….
The next few questions came and went. Regal methodically worked through them - $2,000, $4,000, $8,000, $16,000.
His answers were confident but never cocky.
He took his time when needed, thought through the logic, and locked in his responses with certainty.
Then came the $32,000 question - the first major checkpoint.
The question appeared on screen, and for the first time, Regal paused. Not because he didn't know the answer, but because he was weighing his options.
"This is the question where things get interesting," Meredith noted. "From here, there is no time limit. You can think as long as you need."
Regal studied the question, then looked up at Meredith with a slight smile.
"I'd like to use my Phone-A-Friend lifeline."
The audience murmured with interest. This was always a fan-favorite moment.
"Alright! Now, before we make the call, I am curious - who are you calling?"
"Keanu Reeves."
The audience erupted in cheers and applause.
Keanu Reeves was beloved, and the connection between him and Regal was well-known in Hollywood circles.
Meredith's eyes sparkled with the kind of genuine curiosity that made her such an effective host. "So everyone in the industry already knows that you and Keanu are really close. But how did that friendship begin?"
Regal laughed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, I think I am about to break the hearts of many of Keanu's female fans, but... I actually met Keanu through my sister. She introduced him to me as her boyfriend. This was before my first film, [Following], and obviously Keanu wasn't in the industry at that point either."
It was already rumored that Keanu was dating Regal's sister, but this was the first public confirmation. The audience reacted with a mixture of "aww"s and surprised laughter.
"Oh! We definitely weren't expecting something as interesting as this." Meredith said, clearly delighted by the revelation.
But before the call connected, she had one more tidbit to share.
"Now, I should explain to our audience how the Phone-A-Friend system works. Before the guest arrives, we ask them to provide contact information for five people they might want to call if they use this lifeline. And while setting this up, we discovered something very interesting about how you have saved Keanu's number in your phone."
She turned to Regal with a mischievous smile.
"Can we reveal this with your permission?"
Regal grinned, already knowing where this was going. "Sure. I was planning to reveal it sooner or later anyway."
"Apparently, Regal has Keanu saved in his contacts as..." She paused for dramatic effect–
"John Wick."
The audience laughed and applauded. The name had a cool, mysterious ring to it.
Meredith pressed further. "Keeping aside the fact that it sounds incredibly cool, does this have any connection to a future collaboration between you two?"
Regal pretended to think about it, his expression deliberately enigmatic. "That's something we will have to find out in the future."
He wasn't spilling anything more. And fortunately, he also has the rights to the title - so no problem there.
Meredith caught the hint and didn't press - she'd already gotten the juicy tidbit she wanted for the show.
"Alright, let's make that call!"
The production team connected the line. The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Keanu! It's Meredith Vieira from 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'. I have someone here who needs your help."
"Hey, Meredith." Keanu's laid-back voice came through the speakers, drawing immediate cheers from the audience. "Is this for real, or is Regal pranking me again?"
Regal leaned toward the microphone, laughing. "It's real, man. I am on the show."
"Why are you calling me?" Keanu asked, his tone genuinely confused but amused. "Dude, I am not smart enough for this kind of thing. You created the show. You should know all the answers."
The audience laughed. Regal shook his head, grinning. "I just wanted to embarrass you on national television."
"Mission accomplished." Keanu deadpanned, which got an even bigger laugh.
Both the live audience and viewers at home were eating it up.
The genuine friendship between them was obvious - this wasn't manufactured celebrity rapport. These were two friends who genuinely enjoyed giving each other grief.
Meredith jumped in, sensing the entertainment value. "Keanu, we just learned that it was Regal's sister who introduced you two."
"He only told you that part?" Keanu questioned, his tone suggesting there was more to the story.
"What do you mean?" Meredith asked, intrigued.
"Well, our meeting wasn't exactly on friendly terms." Keanu revealed. "Actually, Regal was about to punch me in the face when we first met."
Regal immediately jumped in. "That was a misunderstanding!"
"A misunderstanding about what?" Keanu shot back. "It was pretty clear to any bystander you were harassing my girlfriend."
"She was my sister!" Regal protested, but he was laughing.
The host and audience were simultaneously shocked and amused. This was television gold - an unexpected glimpse into a friendship's origin story.
"Wait, wait," Meredith managed between laughs. "So, Keanu, you thought Regal was harassing his own sister?"
"....I was just having a disagreement with my sister about my career." Regal explained, still grinning. "But Keanu here thought I was against their relationship which is something she didn't even bring up yet and meddled in between us - who I thought was a stalker, and was ready to punch."
"You didn't?" Meredith prompted.
"Obviously, my sister stepped in and explained that this was her boyfriend and he was here so she could introduce. The most awkward introduction of my life."
"I have never seen someone go from ready-to-fight to apologizing so fast." Keanu added. "But hey, we laugh about it now."
"Alright, alright." Meredith said, trying to regain control. "As wonderful as this is, we do have a question to answer. Keanu, you have thirty seconds. Are you ready?"
"Bring it on I guess." Keanu replied.
Meredith read the question clearly and quickly. The clock started ticking.
Keanu immediately started thinking aloud. "Okay, so... I think it might be B? Or wait, maybe D? No, no... I am not confident about any of these. Regal, man, I am sorry. I am completely blowing this."
The thirty-second timer continued its countdown. Ten seconds. Five.
"I honestly don't know." Keanu admitted. "I would be guessing, and that's not helpful."
The buzzer sounded. Time was up.
"Well, Keanu, thank you for trying." Meredith said warmly.
"Sorry, buddy." Keanu said to Regal. "I will make it up to you with actual help later. Like, helping you move furniture or something."
"I will hold you to that." Regal laughed. "Thanks for trying, man."
"Good luck with the rest. And with [Iron Man] next week!"
The call disconnected to applause from the audience.
Regal looked back at the question, his expression focused. Despite Keanu's uncertainty, Regal seemed confident.
"I already knew the answer, actually." Regal admitted. "I just wanted to embarrass Keanu, like I said."
The audience roared with laughter. Meredith shook her head in amused disbelief.
"You're terrible! That poor man."
"He will get over it." Regal grinned. Then, without hesitation: "The answer is C. Final answer."
"Is that your final answer?"
"Absolutely."
A dramatic pause. The lights pulsed. Then—
"That's correct! You've just won thirty-two thousand dollars for charity!"
The audience applauded enthusiastically. Regal had crossed the first major threshold.
….
One more question followed - the $64,000 question.
Regal worked through it carefully, using logical elimination, and answered correctly.
Then, just as the momentum was building, a red buzzer sounded through the studio.
Everyone looked confused for a moment, then Meredith explained.
"And that, I am afraid, is our time for tonight! This is where we have to pause."
She turned to Regal. "You have answered ten questions successfully and have banked sixty-four thousand dollars for the Motion Picture & Television Fund.
"You have five questions remaining. You can either continue tomorrow during our next taping, or you can choose to walk away with what you've won. What would you like to do?"
Regal didn't hesitate. "I am going to walk away."
There were a few disappointed sounds from the audience, but also understanding. He had a massive film opening in less than a week. His time was valuable.
"That's your choice, and it's a wise one." Meredith said. "You have won sixty-four thousand dollars for a wonderful cause. Regal Seraphsail, thank you so much for being here!"
They stood, embraced, and the audience gave him a standing ovation.
As the applause continued, Meredith addressed the camera. "When we return, we will meet our next celebrity contestant. But first, a word from our sponsors."
The show cut to commercial, but the camera stayed on Regal and Meredith for a few extra seconds, chatting warmly.
Then a final graphic appeared:
"IRON MAN - In Theaters October 4th. Don't miss the event of the year."
….
In the Miller living room, Leo turned to his father, eyes wide. "He's making a superhero movie?"
"That premieres next week." Sarah added. "Maybe we should go see it."
Chloe, who'd been silent throughout, finally spoke up. "That thing about Keanu almost getting punched... that was hilarious."
"The whole thing was entertaining," David agreed. "Sixty-four thousand dollars for charity, some great stories, and perfect promotion for his film. That's how you do a celebrity appearance."
On screen, the commercial break continued, but the impact had already been made.
Regal Seraphsail had once again proven that he understood entertainment - whether creating the format, directing the content, or simply being a guest.
Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold.
And in less than a week, the world would see if [Iron Man] continued that streak.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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