Re: Life - Business & Technology

(Comment here for anything you want to see on a new YouTube video about this novel and please vote using powerstones and golden tickets to get us within the top 20!)

Announcement: Please check the glossary/characters auxiliary chapter for updated concept art!

-------------------------------

The Prime Alliance gaming facility was more than Vince expected from an esports organization. Each computer in the building was Future Tech's brand which would've cost a fortune, but Hecz was adamant in providing his players with only the best equipment and even recently upgraded to Enterprise NetServ Optical Fiber for their networking.

Elon made quick work of the power grid upgrade in Austin and LA, which included laying high-bandwidth lines connecting the cities to Future Tech Data Access Nodes scattered throughout both states.

Plenty of the local small internet service providers accepted their fate and sold their businesses slowly to NetServ to work directly with the growing corporation.

Vince wondered how much effort and time Hecz had spent on his new project and inquired, "So are you still running Optic Gaming or solely focusing on Prime Alliance?"

Hecz found the question interesting, considering he was known for treating Optic as his baby, and replied, "I love my org, but I honestly feel much more passion competing in the APL than in COD, so I have my old business partners deal with Optic while I'm busy here. But I'd feel different if Activision treated the COD pro scene with as much respect as you do for War Online."

[If they did, I wouldn't have broken through the esports industry as easily. One man's trash is another man's treasure.] Vince thought.

"The only downside in running the APL is the fact I can't own a team, but it's fine; my F1 team is doing well, at least. Y'all are also welcome to watch the Austin race in November, by the way." Vince offered graciously.

The three accepted the casual invitation politely before looping around the facility and arriving back at the lounge.

People such as Gabe Newell would rarely ever interact with the pro community, unlike Vince, who embraced the culture. So Hecz was quite happy about the content his production team filmed of Vince spending time at their headquarters and said, "I hope you enjoyed the tour, and we're very grateful for allowing us to film. I'll tag you on the video when it releases tonight."

"Dope. If you guys aren't busy the rest of the day, you should watch the Jimmy Kimmel Show with me. I'm sure they can make space for three other people." Vince suggested.

"That sounds fun. I'm down." 3D Jaden replied.

The other two didn't want to disrespect Vince and followed Jaden's lead.

-----------------------

A group of eight young Korean men was enjoying the lavish amenities of a Luxury 787 and still couldn't believe they would perform on US mainstream television.

A squad of FS operators and a dozen of Oliver's crew who usually worked on the APL live events and broadcasts production team supported them in the background.

Pdogg maintained his cool to ensure he managed his boys well and said, "Alright, all of us will spend at least an hour of preparation and practice with Hailee before the show begins. I've spent time thinking about it and decided you'll perform 'Boy For Luv', with a similar dance routine to the music video."

The young artists were hyped after hearing the song they would have chosen themselves. It was a massive hit on social media, featuring Hailee's enchanting chorus, and was already in the hundreds of millions in viewers across all platforms within the week.

Jungkook felt a bit nervous as the youngest member and asked, "Why do you think ABC suddenly invited us for an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show?"

"Hey, don't go second-guessing yourself when a big opportunity like this presents itself," Pdogg replied with an air of leadership, as the much older big bro.

"I remember Vince mentioned a meeting he'd have with Disney while we were drinking at the Digital Den. So I guess they settled on a deal, and we lucked out on landing a gig with their subsidiary." RM explained his thought process.

"That doesn't matter. We focus on putting on an amazing show to all our potential fans in America. If we want Future Tech to continue supporting us with luxury flights and state-of-the-art recording studios, we'll have to pull our own weight in the music label." Pdogg sternly reminded his artists.

Suga interjected and excitedly said, "We can be serious as we touch down in LA, but for right now, let's enjoy the flight."

The boys quickly agreed and started taking photos for their social media accounts, flying on the most lavish jet money can buy.

-----------------------------------------------

While BTS was on their flight to Los Angeles, Alice and Hailee struggled to decide which Future Couture dress she should wear for the show.

[Leah gave me so many beautiful dresses, I can't even choose!] So Hailee thought as she wore another one to show Alice.

Wonder Alice was a huge admirer of Future Couture after spending time on The Longhorn and excitedly said, "They all look amazing, Haiz. Though I've never seen these designs at the Rodeo Drive storefront, so they're probably limited editions by Leah Dalton herself."

The fashion industry was and always has been a crazy money-making business, with Bernard Arnault, for example, who's estimated to be worth almost $200 billion for owning Louise Vuitton, among other luxury brands.

Future Couture was rapidly climbing the fashion ladder, introducing neo-modern styling and functional features like metal-matrix weaved materials for temperature control and bullet protection.

The richest of the rich preferred buying the most expensive options, and Future Couture had that in spades; Vince's black overcoat alone costs $100 thousand before taxes and a personal background check.

Hailee finally wore a purple and gold-themed outfit with a few revealing features, and Alice commented, "That's perfect, sis! You'll look phenomenal on stage wearing that."

"Alright, I'll go get ready for our rehearsals. You're coming with me, right?" Hailee asked.

"Of course! And Jaden texted me they'll be watching the show with Vince." Alice replied.

Hailee felt exhilarated with her heart skipping a beat and pondered, [Vince will be there? I thought we wouldn't see each other for another month or so.]

------------------------------------------------

About an hour later, a Future Tech CAV arrived at El Capitan Theatre along Hollywood Boulevard, where ABC taped the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

Plenty of locals and tourists were roaming about and enjoyed the cool weather on a typical Friday evening.

Vince, Jaden, Hecz, Fortis, and the FS escort made their way towards the entrance, where hundreds of people waited in line for the live show.

Their entourage naturally received attention from the crowd before a theatre steward allowed them inside the building.

"Was that Fortis from Prime Alliance?" a bystander inquired.

"Who cares about Fortis if Vince Dalton was next to him? If he were older, I'd definitely gobble him up. He was so hot in the 'Starving' music video." the bystander's girlfriend replied.

The other people in line quickly realized they were in for a treat that evening and quickly shared the rumors about Vince Dalton attending the Jimmy Kimmel Show on their social media accounts.

The El Capitan Theatre was almost a hundred years old, yet the old school aesthetic held up even in the twenty-first century.

The iconic late-night show host himself welcomed the special guests and greeted, "It's a pleasure to meet you all. First, I'd like to extend my gratitude for you accepting the invitation on such short notice a few of the executives at ABC and Disney decided they wanted to reveal the recent partnership during our interview featuring your label's artists."

Jimmy was not short by any means, standing at around 6 feet tall, but the young man looked at him at eye level with a certain seriousness.

Vince was caught off guard and confused in asking, "What do you mean? My butler didn't tell me about an interview. Everyone knows I rarely do them."

Jimmy Kimmel was startled with how Vince spoke in such a domineering way, though he was only 15 years old and paused for a moment.

[I see through your strategy, Disney. You're making me do the legwork in promoting our new venture. Classic.] Vince thought before saying, "It's alright. I'll do the interview, but we'll only discuss the Infinity Channel and other stuff. No politics, including FS and Kandahar. It's a sensitive topic for me right now."

Jimmy clearly felt an intimidating aura from the young man and quickly cooperated in replying, "Completely reasonable, Mr. Dalton. Thank you for clearing up the misunderstanding." while sweating a little bit.

"Please, call me Vince. I assume the others are preparing for their musical number?" he amicably inquired.

"They're currently doing stage rehearsals. Would you like to observe their practice while waiting for the show to start?" Jimmy asked.

Vince thought about it for a moment for replying, "Nah, we'll let them be for now so they can focus on their own thing. I'm more interested in a tour of this theatre."

Jimmy was happy to oblige and explained, "The El Capitan boasts a storied history, Vince. Let me show you and your friends a quick rundown of the place. This very theatre hosted citizen Kane's world premiere in 1941."

[I don't want to distract Hailee from getting ready for her first-ever live musical performance. That would make me an irresponsible partner. But I hope she enjoys it.] Vince pondered while their group learned more about the old entertainment venue.

----------------------------------------

Stats last time checked:

Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion

15 million BTC (currently trades at $25,000)

$11 Billion cash in Future Tech

105,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med, Future Tech Robotics, Future Education, Epic Games, 60% of SpaceX, 10% of Tesla, 10% of Koenigsegg)

20,000+ operators under Future Security

Personal Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner, The Longhorn, Flyga

Collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E, Disney)

Numerous subsidiaries under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram, Twitch, Big Hit Entertainment)