The Golden Globes were set to begin iernoon and tio the night, with the after-party and public retios allowing actors and producers three to four days to work and celebrate.

  -You o film in the few days,- Billy said to Monica.

  -Not much, just some invited members for rehearsals. They've given us a two-day break before starting again on Tuesday,- Monica replied.

  Billy smiled, cupped her face, and gave her a slow, indulgent kiss—a kiss he reserved for moments of intense pleasure in bed, where his partner was eager and affeate. Monica responded with all the love she could muster, feeling happy, cheerful, and ready to give more affe than necessary. For her, being carried away by love was never a problem.

  Billy's tongue explored awined with hers in an intetle.

  -Let's go on a trip... This time of year, travel to Hawaii isn't very busy. We use the general suite I have reserved for us, with an o view. Just you ahree days on Hawaii's beaches, enjoying the breeze and the lovely weather,- Billy suggested abruptly.

  -When?!- Monica questioned, surprised by the sudden proposal; Billy was not known for spontaneous trips.

  -Yes, I have time, and you do too. I don't know when this will happen again, but in the few days I'll be busy with unches, series viewings, and other matters that aren't worth discussing,- Billy expined, diving into another passionate kiss with the eager Italian.

  -Let's go. They will uand my dey... a very loving boyfriend,- Monica said.

  They took the flight with only a few bags and clothes for the trip. In a bold move, Monica suggested they sleep o avoid getting their clothes dirty. She said it so sensually and with suterest that Billy could see the desire in her eyes. He enjoyed how she could so easily captivate his passions.

  Meanwhile, at the mansion, the housekeeper and a gardener—both elderly women—teo the pnts, food, and ing, preparing everything for the owners' return. The winter warmth had faded for the season, but January 1996 was unusually mild, with a cloudy sun making it the perfect weather for those sensitive to temperature.

  ...

  Even orip, Monica's boldness was evident. She drank a bottle of wine on the first-css flight, and their shared seats were enough for them to exge small, affeate kisses.

  -It's my first time in Hawaii, - Monica said.

  -You'll love it, - Billy respoaking her hand. - We have mainations to explore—a promise to tour all of Italy, ao visit France. Any other pces you'd like to add? -

  -I don’t have mainations in mind. Money be great, but the sequences are the same. We could visit Spain, maybe Pal... Germany and Switzernd, some pces in the U.S., and of course, I've always wao see all of Greece, - she replied, sounding somewhat wistful.

  -Well, I think n a trip in March for four days—visit the Grand yon, take a trip to Las Vegas, and spend some time in Santa Monica. For July, a trip tal, away from the cameras, would be wonderful. Five days would be fantasti Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, Faro... We choose oo enjoy, - Billy suggested.

  -In winter, Greece would be a great pce. The summer heat is unbearable, - Monica added.

  ***

  Billy and Monica were enjoying a brief honeymoon, both immersed in their romantic pursuits. In New York, the atmosphere was different. A surprised and exhausted James igah aer Docter took the stage with the Pixar team. Only ten key animators climbed the podium, uo believe they had won their first award. Eveerans like John Lasseter had failed with the accimed Toy Story.

  -Go ahead, -Peter Docter told James.

  Before him stood some of the top actors of the moment, including the handsome and accimed Mel Gibson, who was his younger sister's love i, dressed in a gray suit with slicked-back hair. He was nervous.

  -I don’t have words to express it! We didn't expect to win this award; I’m surprised, especially given the fantastic films we were up against... but here we are. I think the best I dht now is to tell you how I ended up w at Pixar and why I believe people should go to the theaters to see Ice Age. What more I say? I'm at a loss for words! -

  Laughter followed. James was sincere, his elegant attire making him look endearing, like a young graduate.

  -In two years, I've heard the most amazing speech a jobless animator could hear... a work tract with bes and vacations in Hawaii. -

  Mhter erupted, and eveer Docter mao smile.

  -Then, less importantly. Billy Carson, the owner of Pixar, mentioned he would make one 3D and animation film a year and hoped to produce two in the hree years, and three in the following years, - James tinued.

  This stirred i among the audiehree 3D animated films from Pixar, as opposed to the 2D ones from Lux Nation, were different. Anyone who uood the significe of these words would pay attention. The rating increased by 10% as the young and uain animator spoke.

  -I thought it was impossible, but st year there were two... this young man tinued saying that we are the porary story of animated ema and that we should do nothing but delight children, please teenagers, and captivate parents. Our audience is endless because we have all been children who once felt as our characters do: Halloween fright, Valentine's love, Christmas magic... Some stories o be told, stories that should be celebrated, quered, and shared with the world. - He paused to take a breath.

  --Ice Age is: learning to tell simple stories with the significe of a great Western film, an unfettable thriller. Pixar is the future of animation. I’m very happy to be here and have my wnized. --

  Appuse! Not as loud as expected... Three animated films in three years. Disney was on notice.

  The day’s headlines were revealing: "Pixar, 3 Animated Films in a Year," "While the Lamp Pys, the Mouse Sleeps," "Success or Failure," "10 Years: The Best Animated pany in the World," "Challenge or Decration." Ily, James captivated the audience.

  ***

  -This expins why... Michael Eisner had his eye on the kid, - Jeffrey Katzenberg murmured during a routiing with his close friend Ron Howard.

  -If we take his words literally, it means the kid will release six animated films a year, - Ron Howard remarked. - What happens if he does it and breaks the box office? -

  Ron was referring to Ice Age’s box office, which reached 780 million, breaking the record for the highest-grossing animated film in history.

  -It’s the guilds, - Steven Spielberg replied.

  -Guilts? - they questioned.

  -Yes, Billy expihis cept to me with Harrison Ford, but this time, he simply made an analogy. If Pixar only delivers good movies, people will talk... and when people talk, you don’t o fight to please the audience. Creating fans, creating niches, and winning them over, children love the movies Pixar makes; they are just right, almost like Disney but with a more innovative twist due to their stories, - Steven expined.

  -Wow... do you think he live up to what he said? - Howard asked.

  Steven shrugged.

  ...