Chapter 184 - Wrapping Up

(Cont'd)

Tayaw takes a deep breath and starts arching his body in weird angles. *Crack* *Crack* *CRAACCKK* Him cracking each joint he can, has become his usual ritual to prepare for a long time of sitting around in front of the computer for a few hours.. 

Despite his two huge recent enhancements, he did not rest easy after he finished 'Gold, Blood, and The Deer – Part 2', and he immediately started editing, composing, and sound designing the 'GBTD – Part 3'.

He found the editing process a very immersive and meditative task. He also uses his editing process as a way to escape the boring and slowed – down world his enhanced senses make him perceive. He can fast forward the footages to speeds he is comfortable with, he can play and record the background music as fast as he can and only slow it down after he's done, and it is a great way for him to pass his time. Like all film edits, however, the editing of 'GBTD – Part 3' is also about to come to an end. 

Aside from the last scene, the third film is almost finished with only a few recuts and re-edits needed.

"Let's begin."

[[[The final scene begins with a wide-angle shot of Giovanni playing with his two grandsons and their dog on a huge grassy expanse under a fair weather. The music playing however, while matching the happy scene, is quite odd.

While the music is happy, it also has a dark undertone to it.

The frame switches cut to a wide shot showing Giovanny throwing a frisbee to the distance. While the sound of Giovanni's cackles reverberated, the cut switches to a panning shot of a black and white still image of the Italian Mob bosses of Nevada kneeling in front of Giovanni and Nico.

The frame switches back again to the colorful grassland, a tracking shot following Giovanni's dog catching the Frisbee.

The frame cuts to a panning shot of another black and white photo of Nico, with an open briefcase filled with cash in his arms, holding it towards the down-trodden looking Jewish Mafia bosses of Nevada.

The frame cuts back to the grassland, with a tracking shot of one of Giovanni's grandsons taking the frisbee from the dog's mouth.

The frame cuts to another panning shot of series of black and white photos of Cervo members breaking signboards of various Italian, Russian, and Jewish businesses, replacing them with new signs.

The frame switches back to color, a tracking shot of the other grandson giggling while chasing his brother to take the frisbee.

The frame cuts to another panning shot of a series of black and white photos of the Russian Mob bosses and their family, stuffing huge bags and luggage to their cars to flee Las Vegas.

The frame switches back to color, a full body shot of the grandson passing the frisbee back to the dog. The dog then rushes the frisbee back to Giovanni's hands.

The frame cuts to a mid-shot of Giovanni raising the frisbee to his face.

"*Huff* *Huff* I got it first! I won, right grandpa?" The older grandson approaches Giovanni, out of breath, the bright sunlight hitting his sweaty and adorable face.

The frame switches to a first person perspective low angle mid shot of Giovanni's face and torso, with the sun behind him, implying the shot as the first person view of the grandson.

Giovanni looks at the grandson and says "No. You let go, kid. Don't let go next time."]]] 

"Ssss…." Tayaw takes a deep breath.

"It's not as.... compelling as the two other ones." Tayaw mumbles.

The third installment of 'GBD Part 3' has no twists like Antonio's betrayal in the first film and the ambush in the second film. He finds it hard to see anything wrong with the third film however.

"More of Giovanni building his legacy and family… and closure of the story." Tayaw says with a contented smile before quickly burning the film in a Digital Cinema Package. 

A few minutes later, the 'GBTD Part 3' is finally done, ready to be played with a projector.

"Zzzzzmmmm." Tayaw also feels another boost of enhancement, signifying that the -white void- recognizes the Part 3 too, as good enough film for it.

"Thank you." Tayaw says, and sighs in relief. 

~~~ 12 NN – Leckli Lodge, East Ouigab ~~~

*CLAP* *CLAP* *APPLAUSE*

Tayaw is welcomed warmly as he enters the banquet hall he reserved by the already waiting cast and the crew.

"Congratulations!" Steven shouts at Tayaw amidst the noise.

He is not the only one who paused eating and drinking to express their congratulations. Tayaw then steps to the front of the room, raises his hand in the air and gestures the big room to calm down. 

"No. Congratulate yourselves too. Finishing three films is a great achievement to all of us. Great job everybody!" Tayaw says as he raises the DCP of the third film he just made towards the cast and the crew.

*clap*…. *Clap*…

The cast and crew however only stare at Tayaw with confused gazes for a moment, before also applauding for themselves, shrugging their initial confusion. Tayaw meanwhile did not forget the confusion shown by the cast and crew as he walks to the table where Chala, Jouny and Ongki is seated at. 

"Hey. Congrats buddy." Ongki and Jouny greets as they are joined by Tayaw.

"Thanks. That was weird back there?" Tayaw says to Jouny and Ongki.

"What's weird?" Chala asks.

"They were confused when I told them to congratulate themselves. Aren't they happy I'm done with this?" Tayaw says as he puts the DCP on the table.

"Hm?" Ongki is confused again at Tayaw's confusion.

"See? Look. Look. Just like that." Tayaw points at Ongki's face. 

"I don't know. Maybe because you don't look as happy as you should be?" Jouny says.

"What? I'm happy. We're finally done… Ooh. Thanks man." Tayaw says as he downs the glass of wine Ongki just poured for him.

"It's not that. They're not surprised that you were gonna finish editing today." Jouny says.

"Then what's the reaction for?" Tayaw raises his eyebrows.

"Eugh. Just how busy are you that you forgot?" Jouny says, which also gets Chala's attention.

Looking at Tayaw's and Chala's confused expressions, Jouny shakes her head. 

"Congratulations again. The 'Part 1' is selected at Sorrento to compete for almost all the awards it can possibly get." Jouny reveals.

Tayaw processes for a moment, before a wide grin spreads to his face.

"That's the reaction we're looking for." Ongki chuckles at Tayaw suppressing his excitement.

"Go ahead. Pull out your phone and take a look." Jouny scoffs, apparent to her Tayaw's intention.

"Heh. Thanks." Tayaw says. 

"What's the big deal? He already won last year?" Chala asks as he also takes a look at Tayaw's phone.

"Man. It's still the one of the most prestigious awards on the international film scene." Jouny says.

"Huh.." Jouny and Ongki hear Tayaw softly exclaim.

[[['Gold, Blood, and the Deer'.

Best Picture

Jury Prize.

Best Screenplay – Isaac Yawat.

Best Director – Isaac Yawat.

Best Actor – Geoff Peterson.

Premio Per Una Certa Prospettiva - Isaac Yawat.]]]

"Not only that. I've seen forums in the internet saying you'll probably win Fioro D'Oro again if your film's the obvious best." Jouny reports.

"Really? Well. Isn't that great." Tayaw says absentmindedly while still scrolling through his phone. 

"hmmm. 'Premio Per Una Certa Prospettiva'…" Tayaw reads an award he has overlooked and mistaken as simply an Italian caption.

"Oh. That's a new award I think that they came up with because of you." Jouny says.

"Psh. Is it really?" Tayaw asks skeptically.

"Well, rumors. Anyways, you know Italian. What does that prize mean?" Jouny asks.

"Well. Literally translates to Prize For A Certain Perspective… Let me look it up" Tayaw starts tapping away.

"… Huh…" Tayaw softly exclaims again after reading something, happiness apparent in his voice.

"What's the prize for?" Chala asks, not understanding the Italian webpage Tayaw is reading.

"It says in the Italian articles that it's for 'innovative and audacious works'." Tayaw says.

"Well. There you go. The rumor probably isn't just a rumor. 'Gold, Blood, and the Deer' is an innovative and audacious work. I just wish they had this for September Ninth too so I can share the credit too." Jouny says. 

"Damn… You're already a more acclaimed filmmaker more than a musician and an author…" Chala absentmindedly says.

"Oh yeah. I always forget you are also a musician." Ongki nods.

"Wait… What do you mean 'author'?" Jouny however picks up the small information.

"…" Tayaw and Chala freeze at the question.

"What author? He said 'investor'." Tayaw says.

"Y-yeah… I said 'investor'. Imma go to the bathroom." Chala says before 'subtly' fleeing from his slip-up. Had Chala not react so strangely, Jouny would have accepted that she misheard.

"No, no. No no no ~. I'm not deaf. I clearly heard 'author. Wait. You're an investor too?" Jouny asks again.

'Chala…' Tayaw internally curses.

"I'll tell you about it when it's just us." Tayaw says.

Jouny is about to ask further out of intense curiosity but Ongki saves Tayaw. .

"Honey. Come on. Tayaw seems wary of the crowd." Ongki says.

"… Alright…" Jouny finally understands. 

"Yeah… Like Ongki said … So, hey, how's the screenwriting going by the way?." Tayaw changes the subject.

"…" Jouny tries hard to put the 'author' word to the back of her mind.

"… Oh Screenwriting. Yeah. Thankfully, it wasn't just a spurt of inspiration. I'm almost done with it." Jouny says.

"Huh. You're quick." Tayaw is surprised.

"Yeah. Kinda. And, the baby's on the way so I had to rush it. I'll refine it while babysitting." Jouny says.

"So, any day now, huh?" Tayaw asks.

"Yeah…" 

"Well. I think you should hire a private nurse for your baby. Being a parent must be overwhelming, much more for new parents like yourselves." Tayaw suggests.

"Heh." "Haha." Jouny and Ongki suddenly laugh at the suggestion.

"What? Am I wrong?" Tayaw says, suddenly self-conscious, realizing that he is the last person who should be suggesting considering his physical age. 

"Nah. It's just 'private nurse'. We have a fun story about that one." Ongki says.

"Oh?" Tayaw is interested.

"Well. Jouny's mom and my mom has been arguing for months who will come up to Ouigab to help take care of the baby." Ongki says.

"Well? Can't the both of them just come up? Your apartment has enough rooms, right?" Tayaw asks.

"Yeah. But they're both rather… territorial. They're arguing that just one would be enough as to not impose on our privacy." Ongki says.

"And ironically, they're imposing that they make the decision for us." Jouny shakes her head.

"So, have they settled on who's coming up?" Tayaw asks.

"They both are, with some convincing." Jouny says.

"Oh? How'd you manage that? You said they're fighting for the position?" Tayaw asks.

"Honey, I wouldn't really call it 'convincing'. Heh. Jouny kind of threatened them." Ongki says.

"Oh? I didn't think you're the threatening type." Tayaw asks in surprise.

"Well. Not exactly a threat. I just told them I'd rather hire a private nurse." Jouny says.

"Ohhhhh… Well. That does it. Haha." Tayaw says, amused. 

"Yeah. And. They also know that we both have the money to spare to hire one, so the threat really worked." Ongki says.

"Hm… Yeah. A nurse is expensive. Give your money instead to family. I just hope y'all won't freak out by their old-school babysitting though." Tayaw says, basing on what he saw with Kilat and Payew's daughter in his previous life.

"Uh." "What?" Jouny and Ongki are suddenly anxious at Tayaw's foreboding words.

Tayaw however does not want to say anything that might set the couple's parental expectations wrong, and instead stands up and walks toward the front of the room. Tayaw's action also gets the attention of the people in the big room. 

"Where's Tayaw going?" Chala asks Jouny and Ongki as he returns to the table.

"He's probably gonna plug in the film they just finished. Too bad you haven't seen the first two." Jouny says.

"Oh…" Chala can only watch the proceedings. 

"Alright. Just like before, shut off your phones please." Tayaw orders everyone and everyone obliges.

Some of the cast and crew also stand up and excitedly set up the projectors, the screen, and the sound system. The ones who are not doing anything also focus their attention on the screen. 

"Honey. The first scene, I directed myself." Jouny says to Ongki, which immediately gets Chala and Ongki's attention.