In the living room, Kirkland watched the TV with a sullen face, clearly in a bad mood.
Haley gently patted his hand, comforting him, "It's okay, really. Actually, when you think about it, it's quite interesting, we..."
"We were played for fools!" Kirkland glared at the TV screen, his face growing darker, "Those bastards!"
Anger surged within him. Ever since he first saw the Discovery Channel news, he had followed the story closely. He not only spread the news and shared posts online but also joined a volunteer organization, distributing materials and photos on the streets to help find the three missing students.
However, the reality was too harsh.
Everything Kirkland cared about and invested in turned out to be a joke.
The so-called Blair Witch and the missing students were nothing but a massive scam.
What was once rumours became a reality on tonight's talk show.
Thinking about the ridicule from people around him and the passion he had poured in, Kirkland felt like a joke.
Haley looked at the talk show on TV, took the remote, and suggested, "Shall we change the channel?"
Better not let those shameless creators of "The Blair Witch Project" upset her boyfriend further.
Kirkland grabbed Haley's hand, "Don't change it. I want to keep watching. I want to remember these despicable bastards! I won't watch anything related to them in the future!"
He gritted his teeth and said, "Daniel Myrick! Eduardo Sanchez! Heather Donahue! Michael Williams..."
Haley didn't change the channel and turned her attention to the TV. A thin middle-aged man with glasses was answering the host's questions.
The show had introduced him at the beginning. He was Daniel Myrick, the producer and primary director of "The Blair Witch Project."
Kirkland looked at the director on TV with hatred and anger.
This director was shamelessly boasting!
The host asked, "Director Myrick, it's said that the idea, filming, and marketing strategy for 'The Blair Witch Project' all came from you. Is that true?"
Daniel Myrick knew this was a huge platform and a rare opportunity to promote himself. With no one from the distribution company on the show, the focus was entirely on him and his team.
Seizing this golden chance, Myrick boasted, "I often heard witch stories from my grandmother when I was a child, which later inspired me to make a witch movie. During a trip to Maryland, I heard local tales about the Blair Witch and realized it was excellent material."
Since Michael Davenport and Seashore Entertainment had no objections, he didn't hold back: "I wrote the script for 'The Blair Witch Project' and collaborated with Eduardo to film it using handheld cameras."
The host then asked, "Did you consider posing as a documentary back then?"
"No, it's not a pretense," Myrick said confidently, "I see it as a new genre, a 'mockumentary.'"
The host's questions were subtly leading: "It's said that you handled all the preliminary work for 'The Blair Witch Project'?"
Myrick, who was not even a fringe director in Hollywood and had no media experience, didn't sense the trap in the question and answered directly, "You could say that."
He felt no qualms saying this as Michael Davenport and Seashore Entertainment had acknowledged the contribution of his website to the marketing strategy.
The host pressed further, "Can you elaborate?"
Myrick emphasized his role, "The idea for 'The Blair Witch Project' came from me. I wrote the script, filmed the movie, created the website, and gathered all the witch-related materials."
Thinking about the film's imminent $100 million box office milestone, Myrick further highlighted his directorial role: "Let's put it this way, even the marketing plan was inspired by my work."
Not sensing any issue, Myrick felt validated as Michael Davenport had acknowledged that Seashore Entertainment's marketing plan was inspired by his website.
As the show continued, Kirkland's anger was reaching a boiling point.
Seeing her boyfriend's increasingly grim expression, Haley turned off the TV with his consent.
With a dark face, Kirkland declared, "I'll never watch any movie involving that bastard director again!"
Though not as angry as Kirkland, Haley was also upset and said, "Me neither!"
Kirkland walked to the computer desk, saying, "I'm going to blog about this!"
He wrote a blog post, followed by Haley, both condemning the crew led by Daniel Myrick and calling for a boycott of their future films.
Kirkland checked online and saw the internet was already filled with criticism.
Though some admired the "viral marketing plan," the majority were harshly critical.
"That Daniel Myrick is despicable, a total fraud!"
"The film was so stupid; did they use all their brains to deceive people?"
"Do they think we're idiots? I'll never watch any film associated with that jerk again."
"Initiating the trend of low-quality, pretentious mockumentaries, I really despise their marketing tactics."
"If I were in LA, I'd go to the NBC studio and shoot that bastard!"
Kirkland felt a murderous rage. Daniel Myrick and his team had gone too far, treating people like circus monkeys.
After the show at the NBC studio in Los Angeles, Daniel Myrick was still elated.
"Myrick, the car is at the front. Shall we go now?" Seashore Entertainment staff asked.
After consulting with his team, Myrick decided, "Let's go back to the hotel."
Feeling especially good today, he noticed the Seashore Entertainment staff giving way and following behind like attendants.
Myrick was pleased with Seashore Entertainment's respect and Michael Davenport's appreciation. Success was indeed worlds apart from obscurity.
He was about to join the ranks of well-known directors and the billion-dollar club.
Thinking about "The Blair Witch Project" nearing $100 million in North American box office, Myrick suddenly remembered a crucial issue.
With the film making millions, what about him?
How much can I earn?
Myrick's heart sank. He had been so caught up in the euphoria of his first major success and newfound fame that he hadn't considered this.
With fame now in hand, his thoughts naturally turned to money.
"The Blair Witch Project" could make millions; how much would he get?
Myrick considered the contract, which included an $80,000 buyout and a $50,000 bonus if the film grossed over $500,000.
And that $50,000 bonus had to be shared with the crew.
All in all, he'd be lucky to make $100,000.
How could I be so stupid? Why did I settle for such a small buyout and share? Michael Davenport needs to discuss this.
Feeling confident, Myrick thought Davenport respected him, and he now had the standing to negotiate, given that the film's success stemmed from his creative work.
Lost in thought, he stepped out of the studio into the bright lights, noticing many fans and reporters nearby.
Some fans wore shirts with "The Blair Witch Project" printed on them, and the reporters seemed eager to interview him.
Flashes went off, nearly blinding him.
The media attention lifted Myrick's spirits again, making him ready to respond.
Whoosh—
Something flew from the left.
Instinctively turning, he saw an oval object hit his face, breaking and covering him in sticky liquid.
Whoosh—
Another egg flew past his head, hitting the ground.
"Kill that bastard!"
Someone shouted from the crowd.
Myrick was stunned, not understanding what was happening.
"Move!"
"Move!"
Security urged him.
Seashore Entertainment staff rushed over, pushing the crew into the car as more eggs flew.
"Why?" Myrick asked, wiping his face, "Why are they attacking me?"
I'm the director; they're fans of "The Blair Witch Project." Why would they attack me?
Myrick couldn't figure it out.
A staff member replied, "Maybe some fans were overly emotional." Knowing the truth, he lied, "Some were really scared by the film, even fainting. Probably just shocked fans."
Myrick nodded, finding the explanation reasonable.
The staff added, "It's actually a good sign, showing your film was incredibly impactful."
When arriving at the hotel, the staff reminded me, "You have a media interview tomorrow morning and a magazine cover shoot in the afternoon, all arranged by Mr. Davenport."
Myrick's mood improved significantly. Michael Davenport was indeed incredible, organizing one media event after another, all to highlight him.