orchestra

Raimon hadn't settled in the office for a while. He'd been traveling across the country, managing the many Lux Animation satellites spread throughout North America. He was organizing, overseeing everyone, dealing with the purchase of a hotel in New York, handling the Marvel acquisition, the stock issues, and finally sorting out the merchandise related to trading cards, which was helping break into the board game market and improving Toys and Comics. The walls, adorned with books, posters, and some action figures, were Raimon's dream come true.

-I've set up a dinner with Avi Arad, but I don't want to travel anymore… I just want to stay here and eat sweets every day while I handle everything Anne sends me. I'm exhausted from all the traveling around the country, - Raimon said, grabbing the latest Hunter X Hunter comics. He'd spent half the day reading comics, getting up to speed with the new plots Billy was launching. The feel of the paper on his fingers was a necessity, a ritual as he watched the stunning pages come to life with color and form.

-Tomorrow night. - Raimon nodded. -I'll make a note of that. Also, I want you to explain what you did with the stocks, what my share is, and what we can do with the bulk of the companies. - Billy responded, continuing his detailed sketches using his usual 1/8 sheet scale, easier for detailing though pricier for coloring. But that wasn't his concern.

Raimon puffed out his chest. He knew for sure he'd done well over the past few days, doubling Billy's money.

-Well, I shorted, leveraging 200%. So far, the rise has earned us a lot of money in some companies. I could've made some extra cash in sales through my father's connections. I organized the Marvel acquisition for the bonds, with some corporate gifts. We'll buy the bonds at 40%, and I've negotiated the possible purchase of the Manhattan hotel, though at a steep price, - Raimon said.

Billy, intrigued, was eager to review the stock reports. Raimon was as crucial as Anne, perhaps even more so.

In three months, he'd increased the total stock value by a fifth. A business genius, he'd done it out of fear of being reprimanded for overspending on Star Wars collectibles, but after his success, he decided to take a middle ground, make an extra push, and switch to ordering licenses for a different style and new Dungeons and Dragons games.

-I heard you had fun selling the Star Wars cards, - Billy commented.

-Well, hahaha, I just thought they were so beautiful that I doubled the production, - Raimon replied, downplaying it.

-Yeah, I heard that. But I think we should stop focusing on the cards for now. What do you think about creating a Star Wars Metroidvania game? - Billy asked, seeing the potential for a Star Wars game with a Pokémon-like format, reminiscent of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It was a fantastic idea.

He began pitching the game concept, suggesting a range of fun, multi-character games with different world designs. Both Lucas and ID Software had dedicated time to it, building a great storyline.

Raimon's mouth hung open, dumbstruck. He realized how much he loved the idea, and how badly he needed it. He wanted to create a game version, a visually stunning one, featuring Qui-Gon Jinn as the lead, set just before and during The Phantom Menace. He knew fans would relish every inch of it, but what they would truly appreciate was the art. He already had some great workers who were more than eager to make their own game.

-So...-

-We'll exploit that Star Wars license. Lucas will make a lot of money, but I have a series of explanations about many characters, and I've opened the license so some of them can fully expand the Star Wars universe. We have a general guide for the entire series, but we expect the chosen people to solve and expand as much as I'd like… Your work has helped me wrap up many stories. I've written a few scripts for Darth Vader and the Jedi, - Billy said.

-So, what's next? - Raimon asked.

-Now, we need to make enough money off Star Wars so that it pays the bills. With the movies, we'll make enough to buy Lucasfilm, at least 60% or 70%. We have fifteen years to produce different kinds of series that won't oversaturate the fanbase. That's why we're planning two simple things: two trilogies, three animated series, two live-action series, and two spin-off films, whether live-action or animated, - Billy explained.

Raimon adjusted his stocky frame, wiping sweat from his jeans. His shirt, emblazoned with Star Wars: A New Hope, featuring Luke Skywalker, clung to him as he swallowed hard.

-You'll let me be the one pulling the strings… I'll be the director, - Raimon stammered, almost choking on his words.

-Of course. I want you to organize most of the series, especially the ones we can use to make a lot of money. But before that… help me go over the accounts. I trust no one but you to handle those tasks, - Billy replied, needing someone to handle the financial matters of Lux Films and Lux Distribution.

Winona, carrying a multitude of suitcases, wore sunglasses and a radiant smile. She was thrilled to be traveling. She cherished privacy and meetings free of cameras and flashes. The intense beep of her phone alerted her that Monica was already waiting at the exit, her white hat covering most of her face as she slipped by unnoticed.

A gray Toyota van awaited her, with Monica's familiar greeting partially obscured by the wind blowing her hair around. She smiled, happy to see everything going better than expected.

-God, you didn't take long at all, - Monica said.

-I got lucky, and well… it's better this way, - Winona replied calmly as she took off her hat, fixing her hair, which had started to grow since her last haircut. Though there were still a few shots to film, she no longer needed to cut her hair; styling it properly was enough.

The van set off, and the two chatted about how much they enjoyed the freedom. Only a few occasional reporters remained, but the distance allowed them to take this kind of attention in stride. Billy's refusal to answer questions was enough for reporters to limit their interruptions to more predictable occasions, in places where paparazzi were less of a nuisance.

-Are you going to take the role that will take you to Europe? -

-I am. It's better that way… Europe alone fills me with excitement for my future roles. Billy supports my decision to head to the Old Continent and take the path I feel is best, - Monica said.

-What can you do? I hope it goes well for you. I'm still planning my scheduled vacation, - the short-haired woman replied.

-You could come with me and do some sightseeing while I work. I'll show you the best spots during our free afternoons, - Monica offered.

-Yeah, well… I think that'd be amazing. Fashion Week is coming up soon, and we've got to attend some events. I know Billy usually goes to these things, and sometimes he even joins in the after-parties. But I doubt he'll want to miss out on being part of something bigger with you, - Winona said.

-Oh, he will! -

....