A week after the movie was released, it became a hit in town, and the actors involved became famous as well. The most popular was the female lead, Nancy. Although her acting wasn't exactly brilliant, she had the most screen time, and her final look of dying with her eyes open was deeply impressive. Now, the entire Hawkins High School calls Nancy the "Hawkins Goddess of War."
Nancy and the others were initially a bit dazed and nervous by such enthusiastic pursuit, but soon after, they began to enjoy the feeling of being in the spotlight.
Eddie felt great because it seemed the student council, the principal, and the teachers had also watched the movie. Knowing that the filming and the actors were all students from their school and that the movie's reception was exceptionally warm, the band Eddie started at school was finally taken seriously. The club received a lot of funding, a teacher was assigned to lead them to various music festivals in the state, and the school even created a rock promotion column for everyone.
Nancy and the others could be said to be at the peak of their popularity for a time, which made them feel very gratified. At least their busyness over the past period wasn't in vain.
Richard, Steve, and Keith, as the biggest beneficiaries, were grinning from ear to ear as they watched the daily income roll in.
Keith's elders heard about the "miracle" created by Keith and his classmates, so the adults took the initiative to get involved. Keith's parents expressed their willingness to introduce them to movie distributors to help bring the film to national theaters. The agreement signed between them and Keith remained as it was, with no need for changes.
Steve was very happy about this, as it was no different from stumbling upon a gold mine. However, Richard advised him that they should reciprocate. The other party might say they didn't want anything, but they had to show their friendship. The profit-sharing agreement with Keith needed to be redrawn, giving Keith a bit more of a cut.
Although Steve was a novice in business, he understood social etiquette. With Richard's guidance, he understood immediately. Sure enough, he later discussed it over the phone with his father, who was far away, and drafted a new agreement to sign with Keith's family.
Keith's parents were very satisfied with such "sensible" young talents. Their efficiency doubled instantly, and within a few days, they brought good news to Richard and the others.
The film industry giant they contacted had seen the sample footage sent over and expressed great interest in the movie. He was willing to meet with Richard and the others, and the location was set in the neighboring state of Illinois.
This was a perfect opportunity to skip class. Steve and Richard, the two school-hating duo, didn't hesitate and directly asked the principal for leave at the same time.
Upon learning that the movie made by two high school students could cause such a reaction from the outside world—no longer limited to the town but with the potential to enter national theaters—the principal immediately granted them leave. Then, the principal subtly hinted that it would be best to include the name of their town high school in the end credits.
Richard and Steve looked at each other and smiled; they could naturally agree to such a small request.
The day before departure, Richard brought food to Hopper and the others. He also took the opportunity to tell Eleven that he and Steve would be leaving town for a few days, so that the little glutton staying at home would be mentally prepared—after all, she wouldn't be able to eat his cooking for several days.
When Robin learned that Richard and the others were going to meet a film industry giant, she hugged Richard without hesitation and said seriously, "Brother, I don't have many wishes in this life that I hope you can fulfill for me. If possible, if you meet any big movie stars, please get me a few autographs."
Richard agreed with a smile. In fact, even if she hadn't mentioned it, he had planned to bring back a few autographs as souvenirs for her.
On the day of departure, Steve drove his luxury car early to pick up Richard. Richard stepped out unhurriedly, tossed his luggage into the back seat, and vaulted into the car with one hand on the edge of the door.
"Can't you just get in the car properly? Don't get it dirty; I washed the car late last night," Steve complained.
"Sorry, I learned that from Dongguan Boy. I just can't help myself when I see a place I can hurdle over," Richard laughed.
"Who the hell is Dongguan Boy?" Steve didn't understand Chinese... After a long and exhausting journey, when they reached their destination, Steve, who had been driving for half a day, felt his legs go weak as he got out of the car, and his feet didn't feel steady on the ground.
"Get a driver's license, brother." Steve sighed, shivering at the thought of having to drive back later.
Richard: "Uh, although I don't have a license, I actually know how to drive."
This wasn't a lie. Before he transmigrated, he had found time to get his license during college. It was just that he didn't have money to buy a car, so the license had been gathering dust in a drawer.
"You know how to drive and didn't say so earlier? Back in town, I could have used my connections to get you a license directly." Steve's eyes widened; it turned out he didn't have to endure this journey alone.
Richard shrugged: "You didn't ask earlier."
The meeting was scheduled for tomorrow morning. Fearing they might miss the opportunity, Richard and Steve were very careful. After checking into the hotel, they didn't think about going out to have fun that night. They just ate and relaxed in the hotel, didn't touch a drop of alcohol, and went to their respective rooms to sleep by ten o'clock.
Once in Illinois, Richard felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation. As expected, Henry Creel's Extra-sensory Range had a limit. His ability in this area was far less powerful than Eleven's. Not long after leaving Hawkins Town, that gaze that seemed to be watching him at all times disappeared.
Without the feeling of being watched, Richard was exceptionally happy.
If something were to intermittently stare at you with a fervent 45-degree angle gaze twenty-four hours a day, you would surely find it troublesome and bothersome, especially when you have no way to stop that peeping tom.
Before bed, Richard, who wasn't quite tired yet, intended to watch some TV to help him fall asleep, so he switched to the news channel.
After watching for a while, Richard got tired. To him, this wasn't just news; it was also like the listening practice he did for the CET-4 and CET-6 English exams back then.
Just as Richard was about to fall asleep, a scene on the news suddenly made him alert.
The city police were seen in a wild pursuit of a van. The news report indicated that a gang of serial killers was inside the van. They had recently killed several people in Illinois using various methods. Their killings seemed premeditated, and the media currently speculated they might be revenge killings. Now, the city police were engaged in a fierce pursuit of that group of criminals.
"Could these people be Eight's little team?" Richard recalled a rare character who appeared in the second season of the original work. As one of the few—the second—superpowered individuals to appear in the series, it was hard not to be impressed. "Although her combat power might not be much, if she plays her illusions well, I believe her mental prowess shouldn't be inferior to Henry's. Henry's Mind Invasion ability is always a danger factor. If I have Eight's help, she can protect me to some extent... Hmm..."
Richard made up his mind. He needed to find an opportunity to get in touch with Eight, that young Black girl named Carly.