373. origin.

-The stories coming up are incredible. I think in the next five years, our company won't falter at all, - Billy commented to Jim Gianopulus. It was nearly six in the evening, and his promise to meet Monica was about to be fulfilled.

You're right. Your animators are fantastic. In a way, I believe the spirit of Lux Animation is within your team, which has started to embrace your creative ideas, Jim replied.

-It's not just us. Many studios are on the verge of creating their animation branches. Fox is about to launch its studio, Universal is considering doing the same with Amblin, and Warner is contemplating the idea but hasn't taken the risk yet. However, a new studio in the UK seems to have a good investment range. In two years, we might face direct competition from these companies, - Jim Gianopulus noted.

Billy felt that in the coming years, he needed to redouble his efforts to continue duplicating Pixar's output, which now encompassed two groups and more, to drive the company's overall development.

-It doesn't matter. I feel that all the money invested will be recouped with the release of Ice Age and Lilo & Stitch, as well as Jerry Maguire. These will be successful enough to support Pixar's growth as we plan for the coming years, - Billy said.

-That's all for now. I'll contact the team to initiate the tentative steps for licensing Narnia. Securing the rights for seven animated movies is a wonderful idea, - Jim said.

-It's a pleasure. For now, that's enough, - Billy concluded, bidding farewell to Jim with relief. Comic sales remained stable, and although the Van Helsing series was new, it had found a place among fans, contributing to the company's overall sales. It was even surpassing Shaman King, which had average sales for the company. Meanwhile, Samurai X led the pack, followed by Hunter x Hunter, and lastly, One Piece, which hadn't created the sensation Billy expected for two simple reasons: marketing and the series itself. Without a show to captivate audiences, sales couldn't reach the desired levels. The same principle applies to books. Game of Thrones, published by Billy, only sold thousands, not millions, but it had a dedicated fan base.

Book 1 was published in 1991, Book 2 in 1993, and Book 3 was expected in 1995.

-You were right about Miramax having problems with Disney. There are general issues due to disagreements, and the merger with ABC presents an administrative problem we can exploit in two years if we plan our moves well, - Jim commented.

-We'll buy it. We have many moves in mind, - Billy said, bidding Jim farewell. - They've attacked the company for three years, both Disney and Warner. From legal issues and cable company problems to blocking distribution aspirations and negotiating with companies beforehand, closing relationships, and worse, playing politics… It's nonsense! But for someone like you, who has been with the Giants for a long time, that kind of pressure is disappointing. I'm sure if Disney released my movies, each would earn at least $100 million, but I have to scrape by, fighting agonizing schedules, monthly battles against new products from film companies, and issues with exhibitors to get my advertising out. Do you think it's a coincidence that The Lion King received bad reviews, cinemas didn't use marketing in some states, and its international release had multiple sequels in quick succession? We'll start by cutting meat. I want Miramax or ESPN, I want Hanna-Barbera, DC, or New Line Cinema, - Billy asserted.

-We need money… a lot of money, - Jim Gianopulus said.

-What does it matter? I'll handle bringing the money to the table. You just focus on confusing our rivals. The Artisan strategy was perfect for buying Discovery. Now they'll be stumbling, wondering why we bought Discovery, - Billy laughed, but Jim blushed and coughed, unable to look Billy in the eye.

-Wait, you don't know why we bought Discovery? - Billy asked.

Jim couldn't be offended. The truth was that he hadn't understood Billy's moves for a long time. Billy might be a business genius, but to Jim, he seemed more like a business madman.

-I don't know! I've tried to piece everything together, but nothing comes to mind, - Jim admitted, breathing deeply. -Well, the first thing is that I think it's useful for animated channels, and having programming for kids is profitable. Kids' toys sell like camels in deserts. But… what else? It's too much money for such a purchase, - Jim pondered.

-I see. I'm sorry… I think I confused you too. It's simple. Scientific documentaries will be in high demand in the coming years. I'm talking about documentaries with movie-like features, covering space, history, animals, the ocean, activities, sports, and anything that can be quantified scientifically. If we can replicate at least 10 fields perfectly, the Discovery subscription channel will gain a lot of strength. You saw the charts; they have 500,000 subscriptions, bringing in $25 million a year. If we maintain the ratings, we'll recover all our money in eight years. But what happens if we triple, quadruple, or quintuple that percentage? I think it'll be easy to do in three years when our new documentaries air, - Billy explained.

Serving a glass of whiskey, offering it to Jim, who shook his head. Billy downed it in one gulp.

-Now, the animated channel is underestimated. We just need one good series, and we'll make a ton of money. I want to use the Pokémon franchise to create a show for younger children, more childish, a sweet series with pleasant cartoons. When those kids turn seven, they'll love Pokémon. But… when they turn seven, they'll find the series being made in Japan, and they'll love it even more. Along with the games, we have a market for at least 20 years. It's a win-win situation, - Billy commented.

He had another reason, to win over scientific communities, and expand Discovery's channels to include sections like stories, miniseries, and something similar to History Channel... followed by winning over different communities to improve his environmental image and goodwill as a businessman.

-You have a lot of faith in Pokémon! I think I understand a bit. You're betting on yourself, not on Discovery, - Jim commented. Billy was betting on what he believed Discovery could become, not on anything else, without data, without market studies, just a leap into the void for something he observed and was sure would yield the desired results.

-I do, Jim. That's why we need to strengthen our friendship with Fox. You have them on the table. We have Universal tentatively. I don't need anyone else, - Billy commented, finishing his drink with one last necessary sip.

He was one step away. If he could recover the money invested this year, he could be more aggressive in the Hollywood market.

***

-I thought you'd never get here,- Monica commented. She had a script on her lap and had spent the whole day actively studying English, reading the scripts Jim Wait sent her as a way to improve her language skills. She wore a black mask and some conditioner in her hair. Beauty had its costs.

-I had to sit down and read new ideas. We hope the animated channel keeps running at the same pace as always,- Billy commented, knowing he now had a challenge to face: having an adult channel, one that would allow more openness with series for a certain sector, like Evangelion, which did not admit a rating below 15.

Monica nodded as she massaged her scalp with some fatigue, letting out a deep yawn.

-Come on, I'll show you the first branches of T-Box Pizza and T-Box Burgers. It's a mandatory outing,- Billy commented as he took two strides to the second floor. He needed to change into more sporty clothes and maybe a fisherman's hat for more privacy. However, with Monica, privacy skipped the controls. Her figure and presence could make anyone turn their head.

-We can't go out now, I need to shower,- Monica shouted from behind Billy. He stopped her, not without first lifting her in his arms and setting her down at the bottom of the stairs. The small spark of fantasy covered the atmosphere again as he gazed at Monica's beauty. She was a fantasy woman, with a symmetrical face and a luxurious body that could melt anyone at her reign. She was more sensual in person than on camera. Acting took away all that charm, and perhaps that was the main problem in her not-so-coveted fame.

She should be highlighted for her work and nothing else, something modeling would provide, Billy was sure of that.

-Change quickly, - Billy said.

-You don't rush a woman, - she commented, walking dignifiedly to the bathroom while her clothes fell to the floor. It was another detail; she was not ashamed of nudity. Were European women like this? Brave women who did not bow down, aspiring to sensuality since time immemorial. Success consisted of it. Seeing her buttocks, not very suggestive but sufficiently fleshy to invite desire, or her breasts, oval, perfectly placed, large, falling slightly due to gravity, firm from her youth still clinging to her body, were extremely desirable, disappearing through the bathroom door.

...