Chapter 31 – End of 1987
Time skip to December 1st, 1987
[Main POV]
The year 1987 had gone well.
On the electronics front, we had sold 1.7 million units of Aurenium DS. I knew the Aurenium DS would be less successful than the Nintendo DS from my previous world (mainly because mobile games would soon become a thing), but 1.7 million units was pretty good for the first year.
However, this was nothing compared to the iPhone and Macbook numbers. Combined, Apollo Enterprises sold over 100 million units, and there was still more demand. Our factories were working overtime, and the main logistical roadblock was the supply chains. Turns out, it's pretty complicated moving millions of products.
The best part was everyone who bought an iPhone or Macbook bought a cell plan. Unlimited calls, texts, with 10GB of data (unlimited for an extra fee), available anywhere in the world provided tens of millions of dollars in cash flow.
Millions of people also bought YouTube Premium. I knew I could crack down on password sharing, but I decided against it. I wanted more people to watch, so that more people would know my name, and buy my merch.
Pokémon, Full Metal Alchemist, Death Note, and the Promised Neverland were instant hits. Now that people had access to the Internet, I started seeing the first websites being created: fan sites.
For those who didn't buy YouTube Premium, there were still videos to watch. The first video posted was a compilation of the footage Olivia took of the Berlin Revolution. It had over 750 million views. Users could like, dislike, comment, download, share (only through email, for now), or subscribe.
However, they would have to deal with ads. I made sure to write the OS in such a way that it would block any plugins that would block ads. Due to this fact alone, a lot people ended up buying YouTube Premium.
On the other hand, I noticed book sales take a sharp decline. The Maze Runner, the Hunger Games, and a Game of Thrones did pretty well compared to other books, but most people weren't as interested in reading when there was an Internet to explore. I didn't care too much. Books were mostly just a quick way for me to establish an IP.
Currently, I was watching the final version for 'The Little Mermaid' movie. I was in a private theatre with Artemis, Olivia, Emily, some voice actors and editors we hired for the project. By my instructions, it turned into a 1-to-1 recreation of the animated movie I had seen as a five-year-old. One small exception was the design of the palace in Atlantis. One of the towers was just too sus.
As the movie finished with Ariel and Prince Eric sailing off into the sunset, the lights turned back on, and everyone clapped. I smiled. Watch out Walt, I'm coming for your most profitable properties.
.
"So, when are we releasing the movie?" Olivia asked later in my new office.
I was currently in my office with Olivia and Emily. With the money from the sales, subscriptions, and the military contract, I had tens of billions of dollars to spend. So, I decided to splurge on my new office.
PSYCHE!
Nope, like with my basement, I decorated the office myself (located on the top floor of the Sunscraper).
The elevator required to reach the top floor could only be opened if the fingerprint registered from pressing the elevator button matched one on the authorized list.
In the elevator, there were cameras behind the mirrors, doing facial recognition scans, to ensure only authorized people were in it.
Once on the top floor, turning right would lead to my living quarters (which lay behind a mechanically (and magically) locked door). Turning left would lead you to my secretary's workspace.
Behind my secretary, was the door to my office.
The interior of my office was magnificent and awe-inspiring space that reflected my divine status and association with light, music, and the arts. The office exuded an atmosphere of elegance, creativity, and intellectualism.
Like with the basement, the walls were white with golden drawings. I planned on updating them periodically. For now, I had drawings from the Berlin Revolution, my biggest accomplishment so far.
The ceiling was adorned with a mural depicting the sun in all its radiant glory, casting a warm and golden glow throughout the room. Large windows allow natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and uplifting ambiance.
In the center of the office, there was a grand marble desk, polished to a gleaming shine. On the desk, there were hologram projectors that could be used to create monitors or projections that could interact with my touch.
A large golden lyre stood in one corner, playing whatever tune I was feeling, all on its own. On the other side, was a balcony, where I could chill in the sun (or make a quick escape).
Answering Olivia's question, I turned towards her. "The movie will be released on YouTube Premium this month."
"Not the theatres?" Artemis asked.
"Nope, by releasing it on YouTube, it has the opportunity to be watched by more people. Not only that, but people will be able to watch it more than once."
"But we're leaving so much money on the table." Olivia complained. "We could make hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office."
"We got tens of billions in one military contract," I reminded, "and hundreds of billions in tech sales. We're talking about margins of error."
"But why?" Olivia pressed. "Why would we leave that money on the table?"
"Don't worry, I'm not doing this for altruistic purposes. I'm sure we'll make enough to break even through the merchandise and increase YouTube Premium sales. And if we continue doing this, people will end up spending less money on movies in the theaters, leaving more disposable income for our future products.
But other than the money, the main reason is for the fame. If I want to make more money, I'll slightly improve some military equipment, then sell it to them for billions.
But with fame, we have cultural power. We can swing elections, rally the mob against a target, and use the public as a shield. And that is something money cannot simply buy."
Artemis looked stunned. Olivia, being a popular girl in high school, sorta just nodded her head in understanding.
I cleared my throat. "Now, if you'll excuse us Olivia, can you bring Emily in here? Artemis and I need to have a word with her."
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[3rd POV]
Emily stepped out of the elevator and waved at Charlotte, Apollo's secretary.
She had specifically hired her as Apollo's secretary for her similar fanaticism and sharp intellect. Qualities that were easy to find separately, but hard to find together.
As Apollo Enterprises's Chief Human Resources Officer, she ensured that all of the company's employees were members of or would be sympathetic to the Cult of Apollo. It was her duty as the Head Priestess after all.
Entering Apollo's office, she was pleasantly surprised to find both her Lord and Lady waiting for her.
"My Lord, My Lady," Emily greeted, "your wish is my command."
"Take a seat Emily," Apollo said.
Once Emily sat down, Apollo started talking.
"We need to talk about your… …extracurricular activities.
First off, stop rejecting people who would make bad cult members. We need to hire people who will make good workers. There's already so few people with any knowledge of tech, and shrinking the pool of applicants is just making the labor shortage worse.
Second, no more robes. No more creepy chants. And no more animal sacrifices. I know it's a cult, but that's too culty for me."
I turned towards Artemis, "Anything I miss?"
Artemis thought for a second before responding, "Tell the cult to stop asking me to immortalize them. I'm not the Artemis from mythology hunting with a band of immortal girls. It's getting very annoying."
Emily paused and looked at the ground. "I will inform all cult members to never make such flippant requests, in fact, I'm ashamed that they would do something so scandalous. Additionally, I suppose, we can start allowing some heathens into our organization. But if we're not going to dress up in robes, chant in Latin, and perform animal sacrifices, then what should the cult do?"
I looked over at Artemis and mentally communicated some things. She agreed and brought up some other things.
"We fully intend for there to be activities regarding initiation and other practices," Artemis voiced, "but we can't have that at the moment."
"The world isn't ready for the cult," Apollo agreed, "so all you can do is prepare."
"Prepare because one day," Artemis said as she started glowing red.
"One day, the cult," Apollo said while glowing gold.
""Will rise into the light. And on that promise day, the cult will take its rightful place, and all people will have the opportunity to worshiping our greatness!"" They both chanted as their auras became brighter.
Emily looked away as she felt and immense wave of heat, and saw a flash of light – even though her eyes were closed.
When she opened her eyes, she didn't see either of her patrons, but fond a note left on her lap that read: Please show yourself out.
"Well that was weird," Emily muttered, "I feel like I'm getting a lot of mixed signals."
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AN: Thank you for reading. Power Stones are appreciated. Reviews are as well.