dreamers.

August 16th.

In a high-end restaurant, Steve Jobs adjusted his attire to fit the setting. Not a fan of ties, he wore jeans and a cotton shirt. Would they deny entry to a businessman? Probably not. Billy walked in with his typical suit, stretching his arms. The days as Jerry Maguire had ended with the recordings in Arizona, and now he only focused on managing his businesses and continuing to draw. The purchase of Panini and the ever-growing business balance were encouraging.

-Sorry for the delay; the meeting with the video game guild lasted longer than expected, - Billy said, shaking Steve Jobs' hand.

-I didn't wait long. Your call was timely; I decided to come early and relax. A glass of wine always helps clear the thoughts that accumulate after the office, - Jobs replied.

-That's true. For now, I keep my thoughts sober, but I hope to take a trip to some secluded island to find the peace and tranquility I need after all the workload. I've heard that Next has been developing high-quality software, - Billy commented.

-It's a design for now. We have microprocessors and some... I call them SPARC. But nothing outstanding. Nothing is like the first time, nothing is like what you wish to accomplish, - Jobs said.

-A true reason, - Billy commented.

-I've read about the success of your movies as a producer, screenwriter, and animator. People hold your animation work in high regard. Your last movie was captivating, - Jobs mentioned.

-They haven't seen anything yet! The projects for December come in pairs, and next year we'll deliver at least three movies. Although, if we plan it out, my idea is to deliver five movies a year, - Billy said.

-A risky bet, - Jobs said, calculating the costs. If Billy made five movies a year, that meant at least 150 million dollars in expenses.

-Our movies have been particularly profitable. I believe that if the pace of releases and our technological advancements continue to increase, we can implement low-cost movies for some independent filmmakers to try at Pixar Europe, - Billy explained.

The idea was simple: they required good work, but above all, many people were willing to create true works of art. Art had to be conceptualized in movies. However, it was an idea for five years into the future.

-Is it profitable? - Jobs asked.

-It is, very profitable. Think about it... How many movies are released in a year? And of all those releases, how many make a profit? At least 40%. However, with the sales of products, peripherals, and licenses, you manage to cover all costs, as long as you have the machinery, which we are building. But, among that 40%, there is about 5% that manages to surpass and exceed the average. A good movie can help our income, - Billy explained.

Like having a library in his head, using it to his advantage, and condensing several excellent movies.

-A particularly risky business, but I see that when you have the talent, it's easy. It's like me; at a certain point, I found a way to guide companies to a chosen result. What do you think is the biggest lesson I've learned in all my years? - Jobs mentioned, taking the wine he held in his glass with more than nostalgia. Something he hadn't seen the first time in Jobs, now he observed with attention.

-What? I'm curious, - Billy commented.

-If you want to hire wonderful people, you have to let them act as they wish. It doesn't matter. If you learn to communicate with people who want to excel, you must let them be free. When we have an idea, that's when people aim in the right direction," Jobs said, much calmer and more peaceful. His posture relaxed, still a strong character, but his way of expressing it was so deep that it left Billy breathless with the depth of his words. He understood a little, but surely Jobs' thinking went hand in hand with certain behaviors that were not easy to learn.

-It sounds like something that took you time to learn, - Billy commented.

-Don't even ask. Now I understand a lot of what I failed at, - Jobs commented.

-I also understand many things. At the time, I made many rash decisions, and the mistakes came in a way that I paid for, both in money, hours of sleep, relationships, and connections, - Billy commented.

The waiter brought their dishes to the table, and both men proceeded to dine calmly, talking like old friends. In the background, Billy needed Jobs, as wonderful people can create wonderful scenarios. However, that wonder is overshadowed by the idea that Steve Jobs needs him, and Billy knows it's better to let others make an offer, question that offer, lower the price, and see what benefits he can reap. A crude way to look at things, but it's how business works.

-I see we've run out of small talk. Let's get to what I need, - Jobs said.

Billy fell silent, looking directly at Jobs.

-In most matters, I find many words to say it, but I want Apple and Next to merge, for a price, of course, - Jobs said.

-What's in it for me? - Billy replied.

-Ah, a familiar phrase in the business world. My idea is for you to acquire my company as the majority shareholder. If you inject capital, it's time for both of us to have a position. I understand Gil Amelio isn't very bright, giving away our hardware to Chinese companies. He's made a mess to make quick money, and the company's decline is starting to show. I have 5% in shares, and I have members who want to see Gil out. If we merge our companies, we'll have the majority vote, - Jobs said carefully. - We'll double the value, and you can put money on the table to acquire a 49% stake, no more, no less. -

-I want Apple to be a private company, - Billy said.

-What? That's not possible! - Jobs exclaimed.

-It is. I've already negotiated with the board. I can buy 19% of the company. With the 35% of shares in my hands, I can have 54% of the company by next week. Let's put it this way, we'll buy Next as an acquisition for $290 million. I'll name you CEO, and give you a lucrative contract, but I want you to solve Apple's problems. I have an idea; however, I plan to acquire some other companies and merge them with Apple, - Billy explained.

The turn of events left Steve surprised.

-You've outplayed me again. How long have you known I'd try to rejoin Apple? - Jobs asked.

-Since the moment you sold me Pixar. Not right then, but I've been waiting for a move for two years. We'll settle the participation later, but I don't want too many owners of the company, just you and me, - Billy said.

-Let's do it, - Steve Jobs agreed.

Why did he accept the offer? It wasn't the price; it was being part of Apple. His only option was to agree with Billy Carson, knowing the money would multiply with Billy and him at the helm. Five years ago, he saw a kid. Now he sees a partner.

If Steve joined a year later, he would declare a forced acquisition, spending most of Apple's budget, and they would end up covering with loans of $150 million or more.

Lux Animation's finances were thriving. The profits from "The Iron Giant" and "A Bug's Life" were enough to buy Panini. Even now, Billy had surplus money and planned to buy Discovery Channel, create the Discovery Kids channel, stabilize Apple, buy Variety magazine, purchase sports teams, and take over Marvel.

He had a $300 million credit with American Bank, $300 million with City Bank, and a credit capacity of $1 billion. Two movies were invested, 100% in "The English Patient," and 50% in "Jerry Maguire," "Star Wars," and the upcoming releases of "Ice Age" and "Lilo & Stitch." He had bought $60 million in tech stocks, reducing percentages in AOL for obvious reasons.

...