A Federal Express cargo truck departed from New York and entered New Jersey, eventually reaching Chatham, a small town just over twenty miles from New York. This town is one of the well-known livable towns near New York, where many successful people choose to buy homes and settle down.
As the cargo truck turned into the central district of Chatham, it immediately attracted the attention of many bystanders. While Federal Express trucks were common, the sight of over a dozen media vans and even a TV broadcast truck following it was unusual.
NBC's entertainment channel had sent a TV broadcast truck directly from New York for coverage.
Universal Pictures, in collaboration with Matthew and the crew, had prepared this special delivery meticulously and had coordinated with NBC, which was part of the same media conglomerate. This is a testament to why the major Hollywood studios are so influential – they are not only armed with extensive distribution channels but are also integral parts of large media groups, possessing a complete industry chain system from production to promotion and merchandising.
The long convoy, under the gaze of many, passed through the center of Chatham and stopped in front of a small villa on the western edge of the town. The driver of the cargo truck got out and went to the rear, while another employee approached the villa's front door and rang the bell.
The media vans parked nearby, and reporters with cameras and camcorders quickly found suitable spots to aim their lenses at the villa's entrance.
Other reporters holding microphones were also ready to rush up at any moment.
However, everyone maintained a good distance, positioning themselves near the iron fence, almost invisible from the inside.
Even if it was a show, it had to be a full production.
The TV broadcast truck started transmitting live signals back to the station.
Everything was ready, and the stage was set for the main character to make an appearance.
Such a meticulously planned event naturally meant that the main character couldn't be absent.
After the doorbell rang, a middle-aged Caucasian man came out from behind the iron gate. He approached and loudly asked, "Can I help you?"
The FedEx employee politely responded, "I'm a worker from Federal Express..." FedEx had taken this unusual job also thinking of utilizing the event for free advertising. The employee then asked, "Are you Mr. Rex Reed?"
"Yes, that's me," Rex Reed replied as he approached the iron gate. "My delivery?"
The FedEx worker handed him a delivery slip through the gate gap. "A parcel from Los Angeles."
Reed glanced at it, opened the gate, and stepped out. He was slightly stunned by the flash of cameras from the media reporters but quickly regained composure. After all, this was exactly the effect he wanted.
With a potential $300,000 in earnings and an opportunity to appear in numerous media outlets, his fame was bound to grow!
For a critic known for his sharp and biting remarks, any subsequent commentary was inconsequential. What mattered most for a critic was notoriety.
He knew exactly what FedEx was delivering and was aware of the media following, yet he didn't care and stepped out confidently.
As the rear door of the FedEx truck opened, a loud braying of a donkey was heard...
The reporters' cameras instantly focused on the scene as a grey donkey was led out of the truck by the driver and brought to Rex Reed's side.
Witnessed by over a dozen journalists and a plethora of cameras, Reed signed for this special gift and took the donkey's reins from the driver. The donkey seemed to have been carefully selected for its docile nature.
"Look here!" a reporter called out.
Reed cooperated, standing by the road with the FedEx cargo truck as a backdrop, allowing the reporters to take photos. He even willingly showed the reporters the delivery receipt when asked.
He knew that with NBC Universal Group as the promotional platform, these images would soon reach every corner of North America.
"Hey, Rex!" a reporter with an NBC badge approached, accompanied by a camera, "Can I ask you a few questions?"
"Of course!" Reed, believing in professional ethics, replied, "Ask away."
"Who sent you this donkey?" the reporter asked.
Reed picked up the FedEx receipt and showed it to the camera, "It's sent under the name of Matthew Horner."
"Is Matthew Horner sending you a donkey in response to your previous negative comments about him and 'The Scorpion King'?" the reporter continued.
"Probably," Reed replied, patting the donkey's head. "You'll have to ask him for specifics."
The reporter glanced at the donkey, then asked, "If 'The Scorpion King's' North American box office exceeds ten million dollars, will you really kiss the donkey's rear?"
"I'd like to correct that – it's the North American opening weekend box office!" Reed stated seriously, "I'm a man of my word. If 'The Scorpion King' exceeds ten million dollars in its North American opening weekend, I'll publicly..."
He patted the donkey's head again, "kiss the rear of this donkey! If it doesn't, I'll return this donkey to Matthew Horner and let him do the kissing!"
Reporters swarmed around, recording Reed's statements in various formats.
Reed's subsequent remarks weren't preplanned but improvised on the spot. Feeling confident in front of the cameras, he sought to create an even bigger topic to remain the focus of media reports.
For a critic, fame means tremendous commercial value. Who could imagine a top critic being unknown?
"Make sure to pass my words to Matthew Horner!" Reed said as he led the donkey into the yard, "And let me know the result."
The reporters were thrilled; the donkey incident had been brewing for some time, and Reed's statements ensured there wouldn't be a lack of attention-grabbing news to write about.
Back in Los Angeles, Universal City's office area, Sean Daniel was busy handling various tasks related to "The Scorpion King." With the film's premiere over, it was set for a wide release in North America starting Thursday night. A pile of related documents had accumulated on his desk.
Just as he finished dealing with a file about additional copies, his office door opened and his assistant strode in.
"Boss!" The assistant placed a document on his desk, "Universal Pictures' survey from last night's premiere audience is in."
Sean, looking at another file, didn't look up, "Just tell me the details."
The assistant got straight to the point, "Universal's market research department distributed one hundred questionnaires to regular viewers last night. Eighty-five were returned, and the average score from these viewers was A-..."
"A-..." Sean frowned slightly; this was a third-tier audience rating, below A+ and A. He motioned for the assistant to continue.
"According to the survey, viewers' main dissatisfaction with the film was its plot, with most finding it simplistic and lacking significant connection to 'The Mummy' series," the assistant reported, seeing that Sean didn't interject, he continued, "The aspects most appreciated by the audience were the male and female leads and the action design, especially the male lead!"
Sean nodded slightly. He had overseen the film's final editing, fully aware that it maximized Matthew Horner's strengths – his handsome face, tall stature, well-built muscles, and dynamic action design...
"The survey also asked viewers about their favorite part of the film," the assistant added, "Out of the eighty-five viewers, fifty-two chose the male lead Mathayus."
Over sixty percent of the audience considered Matthew Horner the film's biggest highlight – a conclusion Sean easily reached.
He put aside his current work, looked through the document, and then instructed his assistant, "Send this survey to both Universal's production and publicity departments, and convey my directive: future promotional resources should be appropriately focused on Matthew Horner and the character Mathayus."
On Wednesday afternoon, Matthew, through Helen Herman, also received this survey data from Universal, gradually gaining confidence. Even if the film's box office fell short of expectations, the impact on him wouldn't be fatal.
That evening, following Universal's instructions, he appeared before the press for an interview.
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