acquire.

April 25, 1996.

Billy had finished a series of talks with Cameron, his days revolving around two simple things: reinforcing his image and discussing various details with the producers. The ship wasn't ready yet, and there was still much to be done. But Billy didn't feel an urgent need to film; the premieres would roll out one after another. Right now, what he wanted most was a break from the cameras, to avoid the tedious days of drawing and filming.

-They've already started filming Donnie Brasco, - said Jim Waiit, sipping coffee as they both waited outside for Monica. Jim now considered Billy his most important client. He had only four other clients: the brunette Thandie, Billy Carson, and Harri Savides. Each of them was special in their own way. Although he hadn't intended it, Dolph's success had been a boon for Jim, as Dolph always expressed his gratitude. Yet Dolph was focused on action films and villain roles—his recent appearance as a villain in James Bond had been a significant milestone.

-The other Jim, he's good at production, - Billy remarked, observing how they ran his film company. He could sense Jim Gianopulos' love for cinema—it was evident whenever he talked about movies. As a director, Jim delegated administrative and financial duties so he could focus on the operational and creative aspects of entertainment.

-Should I sign him? - asked the agent, clearing his throat.

-You should, but I already signed it myself. Besides, his commissions are unique, and he doesn't need an agent, - Billy replied, holding a sketch in his hands. They'd been waiting for half an hour, during which he had completed five pages of Hunter x Hunter manga, adding his designs and details inspired by Impressionism and Baroque art—a unique serenity in every line, making each detail unlike anything seen before.

-I recently met the production assistant from Regency for one of your films. He praised your success but mentioned that there might be a lot of movement in the production system in the coming months. We have a new movie that might interest you, - Jim said, hinting at a new project.

-They make good movies, - Billy said, looking at the lineup of films. There were some outstanding producers there, each bringing a special quality to film production. For example, in his first movie, Stargate, rehearsals took place on the set itself; for Little Women, they had reading sessions. His role involved only a few scenes, but Before Sunrise was all about following his instincts, with a script and plenty of improvisation—letting himself flow with the camera's cues. Se7en was rigorous work, requiring a deeper understanding of his character, even though others took a different approach with longer rehearsals, which challenged him more to stay in sync with the director's vision.

The English Patient and A Time to Kill involved extensive rehearsals and multiple perspectives for each shot. L.A. Confidential was a mix between what the director wanted and the actors' ability to elevate the imagery in each scene. Every shot had its brilliance in his eyes because of the work done behind the scenes, where they carefully aligned the actor's image with the setting. Similar to Se7en, yet different from The English Patient, which sought more reflection than detail, it simply needed to work. The understanding grew with each shot, and he appreciated how it expanded the story's emotional range.

-Indeed, they do. They enjoy working with dedicated actors. Your portrayal of Bud was more than impressive; you nailed the rough edge while blending in a softer side. You managed to combine every aspect seamlessly, - Jim Waiit said. - That's not easy; it takes a lot of practice. But then, you've been acting since you were eight. It probably isn't too hard for you now to handle such roles. -

-What about L.A.? We wrapped up in February, but there's no release date yet, - Billy asked.

-Arnon mentioned that they usually film six hours of footage, a lot of scenes, and a lot of organizing. Sometimes, that work takes time. They often do two edits and then choose the final one. I'd say once they have the preferred cut, they'll send it to the studio for the special effects, - Jim Waiit explained, considering the release calendar as an essential part, with October slated for A Time to Kill and possibly L.A. Confidential hitting screens in December or November.

-Well, let's set this aside for now, - Billy said, immersing himself back into his sketches, contemplating another series he needed to begin working on.

Mortal Engines. 20 points.

…

Monica wrapped up her activities on the set of Liar Liar around 4 p.m. The process kept stretching on, but it was no problem. Though her role was small, the courtroom scenes took longer than expected, given the importance of two characters.

She saw Billy sitting nearby, sipping coffee and drawing in the afternoon light. Some people watched them, but privacy was somewhat taken for granted. Wrapping her arms around Billy's neck, she kissed his cheek and greeted Jim.

-Sorry for the wait; I'm nearly done with my scenes, - Monica said. Just one more week, and she could head to Italy to work on Life is Beautiful.

-Jim kept me company while we waited. Did you mention someone who might need an agent? - Billy asked.

-Well, yes and no. She's European… You might meet her later, - Monica replied.

Jim nodded as they chatted about various things, including scripts coming across his desk. This time, Billy's reputation grew beyond popularity—it was his involvement in numerous projects that suggested success. Many sought him out for their projects, but Jim noted that he'd be busy until at least December with a mega-project, leaving his schedule tightly packed.

-Shall we head home? - Billy asked.

-We need to pick up Wina, then we can go, - Monica replied. She'd been staying with Winona, keeping her company while she was alone. They spent their mornings visiting the garden, greeting the Saint Bernard puppy Monica adopted from a clinic, and enjoying strawberry, blackberry, or raspberry juice while reading a book.

-That's wonderful that you're keeping her company! - Billy said, sinking into his seat and stretching his arms in exhaustion. He was tired, and only sleep could ease the weariness of this intense lifestyle, which often left him drained.

-We keep each other company, - Monica's expressive dark eyes shone. - You haven't had much time; you've been so busy. -

-I certainly have, - Billy replied with a deep breath as they climbed into the car, losing themselves in the flow of the asphalt. He desperately needed a break to relieve the shoulder pain from all the drawing.

On the drive, he processed his thoughts on Mortal Engines, a series he believed had the greatest potential he'd ever seen—a high-quality animated show. But he'd have to wait for Pixar to refine their designs. They needed to keep improving, but for now, it was better to hone the tools they already had, at least until the end of the year when two major films, Toy Story 2 and Shrek, would finally be released, though their exact dates were still unknown.

In Toy Story 2, Billy voiced Rex the dinosaur, as part of his dubbing role.

-Sorry about all that, but now I have all the time for you, - Billy said, putting aside his calls and focusing on the many big ideas that blossomed at Luxtoons every day. With nearly 400 employees, it meant a vast amount of work, with salaries ranging from $90,000 to $320,000 a year, plus bonuses. And every year, they hired even more staff.

...