Chapter 17: *The Buried Premiere*

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Our plane is about to take off. The estimated flight time is 4 hours and 52 minutes.”

Hearing the sound of the plane taking off, Link leaned back in his seat and let out a sigh of relief. He had finally left New York safely, without getting blocked on the road by that group of Black people.

Back in Los Angeles, Link had no time to rest.

He met with Jerome Preston and William Mason, the manager of United Theaters, as well as his newly hired lawyer, Sean Tang. At the AMC Theater in The Grove shopping center, he signed three contracts.

Two of them were film distribution agreements outlining the terms for release dates, showtimes, and promotional efforts.

The contract with William Mason also included terms regarding the use of a $30,000 security deposit.

According to the agreement, if The Buried failed to meet the minimum guaranteed box office threshold for an arthouse film—an average of $5,000 per theater per day—within the first seven days, Link would have to use the deposit to compensate the theater for its losses.

If the earnings exceeded the minimum threshold, the deposit would be refunded after the film's run, along with a share of the box office revenue.

Link also signed a partnership agreement with a film advertising studio introduced by Jerome Preston to design and produce movie posters.

In addition, he personally went to The Los Angeles Times marketing department and spent $5,000 to purchase a small ad space in the entertainment section to announce the release of The Buried.  

On top of that, he had to handle making copies of the film, assigning people to put up posters, and managing box office statistics himself.

For three days after returning from New York, Link ran around tirelessly. Not only did he spend every last dollar he had, but he also drained all his energy, losing more than five pounds in the process.

But it was all worth it.

After days of hard work, The Buried was finally set to premiere the next day, screening in 10 theaters under United Theaters in Burbank and in two theaters at The Grove shopping center.

Once The Buried hit theaters, huh, that would be the moment of truth.

---

*"Yaaawn—"*

Around 9 PM, Link stretched and yawned as he limped up to the fourth floor, completely exhausted.

All he wanted was to collapse onto his apartment bed and wake up refreshed, ready for The Buried's big premiere the next day.

But when he reached his apartment door, he suddenly noticed an eviction notice stuck to it. A thick iron chain had been locked around the door handle.

Link froze for a moment. A few days ago, the building manager had reminded him to pay rent by the 15th, but he had been so busy that he completely forgot.

He smacked his forehead, then turned around and went back down to the first floor. He knocked on the small window of the dormitory management office and apologized to the manager, Lucy, explaining that he had been too busy and promised to pay the overdue rent by tomorrow.

“Tomorrow? Don't try to fool me. If you don’t have money today, how will you have it tomorrow?”

“I really do have money, just not in cash. It’s all in my bank account. Look, here’s my Citibank card.”

“Hah! Who doesn’t have a few bank cards? If your balance is more than $10, I’ll eat this card right now.”

“Lucy, I’m not lying. This isn’t just a regular debit card—it’s a credit card with a $5,000 loan limit. I swear, before noon tomorrow, I’ll pay off all the rent I owe. I won’t put you in a tough spot.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely! Oh, by the way, Lucy, what do you like for breakfast? I’ll bring you something tomorrow.”

“Get lost! Don’t try that trick on me—I’m not some naïve little girl.”

Lucy slammed her thick palm onto the window counter, then moved her hand away to reveal a key.

“If you don’t pay your rent by noon tomorrow, I’m throwing you and your junk furniture out on the street.”

*Clank!* Lucy shut the window with a loud snap.

“Hey, Lucy! Thanks!”

Link chuckled as he held the key to the lock on his door. When he turned around, he saw Monica Bellucci walking past him, carrying her bag.

“Hey, Monica. Just getting back?”

“Hey.”

Monica Bellucci glanced at him, nodded, and walked past in her mid-heeled shoes, leaving only a cold and distant presence behind.

Link smirked slightly. A few days ago, some people in the building had mentioned that a beautiful but aloof woman had moved in. That must be her.

“Monica, did you finish your scenes for Bram Stoker's Dracula?”

“Yes, I only had two scenes in that movie.”

Monica replied as she walked ahead.

“Are you auditioning for new roles?”

“Yes.”

“Any luck?”

“No.”

“That’s a shame. If my next movie were ready, I’d give you a role.”

“Your movie?”

For the first time, Monica slowed her pace and glanced back at him.

“I’m Link. I’m a director.”

“Nice to meet you, Director Link.”

Monica replied indifferently before walking upstairs, her curvy figure swaying as she ascended.

Link watched her leave, the corners of his mouth curling into a grin.

Back in his small fourth-floor apartment, Link collapsed onto his bed. He had planned to rest for a bit, take a shower, and cook a late-night snack.

But he was too exhausted. The moment he hit the mattress, he fell asleep.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window. Link woke up, went straight to Citibank, and withdrew $5,000 from the counter. Lucy was right—his account balance wasn’t even $10. But with his credit card, he had a $5,000 loan available.

By mid-morning, he had paid off his rent. Then, with Chris Bauer, he headed to The Grove shopping center. Today, The Buried was officially hitting theaters.

---

“Whoa, so many people! Link, did you hire them to support the movie?”

As they arrived at the bustling Grove shopping center, they saw a long red carpet stretching across the entrance. On either side, crowds of people had gathered, including fifty or so reporters carrying cameras and microphones.

In the center of the red carpet, several elegantly dressed individuals strolled forward slowly, stopping in front of a massive movie poster to sign autographs and take pictures.

These people are all movie stars, including Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins, renowned actress Cybill Shepherd, A-list actress Diane Lane, acclaimed actor and director Richard Attenborough, and famous actress Julianne Moore, among others.

"Didn't Chaplin pass away? Why is there a poster of him here?"

Chris Bauer also noticed the massive movie poster. It depicted a man wearing a bowler hat, standing at the entrance with a small cane, his right hand on his hip, striking the classic comedic pose of Charlie Chaplin.

At the top of the poster, the title read Chaplin, directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Kline, and Geraldine Chaplin.

"Downey! Downey!"

"Downey, look over here!"

Suddenly, the crowd on both sides of the red carpet erupted in excited shouts. The famous movie star Robert Downey Jr. had just made his dazzling entrance.

At 28 years old, he was much younger than in the Iron Man series, with a clean-shaven face.

He was dressed in a well-tailored Armani suit, wearing Chaplin's signature black bowler hat, and holding a cane in his right hand as he strode confidently onto the red carpet.

Behind him followed three stunning young actresses: leading lady Moira Kelly, supporting actress Marisa Tomei, and Mila Jovovich, who would later become the star of the Resident Evil franchise.

As Robert Downey Jr. walked, he waved to his fans and occasionally struck classic Chaplin poses, drawing waves of enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

Robert Downey Jr. was a well-known Jewish actor who had been in the industry since childhood. His father, Robert Downey Sr., was a famous director and actor.

With his father's support, Downey Jr. had made his debut at the age of five. By 28, he had already appeared in 27 films, starring in hit movies such as The Pick-up Artist, Mr. Mom, Less Than Zero, and Soapdish, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s hottest young stars.

At the same time, he was also infamous as one of Hollywood’s biggest playboys and a known substance abuser. Ever since he rose to fame in his twenties, tabloids had frequently covered his scandals, making him a highly controversial figure.

Last year, Karlock Pictures invested $15 million to adapt a biopic about the legendary comedy master Charlie Chaplin, aiming for an Oscar. Robert Downey Jr. beat out numerous competitors to land the lead role.

The film's director, Richard Attenborough, had previously won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1982 for Gandhi and received the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 1983.

The film also featured The Silence of the Lambs lead actor and Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins as the second male lead.

It was a powerhouse collaboration with a stellar lineup.

The media had already labeled this film as one of the most anticipated art-house films of the year.

"Link, what were you thinking, choosing to release Buried Alive on the same day as Chaplin? Were you worried that the movie wasn’t obscure enough and wanted to make it even worse?"

Chris Bauer gestured toward the lively red carpet event, looking utterly speechless.

As for Chris Bauer’s question, Link had no answer.

When he was working to get Buried Alive released, he had only been focused on ensuring it made it to theaters—he hadn't even considered the release date.

Besides, as a complete nobody with no money, no connections, and no publicity, he had no right to choose an ideal release date.

As the old saying goes, "A poor man cannot be choosy about his wife, and a cold man cannot be picky about his clothes." Without money, there was no point in worrying about auspicious dates.

"Don't ask so many questions, just watch."

"We’re just standing here watching? When will they be done?"

Link didn't respond. He simply stood by the red carpet and observed for a while.

Just as he was about to enter the shopping center, a theater staff member approached him and informed him that Jerome Preston, the theater manager, had arranged a premiere event for Buried Alive as well.

"Where?"

"Over there!"

The staff member pointed to a small poster next to the massive Chaplin movie poster.

The Chaplin poster was over eight meters long and about four meters wide. In contrast, the Buried Alive movie poster was approximately 1.2 meters long and 80 centimeters wide.

If this small poster had been placed on the wall of an apartment, it might have looked reasonably sized. But standing next to an eight-meter poster, it resembled a tiny gray mouse trailing behind an elephant, appearing almost laughably insignificant.

"Mr. Preston said that Buried Alive has no celebrity guests, no press interviews, and no large fan gatherings, which is detrimental to its box office prospects. He suggested using the buzz from Chaplin’s red carpet event to gain some exposure and possibly attract media attention."

The staff member paused before adding, "Mr. Preston also said that whether or not you walk the red carpet is entirely up to you."

With that, the staff member left, leaving behind a hesitant Link and a dumbfounded Chris Bauer.

"We’re walking the red carpet too?"

"Do you want to?"

"Of course, I do! It's the red carpet! But this isn’t how I imagined it, and it definitely isn't the right time. I’m totally unprepared!"

"You don’t need to prepare anything. Just walk forward confidently with me. No matter how people look at you, just picture yourself as Schwarzenegger or Stallone, and you won’t feel nervous."

"You’re really going to walk the red carpet? Are you serious?"

At that moment, the outdoor premiere event for Chaplin had just concluded. The actors had all entered the shopping center’s theater, and the journalists and audience members were beginning to disperse when suddenly, the event host picked up the microphone and announced:

"And now, let’s give a warm welcome to the cast of Buried Alive!"

"What?"

"There’s another movie premiere here?"

*"Why didn't I receive any messages or get a red envelope?"*

Dozens of journalists paused in confusion and turned their heads toward the entrance of the red carpet.

Two young men stepped onto the red carpet. Leading the way was a tall, handsome man dressed in a blue button-up shirt and casual trousers. His outfit was simple, but he looked clean and well-put-together. There was a gentle and refined aura about him that left a lasting impression.

Behind him followed a short, stocky young man with thick eyebrows and a flat nose. He seemed to have taken the wrong path—after walking seven or eight steps, his face turned bright red, and he quickly retreated back into the crowd.

Link strode confidently to the center of the red carpet and waved at the media and spectators outside. No one cheered, and no cameras flashed, yet he remained composed, his face carrying the same warm and genuine smile.

A photographer couldn't resist and raised his camera, capturing the moment.

On the red carpet, Link noticed someone taking pictures. He instinctively stopped in place, turned to face the journalist, and gave a friendly smile.

*"Sir, could you introduce yourself?"*

The red carpet host handed him a microphone and asked.

*"Thank you! My name is Link. I'm a director and actor. Today marks the release of my film, which I wrote, directed, and starred in. It took six months to complete. After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, it received high praise and has been regarded as a top-tier independent film, comparable to Reservoir Dogs. This movie showcases the resilience of the human spirit, the struggle for survival, and an unyielding will. At the same time, it offers a truly unique cinematic experience. Trust me—after watching this film, you'll see things in a new light. Thank you!"*

Link returned the microphone to the host and walked over to a smaller poster beside the Chaplin poster. He took out a pen and signed his name in on the Buried Alive poster—!

*Click! Click!*

Four or five more journalists couldn't hold back and pressed their camera shutters.

Hearing more cameras snapping, Link turned slightly to the side, standing in front of the poster, and pointed at the Buried Alive movie poster.

The design was similar to Chaplin’s, featuring a black background.

At the top, the film's title, Buried Alive, was displayed in English.

Below the title was a large expanse of darkness, covering nearly half of the poster. Further down, a dimly lit wooden coffin was shown, revealing Link’s face and upper body.

A tagline on the poster read:

*"The coolest movie in the world—watch how a buried man fights to survive against all odds!"*

Besides this poster, more than a dozen variations of different sizes were displayed at the mall entrance and on the streets. Some carried slogans like:

*"The loneliest movie in the world."*

*"A must-watch for those who understand solitude."*

*"The most unconventional film ever—featuring only one actor."*

Due to limited time and budget, Link had personally designed these posters.

Unfortunately, the Chaplin poster beside it was larger and more eye-catching, making the Buried Alive poster appear almost insignificant in comparison.

*"That concludes the Buried Alive premiere. Thank you all for attending!"*

The host announced.

*"Huh? That’s it?"*

*"Only one person showed up for the entire production team?"*

*"Even the world’s loneliest movie shouldn’t be this lonely!"*

*"Interesting! In my ten-plus years in this industry, this is by far the most bizarre premiere I've ever attended."*

The journalists exchanged glances, some staring at the Buried Alive poster, debating whether to check out this film that was said to rival Reservoir Dogs and Chaplin.

*(End of Chapter)*