the name of the winner before *APPLAUSE* giving an applause. The applause however is awkward at first before intensifying on a full out applause.
"Congratulations Merriam, please receive your award." The presenter invites Merriam on stage.
"Ah… A shame." Iliene, finally processing the proceedings, applauds for Merriam too despite feeling a bit disappointed.
"Yeah…" Her companions too are feeling the same.
"Thank you. Thank you. I-I can't believe this… Oh… I can't believe this." Merriam meanwhile can barely gather herself as she looks at the gold statue in her hand.
"I first want to thank the Academy for acknowledging my work…" Merriam's tearful speech moves the award show along.
Half an hour later, the Best Supporting Actress, the Best Actress and the Best Supporting Actor Academy Awards are finally given to their recipients. Now, the presenter for the Best Actor has taken the podium, with the customary envelope in his hands. Uranto and his group are now waiting again in anticipation.
"Hello. I am Maury McCray. It's an honor to present this year's Academy Award for the Best Actor in a Leading Role. Here are the nominees. Damian Buchanan in 'Hard Ice'. George Corver in 'Fallen Memory'. Ellis Duncan in 'Mermaids and Sirens'. Jackson Rice in 'My Week with Mary'. Uranto Virenza in 'September Ninth'…" Maury cited the nominees.
"The Academy Award goes to…" Maury pauses as he gracefully opens the envelope and takes a look. The audience sees Maury's face freeze for a moment while suddenly holding his diaphragm as if minorly shocked at what he is looking at.
"Damien Buchanan, 'Hard Ice'. Congratulations!" Maury announced theatrically, yet awkwardly.
The announcement is met with awkward applause from the audience, before quickly evolving into a genuine sounding clamor. Damien is shown in the huge screen standing up dully as if receiving a great shock. He is pulled out from his state by the people beside him and the people from neighboring seats by giving him gestures of congratulations. After the short celebration with his group, he proceeds to walk briskly towards the stage.
"Wow… Just… Wow." Nielg mirthlessly comments as he claps his hands for Damien.
"Sorry, Uranto." Iliene says.
"It's alright. At least I got nominated." Uranto says, hiding his disappointment from the cameras.
"Heh. I won't take it to heart if I were you, Uranto." Jouny chuckles, her oddly non-serious reaction getting the attention of her mates. Jouny, seeing her friends' questioning stares, just shrugs.
"These awards are won with the help of marketing and politics. We didn't market, we didn't do politics. It had nothing to do with your acting ability. A nomination is enough to prove that you deserved that statue." Jouny says.
This hugely consoles Uranto and Iliene.
"Why are we even here?" Nielg chuckles at the situation.
"It's for you guys to get more recognition from Americans. We're here for you guys' publicity." Jouny says, parroting Tayaw's words.
Jouny also asked the same question that Nielg asked to Tayaw a few weeks ago when she found out how Golden Globes and the Academy Awards work. The answer Jouny gave Nielg is the same one that Tayaw gave her.
Uranto, Iliene, and Nielg, with Jouny's explanation are now feeling much lighter and are now more predisposed to enjoy the show more.
"These next few awards, I think really deserve their awards. I think these awards don't really bother politicking at all." Jouny says as she looks at her invitation where the list of awards is written.
The awards that Jouny is referring to are the best adapted screenplay, best animated feature, and the best foreign language film.
"Congratulations again to 'As Long as I Wait' for winning the Best Animated Feature. I will receive this award on behalf of the artists as they cannot make it tonight." The presenter says as he steps off the podium.
"Here it is…" Nielg says to his group as the next award involves them.
"Thiago Ponzo" The award show's announcer announces.
Thiago Ponzo, a Brazilian actor is to present the next award.
"Good Evening. I am Thiago Ponzo, here to present the Academy Award for the Foreign Language Film." Thiago begins in a heavily Portuguese accented English.
"Here are the nominees. 'Signora del Mare', Italy, directed by Eugenio Insigne. 'Sous La Lune', France, directed by Armand Bassot. 'Dirtball Diary', Taiwan, directed by Huang Nianzu. 'September Ninth', Teungeb, directed by Isaac Yawat. 'Schatz', Germany, directed by Timm Egner." Thiago cites.
He then opens his envelope and a genuine smile blooms in his face as he reads it.
"'September Ninth', TEUNGEB! Isaac Yawat!" Thiago announces gladly to the audience.
The audience immediately gives a loud round of applause and cheers to the announcement.
Cont'd The dome's door soon opens and the janitors enter. As soon as the janitors walk in, groups of people also filter out. Juliana notes the average looking people she assumes as the Teungebian crew. Her interest is piqued once again when a group of Caucasian men, some of them having their vintage costumes soaked or smeared in blood, walk out of the dome with disgusted expressions on their faces. Juliana then sees the actors be flocked by a crowd of people that promptly assists them out of their costumes or helping them wipe the grime. "Oh that's the boss man!" The PA excitedly points at Tayaw, also exiting the dome. "Can I disturb him? He looks really busy." Juliana says as she sees that Tayaw is also approached by a few people. "I think you can. He only comes out when he takes a break." The PA says, dragging Juliana to Tayaw. A minute later, Tayaw brings Juliana to his office. "Please, have a sit Juliana." Tayaw gestures Juliana to a comfortable looking chair. "Huh. It looks better inside. I can't believe we're in a mish mash of cargo... shipping container... whatever it's called." Juliana says as she looks around the well-organized office. "Hm. This is the best I can do for what I've got, heh. I'm gonna build my own office after this is over." Tayaw says as he sits down too. "So What brings you here?" Tayaw asks, not used to a foreign friend visiting his town. "What? I can't visit a friend?" Juliana says. Tayaw only stares at Juliana at the answer. Juliana, not being able to withstand the questioning stare, looks away from Tayaw's eyes. "When I left, you weren't exactly yourself. How are you doing?" Tayaw asks. Juliana scoffs. "I'm fine. Still dealing with it, but I'm feeling better. Your film helped, by the way." Juliana says. "Mhm." Tayaw brushes aside the comment on his film. "Well, I'm glad to see you better now." Tayaw sincerely says. "Thanks. Anyways. I'm gonna play around here for a while. I've been in Teungeb a few times but I've never visited these parts." Juliana says. Tayaw seeing no signs of deception from Juliana, simply nods. "That's great. Our tourist spots here are not as visited by foreigners compared to the ones at the south and our beaches, but there sure are some great views up here in the mountains." Tayaw advertises. "Yeah. I already hired a personal tour guide and interpreter." Juliana says, excitement in her face. "Wait. Wait a minute. I thought you'd be busy? Weren't you juggling some development projects just last September?" Tayaw asks, remembering Juliana's job. "Hey. I'm doing fine, but I'm not there 100% yet. I need to get away from New York for a while." Juliana says in honesty. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry." Tayaw can only apologize at his potential lack of empathy. "It's fine." Juliana says. "By the way. Why did it sound like there was war back there?" Juliana asks in interest. "Oh. That. You know the story when Don Gonzalo his men were once ambushed by the Russian, Jewish, and Italian mobs in Vegas in the late '50s?" Tayaw asks. "Yeah? That's in the movie?! Wait." Juliana asks, excitedly. "Yeah. It's a lot of fun to shoot, but the most difficult scene to shoot so far. I've even hired some science nuts and fireworks people just to make illusions that show bullets hitting." Tayaw says. "Hmm. Wait.. Isn't that when my grandpa died?" Juliana says, her interest deepening. "Yeah. Your grandpa on your father's side. Yes. This is a very important part of the movie. Don Gonzalo does not want Rocco Sabattini to be forgotten." Tayaw explains. This gives Juliana a round of nostalgia and melancholy. "Okay. Can I watch?" Juliana says. "Sure. Let's go. They might be done cleaning up now. The actors are also strapped up." Tayaw says in estimation. "Strapped up for what?" Juliana asks as they start their way back to the warehouse. "You'll see. Maybe you can even play with them before they go back in storage. You'll experience the illusion of getting shot." Tayaw says. "I I can't wait." Juliana says. While she is apprehensive at the grimy state of the actors earlier, her curiosity drowns her apprehension. "Hm. You're gonna need a shower after. Speaking of a place to shower, which fancy hotel are you staying?" Tayaw asks. Juliana can only scoff as she indeed is staying at the best hotel Ouigab can offer. O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O 8PM The Beverly Theater, Los Angeles The four representatives of September Ninth are now sitting on their assigned seats in the theater. "Nice meeting you..." Jouny and the group said to the nth person that approached their table to say hi. "Okay. That guy." Uranto says to Iliene after the person left. "Yeah. You recognize him?" Iliene asks. "No. Do you?" Uranto asks. "Yeah. I've seen him in that movie last year." Iliene. "Ugh. Okay. What's the score?" Uranto asks. "7, me. 3, you." Iliene says smugly. "Damn." Uranto and Iliene are playing their 'I know that celebrity' game they just came up with earlier in the evening. Unlike Jouny and Nielg whose jobs it is to speak for the group, Uranto and Iliene who cannot speak English are exhausted using their interpreter to talk to people. This resulted to the two of them being more carefree than their two friends. *VVRRRRRUUUOMMM* Suddenly, the award attendees are interrupted from their chatter and socializing when a drum roll from a timpani starts blasting. Music starts playing from the orchestra behind the stage which signals the award attendees that the show is about to start. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Archie Lane!" A voice soon follows and reverberates throughout the theater. A Caucasian man in his 40s, who is apparently Archie walks out from the backstage and after waving to random people, he steps on the podium. "Welcome everyone to the 67th annual Academy Awards, live from The Beverly Theater. To the viewers at home, you might know me as an actor and a singer. I'm Archie Lane, your host tonight. "It is an honor to be here in a room full of the biggest and most important names in show business. The people in this room, provide entertainment that we need in our hardest times through the art of film. I guess that deserves an applause?" Archie begins his speech --- "ughh. Patting themselves in the back." Jouny, through her fake smile, and fake applause, says to Iliene beside her, as she listens to the applause of the award attendees. "What?" Iliene can only ask in confusion as she blindly follows the influence of the crowd. --- After a few more words from Archie, everyone is now ready for the first award. Archie introduces the first presenter who will announce the nominees, and ultimately, the winner of the Best Supporting Actress Award. The first presenter, some actress, enters the stage and greets the crowd after stepping on the podium. "The best actress in the supporting role is " The presenter introduces the meaning of the first award. After a few more words from her, she proceeds to finally announce the nominees. Each nominee she introduces is shown live in the huge screen just beside the stage, side-by-side with their best scenes in their movie. " Iliene Partros, 'September Ninth'." The presenter concludes the list. Iliene, looking at herself in the screen looking at the screen, is giving an odd feeling to her. "Hey, just nod and don't find the camera." Nielg instructs, which saves Iliene from looking awkward. The screen display is then split six-way among the six nominees. "And the Academy Award goes to" The presenter then opens her envelope and reads it for herself. There was however, a split-second shock on her face and her body language, her 'taken aback' reaction is seen clearly by the attendees nearest the stage. This adds another intense anticipation by the crowd. "Merriam Brown, 'The Blue Rose'!" The crowd took two or so seconds to process the name of the winner before *APPLAUSE* giving an applause. The applause however is awkward at first before intensifying on a full out applause. "Congratulations Merriam, please receive your award." The presenter invites Merriam on stage. "Ah A shame." Iliene, finally processing the proceedings, applauds for Merriam too despite feeling a bit disappointed. "Yeah" Her companions too are feeling the same. "Thank you. Thank you. I-I can't believe this Oh I can't believe this." Merriam meanwhile can barely gather herself as she looks at the gold statue in her hand. "I first want to thank the Academy for acknowledging my work" Merriam's tearful speech moves the award show along. Half an hour later, the Best Supporting Actress, the Best Actress and the Best Supporting Actor Academy Awards are finally given to their recipients. Now, the presenter for the Best Actor has taken the podium, with the customary envelope in his hands. Uranto and his group are now waiting again in anticipation. "Hello. I am Maury McCray. It's an honor to present this year's Academy Award for the Best Actor in a Leading Role. Here are the nominees. Damian Buchanan in 'Hard Ice'. George Corver in 'Fallen Memory'. Ellis Duncan in 'Mermaids and Sirens'. Jackson Rice in 'My Week with Mary'. Uranto Virenza in 'September Ninth'" Maury cited the nominees. "The Academy Award goes to" Maury pauses as he gracefully opens the envelope and takes a look. The audience sees Maury's face freeze for a moment while suddenly holding his diaphragm as if minorly shocked at what he is looking at. "Damien Buchanan, 'Hard Ice'. Congratulations!" Maury announced theatrically, yet awkwardly. The announcement is met with awkward applause from the audience, before quickly evolving into a genuine sounding clamor. Damien is shown in the huge screen standing up dully as if receiving a great shock. He is pulled out from his state by the people beside him and the people from neighboring seats by giving him gestures of congratulations. After the short celebration with his group, he proceeds to walk briskly towards the stage. "Wow Just Wow." Nielg mirthlessly comments as he claps his hands for Damien. "Sorry, Uranto." Iliene says. "It's alright. At least I got nominated." Uranto says, hiding his disappointment from the cameras. "Heh. I won't take it to heart if I were you, Uranto." Jouny chuckles, her oddly non-serious reaction getting the attention of her mates. Jouny, seeing her friends' questioning stares, just shrugs. "These awards are won with the help of marketing and politics. We didn't market, we didn't do politics. It had nothing to do with your acting ability. A nomination is enough to prove that you deserved that statue." Jouny says. This hugely consoles Uranto and Iliene. "Why are we even here?" Nielg chuckles at the situation. "It's for you guys to get more recognition from Americans. We're here for you guys' publicity." Jouny says, parroting Tayaw's words. Jouny also asked the same question that Nielg asked to Tayaw a few weeks ago when she found out how Golden Globes and the Academy Awards work. The answer Jouny gave Nielg is the same one that Tayaw gave her. Uranto, Iliene, and Nielg, with Jouny's explanation are now feeling much lighter and are now more predisposed to enjoy the show more. "These next few awards, I think really deserve their awards. I think these awards don't really bother politicking at all." Jouny says as she looks at her invitation where the list of awards is written. The awards that Jouny is referring to are the best adapted screenplay, best animated feature, and the best foreign language film. "Congratulations again to 'As Long as I Wait' for winning the Best Animated Feature. I will receive this award on behalf of the artists as they cannot make it tonight." The presenter says as he steps off the podium. "Here it is" Nielg says to his group as the next award involves them. "Thiago Ponzo" The award show's announcer announces. Thiago Ponzo, a Brazilian actor is to present the next award. "Good Evening. I am Thiago Ponzo, here to present the Academy Award for the Foreign Language Film." Thiago begins in a heavily Portuguese accented English. "Here are the nominees. 'Signora del Mare', Italy, directed by Eugenio Insigne. 'Sous La Lune', France, directed by Armand Bassot. 'Dirtball Diary', Taiwan, directed by Huang Nianzu. 'September Ninth', Teungeb, directed by Isaac Yawat. 'Schatz', Germany, directed by Timm Egner." Thiago cites. He then opens his envelope and a genuine smile blooms in his face as he reads it. "'September Ninth', TEUNGEB! Isaac Yawat!" Thiago announces gladly to the audience. The audience immediately gives a loud round of applause and cheers to the announcement.
