47-48

*Chapter 47: Good News *

"My dad..."

"Yeah, my dad isn't quite used to this yet."

Las Vegas, hotel cinema.

A scattered audience sat in small groups, watching the pilot episode of a new TV series on the screen. These viewers, tourists from across the U.S. and even the world, had taken the time to participate in the network's survey for new shows. Their feedback would help determine the fate of this year’s TV projects.

"It's been five years, and he still can’t fully accept it. Every time he needs to come into the room with me and Little Cam, he yells first to avoid catching us kissing."

"I wish my mom had that habit too. Remember?"

"We'll talk about it later."

When the show reached a scene where a same-sex couple vented about their father's behavior, a few audience members frowned and turned the small dials in their hands to the right, signaling their dislike for that part of the storyline. However, most chose to turn their dials to the left.

In recent years, the voices of LGBTQ+ groups had grown louder, and many people didn’t want to be labeled as discriminatory.

Sitting in the far corner of the theater, an ABC researcher monitored the audience’s reactions on a graph displayed on his laptop. When the line fluctuated during that scene, he marked it down.

*Ding-dong!*

"Oh God."

"OK, I'll go get Lily ready. Be honest with them."

"Fine."

"Be good. You can do this. Now, how about a good ol' chest bump?"

In the series, Mitchell was feeling anxious about an upcoming family visit. He and Cam had recently adopted an eight-month-old baby girl from Vietnam named Lily. Mitchell hadn’t yet informed his family about the adoption. Cam, knowing Mitchell’s tendency to avoid confrontation, took the initiative to invite the family over for dinner to announce the adoption and help Mitchell face reality.

*"Whew~"*

"Hi!"

When Mitchell opened the door to greet his family, many audience members in the theater looked surprised. It turned out that the family members arriving at Mitchell’s home were from the other two families introduced earlier in the storyline. The audience, who had assumed these families were unrelated, were amazed by the clever connection.

This reaction was faithfully captured on the ABC researcher’s laptop, where the graph showed a sharp upward spike. A slight smile broke across his face as he noted the data.

---

*Mid-May.*

After a long wait, Allen finally received news about Modern Family from Ron Meyer.

"It’s basically confirmed."

Although ABC hadn’t yet made a formal public announcement about ordering a full season of Modern Family, Universal had already received word from the network.

"Modern Family performed well in the Las Vegas pilot survey. Just a few minor edits to remove less popular scenes, and it’ll be ready for its premiere."

"It’s finally over..."

On the set of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Allen let out a long sigh of relief after hanging up the call with Ron Meyer.

The heavy weight pressing on his chest was finally lifted. While he had been confident about Modern Family being picked up, the lengthy production process had been nerve-wracking.

It was hard to believe that it had taken over half a year from submitting the script to Universal to ABC confirming the series’ production. For TV audiences, such meticulous processes are beneficial, but for behind-the-scenes creators like Allen, it was an agonizingly long wait.

During this period, Allen had been juggling work on Modern Family and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. The back-to-back filming schedules were so consuming that he often forgot he had a life outside his Hollywood persona as a screenwriter.

"Next week, ABC will announce its lineup for the year, and the network has extended an invitation for Modern Family’s team. As the show’s writer, you’re also on the guest list," Ron Meyer told him.

"Next week, huh?" Allen wasn’t particularly surprised.

The network’s annual announcement ceremony was a tradition. Every year, competing production teams were flown to New York, where the network unveiled its selected shows for the season and announced which ones were being canceled.

The event was like a thrilling roller coaster ride. The chosen shows celebrated in a whirlwind of excitement, while the canceled ones quietly disbanded, with cast and crew heading off to find new opportunities—a situation Allen was all too familiar with from his early days.

Of course, the network wasn’t hosting the ceremony just to break the news to the production teams. The main goal was to promote the new lineup to advertisers and sell ad slots for the selected shows.

"I’ll be there on time," Allen assured Ron Meyer.

Turning his head, he glanced at James Wan, who was busy filming nearby. A veteran of horror films, James Wan had a knack for crafting suspenseful scenes. Even the most mundane shots seemed to carry an eerie, unexpected visual impact under his direction. During the production of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Allen had learned a lot about refining such elements.

Though he carried the title of director for The Blair Witch Project, Allen knew he wasn’t even a novice when it came to cinematography. The film’s success had little to do with the camerawork and relied entirely on the brilliance of its marketing.

Even now, most critics regarded him as the worst director of all time. But Allen didn’t care much about their opinions.

For him, Hollywood was just a means to an end. No matter how harsh the criticism, the profits from The Blair Witch Project alone far exceeded the earnings of many so-called "excellent" directors.

In fact, after the success of The Blair Witch Project, Allen was already considering adapting other similar projects into films.

After all, critics would complain once or complain twice—it made no difference. As long as the films made money, Hollywood studios wouldn’t bother listening to critics’ opinions.

For now, however, his new film projects could wait.

Since The Blair Witch Project had just concluded its theatrical run, audiences would likely need some time before embracing another film of the same genre. The poor box office performance of copycat “found footage” films released by smaller studios confirmed this.

At the moment, Allen’s priority was to attend ABC’s announcement ceremony in New York next week.

At the same time, he planned to debut the new script he had been working on over the past few months.

After such a long wait, it was finally time to bring a new story to life.

---

(End of Chapter) 

*Chapter 48: Creation *

“Hi, Allen, long time no see.”

New York, at the TV network ceremony.

Sofía Vergara, who plays Gloria Pritchett in the TV series, gave Allen a warm hug, fully showcasing the legendary hospitality of Latin Americans.

“You look like you’ve gotten a lot stronger, Allen,” she said.

Without hesitation, she touched Allen’s arm, feeling the solid muscle beneath his shirt. A look of surprise crossed Sofía’s face.

“I’ve been working hard on my fitness lately,” Allen replied with a smile.

Since unlocking the knowledge of the Witcher’s Physical Training Method from the system’s backend, he had been consciously following the Wolf School's training techniques.

After months of effort, the results were impressive.

At this point, he could easily take on three of his old selves.

“That’s great. Strong men are always popular with women,” Sofía remarked casually.

She then turned her attention to Julie Bowen, who played Claire Dunphy in the same show. With a bright smile, she moved toward Julie.

“Hey, Julie, long time no see! You look even more beautiful!”

Well, it seemed enthusiasm was simply in Latin blood.

Watching Sofía’s retreating figure, Allen shrugged.

“There you are, Allen.”

He turned to see Ron Meyer smiling at him.

“Perfect timing. The presidents of ABC and several other major networks are attending this year’s ceremony. Perhaps I can introduce you to them.”

“Of course,” Allen responded with a nod, readily agreeing.

While the glitz and glamor of Hollywood’s social scene didn’t hold the same allure for him anymore, he saw no reason to pass up an opportunity to expand his network.

---

“ABC has expanded its schedule for next season to six nights, from Sunday through Friday,” announced Mark, the current president of ABC Television Network, during the ceremony. “We are proud of these outstanding series returning this fall.”

Among the renewed shows were hits like Lost and Desperate Housewives, as well as the new addition Modern Family.

“With these ten series selected for the next season, we’ve crafted an incredible lineup for the fall schedule. I’m especially pleased to continue working with these talented creators, actors, and producers. The enthusiasm from our fans has been tremendous.”

The news that Modern Family had been picked up by ABC left the cast and crew visibly ecstatic.

For them, it meant at least one season of job security.

Allen, on the other hand, seemed rather calm.

After all, he had learned about the network’s decision a week earlier from Ron Meyer.

His trip to New York was mainly a formality—an opportunity to attend the ceremony while concealing his real purpose for being there.

---

Late at night, after the celebratory party ended, Allen returned to the hotel ABC had arranged for the cast and crew.

For successful renewals or pickups, the network provided excellent hospitality, including a venue for the party and hotel accommodations.

Of course, all this was contingent on success.

As for unsuccessful crews, many had already anticipated their fate based on hints from the network. Those who attended the ceremony were mostly taking a last shot at pitching their shows to other networks. Once they confirmed there were no further opportunities, they naturally left this place of disappointment.

Celebrations weren’t in the cards for them.

Inside his hotel room, Allen sipped a glass of water, his previously dazed expression gradually clearing.

He realized that with the Witcher’s Physical Training Method, his physical condition had significantly improved. Despite drinking a fair amount of alcohol at the party, just ten minutes of rest had restored his sobriety.

“That’s good. At least it prevents any unnecessary trouble,” he muttered, settling into a chair and organizing his thoughts.

His gaze lifted slightly, landing on the fragmented data panel.

---

*Script 4: "The Joker’s Mask"*

*Plot Summary:* Arthur, a young man, lives with his ailing mother and works as a clown performer at a bar in New York. Struggling financially due to his mother’s illness and facing rejection in his career, Arthur’s comedic performances are met with ridicule more often than applause.

One day, after another rough gig, Arthur encounters a wandering merchant on the street. By a twist of fate, he acquires a red clown mask from the merchant.

The moment he dons the mask, a surge of joy fills his heart...

---

Having completed the new script, Allen meticulously reviewed the details.

He then smoothly pulled out the “materials” he had prepared.

“This time, there shouldn’t be any issues, right?” he muttered, glancing at the system’s data panel.

*[Material 1]: Clown Mask – 5000 [Plot Points]*

*[Material 2]: Cloak – 8000 [Plot Points]*

*[Material 3]: Suitcase – 2000 [Plot Points]*

*"Select Evolution Location 1: New York!"*

*"Select Evolution Location 2: Bar!"*

Ding!  

“Locations confirmed. Evolving this script will require 20,000 Plot Points. Proceed with evolution?”

Thanks to holding 50,000 Plot Points, Allen found the cost of 20,000 surprisingly manageable.

Shaking off his momentary complacency, Allen focused on the system panel and made his decision.

*[Confirm]*

As his intent flowed, 20,000 Plot Points vanished from the system’s balance.

Meanwhile, in the backstage area of a bar in New York…

A lone figure appeared in a corner, leaning against the wall. Listening to the laughter from the audience, the gaunt man’s face showed a hint of longing.

“Arthur, you’re up!”

The bar owner, pleased with the current act, glanced at the scrawny man in the shadows with a trace of disdain but called out nonetheless.

“I’m ready,” Arthur replied, straightening up.

“You can do this, Arthur. It’s just making people laugh—nothing difficult,” he whispered to himself, taking a deep breath before stepping onto the stage.

(End of Chapter)