November 7.

  Stephen Hillenburg was at the peak of his career, with the pany's support c all his tuition and lodging expenses. It was time to repay all that talent. Upon arrival, the animation that sparked the moment and the birth of one of the greatest cartoons on Ameri television—SpongeBob SquarePants—was set in motion.

  The initial storyboards were fantastic. Without missing a beat, Billy and Stephen worked together for aire day to shape the series. The cept was simple: create a show and give it wings. Multiple ideas flowed from every angle, and it was clear the story was destined for success. It would soon bee one of the main series for young children and those over seven.

  “SpongeBob, 35 points.”

  -I think you have the talent to do anything, - murmured Stephen Hillenburg. The two quickly settled on an idea, and Billy wrote the first script. However, he already had the notion of sitting down at a typewriter and, in one go, produg the first twenty episodes. It was that rapid pace that ehe series would thrive, with everything elevated to its highest expression.

  -In fact, I think the series will need a lot of work, but if we mao create a simple enviro, add some sedary characters, and take swift a, we’ll have a great show, - Billy ented.

  SpongeBob is one of the most important series on Ameri television, but for Stephen, it was ahat took shape when he decided to pursue a master’s degree in animation for a year and a half. The demand pced on the series was greater in this period, and the e between how to present a show and the future potential was critical.

  The ideas for the series stemmed from The Iidal Zone, a ic created by Hillenburg himself to teach his students about marine life, bined with Billy’s vision of creating an aquarium and a themed area.

  -I think that’s all for today, - said Billy, looking at the new work of SpongeBob, a series born in the halls of Lux Animation.

  ***

  The acquisitions of the 1990s were a whirlwind of financial maneuvers aimed at geing profit. Sinber 1995, operations have been approached from two perspectives. The first involves General Electrie of the leadiripahat has experienced signifit growth i years. With this view, General Electric began bidding for CBS.

  It was just a preliminary idea a few months ago, but the pany’s revenues were well above on risk, and its financial capacity allowed it to purchase CBS three times over while still maintaining active capital flow. The price of its shares soared, and Billy could only watch from the sidelines.

  But that wasn’t all. Via began bidding for Paramount Pictures in 1994. This media pany had seen tremendous growth i years, and its idea of acquiring a pany that could solidify its position as a media mogul was a key factor. Simultaneously with General Electric, Via also us bid. The purchase prices were around 3 billion, an initial amount that seemed absurd to the average person. Iingly, i-too-distant future, Via would acquire all of General Electric’s holdings, with its brands ranging from MTV, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, edy tral, VH1, CMT, Paramouwork, TV Land, Pop TV, and more.

  With an eye on all the market movements, positioning was crucial. These movements represented opportunities, and occasionally, new projects and business capacities were promoted. For example, Survivor, a series initiated by Billy—a reality show that has had a signifit impa audiences and tio grow in popurity—is part of CBS. They might decide to cel or termi, just like NBC did with Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

  -We're surrounded on all fronts, - ented Frank Biondi, CEO of Universal Studios. The corporate buyouts, the influx of massive capital, and buyers from various sectors of the eai world had created a certain unease. Now, even Disney is a shadow of its former self. Warner has merged with a media mogul, but it will no longer be what it once was. Meanwhile, Paramount has been acquired by Via, bia by the Sony giant, and MGM is in dee—its crisis id bare for all to see.

  Universal remains a prime target. Seagram is currently bidding for the pany, with the sale price at 5.7 billion. It's simply absurd how these panies raise capital and turn once-great firms into mere accessories. This might signal the end of major artistic works because these new owners excel at everything—except losing money.

  -We're going to be fired, - Lew Wasserman remarked, already pting his retirement. His knowledge was incredible, having worked sihe 1930s, making him one of the oldest and most powerful figures in the film industry.

  -Very likely, my friend, - Frank Biondi replied.

  -Perhaps I'll stay, - Lew responded, pting the idea. It was like when movies first introduced color or sound—a fual shift.

  -I believe the ing years will hold many surprises. I heard the kid bought the dotary el, aly, he's been seeing in small film produ panies, even now as a new producer, - Frank ented.

  -Ahhh, I no longer have the strength... If I were his age, maybe I would fight for Universal. -

  ***

  Two women in their 30s were locked in a silent battle while Billy tried to gauge the atmosphere. The dinner proceeded in near sileno one raised their eyes to reveal what was happening. The table was covered with a white cloth, and the house, now adorned with pnts that Mónica watered whenever she could, curtains, and paintings, felt more like a home.

  -Dear, we should travel to Italy with Anne. She could rex there, - Mónica suggested.

  Anne blushed but waited for Billy to respond, thinking, - How imperti! -

  They shifted unfortably in their seats.

  -It doesn’t matter! If Anne wants to e, she e, - Billy ented, notig Anne's flushed face. Siheir arrival, both women had been p themselves wine so frequently that their faces were flushed, and Anne even seemed dizzy. The pitiful look she gave, her rge, watery eyes as if she were about to cry, and her bored breathing were all too telling.

  Mónica gave the entire se a deep, peing look and finally realized that Anne Hall was deeply infatuated with Billy. She uood it all—the desire, the iy, the panionship. If she looked back… it made sehey had been together for a long time, and although there was a certain taboo in their retionship, it avoided any physical ta unspoken, dark pleasure.

  -Ahhh, such deep love, - Mónica murmured to herself, her words unheard by either of them. But Billy leaned in as if to ask her something.

  The dinner tinued in a slow rhythm. Aouched on various topics, from her family, work, and hobbies, while Mónica listened calmly, sipping her wine. Both women were dispying increasingly evident behavior.

  Music pyed, and they tialking. Billy went upstairs for a moment to ge into his pajamas and rex a bit. What he saw wheurned was the opposite of what he expected: both women were asleep on the sofa.

  -You drank too much wine, - Billy ented.

  He gently moved them to the rge bed while he settled on the sofa. Ten mier, he was greeted by Móniow in a robe.

  -Sleep with us, dear, - Mónica whispered.

  -Mónica—

  She simply kissed him, making it clear she wouldn’t ge her mind.

  ....