Chapter 52: Christmas Eve

The film shoot wrapped up, and Simon Westeros turned his focus to post-production.

Next year's Sundance Film Festival starts on January 16th. Counting from November 14th, this leaves just two months for the post-production of "Run Lola Run."

During the filming, Simon got along very well with most of the crew members and they promised to collaborate again in the future. However, to save money, he disbanded the crew immediately after shooting ended.

In the following days, only Catherine and Janet remained with Simon to help him finish the post-production. For other necessary roles, Simon hired freelancers.

Despite these cost-cutting measures, a significant amount of the work, such as cinematography, editing, and scoring, was handled by Simon himself, which meant that the production budget for "Run Lola Run" was actually quite sufficient.

Janet had calculated that the budget of $650,000 would likely not even reach $600,000 in actual spending.

Nonetheless, Simon was not wasteful.

The success of a film depends not only on quality production but also on effective marketing and distribution.

Simon had no plans to handle the distribution of "Run Lola Run" alone, as it was not feasible at this stage. However, the spare tens of thousands of dollars would undoubtedly be useful in the future marketing efforts.

Since editing had begun during production, Simon was able to complete a rough cut of the film just two weeks after wrap-up. Entering December, he continued with the fine cut and also started working on the film's score.

The score for "Run Lola Run" was dominated by fast-paced electronic music. While Simon was capable of composing, the actual recording required a professional band. WMA also represented a large group of musicians, so Simon encountered little trouble in this area.

As time swiftly moved towards the end of the year, it was now December 23rd.

In Montana district, Catherine parked her car by the roadside and walked up to the front door of Simon's villa, just about to ring the bell when the door opened. Simon and another man in his early thirties, slightly overweight, were quietly talking at the door.

Catherine nodded at Simon and greeted the other man, "Good afternoon, John. I didn't expect you to come over today?"

The man, named John, carrying a briefcase, nodded with a smile, "Yes, Mrs. Bigelow. I was just leaving. Also, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Happy holidays!"

Catherine replied, "You too, happy holidays."

After bidding the man farewell, Catherine and Simon watched him drive away before entering the villa together.

Last month, the insert animations for "Run Lola Run" were all completed, but Simon was not satisfied with the 2D animation effect of the crowd gathering at the beginning that formed the film's title. He decided to redo it using 3D technology.

There weren't many companies that produced 3D animation at that time.

After some inquiries, Simon eventually contacted a 3D animation studio in San Francisco, famously known as Pixar. The man who had just left, John Lasseter, was the vice president of Pixar.

Originally part of Lucasfilm's animation department, George Lucas had to sell his assets due to a divorce case. Interestingly, Steve Jobs, who had left Apple to start NeXT Computer, took an interest in Pixar and bought the company earlier that year.

Jobs had hoped that Pixar's animation capabilities would boost the sales of NeXT's graphics computers, but this did not pan out as expected. To maintain Pixar's operations, the studio had to accept external orders, such as animation for advertisements.

Early in the month, Simon had agreed with Pixar on a 10-second 3D opening sequence, and John Lasseter had just personally delivered the final product.

Walking into the living room, Catherine saw scattered documents and sketches on the coffee table and naturally began to organize them, saying, "I'll be heading back to San Francisco later, what about you?"

Simon, casually sitting on the arm of the sofa, enjoying the sight of her bustling around, smiled and suggested, "Why don't you take me home with you? Introduce me any way you like."

Catherine rolled her eyes at Simon, "Janet wanted to take you back to Australia a few days ago. Why didn't you go?"

"I'm afraid of flying."

"I'm flying back this time. I just couldn't get a ticket last time."

"Oh, seems like I'm suddenly not so scared anymore."

Listening to Simon's rascal tone, Catherine playfully slapped the documents on his knee before continuing her tidying. However, after a moment's hesitation, she softly asked, "Do you really want to go back with me?"

Feeling the seriousness in Catherine's voice, and seeing her cheeks flush slightly, Simon quickly shook his head, "No need, I'm not ready for that."

Christmas is a time for family gatherings in the West, and Simon knew he wasn

't quite at the stage to go home with Catherine. It would be too presumptuous.

Imagining Simon spending Christmas Eve alone made Catherine's heart soften. Hearing his refusal, she felt relieved but also a bit disappointed.

Avoiding further eye contact with Simon, Catherine placed the organized documents on the coffee table, "Then, I might not come back until after the New Year."

"Understood," Simon nodded, then added seriously, "And remember, don't talk to strangers on the plane."

Catherine glared at Simon, her lips curving into a smile, "You think everyone is as cheeky as you?"

Janet had returned to Australia a few days earlier. After sending Catherine off, Los Angeles seemed suddenly empty.

Recently, Simon was working on audio editing, but there was no work scheduled for the next day.

Most people were taking a break; sticking in the studio seemed particularly desolate.

Busy all morning, Simon decorated the villa inside and out just like any other house, even stringing lights on the roof and buying a Christmas tree.

He received several calls inviting him to celebrate Christmas together, but he declined each one.

In the afternoon, he drove to the market for shopping and took the time to visit the motel he stayed at when he first arrived in Los Angeles, bringing a box of pumpkin pie for the elderly Spanish couple there.

The old couple's children were already married, leaving them to celebrate the holiday alone. They were pleased to see him and eagerly opened the box of pumpkin pie, praising it repeatedly.

Thus, he joked that the pumpkin pie was leftover from Halloween.

Seeing the old man's skeptical look, he quickly corrected himself.

The two oversized pumpkins from Halloween had not gone to waste; they were turned into pumpkin pie and shared with the entire crew.

This box, however, was freshly bought from a store.

After spending over an hour at the motel chatting and playing the guitar with the old man, Simon returned home.

It was dark by the time he got back.

He prepared a simple dinner, alone, not wanting to waste food.

After eating, bored with watching TV, he retreated to the music room, sitting at the Steinway piano Janet had given him, and pondered over the final piece of music for "Run Lola Run."

The score was already complete, and he was satisfied with it; he didn't plan to change anything.

He was just killing time.

The clock struck ten, and he decided to rest, but the doorbell suddenly rang.

It must be an illusion.

The ringing continued.

Hmm.

Illusions shouldn't last this long.

So, he left the music room.

And opened the door.

Janet Johnston stood there, dressed in a crop top and shorts, her fluffy blonde hair and red cheeks framing her glowing, smooth legs in pink flats.

She looked like a Barbie doll.

Seeing him a bit stunned, she blinked her long lashes and stared at him with a bright gaze, her voice husky, "Little boy, were you just thinking that if someone knocks on your door at this time, she must be your girlfriend?"

He shook his head, a smile forming, "No, that would be too risky. What if it was a guy?"

She laughed along with him.

Then.

She lifted her arms, "Come on, hug me."

Without hesitating, Simon stepped forward and lifted her slight figure into his arms.

She was surprisingly cold.

So, with a touch of pity, he pretended to scold, "It's winter, you know. Are you playing performance art by dressing like this?"

Janet, pressed against him, felt warm but retorted, "Silly, it's summer in Australia."

As they spoke, a wallet clattered from Janet's shorts pocket to the floor. Simon glanced down at the passport and plane tickets that spilled out but ignored them, carrying her straight to her bedroom.

After wrapping Janet in a blanket and fetching her some clothes from her wardrobe, he went to make hot cocoa.

After the hustle, Janet changed into the clothes and sat on the bed, holding the warm cocoa, looking very content.

Simon sat beside her on the bed, looking at her and asked, "What brings you here at this time?"

"I was worried about you being all alone, see how nice I am."

Simon smiled, "I've always been alone, it's okay. But you, suddenly coming out on Christmas, your parents must be heartbroken."

Hearing Simon casually mention his loneliness, Janet's heart tightened. She reached out and touched his cheek, "I've already seen my mom. As for the old man, he wouldn't be heartbroken. Besides, they have plenty of people around them; they won't miss one."

Simon turned his face and playfully rubbed his stubble against Janet's palm, "Your family's pretty big."

Janet withdrew her hand, "Yeah, two older brothers, two younger brothers. I'm the only girl. So, if you ever bully me, you'd be in big trouble."

Simon

 chuckled, "That remains to be seen."

Janet finished her cocoa and handed the empty cup to Simon, "I heard piano music at the door earlier. Were you playing?"

Simon set the cup aside and nodded.

Janet suddenly became excited, gesturing to Simon, "Carry me over there, I suddenly want to hear you play."

Seeing her already in his arms, Simon caught her, but remarked, "Aren't you dressed now? Can't you walk?"

Janet clung to him, "Putting on shoes is such a hassle, hurry up."

Reluctantly, Simon carried Janet to the music room and placed her on the bench. He sat down beside her.

Settling beside the piano, Janet playfully tapped a few keys, then stopped, "You play."

"What would you like to hear?"

"I don't know, just play something."

Simon looked at Janet, always with a hint of girlish charm, and decided, "Let's sing. I'll play, you sing."

"Okay."

Simon pressed the keys, starting a melody.

Janet recognized the tune after a moment and playfully interrupted with a few taps on the keys, perfectly matching the melody.

Then, a slightly husky female voice began to sing with a unique charm.

*When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother,

*What will the future hold?

*Will I be pretty? Will