back to Lux Animation.

October 26.

During the three months Billy has dedicated to his performances in Vienna, the unfinished promise of participating in the Berlin Film Festival, being part of an interview in Germany, and showing up in December for the audition of Seven Linger.

At Billy's company, the climax has been vast: from the completion of the Crash Bandicoot game, entirely autonomous and created by the creative team of ID Software and Pixar, in terms of levels, to the proposal of Crash Bandicoot 1, which has already started to be part of the deliveries; the delivery of Tomb Raider; the negotiation between Capcom and Lux Animation for the deliveries of "The Lion King" and "Samurai Jack 2"; the opening and negotiation of the Lux Toons animated channel, which has begun broadcasting throughout America and parts of Europe; the expansion of the film distribution company; the new negotiations to broadcast animated films in Asia; the sale of merchandise in various countries; and the alliance with Marvel to portray more animated series, sponsored by the Marvel network, featuring Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Shield.

Unbridled licensing sales, plans for a new reality show, Raimon's juggling with the five new companies Billy invested in, along with the real estate investment in the building he would use as his home, and the purchase of several nearby premises to create a square of elegant artisanal foods, attracting major food centers.

The creation of the Hotmail email company, which has already begun to take its first steps, all with the help of Stanford University.

The beginning of the film "The Iron Giant" and plans to establish the Ice Age as the third title with 3D technology; the covert purchase of Marvel company shares; the alliance with Lucasfilm; and the project for a Star Wars animated series, along with comic deliveries and the new series "One Piece," which entered without glory, and the quest to continue expanding networks throughout the technological universe.

Plans to create an animation studio.

-It's good to see you back, old friend, - said Raimon, striking a stylish pose with his hands pointing like pistols.

-It's good to be here. We have a lot to talk about, - said Billy.

-Phew, it's good you're here. The company has grown so much that it's unrecognizable. I've discussed many topics. The building is beautiful, and for now, most of the floors are finished. Some finishes are left, but we'll probably finish the building by January next year, - said Raimon.

-You haven't told me the most important thing! - said Billy, smiling.

-What? - Raimon asked nonchalantly. "Did I forget a sale?" thought the boy, following up on investments at Stanford, issuing invitations for the entrepreneurial project at Stanford, internships, and hiring for January, sorting out the actions, conducting research on the members who had shares to expand Marvel's domain of influence, including five people, and one who has more than 4% of shares, an investment fund that sells shares for $6, but he's convincing them to sell for $5.55, Marvel's share price is $4.35, but Billy mentions an explosion.

The Pokemon game is remastered, and the company continues with the next game, "Jenae and Darc'r."

-"I don't remember," said Raimon, his cheeks flushing.

-Your preparation for the Star Wars dubbing, - said Billy.

Raimon's car swayed as he slammed his head against the steering wheel. Billy grabbed the handles tightly, preventing his head from hitting the glass. The honking of cars resounded as Raimon, oblivious to his surroundings, gripped the steering wheel tightly while lamenting his forgetfulness about being part of the Star Wars animated series dubbing.

-You can ask Joe Murray and Craig. They do some dubbing for fun, - said Billy.

-I'm the worst fan. God! I hate my life. I wish I could turn back time, but unfortunately, I'm an idiot, - said Raimon, totally disenchanted by the turn of events.

-Don't worry, you're friends with the producer, - said Billy, winking. Raimon's mouth opened wide.

-You've changed, damn man! You're a different person now. I'm dying to say you're even more of an idiot than you used to be. If you weren't my best friend, I'd tell you to buzz off with that stupid smile you wear. I'm naive to think you wouldn't change, but... you'll lose my respect if you ruin my Star Wars series by acting like an idiot. You don't mess with the sanctuaries, same with Stark Trek, Evangelion, One Piece, Shaman King, Samurai Jack, Samurai X, Samurai Jack. I was watching Dragon Ball, and it's on the list, with Knights of the Zodiac... 'You're walking a fine line, friend,' - said Raimon.

-I'm confident; I don't do the impossible. Star Wars is in Lucas's hands, and well, sometimes people don't respect the script, and it just drives me crazy, - said Billy.

-But you excel at Lux Animation; they call you the almighty, and well, a lot of people respect your follow-ups. The same goes for Pixar; those people simply follow your stories to the letter, created and built in conjunction with the bosses of bosses. So don't spout nonsense, - said Raimon.

-I'll make you my producer when we don't have so many problems to deal with. Cinema is like a cunningly told story, with many wills, and creative personnel. But you're right, I have respect, but not enough, and if I join forces with strong-willed people like John Lasseter, Saban Haim, Stan Lee, and George Lucas, I'll have to give in. However, good work always wins over your team. Take it this way: if you're in an investment group and your boss asks you to invest in certain companies, you do it, but you mention that certain companies have better profits than others. You do a study and present it. In three months, you were right. If you keep doing it repeatedly, you start gaining recognition. But then comes another person who does the same thing as you and contradicts you. Then there's someone who's the boss of bosses. Many wills, - said Billy.

-I see. Curiously, things are that way. One would think that being animators and people of interest, they would be pleasant with everything related to creativity. But if you put it that way, they seek the same as everyone else, which is recognition, - said Raimon.

They veered off diagonally, made a turn, a return, and they were at the company.

-We've arrived, - said Raimon, parking the car.

-How about we play Street Fighter? - asked Billy.

Raimon rubbed his hands together as if kneading bread; his smile was bright. The loser pays for dinner? - he proposed.

-Deal. Best of five, - said Billy, unfastening his seatbelt. Their gazes met in a spark.

Billy's favorite character was Ken or Dhalsim; he usually combined these fighters when competing with Raimon, who always chose Ryu, the protagonist or initial character, in shorter words, the one featured on the video game cover, with a story more familiar to the public. It was one of the most played and chosen.

Since the purchase of the building, the open spaces for playing were larger. The living room now contained a console with all the cartridges and games of the company, several slot machines with different games, classics like Pac-Man, Mega Man, Street Fighter, pinball, Mario, and racing games.

They entered quietly, heading to the second floor without anyone detecting them. They arrived at the second floor, to the left of the game room, and dedicated themselves to playing matches. What started as a best-of-five match escalated to a best-of-10, 15, 20, and 25.

A record for Raimon of 11 losses and 12 victories; he preferred to play different games than Street Fighter, such as Mega Man and Mario Bros.

The keys and shouts rang out as the game intensified.

-My victory, - said Billy, celebrating, tying the score to 12 victories each.

- And the last one, - said Anne behind Billy, her breath the warning both Raimon and Billy should know; she was furious.

-Yes, I think the last one, - said Billy, lowering his voice with each word, and adjusting his tie and blazer.

-Did you bring the new drafts? - asked Anne.

Billy nodded.

-Good, we have a lot to do. I hope you're ready to make up for your wasted time. It's been almost three hours since security was notified that Raimon's car entered the company parking lot, - said Anne.

-Don't worry, Anne. I've completed nearly 24 new chapters; I had plenty of time to make progress. I also started the final episodes of Cowboy Bebop, - said Billy.

The animated series that required the most work were Samurai X and Shaman King. Each was currently on episode 78, and Billy drew up the drafts ready for delivery up to episode 82, adding the 10 he did for each series, they have up to episode 92 planned for December, at least for each respective series.

...