Chapter 21: C 21
The movie begins with an introduction to Bruce Wayne's tragic background, which quickly captures Tony Stark's attention. Bruce's story resonates deeply with Tony, as he's reminded of his own tumultuous relationship with his father, Howard Stark.
Tony recalls the arguments and unresolved tension that built up over the years. When Howard and Maria Stark passed away in a car accident, Tony was left with regrets and unfinished business, which only makes Bruce's loss as a child feel more poignant to him.
For Bruce, the loss was even more devastating, leaving him to grow up without his parents at a young age, under the care of his loyal butler, Alfred, and isolated from close connections.
Just as Tony contemplates leaving the theater, Bruce's character makes a powerful choice on screen: he decides to leave Gotham, travel the world, and dedicate himself to mastering the skills he'll need to fight crime.
His transformation is guided by his desire to honor his parents' memory and redeem Gotham, a city that has fallen into decay. Bruce endures rigorous training in the League of Assassins, emerging as a man with both the physical prowess and strategic mindset to become a symbol of fear for criminals.
The mood in the movie lightens slightly as Bruce takes back control of his family's company and recruits Lucius Fox to help him create the iconic Batman suit. By donning this armor, Bruce channels his childhood fears into a mission to save Gotham.
His principles of justice, including a strict code against killing, earn him admiration from the audience. In the movie, Bruce is portrayed as a dark knight who, with extraordinary skills, wisdom, and technology, brings hope to a city overrun with crime.
The emergence of Bruce's old mentor, Henri Ducard, as the villain provides a surprising twist, catching viewers off-guard but feeling authentic due to the thoughtful storytelling.
When the climactic confrontation ends, Bruce must face his own moral limits. The screen goes dark, leaving the audience captivated, then an Easter egg scene teases a second installment, and the credits roll.
The audience erupts in applause, yet Tony Stark sits silently, wrestling with mixed emotions. Though begrudgingly impressed, he has to admit that the movie is well-made. Anton, his rival, seems to have pulled off something extraordinary.
Those who came expecting to see a train wreck find themselves congratulating Anton instead. To their surprise, Anton held several key roles in the movie's creation, from director to screenwriter, and even editor. For many who know Anton, this discovery is eye-opening, and it cements his talent.
Jameson, a long-time supporter of Anton, is especially thrilled. He sees a promising future for Anton, who has recently also proved himself capable at the Daily Bugle. With a twinkle of pride, he envisions Anton elevating the family legacy to new heights.
After the premiere, Anton seizes the opportunity to thank Tony Stark, knowing full well that the movie's success owes some credit to Tony's investment and public presence.
Tony, frustrated but refusing to let Anton have the last word, reminds him, "You only beat me this once. I've had countless wins over you at parties."
Anton grins, brushing off the comment with confidence, which only irritates Tony further. Feeling defeated, Tony grabs his assistant, Pepper Potts, and leaves the theater without another word, visibly agitated.
Once Tony is out of sight, Anton shifts his focus back to the event and reconnects with a glamorous actress, one he has spent many late nights discussing the film with. The two share a private evening celebrating the success of the premiere.
The following morning, Anton arrives at the Daily Bugle, albeit slightly worse for wear. Betty, his sharp-witted colleague, is waiting for him, holding a newspaper with the film's box office results prominently displayed.
"Congratulations, Anton. Your movie's a hit," she remarks, her expression unreadable. With an opening box office of $14 million, the film has proven itself despite its lack of an established fan base.
"Although, you probably have Tony Stark's influence to thank for drawing that kind of crowd," she adds, her tone a bit cold.
Anton, still in a triumphant mood, says, "Oh, don't worry, I've already thanked him." He then notices Betty's glare and teases her with, "What's the matter? Not happy for me?"
Betty's eyes narrow. "Maybe if you'd scrubbed that lipstick off your neck, I'd feel more inclined to celebrate with you," she snaps.
Unfazed, Anton leans in, lowering his voice to a playful whisper. "Come on, Betty, you know you can't resist my charm," he quips. "How about dinner tonight?"
Rolling her eyes, she retorts, "Keep dreaming." With a final sigh, Betty shifts to a more professional tone, briefing Anton on the film's current ratings and the next steps for its promotion.
"If you're serious about pushing this success, we'll need to ramp up our marketing. Only a handful of top critics have weighed in so far, and the score might fluctuate once it reaches a wider audience."
Anton waves a dismissive hand, "Whatever you think is best, Betty. Go ahead." He's too elated to worry about the fine details, especially after celebrating late into the night.
"Anything to boost the box office is fine by me," he says, adding with a wink, "I'm not worried about numbers as long as we're making waves."
Betty, as always, is quick to get back to business, understanding Anton's priorities but ensuring everything stays on track.
Anton knows his real goal isn't just the box office—it's the visibility, the fan engagement, and the broader recognition that come with a successful film.
The buzz will boost his "fan value," a goal he's kept closely in mind since embarking on this project. The movie's popularity is more than just a financial victory for Anton; it's proof that he can stand toe-to-toe with Tony Stark and even claim a win.
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