March 5.

  Slowly, the Pokémon game starts to take shape, the creation of a paed to crafting games. And Nintendo has had it easy. Nintendo uses Pokémon, a game that costs no more than a few thousand dolrs to produce but brings in a huimes that. It's a solid business no matter how you look at it. In the 20 years, game produ will run a minimum initial cost of 70 million. But now, crafting games for under 3 million is a reality, especially f franchises.

  – Yes, we did. Just as you asked. We utilized the old factory near your pce to set up a small video game produ studio. We're calling it ID SOFTWARE RPG Ptforms. – said Anne.

  -Have you distributed all the flyers? - asked Billy.

  -For now, we've called fame creation with its unique approad features. The impressive rules enpass creativity, inality, and pyability. The flyers are spreading across northern California. There won't be a paware of the pany's call, although I'd prefer some sort of application process, we'll run a simir deal, only it'll be a tract for nine games. – Anne replied robotically, havied these words numerous times.

  -Great. I've got a friend who's a numbers whiz, we graduated in the same css. Joseph Blinky, he's got some brilliant ideas and is quite an iing thinker. - Billy mentioned.

  -The resume arrived three days ago. Let's hope it's worth it. - Anne replied.

  -Oh, it will be, if only for this little pany, let's build a team of five or six and start produg Pokémon and special RPG games. I'll take care of drawing the stories. And if I , I'll hire good scriptwriters. - Billy stated.

  -Let's stick to the pn. Stop gettied; your father is already s out all the legal procedures with Carson & Associates. We hope Nike keeps bringing in people; our series is in a different light now. Warner has released a statement that they'll be starting the Sm Dunk series. - Anne added.

  -Everything sounds good. Rest up, Anne, and hire another assistant; we need another Rachel. - Billy suggested.

  -That's not true. -

  -It is. We need someone ready for Lux el, a perfect liaison to guide our series to the product we're looking for. - Billy reaffirmed.

  Warner hasn't been geing astonishing tent, and even though they're trying to create a new series, they only rely on the old Hanna-Barbera, Dd Lux ics series. The creative proposition cks the essehat it will embody in a few years, which Warner won't maintain. Billy will absorb all the series Warner will have iure as a greeting. It's hard to hijack certain things like DC, HBO, and Warertai films.

  Hewo franchises will be his at all costs, the magnifit Harry Potter series and The Lord of the Rings. The former hasn't yet been published, and the tter hasn't been offered. As they follow the cht timelihe total purchase of the film rights is in the hands of the Saul Zaentz pany, purchased from United Artist pany, which will once again be iated by Steve Parks. Parks will also iate with Christopher Tolkien to produce excellent books, gee good movies, illustrations, ics, and of course, what the Tolkien books represent, a unity of people who love Middle-earth.

  -I hope so, - said Anne.

  -It will be, A's better to pn, just like you do, - said Billy. - Wait, I have to hang up; someone has just arrived. Tell Raimon to create a Pokémo, and inform him that he has limited time to create his own Pokémon for the sed geion. Even though the game designs are already set, we add two extra Pokémon. -

  -I'll send yards, - said Anne.

  Billy picked up the apartment phone.

  -Yes. -

  The euphoric voice of Jim Waitt reached Billy with lightning speed.

  -Billy, you got the part. You o be at the studio immediately. I'll see you in thirty minutes; some ses have already been filmed, so hurry, they'll have the outfit chosen by the director. Bring ysses, but apart from that, it's not important. You'll have to get ready; they'll film some ses in the Yuma desert, some in Nevada, at a national park. For now, they'll shoot iudio, but they'll take different shots of simir ses. It'll be a hectic four to five months, so we'll coordinate a few things to keep your publications going, but you'll have to leave writing for aime, - said Jim Waitt.

  -Great, I'll be there in thirty minutes. you let my father know? - said Billy.

  -I've already sent a fax to his office, but I'll try to tact him, - said Jim.

  Billy hung up the phoed.

  He tidied up the room, grabbed his jacket, phone, and keys, then rushed out, in search of a taxi or some form of public transportation to help him get there. Unfortunately, taxis were scar this area, and waiting for the bus was his best option, though it would feel like ay when he .

  March 5

  -Who was it? - said Ivanova, her hair disheveled, pletely sweaty, and disheveled, she rested her arms on Thomas's back, pressing her breasts against him.

  -My son's agent. He got the lead role in a produ, and he might be away for a few months, - said Thomas.

  -Don't worry, Thomas. The boys o spread their wings, and that's where you have to let them go, - Livy smiled. - Although if you want to take care of another kid, I'm here for you. You haven't held me the way you used to in a long time. -

  Thomas grunted as Livy's hands roamed.

  -This is the ei I like, - said Ivanova, ughing as she ulled into Thomas's arms.

  *************************************

  Billy arrived at the studio, brimming with energy. Although he khe bosses and that Billion Darwin and Carsohe same people, his arrival always brought a fresh vibe to the Sony subsidiary, Caralco Pictures.

  I help polish the transtion, maintaining the essence of the versation but making the nguage more natural and fluid:

  -Billy, I just spoke with your father. He mentioned how proud he is of you. We o take care of getting your papers for your work as an artist and writer, -- said Jim, walking up to Billy. -- I iated a sary of 300,000. That's all they're willing to offer a newbie, but if you perform the way Ronald Emmerich mentioned you did in the audition, it won't be hard for me to get you more roles. Speaking of which, there's a producer who sewo new roles, one is for 'Little Women,' and the other is for a TV series. But for now, you should focus on the 'Little Women' movie. You'll o practice the at and posture of that era. -

  -'Little Women,' - said Billy.

  -It's an adaptation of a novel, distributed by Sony Pictures. So far, only the director has been firmed. But you have a shot at nding a sed role in another major produ. The other roles don't match up. You'll have to do the 'Lion King' dubbing in June. I've spoken with the producer, and they'll allocate ten days for the dubbing while they shoot other ses, - said Jim.

  -Let's go; you'll have to film the first part of the movie tonight, - said Jim.

  -Wait, we're filming the first part today? - asked Billy.

  -Yes, you'll be filming everything about the military base and the ielr journey. Pay attention, Billy. I know it's sudden, but that's how this industry works. Lastly, if yoing to have sex, drink, or ds, do it in your room. I'll visit you in these days, but when you go to the UK, I won't be able to visit, - said Jim as they walked towards the produ site.

  -Alright, so it's better that you prepare mentally from now, - said Jim.

  -Of course, - said Billy.

  -For now, you're a minor; you o take care. And beyond that, you must pay attention to everything around you. Plus, Cameron sends his regards and gratutions, James and Ronald Emmerich are acquaintances, and James is looking forward to your performance. Opportunities are opening up, so put on a great smile, ugh at silliness, and don't fight, - Jim noted, remembering what to tell Billy.

  -Rex, Jim. Everyone will appreciate my work, - said Billy.

  Jim stopped.

  -Well, bear in mind, everyoalks here. Your words will be used against you. This industry is ruthless. You only survive by being smart or pletely dumb, or by having a big support system—friends, uncles, siblings, - said Jim.

  Billy nodded until they reached a location resembling a military base, where many people were scurrying about.

  -They've beeing everything up for half a month. One of the signifit factors is produ, something you're likely familiar with. But for routine procedures, things evolve differently, - Jim expined.

  A man arrived and, with no other than taking Billy away, grabbed his hand firmly and dragged him. Jim could only smile and remain iudio for a while to watch his t's performance.

  --Here he is, to make, a him his e. Please, someone, bring a script. Yent said you have a memory like an elephant, so you better put it to use. We're setting the stage for the first ses, -- said a man, about thirty years old, speaking quickly, barking orders until he took Billy to a small dressing room. -- By the way, call me Nigel. -

  As soon as he sat down, t artists arrived to powder his skin and deliver the closest clothes to what he had worn during the audition.

  -Here's the script. The se goes from page 34 to page 55, -said Nigel, handing him the script. Everyone was rushing around, and Billy calmly observed the stress etched on people's faces; they were frantic.

  Billy read the script, which was identical to what Jim Waitt had given him, but it had some annotations made by the director, all very detailed and straightforward. Ihan half an hour, he was entering a military base for his role as an archaeologist. Nerves were on edge; the first se was in a car.

  -Mr. Darwin, follow me. We'll start the shooting shortly, - said a produ assistant, sweat glistening. It was different from Nigel, who seemed o be found.

  Billy followed him to a cssic car. -- Well, the journey will be slow, heading towards this small square you see, teers away, -- said the assistant.

  -Yes, - nodded Billy.

  -Any problems? You have 10 mio prepare, - said the assistant.

  Billy shook his head.

  -Well, Mr. Darwin, good luck, - said the assistant.

  Se.

  They had arrived at the military base. Two infantrymen were oher side, looking unamused, armed with guns in hand.

  -I'm Daniel Ja, - the driver said, his words fading as he saw their doubtful faces. Inside, Billy was amazed by Hollywood, everything within a studio. How did they make it as real as possible?

  -Identify yourself, please... -

  Billy made a sudden move, and the members tried to move their ons, but he sneezed. He had a bit of pepper on his hands, a small trigger that caused a sneeze, a slight nudge, and an odorous sensation as the snot began to flow.

  -You have a pretty good cold, Doctor Ja, - the soldier pointed out, iing the dirty interior of the vehicle.

  -A cold? No way, it's just an allergy. It always happens when I travel, - replied the doctor. Billy/Daniel.

  Billy tiraight ahead, reag the metal buildings, which were nothing more than cardboard covered in aluminum, rubbed with coal, and polished with pitch, acc to the set designers.

  Daniel parked and gnced around, not fully attentive, seeing only an open mountain. At this moment, Billy was Daniel. If he were asked something, he'd probably just sneeze.

  Billy went to the trunk, as described in the se, old-fashioned browher suitcases. He acted out someone who'd never lift a suitcase or someone simply minimal in their movements.

  -Daniel Ja? - a sweaty military man asked, but before Daniel/Billy could respond, the man approached. Billy let out a slight choking cough but listened ily.

  -I'm Kawalsky, Lieutenant Adam Kawalsky. Where have you been? Dr. Langford thought you'd ged your mind, - said the army soldier

  -I decided to drive, but it took me lohan expected, - replied Daniel/Billy, looking the officer up and down with a slightly superior expression.

  cut

  -Cut! - Ronald Emmerich shouted. It was astonishing how, in a minute, everyoarted talking, turning what reviously a desert into a rec studio. Billy stayed in character, hunched and negligent.

  -Who, in their right mind, fixed the uniform of the corporal? We'll start with the approach. Please, Se 23, take 2, - said Ronald Emmerich. The suit was torn.

  The se was repeated.

  -I decided to drive, but it took me lohan expected, - Billy's careful nguage was a marvel for the close-ups, from the movement of the lips triggering o the slight twit his right hand. -So, is this a military base? -

  -I'm not authorized to talk about that, - was the automatic response from the soldier.

  Billy/Daniel smiled despite the bad weather, seeking some humor.

  -No, seriously, is it a field for army specialists, a cave of gray eminences? -

  -I have no idea what level of clearance you have, sir. Until I know, I 't talk about that matter. -

  Daniel began taking books out of the trunk, and the guard kept watg him, and Daniel/Billy gave an awkward side-eye gnce.

  -May I? - said Kawalsky, stepping forward. Daniel wao prevent it, but the soldier didn't respond. Greg, who pyed the soldier, was somewhat stressed by Daniel/Billy's stupid, cheerful look, iently taking on the military role in respoo Billy's treatment.

  -Be careful, these books are heavy, - Kawalsky said, lifting the bag of books with one hand and smming the trunk shut with the other. -- Very... –

  Got it, let's resume. Daniel was left somewhat breathless and a bit startled by how easily Kawalsky mao lift the entire load. Following him to the tunrance, Daniel had a face as if it were an amazi.

  -Cut! - Ronald yelled again.

  They returo normal, Ronald sing the cameras, tent with the se but feeling like it needed more.

  -Camera 3, get closer shots of Daniel Ja's face. Camera four, be careful with the a's just a few shots but sets up the se. A up a camera to follow Bill more closely when he's driving the car; I want to see his face, - Ronald ordered, barking instrus, an assistant nodding and bustling around to implement the director's dires.

  -We're going to repeat the se, - said the assistant. Billy simply nodded.

  There something wrong? - Billy inquired.

  -Mmmm, the director wants more shots. Camera 3 is slightly off. No big deal, young man. We'll be ready in half an hour. Practice your lines, - mentiohe assistant director, Taylor Noah.

  -Alright, I'll do that, - said Billy/Daniel. Giving a smile akin to the character's, he walked to the dressing room. He didn't notice it, but he missed the assistant. Upon arrival, t artists were there to touch up his face.

  -The debras aren't pretty, - Billy/Daniel remarked.

  -Oh, uh, sure, they're nice, - replied the makeup artist.

  Billy tinued reading the script while humming, engrossed in it until he heard his name. He repeated the se three more times that day and ter performed ses up to se 29, without any ges.

  ...