hollywood system: art

Many times, Monica went to the movies, at galas and events, as a child with her parents, as a young woman with her boyfriends, and later with her ex-husband. It was how she usually spent her time. The film The English Patient arrived in Italy on Thursday, as it did worldwide. It was a bold move by Billy, thought the woman with some surprise. It was rather astonishing—a two-hour love story hitting the mark, something she usually dismissed.

–Ohhhh, hohohoho… so this is Hollywood's new blockbuster, huh? – commented Roberto Benigni, who had come with his family and looked somewhat enthusiastic.

–I don't think it is. – murmured Monica. According to Billy's ideas, this was an independent film. Surprisingly, its budget was laughable compared to Star Wars, whose production exceeded 100 million. Yet, it faced no competition, grossing $780 million at the box office.

–We'll need a bucket for your tears, my love. It's one of the great summer films, with an excellent story, though not as magnificent as ours. – whispered Roberto to his wife, Nicoletta Braschi, one of the producers of Life is Beautiful, who smiled warmly at him, as she had since 1991.

–You're a complete fool. – commented Nicoletta. –We need popcorn for such a long movie. And some sweets too. Would you be so kind as to get them, dear? –

The man nodded and began to grumble playfully. He always made them laugh. Monica's cold and stony gaze was not enough to deter him, though it didn't feel unfamiliar to her. They were in the municipal cinema, one of the few remaining. Everything happened because Monica wanted to audition for a movie, and word got out through a supporting actor about the year's great film. One thing led to another, and eventually, half the production ended up there to enjoy the film.

–He likes the movie, but he fears it might unsettle him in time since it takes place here in Italy, and that bothers him. It always happens with these kinds of things—they tend to affect him. He'll love and hate the movie, for the principal reason he's a director. It's that pride she carries, the kind that usually drives him to excel, to push forward and improve. – commented Nicoletta.

–I understand. People who are inherently ambitious and proud don't stop with what they have—they always seek success, perfectionism, creating from scratch, the vision to execute their ideas, and the confidence to bet on them. The conviction to get others to back them often results in something extraordinary. – said the woman, her angular profile and high cheekbones giving her an ethereal beauty.

…

The movie was very good; the role he played suited him perfectly. A man of few words, often silent when necessary. Seeing him change, seeing that lively and passionate side, filled Monica with memories of a bed and some nights where pleasure faded like moonlight. But she was surprised by those scenes—how intense the filming must have been, how intense the heat of their union must have been, coupled with a violent detail of love, though tragedy plagued them. She rested her hands on the chair, a few rebellious tears escaping her eyes and running down her face. Surely, she was taken aback by all she had experienced—there, like a sea of hope. The movie ended as it should have, with no other ending expected. Emptiness enveloped the two fleeting, burned-out lovers.

Anne opened her eyes and saw Billy resting beside her. Last night's romp would have made all her relatives blush just hearing about the two bodies united in desire and solitude. It was raw and instinctual. Things were always kept reserved. She took a long shower. Hotel rooms weren't to her liking, not at the moment. She pulled herself together.

–You've got a flight. They're waiting for you at the studio. – said Anne, brushing her teeth. Billy, weary from the routine, stretched his body and tried to relax his back.

–The private jet leaves when I say so. I'll notify them to hurry with the arrangements. Do you have Lux Films' accounts? – asked Billy.

–Plenty of green. – replied Anne from the bathroom, aware of how satisfying that sounded. Covering the other two major productions, Donnie Brasco and Anaconda had put them in the red due to constant investments. The Star Wars funds hadn't yet fully arrived—only the payments from North America.

–Where did the money come from? – Billy asked.

–It turns out we have Raimon's luxury cards. He doubled production twice but managed to sell them in a deal I still don't understand. There are far more fans in the United States than elsewhere. He sold to all his friends—apparently, he's their fan director. – Anne replied.

–How good were the sales? George has been working on toy production since January. In the coming days, we have some licenses, but the established collector's brands haven't taken off yet. – Billy commented.

Taking a suit from the door, which Anne had brought, Billy took a long cold shower, trying to catch his breath as he prepared for the trip. One of the things he hated was long journeys. Frequent travel left a lingering headache in his mind.

Mechanically, he tried to get ready. Today, he didn't want a tie. He just wanted to take some aspirin and rest long and hard on the bed.

–You need to deliver the comics next week. You've got a delivery for Real and another for 300. We have the third volume, but the fourth is still missing. And next month, you'll need to have the fifth, sixth, and seventh. – she said while organizing his suit.

–My brain's fried. I'll try to stick to the schedule… I can't promise much, but in the next few days, I think I'll feel better. The story's already in my head, but no one else can draw really. Still, I'll make a good script and finish up to volume five. Gather the guys on set to help with the comics in the coming months. I need help, or I'll go crazy. – said Billy.

Organizing his suit, Anne applied some hand cream and simply nodded. They both left, excusing themselves, taking into account that in the coming days, she would be in charge during his absence—a frequent occurrence.

–I need to sort out matters with Microsoft Games. San Diego is a step away. You should do your best to organize things with those idiots. There's always a "but" and another "but." They're compliant but take their time. Give me some breathing room. – said Anne.

–I'll do it. Have a good weekend. Have them email me summaries of the problems. If they completely deny or contradict themselves, don't bother. – said Billy, thinking about the 60%. He'd inject money, there'd be a better investment course, align Microsoft Games with ID Software, and start carving out percentages until only they could fulfill it. Injecting money in the same way or leaving them with a reduced share. Using their tricks and filling gaps at every turn. For now, all he wanted was to improve every component, replace them with others, and of course, rebuild it to the point where it could be used by someone who didn't need much to make it great. After all, Macs were fantastic in their day.

–Well, one less problem. – commented Anne.

–Tell Raimon to handle minor issues in other states. He's done well with the investments. As a last resort, tell him I'll be the next Anakin Skywalker—Darth Vader if you will—and maybe I'll owe him a favor. – said Billy.

–You two are complete idiots! He has to do it—we pay him overtime! – shouted Anne, utterly furious.

–Just tell him. It's like giving gasoline to a little bike; it's like giving it rockets. – Billy replied, giving Anne a deep kiss. She was caught off guard as he tore her buttoned shirt and moved to hike up her skirt while lowering his pants.

–Just shut up for a second. – said Billy. –In this room, you can't talk about work. When we leave, you can't mention it in this room. –

–But... –

–Come on, darling. Be quiet. –

...