At tury Studios, they set up what they called an "express produ study." Inplete, but alive with details, it had six rooms representing different ses from the Titanie was the lower deck, another a boiler room, a fined , a bedroom, a shop… it was the magic of produ: fragments ing together to create a plete story after filming.

  Kate wore wide-leg jeans and a white shirt with a triangur cut, her hair tied back. Her skin was creamy and white as clouds, and she looked radiant. She smiled at everyohrilled by her ce to be part of Titanic.

  She watched people bustling about. While Titanibsp;was important, it wasn’t the main focus of the bustling produ ter, with many hurrying from pce to pce for other films. The open space gave it the feel of a small, secluded city.

  She crossed paths with a young woman wearing a headset, the microphone hanging by her neck. The woman gnced her over, raising an eyebrow. Wasn’t she rather pretty? She almost looked disappointed.

  -Miss, please follow me. We don’t have a fixed space for you just yet, but we’re w on some arras. For now, it might be best if you take some time to go over your lines.- said the produ assistant. Kate wasn’t sure of the girl’s role, but quid effit, she led Kate to a small room with frosted gss and a ceiling fan. The walls were painted white, and two scripts y on a table.

  Kate looked over the script, making a slight face. She tapped her foot against a chair leg, slightly stumbling before nodding. She read through the lines, letting her mind slow until everything seemed strange and somewhat surreal, but she stayed focused for over an hour, i on perfeg the part, she murmured to herself.

  …

  Billy arrived well before Kate a with a few producers to discuss small details. Known for his business a, he had an idea brewing since he’d first read James Cameron’s script: to write a romanovel, a massive book that would capture every detail of the Titanic while interweaving love stories. He mentiohe idea to James, who only narrowed his eyes but finally admitted it was a tough challenge.

  -You want to write a book based on the script?-asked Peter Lamont, with clear surprise, joined by Jon Landau. They had a degree of trol over the script rights. Obtaining a lise wasn’t much, but Billy was already envisioning the story he could produce—a hefty book, probably around 1,000 pages, c all sorts of details.

  -It’s exactly what I want to do,- Billy replied.

  -Why though?-Jon Landau questioned.

  -I simply want to, with the differehat readers will know the book is based on the film’s script, not the other way around. I’m proposing something unique, and the release be timed with or around the movie’s schedule—that’s iable, but the rest isn’t.- Billy replied. Seeing the incredulity on their faces, he smiled. "-I think no one deny that I’m a det writer. I’ve been crafting stories my whole life, and this one needs a proper book, something that elevates both the novel and the movie, inviting two parts to e together and create somethiiful.-"

  -As long as James and I have thh ht,- remarked Peter Lamont, who was the most itted to the story.

  Billy agreed without much ; he was focused on crafting the story that had begun f in his head. Describing the main characters perfectly was what mattered. He’d only need his imagination to flesh out the rest. And, of course, selling books rofitable. Even though his books were already selling well, if he mao sell even half of what Game of Thrones would someday sell, he’d have no further financial needs.

  -Done,-Billy said, signing a check. The lise for the book was 80,000, a modest price giveential profit, though he knew selling books wasn’t as simple as it seemed. It was an exhausting activity.

  Afterward, he went through additional paperwork, which he signed ao the legal team, who would finalize the details. His printing iment would support budding writers, even though Tor Books hadn’t yet yielded much profit. He had a schorship with 15 writers enrolled so far, them monthly stipends for five years.

  If they succeeded, it would be a result of their efforts, and he was eager to see how the near future would paint success in his favor.

  …

  He arrived te to the meeting, ter than expected. Entering, he saw the bloh loose curls draped over her script. She was so absorbed she hadn’t noticed anything else. His cough startled her; she nearly fell out of her chair, a shiver running down her spine. Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled.

  -Sorry I’m te. I had a meeting,-- Billy said, cheg his watch. -As an apology, let me treat you to lunch. Do you want to join me?-

  A subtle question, but she looked at him with wide eyes. He was te—two hours was no joke. She wao be angry but k would do no good. After all, it wasn’t a formal meeting.

  -Alright,- she replied.

  -What would you like to order?- Billy asked. -I don’t think going out is a good idea. Traffic would trap us, and the paparazzi would smother us. Let me order something in.-

  -ese… I mean, I’d like ese food,- Kate replied, slightly flustered by Billy Carson’s intense presence. He had an air of and that was unong guys her age.

  -Great, I’ll let the head assistant know. Anything to drink? Any preferences or reendations?- Billy asked.

  She shook her head, feeling pletely disoriented. She o calm herself; her first impression of the lead actor was one of iy, with ands that felt a bit strong. If only she knew, he was just as uled beh his posed facade.

  Billy’s voice could be heard through the wall, one of those things. She listened ily to every detail of his versation as he ordered two specials with spring rolls and an e sauce. He requested water with the meal and ara soda.

  -It’s surprising how fast you get food around here,- Billy said, closing the door.

  ...