go to the movies (2)

They began to allow people to enter the theater. Billy entered with Raimon, who was nervously trying to keep everything in order. He maintained his composure as best as he could as if he were someone else. Since they met in San Jose, he was dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt, quite different from the many hoodies he used to wear.

The movie started with a bang, and immediately, he noticed the first change: a machine connected to a computer displayed a green face, and a human face took over, with a robotic voice commanding the execution of file 37b-2 to eradicate the human race.

There was a paradoxical and different scene, yet it gave Billy an impressive feeling. It contained intriguing details that kept him intrigued. Dolph Lundgren's entrance was epic, almost as much as in the first film. How did Cameron cover for the absence of superstar Arnold? With the meticulousness of someone who could do everything that Arnold did. Lundgren's rugged appearance was impressive. The Swede had his signature and combined with Cameron's touch, it provided certain details of a smoother approach compared to Schwarzenegger.

The following scenes continued Cameron's charm – how to create a film that holds the audience's attention for two hours without losing them. Linda Hamilton's story is presented in a much stronger way, from a women's prison to a center for help with violent and crazy behavior.

It's undoubtedly a plot with a different character, but essentially the same. Even the famous line "Hasta la vista, baby" makes an appearance, eliciting a surprised groan from the audience. The development of the cyberpunk element that Billy introduced into the script, given to Cameron, is marked by a series of surprising details, causing multiple dissonances for Billy.

Dr. Miles Dyson, who was responsible for the revolutionary project for humanity's future, is turned into a robot by the machines after numerous experiments. He becomes one of the major brains behind the operation. This time, the T-1000 follows commands issued by Miles Dyson. However, the T-800 possesses this valuable information and lures the T-1000 into a trap, explaining the future to Miles Dyson. Initially, he denies it, but later accepts it and helps to avert Judgment Day, creating suspense that the original movie lacked.

Everything culminates in a chilling ending, where John Connor alludes to his role as a leader, embracing his responsibilities as the future head of the revolution against the machines. This leads to T-1000 gravely injuring him, but he is saved by the T-800, Dolph Lundgren, in a final sacrifice.

At the end of the movie, John Connor wakes up in the hospital and doesn't find his mother. The police arrive with Miles Dyson, the scientist behind the Skynet project, who seems changed, different. His testimony leads to his conviction to a juvenile correctional facility, where his determination is strengthened to lead the life he desires. He is set to fight against the machine, Miles Dyson, who was operated on by the T-1000 before the events as a backup plan in case something went wrong – a detail not so evident in the film.

The movie ends with a surprise twist by Billy, appreciating Cameron's innovation. Could a third movie be in the works? Everything is left to the imagination, but the audience doesn't hold back.

Applause begins to echo through the theater.

Notifications start coming in for Billy one after another.

-Emotion point acquired: +37

-Appreciation point: +13

-Admiration point: +6

-Emotion point: +31

...

These notifications start repeating almost simultaneously for about a minute, and Billy is surprised. He's never had such a flood of notifications before. What's the reason? He doesn't know yet, but the disproportionately increasing points are telling.

[395] Available points.

To raise his drawing skill from 24.00 to 25.00 points, he needs 100 points. However, considering his interpretation skill is at 20.00, he needs 200 points to get to 25.00. Thus, it's expected that he'll have enough to reach 26.00 points.

[Interpretation: 24.48 - 25.00] 

152 points were spent.

  [Interpretation: 25.00 - 26.43] 

243 points were spent.

Although the skill improvement might not be tangible, the system integrates naturally linked abilities within the individual, almost like an extra talent.

-What's happening, Billy? The credits have finished rolling, - Raimon said to his right.

-Yes, let's go! We need to head to the hotel and get some rest, - Billy responded, still lost in thought.

They exited the theater with satisfaction. The movie was particularly well-received by general audiences, who watched it as spectators. Critics, on the other hand, still delivered sharp critiques of the film. However, this time, they emphasized the plot, which veered away from the clichés of the previous life. One of the most detested points in the previous version, which critics strongly criticized, now led to a range of opinions. Some critics outright rejected the movie, while others advocated for neutrality, and some praised the new concepts introduced by Cameron.

The opinions were more diverse and segmented compared to a previous life.

-Billy Carson, great to see you, -Jim Waitt said, approaching Billy. Jim had arrived a bit late and wasn't able to guide Billy through the intricate paths of his first significant event.

-A pleasure to meet you in person, Raimon. We've only spoken on the phone, -Jim said, extending his hand to greet Raimon.

-Yes, you look a bit different from what I imagined, - Raimon remarked.

-Different? - Jim inquired.

-Yeah, younger. You sound more mature, - Raimon explained.

-Doesn't matter. Let's go; I'll introduce you to someone who wants to meet you in person, - Jim suggested.

In a relaxed conversation group stood James Cameron's first wife, Ed Harris, who still hadn't lost all his hair, David Fincher, and Dolph Lundgren.

Cameron separated from the group and greeted Jim Waitt with a smile. After all, Billy's scriptwriting abilities were one of the factors that contributed to the success of his film

-Billy Carson. You're undoubtedly younger than I imagined. My assistant mentioned your youth, but it still surprises me, - Cameron said.

-A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cameron. Thank you for the invitation; the movie was fantastic, - Billy replied sincerely, considering this movie to be better than the first.

-It is. I predict it'll make 300 million dollars, - Cameron confidently stated, considering it the best film he has made so far.

-I believe it will surpass 400 million, Mr. Cameron, - Billy Carson said.

James paused to look at him, his expression sharp. However, he didn't say anything; he doubted that statement.

The distribution for Terminator was handled by Tri-Star Pictures, a company acquired by Sony Corporation a year ago in the purchase from Columbia Pictures owned by Coca-Cola. Among the movies that Tri-Star has been involved in distributing are examples such as Rambo, Iron Eagle, Short Circuit, Mountains of the Moon, Air America, and Terminator.

Laurie MacDonald, currently working as an executive at Sony Pictures, who is about to leave the company, greeted James Cameron, whom she recognized as a Tri-Star executive.

-Excuse me for a moment, Billy. I need to talk to Ms. Laurie. But, Jim, introduce him to Dolph and David, - Cameron said, addressing the woman at a nearby table.

-Well, it's his night. Many executives want to talk to him. Come on, meet Dolph; he's similar to you, and this time he's just starting his career. Last year, he was in The Punisher with Marvel. Don't be fooled by his muscles; he's a very intelligent guy, - Jim explained.

He's not wrong; Lundgren speaks six languages – Swedish, English, German, French, and Spanish. He holds a master's degree in chemical engineering, as well as a mathematics degree under the Fullbright program. He has one of the most impressive resumes among Hollywood stars.

-Dolph, David, and Ms. Bigelow, this is Billy, one of my clients and the screenwriter for Terminator, -Jim introduced.

  -Jim had mentioned a few things about you, - the six-foot giant responded, towering over Billy.

-A pleasure, sir, - Billy said, feeling quite small next to the man.

-Call me Hans, - the man said.

David Fincher stepped aside; he's not a very talkative person. Even though he's close in age to Dolph, he looks much younger than his actual age. However, he extended his hand to Billy.

-A pleasure, sir, - Billy replied to him.

-The pleasure is mine. I had the opportunity to discuss the complexity of the film, but I gave much credit to your rule of suspending the closed ending for one open to interpretation, - David said.

-Wow! Ahhh... I tried to build a web of lies. The protagonist hopes to end the world's end; it's just an illusion, - Billy said.

"I considered the same, although I would focus on the allegorical message of the mind and immaterial properties," David said.

Surprising Billy with his acute insight, there's a lot in that sentence, and he could only grasp it on a superficial level. Is this the power of directors? There's certainly a touch of Ghost in the Shell involved.

-You give me too much credit. I don't think I can come up with such acute scenarios, - Billy responded.

-Well, it's something interesting. I read the comic, and your philosophical nuances run deep. Maybe you just need a bit more reading to better evaluate your content, - David said.

-I'll take that into account, sir, - Billy said.

-No problem. -

Billy felt Raimon's penetrating gaze and knew he would have to start asking for autographs, putting aside their deep film discussion. He almost felt like they were calibrating him.

He would start with Linda Hamilton, who was alone at the bar, giving unpleasant looks to James Cameron's current wife, who returned them with equal intensity, engaged in a stare-down.

-Excuse me, Mrs. Hamilton, would you be willing to sign my comic? - Billy said.

Linda Hamilton didn't pay much attention and signed the book effortlessly on the back cover.

-Thank you, -Billy said, leaving the place feeling a bit embarrassed.

-You're welcome, kid, - Linda murmured.

The next one was John Connor himself. There's no one better than someone of a similar age. At his side was an adult, perhaps his father or guardian, Billy speculated, or maybe his agent.

-What's up, man? - Edward Furlong said as he saw Billy approaching.

-Could you give me an autograph? -Billy asked, showing him the comic.

Edward seemed surprised, and his chest puffed up.

-Sure, man. This is the first time I'm doing this,- he happily said.

Copying his name in fine, circular-touched cursive that crossed the middle.

-Thanks, buddy, - Billy said.

-No problem, - the guy who was just a year younger than Billy replied.

-That's enough, - Billy thought, bidding farewell to the guy, handing the comic to Raimon, who clutched it to his chest like a schoolgirl. But he didn't say much more than a "thank you."

-Let's say goodbye to Jim and the others. I have to get up early for school tomorrow, - Billy said.

-Sure, I'll get the car ready, - Raimon said.

Billy bid farewell to Jim, David, and Dolph.

-You can tell Cameron I'm heading to bed. He's in a meeting with the executives; I don't think he'll be leaving early. Take care, Billy, I'll be in touch with your company, - Jim said.

"Thanks," Billy said.

He left with Raimon in the rental car near the airport.

...