Master of Time

Despite it is late at night, the lobby is swarmed with people, mostly parents, who want their daughter or son or both to become the next sensation in Thailand and possibly all of Asia.

Seeing so many children and teenagers here, practicing and looking extremely nervous, it appears that phrase two is progressing rather well.

While phrase one is about controlling upcoming celebrities and stars using future knowledges, phrase two is about actually creating celebrities and stars – and more importantly, creating idols. Phrase three is a bit questionable, morally, but that won't happen for at least a decade from now.

I am not even going to mention phrase four and five, since they are so far in the future.

Generally speaking, celebrities get the publicities, stars get the spotlights, and idols get worshiped by the masses. When people are willing to die for their beloved idols without a single thought, I will know that they will just eat up whatever their idols tell them.

Mass brainwashing for the win!

Unfortunately, I am still on phrase one since Terra Entertainment has just recently started only about three months ago.

And unlike Lok Entertainment, Terra Entertainment pays a lot more attention to each of its contracted actresses, moulding each of them into the ideal image that the public and the people surely love. Each of them will be celebrities, stars, idols, and so much more.

This is because I am leading Terra Entertainment personally, and I like to get close with my actresses – eh?

Even though Lok Entertainment is well ahead its time in terms of ideas and innovations thanks to the future knowledge, it is still bringing in outside talents for its media, contracting struggling future stars and celebrities, renewing contracts with old ones, and so on.

But most of its attention is currently building the idol foundation.

The idol project has started about 3 years ago, when Lok Entertainment has finally established its circle of influence, and the project has produced a dozen of starlets and superstars.

As for the idol project itself, I have drafted it meticulously by using all the best and popular things from existing idol groups such as K-pop groups, Japan AKB48, and so on. These groups exist in the original timeline. They might exist in the prime timeline.

I doubt AKB48 pop idol group will exist since Chikyuu Entertainment of Japan is already working on its own idol project.

So is South Korea with its Jigu Entertainment. I think it is called Jigu Media instead, but that makes no difference. It is still part of Terra Conglomerate.

I wonder what I should do about North Korea. Reunification is required, but the United Nations won't just let me invade the country by proxy. The UN sure says a lot of thing, but it does very little to resolve any of the world's problems. This is because of the thing calls countries.

A new world order is a must.

Hmm…

Costumes, colour, storytelling, expression, fashion, personality, diversity, choreography, multilingual – these are what makes an idol or an idol group. They are far more intense than just normal singer or musician, and as such, intense training is required.

The road to becoming an idol is harsh, but it is one with full of support and care. Terra Entertainment and all of its clones will not give up those who it has nurtured as long as they do not give up themselves.

Everyone will have their moment to shine if they have unwavering determination and resolution, but sadly, many give up along the way because of personal and family issues.

It is unfortunately, but it is what it is.

If the child is selected after some rigorous auditioning, it does take several years of dedicated training, cutting into their schools and other social activities. But the rewards are worth the efforts, especially when the company support their trainees financially.

There is no age restriction to becoming accepted into the project, but one must have the talent as well as the appearance to be accepted. It is pointless to waste time and resource on those who are unable to reach the goal.

This means that most of the candidates here, crowding the lobby of Lok Entertainment building with their parents or just by themselves, won't be able to pass the preliminary.

Since queuing in line is a thing of the past in multibillion dollars corporations, I head to one of a dozen ticket machine.

These machines disperse ticket as well as notifying the receiver approximately how long they will have to wait until their number is up, so that they can come back later instead of loitering around the lobby, crowding the place needlessly.

Despite that, only a few people actually leave the premise, fearing their number might come up when they aren't here in person. Many are ready to sleep overnight here since the company always open.

What happen to the 8am to 5pm rule? That is only for one shift.

Since Lok Entertainment and its subsidiaries are growing very rapidly, more employees and workhours are needed, so there are 3 shifts now. 9am to 5pm. 5pm to 1am, and 1am to 9am. Each shift is 8 hours long, and the employees are encouraged to go home and have a rest.

There are several options available on the machine, but a ring against the screen unlocks a very special option. I choose that option and then stand around to spectate. There is no ticket given.

As an American, people are curious to why I am here because Lok Entertainment are only interested in auditioning its own people. Idols are idols because people want to look up to them. Thais don't want to look up to foreigners, at least not at the moment.

China is the worst of the bunch due to its national values.

I tell whoever asked politely that I am an investor.

It is also to show them that I do know their language. I know all the major languages. They stop talking shit behind my back after that. Some of them actually bother to move away from me to continue to talk shit or gossiping.

It takes about 2 minutes for someone to come and get me.

"Greeting Mr. Maxwell. Please come this way. The president would like to see you."

I nod and follow the older gentleman towards the executive elevator, earning the attention as well as the envy of many people. More gossips and rumours abounded since the elevator is reserved only for the president, chairman and chief executive officer.

"Please don't mind them, Mr. Maxwell. It is not every day that they get to see someone of your status here in person."

The man speaks up before I entered the elevator. It will go all the way to the top floor, directly to the head office.

I look at the Hydra ring on his finger and give him a dismissive shrug. The elevator closes after that and begins ascending rapidly.

Almost all companies founded after the 1980 has Hydra agents as leaders. This is because in the 1955 or so, Hydra has adopted countless orphans from all over the globe and train them alongside with the second generation.

Since this is one of the tallest buildings in Bangkok, it did take about a minute or so for the elevator to reach the top floor.

Since I am alone, I didn't say anything or do anything. I just stand there, humming to myself for a while before slapping myself mentally. Why didn't I just teleport directly to the top?

Oh well. Next time then.

I continue humming.

Once the elevator doors open, a person in his 40s greets me. Another man is with him, younger.

"Mr. Maxwell. It is a pleasure to have your company. My name is Chantara Boonmee. I am the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Lok Entertainment, and this is my brother Somchai Boonmee, the Chairman. What can we do for you, sir?"

"Chantara and Somchai."

I pause for a second to commit their names to memory.

To be honest, it is quite hard to remember their names as I am more used to English names.

In addition, this is also the first time I have seen them both in person. Chantara and Somchai are Hydra agents as indicated by the ring around their middle finger, but since they are now the head of a huge company with thousands of people working under them, they rarely spend time at Hydra Headquarter.

Are they real brothers? Possibly if they were adopted by Hydra at the same time, but do I really need to know that? Not really.

"Let's talk more when we are all seated and be completely at ease. You two don't need to worry. I am not here to interfere with anything either. I am here to test out some spells."

The both of them looks at each other.

"Spell, sir? As in magic spell?"

They question. It appears that they haven't keep up to date with all the current affairs.

Actually, most Hydra agents only keep up to date with what they need to know. There are simply too many things happening in Hydra. And working in the entertainment industry, why would they need to know about all the weapon developments and researches?

"Yes, magic spells like in those movies you guys produced. I will tell you all about it once we are seated."

I reply before snapping my fingers and return to the elevator.

"Actually, on a second thought, let me demonstrate it to you. Seeing is believing after all. Let's go and see some auditions together, huh?"