Raise your hand if you're voting yes.
Five votes. Less than half.
I now declare...
Chairman Ma, I vote yes.
OK. Now there are six votes.
More than half support the idea.
OK. The board of directors approves the re-launch of Modes Girl.
I have a suggestion.
The re-launch of Modes Girl was Vincy's idea from start to greenlighting.
The credit goes to her so she should be the publisher.
Vincy has spared no effort on this project.
She'd make a better publisher than me.
Vincy, step up to the plate.
I was only thinking about market share and profit when I first raised it with Man.
It never crossed my mind to dabble in Modes Girl's operation.
Since the directors have such faith in me,
I'm happy to accept this challenge.
It's so decided.
Vincy, you'll be wearing two hats now.
Keep it up.
Long, you're the seasoned one here when it comes to magazine publishing,
share your thoughts with us.
Magazines are about individuality and independence.
Ms. Kei may want to start with a clean slate.
I can't wait to see the born-again Modes Girl turn a profit either.
Chairman Ma, directors, I have two requests, which I hope you'll agree to.
Go ahead.
We're at war with Gina.
I don't want to see my staff affected by the relaunch of Modes Girl.
Unless the staff asks for it,
none of my team should be taken away, down to the photocopier handler.
Are Modes staff not our employees too?
The company has the right to reassign anyone as it deems fit.
Long, you don't own Modes.
Mr Tsui, sorry.
I second Chief Ip's proposal.
The two titles complement instead of compete with each other.
I have my own staffing plan.
I don't want to affect Modes either.
Thank you.
As for my second request,
it is clear that Man will want to devote as much time as possible to the new title,
in order to ease his load,
I think I should double as Modes' publisher
Man, I am sure you'll agree to that.
What do you think?
Thank you.
Hey, I just heard that the board just greenlighted the relaunch of Modes Girl.
A new title at such a rocky time?
We have no staff to spare.
Besides, how can Master handle two titles?
But the publisher is neither Master nor Mr Chi.
It's Ms. Kei from AM.
But there are just the five of us in editorial.
We have a title to fill already.
They don't intend to transfer any of us, do they?
Ada, you must have heard something. What's going on?
I heard Vincy has total say in the staffing of Modes Girl.
She intends to get her staff from Ivy's team
I heard she has given Master her word that
she won't ask for any of us unless we want to go on our own accord.
Master has no say in the new title at all?
Anyway, there are two camps in the company from today, Modes Girl and us.
Master's been named the publisher of Modes
That means Modes is formally under his total control.
Danielle, why has Modes Girl been revived after it was axed four years ago?
Why create a new title for internal com petition?
What are the directors thinking?
Whether it's one or ten, it's none of our business.
Your mind should be on the next issue.
Our enemy is Gina, not Modes Girl.
Don't waste your time.
You have less than a week for your final drafts.
I don't want to see any blank submissions.
Yan, Fan, come with me.
Tinnie's manager just called me.
The cover and interview are now off.
Why?
It was going smoothly.
Did you say something inappropriate in the process?
No. We only dealt with her manager and it was going fine.
I don't care why.
I'll won't tell Master for the time being.
You have one day to straighten it out.
Mr Ip, are you here for Mr Chi?
He left right after the meeting.
I don't think he'll come back today.
Tell him this.
Put everything related to Modes on my desk before tomorrow.
Do you hear me?
Yes. I will tell him.
Coward!
Did you hear?
Ip Long is now at war with you.
It's none your business.
What about my photos?
I gave you my vote.
Give me the photos.
You got your happy family back just by raising your hand. What a deal.
You don't have a copy, do you?
How could I not keep a copy of something so memorable?
What else do you want?
Relax.
I will look after them.
Be more careful next time you spend time with Martha.
Thank you for your concern.
Hello... Hello...
Hello, Ms. Tinnie, how do you do?
We're the Modes editors who contacted you.
We're here to talk about the cover and interview.
Didn't you tell Modes already?
I told your deputy chief already.
There's a change in Tinnie's schedule.
She has to promote her new film, she has no time for your magazine.
Maybe you should find someone else.
I've checked with the film company.
There's no rescheduling.
You're going back on your word.
Tinnie, whatever it is, we...
Just save it. Let me...
Let me tell you. I have the time.
I just don't want to do it for you.
We've booked the studio and the outfit.
You may cost us the column.
Is this a vendetta?
Tinnie, I don't know what made you change your mind.
But please, reconsider.
Tinnie, you're on.
OK, thank you.
Tinnie...
You know what you've done.
You should have been more careful with the questions.
You don't even know what you can ask and what you can't.
Congrats. You've made HRG history.
You've been made publisher even though you've only been here less than three months
The credit goes to you.
I want to know why you gave me Man's photos.
Why would you help me?
I wasn't helping you get ahead.
I just know Chi Wai-man was trying to oust you.
I was pulling you back from the edge of a cliff.
Does that mean you're on my side now?
I have to admit I was helping you.
That doesn't mean I was betraying my friend.
I know how capable Ip Long is.
Giving you and Modes Girl a break doesn't mean Modes or he will be threatened.
I like to play the devil's advocate.
No one can stay at the top forever.
Believe it or not.
Stop fighting and competing with him.
Just do your own job.
You now have your own title.
You're no longer working under him.
You've got more than your fair share in HRG.
I won't forget what you just said.
I will show you how wrong you are.
What?
Is this for what you've done for me?
Then we're now even.
Long, looking for me?
Is it about Modes Girl?
I've been thinking about why Chi Wai-man would go back on his word.
He had nothing to gain.
Why would a man who only cares about his own interest
help Kei Wan-wan for no reason at all?
I think I know why.
I got them through a private eye.
I thought we didn't have to use them since you said you had gotten his vote.
I'm sure Kei Wan-wan must have gotten these too.
Thank you, Martin.
Long, what do you think about Modes Girl?
That depends on Kei Wan-wan.
If she sees me as a friend...
I don't mind the addition of a new title.
If she sees me as a foe,
it'll meet Gina's fate.
These are general questions.
None touches on Tinnie's sour spots.
Why did she change her mind?
Think again.
Were these all the questions you sent?
There were no others.
You helped me set them. You thought they were OK.
So?
The buck stops with you and Fan.
You should have rechecked them.
Or did you add some more afterwards?
No. They were sent to her manager right after I went back.
Or was there some miscommunication you're not aware of!
Think again.
No. I was on the phone with her manager for two or three times only.
We almost talked about nothing at all.
Nothing at all?
Then why this tantrum from them?
Why would they call it off?
I shouldn't have counted on you.
You don't even know what made them so mad.
You've done me in.
Meg, come on...
Just don't bother anymore.
I'll find my own way back to Modes.
Meg...
Fong-fong, Yan, sorry.
I shouldn't have thrown such a tantrum
You're both trying to help me.
It's not your fault.
Silly girl, we understand.
You really want to go back to Modes.
We still have time.
We'll find a way.
Losers.
Hello, Ms. Kei? How do you do?
Zita, I heard that
Modes is heading for a civil war.
Modes Girl, which was axed four years ago, is being revived.
As for the cover of their next issue,
Tinnie's side has called it off.
Who will replace her is still an unknown.
No matter how capable he is, Ip Long can't do everything.
Zita, what do you think?
It doesn't match the cover's color.
The design is OK.
There are three colors, right?
Yes...
Phoebe, let me take a photo for record.
Take more. The photographer needs a set.
Maybe we can try another belt...
Gordon...
I don't want this one.
Contact your headquarters in France.
I want the latest design from the next season.
If they have no time to send it over,
I'll have someone fly over to collect it.
If they can't sponsor it,
I'll pay for it, whatever the price.
Ms. Nina, I know you're busy...
What about the day after tomorrow?
We can accommodate you...
Five hours, tops...
Thank you... Bye...
Yan, this won't do.
Big stars can't put us in their schedule on such short notice.
I'm sure we'll find one.
Yan, Fan, how's the Tinnie cover going?
Almost done...except for a minor glitch.
We're talking to her manager.
Talking? Or have they said no?
I saw no booking for her in the studio line-up
You have to hand in your work in two days.
Then the bluebook.
What are you going to give me?
Chief, Tinnie called it off.
I don't know why.
Maybe she didn't like the set of questions we sent her.
Danielle, did you know about this?
I did. I wanted to give them some time to talk to Tinnie.
I didn't know Tinnie was so resolute.
You didn't start working for me yesterday.
You're the second in command at Modes.
You know how tight our schedule is.
It's either yes or no, we can't afford a second chance.
If it happens again, tell me right away.
Yes.
Chief, it's not Danielle's fault.
I begged her for more time.
Ada, Zoe, spare no effort on your columns.
One of them will be our next cover.
Yes. OK.
Chief, give me another chance.
I'll get you a better cover girl than Tinnie before the deadline.
Ms. Cheung, how can I trust you again?
You don't have to.
I promise you a terrific cover on the due day.
Fair enough.
If it turns up blank, forget about rehiring Meg,
you'll be fired as well.
And you can go back to napping on the job.
Yan, hear me out.
We only have several days left, we can't turn this around
Let's go to Chief, we have to eat humble pie
Or we'll have to hand in blank pages.
You said it, we still have several days.
The deadline is not tomorrow.
Why throw in the towel so early?
Let me get my breath back.
Then we'll go back to making calls.
If we don't find one today,
we keep calling tomorrow.
I don't believe no celebrity has a few hours to spare.
I'm not asking you to throw in the towel.
I'm saying you shouldn't bite off more than you can chew.
We have made dozens of calls already.
None lasted more than three minutes.
Stop trying to convince me to quit.
I won't give up before the very end.
I don't care about going back to the napping days.
I just don't want to see you owing into your pillow after getting the boot.
I promised Meg I'd use the cover to make Chief rehire her.
If you're my buddy, stop nagging me.
Go back to making calls with me.
Hello, Meg?
We're still looking for a replacement.
Don't worry, I'll find one even if it means staying up all night.
Yan, that's very kind of you.
Even if I can't go back to Modes,
I still have a good friend in you.
Don't work too hard.
Go home and rest after work.
Later. Bye.
Ms. Kei, see?
That's Yan, she makes promises she can't keep.
It took me several days to see through her.
She only cares about her job. She couldn't care less about me.
That's why you want to join Modes Girl.
Ms. Kei, I've worked in Modes for a year.
I haven't had Yan's luck.
She somehow caught Trend Master's eye.
But I'm no less capable.
I just haven't had her luck.
The interview she did for the last issue won lots of praise.
Actually it was our joint effort.
I've heard from Ada that you're talented.
But...are you trustworthy?
Have you heard some rumors about me?
It's a misunderstanding. I can explain.
If you want to win my trust, it's easy.
I want a Modes staff to switch sides on her own accord.
You want me to poach her? Who?
Cheung Yat-ning, whom you said has all the luck but no talent.
What is it?
Why didn't you come to me earlier?
I didn't want Yan to see.
If she knew I was coming to you, that would mean big trouble.
You can't handle the cover job?
I admit defeat.
Yan and I can’t find anyone to replace Tinnie.
Could you take back what you said?
She's just a girl who didn't know what she was saying.
I apologize to you on her behalf.
The game has started, you can't quit half way.
If you don't want her to get fired,
give me a presentable cover and layout when we have our meeting in two days.
I wouldn't be here if that were possible.
I'll agree to any condition other than that
It wasn't easy for her to get a job at Modes
I don't want her to get the boot without a clue.
OK, she doesn't have to go if you'll agree to stay,
even if Martha wants you back.
See?
I won't force you.
So don't force me either.
My going back to Martha and Yan not getting the boot are two different things.
How can you mix them together?
Get out...
We can talk about this...
Mary, this is Ip Long.
Can Crystal come back to town in two days?
I want her to be our cover girl.
Contact Yan in our editorial department.
Don't let her know I called you. Thank you.
Gigi has a new film coming...
Being our cover girl is good promotion...
No, we can't have the same cover as another magazine
OK, thank you.
Next time then, bye.
Hello? Speaking.
She has a window?
Great...
I'll call you once we have everything ready
Thank you so much.
Fan, that was Crystal's manager.
She's back in town early.
She can spare a day for us.
Really? Yes!
She's as good as Tinnie!
That's great! You won't get fired!
Chief, we've found our cover girl.
Crystal has time.
What do you think?
OK. Go ahead.
Danielle, I want to do the cover shoot and interview in one day.
May I borrow someone?
Fong-fong, Zoe's column's done.
You go help Yan and Fan.
OK.
Fan... Yes!
Go ask Alan to let you have the studio for tomorrow.
Go tell Ken to get the outfit that were for Tinnie.
Roger.
Go to work!
We're lucky that Crystal and Tinnie are the same size.
No major alterations necessary.
We managed to land on our feet.
Modes will out-sell Gina by a mile.
But speaking of this,
Crystal's shoot in France doesn't end until the end of this month.
How can she come back in two days?
Yan is a lucky girl.
Her manager said she had no window yesterday.
She called us today to give us the OK.
That's strange.
Did someone pull strings for you?
Don't be silly.
Who is this kind-hearted.
Almost everyone in editorial can't wait for us to fail.
No one would help us.
I'm thinking of someone.
I don't know if it's him.
But if he wanted to, it could be done.
Do you mean Master?
Do you know how Crystal became a big star?
She was just a starlet when Master went out of the way to put her on the cover
It put her on the map and she has since been starring in one film after another.
If he wanted to help us, he didn't have to do it so secretively.
That's the way he works.
You know how he is.
Still, I'm just guessing.
Maybe he had nothing to do with it.
I'm sure you know Modes Girl is coming back.
AM and DT will be working on it.
That means your workload will double.
I hope you won't mind.
Not at all...
I want to know what you think.
I'm sure you agree the number one editorial talent here is Ip Long, Trend Master.
Who is number two?
It's not a quiz.
Feel free to speak your mind.
I think it's Danielle.
She has seniority.
Before she was promoted to deputy chief,
her column won the popularity poll for every issue.
People say she's allowed to make a lot of decisions for Master.
It's Danielle for me. Me too.
Thank you.
You may go back to your work.
Vincy, you wanted to see me?
Ivy, Man called me this morning about putting the team together.
I said I've made one decision so far,
that's you as our editor-in-chief.
Be mentally prepared,
you will be very busy in the coming months.
Vincy, thank you.
Don't get it wrong.
You shouldn't thank me at all.
Modes Girl is hitting the streets in three months.
From then on I will do nothing except sign off on the bluebook.
You will be solely responsible for assigning columns and topics.
You can rest assured.
I will make all of Hong Kong know Modes is not the only magazine in town.
Thank you.
One more thing, assemble your team as quickly as possible.
My opinion doesn't matter.
Pick people who can help you.
OK. Right away.
Ceci, get me Danielle's file and all the columns she's done.
You should know who the sponsor of Crystal's next film is.
It's my daddy.
What I'm asking is no big deal.
Just to say no to Modes.
You're her manager,
I'm sure you know which side to take.
I'm with a friend now. That's all.
I don't think I should say thank you.
You stand to benefit if Crystal turns down the cover.
I think you should thank me instead.
Why are you so sure Master will pick your column as the cover if Crystal backs out?
I've read Zoe's column.
Trend Master can tell good from the bad.
Get ready to be our cover girl.
I heard your daddy has done a lot to re-launch Modes Girl.
Have you thought of going over?
Daddy asked me.
I said I had to think about it.
It's a new publication.
The circulation is still an unknown.
We don't know if it will survive.
We don't know if it'll fold again.
The safest bet is to see how it fares
I've got your back whichever side you're on.
Thank you.
Relax. It's not our fault.
She can't get back in time.
Let Ada's column fill in for the cover.
Silly girl, Crystal stood us up.
Master will understand.
He won't fire you for this.
At most, there'll be some harsh words.
Look the other way.
Why?
Just do it.
Four hours ago, I thought heaven was on my side.
Four hours later, I've lost everything.
I shouldn't have bitten off more than I could chew.
I shouldn't have given Meg my word.
It was beyond me.
Fan, I should have listened to you.
I should have gone to Chief hat in hand.
He might still give Meg another chance.
It's my fault.
Cry it all out.
Then go back downstairs.
Gina has placed ads with five newspapers and two TV stations.
It's an all-out blitz attack.
Stay in touch with our printer.
Tell me once our cover layout is out.
OK.
Come in.
What is it?
Crystal's manager called.
She said Crystal can't come back in time.
She can't be our cover girl.
What's the use of telling me about it?
Shouldn't you use your time to look for a replacement?
Chief, you got her for us, right?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Ken said your cover put her on the map.
She owes you one.
I won't ask for this favor so easily.
It's your job and Yan's.
Bail us out again.
Get this straight. I never bailed you out.
I didn't get you Crystal.
She went back on her word,
It's up to you and Yan to solve the problem
Don't come to me instead.
Besides, have you forgotten?
Your assistant promised me the cover.
What?
You said Yan could stay if I promise not to go back to Martha.
You have it in black and white.
I will stay in Modes as long as Cheung Yat-ning is here.
So don't fire her even if we come up blank tomorrow.
James, I want Crystal blacklisted.
Pull your strings or grease some palms.
Make sure she doesn't appear on websites or media you know well
for the next six months.
Why didn't you pick up my calls?
I was so worried.
That's why I'm here.
Your neighbor told me you were here.
What happened?
Meg, I'm sorry.
It's not that I didn't want to talk to you,
I don't know how to say it.
Crystal went back on her word.
I have no cover.
I have nothing to hand in tomorrow in the meeting.
It's alright. What's the big deal?
Modes is not a big deal.
Modes is not our only option.
You've found another job at another magazine?
Ms. Kei came to me yesterday.
She wants me to work for Modes Girl.
I said I'd get you as well.
We'll both be editors, leading our own team.
I'm not going with you.
What's the point of staying?
That Master is unreasonable.
It's not your fault that there's no cover.
Two stars stood you up in a row.
You shouldn't be held responsible.
He's putting the blame on you.
Don't you find that unfair?
Chief can fire me.
But I won't be a traitor.
What do you traitor?
They're under one company.
Are you under Ip Long's spell or what?
What is this loyalty for?
Let me ask you again.
You really won't let me help you?
You'd rather be unemployed than go over to Modes Girl?
It's either Modes or no magazine for me.
Forget it. I don't know what you're thinking.
Whatever!
Danielle, not a moment too soon.
Art Department just gave me the cover font designs for Modes Girl.
Help me choose.
I belong to Modes.
It's not that appropriate.
Why don't you ask Ivy instead?
She's really experienced too.
You're right. The two titles are independent of each other.
We should keep it that way.
I wonder if you can give me your opinion without qualms one day?
I was just asking. You don't have to answer me.
Found Yan yet?
No. I don't know where she's gone.
Where's Yan?
She's in a traffic jam. She'll be here soon
Five minutes and we'll discuss to the cover without her.
Hello?
Yan, listen to me.
Let's go over to Ms. Kei together.
Why do you insist on suffering that Ip Long
Ms. Kei said her offers are open for discussion.
Meg, didn't I tell you I won't go over?
I won't turn against Modes.
I won't turn against Chief.
That's all. Bye.
Time's up. Let's start.
Fan, how's your layout?
Blank.
We don't have time to start from scratch.
I will pick either Ada's or Zoe's column for the cover.
Danielle, what do you think?
I find Ada's column more interesting.
Besides, Nana and Phoebe are alumni.
Putting Nana on the cover will boost circulation.
Ada, your column is the cover story now,
I think it needs some touching up.
Should I ask Fong-fong to give you a hand?
No, thanks. I can handle it.
It's decided.
Ada's column will fill in for the cover.
Call Nana for the cover shoot.
We can't afford any more delays.
Let me say this for the last time.
You love working in a magazine.
Ms. Kei is willing to give you a chance.
Why give it up?
I consider you my close friend,
or I wouldn't keep calling.
Meg, I've said it many times.
You can keep calling but my answer is still the same.
I won't go over.
If you think...
Meg...listen...don't say yes to Ms. Kei yet, OK?
Zoe, I want a softer color for your column
Go talk with Art Department.
OK, you'll have the sample once it's done.
Hello, where are you?
What? What's going on?
Hello...
That was Yan.
She asked if you could wait five minutes?
She's working on the cover layout.
Anymore questions on your respective column
I'll talk with Art Department tomorrow on the layout.
The bluebook can be ready in two days.
OK. Meeting over. Remember the deadline.
Don't go yet! Yan's on her way.
Hear her out first, alright?
Chief, if you don't like it, tell her to shut up.
I have given you two many chances already.
I don't believe she can surprise me.
Don't worry, I gave you my word, she won't be fired.
But I will reassess if I overestimated her.
I'm sorry I'm late.
What took you so long?
Chief, just a few minutes.
Five minutes. That's final.
I remember Chief once said,
the cover makes or breaks a magazine.
We communicate with our readers through the cover.
But have you ever thought about this?
Do we have to convey our message through some big star or a top model?
I don't think so.
Yan, are you thinking of using some unknown
I think it's a good idea...
for some second-tier magazines for high school students.
But Modes is a high-class fashion magazine.
I don't think our readers will buy it.
You're right.
I want to feature an unknown on the cover.
But the readers know her very well.
Fan, please hand these out.
Yan, what are you doing?
It's just a piece of foil.
Is it a mistake?
No.
I suggest the cover girl be the one most dear to them.
With this, the reader sees herself on the cover.
Whoever buys our magazine is our cover girl
What do you guys think?
I don't mean to rain on your parade.
Your idea just sounds good on paper.
If we use it, people will say it's childish.
I think it's quite creative.
But isn't it a bit risky?
I've been in publishing for so long,
I've never come across such an unconventional idea.
I don't know if this will work.
But should we use an untested weapon in a pivotal battle?
I don't think so.
I find it refreshing.
Me too.
Chief, what do you think?
I learned my ropes at Closet.
The custom there is to put a super star on the cover for every issue.
It's been my formula since I came to Modes.
It's not because I'm lazy,
it's because the formula is tried and tested.
All popular fashion magazines put a super star on the cover.
If one doesn't work, then a team of them.
It is star power on every cover.
Zoe is right. People may find it childish.
Ada is right. It really is a big risk.
Danielle is right.
We shouldn't go to the battlefield with an untested weapon.
But does consensus make something right?
Is it a good thing to stick to convention?
Honestly, aren't you tired of repetition?
I'm quite bored.
My intuition tells me we can take this gamble.
No super star for the next cover.
As Yan said,
the reader is the cover girl.
Yes!