Marius "Eye of the Beholder"/Rewards

Story 1

Scene 1: Central Business District

Who are you? Where are you? What are you doing?

These are sentences that best describe your current mental state.

You: ...

Marius: Don't be so serious! Your expression is scaring everyone around you!

You: And whose fault is it that I'm so serious? Master! Marius!

If only you could go back in time. You would tell yourself from two days ago: Don't say yes to Marius!

Scene 2: Flashback (Your Residence)

On the first night of the golden week, you receive a phone call from Marius.

He asks for your entire week's schedule. Then, proceeds to talk about the hottest variety show, "It's Big Brain Time."

The show, created by Marius, aims to raise money for Alzheimer's patients. It has been trending recently.

"Marius" and "Hype" are some of its internet tags.

You: You want me to test the recording with you?

Marius: The rundown and the content of the show has been finalized. This is a field check to see if some things are feasible

You: You don't have to do it yourself, do you? Shouldn't this be handled by the production crew?

Marius: Ah... I could. But, this is the first show of my making, so I feel more comfortable doing it myself.

Marius: I'm inviting you in hopes that you might catch any problems, or if you have any suggestions.

You: Uh... but I don't understand variety shows very well...

Marius: Ahh... so you're going to reject me? Looks like I'll have to go to set all alone, poor little me.

Marius: Everyone on set is going to be pointing at me and saying, "How pitiful! He has no friends..."

Marius: Miss, you're going to let all those people make fun of me?

You know that it is just a trick to get you to go, but you end up falling victim to his tactic anyways.

You: ... Which day?

Marius: I'll pick you up in two days. Rest well these two days and I'll see you at the scene of the show.

Shortly after you hang up, Marius sends over a brief introduction of the rundown of the show.

"It's Big Brain Time" is a show where contestants compete in a challenge to earn money and buy an item.

The time limit is three hours. The location is the Central Business District. You can only make money using your skills, no strings attached.

For every contestant that finishes the challenge, the sponsor will donate $70,000 to an Alzheimer's facility.

You: The rules for the game are easy to understand. It should be interesting.

You naively anticipate it, not knowing what kind of exciting experience awaits you.

Scene 3: Central Business District

Two days later, you meet up with Marius at the Central Business District.

You: What!? I really have to work to earn money!?

You thought you would just "go through the motions," not actually play the game.

However, Marius suddenly tells you that this test run will simulate the normal shooting conditions.

You: L-Let me get this straight. So you're saying...

You: That we really have to work and earn enough money on this street to buy the amethyst accessory from that shop within 3 hours?

Marius: That's correct! To make the simulation accurate, I've asked employees to play the part of the other guests.

Marius: Even the "competition" is simulated! What do you think? i put in a lot of effort, right?

You: Why are we taking this test run so seriously!?

Marius: "Real knowledge comes from practice"? How would we know the rundown is good without testing it personally?

Marius: I told you, didn't I? This is the first time I'm planning a show. I've got to be serious and thorough about it!

You: ...

You fall silent, not knowing how to express your current emotions.

Marius: ... If you really don't want to... then, it's okay...

Perhaps it's your silence that causes Marius to misunderstand. he immediately begins to reassure you.

But, looking into his eyes, you can see it brimming full of expectation. You don't have the heart to say no.

You: ... Should we start? It's getting late...

Marius: Okay, we're starting now!

Marius signals the film crew's director. Soon, the cameras start rolling and the recording begins.

You: (Whatever, the challenge is only three hours anyway. It'll be over before I know it.)

Silently comforting yourself, you give in and face the camera next to you.

Unbeknownst to you, a great "disaster" was already upon the horizon.

In order to make as much money as possible, you and Marius choose to work in a popular shop.

But...

Scene 4: Dessert Shop

Dessert Shop Owner: Even though you two are talented...

Dessert Shop Owner: But sorry, it's only for three hours. We would rather hire this young man that has experience making desserts.

When the owner finishes talking, the employee acting as a competitor frantically apologizes to Marius.

Staff A: Mr. von Hagen, Alice, I didn't mean to take this job. The director said I had to take this role seriously...

Staff A: I... I thought Mr. von Hagen knew how to make desserts...

You: It's okay. It's not your fault that we have no experience...

You: ... Marius, is that what you mean by "competition"?

You: How many times have we been rejected for having "no work experience?"

Marius: ...

Since getting a job at a popular shop might end in failure, you and Marius decide to go in another direction.

You and Marius choose a job that isn't competitive and doesn't require strong professional skills.

In the end...

Scene 5: The movie theater

Bartender: Mr. von Hagen, you have the looks and the fame. People will be lining up to purchase snacks just to look at you...

Bartender: But, to qualify as an employee here, you must first learn how we greet the customers.

Bartender: Now, repeat after me! WELCOME ONE!! WELCOME ALL!! Would you like some coke and fries?

The bartender's strange accent draws everyone's attention, and a few experienced cameramen train their cameras on Marius.

Marius: ...

The employee, unfazed by Marius' sullen face, flashes a business smile at the cameras and pats him on the shoulder.

Bartender: Don't be shy. Come on now. Loud and proud. WELCOME ONE!! WELCOME ALL!! Would you like some coke and fries?

You: ...

The roar of laughter from the camera crew signifies another defeat for your team.

Scene 6: Central Business District

You: ...

You: ... if this continues, we won't be able to purchase the amethyst accessory before the challenge ends...

Marius: Can we negotiate the price? I can work my charms.

You: Marius, the price of this brand has only gone up ever since it was created. Also, they never offer any promotions, ever.

Marius: You know that I normally don't even look at the price when I buy things. How would I know that?

You: The cheapest accessory will cost us a couple of thousands. Any lower and they won't even sell us their scraps.

Marius: You sure do know a lot... Do you know this brand?

You: Of course! I have been following them for a long time. Their amethyst accessories have always been my favorite.

Marius: I see...

Marius ponders about it for a while, but doesn't say anything.

???: Mr. von Hagen, it's time for a break.

The film director shows Marius the time on his phone. He nods and looks at the surrounding employees.

Marius: Thank you for your hard work. Lunch is on me!

Marius: From now until we regroup, eat and drink anything you want. My treat!

His employees explode into a roar of cheers and applause.

The tired camera crew thanks Marius for his kindness, then scatters to the various restaurants on the street.

Marius: Let's find a place to rest too.

You: Okay.

Scene 7: Dessert Shop

You: (A gallery, a bookstore, a makeup shop... These aren't really places where we can rest at...)

You and Marius walk down the street in search for a resting place.

Dessert Shop Owner: Hey, young man. Here. Over here!

Suddenly, a passionate man intercepts the both of you.

Story 2

Scene 1: Dessert Shop

While you and Marius are looking for a place to rest, a man blocks your path.

Dessert Shop Owner: Hey, young man. Here. Over here!

The man is the owner of the popular dessert shop. He beckons you over while holding a small Karman Orange Cheesecake.

You: Hey, do you need something?

Dessert Shop Owner: Not at all. You must be tired from walking around everywhere. Here, have some sweets to replenish your energy.

He passionately pulls on the both of you, shoving the cheesecake into your hands.

You: It's okay. We're just passing by!

Dessert Shop Owner: Take it. It's free! I heard that your show is raising money for patients with Alzheimer's.

Dessert Shop Owner: It's a good thing you're doing. Consider this dessert a token of my support. Eat to your heart's content.

Unable to reject the owner's kindness, you and Marius decide to rest at the dessert shop and place more orders.

While waiting for the other desserts to come, you and Marius stare at the small cheesecake on the table.

Marius: There's still some time before the desserts come. Why don't you eat this first? You can replenish your energy.

You: It's okay, we can share it. You need to replenish your energy as well.

Marius: Oh... we don't have to go all this trouble.

Marius suddenly laughs.

You: Huh?

Marius: Get a spoonful of cake first.

You are doubtful, but you follow his instructions.

Marius: Then...

He looks around. After confirming something, he suddenly extends his arm towards you.

The afternoon breeze gently blows by, bringing a familiar frosty fragrance from your memories.

A burning warmth permeates your wrist. That feeling amplifies through the various nerve endings.

Marius: How about you feed me?

The way he softly draws his words out made it unable for anyone to resist him.

Under the bright sunlight, strains of light pass through the crevices of the umbrella, falling onto Marius.

Marius quietly looks at you with a smile. The gleam in his eyes brighter than the sun itself.

Marius: If we do this, then...

Marius suddenly tightens the hand holding your wrist.

Your body tilts forward along with the action. The cake that you were holding up is sent into his mouth.

In an instant, the distance between the two of you seemingly disappears.

Marius: This way, you don't need to split the dessert, and I still get to have some. Isn't that convenient?

Marius: What you think, miss?

With his face so close to yours, you can feel the warmth of his breath on your skin as he speaks.

Your face seems to be burning up.

You: M-Marius!

Returning to your senses, you retract the hand that Marius has been holding onto, creating some distance.

You: There are people coming and going! W-What are you saying!? I won't feed you!

Marius: Relax! I just checked. There's nobody around here.

You: Even so... you can't...

Marius: Can't what?

He smiles at you and watches you with full interest, as if anticipating your next reply.

You decide to change the topic so that you do not let down his expectations.

You: ... Leave that aside for now. Marius, do you have anything to say about the challenge?

You: I'm not optimistic about our current situation.

Reminded of your situation, as well as the time limit you sense nothing but troubled waters ahead.

Marius: ... I know.

Marius frowns slightly before quickly returning to his confident self.

Marius: The three-hour time limit isn't up yet. As long as there's still time, we have a chance of winning.

Marius: I won't surrender until the very last moment.

Choice: Work hard together

Infected by Marius' attitude, your sullen mood lightens a bit.

You: You're right. There's still time left, so we still have a chance.

You: Let's do our best together!

Marius: Okay!

Choice: Be more cautious

You: We say that, but...

Looking at Marius' confident self makes even more worried.

You: We... should be cautious for the sake of victory.

Marius: Relax! I know what I'm doing.

You: Then again, you are really giving this show your full attention.

You: Putting aside the fact that you're simulating the actual program, you seem way more competitive than usual.

Marius: Ah... yeah, that's because it's my first one...

You: ???

Marius: By the way, I have some good news for you. I found a way for us to make money.

You: What!?

Before you are able to ask him what it is, the second half of the recording begins.

To save as much time as possible, Marius doesn't say anything and takes you directly to the destinations.

Scene 2: Art Gallery

You: Isn't... this the gallery from earlier? This is how you're going to win?

Marius stops at a gallery you passed by while trying to find a place to rest.

Marius: You'll find out soon enough.

He winks at you before speaking to the receptionist. Moments later, a well-dressed middle-aged man emerges.

It was then that the cameraman who came with us to the gallery turns his camera to face everyone present.

???: Hello, I am the owner of this gallery.

Gallery Owner: Are you the one that is going to sell me his "next painting?"

Marius: Yes. That's me.

You: Wait, what do you mean sell your "next painting?" Marius, are you going to draw something on the spot?

Marius: Relax, leave it to me.

Gallery Owner: Young man, while I admire your courage, you want me to buy a painting that I have yet to see? And also to provide you with the tools...

Gallery Owner: My gallery is not some public welfare organization. I won't allow you to make a mockery of this gallery.

Marius: Why jump to that conclusion? I only made the offer because I'm confident that you will buy my painting.

Marius: Besides, nobody can say for certain what will happen in the future, right? You'll know only by giving it a shot.

With a smile, Marius meets the gallery owner's eyes confidently.

As the camera zooms in, they stare at each other in silence before the gallery owner finally relents.

Gallery Owner: Hehe, you're an interesting fell. Your confidence has me looking forward to what you will paint.

He pats Marius on the shoulder, then signals the receptionist to bring out the painting utensils.

Marius looks over the canvas and paints carefully before starting to paint.

It's rare for you to have the opportunity to watch Marius paint up close.

Every stroke of his brush is quick, as if he's painted this over a thousand times in his mind.

Occasionally, he looks back at you. His eyes wander across your face, before stopping at your eyes.

Time passes by slowly. An hour later, Marius stops his brush.

Marius: Done!

Gallery Owner: T-This...!

You: It's beautiful!

You approach the canvas with the gallery owner. An abstract work sits in front of your eyes.

Against a gold background, large chunks of color interweave together in a beautiful epitome of chaos.

You: But... these colors... are forming some kinds of shape?

Marius: Why don't you take a guess?

You: Hmm...

You take a few steps back, squinting at the painting. Soon, you see it.

You: It's a face!

Following the arbitrary arrangement of colors and lines, you manage to see a somewhat abstract-looking face.

But...

You: Wait, the eyes and hair... This person seems familiar? It's...

Marius: That's right! It's you.

You: Hey! Why did you draw me?

Without answering you, he moves a few steps to block the camera facing you.

Marius: Look closer. There's something else in the painting.

Story 3