With the film wrapped up, I turned my attention to the computer research team. Time to see how the new recruits were faring.
Most of the fresh faces George brought back from the Electronics Expo were dwarves, their stubby fingers surprisingly nimble on the keyboards. A handful of humans had also joined, their eyes gleaming with excitement for the project.
Of course, I wasn't taking any chances. Each new member had signed a high-level magical contract. Try to blab about our work, and they'd find themselves suddenly mute on the topic.
The scrolls for these contracts didn't come cheap, but the secrecy was worth every gold coin.
I strode into the secret warehouse where our computer was taking shape. Drake and Josh immediately cornered me, eager to recount their progress.
As I listened, I couldn't help but feel impressed. At this rate, we might see "Hellfire OS 1" within six months to a year. It'd be basic, sure - about on par with Windows 1 - but considering Microsoft took four years to develop their first OS, we were making incredible time.
Our edge? A perfect blend of talent, round-the-clock work, and a dash of magic. That spell transferring code from paper straight into the computer system was a real time-saver. No need for tedious retyping.
I watched a dwarf scribble some code, then wave his hand. The paper glowed briefly before the text vanished, and a nearby screen lit up with the newly added lines.
Of course, besides developing the operating system, my team's been working on those games I told them about.
Drake approached me. "Boss, that computer program you asked for? We finished it a week ago. Want to see if we did it right?"
"You followed my plan to the letter?" I asked.
Josh nodded. "Yes. That 'Space Invader' program is complete."
"Let's take a look," I said, feeling a thrill at the thought of seeing the world's first video game.
We headed to another computer. Josh booted it up, and there it was - Space Invaders on the screen!
"This is good... You guys did great," I smiled, impressed.
Drake handed me the controller. "This is the device that can help you communicate with the program, boss."
"Actually, Drake, this is called a 'game controller'," I explained.
Drake and Josh exchanged puzzled glances.
"And this 'Space Invader' program? It's called a 'video game'," I added.
"I... see..." Drake nodded, looking a bit confused.
Josh piped up, "So we've been developing... not a crucial program, but a 'game' for people to kill time?"
I chuckled at Josh's words. "That's about right." But I couldn't help adding, "There's a saying - video games are medicine that fill your heart with joy and happiness."
Drake and Josh's expressions clearly said, 'Was there ever such a saying?'
Okay, I made that up.
Anyway, I started up Space Invaders and began to play. Drake and Josh watched curiously, and even the others busy with programming couldn't help but peek over.
After I finished playing, Drake and Josh eagerly took control of the video game.
Once they'd had their turn, Drake mused, "So this is a video game..."
"We've been working on this program, but I didn't expect its only function was to entertain," Josh said, sounding surprised.
Drake nodded. "Yeah, I've been curious about what this program was all about while we were developing it. It's not a crucial program, but I didn't expect it to be for entertainment."
"It's also a program that can help people kill boredom. That has value in its own way," Josh added thoughtfully. "Boss Arthur is really ahead of us in understanding. Computers can make interesting programs like Space Invader, and it's fascinating!"
I listened to Drake and Josh's conversation, amused that they were talking as if I wasn't even there.
Now that the first game, "Space Invader," was done, we just needed to develop a few more games to create an arcade machine for the entertainment spots in the city.
I couldn't help but wonder how the people of this world would react to such basic entertainment.
Part of me wished I could speed up the development of the computer operating system. With it, my team and I could create my favorite video games like "Mario," "Sonic," and others.
But I knew I couldn't be impatient. One step at a time.
I left the warehouse and headed to the penthouse for some much-needed sleep. It had been a long day - wrapping up filming, celebrating with the crew, checking on computer development, and playing "Space Invader" for half an hour.
As I drifted off, my mind was already racing with plans for the future of gaming in this world.
The next day, Klein approached me with news. "Boss, that superstar Caleb Diamond is about to have a concert in the Yellow Theatre."
I chuckled darkly. "Did you make sure to buy up as many tickets as possible?"
"Yes, boss," Klein nodded, "but there are a few we couldn't get our hands on."
I waved it off. "Doesn't matter. With barely anyone there, they'll see their idol embarrass himself in front of an empty house!"
"Did you give tickets to the journalists for Caleb's concert?" I asked.
Klein's smile widened. "Yes, and I made sure they believe Caleb himself invited them to see how famous he is with a packed crowd."
I nodded, impressed. Klein was really growing beyond just being a casting director. "Good. Now we just wait for the headlines. That scumbag will regret messing with my talents. I won't rest until his career is in ruins, even if it takes years."
"You're a cruel demon king, boss!" Klein exclaimed, his tone full of admiration.
This guy was getting too comfortable with me, but I didn't mind much.
"Call Leo," I added. "I want to know how James' debut is coming along."
"Of course, boss." Klein bowed deeply.
"I'm not a demon king, don't bow so low!" I protested.
But Klein only bowed deeper. "Understood, boss."
I sighed. It was clear Klein saw me as more than just a boss, maybe even a friend. But I couldn't bring myself to mind too much.
At the Yellow Theatre, venue for Caleb Diamond's concert, the arriving journalists were met with an unsettling sight.
"Why's it so dead here? It's weird," one journalist muttered to his colleagues from other media outlets.
His friend glanced outside, noting the few passersby who didn't even spare the theatre a second look. "Right? It's like a ghost town."
Another chimed in, "What are you on about? It's hours before the show. Of course it's empty. Fans haven't arrived yet."
"Yeah, but this is Caleb we're talking about. It's never been this dead before," someone else pointed out. Read full story at NoveIꜰire.net
An elf journalist tried to reassure the group. "Relax, guys. People will flood in soon enough. Remember, tickets sold out in days. That says something about Caleb's fame."
"I guess," a fiend demon journalist nodded. "He is an international superstar, after all."
But as hours ticked by and the journalists entered the theatre, an awkward realization set in. Contrary to their expectations, no big crowd materialized. Only a handful of people dotted the vast space.
The three thousand-seat theatre gaped emptily, most seats unoccupied.
"What... what's going on here?" a journalist muttered, confusion etched on his face.
The group exchanged bewildered glances, the silence of the nearly empty theatre speaking volumes. This was not the packed house they'd anticipated for a star of Caleb Diamond's caliber.