Mr. Khanna looked from the small boy to the mechanical camera, then back to Raghunath. There was a sharp, calculating silence. In the background, Girdharilal was fuming, but he didn't dare interrupt a man of Khanna's stature.
"My office is just around the corner," Khanna said, his voice intrigued. "Raghunath-ji, if your son can truly prove what he says, I have a contract for the Railways that needs a partner. Bring your 'visual proof.'"
Inside Khanna's office, the air was cool and smelled of expensive tobacco. Ashutosh didn't wait for the adults to start the small talk. He moved to the projector sitting on Khanna's sideboard—a high-end German model.
"May I, sir?" Ashutosh asked.
Khanna nodded, fascinated. He watched as the five-year-old handled the film reel with the dexterity of a seasoned projectionist.
The lights dimmed. The flickering light hit the wall.
Once again, the "Red-Gold" packets appeared. Through the lens of the Bolex, Ashutosh had captured the masala falling like golden rain. He had framed his sister Ananya's face in a way that made the product feel like a blessing from a goddess. It wasn't just a recording; it was the world's first "emotional" advertisement for a household spice.
As the film ended, Ashutosh turned to Khanna. Through his Business Negotiation (Lv 2), he saw the man's pupils dilate. Khanna wasn't just impressed; he was seeing dollar signs.
"The quality is undeniable," Khanna whispered. "But it's the way you've presented it... it's hypnotic. Raghunath-ji, who directed this?"
Raghunath looked at Ashutosh, his chest swelling. "My son did everything. From the machine to the film."
Ashutosh stepped forward. Now was the time to set the foundation. He didn't want to just be 'Pathak Masala' forever. He needed an umbrella—a name that would cover news, movies, and the global rights he intended to 'claim.'
'I need a name that represents the three powers,' Ashutosh thought. 'The Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer. Or in my world... the Content, the Distribution, and the Technology.'
"Mr. Khanna," Ashutosh said, his voice firm. "We are ready to sign with you. But we won't be signing as a small local mill. From today, our media and branding wing is a separate entity."
Khanna raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what is this entity called?"
Ashutosh looked at the three reels of film sitting on the table. The number three resonated in his mind—the past life, the present life, and the future he was creating.
"Trinity," Ashutosh declared. "Everything we produce—from the spices to the films we will eventually make—will fall under the Trinity Group. This specific project will be handled by Trilogy Studios."
Raghunath blinked. Trinity? Trilogy? The words sounded modern, powerful, and international. He didn't know where his son got the names, but he liked the weight of them.
"Trinity..." Khanna tasted the word. "Fine. If Trinity can guarantee me 5,000 packets a month, I will give you the exclusive contract for the Northern Luxury Express."
[DING! Quest Completed: The Distributor's Choice]
[REWARD RECEIVED:]
1,000 Skill Points.
Item: 'Trilogy' Company Registration Documents (Pre-signed Legal forms by your Nana's contacts).
Ashutosh felt a surge of triumph. But he wasn't done. He looked at the 1,100 points he had, plus the 1,000 he just earned.
'2,100 points. I need to prepare for the 'Plagiarism' phase. To claim global rights for things like 'KBC' or 'Avatar' before they exist, I need my Uncle Mishra's legal mind to be at the top level.'
"Papa," Ashutosh said as they walked out of the office with a signed Letter of Intent. "We need to talk to Mama (Uncle Mishra). If Trinity is going to grow, we need to protect our 'ideas' legally. Not just in India, but across the oceans."
Raghunath laughed, clutching the contract. "Whatever you say, King Ashutosh. Today, you've earned the right to name the stars."
As they drove back through the market, Ashutosh looked out at the old, dusty shops. He saw Girdharilal staring at them with hatred.
'Stay in the dust, Seth-ji,' Ashutosh thought. 'The 80s are coming. And Trinity is going to own the screen.'
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Trinity Group: Founded.
Trilogy Studios: Active.
Current Balance: 2,100 Skill Points.