Chapter 124 - Neighbors

June 28, 2012 – Thursday 10 am – Jericho, New York

*Ring**Ring* "Hello Chala. What's up?" Tayaw answered the unexpected call. 

/Tayaw, how's New York?/

"Fine. And boring. What's up there?"

/Nothing. Except for your kids in the band. / Chala chuckled.

"Oh. I've heard. Thanks for being there." Tayaw said.

A day ago, Percussive Corrections reported to Tayaw how they got the crowd going at Northwestern's music festival even without Tayaw. 

/I understand why you don't want to get on TV, but your band needs the exposure. / Chala said.

"Wow. I scared them off that much huh? Hahahaha." Tayaw laughed when he remembered their faces when explained that broadcasting people rarely have pure intentions when it comes to rookies of the industry.

/It shouldn't be as bad as what you told them right? / Chala asked.

"Of course not. It's just that their fear has overridden the benefits of those interviews. Well, I can just promote them in the future when they most need it. Relax, man." Tayaw said.

/*sigh* I said I was going to assist them just this week and for free, but I got more invested in them more than I expected./

Tayaw asked Chala for a favor to help Percussive Corrections as a temporary manager and agent during the music festival. Chala, curious at the behind the scenes of such events, agreed to do it. 

"Anyways. They're going to perform at the closing night, right?" Tayaw asked.

/Yeah. I told them it's best if they take spots in the opening and at the closing nights, for more exposure, but I didn't expect your band to be headhunted by a LOT of these entertainment companies./ Chala said, frustration in his voice.

"That's supposed to be a good thing, yes?" Tayaw probed at Chala.

/Yeah, it is. I was even glad at first, but I almost got yelled at by your drummer. / Chala chuckled.

"Well, what happened?" Tayaw asked despite having already an idea about what happened.

/Well, Ike said something that got me thinking. When I looked closer at the offers of these companies, I understood. They all want to change how your band operates. Seeing as your band is very… close, it breaks my heart to imagine what would happen. / Chala said. Tayaw nodded in approval.

"That was my concern as well. I gave them a little test before I left and I have to say, there will be no concerns about them disbanding anytime soon. They know what they want. How about managing them in the future, huh?" Tayaw proposed in a casual tone. Chala, on the other hand was taken aback. 

/uhhh. No. Even if I want to, not yet at least. I barely know anything about the music industry. I've grown to like the kids too so I don't want to harm them with my inexperience. / Chala shook his head.

"Okay then. Well, I don't think they're ready yet anyway." Tayaw nodded. 

/Mm-hmm. By the way... When are you going to release your sequel to 'The Halfling'?/ Chala changed the subject. 

"I don't know. Maybe by the end of the year, maybe next year. Why? It's still selling well." Tayaw asked.

/I see. How about I go around to start a bidding war for its film license?/ Chala proposed.

"Not yet. I'm still deciding whether I'd make the film myself or whatever. What's the rush, Chala?" Tayaw asked in curiosity. Chala after was never impatient with him.

/Man, I get that you've won awards, but you just made one film. Making this your second film, honestly, I don't feel confident./ Chala said.

"I agree. However, I want to make more films to build up my name as a director and by then, I have enough experience. I don't trust other people to make the book into a film yet." Tayaw argued. 

/Look. You've talked to the head of Topaz, right? His concern is more important than you think./ Chala said.

"How so?" Tayaw got interested.

/How fast can you put out movies? By the time you gain enough experience and prestige to be on equal negotiating power with film studios, how many fantasy novels will be there? 'The Halfling' would not be as in-demand then. PLUS, do you think you'll be the first one to put out a fantasy film then?/ Chala explained. 

"Looks like you thought about this a lot, huh." Tayaw said, while digesting Chala's arguments.

/Yes./ Chala said.

"Well. What if the sequels, can be just as good as 'The Halfling'? I think that an epic and a saga that goes after 'The Halfling' would hike up its demand and value over other fantasy novels." Tayaw argued.

Chala went silent for a moment. 

/While that may be true, I still think we have to sell the film rights for now. Just like how your book was the first of its kind, there's a lot of benefit in being first in anything./ Chala argued.

"No. I don't think there's much benefit. If a film studio would make a fantasy film, that's pure gambling. They would just be riding on the hype of the genre I started. Even if they make a film adaptation of other fantasy novels, the fan bases of those novels would not be enough to match 'The Halfling's fanbase." Tayaw countered.

Chala went silent once again. 

"Look. I get your concern, so I'll think about it. I'll even look for a director who I think can do a good job." Tayaw said.

In addition, he realized one important matter from Chala's proposal. He cannot do everything by himself. On the other hand, he is not sure whether any director in his world has the skills to make 'The Halfling' to the best film it could be. 

He also does not have the resources, infrastructure, and the connections that movie studios have in handling what is obviously going to be one of the biggest film productions in history. 

/Alright. While you think about it, how about giving me something to do? Huh?/ Chala said.

"Well, aren't you busy with the band?" Tayaw asked.

/No. Not anymore. Your band shot down any offers they get or any interview, so I'm just hanging back./ Chala explained.

"Why don't you invite your girlfriend over there? Or is your relationship not that serious?" Tayaw asked.

/I would but she's busy with work so I'm bored out of my mind. I'm also guilty taking millions from you, man. Just tell me to do anything or I'll go f*ckin crazy./ Chala said in desperation.

"Alright. Jeez. Let me think for a moment… Oh! Did you know that Payew is going to be a senior in high school this coming September? He was accepted at Rinowra." Tayaw said.

/Oh? That college prep school? That's a nice school, huh. I didn't know Payew is that smart… What's that has to ---/ Chala suddenly paused.  /You want me to babysit him?/ Chala said in realization, almost dumbfounded at Tayaw's implication.

Just as soon as he spoke however, he realized the gravity of Tayaw's request. He knows that to Tayaw, family is important. And Tayaw entrusting him to take care of Payew says something about Tayaw's trust in him.

"I was not going to call it that but …" Tayaw was about to sugarcoat it.

/No. It's fine! I'll show him the ropes in the city. Did you get him an apartment? He can stay at my house./ Chala ended up loving the idea. 

"Hey. He's going to take my room in Ironstone. He also has a student driver's license now so just get him a car and help him drive around." Tayaw said.

/Wait. He's not a hothead on the road, is he?/ Chala asked, worried, knowing about the stereotype of young and new drivers.

"Don't worry about it. He learned to drive in the zigzags of Nabla. Dad also removed his bad habits. Just help him get used to following traffic signals and signs." Tayaw explained.

/Alright. That's good. Manual or automatic?/ Chala asked.

"Man, manual of course. Ask Payew if he wants a new car or something from dad's workshop." Tayaw said.

/Good. Hopefully, it will get me busy for a while./ Chala said.

After the two chatted about a few more things, Tayaw ended the call.

Half an hour later, *DING* the oven rang. Tayaw opened the oven and pulled out two freshly baked mango pies. One pie for his own consumption, and one for Charlotte and her family. 

After cooling the pies down, Tayaw wrapped one on a glass pie plate and carried it out the house. 

*DING DONG* Tayaw rang the doorbell by gate of Charlotte's house. 

---

"Tayaw! Good morning." Charlotte welcomed Tayaw.

"Good morning Charlotte. Here, thanks for welcoming me the other day." Tayaw said as he passed the pie to Charlotte.

"Oh. Come in, come in! My kids are home, let me introduce you to them." Charlotte dragged Tayaw inside. 

"Welcome to the Duhill household."

The house looks like a typical American suburban home and the interior is made of the conventional American drywall and carpeted hardwood floors. The only difference the Duhill house has from the typical American home is that it is much bigger, better designed, and can only be afforded by a multi-millionaire. 

"Mm. It's homely." Tayaw can only remark. It is the first house he has visited in his current life and it's odd. 

"Oh? Honey, there you are! This is Lee, my youngest." Charlotte called down a boy, who looks to be 12 or 13, peeking from upstairs.

"Hello Lee, I'm Tayaw, your new neighbor." Tayaw introduced himself and reach out for a hand shake.

"Nice to meet you, Tayaw." Lee smiled and shook Tayaw's hand. 

The next moment, Tayaw felt a small shock in his hand and almost clenched his hand hard. Thankfully, it did not hurt as much, he didn't crush the kid's hand, and he kept his smile. Lee on the other hand has surprise smacked on his face at Tayaw's non-reaction to the practical joke. Lee then quickly retrieved his hand and looked at the small toy in his hand. 

Lee then touched the metallic part of the toy and almost shrieked when he was shocked by it.

"What's wrong, honey?" Charlotte asked as she sliced the mango pie.

"Nothing!..." Lee said in panic as he held his left hip, hiding his shock toy.

"Go call your sisters here, please." Charlotte who had not idea at what happened, ordered Lee. Lee took this an opportunity to flee from his embarrassment. 

"Hmm. Lee has quite the mischievous spirit." Tayaw chuckled.

"Oh, dear. I knew it. He did something again huh? …" Charlotte said.

"Well. I just saw it in his eyes. My youngest brother is the same." Tayaw did not sell Lee out. 

…

"Mhmm! THIS! This is a good pie!" 

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Dear Readers,

We've reached the 1,000,000 views mark! Oh, I feel proud. Thank you all.  *hugs* *HUUGS* *mwah...* *MMMWWWAAAHHH* ... **** *****. 

I just wish that my novel can retain more readers, but hey, one can't just have good things happen. 

Anyways. Even though I'll still keep the daily releases, I'm sorry, but the story progression will slow down for a bit.

It isn't without reason though. It's to lay down the logical foundation for Tayaw's mass movie releases in the future of the films he gained and will get from the Giant Roulette. I've also thought about new characters and how I'm gonna use them in the future.  I'm also trying to decide what to do with the 'View Points', but I have great ideas, at least I think. 

In summary, I've got a lot of idea juggling and arrangement to do.

Don't worry though. After I've laid down the foundations and resources for Tayaw, the progression will become a LOT smoother again. 

To wrap this note up ... I wish I'm a bit smarter so I could write faster and I'd mass release right now, for celebration. But for now, I can only thank you all again for reading up to this point, everyone. 

-Intayaw Din Dagem

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