Chapter 202 - July Sh*t... Related to a f*ckin baby

(cont'd)

[[[ Tentative Title – Hope and Innocence – Jouny Yalen

(A/N - summary of Jouny's screenplay)

Donoy and Nidey are a happily married couple. Donoy, being a genius surgeon, and Nidey, a pediatric nurse who runs an orphanage, the couple has stable finances and can focus comfortably on being happy and raising a family.

Despite their happiness in marriage, they are filled with worry for their daughter, Pippa.

Pipa, 6 years old, has a rare heart condition and if she does not receive a heart grafting soon, she might not make it to her next birthday. Adding to the difficulty of treatment for Pipa, her age and  having a rare blood type also makes it difficult to find an appropriate organ. 

All hope however is not lost. Nidey being an orphanage matron, has access to children of Pipa's age. It also just so happens that Jacob, one of the orphans in her work has the same blood type as Pipa. Nidey brings the orphan up in a conversation to Donoy during a dinner and with that, Donoy immediately knows what Nidey wants to do. Donoy, despite being angry at the evil idea, cannot however help but consider it seeing Pipa's suffering worsen every day. 

Planning. The couple started planning on how to abduct Jacob, where to put him, and how to prevent the child from resisting or becoming suspicious. 

The day finally arrives when the couple is ready. One night, Nidey lets Donoy inside the orphanage while all the kids and watchers are asleep. Jacob, fed with lies from Nidey he easily believed, goes with the couple without a fuss, and even excited with false promises. The next day, Jacob is doc.u.mented as missing but him being an orphan, the police did not even put real effort looking for him. 

The couple then start preparing and gathering resources for surgery. The preparations consist of the two studying anesthesia, gathering surgical equipment, and blood bags. During that period, they also take turns guarding / watching Jacob. 

After a few days however, with Donoy and Nidey having their share of their time alone with Jacob, they are in a quandary.

They no longer just see Jacob as a child that will not be missed by anyone, but a joyful child with a promising future. They are even having second thoughts on their plans because Jacob's innocence and joyfulness brought them some happiness. The couple cannot bring themselves to even hurt a single hair on the child. 

Each day they hesitate however, Pipa's health also continues to worsen. One day, her heart suddenly stopped.

Even though the hospital revived Pipa, her consciousness did not return. Without an emergency heart graft, Pipa cannot simply survive for two days or more. This immediately starts a timer for the couple. Donoy and Nidey start prepping the surgical equipment in the safehouse. After preparations are ready, Nidey brings Pipa in the warehouse. 

Donoy and Nidey steel their hearts. Jacob and Pipa are now unconscious from anesthesia, all sorts of fluids hooked on their arteries. Everything is ready for extraction. However, before Donoy can even touch his scalpel on Jacob's chest, all sorts of memories about Jacob floods his mind. Tears flow out of his eyes out of guilt. No matter how much he tries, he simply cannot cut Jacob.

Nidey too lets out a breath she did not know she was holding, relieved. The couple enters a dilemma; they look at each other's eyes for a few minutes silently until they reach a mutual understanding. Donoy embraces Nidey, giving her comfort. Nidey too is comforting Donoy. 

The night soon passes and Pipa left the world peacefully. Jacob on the other hand, wakes up in the bed he has slept on in the past few months, clueless about the events of the previous evening. Neither Nidey or Donoy is in sight and in their place, a trusted foreign nanny.

Nidey and Donoy meanwhile spends their next few days mourning Pipa. The two suddenly realize that they need Jacob's light more than ever to cope with darkness their loss has brought upon. This need also leads them to decide to adopt Jacob and finally give the child the promises that they first intended as lies. 

(Author Note: Folks. I know this 'screenplay' has a lot of plot holes in it, but give me a break, yeah? It's a story within a story after all.)]]]

Tayaw can only breathe deep after reading the entirety of the screenplay.

"…" Jouny meanwhile watch Tayaw in anticipation and nervousness.

"…" Tayaw then returns a look of admiration to Jouny.

"How is it?" Jouny asks.

"Heavy stuff. But heartwarming as well." Tayaw says. Jouny can only nod.

"This… I still remember you telling me that you were inspired by childbirth. I see it now…" Tayaw says.

Jouny meanwhile does not bother selling the screenplay more as she remembers Tayaw saying his only concern is how good the story is and not the frills along with it.

"It's great damn story, Jouny. I'm f*ckin jealous." Tayaw chuckles.

"… Well, thank you." Jouny sighs in relief, flattered. 

-

Ongki and the two old ladies anxiously watch the door of Jouny's study. It has been fifteen minutes since Tayaw and Jouny entered.

*Click* *Clack* The door suddenly opens and out walks Jouny and Tayaw smiling similarly. The other three on the other hand have their curiosity increase further . 

"So. Lunch?" Jouny says, seeing that the three are still in the living room.

"How did it go?" Jouny's mother asks.

"We want to enjoy our lunch and thinking about you two, how can we do that?" Ongki's mother says.

"Ah. Don't worry. It was a great read, ma'am. My studio will support Jouny in making her script into a film." Tayaw says.

"YeS!" Ongki and the two old ladies celebrate by stifling Jouny with hugs.

The three has seen Jouny's routine after she gave birth. Aside from taking care of the baby and her own basic needs, all she did was lock herself in her study.

"Okay. Calm down everyone. We might wake the baby." Jouny finally pries herself from the hugs.

"Oh! Thank Kabunyan we prepared a sumptuous lunch perfect for the occasion! Come! Come!" Ongki's mother says and a moment later, the group is now at the dining table lively chatting about mundane things while enjoying their lunch. 

"By the way… Will it sell as well as your gangster film?" Ongki suddenly asks.

"Honey—Come on." Jouny is dumbfounded at the question.

"Honestly speaking?..." Tayaw however wants to answer honestly, making the group pause eating.

"I don't think so. The American gangsters' mysterious culture is what made people want to see it. That's why my film is selling well." Tayaw explains. Ongki nods in understanding.

"Jouny's work on the other hand, is a good original. It's deep, psychological, and perhaps might be hard to watch. The message of the film might fly over viewer's heads." This deflates the group's mood.

"BUT, if directed well, told well? No one can dare to say that it's not a good film. Jouny will be credited a lot for her story." Tayaw continues. This console the film laymen in the room.

"Also. Aside from the relatable story, with enough marketing, I think it will sell REALLY well here in Teungeb. We can also use her credits as the writer of 'September Ninth'." Tayaw concludes.

"OH! And she also has a credit in 'Gold, Blood, and the Deer' too, right? She can use that!" Ongki says.

"As an 'assistant director'? We might also be able to use that for promotions." Tayaw nods.

" 'Assistant Director' my ass. I didn't even do enough to be an assistant to the director." Jouny rolls her eyes.

"…" The group take a few seconds to process the difference before "*chuckles*" they understood the joke.

"Anyways. Let's not count our eggs before the chicken hatches, yeah? Besides, I've still got a lot of studying to do." Jouny says. The rest of the group nod in understanding.

"Anyways. The most important thing for Jouny right now… well aside from being a mother… is to plan on how to shoot the film. The crew who shot my films will also help her make things easier." Tayaw says.

"Oh. That's right." Something suddenly crosses Tayaw's mind and he stands up and retrieves the gift box he bought.

"…" The group watch in curiosity.

"Oh. The gifts." Ongki says watching the box he saw earlier.

"Yeah. Nothing much really. These are.." Tayaw opens the box.

In it are dolls of Snow White and the seven dwarves.

"Cute!" Jouny says looking at the miniature stuff toys that Tayaw is pulling out from the box.

"There's this too. It'll look great on Steven." Tayaw pulls out two sets of baby wear that is based on the Prince's clothes and the dwarves' clothes in the film.

Ongki takes the baby clothes and studies it before "Nice!..." expressing his appreciation.

"And these…" Tayaw pulls out two DVDs.

"Here's an exclusive copy of Snow white. And here… is the songs in the film that I've changed into nursery rhymes." Tayaw lays the two DVDs on the table.

"Oh… that's sweet. Steven must be tired listening to the same rhymes over and over again." Ongki's mother says. 

~

Pixie Headquarters – 7pm 

"Hello?" Konner answers his phone.

/Konner. We're out of stock./ A man reports.

"What? Wait… Which ones?" Konner asks.

/Snow white's dress, the Prince's tunic, the Queen's attire, the dwarves' clothes. They're all out, boss./ The man reports.

"Isn't that 100,000 sets of costumes in total? It's only been … twelve days!" Konner asks, pleased but dumbfounded.

/Yes boss. How many more are we making? Our partner stores are asking when the next stock is coming. / The man asks.

"Okay. Make 50,000 more, still following the ratio." Konner says.

/Boss… uhhhh…/ The man drawls, hesitating.

"Go ahead." Konner urges.

/Can't we make 100,000 again? Actually. What happened was … out of the 100K sets, 70K sold in the past week./ The man reports.

"So… alright. I get it. Make 100K then." Konner approves. With that, his phone call ends with Konner feeling a lot lighter.

"Hey Konner!" Right after Konner ends the call, Oscar enters his office.

"I thought you've gone home?" Konner asks.

"I was on my way… whatever. I have good news!" Oscar says excitedly.

"Me too." Konner smiles.

"What's your good news?" Konner asks.

"The stuffed toys! All of them! We've ran out!" Oscar reports.

"What?!" Konner is stunned.

"Didn't we make way more stuffed toys than the costumes?" Konner asks.

"Quadruple the costumes, yeah. I immediately outsourced the work to two more factories." Oscar says.

"Nice… Come to think of it, the stuff toys can also be appealing to a.d.u.l.ts who like cute things." Konner nods.

"EXACTLY. I saw receptionist in the cafeteria yesterday. She has a mini dwarf hanging from her phone. Maybe we should make key-chains too." Oscar says.

"Hmm. Why not? … Let's make bobbleheads too." Konner suggests.

"Cool. I'll look for a manufacturer." Oscar loves the idea, the high he is feeling adds to his reckless decides.

"Hmm. Hey, our costumes sold out too." Konner reports his own good news.

"Really? Alright. ALRIGHT! The ticket sales, the merchandise, adding the DVD we'll release…" Oscar gets excited.

"We just might double, even triple what we spent after we start importing." Konner finishes. 

"Yes, everything's finally looking up. And, oh! I finally talked to Tayaw. Our next project's gonna be Rapunzel." Oscar reports.

"Hm. Does the Creative Director know about it?" Konner asks.

"Yeah. He said it'll take not even half the time and effort we exerted in 'Snow White'." Oscar says.

"Great… how about the budget?" Konner asks.

"It might only take a third of our budget for 'Snow White'." Oscar says.

"Really…? Man, how?" Konner is pleasantly surprised.

"The 3d models we used for 'Snow White' are perfectly modifiable for Rapunzel. Unlike the numerous characters in 'Snow White', we only have five main characters in 'Rapunzel' so that makes things easier. Our people also had plenty of practice while making Snow White so they're expected to work faster. Look, you can talk to Sang-min more about the details." Oscar explains. Konner is already imagining the money that is about to roll in from their future films. 

"Oh. By the way. Tayaw already sent us the storyboard for Rapunzel. That'll help our people visualize better." Oscar further reports.