Stage 2-1

**Stage 2-1** is a story stage of Chapter 2: The Meet-Cute Conspiracy.

## Cinematic

*The light of the sunset descends upon a deserted alley, beautiful and quiet.*

*I walked alone there.
I didn't know where the place was, or why I was there,
and I failed to find an exit even after a long walk.
The alley seemed endless.*

*...*

*Somehow, I felt something **strange** as I turned my back,*

*A sharp dagger **stabbing** from behind!
The blade reflected the **golden** light of the sunset!*

*I was about to panic
when a breeze blew the scene away.
In the pure white dream, a ginkgo leaf slowly floated in
and landed on my palm.*

MC wakes up from her dream, noticing a breeze rustling the curtains and her room bathed in morning sunshine. The dream had made MC anxious and she attempts to calm herself down, but to no avail; the strange feeling had persisted, with MC wondering if this was due to having too many dreams recently. MC recalls the funding withdrawal at LFG two days ago - her memory of talking to Victor, as well as her conviction in attempting to change his mind, replays in a flashback, continuing on from the moment where she had recognised him. As MC states her initial claim, she notes that Victor appears to chuckle a bit in regards to her persistence, but he soon follows with the stern statement: *"Listen carefully: I won't save you a second time."* MC attempts to follow him into his office, shouting more reasons for funding, but Victor does not stop for a second. Pushing her way through the crowd, MC is moved forward by her unwillingness to give up - seizing this chance as she may not get another.  All of this, alongside MC's knowledge of LFG's history, background, sales strategy, and even her demonstrated awareness concerning the difficulties of TV monopolisation, ultimately falls on deaf ears; the door of the CEO's office slams shut right in front of her - leaving MC at a total loss of what to do. Goldman then instructs MC to leave, but she weakly refuses - her heart still pounding from moments ago.

Suddenly, as MC begins to manage her rage, Victor re-emerges from his office. MC recollects herself and presents Victor with a proposition for a development plan, handed in after 2 weeks, that he *"would regret passing up"* - he simply says nothing, smiles again, and reduces the time limit to 1 week. MC has finally managed to strike a deal with Victor. In a moment of relaxation, MC loses her grip on the door, slamming it onto her hand in the process. Victor holds back his laughter and opens the door again, sarcastically remarking that *"to stay alive itself is the biggest challenge"* for MC - to which MC retorts against with a defiant *"we'll see!"* as she leaves.

## Script

*Expand for script.*

* I wake up from a dream.
* A breeze rustles the curtain, letting in the morning sunshine. All is quiet and bright.
* **MC**: Phew... It was a dream.
* I patted my chest, trying to calm down. But the strange feelings didn't go away completely.
* **MC**: Ever since that car accident happened, I haven't had that dream from my childhood...
* **MC**: Have I been having too many dreams recently?
* **MC**: These past few days, I've always felt a little uneasy...
* But I mustn't dwell too much on strange dreams. After all, I have a studio to save...
* Thinking of the funding withdrawal made me think about what happened that day at LFG.
* Two days ago. Loveland Financial Group.
* I couldn't help standing up instantly.
* **MC**: ?! You!
* **Goldman**: (In despair) Sir, this is the head of MC Company. She's here about the funding withdrawal.
* I gathered myself, but there wasn't time to overthink it, so I just started explaining.
* **MC**: Actually, the last episode of Miracle Finder got a great response.
* **MC**: I was hoping you might reconsider pulling funding...
* **Victor**: Why should I do that?
* **MC**: Because... We did a fantastic job on that last episode...
* I don't know why, but Victor seemed to chuckle a bit when he heard that.
* **Victor**: Listen carefully: I won't save you a second time.
* Then, Victor kept walking straight toward his office.
* **MC**: Wait! Please give me a second, I'll break down the last show's performance for you.
* **MC**: And we'll make more great shows. Please reconsider the withdrawal!
* To no avail. His steps didn't slow down for even a second.
* If I give up now, everything is over!
* Is there really nothing I can do?
* I took a deep breath and rushed forward through the crowd to Victor.
* No matter how anyone may scoff at me, if I give up now, there will be no chance at all!
* **MC**: Since LFG was founded, it has focused heavily on real estate, finance, and electronics.
* **MC**: But there's been a strategic shift toward culture, notable the acquisition of Coordinate Entertainment.
* **MC**: Now, LFG has shown great caution in investing in the film industry, and most importantly...
* **MC**: TV is monopolized by state-owned companies. It's hard for private ones to get traction.
* **MC**: Our studio is small, but we've had a long-term partnership with Loveland TV.
* **MC**: MC Company has built this up over a decade! If it goes bankrupt, all that is gone forever!
* **MC**: Loveland City is the heart of culture. Investing in us is by far the best choice!
* Slam! The door of the CEO's office slams shut right in my face.
* I stopped and panted, with my mind a total blank.
* How... could this...
* Is that really it?
* **Goldman**: Leave now, please.
* **MC**: No way... If I leave, the investment...
* After all the shouting and running, my heart is still racing.
* I did everything I could, but it didn't do a bit of good.
* All of a sudden, all the grief washed over me.

* Choice 1: Hold Back Anger
* Choice 2: Don't Hold Back

* **MC**: You think you're so great...
* I was so angry that I started to film "Evil Greed: the Indictment of an Unscrupulous CEO" in my mind.
* At about halfway through the rough cut, the door to the CEO's office suddenly opened.
* **??**: Goldman here, move up the meeting with the CEO of B.S.
* **??**: Why are you still here?
* **MC**: I'm still imagining myself eviscerating Victor in film...
* **Victor**: (Exasperated Sigh)
* No sooner had the words come out than I realized I had just said them right to Victor's face.
* **MC**: Sorry! I didn't say anything!

- **MC**: Victor! I will make you regret this!

- Everyone looked at me dumbfounded.

- After letting that out, I felt much more relaxed.

- Well that's that...

- When I was about to leave, the door of the CEO's office opened. I instinctively grew nervous.

- **Victor**: Goldman, here, move up the meeting with the CEO of B.S.

- Victor looked at me, my face all red.

- **Victor**: You'll make me regret this?

- I immediately propped open the door.

- **MC**: Give me 2 weeks, I'll give you a development plan that you would regret passing up.

- Victor looked at me. He said nothing.

- I stared at him boldly, thinking if I showed a bit of fear, he would walk away instantly.

- His lips curved into a smile, like he was savoring the final struggle of his prey.

- **Victor**: One week.

- **MC**: Deal.

- Yes! I finally get one week.

- The thought made me relax, and I subconsciously loosened my hold on the door.

- **MC**: Ah!!!!

- The door slammed my hand! ... Ouch, that hurt...

- Holding back laughter, Victor opened the door.

- **MC**: Oww... thanks. What... what's so funny?

- **Victor**: To stay alive itself is the biggest challenge for you, right?

- What is up with this guy?

- **MC**: You might be all high and mighty, but you shouldn't look down on others like this.

- **MC**: We'll see!

- With a swelling hand, I strode proudly out of LFG.