ceremonies

-You should stop staring at Alice's sister, - Billy said to Raimon, who was eating a gelatinous dessert with blackberry sauce. He blushed upon hearing such words.

-What are you talking about? I'm looking at the DJ, - Raimon said, stumbling on the last word.

-Have you ever thought about getting married, Billy? You seem like the type who enjoys being free and clearing the path, - Raimon said, followed by a silence. Both were sitting at a table eating dessert, while Raimon felt shy about standing up and talking to many other people, socializing and saying how much he wanted to. Billy didn't feel like starting anything that might further discomfort the ceremony, or maybe... that's what people expected.

-I'm not in the right mindset for that, Raimon, - Billy replied.

He was thinking about work; tomorrow he had the casting. The script reading was just a quick side; he had to speak in front of a camera, quick scenes, or perhaps they might take long shots. Auditions always involved strange periods of preparation for the parts. For now, the indecision of both producers, directors, and relevant actors, nothing was set, and the play wasn't particularly enthusiastic. It didn't have that common sparkle that many other plays had. The script was bold, nothing beyond that.

If he regretted something, it was not being part of perhaps one of the plays that interested him the most as an actor, "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Pulp Fiction." He wanted to participate in those projects, but the recording wasn't even received on his resume due to his age, perhaps due to other actors, many factors that he couldn't detect. But he missed those projects, which were closed to the public, and even with the ease with which his agent acted in the tangle, he wasn't granted those roles. He hoped that by 1995 and 1996, he could be part of those films he wanted to shoot.

-I wish I were as lucky, - Raimon said, listening closely to his friend's distress.

-How was the game development, even though it's only been a day, have you been able to make any progress? - Billy asked.

-Nothing at all, and that's what bothers me the most, - Raimon replied, ordering more food from the waiter. "I have doubts, but my friends are busy with their projects. For now, I focused on adding some Elven wars and other wars across the continent. I copied a bit from the book 'The Huma' and a parallel mission with a character who governs a band of mercenaries hired by a great city. They fight against an army of demons. Although it's tough, the result is still great.

-Sounds exhausting, but the game has to establish itself as one of the best RPGs, - Billy responded.

-Your grandmother wants to talk to you, - Raimon said, watching as Helen Carson stretched her hand as a call sign, softly calling, beckoning, and looking while pointing to the chair beside her.

-I'll be right back, Raimon, - Billy responded, as Raimon watched Billy cross to his grandparents' table, even Anne was dancing 'what a nightmare.'

***

For Jim Gianopulus, festivities weren't even a form of escape; he had many tasks to digest since joining the Lux Animation team under the command of being the undisputed animation leader, only under Bill Carson, the owner, and Anne, the reviewer. Everything else could be accomplished. With the idea of ​​buying the television rights for "Rex the Commissioner" for the entire United States, along with a close relationship in investment for production on the Austrian channel, his barely established line of contacts was beginning to undergo noticeable changes. More respect, more people available to work, and even comings and goings with his former bosses.

Jim was the tireless third at Lux Animation. The company prioritized two things in general: first, catering to a young audience, and second, quality over quantity. The acquisitions of Kmo Productions and Gaimax, both animated production studios from the East, were evidence of the expansion into television series for the young audience.

-We have everything available now, - replied Jim Gianopulus, concluding with the general details of the production of - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - The most important thing was to choose a host, and they decided that the person who would perform that role best was Tom Browka.

-Luckily, Tom decided to participate in the program; it's a shame he didn't want to sign for three seasons. I must say he's smarter than he seems, - said Michael Davis, along with Foster Brian, the two television producers of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" The program would be produced in a small town in Oregon and Tennessee to reduce taxes, a move that would save them a lot of money, although it posed some unforeseen challenges for the program members. Why such a remote location? They considered using a mobile set, but it was too costly. After all, they would only film once every Sunday for the next three months.

-It's been an interesting job, - said Jim Gianopulus, who observed everything in detail, how a production was carried out, why it was done that way, and what the most essential ways to carry out these activities were.

-Well, let's just hope for success. If I'm not mistaken, your boss has developed a virtual video game that has started to gain popularity nearing its release. I reviewed the marketing strategy, and I was impressed, - said Michael Davis.

To which Jim Gianopulus nodded. However, he received an extra call on his third phone, the phone he dedicated only to purchases, and capital investments. The caller ID was clear: John Wells (ER). The participation in the NBC network was an important call, due to two important titles that were not yet associated. NBC belonged to General Electric, an energy company, and therefore somewhat outside the media politics. It was a gray area, which helped Jim work. His dealings were close to Vivendi and Universal, a strange story of multiple acquisitions among companies, the maze called NBC and CBS, was an unprecedented giant network with much to see.

-Jim, everything has gone through. We decided that you can come to invest in the company with two favorable deals. If you can come to the United States, we can make a deal, - said John Wells.

-Very well... the deal, can you give some outlines? - Jim asked.

-I can. They want to sign a long-term contract for at least three series and form an alliance for your children's programs in the Sunday section,- said John Wells.

-I'll relay the message, John, - he knew he had to end the call on a better note. - You won't regret it; we'll work from our best starting point. -

Jim's job was a daily struggle, but Billy's idea held promise, an idea that was starting to follow a more detailed and formed path.

...