may 2.

  Mi handed over her b pass. The beautiful girl stood out like a colorful butterfly in a gray office. Some men couldn't help but stare at the girl lost in her daydreams. The farewell was brief and simple, but Mi's dreamy appearance could suggest otherwise. As she floated above the others, it was a sign that the mencholy of love had knocked on her door. In the airp, she sighed charmingly, catg the attention of her seatmate, an older woman with only a few grays iherwise bck hair.

  The brief goodbye between Mi and Billy. Billy pondered while thinking about the things he had to do; making the most of time is always something to do when you have a thousand things to do.

  -Must be wonderful, - said the woman, her lipstick-red lips and a strong facade givihe appearance of a businesswoman.

  -Excuse me, - Mi said, ing out of her daydream.

  -The boy who makes you sigh. I think the st time I sighed like that was when my ex-husband ed the house. It must be wonderful for you not to notice that you're in the wro. By the way, call me Hazel, - the woman said.

  -I... I'm so sorry, - Mi said, cheg her seats. Indeed, she sat i 23B when her pce was 22 B.

  -Don't worry; I couldn't help but be surprised at first. But then I saw your printed happiness and decided to move aside. You know, it's f to see that youthful love, - Hazel said.

  The pne didn't take long to take off. Mi watched the emptiness vanish with memories of a rec, a job that didn't seem like a job, and the memories of her evenings with Bill Darwin, who initially seemed like just another person, indifferent to the entire casting and ign anyone roached him. But mysteriously, his talent was undeniable, the naturalo portray Daniel Ja and his peculiarities were top-noti, who had pyed some roles, and even in ag school, Billy stood out.

  -I think he's a very iing guy, but I doubt our future retionship. Hollywood is one of the biggest barriers, and she knows the particur problems of the showbiz world, - Mi said.

  Hazel's eagle-like eyes shook their heads. - Girl, you're beautiful. If that boy doesn't jump for you after two drinks, let them take my house, - she said.

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

  Ring. -

  Billy calls Anne Hall.

  -A's me, Billy, - the boy said from a seat at the airport, tapping the floor with his right foot in something akin tency. He had many things to do in the few hours, like cheg his sports bets and how many had dared; a 300,000 bet wasn't a joke.

  -Billy, o meet you. I assume there's no problem with the flight scheduled for tomorrow, - Anne said.

  -No... no problem. I was just w if there's araordinary event with the ic sales, - Billy said.

  Anne sighed, thinking he would ask about Lucasfilm.

  -Oh well, Evangelion was mentioned in The New York Times and some other neers two days ago. It's one of the best ic stories since 1970, and the positive reviews have geed some attention from the press and fans. Also, our test release yesterday sold 323,000 copies in an afternoon, acc to our sources, but it hasn't been firmed if it's more or less. Besides, the trailer for The Lion King, and of course, week, some of our series will be up for review, - Anne said.

  Trying to steer the versation towards the moary side and fet the hit from Lucasfilm.

  -Thanks, Anne. I made the bets a few weeks ago; I'll see what I get out of it. I'll be in touch, but we tih the usual procedure, - Billy said.

  Anne's cheeks puffed up as she took a breath. Faced with Billy's irresponsible behavior. - You should pay attention and not think that money solve everything, - Anne said.

  -Five me, Anne, but we'll make a lot of money as we usually do. This time, I was more cautious than st year. I think I'm building a reputation in sports,- Billy said

  -Very amusing. Tomorrow you'll have to be present at the meeting with Christopher Tolkien, and make sure to let Raimon take the lead; he's worked hard for this, along with Steve Parks. Also, I've already hired the inkers, editors, aerers; seven have firmed, and I'm waiting for two more. But the pay per day is good, so I don't think there will be any stragglers among the firmed, - Anne said.

  -You're my savior. How are Margot and Felicity? - Billy asked.

  -All good. Margot is heaven; my paperwork has never been more anized, and I think I have more time for important things. As for Felicity, she's under Rachel's care while she adapts to the position. But you were right; the task system is perfect. Her st report paring the best toy stores in San Jose was exquisite, and she proposed some insightful ideas, - Anne said.

  -I'm gd to hear that. Say hello to Raimon for me and tell him to clear his evening. I have a new ic I want him to look at; it's something fantastid I need some opinions, - Billy said.

  Anne nodded. - He'll be delighted. After all, he's the first to read all your volumes. I even think he keeps a more accurate t of your publications than Mr. Gorman, - Anne said, half in ughter, half in annoyance.

  -Thanks, Anne. Remio give you a raise at the end of the year, - Billy said.

  Anne shook her head, sidering the Lucasfilm debacle. - Ha, some long vacations would be nice, regarding the sary, - Anne said.

  She already earned a very good sary, and even after paying all her bills, there was money left. Last year, she paid off her house with the 10,000 bonus given by Billy for her excellent work, with the help of the pany's real estate advisor.

  -In Ju's vacation time for Lux Nation animators, but you set aside a few days in December for a vacation. Anyway, Hotel Paraíso will always wele you gdly, - Billy said.

  An a bit uneasy at Billy's joke, sidering her mistake and uanding. - I have to work. But, I'll pn something with the family, - Anne said.

  Hotel Paraíso, even with stant zero-cost invitations for animators and pany members, tio turn a profit. It was surprising how much money hotels brought in during these times.

  Billy left the airport; everything was finished, and only his curiosity about how the 300,000 bet on Brazil winning the 1994 World Cup had turned out remained.

  -Excuse me, are you free? - Billy said to a taxi driver who was pletely distracted. Si was a weekday, the airport wasn't as chaotic as on weekends or duriive seasons.

  -Oh, yes, e in, - the taxi driver said, looking at the young man.

  The journey was short. Billy gave precise instrus to avoid the taxi driver taking the lo route. - What brings you around here? -the driver asked.

  -Believe it or not, business, - Billy said.

  -I see, I see, - the driver said, somewhat doubtful sihe address was a o. However, seeing the young man's semi-formal attire, he didn't deny the assertion.

  As Billy ordered, the taxi driver quickly took him to the o. Like a quick bet, he tinued his way as the time to see how well the bet had been pced had arrived. It wasn't a surprise that there were six bets online.

  ...