Pixar was eager and buzzing with anticipation. Their test success with Ice Age hadn't fully settled in, and the rategy for creating publicity was underrodug short animated clips, each about a minute long, showg both previously released and uping films.

  With his fht aensive knowledge, Billy embarked oing some of the most famous shorts, featuring the squirrel from Ice Age, as well as characters from Toy Story and A Bug's Life. Each short included two summaries of random stories and was released on Lux Animation and Universal's els, as well as in emas before the maiure.

  -Hahaha... this is wonderful, - remarked John Lasseter, ing up the test Ice Age projects. The prospect of the inal team releasing the sed part of Toy Story excited the evolution of a new series. This represented a leap in animation, from translut objects, improved character movement, enhanced image quality, and expanded shots, such as deep shots, long shots, and general shots. Achieving this level of adva was something few panies could match, though the cost was substantial. Iing in software development was signifit, and updating Pixar Studios nned after releasing at least three films, especially in terms of shot quality and image improvements. This was sted for 2000, g with the schedule for Finding Nemo.

  -Surviving was tough, but this film is pure art. I bet it will be a bigger success than Toy Story. We will dethrohe Mouse House in a month and be ed the best in 3D animation globally. I believe after this film, many panies will want to buy our Pixar studio, - decred John Lasseter, admiring Ice Age. Uhe film developed by Blue Sky, the snow, human, and animal developments were top-notch.

  The 24 lises sold for a total of 8 million. This was undoubtedly a great opportunity to tinue improving the iment system and possibly acquire some panies or develop advas. The pn was to purchase a stake in Adobe year, especially since Adobe had acquired Photoshop in March after a fierce battle for the system.

  -Don't bother me, - muttered Ed Catmull, a bit fed up with John Lasseter's enthusiastic greed. Ed felt his hair turning white as clouds every time John came in raving about the project's brilliance. Bonuses were expected by the end of February, with everyohinking about the excellent box office performand the potential 400,000 in their pockets. The senior employees were particurly looking forward to their bonuses, a value set for the 20 lo-serving members who had always colborated with Pixar, driven by a shared dream and crete goal.

  The bonus and bes system had three tiers, iated so far by Randal McArthur and Billy, who feared ohing: unions.

  -Oh e on, I'm very happy. You 't deny that the new project gives everyone in the room goosebumps, - said John Lasseter.

  -I've got goosebumps, - replied Ed Catmull.

  They arrived early, with Randal McArthur also present alongside Gary LeGuisame, the new project leader reended by the team for his dedication and creative animation development. However, the stars of the show were still missing: Gee Lucas and Billy Carson.

  They were there to discuss a topic that would be the sensation of the decade: Pixar's first animated series. A true star of publication with at least 30 episodes and an astronomical budget yet to be calcuted, the risk was crucial. The aim was not only to improve Pixar's teical system to develop various spaces and materials, such as outer space, stars, and lightsabers but also to i heavily. The series would be taken from a drawer, set 10 years before The Phantom Menace, aiming to immerse fans in an unknown universe and build ownership over Star Wars, tered on the secret story of Sheev Palpatine and his path to the dark side.

  -John, sorry I'm te! - Billy ented as he saw everyone anxiously gathered around the table, cheg their watches. He wasn't te, just ten minutes early. It seemed everyone was so anxious about these nine projects.

  -Our dear Gee Lucas is still missing - Ray Alvy remarked.

  -I mao see the previews of the Ice Age shorts; they are magnifit... Is it too ambitious to ask for one more before December? - Billy inquired.

  -Maybe January. Right now, everyone is sed; many people have focused their energy on this project, while others are bang on a knife's edge, adapting the sed part of Toy Story. I foresee a lot of work in the ing months. Perhaps we make time for November 1996 at the earliest. For now, we should sider hiring more people who are eager to join us and up the schedule - John Lasseter responded.

  -Done. How many do we need? I i 10 million now and another 10 million in February - Billy stated.

  This left everyo the table once again amazed.

  The eyes turo Randal, who was responsible for these administrative tasks.

  -I'll review the ats and adjust the interviews. I have several applications for the software and video game teams. This will free up spaore projects - Randal said.

  -Mr. Lucas is at reception - the secretary informed Randal from the offitrance.

  ***

  Apple was on the brink of colpse. Billy mao refihe Mac teology gift for Asian models, but the CEO's insistence led to an early dismissal by Billy. A positive aspect was that Motoro teologies wouldn't have the entire operating system, just small parts. A ive point was the CEO's hasty call to the media, whily served to further damage Apple. The 35% was insuffit for Billy to achieve the necessary adva power.

  The Vanguard Group, supp Michael Splinter, was somewhat furious. Among the main issues was that market expansion sought to leverage advantages in the ese market, which was outside Apple's purview.

  -It's uable that I was fired over this. The future lies in the ese markets, and the lising fees we gain could make for a timely iment - Michael Splinter remarked.

  -You have 35% of the shares; at least 198 million is o acquire your position - Howard, a member of Vanguard Group, ented. Moreover, Billy had already taken the pany's fate to the board after numerous media outlets began c various panies regarding lises, including piracy, mass produ, and low packaging prices for petitors. Michael's market was trivial, but Michael was wealthy, having made his fortu Apple. The pressure was evident.

  -They're istic. That kid was doing a perfey pn was clear. We were about to create something fantastic - Michael Splinter sighed, holding a gss.

  -Now you o worry about other matters - Howard replied.

  -Like what news?

  It's not the news, but your position caused a drop in the shares. The group is displeased and wants you to retract. By the way, you allowed Billy Carson to expand his already closed share group by 6%. It creates a problem because, since 1994, his position suggests he wants Apple for himself - Howard ented.

  Michael took a deep breath.

  -I'll make the retra! How possible is that? - Howard asked.

  -I have no idea, but several groups are selling their positions, and Billy Carson is buying. We had an idea with Apple, but it seems like old news. Even group members are sidering selling; perhaps Intel, Nokia, or Motoro will be - Howard said, creating a plete mess.

  The ignorance was evident. Steve Jobs held 4%, along with BckRock supp Jobs' return, believing that despite Jobs' promised ma, it was lucrative. This meant Billy held 66%, and with an additional 5%, he would have 70% of the shares o decre the pany private. From various perspectives, it wasn’t ideal but was meant to preempt the pany's dee in value.

  ...