march 4.

  Billy had just finished his fourth audition of the day. All the auditions he had taken in the past few days were quiapshots, using most of his time to catch up on episodes of "One Piece" and "Sm Dunk” each episode serving as a break during produ days.

  The news came in: initially, "The Lion King" had been nominated for Best inal Score, and as a guest of honor, it wasn't Billy's . His participation was on and undignified, a sotion prize. However, an ued visit awaited him.

  Ceremony parties before the Oscars were of all kinds, from small gatherings to cruises, parties, gas, and wild parties.

  For now, thanks to Gwyh's credit, he would have a small lunch with Spielberg, the golden man, the Midas touch, the man sidered one of the most important directors in the history of ema.

  -It's just a lunch. I'll talk to my godmother, and you'll attend. After lunch, the meeting, - Gwyh ented.

  -Don't worry. We have something to do with Dreamworks. Yodfather wants money, and he's afraid to get it from a normal eai branch, Universal... or any other pany; it will only cause trouble. If he is in a young man like me, he give fewer expnations, - Billy remarked.

  -You're the businessman. Besides, he wants to iate with you. You're a man with many skills, and all those skills are valued. Dad says many people admire you, - Gwyh ented.

  Both had many things to do in the ing days. First of all, most of the films they had auditioned for were different from the films of the 2000s era, different in three ways: the first was the ft shots, the ck of CGI use, and course, real-life shots.

  On the small table, a pile of scripts, all highlighted in a single filter, tained many designs, each from a unique series. Sihe pany hired a colorist and aor tahe ses, he could make ten episodes in a week; his record was twelve episodes.

  -We have to go, - Billy eo his surprise, Gwyh's clothes were scattered all over the pce. The little girl couldn't stop making a mess.

  -It bothers me too, but what I do? I have nothing that fits me well. I o go shopping; I have very few clothes, -Gwyh excimed.

  Billy could only nod as he picked up a small blue dress. "Put this on. I like how it looks on you," Billy said, handing it to her.

  -I wore that two months ago. -

  -Then why do you still have it? You look beautiful, and we're running out of time. If you want, we go shopping tomorrow. I saw a geous cream-colored dress that would be perfect for you, - Billy ented, giving her a light kiss.

  Gwyh's cheeks turned pink as she nodded slightly, leading them both on a quick trip through the luxurious areas of Beverly Hills. Not far away, the grand mansiohem to a bck gate, with a slight hill in the distance, a white mansion with colors, white, pster, bone, and cotton.

  -Thank you, Paul. You take a tour of Los Angeles, and grab a bite to eat. e back after dinner. If anything ued happens, I'll call you, - Billy ented, handing him 100. "Fas."

  Exiting the car, a butler was far away, guiding them with a hand on his abdomen and a small towel, a handkerchief he used on his hands.

  -Gentlemen, please e in. Lunch will be served in half an hour, - the butler ented.

  -e, let's greet my godmother. She's the fu woman in the world. I wish I could live in the 70s, - Gwyh ented.

  -I have to make a call. Give me a sed. -

  The meal was the usual affair, a bustling pce where everyone was engrossed in their performances, a small gathering not so private with Kate Capshaw, Spielberg's wife, and oher side, a serene friend of Steven, his ex-wife, along with him, David Geffen and a busy Jeffrey Katzenberg digging into the potato sad.

  -I heard not long ago that your pany is produg a movie, - Kate Capshaw ented softly to Billy, within earshot of him and the others.

  -I owed a favor, but yes, 'The English Patient,' if memory serves right. I haven't been keeping track much, ahhh, there's also Gee Lucas's trichology. So, yes, I guess I iently started a film pany," Billy responded.

  -Starting a pany uionally. Life's irony, - Kate remarked.

  The wind rustled against the wood, the weather allowing for an outdoor meal, all arranged with a white tablecloth. Not far away, some dogs roamed the neighborhood, sometimes begging for food.

  -Opportunities are like that. Sometimes when they e to you, you just have to un them, and once you uand that they are often fruitful, you just have to know what to take and what not to take, - Billy ented.

  -gratutions on the awards, Anne, - Kate Capshaw ented, catg the attention of Drew and Gwyh.

  -Anne Awards? What's that? - Drew Barrymore questioned.

  -Oh, that's right. Lux Animation was one of the big winners at the Anne Awards, - Jeffrey Katzenberg announced loudly, the former head of eai, dismissed by Michael Eisner in a power py. The petition, at the time, mao anger some petitors.

  -You work as an animator? - Drew asked, pig up a gss of juice. Alcohol was strictly off-limits for her, having just pleted a lengthy rehabilitation.

  She was interrupted just as she was about to respond.

  -Dessert! - Kate excimed. The drinks had gotten to her, making her a bit dizzy and not very genial. Gwyh was chatting politely with Drew Barrymore, both as good as they were, holding a special p their godfather's heart, and trying to follow mostly everything he said.

  Two waiters arrived again, to clear away the desserts. Shortly after, they returo serve ice cream cups, as well as some berry, strawberry, and banana muffins, along with some chocote chip cookies. Nearby, everyone tinued with a leisurely meal. Gwyh's displeasure was evident; she didn't get along very well with Drew, who used to be a rebellious woman in many ways, often making Gwyh unfortable. Billy was not at the head of the table; it was set in an L-shape.

  -Well, I think I'll go soak up some sun by the pool, - Kate said, taking the girls to the pool, and inviting the women to the table to enjoy the mid-afternoon sun. Not far away, Billy grabbed some cookies and anss of milk; curiously, the dessert table looked like the spread at a children's party.

  -I think now that the dies are off to the side, we should tinue our versation, - David Geffen ented, somewhat anxious at certain times.

  Amidst numerous misuandings, there were many things he had to address, such as the fact that he had a small produ pany, and in the same way that Billy carried himself, the discussions were clear. His new produ business would mean a detat from Billy's new project. Was it a mistake to leave the pany?

  Steven was a child with an adult voice, of course, he had a distinctive, traditional way aain values, but he still had the soul of a child that normally characterized him.

  -I'm in. I love movies, - Billy said, not refusing Steven's offer.

  -That's satisfying, but it leaves us with some doubts, - Jeffrey Katzenberg ented.

  -I don't want to be part of the animation team. I support them from some sectors, but I want to be part of the video game, film, and series team... I have four animation studios, and I think I should separate animation from the DreamWorks pany, - Billy said.

  -You want to work under my guidance, -Steven remarked.

  Under his guidance, if he took the animation course, he would be free and would share the dire with Jeffrey. After all, Billy was already proven and even had a siderable reputation in the industry; it e in high circles that he was the producer, swriter, director, and graphic designer of most of the works.

  -Yes, I want to work under yuidance, sir, - Billy replied, earning a smile from Steven at the boy's ent.

  -I thought you'd choose animation, - Jeffrey Katzenberg responded, still hesitant; he wao work with Billy, but Billy wao work with Steven.

  Though very formal, calm, and respected, he would follow a course not much different from what he had to do in most situations. Jeffrey was someoo be feared, Steven Spielberg was too, as was David Geffen. heless, Billy calcuted that if he lost money, it was better to learn from the best.

  -, yes, I don't have a knausic. I'm unfamiliar with the market, and I prefer to leave that to the experts. I'm talented in animation, but I have a pany dedicated to that, and my opinion might differ. About creating movies and series, Steven's guidance is the best for me. I don't want to offend, but there's nothing I don't know about animation, but there's a lot I don't know about produ, dire, and the industry. However, that doesn't mean I don't have something to ask for being part of the pany, - Billy ented.

  The elders smiled at Billy, impressed by the power of his words, how he articuted things, his fidence, his way of presenting himself and accepting, and then putting forth ditions. Some more experienced individuals would work for free, but here was the young man, the fourth member of DreamWorks, a member from whom they only expected capital. It pleased them to see the youth.

  -What is it, young man? - Steven asked.

  Billy looked at them carefully, feeling out areas. He would start with the most artistic asped then move on to other points.

  -The Academy... although there are famous moments when the Golden Globes and the Oscars occasionally ehe Best Animated Feature category... I would like to see a category for Best Animated Picture opened, - Billy ented.

  Everyone's eyebrows shot up; it was something Disney had requested at one point. But now, it wasn't on people's radar... and with Disney's dee in the 80s, it was thought that the idea wouldn't resurface. Billy's suggestion prompted a sharp ugh from Jeffrey Katzenberg, indig his position.

  -Why do you want that? If we have an animation branch, we at DreamWorks will fight for the Oscars. It will be a flict of i, - Jeffrey ented.

  Billy smiled, showing his white teeth. Ah, Steven could see the lucidity of the child in his words.

  -Lux Animation won't spend a penny lobbying hting for the Oscar. I won't i money in that. It's an award... with all due respect. But it's for the good of animation. I want pao be ied in winning it and to create their animation studios, just as you want to create a great film pany, - Billy ented.

  There was a brief silehe proposal had been previously floated by Michael Eisner.

  -It's going to cost you, kid. It's not free, - Steven murmured.

  -You could talk to Michael Eisner; he cares a lot about your pany. If you propose the idea to him, the weight of Disney, with your friendly hand and that of other panies, might force a different path, - Jeffrey suggested.

  -Could you give me his phone number? I want to talk face-to-face, - Billy asked.

  Surprising Jeffrey with the direess of the question, going straight into battle. What bravery, to front someone who stantly fights against you. Billy uood long ago that business warfare is business warfare.

  ...