Chapter 50: Promotion of Films in the Southern Region
The City of Tansang, situated at the southernmost tip of the Southern Region, resembles more of a small town than a bustling city. Due to its remote location, Tansang sees scarce merchant activity and even fewer tourists.
The sole road leading out of Tansang links it to the distant southern metropolis of Norsrick. Despite this connection, traffic between the two locations remains minimal. Tansang operates as a self-sufficient border town, with its residents content in leading modest lives within its confines. Consequently, there is little motivation for them to explore beyond the town's borders.
Merchants from other regions seldom visit Tansang due to its remote location and lack of valuable trade commodities. Consequently, the residents of Tansang often lag behind in staying abreast of developments in the outside world, relying on occasional visitors or traveling merchants for news.
However, today brings an unprecedented change to Tansang. Doyle, an apprentice blacksmith in the town, finishes assisting the local blacksmith and heads home as usual. However, he finds himself intrigued by a lively crowd gathered along the street.
"What's going on? Why is there such excitement?" Doyle asks, approaching a fellow apprentice from the painting workshop.
"Oh, Doyle, take a look! That's a group from Norsrick. There's even a rumor that there's a magician among them!" the painting apprentice exclaims. "They appear to be part of some kind of theater troupe. Though I don't fully understand it, it seems they're here for a theatrical performance. But we don't have a theater in Tansang. Where do you think they'll perform?"
"A theatrical performance?" Doyle's disappointment is palpable as he gazes at the central figure in the crowd, shaking his head resignedly.
He had seen a so-called stage play once while traveling to the town. To be honest, it was quite boring. Several people singing and dancing on a makeshift stage, with exaggerated performances that left him puzzled and wanting to fall asleep. It wasn't even as entertaining as the street performers' acts.
So when he heard that the newcomers were apparently here to perform some kind of stage play, Doyle immediately lost interest. He turned around, intending to head back home before sunset.
However, just as he was about to leave...
"Oh, a movie! I heard about it from Old Nori when I was heading to Norsrick last time. They say it's a really fresh experience, something even kids can't help but laugh at," one passerby remarked.
"Yeah, I've heard about it too. Seems quite interesting. Who would've thought we'd get to experience something even those noble folks haven't enjoyed?" another chimed in.
"I took a quick peek when I was in Norsrick last time. Though I didn't have time to watch it, everyone coming out seemed ecstatic, like they'd just had octuplets! Look! I still have the flyer I got last time. Either way, I'm definitely going to see what this movie magic is all about."
Listening to the chatter of passersby, Doyle's steps involuntarily halted. Despite initially finding the commotion uninteresting, he couldn't help but feel a renewed curiosity about movies.
Although he still suspected it might be exaggerated by these sheltered adults, Doyle, who had a natural affinity for such things, couldn't help but feel intrigued. Most importantly, he knew there wasn't much for him to do at home right now, so he might as well linger here for a while.
As the crowd continued their enthusiastic discussions, the figures within it began setting up drums and gongs. Soon, a large white cloth was erected in the center of the square, and those maintaining order divided the once-crowded crowd into neat lines.
Finally, amidst Doyle's bewildered expression, a figure emerged from the crowd. He loudly announced, "Due to the absence of a local theater in Tansang, the screening of this movie will be conducted outdoors. We will block off the central city square of Tansang for the screening. Admission will cost five copper coins, and no outside food will be allowed. Anyone found with food will be immediately expelled."
The prohibition on bringing food was a lesson learned from previous screenings in Norsrick. Initially, they hadn't enforced it strictly, leading to many people bringing snacks into the theater. This ultimately resulted in a poor viewing experience for neighboring spectators and left behind a lot of trash that needed cleaning up.
Due to the lack of restrictions on the number of attendees for this outdoor movie screening, it was easy to imagine the chaos that would ensue if people were allowed to bring food inside. To prevent such a situation, they decided to outright prohibit bringing any food inside.
As the crowd reacted with surprise and excitement to the announcement, their attention was immediately drawn to the faint images appearing on the distant white cloth.
"Oh my, what sorcery is this?"
"It looks so thrilling! Is this what they call a movie?"
"Is it really just five copper coins?"
Soon, as the teaser began looping on the distant screen, the atmosphere became electric with excitement.
Many people quickly snapped out of their daze, forgetting to exchange greetings with those around them as they hurried toward the central square. Doyle was naturally among them.
After watching just a minute of the teaser, Doyle completely abandoned his previous biases against movies. His only thought now was to secure a spot to watch the film before anyone else. In his fervor, he had completely forgotten about the need to return home on time.
Arriving at the scene, he saw the central square cordoned off and the massive screen in the middle that could barely be made out from the outside with good eyesight.
"A movie ticket, please!" Without hesitation, Doyle handed over the five copper coins he had earned as an apprentice today. He was grateful for his stamina, as he was among the first few audience members to enter.
Soon, with more and more people trickling in and others peering in from outside the square, the first-ever movie screening in the remote border town of Tansang commenced.
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