Section 2: Walking the Wrong Way on Positivity Row (2/3)

This Jurassicified jungle seems like just the kind of place a giant, prehistoric animal would take up residence.

Now, where could that serpent have run off to...?

Did you just see something, Senpai?

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Right, Master!

There! We found the serpent!

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Come on, Master, let's hurry and capture it!

I'm happy to report that we managed to capture the serpent!

Félicitations! I knew you two could do it!

Now we can finally shoot the rest☆

Not on your life.

Are you sure I can't change your mind? All my other employés in this town would love to see the end.

Really!?

They believe if we can release a complete edition, it'll become a legend. My employés are nothing if not big dreamers.

That's why Ino, we need to do our best not to disappoint.

Please don't look at me like that. You'll get me dreaming again.

Well, until the day that dream becomes reality, I hope you'll all keep praying to...this statue!

Next, I'd like to head into one of the Mississippi River's tributaries. There, we have three things to take care of.

Y-you mean there are even more!?

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No matter how many we film, there are so many others I still want to do. Ahh, aren't movies wonderful☆

I couldn't have done anything without my trusty employés and loyal followers.

Knowing they're all waiting for my next project is pure bliss. Now, come on! We've got our work cut out for us!

(I get the sense the work will all fall to us again...)

Theeere we go. Who's a good boy? That's right, you are. I'm gonna pet you, okay? (Pet, pet, pet, pet)

Squeee!

(Hmm. Still needs to bulk up a bit...)

May we bring the rice balls now, Boss Anning?

Looks like rice alone isn't cutting it. I think he needs some variety in his diet.

Really!? But rice is a perfectly nutritious food.

What can I say? He's still a growing boy...

It's all right, fair princess. You'll be safe now that I'm here!

Stay back, you idiot!

Huh? Wait, why are you angry? I'm here to save you.

You're no match for him. No, it's not just you.

None can quell the wrath of such a god...

He's here!

!

Are you kidding me!?

I know. I understand how you all feel.

But rest assured that I'm doing everything I can to get filming back on track.

I agree.

I can barely keep up with all these productions going on.

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Once I decide to do something, I don't stop until the job's done. That's what a leader's supposed to do.

Unfortunately, after a series of unforeseeable mischances, we only had enough money to make that trailer...

(Are we sure they were unforeseeable...?)

For that matter, why did you drag Lakshmi and me into a movie about a Greek myth?

India and Greece aren't exactly neighbors, you know.

We decided to think more globally for this production☆

Who made these casting decisions!?

I've heard about what you are trying to accomplish here, um...Super Bunyan.

But shutting down production and abandoning us with no more than a "Sorry 'bout this"?

This is utterly humiliating, and my fellow cast members will not stand for this either! You'll regret treating us like this!

...I don't think we can talk them out of this. Master!

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Understood!

Ahh, I feel much better after that battle! Now I can return to filming with renewed purpose!

Seriously!?

I think I should take this chance to leave the project. It would be safer for all involved...

I don't want to lose any one of you. You're all my valued employés, and I'm sure we can get through anything if we all do our best!

Well said! So, when does filming resume?

As soon as possible, but not yet! I'm afraid I need you to keep being patient while I attend to...other things.

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That's true, Senpai. There seem to be a lot of things tying our hands...

For now, let's start by making sure we have the funds to keep this location reserved until we can start filming again.

And that's a job only you two can do.

Meaning...?

Thanks for taking care of this, Fujimaru, Mash.

Rebellion, rebellion♪

If you don't wanna do it! Ditch it! That's what I'd do!

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Actually, I saw some mousey girls scurrying around earlier. "Companions" of yours, right?

I'd like to think so...but it seems they don't agree.

Too bad. They seemed like they'd be real good at making money.

I would guess they're assistants to a fairly high-ranking deity.

I'd really prefer to avoid making things worse if I can help it...

Honestly, those things kind of gave me the heebie-jeebies.

I'm sure they're not really the deity they represent, but there's still something about them that reminded me of Papan...

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That's great! I'm counting on you guys, okay?