February 4.

  -It seems like The New York Times has insider information about our movie. Anne hasn't sent the data yet, and we're entering February. It's questiohat we don't have an idea about our box office performance, - John Lasseter said.

  On top of his desk, there was a headline iters: -The New Digital Era - Toy Story Hits 200 Million in North America! Pixar, is the sensation of the tedustries.

  -I 't deny the source. Maybe they made a reasonable dedu with some sources. We're likely over 200 million, - Ed Camult said.

  -So, do you think our movie has surpassed 200 million? It's crazy, Ed. Billy mentioned something about recouping our money, but he was hoping to do that through toy sales, - John Lasseter said, taking a sip of his coffee as he scrutihe neer once again with keen crity.

  -This goes beyond our primary iions. But it's a relief that the pany didn't fail with our first release. After all, with such a high iment, I thought we'd surely lose some money, - Ed Camult said.

  With suspi due to the high levels of iment made by Billy, starting from the movie's release, they had disbursed 45 million in R&D alone, not including personnel expeaxes, the soundtrack, produ, and dubbing. But Anne had cssified the movie for 70 million, the fixed goal. Any profit below 150 million was sidered a failure.

  -I feel relieved by this news more than you think. It reaffirms that our losses are minimal, - Ed said.

  John, knowing some of Ed's thoughts, nodded in agreement. It was a relief for all employees, and now they could see the big bet of renovating some facilities for better fort. A three-story building with underground parking was not a small expense.

  -I uand, but the boss is more than satisfied. He mentioned something about bonuses. You buy that niew truck we saw if the bonus is juiough, - John said cheerfully, although he still had dark circles under his eyes. The Hawaiian vacation was a soul-refreshing experience, with seven days of rest. Everything paid for, room service, delicious food, spa facilities, generous weather, beach, sea, aion.

  -It's just one part of it all, John, - Ed Camult said, attending to his colleague's reluce to see the future.

  -One part of what? Everything has been going well; there's nothing to fear, - John Lasseter said.

  -At first, I didn't sider it, until Randall made it clear. Our movie costs are very high, and the risk is signifit for the movie, 'Bugs, an Adventure.' We least an box office hit. And more than anyone, you know that hitting it big in Hollywood is very plicated, - Ed expined.

  -You're quite a nervous person, - John Lasseter said calmly. - Think of it this way, Billy approved the movie, and he even gave some suggestions for improving the enviroal design. He has good instincts furing things out, and although he's young, he makes up for it with talent. -

  Armand Millester was going through the ats of the distribution pany in a small offi one of the floors. Among the many offices, there were only seven people under Armand's supervision, but with his guidahey managed all the distribution in North America. However, the task was not straightforward; film distribution had its share of intricacies and behind-the-ses dealings, including minor tract breaches and a ck of cooperation from major pahe fents who traveled from pce to pce, cheg the distribution terms, had their hands full.

  -Mr. Armand, the results have e in from bia Pictures, - Staicy said, holding up a thient filled with detailed information about the worldwide release of the oy franchise in a risky debut.

  -The numbers are clear, - Armand replied.

  Uates: 209 million

  The U.S. data was the clearest because of the signifit presend iment in advertising. The successful advertising campaign paid off.

  ada: 8.8 million

  Mexico: 6.7 million

  Latin America: 25.5 million

  tral America: 13.4 million

  United Kingdom: 36.7 million

  France: 18 million

  Spain: 17.3 million

  Pal: 9.9 million

  Italy: 14.7 million

  Europe: 23.6 million

  Eastern Europe: 4.1 million

  Africa: 14 million

  India: 15.1 million

  Asia: 39.6 million

  Oia: 14 million.

  Armand reread all the figures and could only swallow hard. He hoped Sony could dey the earnings reports. Over 400 million dolrs was a serious matter. Only "Jurassic Park" could cim to have overshadowed "Toy Story."

  -Let the parent pany know about the money earned and arrange a meeting with Sony. I o sort some things out, - Armand said as he grabbed his briefcase, ready to leave. He had been in the business since 1971. Unfortunately, he made the wrong move, setting up an indepe film distribution pany and losing his entire fortune. He had worked diligently in the industry for others, and now he distributed for Pixar, an animation giant. What would Armand do? Collect.

  The m, muand's dismay, the news of "Toy Strossing 450 million dolrs at the box office leaked out. The animation decade had arrived, and everyone looked at it with hopeful eyes. This was a market they hadn't sidered until just a few years ago. Disney had trolled animation for over sixty years and more. But everyone wanted a piece of the pie. Fox, Universal, Paramount, Warner, and even Sony had been taking steps to establish their animation studios. Some looked in other tries, others at smaller studios. Universal sought out Ambliertai, an old ally.

  Anne was reading the hat m with a bck coffee in her hand, thinking what great his was. Simirly, many others read the m paper, delighted by the incredible earnings, a movie with such great profits, Pixar, Sunrise ics, and all those who khe owner of Pixar behind the ses.

  -Billy, I have some fantastiews, -Anne said, g her hands and interrupting Billy's drawing process.

  -It must be something signifit, - Billy replied.

  -It is. Yesterday they sent the results in the evening, but I pared the earnings with the neer as soon as I heard the news. 'Toy Story' is officially one of the highest-grossing animated films in history, - Anne said.

  Billy's eyebrows raised at the delightful news. -Did the toy reports arrive? - he asked.

  -We received the December figures, and they're excellent. You left them on your desk two weeks ago, - Anne said, pointing to the yellow folder that only stuck out slightly from a stack of papers.

  -I didn't have much time this week, - Billy admitted.

  -Fet it. Sales were fantastid we've recovered more than half the mohere are still many unsold toys, but we'll soon reach a point where our losses are minimal. Maybe we should try buying fewer units, - Anne suggested.

  -You think I don't know that? But soon, we'll sell everything. Beyond that, 'Toy Story 2' is in Pixar's pns, - Billy replied.

  -Only read the report, and this ooo. Armahe details of the entire operatioly. I think it's a good idea for you to gh these things; the pany is w on two more movies, and losing money isn't good, - Anne advised before leaving the office.

  -Publish the toy sales—say that we've sold 5 million units in a month. Everywhere you , - Billy instructed.

  Maniputing the media was just the beginning, but if these paarted seeis of sucredible sales, it would provide better assurances for Billy wheiations began.

  Purchasing 12 million toy units might have seemed excessive at first, but now it has been a success. They had set up a produ line, and toy sales were skyrocketing. "Toy Story" was still making money iers, and it was likely to tinue perf well in the weeks to e.

  ...