-Unfortunately, you 't simply dee Michael Eisner and Ron Meyer, - David Geffen whispered to Steven, who nodded, aware of the young man's position.

  The three girls, each beautiful with different attributes, were women with their strengths and characteristics. Winona approached to hug Francis Coppo, a close director friend, known to Winona for his sweet nature. She couldn't help but sigh at the youthfulness of the party, an angel pared to Sophia Loren, a muse to many men.

  The table was divided. Her godmother's wife took Gwyh for a walk, while Julie Delpy decided to dance, even if she did it alone. She just wao get away from the atmosphere, heavy with old-timers. Julie knew where she wasn't wele, took a gss of champagne, ahe dance rhythm lead her. Her bright blue dress matched her dance, feeling more wele surrounded by two models who had dazzled some people earlier that m.

  Gwyh returned more posed and took her pce just as James Cameron positioned himself elsewhere, apanied by some directors. Tom Hanks simply shook his head and sought a dah his wife.

  -My dear girl, I never imagined seeing you here in New York, - Francis said.

  -What's going on? - Winona asked, curiosity evident in her eyes, that lost mystery like many others.

  -Nothing. Go dance for a while. Enjoy the party. You order any drink, there are snacks, and the best musiey buy. What worries me, dear, is that you're not having fun - Francis said.

  -I'll stay here for a while, - Winona said, in a gesture that seemed more immature than anything else.

  Steven pondered his watch; a slight gesture of expnation made Francis uand what he had to do. The three-way versation was observed by others, who wielded a certain power in Michael Eisner's unonly known ironcd gaze, some avoided his gaze, but Billy wasn't scared of Michael's gaze. It was the revealing of his secrets that he feared. Even though not evident iure, with just a chat, Michael could uhem and use them against him. A streaming ptform war ten years earlier? Nobody would dream of it.

  The versation tinued for another half hour until Francis couldn't dey it anymore. - Dear, could y your panion? I have a desire to have a chat with him, and it would amuse me not to wait until I'm sleepy, - Francis said.

  -Bring him, -Winona said, her expressive eyes widening.

  -Yes, bring him, - Francis said.

  -Well, but whatever it is, you'll tell me ter, - Winona said, walking over to Billy, hearing something about destiny, love, tragedy... what were they talking about that had them so engrossed?

  She stepped a bit harder on the floor, with enough force for her steps to be heard. -Sorry, I hate to interrupt, - Winona said.

  -Not at all. You're not interrupting. e, sit for a while, - Billy said, notig the raised eyebrows of the two presidents. This was usually reserved for couples, a topic that Billy and Winona were unaware of because it was on for businessmen to only invite close associates to their discussions, such as a close partner.

  -For now, let's finish this chat. You're young and have other s. We invite you to your opening in October. I want to see your finished project with my own eyes, - Ron Meyer said.

  -Of course, sider it done. I'll also send you an invitation, Mr. Eisner, if you'd like to attend, - Billy said.

  -That would be all, son, - Michael Eisner said.

  They said their goodbyes, and Billy knew his night was far from over from the expressions of the people in tune. Billy took Winona's hand, and for the first time, he felt some a Winona's recklessness. - You shouldn't have interrupted me, - he whispered, drowned out by the music.

  It was the first time the woman received such a clear reprimand from Billy, the first time she saw anger on Billy's face. Instinctively, she recoiled in a gesture of submission and apology.

  -I'm sorry, - Winona stammered, oblivious to the situation. The pani the woman's eyes was disheartening; she didn't like being harsh.

  -It's nothing, just don't do it again. Though it would be good if you followed Julie's lead. Go to the dance hall and have fun. I'll join you as soon as I finish up here. And no, it's private, - Billy said.

  -Yes, - Winona whispered, not behaving that way even when she vomited on his shirt.

  Billy led her to a bar and ordered a gss of water and a gss of white wine for his panion. She expihat apparently, Steven Spielberg was looking for him. Among the important factors, there were two clear and expedient facts. She reted that he was somewhat famous, and they wanted a private chat. In some details, it riority to satisfy some private chat; she presumed it was a business, and it wouldn't be otherwise for them to be so mysterious.

  The empty table was now occupied by only two people. She watched from afar, more reserved now, following the instrus, she made her way to the bar and looked for Julie, who was dang alone. Gwyh was engaged in a versation with others.

  -Good evening, gentlemen, - Billy said, fag Steven Spielberg and David Geffen.

  The dreamy versation now was just a sought-after discussion. Steven knew well that, although Universal had provided some resources and loans, his position recarious, and at best, a futile endeavor in the ing years. It would end up failing like the indepe studios that followed. The goal of ema was a goal that couldn't be fotten for Steven's dreamy thoughts.

  -Good evening, Mr. Carson. I didn't expeeeting to take this long, - Steven said.

  -Initially, I wasn't expeg a meeting. A party, perhaps, something more reserved to avoid cameras. But now I see that this is not just a party; it's something deeper, - Billy said, almost wanting to hit himself, to crash with force, to crash with his y. Now he was in a tentative, more logical business setting.

  -Well, I don't want to interrupt your evening with the lovely dies by your side, and I certainly don't want to cause any invenience, -Steven said, smoothly worded, without many introdus. - I have a dream, ever since my success and achievement, I began to believe that my goal was further than just simple. I have very deep ideas. My path is beyond; the creation of a pany that rivals the major produ studios. An animation pany that allows our creativity not to be diluted and our efforts not to be mere ercial exploitation by the panies, - Steven Spielberg narrated, inspired by everything he had to say.

  -How do I fit into all of this? - Billy asked.

  -Don't get me wrong, you've uaken many activities that be called a challenge. You've produced two films that pose a challeo the major studios. oal is the same: to create a film pany. Something gives me a premonition, and it's a free afternoon. It's known that as a pany, you ever be free from the clutches of iment. One misstep, and we all fall, - Steven Spielberg said.

  It wasn't true, as Billy banced his ats, and the actual value of creating movies wasn't particurly extehe Hollywood system fails due to two essential things: people in the industry seek to make money, from producers to coordinators, iors, and animators themselves, all seeking more mohe real value of "The Lion King" was 9 million, for "Toy Story," it didn't exceed 20 million, but more money is involved when producers want more money, directors ask for a portion of the box office, everyone seeks to earn more money.

  The principle of Lux Animation is to embellish creativity and pay saries, bonuses, and gifts. Billy didn't work on projects. He emphasizes work and payments, which at the end of the year, result in a giant value, a doubled weight, making it cheaper than hiring per project, sihe norm in Hollywood is to reward success.

  -It's true; owning a film pany is a mountainous task, -Billy said.

  -You don't want a merger, and that's logical. Your pany, born of such success, doesn't want fn hands meddling, but for me, it's necessary to enjoy an alliahat helps us front the years of hardships. I'm not a man who leaves things to ce, - Steven said.

  -An alliance, - Billy said.

  -More than that, my boy. I hope to have your hand iure. I've closely followed your work, and I do not doubt that you are a preferred partner. Are you willing to bet on DreamWorks? As an initial offer, we need moo start the pany's operations. Think about it, although a merger wouldn't hurt us, -- Steven said, handing over a card. -- You call me when you make a decision; don't dey. I expect great things. -

  The future was beginning to stir.

  ...