After passing the gate, getting into AJ Entertainment's building was no problem, as Gary had been given a visitor's pass by his driver before he had dropped it off. He was told that he would need that on the first day before they gave him a real one.
Just walking up to the entrance of the building, Gary already came across a number of people he recognised. They were actors he had seen from TV series, small movies and also models, some of them he had seen on the drive here on billboards advertising products.
Outside, in the garden-like environment, they were talking amongst each other. Others seemed to be practising speeches for their next drama, TV show or role, and there were even those that were just singing away out in the open, though with all the noise going on it was hard to make out specifics, even for Gary’s ears.
‘This whole place has such a nice atmosphere to it. I feel like I have stumbled straight into a girl’s gossip magazin. So far I haven't spotted any top celebrities, so I guess they’re the up-and-coming stars like me. The real successful ones must already be living in the Tier-1 cities. Still, I recognise a good fifty percent of them.
‘I wonder what it would be like to own a place like this?’ Gary wondered, stopping in front of the entrance, staring upward at the ceiling glass windows. ‘Right now, I’m just the leader of a simple gang, but I can still dream big. There are different ways for one person to build up their influence and wealth, and who knows, maybe it won’t stay a dream. Then I could bring Amy along, so she can talk to all the people she watched on TV.’
Walking into the reception, it was the total opposite of the serene scene outside. Inside, everything was hectic. There were a multitude of guards accompanying the stars, followed by what Gary could only assume to be their managers, as well helping staff members. They were all moving across the halls, running to head outside, seemingly trying to catch up on a far too right schedule.
Now that he was in the middle of it all, Gary was unsure what to do next. The teenager had only been given simple instructions and so he had been hoping someone would meet with him, and explain what to do.
Worst case, Gary had believed he could just ask someone for help, but now that he was here, people were too involved in their own world to pay any attention to him, just walking right past him. He reached out his hand a few times, uttering a rather loud ‘Excuse me’ awkwardly, but nobody stopped, not even a guard.
“You look a little lost.” A man’s voice suddenly sounded from behind the teenager.
Turning around, Gary looked at a young man in his mid-twenties. He was dressed in a nice suit, and standing by his side there were two guards. The way the guards were dressed, and their demeanour were nearly exactly the same as the ones that had tried to show off during his interview.
“You would think with your green hair you would stand out, but as you can see coloured hair is pretty normal around here.” The man pointed with a friendly smile.
Looking around, Gary noticed that it was indeed the case. In order to stand out more on camera, a majority of the stars had coloured their hair, many of them using some very unnatural shades. Ironically, Gary’s green hair used to unnatural, but thanks to his system, it had somehow turned into his ‘natural’ hair colour, with no option to do anything about it.
“It’s not the time to be handing out visitor passes, meaning you’re meant to meet someone today.” The man concluded.
“Yes, I was asked to come today, and am supposed to meet Elanor. All of it was a bit last minute, so I wasn’t exactly told much else.” Gary admitted truthfully.
The man was looking at Gary up and down, paying special attention to the other’s suit. It was tailor-made, and the material was exquisitely sewn together. Most wouldn't be able to tell with the naked eye, but someone like him who had worked in this business for over a decade had developed a knack for spotting those things.
The small emblem of the make of the suit revealed that it was indeed the product of the company that had the exclusive rights to use that special material. The suit the green-haired person was wearing was a specially made one, from one of the top designers in the world, and would cost quite a pretty penny.
Even the stars under AJ Entertainment would have to spend most of their income to afford something like this. It was what had attracted the man over in the first place. He thought he might have had a meeting he had forgotten about, and was surprised to see a teenager instead.
‘He must be the son of some important person from a Tier-1 city. I doubt just anyone would be walking around in a suit like that. If he’s meeting up with Elanor, could he be a potential scout? He seems awfully young for that though…’
“Sir, we are running a bit behind schedule.” One of the guards whispered into his ear.
“Sorry, I won’t be able to direct you myself, but if you head down this hallway, and to the right, there’s a door with her name on it. Just give it a knock, and she should be there.” The man politely instructed him. “Before I go, mind telling me your name?”
“Ah, my name is Gary, sir.” Gary automatically answered, since the man looked a bit older than him and since the others were calling him ‘Sir’, it only felt right to.
“Nice to meet you Gary, the name is Ash. We might see each other again some time.” Ash said before he walked off with a smile on his face.
‘Gary… it's a name I have heard a few times recently. Has it become a popular name again?’ Ash thought as he continued to walk away.
Following Ash's instructions, Gary walked down the hallway, and soon saw the door with ‘Manager Elanor’ written on a plaque. He gave it a knock a couple of times until he heard a few words.
“Who is it?” A female voice asked from the inside.
“It's Gary, from the AFA.” He answered.
Immediately the door swung open, but instead of Elanor, he was greeted by a girl with a bright smile, Clem.
“Gary, you're here!” Clem cheered, immediately grabbing his hand, making his heart rate go faster as she dragged him into the room. “Come, let me introduce you to everyone.”
Inside the room, Elanor was in the midst of talking to three other people, all of them stood out just as much as Clem. Turning her head, the manager noticed his arrival.
“Oh, Gary, you're already here? I’m sorry, I believed you would only come later.” Elanor apologised. “Please sit down, it’s great that you’re already here. Allow me introduce you to the people that will be with you for the next week.”
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