opponents.

Kate Winslet had fallen in love with the role, holding deep in her heart the longing to belong to such a beautifully romantic idea, one that captivated everyone and gave each person their impression that it would be a success, even if only artistically. It was the kind of notion that inspired her to write numerous letters and keep up a correspondence with Cameron over the past few days, seeing it as the best way to make her surroundings meaningful.

"Well, it seems to me that Rose is a woman filled with fear and faults, someone who makes impulsive decisions that lead her to mistakes. But it's this very impulsiveness that makes her so charismatic, and that quality defines her character. She's incredibly strong and always causing trouble, as she grapples with the mistakes she makes. That's why, in one way or another, Rose needs to be aware of what she's doing. It's through that consciousness that she ultimately succeeds and allows everything to fall into place..." Kate continued talking about why she was the best fit for the role, expressing that she didn't just want to suggest ideas; she deeply wanted that role. An unforgettable love story was exactly what she needed.

-We have good news and bad news, - remarked Kate's agent, Francis Grore, interrupting her writing.

-Is something wrong? - Kate, now sporting dark hair, asked. It wasn't her usual color, but her youthful beauty made any shade highlight her sparkling eyes, eyes that seemed ready to conquer the world if given the chance.

-We may have a lead for the film... someone who's been making waves: Billy Carson. He's having a big meeting with James Cameron. The producers like him, and he's known for being a hard worker in the acting world. Even people who might consider themselves his rivals speak highly of working with him,- Francis explained.

Taking a deep breath, the obsession for a role is magnificent, but fear of failure can be daunting. Kate was headstrong and determined, and while that might not always be the healthiest approach, it was the very thing fueling her drive for success.

-I think we can apply some pressure on the British Academy,- Kate said, striking the desk with her hand. Her home was modest—a rented 50-square-meter apartment in L.A., decorated with a few personal touches, including a lovely red rug.

-I'll try to speak to some directors and friends who might support this campaign,- Francis replied.

-We'll secure the opportunity for this role. I'm sure with a little pressure, James won't be able to say no to me as the heroine of Titanic,- she said, resolute in her pursuit of the role.

***

-I don't think it's such a good idea,- commented John Crosby, the agent who had discovered the young Charlie. Despite being just a beautiful young woman with blue eyes, he saw in her a glimmer of success that convinced him to take her on. Resources were allocated to the young blonde—who was stunning, graceful, and perfectly tailored to what directors sought in a leading lady.

-Well, I have a feeling it's going to be wonderful... the production will be fantastic, John. Something tells me that with a role in this movie, I might get noticed by the major studios. We're in the final stretch; I've been attending auditions and meeting with producers for two months now. Giving up isn't an option. If I lose this, there will be another film. And if I don't, so be it. I'll move on,- Charlie said, her eyes gleaming with excitement at the prospect before her. The thought of witnessing a great actor, someone with talent unlike anything she'd seen before, filled her with an emotion that seemed to radiate from her heart—a sense that her passion was close at hand.

Holding the script, or at least part of it, she read joyfully, captivated by how each scene unfolded. She knew a bit about the situation, and Paramount had initially hesitated about the film. But at one point, they set aside their doubts and were even looking forward to it. There was something she wasn't aware of, but Charlie felt she ought to know. Her fine leather brown shoes tapped insistently on the floor.

-What happened when you attended the last audition?- John Crosby asked.

-Nothing significant,- she replied.

-What happened? I just have a few questions,- he said, visibly curious.

-Nothing strange. I met Billy Carson, the famous artist, and then we discussed the project's future. I greeted Mr. Cameron and did what was asked of me,- she replied, slightly uncertain of her own words. She took a sip of coffee, glancing at the clock and cursing. She was running late for her part-time job.

John Crosby left with a hint of doubt, wondering what was happening within the production. He took a more discreet approach, deciding to ask a friend who worked as a secretary for a Paramount television network administrator. Gossip was always available if you asked the right people.

***

Billy left Jim Waiit in charge of negotiating the contract. Jim had proposed working for a risk-based profit percentage, receiving a cut if the box office surpassed the breakeven point. People were on board with it—the 8% wasn't insignificant, especially since Jim had included DVD revenue as well. With just a solid performance, he stood to earn far more than others, taking 8% alongside Cameron's 10%, ensuring plenty of earnings for all parties.

This was enough for Billy, even if it might have been more profitable to invest and acquire a larger production share. For now, that success was reserved for Star Wars, which, barring any major setbacks, would cover most of the investment costs. The immense expenses led to the purchase of properties under Lux Films and the mega-production studio, with $150 million allocated and $50 million spread across future films, increasing each budget by $50 million for production studio costs. They stood to profit continuously from ticket sales and marketing revenue over the coming decades.

-It's more than I expected,- Billy remarked, stroking his chin.

-You're going to have to go all out this time. You have a world tour lined up, with stops in most European capitals, interviews, and fan events—all the things you're not fond of, like facing the public,- Jim Wait replied.

-It's worth it. This is money well invested,- Billy said, knowing it would be worth every penny. With potential box office records, he aimed to boost profits with the studio's support, targeting $2 billion. And even if that didn't materialize, DVD sales alone promised significant revenue and further established him as the face of Lux Animation.

...