businessmen’s party

7:30 pm. Fashion event.

James Cameron observed Billy, something he already knew was happening under the guise of Jim Waitt facilitating Billy's schedule for the week. He hugged him because what was coming next was something he needed to do, and Billy would understand. Jim was clear that one of Billy's traits was his business maturity and seriousness in technical characters, typical of administration and work.

-Boy, you're a man now, - said James Cameron.

-Mr. Cameron, - said Billy, reciprocating James Cameron's hug.

-Not at all Mr. Cameron, call me James, but if we have the opportunity to work, Mr. Cameron would be fine, - said James Cameron.

-James, then. I didn't expect to see that the Caneli brand was so lucky to have such stars on its sponsorship roster, - said Billy.

James tried to look at the boy; he's not a businessman who can ride the waves for nothing. He smells something. He thought. The director combed his hair, which bothered his view, and pondered the response.

-I owed a favor, and Jim Waitt was very insistent, - said James.

-What we do for work, I'm still amazed at the relationships that seep through the hallways, - said Billy.

-No kidding, kid, it's necessary. If you want to succeed, try to be better than a politician. They scrutinize every little thing you say. Here, image, guarantee, and money are everything, - said James Cameron.

-I can assume something; in my time and conversations with Jim, I've understood some things, - said Billy, who, although to Cameron, seemed to be aware of Cameron's motive, it was quite the opposite. He was surprised because James valued hard work a lot.

-Well, no doubt you've understood it, -- said Cameron, with a good impression of the sensible young man. -- I've followed some of your work; you're magnificent with the pen. I keep insisting that we would have a great director if you joined the guild; your talent is formidable. -

-Thank you, but I want to continue studying as an actor, although with a broader vision, directing doesn't sound so bad, - said Billy.

-I'm clear on that. On the other hand, I regret the end of the Evangelion series; it brings back many forgotten references, and I may one day submit a script to make a movie, - said James Cameron.

In a programmed flattery.

-That sounds nice, - said Billy, captivated by the idea. If it's James Cameron, he can give him Evangelion; he's known for having fabulous ideas in creating science fiction movies, special effects, and providing technological advances.

James looked at his wristwatch. - I have to go, but I'd like to have a conversation with you. We'll have a meeting, a small party. I'd like you to attend and tell me about your progress. I've heard good reviews of some writers and animators, - said James.

Billy looked at the three girls at the table, not wanting to leave them.

-I have companions, and I don't think I can leave them suddenly, - said Billy.

Cameron looked at the girls, all actresses. - Bring them. Moreover, let me extend an olive branch, - said Cameron, walking towards the girls.

************************************************************************

9:45 pm, The Bowery Hotel.

James Cameron glanced at the time, 9:47 at night, with a hint of secrecy; the call to Billy and the invitation was a methodically planned gesture. Why else would he agree to join a suit comedy for such a ridiculous price? To repay a favor, a favor that he would now repay after the secret meeting he held between Billy Carson and Steven Spielberg, it is no longer a secret that the acclaimed film director wants to create his own film company to compete against the big ones; the investments Steven Spielberg has made are no joke, even if no one says it, the tacit support of Universal Studios is current, the film production company Amblin Entertainment is closely following with Universal.

The Hollywood undercurrents, no one does not know Billy Carson, the quintessential American, a young entrepreneur, hardworking, and innovative. The big bosses have him in their sights; he has bravely weathered the waves set by Warner, Disney, Paramount, and Fox.

They have all somehow blocked his exits, but the boy is already accepted among the public as a half-hearted industry leader. James has to guide Billy to the celebration with the industry bosses, and he will fulfill part of the favor; then, he will have to introduce him to some people who want to do business behind the scenes, something the very young boy won't grasp. Although James doesn't underestimate him, the feats of Lux Animation are known, from Pixar to the categorical hiring of animators that hasn't happened since Disney expanded its animation hall in 1950, to its successes in comics and very savvy business achievements in fast food, Autodesk, video games, ventures, and 3D technology.

Even James himself wants to talk about the advantages of filming in 3D!

The visionaries of Hollywood know that new blood is always welcome, and more so when the weight is on a young, purebred American who grew up in California, who knows the medium and now acts. Now he acts! Soon, he could be a director who joins the bottom of the Hollywood mainstream board, firmly establishing an advantageous position for the old guard of the industry.

-I talked to him. I even invited his companions. Your dear goddaughter was there; I was surprised, but little Paltrow was in the boy's group, - James Cameron said to Steven Spielberg.

-My goddaughter is a surprise. All my goddaughters are a surprise, - Steven said. Alongside him were David Geffen, his wife Kate Capshaw, Tom Hanks, a name that speaks for itself, Stanley Kubrick, Francis Coppola, and Robert Zemeckis.

A fearsome lineup. Not far away, the Weinstein twins were having drinks, young and different, engaging in small talk with Bob Baker, Disney's advertising director. In the distance, Michael Eisner (Disney's president), along with Ron Meyer (Universal Studios executive), engaged in a heated conversation, leaving them both at a table while their companions chatted calmly, ignoring and forgetting words, as it should always be.

Frank Biandi Jr. (president and CEO of Viacom Inc), alongside John Calley (Sony Pictures president), Terry Semel (Warner's joint president), and others, all presidents and big bosses of the industry. There were some actors, but they were few. They were followed by the magnates in the middle, Rupert Murdoch (media and entertainment investor, owner of Fox), casually chatting at Frank Biandi Jr.'s table.

Well, scattered around, there was a grand piano, some other investors, models, supermodels roaming the halls, beauty queens, and other birds in the area, unaware faces. But balance was needed; a party composed solely of men in suits did not constitute a festive atmosphere.

In the room, it was no secret that Steven wanted to start his own company. Even the initial capital was provided by Universal Studios; concessions were made here and there, but the starting amount belonged to Universal.

-Jim assured me the boy would come. The girls decided to change and freshen up; I lent them the limousine to come. It's a done deal, - Cameron said.

-I'm glad. I've been curious to meet this hurricane for some time now, - David Geffen said.

-A fox, that's what he is. He convinced George to join him. Whatever he said to him must have been magnificent. But the boy must have something for that old stubborn man to join and allow a stranger to have a say in his franchise, - Francis said.

The table was silent; only those who had to speak spoke. Even Cameron preferred not to express an opinion and remain silent. Robert Zemeckis whispered things with his wife Mary Ellen Trainor. After the big success of Forrest Gump and his involvement in Braveheart, Robert Zemeckis urged the industry to recognize him more, and his seat at the current table meant something.