April 25, 1996.

  Billy had finished a series of talks with Cameron, his days revolving around two simple things: reinf his image and discussing various details with the producers. The ship wasn’t ready yet, and much was still to be done. But Billy didn’t feel an urgeo film; the premieres would roll out oer another. Right now, he wanted a break from the cameras to avoid the tedious days of drawing and filming.

  -They’ve already started filming Donnie Brasco, - said Jim Waiit, sipping coffee as they both waited outside for Monica. Jim now sidered Billy his most important t. He had only four other ts: the bruhandie, Billy Carson, and Harri Savides. Each of them ecial in their own way. Although he hadn’t inte, Dolph’s success had been a boon for Jim, as Dolph always expressed his gratitude. Yet Dolph was focused on a films and vilin roles—his ret appearance as a vilin in James Bond had been a signifit milestone.

  -The other Jim, he’s good at produ, - Billy remarked, how they ran his film pany. He could sense Jim Gianopulos’ love for ema—it was evident whenever he talked about movies. As a director, Jim delegated administrative and financial duties so he could focus on the operational and creative aspects of eai.

  -Should I sign him? - asked the agent, clearing his throat.

  -You should, but I already sig myself. Besides, his issions are unique, and he doesn’t need a, - Billy replied, holding a sket his hands. They’d been waiting for half an hour, during which he had pleted five pages of Hunter x Hunter manga, adding his designs aails inspired by Impressionism and Baroque art—a unique serenity in every line, making each detail unlike anything seen before.

  -I retly met the produ assistant frency for one of your films. He praised your success but mentiohat in the ing months, there might be a lot of movement in the produ system. We have a new movie that might i you, - Jim said, hinting at a new project.

  -They make good movies, - Billy said, looking at the lineup of films. There were some outstanding producers there, each bringing a special quality to film produ. For example, in his first movie, Stargate, rehearsals took p the set itself; for Little Women, they had reading sessions. His role involved only a few ses, but Before Sunrise was all about following his instincts, with a script and plenty of improvisatioing himself flow with the camera’s cues. Se7en was rigorous work, requiring a deeper uanding of his character, even though others took a different approach with longer rehearsals, which challenged him more to stay in sync with the director’s vision.

  The English Patient and A Time to Kill involved extensive rehearsals and multiple perspectives for each shot. L.A. fidential was a mix between what the director wanted and the actors’ ability to elevate the imagery in each se. Every shot had its brillian his eyes because of the work done behind the ses, where they carefully alighe actor’s image with the setting. Simir to Se7e different from The English Patient, which sought more refle thaail, it simply o work. The uanding grew with each shot, and he appreciated how it expahe story’s emotional range.

  -Ihey do. They enjoy w with dedicated actors. Your portrayal of Bud was more than impressive; you he rough edge while blending in a softer side. You mao bine every aspect seamlessly, - Jim Waiit said. - That’s not easy; it takes a lot of practice. But then, you’ve been ag since you were eight. It probably isn’t too hard for you now to handle such roles. -

  -What about L.A.? We ed up in February, but there’s no release date yet, - Billy asked.

  -Arnoiohat they usually film six hours of footage, a lot of ses, and a lot anizing. Sometimes, that work takes time. They often do two edits and then choose the final one. I’d say ohey have the preferred cut, they’ll send it to the studio for the special effects, - Jim Waiit expined, sidering the release dar as an essential part, with October sted for A Time to Kill and possibly L.A. fidential hitting ss in December or November.

  -Well, let’s set this aside for now, - Billy said, immersing himself bato his sketches, pting another series he o begin w on.

  Mortal Engines. 20 points.

  …

  Monica ed up her activities o of Liar Liar around 4 p.m. The process kept stretg on, but it was no problem. Though her role was small, the courtroom ses took lohan expected, given the importance of two characters.

  She saw Billy sitting nearby, sipping coffee and drawing iernoon light. Some people watched them, but privacy was somewhat taken franted. ing her arms around Billy’s neck, she kissed his cheek and greeted Jim.

  -Sorry for the wait; I’m nearly doh my ses, - Monica said. Just one more week, and she could head to Italy to work on Life is Beautiful.

  -Jim kept me pany while we waited. Did you mention someone who might need a? - Billy asked.

  -Well, yes and no. She’s European… You might meet her ter, - Monica replied.

  Jim nodded as they chatted about various things, including scripts ing across his desk. This time, Billy’s reputation grew beyond popurity—it was his involvement in numerous projects that suggested success. Many sought him out for their projects, but Jim hat he’d be busy until at least December with a mega-project, leaving his schedule tightly packed.

  -Shall we head home? - Billy asked.

  -We o pick up Wina, then we go, - Monica replied. She’d been staying with Winona, keeping her pany while she was alohey spent their ms visiting the garden, greeting the Saint Bernard puppy Monica adopted from a id enjoying strawberry, bckberry, or raspberry juice while reading a book.

  -That’s wonderful that you’re keeping her pany! - Billy said, sinking into his seat and stretg his arms in exhaustion. He was tired, and only sleep could ease the weariness of this intense lifestyle, which ofte him drained.

  -We keep each other pany, - Monica’s expressive dark eyes shone. - You haven’t had much time; you’ve been so busy. -

  -I certainly have, - Billy replied with a deep breath as they climbed into the car, losing themselves in the flow of the asphalt. He desperately needed a break to relieve the shoulder pain from all the drawing.

  On the drive, he processed his thoughts on Mortal Engines, a series he believed had the greatest potential he’d ever seen—a high-quality animated show. But he’d have to wait for Pixar to refiheir designs. They o keep improving, but for now, it was better to hohe tools they already had, at least until the end of the year when two major films, Toy Story 2 and Shrek, would finally be released, though their exact dates were still unknown.

  In Toy Story 2, Billy voiced Rex the dinosaur, as part of his dubbing role.

  -Sorry about all that, but now I have all the time for you, - Billy said, putting aside his calls and fog on the many big ideas that blossomed at Luxtoons every day. With nearly 400 employees, it meant a vast amount of work, with saries ranging from 90,000 to 320,000 a year, plus bonuses. And every year, they hired even more staff.

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