Part 5: The Dogged Dreamer

The finished reels are piled up like a mountain.
They reflect Brian's furrowed brow on their surfaces—his struggle and embarrassment laid bare on the mountainside.
Brian: This one's no good. It just doesn't carry the weight of what I want to express. The symbolism's totally missing, and the framing's all wrong!

He removes the reel, replacing it with a new one. He watches in hope.

Brian: This one too. The props are all over the place. Ms. Winnifred, you really shouldn't have eaten those grapes—they were meant to balance the shot.
Brian: ...
Another reel is set aside. He sighs in resignation.
Brian: This one's even worse. The composition's been completely ruined, and the props you added seem to symbolize some kind of material desire, which is totally confusing the message of the film! The insinuations are terrible!
Winnifred nods at Brian, offering a polite apology.
Winnifred: You're very diligent, Mr. Brian. I'm sure Mr. Danny would be pleased with all this.
Winnifred: Of course, I'll give you a glowing review for the work you've done.

Brian: I'm not sure I understand ...
Winnifred: Haha. Once again, you prove that my coins have been well spent. It appears I haven't lost my knack for striking a good deal.
Brian: It's not just about the money, Ms. Winnifred, at least not for me.
Brian: He stares at Winnifred, who appears indifferent to this declaration.
Brian: After a moment's hesitation, he cannot help but go on.
Brian: Ms. Winnifred, with all due respect ...
Brian: We should reshoot this material. Over the next few days, I'll prepare more reels and plan a new script for you.
Winnifred: ...?
Brian: I can't lie to you, ma'am. The truth is, the footage we have now is almost totally unusable. It's monotonous and hollow, and even with extensive editing, it won't meet the standards of a truly great documentary.
Brian: I'll handle any additional costs. You just need to—
Winnifred cuts him off.
Winnifred: I don't think that'll be necessary, Mr. Brian.
Winnifred: I've seen the shots. They're terrific.
Brian's tone verges on vexation.
Brian: You have to be kidding, right? Look, we'll watch them again, and I'll explain the major flaws to you. Then you'll see for yourself, I swear!
Winnifred: You're an outstanding cinematographer, Mr. Brian. You don't need to prove that to me anymore.
Brian: Then why won't you agree to my proposal?
Winnifred: To be honest, I don't really care about the quality of the documentary. All I need is for it to be made and become a shiny new addition to my display case.
Brian: Don't you care about its artistic value at all?
Winnifred: Absolutely not. But being in vogue? That's what really matters. You have to understand that women of a certain social class are only interested in the new, and trends can change at the drop of a hat.
Winnifred: If we don't hurry up and finish shooting this thing, I'll be left in the dust by that prestigious circle chock-full of treasures and opportunities. That's what I'm really afraid of.
Winnifred: Could you imagine me, a has-been, an outcast of the new age, bankrupt without a penny to my name? I've seen that story play out more times than I care to recall.
Winnifred: She shakes her head dramatically, as if the very notion chills her to the core.
Brian: ...
Brian: I understand, Ms. Winnifred. Let's get on with the shoot.
Brian: Brian shakes his head. He lets out a long sigh but says no more.

Brian: Time to shoot the small talk segment. Ms. Winnifred, I'm not sure I'm the right person for this kind of chat ...
Winnifred: No, no, it's fine! We can make do with what we have. Now, let's get started!
Winnifred: Just relax and talk about whatever interests you.
She leans back, settling into a comfortable position on the sofa.
Brian: A-Alright.
Brian: Forgive my nosiness, but have you really never believed in the existence of vampires?
Winnifred: I've been around, Brian—seen a lot of places and met many people, but I've never once laid eyes on even half of what you'd call a "vampire."
Winnifred: Of course, plenty of people have tried to buy such secrets from me. And believe me, were there any credence to these rumors, I'd be working to profit from them myself.
Winnifred: She shakes her head in resignation.
Brian: But how, then, do you explain your appearance?
Brian: Time seems to have no effect on you whatsoever. If that's not because of some special bloodline, then what else could possibly explain it?
Winnifred: Money.
Winnifred: Sometimes the answer's far simpler than you think, Mr. Brian. Money is a potent magic.
Winnifred: It grants everyone who possesses it a longer life, a healthier body, and a more radiant appearance.
Winnifred: Regardless of the era.
Winnifred: Naturally, I'm a beneficiary of its largesse and shall continue to be so.
Brian: Well, you're not wrong about that.
Brian: B-But ...
He closes his notebook.
Brian: I must say, I never imagined your answer would be so pragmatic yet so profoundly cruel!
Winnifred nods, fully understanding his frustration.
Winnifred: The truth will never satisfy everyone, but that's the reality of the situation. Trust me, I'm truly sorry for you, Brian.
Brian's disappointment deepens.
He rises to his feet.
Brian: Ms. Winnifred! I'm afraid I'll have to withdraw my invitation. You're not fit to play the role of the vampire in my film!
Brian: You're nothing like her. Not at all. You're the true vampire of our world—a dyed-in-the-wool capitalist!

The final shot is complete.
Brian: Rest assured, ma'am. Divine Union Pictures will edit the film and send it to you as soon as possible.
Brian: We won't delay your pursuit of the latest craze for a second longer than necessary.
Winnifred: ...
Brian bows in her direction and departs without looking back.
Winnifred: Goodbye. I wish you all the best, Mr. Brian.

Brian: And so, that was the last time I ever saw Ms. Winnifred.
Brian: I couldn't accept her choices, just as she couldn't stomach my stubbornness.
Brian: A huge, irreparable rift stood decisively between us, and I no longer believed she had anything to do with the fantasies of my childhood.
Brian: I even started to think that everything I once firmly believed in was laughable. Absurd, even.
Brian: After that, I threw myself into a career more concerned with reality, and I tried my best to awaken from that unreachable dream.
Brian: ...
Brian: I couldn't really say whether I succeeded in my ideals or in my career.