unrelated.

March 6

 Three days later.

-Billy, you have to believe me, the script is subtly violent. You can gain the recognition you desire in the role. Talk to your agent; he thinks the same. The English Patient is a great movie. You should know that what I'm saying is not a lie. You're in Los Angeles, trying out for roles. You can audition there. The movie will be dedicated to the end of July. You can tighten the schedule and start filming in early July. Two months are enough, - Raimon remarked.

-I'm in for Nixon, and filming starts next week. I'll take the studio. Besides, Winona isn't exactly a friend of mine, - Billy commented.

-Please, Billy, stop making excuses. You're an adult. Contact her through your agent and pitch the idea. Don't disappoint me. Also, I have good news about the stocks. We've received good interest in the stocks, except for Apple, which unfortunately plummeted to less than fifty cents, - Raimon replied.

-I'll fix the matter as soon as possible. Just be more careful what you say, Raimon. Don't think I'm not aware that you said it would be easy for me to participate in the movie and attract Winona, - Billy commented.

Raimon laughed, more of a nervous, wordless laugh.

-Sorry, alright. The movie is still great; I think it's a great project that's being handled, - the COO replied, his voice softer as he went, almost muted at the end.

-I'll try to do it. For now, I'll have a small role in Nixon, and I'll talk to Winona. In the meantime, keep buying stocks. For now, let's stop at Apple. We already have a seat on the board, and we'll buy stocks and stabilize the situation later. I'm sure Apple won't fall as long as Steve Jobs is alive, - Billy commented.

-Sure, I'll do my best, - Raimon sighed. Billy was becoming more intense every day, and now he had this air of not admitting mistakes, although Raimon knew it was just a façade; it still surprised him.

In Billy's dining room, not far away, Gwyneth was baking a carrot cake and some diced chicken. Along with a fruit juice, while watching her diet, Billy was sweaty, working out with the sole purpose of keeping his body fit for future roles, but he couldn't help but hear the voices. Billy mentioning Winona again churned her stomach.

Billy hung up the phone and looked towards the kitchen, hearing the oil dancing in the pan. Sweaty and tired, he ended up back in the blonde's apartment, usually the routine involved some time at a nearby hotel, then ending up at the blonde's house, and from there... they continued a somewhat strange relationship.

-Who was it? - the blonde asked as she served the food on the table.

-It was Raimon. He mentioned that for The English Patient, they're hoping to hire Winona for the role, but the actress who could play the character isn't available due to scheduling issues, and they asked if I can connect them with Winona, - Billy said.

-Oh... well, I made boiled eggs. Do you want one? - she asked.

Billy nodded.

-So why do they want to contact Winona? -Gwyneth asked.

-You can put them in touch with her; you're friends and have a certain relationship," Billy questioned, not believing for some time that their relationship had cooled down, and between them, they somehow cut off certain conversations they used to have.

-I can, but I'm not sure if she'll listen, - Gwyneth said.

-Invite her for a meal, tell her it's me who needs her, - Billy commented.

-I will, - Gwyneth said, calming the anger that rose from her heart. Although she liked her friend and was a happy, tender person, she knew she had something mysterious with Billy. At one point, she took it as a game. Now it bothered her that he was talking to Billy.

They both ate calmly. Billy's role was the brother of the president, Harold Nixon, a simple role with a few scenes, on the contrary, it had to have a particular cut of the time, styled according to the era.

The next nail in the coffin was this.

-Billy, they accepted your small role in 'How to Make an American Quilt,' - Jim Wait commented.

Hesitant, in the face of new demands, the schedule overflowed a small, number of deliveries. His supporting roles were small but enough to keep him busy for a certain period. Two films with a certain vibe, on one side Nixon is a Fox film, while 'How to Make an American Quilt' is an Amblin film, and Jim Wait fervently knows that sometimes a small role can gain some opportunity, be it with the casting director, the director, or producer, and improving skills is always a positive point.

-So, what role will I be playing after all? - Billy asked.

-You'll be taking on the part of Leon. Your bilingualism was a plus. You'll have four shots. The movie has started filming, but they're still in the early parts. As for Nixon, your role as Harold will again be brief. The important thing is that you take the role Raimon talked about. It's just what you need. If you take it, the supporting roles will follow, - Jim replied.

-But...-

-What we want is for you to continue honing your skills and gain recognition in the public eye. Lead roles will come gradually. You just need six minutes on screen, no more, no less. You can captivate the audience with little screen time, - Jim Wait commented.

Three quick roles for Billy to take scenes in multiple films, already fitting into a useless schedule, not making money, not even advisable, but now their joint commercial strategy is to move forward. For now, Gwyneth and Billy will take a breather. She has a series to finish, Women under the Moon.

***

March 8th.

Billy hurried to the scenes of "How to Make an American Quilt." On his journey, he arrived at his studio, a little house far from civilization. The studio was small, not very big in any way. He saw nearby locations that would be used to shoot, a small private pool that was taken as part of the audition. The first scenes filmed were the flashbacks.

Sweat trickled down his neck. Upon entering, he saw the whole Hollywood setup, albeit not as elegant. They were all in their positions.

-It's quite hot for filming, - Billy commented. In Baja California where they were filming, near a desert, the heat was intense, to the point of being suffocating, even interfering with some scenes. The heat was on, as the camera crew and set crew dealt with the total warmth.

They took the direction to the final filming locations, a small event of less than 20 minutes. His relationship will be the turning point. Leon is the handsome man who only seeks to drive the protagonist crazy.

-We have a few shots of you. For now, we'll do some shots in the pool. Mr. Carson, are you sure you're ready to film with such short notice? - the organizer commented, noticing many differences.

His tan skin was good, it was a pity he didn't have enough time to participate fully, and he had to get a slight tan to match his face with his body.

As he arranged things, he saw everyone bustling around. They handed him a red pair of shorts and did some light makeup on him. After all, he was wet in the scene.

-I didn't expect you to take the role just to see me, - Winona commented, intervening.

-What are you talking about?" Billy replied.

-You know, you want me to participate in the movie that's about to start filming," the young raven-haired woman commented. She was wearing a swimsuit, a one-piece with a dress. Her shoulders were fair, and she still had her delicate, fine features that made her look like an angel.

-That's not why I took this role. We're doing a small format to continue polishing my skills. Although I'm not as muscular as the other cast members, I make up for it in acting. And it's because The English Patient is fantastic. It's a story like no other. I heard you're aiming for the Oscars, - Billy commented.

-Everyone talks about the same thing, and it's never true, - Winona commented, particularly calm.

Billy already had a measure of Winona, who, according to Gwyneth, would act for even less if she liked the role. She was sensitive, and to convince her, one had to flatter her, for she was a woman with defined tastes. Her demeanor was rather cordial.

-I'm not lying. It's a gamble, and if you don't want to participate, others are auditioning. They're looking for someone with gentle features, a beauty. I give way to you; you'll be better than in Little Women. You're perfect, - Billy commented.

-You're lying, - the woman commented, ready for another quick take.

...