peting for the role of Bud White, in the special team of L.A. fidential, a film featuring Kim Basinger in her youthful prime, as radiant as marble statues in a museum, untouched by excessive Botox—she could truly be sidered a beauty. From her angur face to her siren-like gaze, she’s as seductive as the stars illuminating a dark sky.

  Billy and Jim walked through the doors of Warner, but not before stopping by the Regency Agents studio, an indepe film pany sponsored by Warner, with a ten-film deal nearing its end. A golden statue ency Agents had caught the eye of other panies like Fox, bia, and Universal… all were eager to join forces with this and another pany.

  Starring three detectives, Billy saw again that someone was already attached to the script—Kevin Spacey, who seemed to work tirelessly, art of the main trio. The film boasted a special luxury team. Politics was never absent in these promotional campaigns. The first issue arose with the budget, and the sed was that the script was well-received, attrag many young actors eager to be part of the movie. With a budget of 30 million, and with James well, Dano, and Kevin Spacey already on board, it was shaping up to be a stelr cast.

  -So, the fight for the two lead detective roles is, for now, the best opportunity, as long as you’re okay with the 2 million saries they’re ,- ented Jim Waiit.

  -Let’s do it, there’s no problem with that amount, as long as they pay on time,- Billy replied.

  The start of his voice was a delight that no one could uand; its strength y in the system, which was slowly growing. It o reach 40 points for his ag ability to be sidered acceptable by the standards of great actors. He didn’t have the same disposition for drawing, but over many years, it had bee a force to be reed with, even without the system.

  Billy Carson:

  Drawing: 37,8099

  Literature: 35,560

  Performance: 37,0500

  Points: 18,450

  -I’ll take care of that,- Jim ented, entering the small three-story studio.

  Reevaluation!

  The studio was empty, a pletely different and logical move. Only those favored for the role were called in—those who could perform the part. In that se, it is undeniable that these producers have a lot of skill.

  Arnon Mil and Curtis Hanson promoted the role of artistic dire, which focused on the beauty of the camera and the sets, which were special for this film.

  -I’ll wait for you outside,- said Jim Waiit, taking a seat in the froion area while fiddling with a loose thread on his wrist button, ready to fall off. The two people he least wao see arrived; they were part of Warner’s generous board—the frenemies of Billy Carson.

  With sunken eyes, deep circles, cssic frames, and a long triangur nose, Barry Meyer had a thin and unmistakable look tied to his Jewish roots. Beside him aul Grant Witt, head of studio eai and currently coordinating with the studio on matters regarding Cartoowork, the backdrop left by Terry Semel and Bob Daly.

  Paul was a man with a broad forehead and a crooked smile. People often criticized the smell of his breath, so he only used mints and cologo mask it. He had done everything to break, but…

  -Gentlemen.-

  The newers were greeted with the proper formalities—a firm handshake and their incessant questions about the project.

  -We have many vis that we discuss with Billy once he’s out of his interview,- Barry Meyer ented. He was the type who believed that is could outweigh flicts. He was willing to make some cessions if he found them logical and fulfilliain expectations. However, in practice, the Cartoowork partnership was a valuable asset that geed signifit revenue and couldn’t be overlooked. If they could introduce live-a series into their programming and plement them with animated shows, they could create a el that surpasses Luxtoons, which currently leads iended animated works.

  -You wait! I am his representative in name, but I have no voice when it es to these matters. However, I think this isn’t the right pce for this meeting. Shall we reveer? - Jim Waiit suggested. Billy ime to think.

  Barry didn’t respond to his words but took a seat with a broad smile. He ignored Jim’s advice, which Jim could uand, as he had just mentiohat he had no say in this matter.

  Paul could only watch with more detat as the tig of the clock grew intense, causing a certain uhis feeling wasn’t uo him; many novice actors ired to join films had their nerves heightened by the clock tig above their heads, ting down the minutes. In about twenty minutes and ten seds, Billy emerged from the room, his implicit character in the role already impressive to some whled to grasp his talent.

  They thought Billy’s qualitative leap was due to his experience over the past months. The films he had made were numerous—a myth, but with a hint of truth.

  -I believe we have a versation to catch up on, - Barry Meyer said to Billy as he stepped out, his face slightly sweaty, tie-less to better represent his role.

  Billy’s sigh raised many questions.

  ***

  Barry Meyer wasn’t going to reveal his iions easily, so he would use cordiality to gain a certain position within the pany. It wasn’t a direct atta the CEO, but rather, he sidered them incapable of keeping up with the market. They cked what was o run a film pany and had made serious mistakes, such as underiing iain areas while engaging in public battles with other pahis might be beneficial… but if done in excess, it’s a sin.

  His approach began with listing everything Billy had done well in the animation industry. Visuals are just as important as the script when it es to cartoons.

  -You should know that I have a slight flict with those close to the case due to their bad faith. But because of that, I’m not suing—I’m demanding the breach of tract. It has e a lot of money, as shown by the mere filing of the wsuit. As for why I sued Hanna-Barbera, you’re mistaken. I sued a small pany to avoid further problems for Warner and, sequently, for me. What stays in-house, stays in-house. If they minimize the risk, only a few might learn of my wsuit, - Billy ented.

  Lying btantly, he wanted all of Hanna-Barbera’s franchises. Destroying the petition was best; it wouldn’t be long before the bubble burst. When his sed strike hit Warner’s fledgling pany, he might steal some good series or maybe movies with future potential—perhaps even steal New Line.

  -Very direct, just as people say. Your style suits those like us who like to seize the day… So, you say the problem isn’t personal; it’s about the breach of tract, - Barry Meyer said, nodding. - You hold that up. Hanna-Barbera is an important part of the studio; we wouldn’t want to lose a signifit part of our small factory for children. That’s something Warner ot and will not allow. -

  -As long as they pay the money! - Billy replied.

  -We won’t lose the wsuit. -

  -Well, then there’s o ask me, - Billy said with a smile. This meeting had e to an end… He could never quite see what those old men were scheming, but whenever someone from the board approached him to talk, it ended in serious problems.

  ...