At tury Fox Studios, everything had already been decided. After much deliberation, it was finally agreed that the role would go to the young and lively Kate Wi, who went above and beyond in her audition. She even won over James Cameron with her clear passion and desire to py the lead.

  -I like the girl,- Billy ented.

  He uood the drive in the girl, the sweetness she brought to the role, and the way she eled love, charm, boldness, and performance. She’s a woman with immeential—one who, beyond ercial films, loves artistic challenges with characters that e with different shades: dark, joyful, sorrowful, and sometimes even depressed, beyond the desires and joy depicted in Titanibsp;Rumor has it that she turned down roles irix, The Lord of the Rings, Spider-Man, and e successes because she preferred other types of characters.

  -I like her too, but we’ll have to turn dowtle ahat is Charlize,- James Cameron said with a touch ret.

  -I’ll tell her,- Billy replied, uanding he had raised her hopes a bit, though he saw her potential. She was an actress who could embody various roles; in a few years, she’d py an Oscar-winning part, pushing herself to the limit.

  James looked at him, his eyes showing a glimmer of something unfettable.

  -You’re saving me from having to call her agent!- James said, visibly relieved.

  -I see potential, James. I think she could excel in voice ag too. We’re a bit short on actors for dubbing, -Billy said.

  The director cpped him on the shoulder, fshing a huge smile. Cameron’s favorite attire was trucker gear, which suited his personality.

  -Your i and direct support has moved produ ahead. I was torween actresses, but now we have time to start shooting some ses—especially the closed-set ohe final shots will be on the ship, so we’ll start month. Until then, we’ll do some rehearsals,- James ented, handing over a script that had been reviewed a thousand times. It was safe to say that the three-hour movie was there, stormy, with a script practically the length of a 600-page book.

  ...

  ‘I’m sorry to say, Charlie, but the producers have goh a British girl,’ Billy said, watg her blue eyes cloud with sadness. She stood there, a bit shy and somewhat defeated by Billy’s words.

  Her eyes filled with tears as she covered her face with a few strands of hair. No one bear to see a girl cry!

  -Don’t let it get you down,- Billy said, weighing his words. -You’re a good actress; you just need more practid a little more ag skill. I think the future will be kind to you. If you’re ied, here’s my card—I’ve got a few roles that might i you, though they’re in voice ag.- Billy handed her the card, and her eyes sparkled at the gesture. After all, Billy was known for his animation pany, which held enough popurity to i her.

  -Voice ag? - she asked.

  -If you have the time, I offer you a few voice roles,- Billy replied.

  -All right, voice ag it is,- she said, shifting from tears to a lively, pyful smile, catg him off guard.

  -Speak with my agent. Tell him I referred you for a series. The pay per episode isn’t much, but it’s enough to get by for a few months,- Billy said, shaking his head as she ughed, her chest heaving as she burst into ughter.

  -Sorry, but I won!- Charlie said, grinning.

  -No one wins. I value your talent. I wa you into voice ag for my series Evangelion, along with a tract extension for two movies,- Billy replied.

  The girl stepped closer, jokingly whispering, -If a few tears get me a part, what would I get for a blow job? -She ughed at his surprised look.

  -You’re so serious, - she teased. -Rex—it’s a joke. Stop pretending to be offended. I saw that look—you want me,- she ughed, catg him off guard with her blunt humor.

  Billy reized signs of a future star in the making, an undeniable charisma, a kind of raw force that could take people by surprise. Every star has its strengths—some are quiet and misuood, possessing above-average intelligence, while others are magic, charismatic, the kind that everyone wants to be. How would people see Billy? What impression would he leave on others?

  ***

  John Ladue was the key figure who secured Kate for the role. He brokered a deal, and the pieces moved like a chessboard. Kate’s impressive audition, bined with Ladue’s support, brought her to the lead role. James saw that Billy had a unique chemistry with the girl, Charlie. Both were fiery, and it was intriguing to watch the seemingly shy girl silence Billy with her pyful wit.

  But now, his friend had made his move, and Kate was set as the lead.

  -It’s done,- James said, sounding almost resentful, though he didn’t mind. He just wao measure up to John Ladue.

  -I’m gd it’s settled. Now n a premiere in London, with full support from the press, the theater guild, and with Billy Carson winning over America. With Kate leading in London, we’re set to quer Europe as the wave of success. You’re another heavyweight name. People love Terminator, and Tokyo and other Asian capitals will follow suit. Billy’s brand is what everyone’s waiting for. If the movie is a hit... he’s a box-office mag in every movie he’s been in, and that’s free advertising,- John expined, outlining the ercial strategy to Cameron.

  -Very fitting,- James replied, following the logic. Was he so popur in America that they already ted on his success here?

  -It’ll be two weeks of flights and sings. I’m afraid you’ll be all ed up in this movie over the few months,- John Ladue said resolutely.

  ...

  The words were on his lips, but he could only nod at her insistent request, as the call tinued. Kate was set to join the scheduled rehearsals and work on building that spark, the essential chemistry, and the mutual uandiween two actors w closely. Breaking that barrier requires either experience or a bit of passion.

  Kate jumped with joy, her cheeks flushed as she realized she’d been chosen for the part.

  -I won! I won! -she excimed, reag her hands to the sky, her slim figure and youth capturing the beauty that fades with time.

  -For now, just stay focused,- her agent advised, sighing at the end of an intense few weeks full of hard work. He had navigated different circles, calling in favors, but Kate was worth it—she was undeniably a great actress who would help him gain reition in their often-overlooked industry.

  -Yesss!- she murmured, ughing like a girl who’d just aced her first SATs with a score high enough for a full schorship. She was overjoyed, hugging her agent and promising he wouldn’t regret it. He only asked fratitude and hard work for all he’d doo secure her this role.

  -I’ll arrange your schedule. -

  ...