The process of seleg movies is siderably strange. Often, roles are cast even before the script is finalized. Some writers draft their scripts with a specific actor in mind, or directors envision how an actor should perform. It’s the way things ehe retionships, the deyed shooting schedules, the extended produ timelines. It’s uable every siime.

  -I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to take part in that movie, - ented Jim Waiit knowingly. He tinued, -It’s nht for the Titanic role. You’re risking too much—trading a lead role for a supp one doesn’t matter. You’ll er films ter. The British press adores you; they’ll use your name for some movie with a borderline praphic plot. Sure, the script is good and ready, but nothing above the general rule. I promise we secure better opportunities!-

  -It doesn’t matter, - replied Billy, grabbing a bit of seafood from the table. He was once again at another meeting, this time in the heart of Manhattan. At least he could use his hotel as a base of operations. Raimon had picked one of the best in Manhattan, valued at 44 million. The Paramount Hotel opened in 1926, features 597 rooms and offers a range of amenities, including the Paramount Café, ferens, a gym, and the Sony Hall—a basement venue historically used as a nightclub and theater. Currently, the eel is undergoing renovations in lih designs approved by Paradise Hotel, Billy’s hospitality pany. The building incurs an annual property tax of 500,000, which climbs to 800,000 with additional costs. They’ve upgraded the restaurant with high-end chefs, and pn to install saunas, luxury suites, and VIP areas—all of the top-tier quality.

  revenues from Hawaii ale from 15 million to 25 million. However, Billy stantly reied in the pany and maintained credit lines, given the i uainty of the hotel business—or so he believed.

  -I heard this hotel is yours, - Jim said, shifting the versation.

  -I bought it a few days ago, - Billy replied, taking iirety of the hotel.

  -As if it were as casual as discussing the weather, - Jim remarked, gng around. -Don’t you think you should align it with the schedules of some of the people here?-

  -It’s partially booked. Just a few days remain. This hall used to be a ste area we remodeled for more events. It’s supposed to ope month. We’ve got some weddings, birthday celebrations, and hotel events lined up almost year-round. This space will host cocktail parties and be reserved for the Golden Globes, Oscars, BAFTAs, Nebu Awards, and Andy Awards, - Billy expined.

  -The price per night? - Jim asked.

  Billy ughed. -For you, it’s 50,000 for the entire night until 3:30 a.m. That includes hors d'oeuvres, decorations, 40 bottles of wine, and 40 bottles of champag’s an eical price—for you.-

  Jim shook his head at the exorbitant figure. But this was Manhattan, where everything was of the highest quality. Renting the hall cost Billy between 18,000 and 24,000, while the service fee hovered around 60,000. The venue included a kit, separate bathrooms, and furnishings.

  -It’s a fair price, after all. Many times, people break gsses, there’s up, overtime, staff wages—and, of course, for an additional 20,000, you provide a meal for 60 people. Every 10 extra guests cost 1,500, - Billy noted.

  -Making money has never been easier, - Jim sighed, vihe price was utterly unaffordable.

  Waiters poured drinks liberally as Billy greeted guests who came over to gratute him. The hall was more crowded than he initially expected, with people ing and going. Out of the er of his eye, he spotted producer Arnon Mi, one of the most prolific figures in the business.

  -Billy, I heard the hotel is yours, - Arnon said, shaking his hand. Rumors spread fast, like wildfire, iight-kertai circle.

  The atmosphere leasant, but Billy could only see the hotel’s fws—the curtains weren’t perfectly hung, and a lightbulb in the back se was out.

  -Well, it’s not surprising, - Billy ented.

  -What about filming movies here? - Arnon asked.

  -We could do it, but everything would o be anized months in adva least a few months. It’s still being adapted. For now, we’re keeping Mondays open for two months each year and reserving at least one Wednesday a month, - Billy replied.

  -It’s always business. Let’s rex a little, - Arnon said, though he should have been o of Donnie Brasbsp;by then.

  …

  Winona was somewhat drunk. Her intelligence faltered, overtaken by the excess of champagne, as she chatted with a handsome guy who had mao sneak into the event. She ughed and nodded, ughed and nodded.

  -Hard to believe we’re just drinking champagne, - the guy said. -Have you seen…-

  She nodded and smiled at him, too intoxicated to respond coherently. It was no surprise she ended up at a nightclub, dang with Juliette, and woke up around six in the m with a splitting headache. These situatio her feeling miserable. Yet agairuggles with alcohol and long nights of partying were catg up to her. The following day, she o be in Los Angeles.

  …

  Rachel was immersed in her Anne Rianovel, filled with vampires and the supernatural. She e. The flight to Korea was seven hours, enough time to finish the book. She sipped on a gss of juid nibbled on whole-grain crackers.

  The pne had just nded, and she had about 50 pages left in her novel. She had read faster than she expected—a shame, as she had another seven-hour journey ahead of her.

  Akom Produs was one of the panies responsible for animated shows, ranging from Hercules to Timon and Pumbaa, along with some inal series created by their animators.

  -Miss, - Rachel’s ta Korea addressed her. He was someone who had assisted Raimon with the factories in Thaind that produced toys—at least those that met the minimum requirements of the Geneva vention and child bor treaties. On paper, it was challenging to ensure pliance, as work was often outsourced uhe radar.

  -Let’s hurry. I don’t want to stay here lohan necessary. I hate sleeping in hotels, - Rachel said didly.

  She was there to review the pany’s financial results, perf these tasks for Jun-Seo, who spoke three nguages fluently—Korean, English, and Japanese. His Japanese wasn’t perfect, but he could handle some versations and business matters.

  -The rush, the rush—you Ameris are always in such a hurry. You arrive today and want to leave today. Everything is express. It reminds me of a talkative person who taught me English, - Jun-Seo said, more aced to casual versation and dialogue.

  -Let’s just get the work done, - Rachel sighed deeply as they walked to the car waiting for them.

  ...