Billy he role of Jerry Maguire and had to rush to New York without time for other interviews. On his p were the scripts for "A Time to Kill" and "The Juror," though the tter, which started filming iember 1995, had a less demanding script pared to "A Time to Kill."

  Billy kept reading through the lines, analyzing each part of his presentation. The flight to New York was swift, and the weather was sunny, typical for early July. He slipped through the batrao avoid photographers, quickly got into a van, and tinued his journey.

  Driving through side streets, they reached the main roads, with cars honking and people bustling about. Soon, they arrived at the Wall Street buildings. Billy got out quickly, reized by many, and headed to Ronald Perelman’s iment firm.

  Ronald was uypical professionals; his iy and impulsiveness were evident. Billy took a deep breath, adjusted his suit, and headed up to the 34th floor, where he could see the Twin Towers. The sight gave him a shiver, foreshadowing the events of 2001.

  -You go in, Mr. Carson. Ronald is expeg you in his office, - the secretary said with a smile.

  -Thank you. -

  Billy walked into the office. Ronald stretched his arms over his head, revealing his bald head and a thick tie with white dots over a navy blue shirt. He smiled aured for Billy to sit.

  They shook hands, mutual respect evident. Billy was now a heavyweight in the industry. Known initially as an artist, he sold Hotmail and became an honorary advisor to Microsoft. The day, a pany was formed: 60% Billy, and 40% Microsoft. His video game pany was now a major pyer with ties to many firms.

  -Great to see you, Ronald, - Billy said.

  -Likewise, it’s a pleasure to see the Ameri Dream of ics, - Ronald replied, a niame from the New York Times for Billy’s tributions to ics.

  -Well... 'The Ameri Dream' is a bit strong. I prefer to be known as a businessman in this enviro, - Billy responded.

  -Ah, Julia, just in time! Would you like something to dri? Perhaps a drink? - Ronald offered.

  -A gss of water would be fine, - Billy replied, needing to stay sharp.

  -So, you’re here to i in my fund. Let me tell you, we are one of the most profitable funds in the market. Iing in us is a wise choice, - Ronald said.

  Billy sighed internally. The Medallion Fund from Renaissaeologies, the primary iment firm, was thhly vetted by Raimon and known for its unique and successful strategies. Billy had ied 13 million based on these reendations.

  -Iment... I'd like to discuss that calmly. I believe alternative energy sources will grow in the ing years, positioning some panies as market leaders. But no, I came to greet you. We have a mutual pany and a tentative offer, - Billy said.

  -Oh, what do you have in mind? - Ronald asked. It was the first offer from Billy, though Ronald suspected he was allotting something with Marvel’s animators.

  -I see you’re having trouble with stamps and lising issues. I’d like to buy those pahat only cause you headaches so you foarvel. We i in improving animation and dubbing, - Billy proposed.

  -You want to buy the stamp panies? - Ronald Perelman asked in surprise.

  -That's exactly what I want. Give me the two pa a good price, and I'll help you with Marvel's animation at a minimal cost. My maery is extensive and effit. roduce movies at reasonable prices and gee effective marketing campaigns, - Billy proposed, his idea taking shape as Ronald started to sider it.

  Billy's proposal wasn't excessive. With Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon cards set to unch, he needed both his pany and the stamp pahis would allow for increased produarvel currently had Panini, SkyBox Iional, and Panini as major allies for the ing months. Including cards for each series ossibility, but using the best-known cards first was crucial. By f partnerships with the NBA or panies like Adidas or hey could offset losses while managing the situation.

  -Initially, I thought the purchase was for Marvel, leading to a fierce battle where you'd make an offer to take Marvel off my hands. But you've surprised me by targeting something I see as worthless but valuable to you. You've delved into the card business enough to have more experience, - Ronald Perelman said. He always viewed his ventures as paramount, and each word from Ronald carried weight.

  -You always interpret my moves well. I see opportunity in dee, just as you see opportunity in the influx of moo stabilize Marvel. Our business succeed because of this uanding. You have many eyes on you, and Avi Arad is the silent pilr of your pany, - Billy replied with a ciliatory smile.

  -Let's not dwell on that. Everything is in pce. So, you want SkyBox Iional and Panini? - Ronald murmured, hiding his iions behind a calm fa?ade. Knowing the panies' state, the card business lost 5 million st month and tile. A sale 't be priced too high since Marvel spent 150 million for SkyBox, which merged with Fleer. Billy hoped to buy both panies for 80 million, knowing that stabilizing the panies would oney. With produ iments, they had pns to print cards for the four months, and Lux Animation's series lentiful.

  Billy handed over a tract with his purchase offer. 70 million for SkyBox, as sidered by Steve Parks, and 50 million for Panini.

  -We discuss the offer ter. Take your time to think it over and give me your respoer. Let's not rush, - Billy said, steering the versation toward other topics, pnning what to do ohe proposal was formally presented.

  ...