Chapter 22: Twenty-two - Potential money maker
"You're Marvel's boss?" Stacey rubbed her head, feeling tired all of a sudden. She needed to sit down. The events of today were starting to get to her and it was all becoming a bit too much to handle. Brain overload was imminent and on the point of shut down.
"That's right. My name is Thieren Huo. I'm the owner of the Stanza Entertainment Agency and DND - the producer of this program. I also happen to be the largest stakeholder in this program. My aim is to support the younger generations and give them a platform to showcase themselves so that they can discover where their talents lie, as well as find work that is suitable for them. This way, even people who don't end up as winners by the end of the show will have a portfolio that potential employers or clients can look through to find the sort of person they want for their job. All these hours of footage we're taking of every trainee taking part in the program will be taken apart and edited in a way that will showcase their best. People can also then go online and find more videos specific to the person they like when they see the weekly mainstream episodes. Think of it as trainee specific video logs. Fans like to get to know more about the people they're supporting. All the view and clicks generates extra income."
"Great idea. Sounds like a lot of work. Very ambitious," Stacey held up a thumb, but kept her eyes on the ground, shifting nervously. "Kudos to you. I wish you great success."
"And I to you," Mr Huo said, checking his watch and looking at the red sunset. "We should go back. It's almost dinner time. You'll have to do your literacy test during your free time after dinner. There were originally going to some evening activities but we decided to let you all mingle and get to know each other instead. Everyone looks tired. It's a welcome barbecue dinner tonight. Unfortunately, after you've eaten, you're going to need to do the test, so your tutors know where to start with you tomorrow. You might not have much time to mingle. I'll try to give you some time to make friends though. Making friends is important."
"Why would you bother to make the effort for someone like me?" Stacey asked, looking at the setting sun and thinking of home. "I'm not really good at anything."
"My staff would beg to differ," Mr Huo chuckled. "Besides, I can see a lot of potential in you."
"A potential money maker?" Stacey joked with a snort, shooting a quick peek up at the man.
"Yes. I suppose you could say that," Mr Huo said with a smile in his voice, taking her elbow to help her steady her tired and slightly wobbly footsteps, "but more than that, I'm quite interested in you as a person. You've only spent a day with us but my staff are already adamant that we need you to increase viewership ratings."
Why they would think that, Stacey still didn't know and didn't understand. In any case, this big boss seemed to be reliable for the moment. Maybe she could count on him to help her deal with the main issue of being chased away. With him around, she wouldn't have to worry about where she would sleep or eat tonight.
Stacey felt Mr Huo put an arm around her and she leaned into him, deciding to trust him for the moment. She was too tired to think much more, right now. It had been a big day full of so many new things. So much emotion. Being this tired made her more emotional. Gratefulness for his kindness and patience welled up in her and made her eyes moist. Stacey had decided. She would do the best she could for him in this program.
"Landen is already champing at the bit to find out if you have any interest in signing up and letting him be your manager when the program is over. Tonton reckons you're his new muse. Mindy has written so many possible scripts for the directions we can nudge the footage we've taken of you and hopefully get sufficient public votes for you to make it all the way to at least the finals of the program - if you put in the hard work. Telea wants to take you under her wing and Hugh is so excited to teach, he's churning out lesson plans like there's no tomorrow. You don't have to worry about Marvel. I'm sorry if he scared you. He's just feeling a bit paranoid. After our little chat, I'm pretty sure you're not a spy. Honestly, I'd be a bit worried if we didn't have some spies amongst the trainees who had been sent by our competitors to see if they can make any trouble for us and make our program flop. It would mean that they weren't taking us seriously. We've already been going strong for fourteen years and this program is one of the staple family variety shows that broadcasts every Thursday evening. I changed things up this year by trying to find and bring in more children who were lost during the aftermath of the civil war back into society but as you can see, that didn't work out so well. You are going to be a trailblazer."
"I see," Stacey said, "but I don't."
"Come on," Mr Huo held out his hand in front of her as if wanting to give her a handshake. "Work with me? Eat some barbecue with me?"
Stacvey wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and then wiped her sweaty hand on her shirt. She accepted his handshake, giving back the same amount of pressure he squeezed her hand with. He smiled and patted her head.
"Come on. I can hear your stomach growling. Let's go find something good to put in it."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Tonukurio
Tonukurio If I were Stacey, I'd be falling asleep on my feet. Then again, maybe not. Adrenaline and anxiety when so many things are happening at one time are pretty powerful. Food is also quite the motivator. I'm not sure I'd start trusting Mr Huo so quickly, but sometimes when you're desperate and don't have much choice, you trust whoever holds their hand out to you.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone