-It's amazing, I can't believe it. I'm so happy I can't breathe properly, - said Raimon from Los Angeles, totally euphoric; he wasn't the only one, Anne smiled warmly beside him.
Beside her were folders on entrepreneurial investments, Billy's explanation that he preferred to invest in Stanford to improve his relationships with the board and establish better lines of business development was better than investing in real estate in Anne's eyes. The leftover $4 million would be used to buy shares, and if necessary, some office buildings in downtown San Francisco that could be rented out.
-Well, Billy, you've been deliberate. You've grown. You spoke calmly and explained your plans once the contract was signed. Billy passed multiple proposals for the production of the Star Wars series and how triumph would benefit both of us. He explained everything in logical detail and expects to deliver the scripts to George Lucas by December of this year, make all the respective modifications, and raise funds by February 1997 to begin filming the next trilogy, - said Anne.
A quick whistle from Raimon.
-Billy doesn't beat around the bush. What do you need me for? - said Raimon.
-Now that it's clear, we'll have many things to do. I want you to mobilize your groups to spread the word that Star Wars will rise from the ashes, that from the coasts of California to the coast of Maine, from Florida to Oregon, it will be known that Star Wars will have a trilogy. Be subtle, let it be only word of mouth, without sources. Recruit some good writers to expand the Star Wars universe, fan opinions, preferences, even tempted to ask if they want a game, -- said Anne, reading Billy's letter, a postscript. -- Of course, those are all the instructions Billy left for now. There's a postscript, Raimon, train in voice acting in your spare time. I need a voice, -- Anne read; she couldn't help but sigh at Billy's audacity, to drag poor Raimon into his Star Wars crusade. "Nooooooo," Anne heard the cry in the air; Raimon's force and motivation were evident as Armand Millester alone stopped to watch him, surprised, the 190-pound young man jumping around like possessed.
-I won't let you down, Anne. Give me five days; I'll organize all the paperwork and start taking acting classes again, - said Raimon.
-Acting classes, - thought Armand Millester, along with Stacy Roman.
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An endless journey, but here he is at Fashion Week, with Julie Delpy wearing a glorious white dress with a giant red bow, almost like a wrapped gift, accompanying him to see how interesting Fashion Week is. A surprise for him was seeing the two youthful women, Winona Ryder and Gwyneth Paltrow, together. Gwyneth's mischief was powerful; there was a youthful erotic vibe, almost beautiful and different from her later years.
-Billy, you've been absent, - said Winona, avoiding showing her obvious displeasure, not because of Billy, but because of the memory of throwing up, shouting, and being a complete jerk to someone who only wanted to help.
Winona's dress only accentuated her powerful curves; he could already see many men going crazy for Winona's attention, with a black dress accentuated with a slight neckline, she was no less than a supermodel. In contrast to the angelic blue worn by her blonde friend, which only made her look younger, giving her a teenage appearance.
-I have a new role, - said Billy, unsure of what else to say.
-Oh, I also have a new role; the new filming will start in three months, - said Winona.
-Well, I should start next week; I'm very excited about the upcoming movie. It's going to be fantastic, - said Billy.
-It's nice, my friend Gwyneth, - said Winona.
-Billy, I've heard some things about you, - said Gwyneth, a palm directed to Billy's chest in a rather private gesture. She only paused for a moment and squeezed his shoulder before turning away.
-Pleasure to meet you, - said Billy, with a slight bow. Gwyneth's youthful appearance was surprising in retrospect to her appearance in the future, with finer, softer features that suited her slim body, without the years of makeup; she was radiant and beautiful, slender. With Wine-Tint makeup on her face and a long dress, she follows the common denominator of the '80s fashion. Not as tall as she pretends to be.
The first event of the evening is a long catwalk, from August 2nd to 7th, starting in New York, but the following weeks are celebrated in major capitals like London, Milan, and Paris. Numerous brands hold multiple fashion shows, ranging from half an hour to forty-five minutes each, where the designer presents a brief dialogue, and then a monologue establishes and orders the reasons for Fashion Week.
The representative brand is Chanel; in the haute couture shows, Chanel holds a special place in fashion. Not far away, stunning models follow the runway, including a very young Claudia Schiffer, Stéphane Cardinale, Kate Moss, Carla Bruni, and Helena Christensen.
-Men get lost in the legs, while women in the dresses. It's normal; you're dealing with supermodels. I would even doubt many married men attending the event, - Julie whispered.
-It takes me by surprise. The concentration and strength with which they model are incredible. I can imagine why many women want to buy designs from this haute couture place. Which ones would you buy? - Billy asked.
-Oh, for now, none. They show too much leg; I prefer dresses that are more spacious and less revealing. I think Alice would like the sporty white one, - Julie said.
-Where can you buy it? - Billy asked.
Eliciting a chuckle from Julie at Billy's question. Billy was like a puppy to Julie; Gala events were not common by Billy's standards.
-You can ask later. Here, the shows are only used to present the designers. Securing a spot is complicated, but you can approach it at the end of the presentation. That silver one is more my style, a gray jumpsuit, is much more comfortable. However, let's hope better brands arrive; there's much to see this week, - Julie said.
Time passed quickly; Julie only reacted to a long blue dress from Versace, which left a long line for the leg. The dress was beautiful, according to the views of Winona, Gwyneth, and Julie. To the pleasant sight, Carolina Herrera couldn't be absent; since 1972, she has been participating in this event with strength. Her clothing is strong; it also charmed the girls around her and gained some extra applause.
After the numerous collections, it transitions to a party, a proper gathering to socialize, revel, and comment on each other's collection's beauty, with many people there for social mingling, followed by a rich people's party.
-Any comments? - Julie asked.
-All the dresses are beautiful; I prefer spring. Although some dresses were very beautiful, I don't doubt that there was anything that fascinated me. I'll wait and see; I intend to fly to London, Milan, and Paris in succession; I love seeing so many collections, - Winona said.
-You're not the only one; our cowboy wants to buy some, - Julie said, nudging Billy on the shoulder. The nickname "cowboy" slipped from Gwyneth, who wasn't very good at keeping information, and called him that, earning a well-placed laugh from Julie.
-Dresses, Billy. I thought you liked suits, - Winona said, wearing a big smile.
-Hey, it's not that. I thought people came to buy dresses, almost like a book or technology fair, where they showcase products, and you buy at your leisure. It's more complicated than that. I would organize the place to conduct sales to preferred clients without so much secrecy; I would locate the unified collection sales, - Billy said.
Not mistaken, the world operates on sales, and what better than to offer sales during Fashion Week, a high runway home? Women can benefit from ordering reservations for certain selections, before or during the shows; it's almost a placement in itself. In clothing sales.
-You don't get it, -Winona said, echoing the thoughts of all the women. Dresses could be sold to some special people, and some brands even set a unit limit, but it's only that, the secrecy of fashion, that makes it so belonging.
-You can buy, but only to certain people. Some designers handcraft collections, without setting a maximum amount of clothing, they may have a maximum of two or three dresses for sale per unit. You can't just come and ask for them all; it's something that can only be done in clothing stores. Although recognized brands have a high purchasing margin, like Calvin Klein, Chanel, Versace, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors... - Winona said.
-I got it, - Billy said.
Moving on to the second part of the day, although the day started at 3:30 in the afternoon, the next is a gala meeting, elegant. Jim Waitt himself was there, highlighted by the addition of a well-known man in the media, Arnold Schwarzenegger, wearing a suit very similar to his, a cane.
-Arnold, you remember very well the little boy who wrote the script for Terminator 2, - Jim Waitt said.
-I am aware; I even didn't believe you would have chosen me, the main character for the second Terminator series, but my schedule was full, very tight, and now I can say that not participating was a benefit, - said Arnold, who was already shaping up to be a politician. His way of interacting gave him the appearance of a friend of his father, a councilman.
As an ambassador in charge of the Red Cross, his interest in public service, as well as his views on blood donation, is a recurring role in some celebrities who want to maintain a stable profile in the public eye. Not just popularity, the character is something to desire.
-I'm sorry it didn't turn out that way, - said Billy, surprising Arnold. - Don't get me wrong, sometimes things just don't work out. It's just that I was surprised; you were my first choice and James's, - said Billy.
-Young man, I'm afraid to say that I'm here again for a business that interests us. Mr. Jim was very insistent that I represent the Caneli brand, an Italian suit brand since last year he insisted eagerly, and he ended up convincing me, even Cameron joined in. But now I see that it's for a special matter; you were his final touch, - said Arnold.
To which Billy was surprised, now understanding why, as a rookie, he was given such a good contract. The impression came from the sky; now he owed Arnold a favor, who supported the current. This is one of the reasons why he attends this Fashion Week.
-I'm thankful for that. If you need anything, I can be present; you just have to ask me or consult Jim, - said Billy.
Through the door, James Cameron entered, without a hint of change. His hair, seeking a deeper and more revealing white, as opposed to the brown he had some years ago, evoked a majority age.
He was arranging the Caneli cuff buttons, and he bumped into Billy. To Billy's surprise, he gave him a strong hug. Jim Waitt smiled, taking a sip of Champagne, refreshing his throat. He raised his glass in a gesture to Mikail Caneli, Caneli's manager, who undoubtedly only hoped to catch a big star now he had two and a young promise in his arms, at an acceptable price.
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-Do you think he's James Cameron's illegitimate son? - Gwyneth asked aloud to the young women seated at the table, earning a giggle from Julie, who couldn't help but think of Billy as James Cameron's illegitimate son. How else could he have such a strong position in the entertainment sector? Nepotism, it must be nepotism.
-Well, it would explain a lot of things. He's very young but has good contacts. And he seems to have a close relationship with James Cameron, - said Julie, which, from the eyes of the three girls, they were talking about family matters.
On the contrary, Billy was speaking effusively about manga, Evangelion, and its captivating style, asking if he could make his Evangelion movie and why he set aside Terminator publications.
-Most likely, I can't believe it's James Cameron. I'm a staunch fan of his Terminator and Alien series, - said Winona.
-Come on, we might gain some goodwill; let's integrate into the group, - said Gwyneth, seeing an opportunity to be among the thoughts of two people considered: a great Hollywood director and a great Hollywood actor.
-I'm embarrassed, and I think we'd be indisposing, - said Julie, taking a snack and a little Champagne. - Plus, they're coming this way, - said Julie, a bit louder than usual.
-Don't look back, - said Julie to Winona and Gwyneth, who was behind.
-These are my companions; I'm lucky to be accompanied by such charming women. James, I believe you should meet Winona, - said Billy, introducing Winona to James Cameron, with whom they had had some conversations. James's eyes lit up, three women who, in his opinion, were actresses who fit the role of his next movie.
He gave a short greeting.
-This young lady is Julie Delpy; we will make the movie to be presented at the Berlin Film Festival if we are lucky. And Gwyneth, I think you also know them; again, they are my companions for tonight, - said Billy.
-Pleasant company. Nice to meet you. Billy mentioned that I couldn't go partying due to a commitment with you all; now I see, I would refuse myself too. However, I extend my invitation; this cocktail is just the appetizer; there will be a gathering at The Bowery Hotel. I extend my invitation, - said James Cameron, bidding farewell to the ladies.
-I say we go! - said Gwyneth.
Winning a reprimand from Winona, who was embarrassed. Before she could finish reproaching her behavior, the gap between Winona and Billy was open, much more for Winona, who still thought about the slight that happened two months ago.
-As long as you want to go, we'll go. After all, you're my guests. But I must introduce myself to my sponsor. If you still want to go, we'll leave at 8:00; I'll order a car, - said Billy.
-What are you waiting for, cowboy? You can't deny a party to young women, - said Julie.
...
Hello, we are at chapter 269 on Patreon, the idea is to always stay 30 chapters ahead or more. Check out my other stories, I hope to continue doubling my number of chapters, now I deliver 7 chapters per week, but I want to reach 8, and publish in all my series at least 3 chapters per week,