Chapter 38: Next possible Project and Redemption film

Chapter 38: Next possible Project and Redemption film (Arthur's POV) A week has flown by since George and I started our computing machine experiments. I've been stockpiling cheap film strips, ready to be encoded with binary. It's exciting progress, but that's not the only iron I have in the fire. Between tinkering sessions, I've been hammering out a script for our next film project. Thanks to the Entertainment Shop, I've acquired the story of "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" in full detail. It's a far cry from "The Demonfather," which I could only recreate from my admittedly impressive memory of my favorite film. Now, I have the luxury of a complete blueprint to work from. Of course, this isn't Earth, and a straight adaptation wouldn't fly. I've been tweaking the story to fit our magical, multi-racial world. The three main characters are now a gruff demon bounty hunter, a cunning elven outlaw, and a ruthless dwarven mercenary. The setting? The Empirican Frontier Age - a period in Empirica's history that mirrors the Wild West, complete with lawless towns, rival factions, and the clash between old magic and new technology. It's a massive undertaking, but I'm not worried about the logistics. The box office returns from "The Demonfather" in just the Morningstar Kingdom have been substantial. I can only imagine how the numbers will skyrocket once the global returns start rolling in. As I delve deeper into the script, I realize how perfectly this story will resonate with the people of this world, especially the Empiricans. Their own Frontier Age was rife with outlaws and rival factions, mirroring the Wild West in many ways. There's even a precedent for demon bounty hunters in Empirica's history - outcasts who turned to the profession to survive. It's a narrative that's both familiar and fresh, a perfect blend of the known and the exotic. The human films depicting their frontier age have always been popular here, but this? This will be something else entirely. An hour into my writing session, Lilith bursts into the studio, interrupting my flow. "Boss, those ex-employees are here. They've already created a film." I blink, surprised. I hadn't expected them to actually follow through. "Let them in," I say, curiosity piqued. The group files in, looking nervous. I cut straight to the chase. "Now... Where's the film?" A young man steps forward, holding out a reel of film strips. "This is the film," he says, his voice a mix of pride and apprehension. I raise an eyebrow. "You are?" "I'm Mochi, boss. I'm the one that directed the film." I nod, considering. "Don't call me boss yet," I caution him. "We wouldn't know for sure if I'll be your boss or not later. Your film will decide it." Mochi nods, understanding the stakes. "Understood." I continue, my face serious, "I'm not sure if this is enough to warrant rehiring you all." Their faces fall, disappointment etched in every line. But I'm not finished. "After all," I say, struggling to keep a straight face, "how do I know you won't run off and start a rival studio with these skills of yours?" The look of sheer panic on their faces is almost comical. I can't keep up the charade any longer and break into a grin. "I'm joking, of course. You're hired." The relief that washes over them is immediately replaced by joy. They start to cheer, but I hold up a hand to silence them. "But let me be clear," I say, my tone serious once more. "This is your second chance. There won't be a third. I expect dedication, hard work, and loyalty. Understood?" They nod vigorously, gratitude shining in their eyes. I allow myself a small smile as I watch their eager faces. "Good," I nod, then add, "But understand this - you're not stepping back into your old roles. You'll need to work your way up again." Mochi, eyes glistening with tears of relief, nods vigorously. "We'll do our best, boss! You won't regret this!" "Alright, go on then. Your colleagues are waiting," I say, gesturing towards the door. As they file out, chattering excitedly amongst themselves, I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Their gratitude is palpable, and I know it will translate into loyalty and hard work. It's not just about their skills or the film they made - it's about the dedication they'll bring now that they've been given a second chance. Of course, if they do decide to leave again... well, let's just say the best revenge is success. And I intend to be very, very successful. Shaking off these thoughts, I head back to the room where George and I have been working on our computing machine. We've made significant progress - our optical reader for the film strips is functioning, and we're in the process of developing the functions and sequence patterns that will form the core of our prototype computer. It's an unconventional approach, using film strips for input instead of punch cards or magnetic tape. But that's what makes it exciting. And our output method? We're bypassing traditional printers in favor of projectors.