-What fantastiews! We o make all the advertising adjustments. From what I uand, we have tracts with Warner and o use various advertising els, - Billy said.

  Anne gave a half-smile, her freckles standing out between her furrowed brows and body posture.

  Mr. Cloud, in the distance, reviewed his notes while paying full attention to the versation.

  -We have some ideas, but Warner has blocked us entirely. I think it's best to end this amicable retionship we thought we had with Warner. Let's explore other avaible avenues. We call Mike Richardsarding advertising in various Dark Horse ics releases, - Anne suggested.

  -Of course! - Billy excimed happily. -- I'll make the call myself, -- he said, heading to his office but quickly turning back.

  -You didn't find the number because you don't have it. I always make the calls for you, - Anne reminded him.

  -I had fotten that. Please dial, - Billy said.

  -Give me a sed, - Anne replied, cheg an agenda that was anized by panies. Lux ics had retionships with twelve panies, each c various aspects.

  -Here it is, - she said, and began dialing Mike Richardson.

  -Now it's on hold, - Anne informed.

  -Hello, - Mike Richardson's voice came through the phone, soundiant.

  -Hello, Mike, it's o talk to you, - Anne said. She g Billy, who was gesturing that he didn't want to take the call.

  -A's a pleasure to hear from you, - Mike Richardson replied.

  -The pleasure is mine, Mike. I have something to discuss with you. Retly, we received news from that our Samurai Jack game will be released in June. We'll be in charge of the advertising, and we want to unch a campaign with Dark Horse ics. We've had an advertising agreement for months, - Anne expined.

  -Ah, I might be able to do something to help, but I don't think I provide my support, - Mike Richardson said.

  -What do you mean, Mike? We have a promotion tract for our products, a 5% ission on our ic sales for aed deals, - Anne insisted.

  -I uand, dear Anne, and that's why I'm going to expin things to you. You have time to run the campaign, but there are some things I want to discuss with Billy. In May, there will be a meeting with some industry friends. All the major creators from the world of ics will be there. We don't accept businessmen or aside the industry, - Mike expined.

  -Of course, I'll schedule Billy's avaibility. However, do we have a cross-promotion tract between panies? - Anne persisted.

  -I think I may have to break it, but I give you the taformation for a few panies. Among them, there's one you might know, they're in the gaming industry, and they reach out to all the video game panies. It's a specialized culture magazine, and it costs a few thousand to advertise, but it has a good audiehe pany is in New York, and it's called CamePro, - Mike said.

  -Okay, please provide the information, - Anne said.

  -Right away, Dora will send a fax with all the details, - Mike replied.

  -The ic Journal. It's a ipany. You advertise with them. Gary Groth and J. Michael Catron own the pany. They have limited ine and rely on sponsorships. When you iate with them, close the deal immediately. Don't wait for them to think it over. If you give them the money right away, that's eveer. They've been distributing magazines across the Uates for a few years. I reend trying to get the cover; it'll grab more attention, - Mike Richardson expined.

  -As for the suggestions you've given me, I'll take them into at. Thanks, Mike, - Anne said, partially frustrated.

  -Don't go just yet; I have another option for you. It's called Eleing Monthly. It's a Los Angeles-based video game magazi's retly beeablished, but it's dominant on the West Coast. The owner's name is Steve Harris, and he's worked with on the Megaman series. They might be ied in w with you. We're friends, and I'll call them. They'll be willing to listen, - Mike added.

  -Any other panies? - Anne asked.

  -O o's a radio station called The Colorados. They operate in on, but they have a culture group. They help you spread the news, but you should know they're enthusiasts. They often talk a lot about your drawings. I think they could assist if you expiuation to them and give them a phoerview, - Mike said.

  -Well, what are their names? - Anne inquired.

  -They go by Bight33 and LordOfFire,- Mike replied.

  -Their names, - Anne pressed.

  -I don't know them well; they operate behind the ses. But you give them a call; they'll be happy to help as long as it aligns with their is. I'll let them know that you're Lux ics members, - Mike Richardson assured.

  -Okay, I'll reach out to these guys, - Anne said.

  -Don't worry, they have my reendation. These unities know each other from is and are very close-knit groups. If the game is good, they'll reend it to all their friends. They will be the first to buy it, that's all for now. Attend the May meeting; it will be in New York. If you could go, it would be a great help to your pany. Many people who help you will be there, - Mike suggested.

  -Say hi to Billy for me, - Anne said.

  Then, she hung up the phone.

  -You heard it; he doesn't expect us to termihe tract. He doesn't care about a breach. The ways he's closed iations have told us a lot, - Aold Billy.

  -What do you think might happen? Any foul py? - Billy asked.

  -It's possible. There's nothing clusive, but many doors have been closed i months. Even the gover has visited us, g various reasons—quality, safety, taxes, and random iions—that have only been hindering our work, -- Anne expined.

  -My father... has done something, - Billy said.

  -Of course, we just haven't told you. Your father has filed numerous pints and cims against the fines. He's building a case of business harassment. We've gathered 13 pints directed at the same person in three months. That person is you, and the wsuit is quite impressive, - Anne expined.

  -Who could be targeting us? Do you think it's Warner? - Billy asked.

  -That's the most likely sario, - Anne replied.

  Billy pondered on how retionships take their course. Why would Warner cause so much harm to his pany? What are the reasons for a pany to put so many obstacles in its path? Initially, he had po tih Warner and colborate for twenty years, dominating the animation se under Warner's sponsorship.

  -The only other pany that could help us is Nickelodeon, - Billy thought.

  -My day was going so well until the talk with Mike," Billy said.

  He sighed heavily and slumped into the bck leather chair in the waiting area in front of Anne's desk. His long blonde hair covered his eyes, and he realized he needed a quick haircut.

  -e on, things will get better. You must attend the May meeting; we might find a good distributor there. After that, the best artists will be present. I believe in the pany, and I receive letters from fans who highly value your work, - Anne reassured him.

  -Oh, I fot! I o respond to some letters, - Billy said.

  -Don't worry; I've already taken care of responding to the letters that deserve a reply. Some eve us dist coupons to visit their stores, - Anne said.

  ...