Billy ran along the sidewalk of his neighborhood in Los Angeles. It was normal to enter paparazzi here and there in this beautiful residential area. Many actors, models, musis, aertai figures had homes in this part of L.A. duriain times of the year.

  Arriving at his small building, the purchase was satisfying, and living there was as fortable as he could expect. He occupied himself with the typewriter not far from where he stood. Although the writing wasn't too good, his editors would take care of the rest. He put water to boil, preparing some pasta for both lund dinner.

  His ph, marking the third call he received today.

  -Billy, I heard you were iy, -said Dolph Lundgren. He was the one who called Billy, as it was Billy who allowed Jim Waitt to get the role in Terminator that unched his eai career. Now, it could be said that there were three major a stars. Dolph had secured multiple roles over these past three years.

  Upon learning that Billy was in town, he decided to invite him to a restaurant where some of his friends and his fiancée, Ae Qviberg, would be gathering. If you know most of the people in Hollywood, it’s from the parties, meetings, and castings. You end up knowing a rge group of people in the industry, and what many call stars reduces to a group of acquaintances in this business.

  -Yeah, I arrived a couple of days ago, - said Billy.

  -Great, e by. We'll be at The Ivy around 9:00 tonight. Join us for a bite; my fiancée and a good friend will be there. Just a small get-together, - Dolph said.

  "Sure, I'll be there, - replied Billy, resolutely, following one of Jim Waitt's many pieces of advice: don't turn down people without a good reason.

  -Great. I'll add you to the reservation. However, you have my number in case of any invenience, - Dolph assured.

  -I'll keep a, Mr. Lundgren, - said Billy.

  It was iing for Billy, one of the highly sought-after actors of the moment, to invite him out. For Dolph, it was a mutual se; Jim could have mentiohat Billy's career as a scriptwriter was very promising, and it would e to a point where everyone would beg for Billy's scripts. This was something Dolph, with siderable experien the industry, could uand perfectly.

  Billy tinued writing, fog on the uping Game of Thrones book, "The War of the Five Kings." He took the time to write non-stop, and what surprised him was the amount of didactic material that came with the book. Initially pnned for 1500 pages, it was cut down to 700-800 pages. Upon learning the thrilling plot, he added a bit more, including Jon Snow's story, which was initially removed. For die-hard fans, this ure gold as it expined maionships at the Wall, attempting to add the perspective of the crow rebellion that ended up killing the Lord ander of the Night's Watch.

  Simirly, in book three, which had almost two thousand pages, he added more secret spiracies to the plot.

  The final product of eight books could extend to teo the volume of stories, as there were easily 5000 pages cut across all the books. Many characters were deleted, and some were rewritten, but all could be included with careful handling, just like in books four and five, which run parallel to each other. Books two and three could be extended in an intermediate se that runs in parallel between the sed and third books.

  What a magnifit series.

  As he was engrossed in writing, another call came in.

  -Raimon, - Billy said.

  It might sound odd, but he's called me more than his girlfriend.

  -How are you, Billy? I just resolved some issues for your pany, so I wao pit idea, - Raimon said, so casually that Billy couldn't help but ugh.

  -What's your idea? - Billy asked.

  -Well, I've just approved the formation of a team of eight people for ID Software and RPG Ptforms. You know I have many talented puter friends who retly started a project called and & quer. These folks aim to create a real strategy game. Are you ied in expanding our new acquisitions into video games? I'm referring to Warhammer and Dungeons and Dragons, - Raimon expined.

  -How would you do it? - Billy inquired.

  -For now, I don't have much to say or do. I just wanted your permission. I'll outline a pn. Surprisingly, we've already been granted a lise, or well, the previous 'Tactic RPG' has already been approved, and I've developed a game. I believe that, with improvements, the game will be a success, -- Raimon expined happily. -- With your express permission, I'll dedicate the wenty-four hours to pying Dungeons and Dragons digitally to give us an idea of what we o do and improve. -

  Billy only heard the sound of the call being hung up.

  -They just used him to py during work hours, - he said after receiving a call from Aen mier.

  He received his fourth call.

  -You let him py; he's been ughing like crazy, - Anne said from San Jose.

  -Don't wive him two days; he has some good ideas. Do you have anything to give him? - Billy asked.

  -I have nothing. He's done everything, from the ics distribution pany to dealing with suppliers and as. He's kept up with the animators' pace, and... - Anne replied.

  -Do you wao assign my tasks to him? - Anne suggested.

  -Exactly. Give him the responsibility for Lux el. I have a feeling he's very ied ihird floor. Tell him that he'll be in charge of procedures from now on. Focus on your job and only support Raimon. I retly spoke with Todd Me, who mentiohe animators have been stressed tely due to work pressure; the deliveries for October are driving them crazy, - Billy expined.

  -Okay, - Anne said, feeling calmer.

  -Just let him py his video game this week. On Monday, you give him all the work you want. Also, adjust the schorship system. Some animators want to pursue a master's degree, so you have to iate with them. Don't let Raimon hahis, and allow Mr. Cloud to pursue his master's, provided it's done in California, - Billy instructed.

  -Okay, -Anne replied, relieved of some weight; she tends to carry a heavier workload than she should.

  -Additionally, you ask Parks to expedite the iations with the Tolkien family. And adjust the animators' schedules, giving them a collective five-day break. Some teams have pending requests; send some of them to iate for Meteoro and Pájaro Loco, - Billy directed.

  -But they're not iators, - Anne pointed out.

  -It doesn't matter. I don't want them to be. Parks and my father will close the deal, but they will hahe iation process. I'm sure Paul will be a good distra to close deals, -Billy crified.

  -Very well, have a good day, Billy. By the way, do you approve of ID Software? - Anne inquired.

  -Yes, I approve but don't hire more people. We agreed on a tract fht video games, - Billy firmed.

  -Hiring will stop for a year until we bahe whole pany. The uhy growth hasn't allowed us to reinfore details, - Anne replied.

  -Uood, but they were necessary. Our numbers are in the green. Besides, I'll ask for a loan by June, before the release of The Lion King, - Billy said.

  -Another of your bets, - Anne remarked.

  -Not at all. I know we'll make a lot of money with The Lion King. We'll fix all the details we haven't sorted out. We'll hire professionals to restructure the pany and provide their perspective on the pany's ots. At the same time, we'll slowly acquire more cht, - Billy expined.

  -Okay, - Anne replied.

  -See you ter, and stay informed, - said Billy.

  He hung up the phone his father had given him. He would have to s it for a more advanced one, but he'd wait for a new design. He sighed heavily; the work was so exhausting. panies always needed people to do more and more work.

  -Perhaps I need an indepe wyer, a new mao expand human resources, two new logistics managers, a producer, and a chief unicator for LuxToons, - Billy thought.

  He wrote all afternoon until the clock struck seven.

  The fatigue weighed heavy on his eyes, and the kit light illuminated just as he wanted. Enclosed by his four white walls, he felt unavoidably alowo days away from traveling to the rec studio. The life of an actor was somewhat nostalgic.

  He dressed in his best suit. Cash was the best way for now; cards were just a strange sensation now. He adjusted his wallet along with a watch his grandfather had gifted him for Christmas. It wasn't a tie day, so he left it behind, but he adjusted his white shirt with a small vest.

  He o step out and explore the streets of West Hollywood, even though it was te, the day remained bright. He arrived at a small fast-food restaurant to kill time. The air buzzed with jubition, people were joyful, aiced maiful women i evening dresses, prepared to relish the glory of Los Angeles.

  While waiting for his food, his seat faced the store window, enabling him to observe the paths people took. He didn't bring his sketchbook, but a wonderful idea crossed his mind. Different pnes filled his thoughts, from depths to new drawing styles.

  Usually, he went out for a walk and sketched when his imagination ran dry, and the oppressive atmosphere of the office hindered his work. But this city was so alive. How would it be in New York? Surely he would find fantastic shots there.

  Arou-thirty, he received a call from Dolph—a surprise notice that took him aback.

  He walked to the reended restaurant, which took lohan expected, but being new iy, unfamiliar streets often seemed like mazes. Arriving at The Ivy, there was a long liretg almost two blocks. heless, he walked up to the receptionist and simply gave his stage name.

  -Billion Darwin, - he said.

  -Yes, excuse me, we'll firm in a moment, - said the receptionist.

  Thankfully, after a brief wait, a worn-looking waiter o the receptionist, who allowed Billy to enter. At first gnce, Dolph Lundgren was seated with a beautiful woman on his right and a man equally robust, with broad shoulders—both t figures.

  -Bill, it's great you came. e, this is my friend Jean-Cude Van Damme. Don't let his pretty boy face fool you, he'll give you a beating, and this is his panion Darcy, and here's my fiancée, Anna Qvibert, - said Dolph.

  -To you, Billion Darwin, a new actor and part of Jim's roster, - Dolph introduced Billy.

  Billy smiled the best he could. -- It's a pleasure to meet you all, Mr. Jean, -- he said, shaking Jean-Cude's hand—a firm grip.

  He nodded softly, more as a gentle nod to the women at the table—a brief greeting that Darcy, the beautiful woman beside Jean, respoo with a touch of flirtation, and, of course, to Dolph's panion, Anna, who was also stunning.

  If there was a result, they all seemed to be models, but his Alice was the most enting.

  As soon as he sat at the table, a waiter arrived, serving him a gss of water and bringing what seemed more like a leather-bound book than a menu.

  -We were discussing the project we have at hand. It's been requested that we further define our physique, - Dolph told Billy.

  -Well, I see you both are i shape, - said Billy.

  -You're a bit skinny, son. Whenever you want, you join us at the gym to put some meat on those bones, - Jean-Cude said.

  -I don't think time is on my side, Mr. Jean. With studies and ag, I have minimal time. However, I have my m running routih some exercises, - Billy responded.

  -I'll extend an invitation; with Dolph and some other friends, we have a small gym to train our bodies. Drop by when you want; we'll get you in shape, maybe even throw in some karate, - Jean-Cude offered.

  Surprisingly, Billy didn't know him very well, although he kept an eye on Hollywood, not enough to follow the lives of actors, especially at a time when the industry's gmour was more elusive.

  -Well, I think it would be wonderful to follow in your footsteps, although I don't think I could keep up with both of you, - said Billy, their robust physiques; they looked like bodybuilders.

  -Bill, Jim told me you're a very promising actor. You stop by, not just to gain muscle but also to dition yourself fht ses in your movies. Although I'm no expert in gymnastics, Arnold is certainly very capable, - Dolph mentioned.

  -I see, - said Billy. Arnold, the great Arnold Schwarzenegger.

  -You're as serious as Jim mentioned, - Dolph said with a certain air. - He said you were studying before entering Hollywood. -

  -Yes, an MBA at Stanford, - replied Billy.

  -Wow, such a promising young man, - said Anna.

  -A good uy, although people may not know it, I have a degree in chemical engineering from the Uy of Sto. A requirement for being an actor at that time was dedication, and there was no more dedication than professional studies. Unlike sports, studying involves certain demands, - Dolph added.

  I couldn't agree more. I'd rather step int than start a career, although my kids will have to pursue one, - Jean remarked.

  -Very precise for the Belgian champion, - Dolph said.

  -Ha, excuse me, miss, bring me a bottle of wine, - Jean said to the waiter taking orders. Darcy squeezed Jean's arm, but he only kissed her.

  Dolph shook his head and chuckled.

  -A beer for me. And tetizers on the house, - Dolph ordered.

  -I want an ice cream and a milkshake, - said Billy, almost like a children's menu. Dolph nodded in response.

  -How's your movie going? I heard you're filming with Kurt. He's a nid funny guy, - Dolph asked.

  -I haven't had much time to talk. I'm pretty demanding with my role, and I 't think of anything else. But I'll send yards. The movie is amazing; it's going to be a ercial hit, I'm sure. Director Rond Emmerich has a great pace, - Billy answered.

  -Well, invite me to the premiere, I'll be there, -said, Dolph.

  -Of course, although I'm not sure if I do that, - Billy replied.

  -Haha, -- Dolph chuckled. -- You'll manage; as long as it's someone from the industry, you bring whoever you want. The producers will love the exposure. -

  -Then without a doubt, you'll be there, - said Billy.

  The night was slow, and Dolph was more reserved than anything else. But it was expected; Billy was twenty years younger, and this t six-foot-six superman was in a phase of preferring peace over parties. Although he left a good impression on Billy due to his charismatic personality. At least, that's what Billy thought.

  ...