Steven Spielberg, along with his wife Kate Capshaw, spoke in hushed tones as they awaited Billy's arrival, which was eagerly anticipated despite everything already being discussed. Unlike businessmen, artists teo repeat themselves mee arrived ten minutes early, dressed in a suit more fitting for the occasion. It was now seven-fifty in the evening, and they waited.

  -Gee, always so punctual, - eeven.

  -I was reading one of the new ics downstairs, and noticed I had 20 minutes left, so I arrived two ho. By the way, all the shots today were magnifit, Steven. This produ will certainly be the biggest of the decade, - Gee remarked, aowledging that Star Wars: The Phantom Menabsp;might surpass even Jurassic Park at the box office.

  Steven, uanding what Gee was thinking, responded, "If it surpasses 1 billion, I'll take 5%. It was a tract we made with Billy. I hope it turns out to be rewarding."

  Gee remained silent. He would receive 10% of the box office, along with 20% from derivatives and 10% from ticket sales at the museum he po open. Billy had to i another 100 million for a major marketing campaig, Billy romoting the film through word of mouth, various fan mediums, his games, series, els, and, of course, under his name. Now in Italy, cameras were fixed on Billy.

  It was a tract that allowed Billy to extend the Star Wars lise for 20 years.

  And there was Monica Bellucci!

  A stunning woman, some would say, wearing a silver neckce with an emerald stohat plemented her makeup with green eyeshadow. She was in a full-body red dress, ging ture with green gloves, the hemline falling just below her knees, revealing her entire figure through the back, bare, waving at everyone. She stopped and turned quickly; Billy walked beside her, pg his palm on her back. The woman trembled for a moment, feeling the cold fingers on her lower back. She moved closer and smiled.

  The restaurant's patrons couldn't help but notice the striking woman.

  -You're magnifit, - Billy whispered to Monica as he led her to the producers' table as if it were a sign. She took her left side close to Kate Capshaw. Monica Bellucci smiled and greeted them in English, slightly fvored with her charming Italian at.

  -Gentlemen, - Billy said, Monica Bellucci a seat, which she graciously accepted. Kate couldn't help but think how heartbroken young Gwyh would be, though her ret dances on camera with Leonardo DiCaprio were a clear signal.

  -Ladies alemen, this is Monica, my panion. A pleasure to see you, Gee, Steven, - Billy introduced, taking his seat to Monica's right.

  Dinner proceeded quietly as people posed themselves. Menus had been ordered by Steven upon arrival to avoid interruptions during the versation. The new guest somehow lesseeven's i, seeher as a trick by Billy or just a youthful error.

  -I called my operations director; the promised iment was made, minus the 20% delivered a year ago, - Billy announced, now owning 35% of DreamWorks television and film produ.

  Steven nodded. - I suppose we're partners now, - he ented, setting that aside.

  -We are, - Billy affirmed, calmly tinuing the versation. Many other matters were discussed, but the diurned out to be calm and peaceful, with no further disturbahaails both Steven and Gee wished to have some time aloh Billy to tiheir discussions about the film produ on one hand and DreamWorks' development oher. Billy knew as long as Steven was involved, he wouldn't hesitate to i money, spent and spent without sideration, one of the problems why he ended up selling his pany after ten years of activity.

  When Monica took a moment to go to the bathroom, Kate pursued her, attag without mercy.

  -I suppose you've been making a lot of purchases tely—Panini, Discovery Kids, and the animated program. These iments have left you at a disadvantage, - Steven remarked.

  -Not at all. The sale of Hotmail attracted more capital than I spent. Now the important thing is that I have passive assets that tio gee money, plus the revenue from the movies I've produced. A secret that nobody knows: ics bring in more mohan many think, - Billy replied.

  -Now you own 35% of DreamWorks' produ arm, - Steven noted, - and 100% in video games. -

  -We're still w. We should use the money we have to make films. Any ideas? - Steven asked, seeking more than a response—an opinion, which he always valued in Billy's eyes.

  -I don't have any specifies. You follow your instincts as long as you watch the bottom lihere are great actors out there, but they e with hefty price tags. If you find talented young actors who are eager to work for a reasonable price, that would be beneficial for the business, - Billy suggested.

  -But... - Steven began, but Billy interrupted.

  -You're a great director. You don't always need big-ors. Some are solid and not as demanding in terms of sary. You find them from Australia, the theater se, or the UK. There are plenty who prove their worth without anding the same fees. Remember Tom Hanks? His sary was 20 million, sometimes with bad deals, as he famously iated for Jerry Maguire. While he's a great actor, others could do the same for 10 million in some of their roles, - Billy expined.

  -Yiving me a free rein, - Steven ented.

  -Yes, that's the dream. That's why DreamWorks was created—to do what you want without the industry's 'buts'. I support the notion. As long as we identify talent, we grow and attract good stories, - Billy cluded.

  ***

  At the hotel, Monica smoked a cigarette, calming herself. She smiled, recalling the words Winona had said about a man who could be the love of her life, someone who would give her the wings, freedom, and charm she needed. "If he's so good, why don't you take him?" Monica asked over the phohe answer was hesitant, perhaps the decision that opened her heart. Though timid, she loo be part of that pce.

  The response came swiftly, -Because I want him! But if I keep wanting him, I'll likely get my heart broken, and I'd rather someone like you have him than anyone else. -

  Watg Billy work, she was still surprised that he ignored her. She had been enough to drive any man crazy, using all her tricks, yet this man tio ignore her.

  He had called her a week ago, her a job as his model. She had to be part of the football poster image—a beautiful woman and football, the perfebination, Billy mentioned.

  He took her out to dinner, buying an Italian national team shirt, handbags, clothes—anything that caught her eye. She felt sidelined by Billy, intimidated. She mao get closer, and he responded but remained cold. Without much time, he grabbed her shoulders and massaged them.

  -Do you want to watch a movie? - Monica asked. - It's te; we should sleep. -

  -In ten minutes, darling, let me finish up here, - Billy replied, turning and giving Monica a chaste kiss—a tenderness she sidered uncharacteristic of the typically colder Ameri. It was the sed time he had been so affeate with her.

  -I'll be in the room, - Monica said, paying attention only to how Billy gnced away. versely, Billy saw in Monica a maturity few other women demonstrated, despite her being ten years older. She found herself different from all other women.

  -Perhaps I need older women, - Billy thought, finishing his final touches on the paper. With careful detail, the furious face of a gunslinger became the starting point.

  In her room, she decided to wear a rge pajama while applying cream to her face. Her nipples brushed against the silk, making her feel powerful.

  ....