Chapter 171 | Home Alone II; Test Audience

Twists and turns, days and nights passed.

What's more important for Ian was the release of the movie that he had longed for, for two years. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

"A twelve-year-old boy… Home Alone!! I have no idea what the parents must have been thinking! How dare a mom and a dad leave a kid alone when… He has enemies roaming around the city!"

(A round of applause)

"What? Does it ring a bell now?"

"Yes!!!"

"Home Aloneee!!"

"Home Alone!"

"Everyone, welcome Ian Renner… and the set of Home Alone to SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!"

(drum rolls… with rounds of applauses)

"Adam… How are you?!"

"I'm doing good, Kevin. How are you?" Adam asked back.

The premise was set where Adam, Ian, Fiona, Mason, and a few more actors from Home Alone sat on a sofa. And to their left, there was the show host, Kevin Gene.

To their right, the musical band was ready to go along with anything that was thrown at them. In fact, the musical band had the toughest job in the show. The songs, little drum rolls, and dramatic effects were added and shown through music and sounds, which was their entire responsibility.

Somehow, in front of Ian and the others, there was an audience who looked more than ready and happy to be here with everyone else.

The set was small, yet catchy. The couch and the entire theme were going along with black and blue–mainly because it was a night show and that too, a popular one.

"It's funny how Adam is here, and so is Kevin. Like-" Ian said and shrugged, pointing out the oblivious.

"And it's even funnier how even Ian is here! The creator of…. Well, me," Kevin gave a weird look. "Never mind that… Moving ahead, the trailer was dropped out on the internet-"

"-And...

"-and...

He was cut out by the loud cheers of the audience. Some even stood up. And two women were caught on camera twerking for the drum roll that was presented.

The crowd soon decreased their cheers, and the host nodded with a smile.

"And, it already hit 7 million views on U-tube, like what the heck?! Seven million in such a short time! I bet there are so many out there who have been waiting for Home Alone's sequel for so long that they watched the trailer as soon as it dropped, or they kept gawking at the U-tube channel to see when it would be dropped…"

The host shrugged in a funny manner, which made Ian laugh as well.

"What is it with your director, Ian Renner? How is this… Happening?!"

The joking tone of the host was visible and audible. His eyes looked as if they were about to bulge out, and he leaned in closer to Ian to listen to whatever he was about to say.

"I mean… Who can blame me?"

"Ahaha!"

"Well said!"

"Ahahaha!"

"Well, truthfully. I'm grateful for everyone who embraced Home Alone as I did. The results of Home Alone were basically due to how people loved it, and the actors. Yes, it wasn't easy to create something when I was so very new in the industry. But, the reactions make me nervous," Ian said and chuckled.

"Why so?"

"It can be overwhelming sometimes. But I'm sure, we did a great job."

"Yes!" (applauses) "So, we have a quick game today. And, it is going to be about… Home Alone, of course. Before that, can we have all of you on the left please?" Kevin asked as he stood up himself.

"So, this is how it is going. I'll be explaining a part of the story, Related or not related to Home Alone, but you have to be in the character and play the part. Like, imagine, I'm Kevin-" (laughter in the background) "I am Kevin, but imagine… *Kevin* Kevin. So-"

-

The very next day, it was the screening of the movie to the test audience.

Multiple people, young, adults, old people, and kids walked through the door of the theatre. Ian couldn't help but smile at the people who walked in.

It felt as if he was in the movie premiere, where he got to see so many reactions, and cheers from people who walked out that day.

"This is going to be interesting. We'd know what they really think about the movie," the director, Harvey said while standing next to where Ian was sitting.

"Not really. I don't think so." Ian said and looked to the front, where people started sitting and getting comfortable in the theatre.

"What do you mean, director?" the director asked back.

"Just call me Ian. And, these people are not going to be honest, no matter what. So, don't take it as that's the exact reaction. They are here to simply enjoy what is being delivered. If possible, there are going to be only positive comments from almost everyone. But, it's alright, let's see how much they'd enjoy it."

"Yeah," the director went silent from what Ian said and walked back to get his seat.

-

By the end of the movie, almost everyone looked more than happy to have witnessed the movie that they waited for so long. Some were laughing, some were discussing, and some others were getting ready to walk out of the theatre.

"I can't believe we got to watch it with Ian Renner himself… Oh my god, he is looking at us!" The lady said and waved at Ian who waved back.

"This was good and in my opinion, was so much better than the first movie! WE LOVED IT!" some other girl yelled at Ian and he smiled but didn't say anything more.

"That was really awesome! I loved it!"

"I was fucking crying by the end of it! So good, so good!"

The chatters and the whispers knew no end, as people started walking out of the theatre.

Many people stopped before going and took selfies and pictures with the actors who were present. Regardless of how good or bad they enjoyed the movie, at the end of the day, Ian felt satisfied with what he created.

"Uncle, I just can't wait for the premiere and see how the critics are going to react. I just have this gut feeling that there's something missing in the movie, and I have no idea what that is," Ian said and shook his head.

"Let's wait and see. The movie premiere is the day after tomorrow, and I can't wait to see how it is going to be-"

"Yeah, well, let's see. Oh, there's a fan waiting for you," Mason said and showed Ian behind where he saw not just one but so many fans waiting for Ian to approach the audience.

"How is everyone doing? Enjoyed the movie?" Ian asked as he got closer to the bar that separated Ian and the people.

"Yess!! We loved it!"

"Thank you so much~"

"It was really funny!"

"My favorite Christmas movie this year as well!"

The comments made Ian smile.

"Thank you, ladies. It's already pretty late-"

The little conversation expanded for around thirty minutes as Mason watched how everyone was excited to talk to Ian.

He had a smile lingering on his lips, which disappeared as soon as the man of the night approached him.

"Mr. Striver, how have you been?" Jeff Sanson asked and shook hands with Mason.

"Never been better. Have a seat, Ian is quite busy with the fans. And not like the people get to talk to Ian every day," Mason said and showed the seat next to him.

Jeff took his word in and started discussing things as usual.

Mason didn't hate Jeff. But he was aware of how much of a scary businessman Jeff could be. Although he wanted Ian to go his own way in the industry, he had seen and heard things that no normal person should.

It wasn't specifically about Jeff, but they were things that are pretty normal for the dark side of Hollywood.

And as far as how Jeff's and Ian's relationship continued to go, Mason knew that either Jeff could be a really good partner for Ian in the future, or maybe it could turn out to be the complete opposite.

"Yes, yes. It's his night after all. Even I have a Christmas movie coming out next week, no competition at all, but this movie already attracted eyes considering people loved the theme of burglars getting beaten up by a kid," Jeff said.

"Ian can be quite creative with ideas sometimes-"

"Mr. Jeff Sanson," Ian walked right in between the conversation and extended his hand.

On one hand, he had his jacket folded, and on the other, Jeff was shaking his hand. What is stopping him from slapping the jacked across his face? Courtesy.

"Ian, it's good that I finally got to talk to you, you know," Jeff said and stood up. "I'm going to hold a party. The last movie released by the Goofy Studio is quite the blockbuster. So, you might as well come and celebrate it with me, Oh, and congratulations on winning the trial," Jeff said with a broad, fake smile.

What is with this man and his fake smile?

"Huh, why are you congratulating me?" Ian asked back, making Mason and Jeff both frown. "Weren't your lawyers affiliated with Sarah to fight against me?" he asked straightforwardly.

Although Mason was seated, he was keeping a good eye on the conversation.

"Uh-huh, Ian. I can't tell who the firm should work for and not. It's not in my hands. You know it. There are a lot of lawyers working for Goofy from time to time. We hire their firm from time to time, and we have a good professional relationship, but that's the end of that. I can't go to them and say don't hire X client, when I am their client as well. Come on, you know how that works." Jeff explained and Ian almost rolled his eyes.

"Hmm," Ian hummed and nodded. "I'll be there," he said as Jeff smiled again.

"That's my boy, see you both then!" Jeff said and walked away—taking his big body out of sight of Ian.

"That man is no good news," Mason whispered loud enough for Ian to hear.

"I know," Ian said as the wheels in his mind started to twist and turn.

-

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