between strings

March 4, 1996.

Raimon, after some time, with his knack for calculations and finances, was stationed in New York. He was searching for a building to house an animation studio, and considering purchasing a distant property. Beyond that, he wandered around Bank of America, talking with his father, while taking note of Billy's actions—buying properties, hotels, restaurants, and more.

-I believe we can buy the bonds... However, there's a hindrance. There's a second negotiator on the scene, behind the curtains two people are coming into play that we didn't expect to be actors in this deal, - Raimon remarked over the phone. Time wasn't on their side, but they still wanted to buy the bonds.

-It doesn't matter what or how, pay 40% of the bond's value, - Billy responded, desperate. - And mention that we might forge a closer relationship. I'll send you $10 million to buy shares in Microsoft and AOL. -

They needed Marvel for their plans—it would be the final touch, the cherry on top that would help them stand out. Beyond that, they didn't need anything else. It would expand its budding animation system, hire freelancers at sustainable rates, and pay commissions to feed the egos of those who would support it. He had been backing the sector with everything he had.

-Sure, and I've found a few good buildings, a bit remote, in Brooklyn. If we make the right purchases, they'll appreciate down the road. And of course, you always see some accidents here and there. Lastly, there's a major hotel, but not many are up for sale. Negotiations seem tricky right now, so I suggest we wait for an offer. My alternative is to buy buildings and remodel them to suit our best interests. It could be expensive due to licensing, but with a solid investment, we could create a building that serves as a cultural, administrative, and operational hub, - Raimon added.

Billy nodded, though his mind was still focused on who could buy Marvel's shares. He could partner with one of them, but knowing from Stan Lee how crucial it was, his moves had to be made with caution.

-Talk to Avi Arad. Let's make some concessions and deals that might be relevant to our business... be careful with the people in between, - Billy advised.

-Negotiating with the enemy? - Raimon asked, utterly perplexed.

-More than that, Marvel has to be mine, 100%. Tell him I'm willing to make some conventions, as long as he understands the premise. I've heard he wants to make movies. That's easy enough—talk to him. If you think he's willing, we'll arrange a call and negotiate, - Billy instructed.

-Oh my God, how long have you been planning this Marvel thing? You're starting to sound out of touch, like Robert Redford in All the President's Men. I'm a little stunned, - Raimon replied.

-Well, speak to real estate. We're going to take over New York. You'll be heading to London soon to take over there too, and we'll move some operations there… just as we will in Ireland, - Billy stated.

...

Billy descended the stairs, still questioning whether, in the coming months, all of his efforts should be devoted to a flamboyant expansion of acquisitions and maintenance. It felt like a deep task with multiple layers. They had to succeed in all the films to come, and do so in an almost insidious way.

The different angles involved Resident Evil 2, along with some other necessary redesigns to improve the content, pushing past the norm, particularly the Dark Souls series. But right now, they were mere flickers of light, through the studio that bought and licensed the game. The graphic engine, which was now improving daily at Epic Games, was being made available for free, as long as the developers provided 4% of their game profits.

The pile of ideas waiting to be reviewed, and the other pile of comic work that needed completion—Real had a total of 98 chapters. With his revisions and additions, he believed the story would conclude at 108 chapters—ten more. But at one chapter per month, that's 108 months. Still, the story remained complex to create, and it had become the best-selling title at Lux Animation, with 8 million copies sold per month. So, he decided to publish two volumes a month. They were currently on volume four; the fifth would be released on the 15th, and the sixth on March 30th. He had just finished volume five, and though he didn't think he could adjust the schedule in the coming months, he would try.

-Margot, call Dave Anns, - Billy instructed. They were people of information, handling analysis, archiving, and documentation with Mr. Gorman. Due to his lack of time, Billy would have to rearrange his schedule.

-Also, call Sarah Robles, -

-And Franz and Francis Scott, - Billy added.

Would he use his directors to filter the 28 projects on his table? He didn't call it that, but doubt arose. His boss wasn't one to frequently call people, and usually only spoke with Raimon, Jim, and Anne. His circle of conversations was small.

In doubt, each of them came to address the concerns. Monica was noticeably absent, but she was in L.A. working on the Liar Liar project and would return by Friday night or Saturday morning.

-Sir, - Dave Anns said from the doorway, being the first to arrive. Billy gestured for him to sit. He looked uncomfortable.

-Take a seat, and let's wait for the others to arrive, - Billy said.

One by one, they followed the same pattern. This activity was born not only out of curiosity about how people viewed the work but also from the perspective of individuals who weren't considered experts.

He took the storyboards and read them at his desk while they waited.

-I believe we're all here now, - Billy said, standing up and stretching.

-I just finished a reading that took me three days. I've gone through a total of 30 new proposals, but I feel like I've gotten carried away by the fever of reading, and I believe my judgment is clouded. So I want to give these a second chance, here and there, - Billy explained.

-So, you want us to...? - Sarah Robles asked, unsure how to continue. The head of the company, the legend of San Jose, was very intense.

-Simple. Four scripts for each of you. It'll take one or two hours at most because they're just proposals, nothing more. If you like one or think it's worth it, put a smiley face on it. If you think it's both worthwhile and feasible, give it a green stamp. And if you think we can make money off it, add a post-it note explaining why, - Billy instructed as he handed them the scripts.

-Before you ask, we sell stories—whether comics, books, films, or toys. I don't think you're all too busy for this, - Billy added.

The rest were dismissed outright. If three out of the 16 scripts made it through, it was enough for him. There were many untapped stories, and he had a strict system.

***

Monica was smoking a cigarette while waiting for the next act. Her body was made to be eye-catching—a leopard-print corset, paired with tight leggings that highlighted her underwear.

-It's incredible how people move in this industry, - Winona commented from beside her. She was still filming Alien. Monica's character had died halfway through, but it wasn't a bad thing. A few extra scenes and the experience were enough for her.

-You never get used to it, even after all this time, - Monica replied.

Jim Carrey was cracking jokes on set, in every possible way, ridiculing and trying to make people laugh. He wouldn't stop, always trying to get a laugh from anyone with his endearing antics. Lately, he'd been arriving on set imitating Ace Ventura, with his walk, gestures, and all.

-Ladies, - the man greeted, rolling his eyes comically as he struck a ridiculous pose. It always made Monica smile. He was funny.

-Ohhh Jim, stop being a pest, - Winona laughed.

-Inappropriate, mwahaha, - he replied in his signature way. - I do what needs to be done, even if you don't like it. -

-I think he's sweet, - Monica remarked.

-Ding, ding, we have a winner, - he shouted, jumping from side to side. - This calls for a dinner for two! -

-Make that three. I'm having dinner with Winona tonight, and I'll be traveling tomorrow, - Monica added.

The face he made afterward was even funnier. He scrunched his neck and gave a goofy smile, as if straight out of Dumb and Dumber.

-I can handle both, - Carrey said.

-Hahaha, Winona's a bit dangerous, - Monica teased.

-Ahhh, somebody calls a firefighter for this blaze, - he joked, motioning to his crotch.

Winona rolled her eyes, but it was amusing to watch the man make a fool of himself with such confidence. People just watched him curiously, marveling at his unique way of doing things.

-I spoke to Lauren. She said we need to bowl you over every time you try to make us laugh, - Monica added.

-God, Lauren again. My life is over. She's omnipotent, - Carrey groaned.

She was Carrey's fiancée. Incidentally, she was also a close friend of Monica and the

...