Chapter 25

Robin: "Huh? How did you know my dream is to become a superhero? I never told you that."

Gordon: "Stop guessing. It was my obedient son (referring to Rex) who told me."

Robin: "Obedient son? I know your obedient son? ... Is it Kent?"

Gordon: "Why did you think of him?"

Robin: "Not many people know my dream, and even fewer are around your son's age. Kent and I have been friends for years, but he never took me to his home, and I've never met his parents. I always found it strange. Tell me, is it him?"

Gordon: "You're like a blind cat catching a dead mouse. You guessed right in one way, but wrong in another."

Robin: "What do you mean, right in one way and wrong in another?"

Gordon: "You guessed right that Kent is indeed my godson, but wrong that he's the one who told me about your dream..."

Robin: "No wonder Kent found that casting advertisement for me and strongly recommended me to apply for the interview. It turns out you, his godfather, are the director of the show."

Me (voiceover): "Surprised, regretful, sad, and hurt?"

Gordon: "Don't attribute your success entirely to others. I also saw your potential and decided to hire you..."

Robin: "No, no, no need to comfort me. This is Kent using his connections to help me out of a tough spot. I would never blame him for it; that would be too ungrateful."

Gordon: "Oh? So your pride isn't hurt?"

Robin: "Pride? Ha, can pride feed me? Kent was really being too formal. He didn't even greet me for the past few days because of this. He should have thought about it; after working for so many years, how could I not understand such a thing? If he had just told me clearly, I would have thanked him."

Me (voiceover): "Kid, you're overthinking it. Kent wasn't avoiding you because of this. And your face is really thick, not even feeling embarrassed about getting a job through connections."

Gordon: "Good kid, you have a thick skin. But that's perfect, you're the right person to shoot this commercial intro..."

Robin: "Wait, you mean to shoot an intro? It plays every time the show starts?"

Gordon: "Yes, it's a reality show intro. No professional actors dared to shoot it, saying it crossed their shame threshold and could ruin their careers. They're so delicate, not even as good as you, a part-time worker."

Robin: "I can't do it either. It's a play that crosses my shame threshold. I won't agree to it!" —— Shook his head in refusal.

Gordon: "What? You're also refusing to act in this intro? Don't forget your position."

Robin: "Director, I was introduced by Kent. Please consider my situation..."

Gordon: "No way! This involves a large amount of commercial sponsorship. I won't consider anyone's face! Anyone who obstructs my money-making plan and cuts off my income will be dealt with, no matter who they are."

Robin: "..." —— Requested a mask to cover his face, as a last resort.

Gordon: "Mask? ... (thought for a moment) Good idea, I'll have the costume and makeup departments make one for you."

Me (voiceover): "Huh? The old man agreed so quickly? There must be a problem."

Robin: "You're not planning to put a trademark or advertisement on my mask, are you? Just like this costume?"

Gordon: "You're a smart kid, you figured it out right away..."

Robin: "No way, Director, no more trademarks. If you add more, I really can't act. Even if you fire me, I won't do it." —— Almost cried.

Gordon: "I see, this is your limit. Sigh, it's still a bit short. I thought I could add three more trademarks... Never mind, I'll do it your way since I have no other choice."

Robin: "Thank you, Director, for leaving me a bit of dignity. Sob, sob, sob." —— Cried, thinking about his difficult situation.

Gordon: "Stop crying. If you're grateful, go change into the costume and start shooting the intro."

Robin: "..." —— Felt helpless.

Me (voiceover): "He's not crying out of gratitude, old man. Where is your limit? I can't see it."

Robin changed into the costume in the dressing room and came to the shooting location.

Gordon: "Changed? ... (looked carefully) Yes, just as I expected, you look very spirited."

Robin: "Director, please, where's the mask I asked for?"

Gordon: "I told my subordinates to make it for you. Here it is." —— Handed the mask to Robin.

Robin: "..." (looked at it) "This is just an eye mask with two holes cut out to expose the eyes. How can this be called a mask?" —— Dissatisfied.

Gordon: "Why isn't this a mask? Do you think a mask has to cover your entire head like in the movie 'The Man in the Iron Mask'? That's ridiculous. How could the person wearing it see anything? Look at how news media blur the faces of juvenile delinquents and victims whose real identities can't be revealed. They just blur the area around the eyes. Your mask works the same way."

Robin: "It does make sense. This mask barely affects my vision and doesn't restrict my movements..."

Me (voiceover): "Kid, you're being tricked by the old man. He's not doing this for you."

Gordon: "Is everything okay? If it is, put on the mask and start shooting. (to the crew) Lights, music, smoke, get everything ready... Action!"

Robin: "..." —— Started showing the trademarks.

Gordon: "... Cut, cut!"

Robin: "Director, why did you cut suddenly?"

Gordon: "Do that move again. The trademark on your oblique muscles wasn't fully shown."

Robin: "You mean the one for 'China Sports Industry'? I showed it all, all four characters were captured."

Gordon: "You idiot, the full name is 'China Sports Industry Group Co., Ltd.' You didn't show half of it. Do it again!"

Me (voiceover): "Why did you put such a long trademark on his oblique muscles? It's so hard to show. Unbelievable."