Editing Rights

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"I wonder if that old Tony guy will come up with something"

Christian mumbled after hanging up the phone.

Naturally, suspicions arose given the coincidental location and timing of Alan's body's discovery. Even seasoned individuals like Anthony Westwood, as well as newcomers like Charlize, couldn't help but question whether some divine intervention was at play, preventing mankind from venturing beyond the solar system.

Christian had previously discussed with the producer how to leverage Alan's disappearance, and he took over as the director following Alan's vanishing act.

"From an FBI perspective, this is a prime example of motive and suspicion," Christian quipped.

With a hint of laughter, he added, "Fortunately, they can't find any evidence."

This was to be expected since it was Mandrill who took out Alan and Eliza Kunis during their encounter with the enigmatic Wei Changhui. Furthermore, due to the mysterious nature of their deaths, with their vitality being directly absorbed, forensic experts couldn't determine the cause and time of death. This lack of evidence made the case a pending matter.

However, Christian couldn't entirely wash his hands of the situation. He was the one who brought Alan's body to Wei Changhui's attention. Though initially planning to capitalize on Alan's disappearance in his role as director, everything changed when he met Wei Changhui, who was, for all intents and purposes, a ghostly figure. Suddenly, Christian realized that their scheme might work.

Americans had an insatiable appetite for murder mysteries, and Christian, perhaps due to his love for excitement or the mundanity of his daily life, knew that this case needed to be thrilling, mysterious, and legendary. It had to be void of concrete evidence and remain a mystery—something that would capture the attention of the American public.

While the case might not reach the level of public fascination as the death of Marilyn Monroe, it would still be more than sufficient to promote a low-budget film like "Wrong Turn".

Christian shifted her focus, stating, "Our top priority now is post-production and editing of the film."

He slapped his face lightly to stay alert and turned his attention to the Old Gun, who had been in the studio since early morning, offering her a cup of hot coffee.

"What did that old Tony guy say? I know that the news about Alan is excellent for our publicity, but what about the editing? Who will have the final say?" The Old Gun was rightfully concerned, as a movie's fate could be decided in the editing room.

"Typically, the producer has the final say in the editing process. If he doesn't want to consider our suggestions, there's not much we can do," Christian replied.

"That's true," the Old Gun concurred, "but now, we have a time advantage. With Alan's situation, our producer will need to focus on publicity, and with Jodie Foster's additional investment, there will be negotiations. If we can expedite post-production, seize the moment, and create our edited version before Westwood pays attention..."

"That would indeed give us more leverage, especially since Tony isn't one to stir up trouble."

Christian's plan seemed feasible to the old gun. He asked, "Did you have this idea in mind for a while? Why did we jump into post-production immediately after finishing shooting?"

"What do you mean?" Christian smiled triumphantly and took a sip of the coffee the Old Gun had given him, only to spit it out immediately.

"Why is this so bitter? Did you forget the sugar?"

The Old Gun grinned and said, "This is our 'overtime coffee'".

"Next time, could you please make me an instant cappuccino?"

*****

"The cappuccino here is terrible. It's almost as bad as the Gibbs's usually drinks," Abby complained about her boss's dreadful taste in coffee, glancing at a third-rate tabloid left behind by the previous customer.

Abby Shuto had a unique gothic style, with black eyeshadow and platform shoes being her everyday attire. She wore gothic black silk dresses to church and slept in a coffin at night. However, it didn't mean she was a vampire. Abby was an outstanding forensic officer working for NCIS (Naval Crime Investigation Service), but she had a distinct personal style.

With minimal work in the last few days, Abby was on vacation. After playing video games late into the night, she didn't wake up until late in the afternoon and decided to visit a nearby café for a late breakfast.

"I guess this was a bad decision," Abby mused, finally setting aside her unpalatable coffee and focusing on the tabloid left on her table.

It was a well-known fact that third-rate tabloids often featured intriguing stories, even if they weren't highly reputable. This one had caught Abby's attention:

"Hollywood Faces Another Bizarre Case. Director Murdered on Set, Injuries Match Movie Plot. Is 'Wrong Turn' Truly Deadly?"

While Abby inwardly dismissed the article as just another unsolved case in a world filled with them, she suddenly realized that this case seemed oddly familiar.

"Damn. Isn't this the case Kate assigned to me for assistance yesterday?" Abby checked the article and found that the deceased was Alan McElroy.

"Based on our initial findings, this case could turn into a mystery akin to the Black Dahlia", Abby concluded.

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References- 

1. Abby Shuto-Abigail "Abby" Beethoven Sciuto is a fictional character from the American television series NCIS (2003)

2. Black Dahlia- Elizabeth Short known posthumously as the Black Dahlia, was an American woman found murdered in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 1947.

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