In a chaotic study filled with crumpled drafts scattered across every corner, Robert sat in frustration. He was no stranger to writing, yet the screenplay he was working on left him feeling overwhelmed, like his creative juices had run dry. As he threw another unsatisfactory draft into the growing pile of discarded pages, he sighed, recalling the days before his time travel to this reality. Back then, he could indulge in literature whenever he wanted, but his current work required a whole different approach, one that didn't come naturally.
Despite his extensive reading of online novels filled with recycled themes like struggling protagonists and unexpected heroes, Robert found crafting an engaging screenplay far more demanding. The scripts he wrote seemed amateurish, reminding him of the simplistic story structures in children's books. After countless attempts, he finally admitted to himself that maybe he lacked the creative flair needed for screenwriting.
Faced with mounting pressure, Robert reluctantly decided to turn to existing works for inspiration. He reassured himself by recalling how movies like "Iron Man" had revived Marvel and made a lasting impact worldwide. If borrowing ideas from successful franchises could elevate his script's quality, maybe that was his best option. After all, he reasoned, even if his work didn't reach the heights of "Iron Man," it might still pass as decent.
With his mind set, Robert began to draw from the essence of "Iron Man," piecing together scenes and storylines in his head. He was a die-hard Marvel fan who could argue for hours over complex character relationships, like that between Hulk and Dr. Banner, so he felt confident he could reframe his ideas successfully. For the first time in days, the ideas flowed freely, and he felt a newfound sense of satisfaction. Closing his phone to avoid distractions, Robert was finally in his creative zone.
But just as he immersed himself, a sharp knock on the door jolted him from his thoughts.
"Go away!" he barked, the frustration clear in his voice.
Outside, Thomas hesitated, his hand frozen mid-knock. He had come with an urgent question—whether Robert could ask Stark to design him a "Soldier: 76" uniform. But now, he wasn't sure if disturbing his boss further was wise. Resigned, he stepped back and let out a deep sigh, feeling he'd made the wrong impression and possibly forfeited his chance to join the project.
Just then, Lucy entered, smiling as she noticed Thomas deep in thought. "I haven't seen you around lately, Thomas. You've gotten taller!" she remarked, breaking the tension.
Thomas scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, Miss Berrent. I was just thinking… Mr. Robert seems pretty worked up. The study is a mess, with paper everywhere. I'm not sure what he's working on."
Lucy nodded knowingly. "He's working on the script for 'Iron Man' for Mr. Stark," she replied with a faint smile.
Inside the study, Robert cursed under his breath, desperate to get back to writing as his creative spark flickered.
"Damn it, I wish I could write faster!" he muttered, annoyed that his hand speed couldn't keep up with his racing thoughts. For the first time, he regretted his lack of dexterity, something he'd never worried about when coding. If speed could be honed through single-minded focus, he thought, maybe he wouldn't mind staying single forever.
Another knock at the door. He clenched his fists. "Thomas, are you trying to test my patience?" Robert grumbled, ready to dock the offender's pay.
However, when he glanced up, it wasn't Thomas who had disturbed him. Standing at the door was Lucy, impeccably dressed in a sleek blazer and high heels, exuding an air of professionalism.
"Lucy, what are you doing here? I thought I told you the last time not to interrupt me. I'll explain everything when the time is right," Robert said, clearly irritated.
Lucy composed herself, determined not to be swayed by his outburst. "Mr. Robert, I'm not here for that. The New International Film Summit is happening next weekend, and since 'Soldier: 76' was such a global success, Overwatch Pictures has been invited to attend. They want you to be a guest speaker."
"Not interested," he replied bluntly. Robert despised high-profile events. He'd rather spend that time gaming or watching movies.
"Mr. Robert," Lucy's voice took on a serious tone, "I know you've skipped events before, but the International Film Summit is the most prestigious gathering in the industry. Top directors, CEOs, and major players from around the world will be there. As CEO of Overwatch Pictures, it's your duty to represent the company. This summit could shape our future opportunities."
"Let Hopkins go," Robert dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand.
"Director Hopkins has been phenomenal in bringing 'Soldier: 76' to life and has an impressive portfolio, but he doesn't represent the entire company. Only you can do that," Lucy replied, her voice steady but firm.
Robert knew that convincing him was no easy task, but Lucy was relentless.
"Then you go," he offered.
"Mr. Robert!" Lucy's exasperated tone finally broke through. She knew he was close to caving.
"Fine, fine, I'll go!" he relented, throwing his hands up in resignation.
Robert knew deep down that it was a necessary move. Prior to the success of "Soldier: 76," Overwatch Pictures had never even been eligible to attend this level of event. The industry leaders were all from titans like Huancheng Film Company, and Overwatch was nowhere near their league. Just last year, when they were struggling to fund "Soldier: 76," every film company they reached out to had rejected them, forcing them to take on high-interest loans. Fortunately, the film's unexpected success had repaid those debts and transformed Overwatch Pictures from an unknown entity into a rising star in the industry.
Still, he felt a bit resentful, not wanting to see those who had turned them away. But now, attending the summit might provide an opportunity to show the doubters how far they had come. The same companies that once refused to invest in them would now be watching Overwatch's growth with envy.
With the decision made, Robert returned to his script. He was determined to showcase his abilities and prove that the achievements of Overwatch Pictures were no fluke.