The next day, at the Juilliard staff-exclusive dining hall, as Lin placed her order facing Leontine Price and Geon, Leontine Price, observing her with a gaze mixed with both friendliness and caution, said,
"So, what brings Ms. Son Lin, hailed as Fantagio's marketing genius, to seek out this old man? Even Kay doesn't seem to know."
Geon, waving his hand dismissively, replied,
"Honestly, I have no idea either, professor. It was Byungjun hyung who suddenly told today that Director Lin wanted to have a al, so I just ca along."
As the two focused their attention on her, Lin, wearing a light smile on her face, leisurely took a sip of water and began,
"First, I'd like to apologize for arranging this eting so suddenly without sharing the agenda in advance. It would have been better if I had planned and proceeded with a prior notice, but there isn't much ti left until the performance, and this idea ca to quite abruptly."
Leontine Price nodded slightly, indicating for her to continue.
"Professor, and Mr. Geon. This performance is indeed a free concert, but in reality, it's a fundraising event for those starving in Africa, correct?"
Both nodded in agreent, prompting Lin to continue,
"Then, regardless of the set amount, people coming to see the performance will put whatever amount they can afford into the donation box at the entrance. While it's for a good cause, paying to see it makes it no different from a regular concert, right?"
After pondering for a mont, Leontine Price nodded and said,
"While the intention is different, from the audience's perspective, it is indeed similar to a paid performance. But what about it?"
Lin, looking directly at Leontine Price, asked,
"One question, professor. The venue for this performance is the opera house within Juilliard, which has about 1,000 seats, correct?"
Upon his nod, Lin imdiately followed up,
"So, how have you decided which attendees will be granted entry to this free concert? Is it on a first-co, first-served basis?"
Leontine Price hesitated, leading Geon to ask curiously,
"What's the matter, professor?"
"Um..."
As Leontine Price struggled to speak, Lin alternated her gaze between the two and explained,
"Mr. Geon might not be interested in this aspect, but the attendees are usually those who donate to Juilliard or those who are economically and socially established, so to speak 'people of leisure'. I understand that selections were made based on applications received by the professor and the school, correct?"
After a brief look at Geon, Leontine Price sighed and admitted,
"Yes, that's correct. Since it was for donations, we needed people who could afford it."
Lin, facing her squarely, said,
"So, essentially, only the selected wealthy can attend this performance?"
Caught off guard by Lin's direct question, Geon asked in surprise,
"What? Was that the case, professor?"
Leontine Price, flustered, hurriedly clarified,
"It may seem that way, but my intention was to help the African famine victims as much as possible. I have not lived as a materialist. Please don't misunderstand."
After a mont of silence from Lin, she raised her hands and said,
"I understand, professor. Thank you for answering my bold question."
Relieved, Leontine Price asked,
"It's good that you understand, but may I ask why you've brought up this topic?"
Lin took a folder from her briefcase and placed it on the table, catching their attention.
"I have a proposition. Would you like to hear it?"
Leontine Price nodded, interested,
"Listening to others is a basic duty of a professor. Please, go ahead."
As Lin opened the folder, Geon and Leontine Price focused on its contents. Geon, looking at the first page, asked in surprise,
"Pay-per-view? Isn't that the billing thod used for cable or internet TV services?"
Leontine Price, also intrigued, looked up for an explanation. Lin turned the folder for a better view and explained,
"Yes. PPV is commonly used for sports events. Mr. Geon, having spent his school years in Korea... oh, with the professor here, let's call him Kay. Kay might not be familiar with PPV since it's more common in the US for important or high-profile sports events like soccer, UFC, NBA, NFL gas, which Aricans are accustod to buying viewing rights for."
Leontine Price, curious, picked up the docunt and said,
"Yes, it's a well-established culture here. But why bring this up?"
Lin leaned in closer and said with a direct gaze,
"The initial discussion. It's not saying this but what people are saying, professor. That it's a performance for
the wealthy few."
"That... that..."
"You wouldn't want to be misunderstood, right? Since it's against your intention. And since Kay from Fantagio is also performing, it would be problematic for us if he were also misunderstood."
Leontine Price looked apologetically at Geon, who waved off the concern,
"I'm fine, professor. I understand your intentions. It's frustrating to be misunderstood, but I don't believe such misunderstandings harm . Director Lin, please don't entertain such misunderstandings."
As Geon spoke earnestly, Lin shook her head,
"It's not misunderstanding but others. Kay."
"What should we do, then? Is there a solution?"
Lin looked thoughtfully at Geon then turned to Leontine Price,
"Fantagio has no intention of profiting from this event. However, as Kay's managent company, it's our official stance that we cannot afford financial losses or damage to our image, professor. Do you understand?"
After a deep sigh, Leontine Price responded,
"Yes, I understand."
Leaning forward, Lin looked into her eyes,
"So, if there's a way that doesn't damage your and Kay's image, can offer greater support to the children in Africa, and provides an affordable viewing opportunity to those misunderstanding, would you entrust with it?"
Surprised, Leontine Price stared at Lin for a long mont. That day, their eting in the staff dining hall lasted for a very long ti.
**
That afternoon, journalists scrambled upon seeing the notice posted on Fantagio's website. The world paid attention to the sudden news from Fantagio.
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