After the last attempt to help, it seems that the theater did gain a little more reputation. It's been nearly a week since and thanks to some successful flier advertising and word being spread around, the theater's seemingly been doing better than ever. For someone who's had a direct hand in it, even if minor for the most part, Jan Ren was rather proud to see those efforts brought to fruition. Even the farmers that didn't usually take interest in the theaters and culture seemed to try to come to the theater at least once this week, which was all very reassuring.

So it made sense that the lead actor, the original client, came bowing his head way too deep for a man, crying to the Sinese to aid them once more in trying to advertise the theaters and promote its longevity. He'd done a rather good job earlier as an advertisement manager, if he could say so myself, and the evidence was in the man's lack of shame. "Alright, alright!!" Despite the pleas being closer to begging, the Sinese still agreed to take the job; moreso because the same pay was offered. Last time's wasn't half-bad. It wouldn't hurt to give it another try.

That said... Simply using the same trick twice wouldn't really work. If he wanted to get the same strategy to work, he'd need to turn it into a routine, rather than just spread the word around. It worked the first time, but regrettably he'd have to admit such was perhaps a fluke. Many of Marigold's key players consented to playing along with his antics, and as such the possibilities were aligned, all available. Not to say they weren't open right now too, but clearly they would have less of an effect, as opposed to last time. Just going around handing out fliers won't cut it, and bringing the Lord's daughter Rosalia with him could only get him so far.

He sat down to think, what could he use to his advantage if he needed to formulate a proper plan of advertisement? Was advertising really the way for this to go in the first place? There were other options, but...

...Before long, an idea struck him. It may have took an hour or so, but he was onto something after all.

WC: 385/1,000

Unlike last time, there wasn't much planning to lay out on paper. No, this time Jan Ren knew exactly what steps he ought to take in order to increase the theater's popularity, at least. Upon a sheet of paper, he grabbed a quill and began writing down some questions. Giving several choices, a rough outline if anything. Helping the theater gain proper fame was not going to take a single day, no matter how you looked at it; unless he used underhanded tactics, which he was not going to resort to. Instead, he'd take the longer route and ensure a stable reputation that will hold steady for the long while.

The next day, first thing in the morning; the Sinese once again turned to a printing workshop, and asked to copy the questions and answers onto numerous pages. He was making a poll, honestly. And with that poll copied over several pieces of paper, the young man headed to the farmlands again, and going from door to door (with some help from some familiar thug lackeys), he handed out the polls for the local farmers and humble store owners to fill in. Asking questions about fields of interest, 'what-if's for plays, and what they would like to see in the theaters. Several questions, definitely not a perfect poll by a longshot; but one that could at least indicate something about the general census of the less interested folk. What's more, it would spring the theater's existence into their minds once more; a byproduct of the method of choice, even if Jan Ren hadn't originally accounted for it.

The answers weren't important to the young man himself, but rather the fact that those workers even filed in their reports. Several declined, but most of them complied, thankfully. By the end of the day, all papers were assimilated and handed to the client -- the leading actor, to view. The farmers' preferences were on some display, a specific indication now present for reference, if anything.

Onto phase two.

WC: 720/1,000

Phase two wasn't exactly easy. Marigold didn't spot too many differences in its demographic, having something of a mishmash between simple citizens and core workers and farmers, to the Lord and the nobles. Granted the theater's status, not many would come to visit too often, which meant all groups were originally omitted from attending. Fixing that wasn't going to be easy at all, though sowing seeds of interest in their minds was close enough, good enough to pull off. For that reason... Jan Ren needed to reach out to Lord Syllas and Rosalia once again.

Getting past the guards proved a big enough challenge in and on itself, what with them recognizing the Sinese as one who'd infiltrated the castle before, and picked a fight with them. Thankfully his arse was saved by the Lord himself, who came to answer his loud call at the castle gates. Explaining the situation wouldn't have warranted much attention from the redheaded father-daughter duo, especially considering the funds he had in mind that needed to be used for such a task. It turns out that hosting a big party in the Lord's castle wasn't going to fly after all, what with expenses obviously not being worth the reward. Jan Ren had to find a different way to reach the nobles.

Yes, the nobles... The last demographic he's had absolutely no contact with. Despite Syllas' kind nature, he saw more merit in declining the offer. Rosalia on the other hand... At least agreed to take some of her fellow noble friends to the theaters, granted the Blue Pegasus mage served to accompany her as a personal guard. As such, an odd party of the mage in question, the lord's daughter, two of her personal maids and some of her friends had assorted one day, going to the theater to watch some of the few plays displayed.

Thankfully, Rosalia and her friends agreed to spread good word about the theater, a tactic that would reach the rest of Marigold's nobles' ears at some point. Seeing this as less of a fruitful attempt than last time though still one to have proper advancements in the right direction, Jan Ren returned to the leading actor to report his deeds; only to get thanked way more than he should have, "Yes, I get it, it's fine! Really! Stop lowering your head so much!!" --and get appropriately paid in return.

WC: 1,120/1,000