Chapter 7 – : Preparing the Preview DayEarly February 2016
Lucas leaned over the central office table, a tablet in one hand and a steaming mug of coffee in the other. Opposite him sat Walter, notebook open, pen already poised. A blueprint of the park lay between them, dotted with stickers and notes—some old, others newly added.
"The entrance plaza is done. Max's coaster is running smoothly. The haunted house is drawing stares from construction crews. We've even got the walkthrough on track for late February," Lucas said. "That means we need to talk about preview day."
Walter nodded. "Soft opening?"
"Exactly. A test run—invite-only. We need feedback, publicity, and time to adjust before opening to the public in March."
Walter tapped the notebook thoughtfully. "Who are you thinking of inviting?"
"Locals, for sure. Maybe some longtime fans who remember Löwenpark. A few industry contacts. Journalists. And… maybe someone from YouTube? A mid-sized theme park channel, not too flashy."
Walter smirked. "Someone who knows a Schwarzkopf from a Zamperla?"
"Hopefully."
Lucas opened the system in his mind and accessed the communications module.
Suggested Channels: Local newspapers, social media, park mailing list, theme park blogsSuggested Timing: Begin teaser campaign 10 days before preview
He nodded to himself, then turned back to Walter. "I'm also thinking of bringing someone on board. A new hire."
"Operations?"
"No, more like… communications. PR. Social media, guest experience, maybe even tour coordination. I've been doing too much solo. I need someone with energy, someone who gets how to hype a park without overpromising."
Walter leaned back. "Do you have someone in mind?"
"Not yet," Lucas admitted. "But I'm posting an ad today. Someone local would be great—young, eager, but not too green."
They both looked at the monitor displaying a preview of the upcoming teaser video: sweeping shots of the entrance plaza, Globe & Griddle glowing in golden morning light, and a slow pan over Max Around the World's repainted track.
"Speaking of fresh energy," Walter said, rising from his chair and moving to a storage cabinet. "The new staff uniforms arrived this morning."
He pulled out a set of garments neatly folded in plastic sleeves. The primary colors were deep blue and bronze, accented with muted beige—explorer tones, subtly referencing the park's new identity. Logos were stitched cleanly over the chest and shoulder.
Lucas ran a hand over one. "These look great. Comfortable too?"
"Tested them myself," Walter said. "You'll sweat, but you'll look good doing it."
They both chuckled.
Lucas checked the system again.
Preview Day: Suggested Date – February 21stRecommended Guests: 75–125Staff Required: 10 minimum, 20 ideal
"We've got two weeks," Lucas said. "Let's make it count."
Walter folded his arms. "You get the people hyped. I'll make sure the park doesn't catch fire."
Lucas raised his mug in a mock toast. "To the first real day of Elysion Park."
Walter clinked his thermos against it. "To the beginning of something better."
The morning sun had barely cleared the treetops when Lucas heard the buzz of the intercom at the staff gate. He set down his tablet, still open on a draft of the preview day invite, and walked toward the entrance.
A young woman stood waiting, bundled in a padded jacket, a brown leather satchel slung over her shoulder. Her short, curly hair bounced slightly as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"Hi," she said brightly when Lucas opened the gate. "I'm here about the position—guest communications?"
Lucas blinked. He'd only posted the job listing yesterday.
"That was fast," he said.
"I'm fast," she replied, offering a confident smile. "I'm Emma Scholz. I live in the next village over. I used to help coordinate local events before everything shut down, and I've done some freelance work for small museums and schools. Social media, newsletters, press stuff… storytelling, mostly."
Lucas waved her inside. "You're early."
Emma shrugged. "Figured I'd beat the inbox. I've seen this place change over the past few months. I've even walked past the fence a few times, just wondering what was going on behind it. And when I saw the job posting… well, I couldn't not try."
They crossed the plaza slowly, passing beneath the large park logo embedded in the stonework.
"Tell me something," Lucas asked. "What's the first thing you'd do here?"
Emma didn't hesitate. "I'd build a story. Not just a campaign, not just 'come see our new rides,' but a journey. Your park is already leaning into discovery and myth—lean into that. Make people feel like they're part of something unfolding."
Lucas slowed a little. "You already get the theme."
"I read between the bricks," she said with a smirk.
They stopped near the viewing area for the log flume construction site. Cranes, scaffolding, and skeletal ride pieces filled the space.
"This is the big one," Lucas said. "Not ready for opening, but it'll be worth it."
Emma studied the scene carefully. "You know, a proper lead-in on social could build suspense. Let them want it. Don't promise a date—promise an adventure. Tie it into the walkthrough if you can."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "You really want this job, huh?"
She grinned. "I want to help this place succeed. And I think I can."
System Prompt: Applicant Evaluation – Emma ScholzRecommendation: Strong CandidateRole: Guest Communications & Community LiaisonSystem Integration: Limited (external user)Budget Impact: Minor – €2,000/month
Lucas accepted the suggestion in his mind and gave a small nod.
"Welcome aboard," he said. "We've got two weeks to make this park feel like the next great story. Think you can do that?"
Emma's eyes lit up. "I already am."
Lucas sat in the small meeting room behind Globe & Griddle, the smell of fresh coffee filling the air. Across from him, Walter was flipping through a clipboard of maintenance checklists, while Emma typed furiously on her laptop.
"We're in good shape mechanically," Walter said, not looking up. "Wild Mouse, carousel, haunted house—checked and signed off. Playground upgrade's nearly finished. Only minor tweaks left."
Lucas nodded. "And the balloon ride?"
Walter glanced at him. "Manufacturer confirmed your order yesterday. They'll have it shipped within the week, but no promises for opening day."
"That's fine," Lucas said. "It's not a headliner—just a nice extra."
Emma looked up from her screen. "Speaking of extras, I've drafted the preview day invite." She slid her laptop around so Lucas could see.
On the screen was a bold header:
"Elysion Park – Discover the Wonders Beyond"Exclusive Preview Event – By Invitation Only
Beneath it, striking images of the refurbished entrance, the Wild Mouse in its new livery, and the moody facade of the haunted house. A short blurb teased Secrets of the Silk Road as a "limited first journey" before its official public debut.
"I've lined up local press," Emma continued. "Newspaper, a regional radio spot, and a couple of bloggers who cover family attractions. Social media countdown starts tomorrow—one post a day, each focused on a different part of the park."
Walter smirked. "That's a lot of attention for a day that's supposed to be small."
Emma shook her head. "Controlled attention. We want hype, but we also want the right people to feel special. That's why the invites are limited."
Lucas leaned back, imagining the park filled with curious guests, cameras clicking, kids laughing on rides that hadn't spun this smoothly in years. "Alright. Let's do it. I'll approve the budget for printed invitations and media kits."
System Transaction: Marketing Materials – €3,500Remaining System Funds: €696,500
Walter tapped his pen on the clipboard. "Then we've got work to finish. Final paint, signage installation, training refreshers for returning staff… and making sure the new uniforms are ready."
Emma grinned. "Oh, I saw those in the storeroom—they look great. Explorer-style jackets for the entrance crew, clean polos for ride ops, and the deep green aprons for food staff. Feels like a real brand."
Lucas smiled faintly. "That's the point. On preview day, I don't just want people to see new rides—I want them to feel the park is alive again."
Walter stood, tucking the clipboard under his arm. "Then let's make sure it is."