Do You Want Some Cookies? (Part 2)

Tom Preston, the president of MTV, once said, "I've recently changed my religion."

Hearing this, his employees braced themselves to burst out laughing.

"I used to worship money, but now I worship Sion Lee. That kid brings in cash. Literally by the truckload."

"Hahaha! Tom! That is the perfect analogy!"

"You're absolutely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right! Sion Lee is pure gold!"

"Honestly, it was a bit of a shame we didn't have much to give Sion at the MTV Movie Awards this year."

Though Sion had attended the ceremony, he had done little more than flash his devastatingly handsome smile a few times before leaving. But Tom Preston had realized something then: to truly leverage a star of Sion's caliber, one had to be willing to pay the appropriate price.

That was why, the moment Warner Bros. inquired about scheduling a special giveaway broadcast, Tom mobilized every event staff member available. They began transforming MTV's largest studio to match the dark, atmospheric aesthetic of the movie Pain Walker, and meticulously planned the giveaway event in close collaboration with Warner.

Meanwhile, MTV closely monitored the public's response.

"I've never seen this kind of reaction for a giveaway before."

"Our mailroom is completely paralyzed."

"How do you think this movie is going to do?"

At the marketing director's question, the producer of the special broadcast took a moment to gather his thoughts. Today was August 2nd. Pain Walker, now entering its second month in theaters, was performing spectacularly, cementing its status as the year's definitive action blockbuster. The streets were still teeming with people eager to see the film, and the black Pain Walker t-shirts and white Lucid t-shirts were flying off the shelves as the ultimate trendy fashion items. Even high-end fashion magazines were running special features on how to style them.

"It's a mega-hit. It'll easily land in the top three of the year."

"And the ones above it are what, The Lion King and Forrest Gump?"

"Yeah. Arnold Schwarzenegger's True Lies also came out this year, and while it's doing okay, it's not quite keeping up. Whether this marks a true passing of the torch or just a temporary flash in the pan remains to be seen, but..."

The producer nodded, looking up at the neon lights being hoisted by a crane.

"I don't think Sion Lee plans on just sitting back and watching, either."

It was an obvious observation. Among industry insiders, Sion Lee was already regarded as that kind of actor—the type who didn't just focus on delivering a performance but actively engaged in marketing and viral promotion. While it was common for agencies to step in to manage an actor's brand, it was highly unusual for the actor themselves to drive these initiatives. But then again, this was the nineties, and things were changing. Still, everyone agreed that if anyone could pull it off, it was Sion Lee.

"Every line he delivers, every move he makes on set—he's a born superstar."

"I'm both excited and terrified to see what he'll pull off this time."

"What's there to be afraid of?" The producer grinned. "We're riding the coattails of Hollywood's newest deity."

The neon signs on the set began to flicker to life. The concept was black and white. Light and shadow. The monochromatic studio, designed with a focus on stark contrasts, exuded a raw, seductive energy—much like Sion Lee himself.

A few weeks later, on August 26th. Having finished his styling at MTV, Sion Lee stepped out of the dressing room. The white suit, a look he had grown accustomed to while filming Pain Walker, instantly commanded the room. He possessed a towering height, broad shoulders, and hair neatly slicked back with pomade. Today, perhaps wanting to project a more sophisticated, dandy vibe, he had even donned a pair of glasses. The stylists standing beside him nodded in unison, looking like artists who had just completed their masterpiece.

"In all my years, I've never seen the word 'perfect' fit someone so flawlessly."

"I know! His makeup is flawless, and his hair is absolutely perfect!"

Checking his reflection in the large mirror in the middle of the hallway, Sion gave a satisfied smirk. With his final checks complete, he strode forward with the effortless grace of a cinematic protagonist. No, for today, he was indisputably the main character of this entire studio.

He was the star of today's MTV special broadcast, Stars Give Back. By now, Sion Lee was practically a walking conglomerate. The special program, which he had conceived under the theme of "returning the love he received from his fans through a massive giveaway," had generated astronomical interest across the United States. A staggering three million letters had been received through mail-in entries alone. It was an unprecedented figure, shattering all previous records in MTV history. The sheer volume of mail was so overwhelming that the network had to urgently outsource the sorting and opening process.

And that wasn't all. Fans had begun lining up outside the studio for today's live audience seats a full three days in advance. As a result, extra security had to be deployed to manage the crowds, and local police even had to intervene to handle minor incidents. It was no exaggeration to say it looked like a royal procession awaiting the arrival of a deity.

Well, with a Porsche on the line, I'm sure entire families sat down to write those letters.

Lily Brown, the comedian hosting the show, analyzed the situation pragmatically. The grand prize was none other than a Porsche 911. She had heard it was sponsored, but the decision to give it away so freely felt terrifyingly bold. In fact, a few newspapers had subtly criticized the broadcast and Sion, questioning if the stunt was "going too far." Yet, the man of the hour didn't seem to care in the slightest.

Backstage, just before the broadcast.

"Mr. Lee." Clutching her cue cards, Lily approached him with a warm smile. When he turned around, humming a light tune, his sheer beauty was enough to make Lily's heart skip a beat.

Are you kidding me? Is it because of the full makeup...? Lily realized all over again that to become a sensation in Hollywood based on looks alone, one had to look at least this ridiculous.

"Sion?"

"...Ah, yes! Please take good care of me today." Snapping out of her daze, she greeted him, already making a mental note to use this experience for her next stand-up routine. Sion offered a gentle smile and extended his hand.

"Likewise. I feel like I might cause a bit of trouble today, so I'll be relying on you to cover for me."

"..."

It was a somewhat ominous warning. But having been forewarned, Lily steeled her resolve and headed out toward the stage. The live audience numbered around five hundred. They had squeezed in as many seats as possible while staying within the studio's safety limits. As the crowd waited with bated breath, Lily took a deep breath, organizing her thoughts while waiting for the producer's cue.

Prime time, an MTV special broadcast. And to top it off, it was completely live. A show where the superstar Sion Lee returned the love he had received from his fans. At the same time, it was a brilliant marketing stunt designed to throw fresh logs onto the slightly cooling embers of Pain Walker. The countdown began, and the audience roared the numbers in unison. Lily gripped her microphone like a passenger bracing for a roller coaster drop. As the countdown hit zero, the red ON AIR light flared to life. Instantly, the house band struck up an energetic, MTV-style riff, and the broadcast signal surged out to stations across the nation. Lily stood up, grooving to the music.

"Yes! Welcome, everyone, to tonight's special presentation of Stars Give Back!"

The lavish studio was decked out in sharp black and white tones, perfectly capturing the aesthetic of Pain Walker. The audience members, who had made it inside after incredible luck and grueling waits, wanted nothing more than to see Sion Lee. Sensing the electric atmosphere, Lily delivered a few quick, witty icebreakers before finally introducing the man of the hour.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please give a massive welcome to... Sion Lee!"

A deafening roar erupted, nearly blowing out the studio's boom mics. As Sion parted the curtains and stepped onto the stage, the crowd went absolutely wild, gasping in sheer awe. It was as if Lucid himself had stepped right out of the silver screen and into reality. Yet, in his fluid, relaxed movements, there was still that signature, slightly mischievous swagger unique to Sion Lee.

When he embraced Lily, a female fan in the crowd shrieked, "Oh my god! You're so hot!" Catching the shout, Sion gave a subtle wink in her direction, then smoothly pulled the pocket square from his jacket and elegantly laid it over Lily's seat. Lily played along, dramatically swooning to the floor in mock ecstasy. The cheers for the superstar—who seamlessly blended the charm of Lucid and the wit of Sion Lee—showed no signs of stopping.

Watching from the control room, a man smirked.

This is it. This is exactly what I wanted.

A natural-born superstar. Sion Lee was meeting the immense expectations placed on him—no, he was shattering them. It felt as though he was personally connecting with and commanding every single one of the five hundred audience members. It proved that he wasn't just a talented actor, but a true star possessing every necessary charm.

When Sion finally took his seat, he traded witty banter with Lily with effortless confidence, explaining his motivation for the giveaway:

"Well, I played a pretty wonderful character in the movie, didn't I? Sexy, wealthy, generous, and always helping people get a good night's sleep—a real 'good guy.' I think some of that rubbed off on me. I tend to be a bit of a method actor, you see."

"Oh my god! Sion, you think you were a good guy in that movie? What do you all think?!"

Though the responses were mixed, the cheers were overwhelmingly louder. Sion waved his hands like an orchestral conductor, smiling easily.

"My, it seems everyone is utterly smitten with you. ...Honestly, so am I. I'm ready to enter Lucid's dream world at any moment. You'll have to invite me sometime."

With the delightful reactions and thrilling pacing of the young comedian Lily Brown, the show was a massive success. This wasn't just a simple giveaway broadcast; it was high-level marketing designed to reignite the public's passion for the film. MTV, fully understanding Warner's goals, had prepared meticulously.

The official raffle segment began. To upbeat music, the back wall of the stage parted, revealing a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠massive, custom-built set piece.

"Behold! A swimming pool filled with three million letters!"

The mobile pool, measuring eight meters long, four meters wide, and over a meter deep, was padded at the bottom and filled to the brim with the three million letters. For a brief second, Sion looked utterly dumbfounded.

Now, what are you going to do, superstar?

The crew, who knew the planned segments, watched eagerly to see how Sion would react as both an actor and a superstar. Rising from his seat, Sion casually slipped off his jacket and loosened his tie. The audience watched in a daze as the pristine image of Lucid dissolved, replaced by a glimpse of his old, wild-child persona. Sion slowly walked toward the pool.

"I just need to pull one out of here, right?"

And without a moment's hesitation, he dove right in.

"I love you, Sion!"

"Come back alive!"

The shouts bordered on religious fervor. As the audience, Lily, and even the hyped-up crew watched with bated breath, Sion emerged, triumphantly holding a single letter high above his head.

The cheers grew even louder. And so, the drawing continued. Props used in the filming of Pain Walker. The leather jacket and sunglasses Sion had worn since his debut. Pages of the script featuring his handwritten notes. Polaroid photos taken backstage. All sorts of personal items that any fan would drool over were given away.

"I love you too."

He chatted with a woman who had won a prize and was connected via a live phone call.

"Of course. Is there anything else you need?"

At her trembling, single-word request, Sion immediately leaped down toward the audience section. He opened his arms and embraced the shaking, near-fainting fan. Wrapped in his arms, she shuddered as if struck by lightning and went limp. The cameras captured Sion gently supporting her, broadcasting the moment live to households across the nation.

Look at that shot! This is absolute gold...!

Holy crap, we need to schedule a rerun of this immediately!

MTV was ecstatic, Warner Bros. was thrilled, and the audience, Lily, and the viewers at home were all swept up in the excitement. It was far more than a simple giveaway; it was a full-blown festival masquerading as a broadcast.

After nearly two hours of broadcast interspersed with commercial breaks, Lily Brown finally brought up the grand prize.

"And now, finally, the Porsche 911 is waiting for one of you!"

"I think this is the grandest gift I can offer to return your love."

"Don't lie, Sion! Your love is way bigger than that!"

"Come on, money is always the best. ...But."

Sion stood up on cue. As the stage transitioned, a sleek Porsche rolled smoothly onto the set. Sion stepped inside and slid into the driver's seat. Pulling a marker from his pocket, he boldly scribbled his signature across the driver's seat headrest.

"How about this?"

"Oh my god, if you do that...! How is anyone supposed to drive it?!"

Lily gasped dramatically, treating the car as if it had just been transformed into a holy relic.

"You just drive it. What's the big deal?" Sion shrugged.

The pristine white supercar with its elegant curves, now bearing the handwritten signature of a global superstar. Even through the television screen in his office, the visual combination was breathtaking.

Terry Semel, the head of Warner Bros., watched the live broadcast and let out a stunned laugh.

"I'll have to treat Sion Lee to a very nice dinner after this."

He was absolutely certain now. This movie wasn't Batman. But with this superstar, who seemed to hold all of Hollywood in the palm of his hand and make it dance to his tune... breaking the $300 million barrier was well within reach.