The Booth Problem
"Launching an F1 game live at an F1 race?!" Tom Kalinske's voice rose to its usual volume, even higher. "Are you trying to replicate the hype surrounding the release of ' High-Speed Pursuit '?"
Even over the phone, Nakayama Takuya could almost picture Tom gesturing wildly and talking animatedly in his office.
"Yes, but we're lacking someone who can keep things under control," Nakayama Takuya, getting to the point. "Yu Suzuki has a new job, and his experience in organizing these large-scale on-site promotional events is really limited. So, I'd like to borrow someone from you who has experience handling the High-Speed Pursuit and the Furious' to guide the overall operation."
"Borrow one? Takuya, you're underestimating the appeal of this!" Tom laughed heartily. "I guarantee you, if I spread this word, the Marketing Department and the development team will fight a real cage brawl over this business trip spot! They'll shove each other's heads into printers just to go to Japan to watch F1!"
"That's perfect, saves me the trouble of explaining." Nakayama Takuya leaned back in his chair, completely Panasonic. "Tell them this time it's not a grandstand ticket."
He paused, then said in a calm yet enticing tone, "I'll get you access to the pit lane. They can get up close to those priceless race cars, and even have the chance to shake hands with Senna or Berger."
"----What did you say?!" The breathing on the other end of the phone instantly became heavy, Tom's voice trembling slightly, "Paddock Pass?! Really?!"
When have I ever lied to you?
"What a pity! If I weren't so busy this month, I would have gone with them!" Tom slammed his hand on the table, his voice so loud it sounded like a microphone had exploded. "I'll inform them right away, and I'll email you the details tomorrow."
After hanging up the phone, the office returned to silence.
The next morning, Nakayama Takuya arrived at his office and opened his email, he found an unread email from Tom Kalinske.
The email, in Tom's signature flamboyant style, began with. "Takuya, you almost started a civil war in my Marketing Department!"
In the email, Tom described the "spectacle" of yesterday afternoon in an extremely exaggerated manner.
When he announced that the Japan headquarters needed an experienced marketing manager, and the perk was a "pit pass" for the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, the entire office erupted in excitement.
Although the so-called "cage fighting match" did not take place, it was no less intense.
Ultimately, to prevent outstanding employees from being injured "accidentally" and affecting the company's normal operations, they adopted the most familiar and accepted method of judgment—rolling dice.
It's not an ordinary six-sided die, but a twenty-sided die that represents fate and opportunity.
"Amidst fervent prayers and vicious curses, Mark Cerny, the lucky fellow, rolled a perfect '20' and took the sole spot."
Seeing this, Nakayama Takuya nodded. Mark Cerny was indeed the best choice, back in *Ford v High-Speed Pursuit *.
When the film was released in conjunction with cinemas, we also went to the front lines to participate in the coordination.
However, the next paragraph of the email made the corners of his mouth involuntarily turn up slightly.
"But, Takuya, my friend, this isn't over yet."
Less than half an hour after Mark won the victory, the Human Resources Department received several leave requests from the same department.
That's right, it's those guys who lost at dice. Their reasons were surprisingly consistent: they had developed a strong interest in the mysterious Eastern culture and wanted to conduct an in-depth "personal exploration."
"So what you've got isn't just one expert, but the entire core promotional team for ' High-Speed Pursuit.' They bought their own plane tickets and booked their own hotels, just to come and 'help' you."
At the end of the email was Tom's flamboyant signature, with an unnecessary addition. "Good luck, don't let them tear down the Suzuka Circuit."
Nakayama Takuya put down the fax, leaned back in his chair, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The allure of the F1 pit pass clearly exceeded his expectations.
That's fine.
He picked up the phone and dialed Yu Suzuki's extension.
"Suzuki- san, it's me."
A series of keystrokes came from the other end of the phone, followed by Yu Suzuki's somewhat absent-minded voice. "Takuya? What's up?"
"The publicity issues you were worried about are resolved," Nakayama Takuya said in a relaxed and cheerful tone. "The help I brought in from North America has taken care of it."
When will you arrive?
"The day after tomorrow," Nakayama Takuya looked out the window, imagining the scene when the group of United States arrived in Japan, his smile widening, "And it will be a whole group."
Two days later, at Narita Airport.
Mark Cerny, dragging his suitcase, saw Nakayama Takuya, who had been waiting for him, as soon as he stepped out of the gate.
Behind him followed several tall figures, all dressed in flashy vacation shirts and showing signs of jet lag, but their eyes, scanning the surroundings, gleamed with a wolfish green light, filled with curiosity and scrutiny of the new continent.
"Takuya! My friend!" Mark immediately gave him a warm hug.
"Welcome to Japan, Mark." Nakayama Takuya patted him on the back with a smile, then looked at the group of "self-funded business travelers" behind him. "It seems Tom wasn't exaggerating; you guys really treat this as a team-building activity."
"F1 pit lane pass, Takuya!" A blond, blue-eyed young man squeezed forward, rubbing his hands excitedly. "For this, I'd do a handstand while eating ramen in the streets of Shibuya!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Nakayama Takuya had already booked a hotel in Nagoya, where most motorcades stay, making it convenient for them to "bump into" their idol.
The group arrived at the hotel in a grand procession. After adjusting to the time difference overnight, they headed straight for the Suzuka Circuit the next day, full of energy.
At the "Motopia" theme park next to the racetrack, Sega Japan was already set up, featuring a blue and white SEGA logo.
The sign was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.
However, as the group approached, one of Mark's team members subconsciously frowned.
This person's Kevin. He is the team's marketing planner and also a passionate car enthusiast.
His family is considered quite wealthy; the number of sports cars parked in his garage is more than the number of shoes in his closet.
I came to work at Sega purely because of my love for games.
"Mr. Nakayama," Kevin said hesitantly, pointing to the booth not far away, "Is there something wrong with our setup?"