June 4, 2010, Los Angeles. Ethan Kane woke to the soft hum of the Daily Sign-In System, its holographic panel glowing above his bed like a promise from the universe. Yesterday's rewards—a Lamborghini Aventador and a million dollars—still felt like a fever dream, but the keys on his nightstand and the bank app on his Blackberry confirmed it was real. He'd died, been reborn, and handed a cheat code to life. Now, the system was back, pulsing with new possibilities.
**Daily Sign-In Available. Sign In to Receive Your Reward.**
Ethan sat up, his heart racing with anticipation. He'd spent the night in his new Beverly Hills mansion, the deed delivered as promised, its marble floors and floor-to-ceiling windows a far cry from his cluttered suburban bedroom. He reached for the holographic button, pressing it with a mix of excitement and curiosity. A chime echoed in his mind, and the panel updated.
**Sign-In Successful! Reward: Full Ownership of Apex Pictures (Independent Film Studio, Los Angeles). Additional Reward: Skill Unlocked – Master Filmmaking (Grants expert-level knowledge of directing, producing, and screenwriting).**
Ethan's breath caught. Apex Pictures? He'd heard of it—a small studio struggling after the 2008 financial crisis, known for indie hits like *The Road to Nowhere* (2007) but drowning in debt. Now it was his. The *Master Filmmaking* skill flooded his mind with knowledge: camera angles, script structures, budget management, even the art of pitching to A-listers. It was as if he'd spent decades in Hollywood, not days.
He grabbed his laptop, searching for Apex Pictures. A 2009 *Variety* article popped up: "Apex Pictures Faces Bankruptcy Amid Box Office Slump." The studio's last film, a low-budget drama, had tanked against *Avatar*'s dominance last winter. But Ethan saw opportunity. 2010 was a turning point—*Inception* was set to drop next month, and audiences were hungry for bold stories. With the system's resources, he could make Apex the next big thing.
His phone buzzed with a new notification: *Apex Pictures CEO Contact: James Harrow. Meeting scheduled at 2 PM today.* Ethan grinned. The system wasn't just handing him rewards; it was paving his path. But another thought lingered—Taylor Swift. Her card, given at last night's Haiti Relief Gala, sat on his desk, her looping handwriting a reminder of their conversation. She'd been warm, curious, her smile lingering in his mind. He wanted to see her again, not just for the spark between them but because her star power could elevate Apex. Her *Speak Now* album was months away, and a soundtrack deal could be his first big move.
---
By noon, Ethan was driving his Lamborghini through Hollywood, the city alive with summer energy. Tourists snapped photos on the Walk of Fame, and billboards hyped *Toy Story 3*'s upcoming release. He parked outside Apex's headquarters, a modest three-story building off Melrose Avenue, its faded sign a testament to better days. Inside, the lobby was quiet, with a receptionist typing lazily. She glanced up, eyeing his suit—another system purchase, a sharp black Tom Ford that made him look older than 17.
"Ethan Kane, here for James Harrow," he said, channeling the *Charisma Boost* from yesterday. The receptionist nodded, buzzing him through.
James Harrow was a wiry man in his fifties, his office cluttered with movie posters and unopened mail. He looked exhausted, bags under his eyes, but his handshake was firm. "Mr. Kane," he said, skeptical. "I got a call saying you're the new owner. No offense, but you look like you're still in high school."
Ethan smiled, unfazed. "I get that a lot. Let's just say I'm an investor with a vision. Apex is mine now, and I want to turn it around."
Harrow leaned back, folding his arms. "Apex is bleeding money. We've got one film in post-production, no cash for marketing, and creditors calling daily. What's your plan, kid?"
Ethan's *Master Filmmaking* skill kicked in, his mind racing with strategies. "We pivot to a high-concept thriller, low budget but big impact, like *Paranoid Park* meets *Inception*. We shoot fast, leverage social media—Twitter's exploding right now—and aim for Sundance 2011. I've got the funds to cover production and a marketing push."
Harrow raised an eyebrow. "Funds? You're talking millions. Where's a kid like you getting that?"
"Let's just say I've got investors who believe in me," Ethan said, the million dollars from yesterday burning a hole in his account. "You stay on as CEO, run day-to-day. I'll greenlight projects and bring in talent. Deal?"
Harrow hesitated, then nodded. "Deal. But you'd better deliver, Kane."
As Ethan left the office, the system chimed: *Bonus Reward: $5,000,000 for Apex Pictures Operating Budget.* He smirked. The universe was stacking the deck in his favor.
---
That evening, Ethan stood outside the Wiltern Theatre, where Taylor Swift was rehearsing for a *Speak Now* promotional show. He'd texted her, a bold move using the number from her card, asking if he could drop by to discuss a "business idea." To his surprise, she'd replied: *Sure, come by at 7. Rehearsal's a mess, but I could use a friendly face.*
The theatre's backstage was chaos—roadies hauling equipment, dancers practicing, and Taylor's voice echoing through a soundcheck of "Mine," her new single set to drop in August. Ethan slipped past security, flashing a VIP pass the system had somehow arranged. He found Taylor by the stage, guitar in hand, her blonde curls tied back as she argued with a sound engineer about mic levels.
She spotted him and waved, her smile cutting through the noise. "Ethan! You're here!" She jogged over, wearing a simple white blouse and jeans, her stage makeup half-done. "Sorry, it's insanity tonight. What's this business idea?"
Ethan leaned against a speaker, his *Charisma Boost* making his words flow. "I just took over a film studio, Apex Pictures. I'm producing a thriller, something fresh for 2011. I was thinking… your music would be perfect for the soundtrack. Maybe even a cameo, if you're up for it."
Taylor's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and intrigue. "A film studio? At your age? Okay, you're officially the most interesting person I've met this week." She laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "A soundtrack could be fun. *Speak Now* is all about stories—love, heartbreak, growth. What's your movie about?"
"It's about a guy who gets a second chance at life," Ethan said, the irony not lost on him. "He's got to figure out what to do with it, who to trust, what matters. Your songs would fit perfectly."
She tilted her head, studying him. "You're full of surprises, Ethan Kane. Let me hear more about this movie. Got time to talk after rehearsal?"
He nodded, heart racing. "All the time in the world."
---
They ended up at a quiet diner off Wilshire Boulevard, the kind of place that still served milkshakes and played classic rock on a jukebox. It was nearly 10 PM, the city settling into a warm June night, with newsstands buzzing about the iPhone 4's upcoming launch. Taylor sat across from Ethan, sipping a vanilla shake, her stage energy replaced by a relaxed curiosity. The diner was nearly empty, giving them space to talk.
"So, tell me about Apex," she said, twirling her straw. "How does a guy my age end up owning a studio?"
Ethan grinned, sticking to his cover story. "Made some smart investments during the 2008 crash. Tech stocks, real estate. Apex was a steal, and I've got a vision to make it the next Miramax."
She raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Bold. Hollywood's brutal, you know. My friends in the industry say it's all politics and egos."
"I'm learning fast," Ethan said, the *Master Filmmaking* skill giving him confidence. "But I think stories like yours—real, emotional, raw—can cut through that. I listened to 'Fifteen' from *Fearless*. It's honest. That's what I want for this film."
Taylor blushed, a rare crack in her polished persona. "Thanks. That song's personal. Writing *Speak Now* has been… intense. All my own songs this time." She paused, her blue eyes meeting his. "You're not what I expected, Ethan. Most guys I meet either want a selfie or a favor. You're actually listening."
He leaned forward, the diner's neon lights casting a soft glow on her face. "I'm not here for a selfie. I want to build something real. And I think you'd make this film unforgettable."
For a moment, they were close, the table between them feeling smaller. Her hand rested near his, fingers brushing the edge of a napkin. Ethan's pulse quickened, not just from her fame but from the way she looked at him—like he was someone who mattered. The system hadn't prepared him for this, the warmth of her presence, the spark of possibility.
She broke the silence, smiling. "Okay, I'm in for the soundtrack. Send me a script, and we'll talk about that cameo. But only if you promise to keep surprising me, Ethan Kane."
"Deal," he said, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his chest.
As they left the diner, Taylor's driver waiting outside, she turned to him. "You're going places, Ethan. Don't forget me when you're running Hollywood."
He watched her car disappear into the LA night, the system chiming softly: *Bonus Reward: A-List Talent Network Unlocked. Access to top actors and musicians for Apex Pictures.* Ethan smiled. Taylor Swift was just the beginning. Hollywood, wealth, love—it was all falling into place.