NOVEL NEXT Chapter 491: immediately.
June 26.
The offices of Lux Animation were impressive enough to make it clear that Billy's dominance was no joke. His wealth seemed to float in the air, resting on heavy, stable clouds as solid as the earth itself. Without a hint of doubt, Monica looked down, surveying everything he had built. Anne entered the office, and the two women locked eyes. Anne had always been shy about personal matters, but when she was in work mode, she exuded a strength that was almost unrecognizable.
-You're here, Anne, dear. How lovely to see you. - Monica crossed the room and planted a kiss on her lips, making Anne blush. She always felt more desired when she could move someone so deeply.
-It's nice to see you too… Where's Billy? We've got a meeting with Apple's board of directors, and I thought he was aware of it. -
-He's on the second floor, talking with some animators. Everyone's very excited, Anne. I didn't realize they were planning to release the second part of Toy Story 2. There's such a magical atmosphere everywhere—it just makes me think about the media, the fans, the enthusiasts who will watch the movie. It's fantastic what they create here. -
-Yes, but I feel like strangling him right now—always doing whatever he pleases when I need his support the most. - Anne tried to mask her nervousness with anger.
-Sweet are the tastes of your lips… - Monica murmured as she sat down, her skirt riding up almost to her thighs. -I think they can wait a little. This is Billy Carson we're talking about. He likes to be everywhere at once, breathing life into things with his ideas. If they came here, it's because they need something from him, and he can deliver. -
-Well, they came under my conditions… - Anne wanted to curse, rolling her eyes as she grabbed Billy's chair. She picked up the phone and called her secretary to inform her that the meeting would be delayed by five minutes and to send a cart of cookies to the board members. She'd join them shortly.
-I have to go for now. Let Billy know I'm heading to the board meeting. - Anne instructed before leaving, making sure security would send someone to fetch him.
...
Moments earlier, Billy was with the animators at Lux Nation—also known as Lux Toons—sorting through all the overlapping projects piling up. The first team had Mulan scheduled for November, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame slated for June 1997, though some maps had already been designed, suggesting the calendar might be pushed to May. Everything depended on the next few months with Mulan.
The second team, meanwhile, was working on Spirit, planned for February 1997, with additional animators borrowed from DreamWorks to meet deadlines. They aimed to release The Road to El Dorado by December 1997.
The third team was juggling Treasure Planet for December and The Magician's Nephew from the Narnia series, tentatively planned for 1997. Unlike The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, this project didn't have Billy's direct involvement yet. The anticipated release for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was set for 1998, with additional input from Pixar for the music and effects.
The fourth team was gearing up to release Osmosis Jones in April 1997, though the schedule might shift to accommodate another original movie, The Puzzle, set to debut in 1998. This family-friendly horror film, conceived by Jared Bowosky, followed a detective caught in a seemingly haunted case. Aimed at a +7 audience rating, the film was intended to fill the Halloween and Christmas slots. Despite being the smallest team, they had the full backing of a well-oiled system of writers, designers, animators, and coordinators.
-I think it's a fantastic story. - Billy commented, captivated by the caustic narrative. It reminded him of Treasure Planet but stood apart with its themes of interstellar travel and lost civilizations, embodying everything associated with space opera while staying confined to the solar system. It carried traces of Arthur C. Clarke, whose attention to detail always moved him, especially in mapping a journey to Jupiter's moons filled with philosophical musings.
-It's called Unworthy. It's the story of a man traveling through the solar system. As we narrate, we explore not just the fear of undertaking such a journey but also profound existential questions. It's an adult movie, but I believe as long as it's good, it will resonate. - said Glasco Frinech, a German animator who had been with Lux Animation for three months. His concepts were eccentric but endearing.
-We'll do it. Consider it greenlit. - Billy replied, knowing the story would likely find its perfect audience in the coming months. His vision was clear: draw the stardom with more vivid strokes, infuse the graphics and plans with the delicacy of a brush painting stunning colors.
-Brilliant. I've drafted some powerful layouts on how to execute the scenes and map out the color palette. Mixing whites and blacks with reds, blues, and yellows to create incandescent marvels. - Glasco was utterly immersed in his own vision.
Billy finished reviewing the scripts when he was informed the Apple executives had arrived.
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-I think it'll be a pleasure to see everything come together, one small step at a time. - Billy said, listening to Jobs.
-There's just one step left. We need to inject another $50 million. - Jobs remarked calmly.
-How much will you invest? - Billy asked.
-Well… -
-I'll do it, but you know the conditions. I can inject that sum, but I'll require a stake in return. - Billy stated firmly. -With $50 million, I can triple the return in a year, but I need assurances from you. -
It was a tough stance, but Billy knew Jobs was more rebellious, stronger, and more demanding than he appeared.
Anne was there, taking notes and observing the nuances of the conversation. Not long ago, she had mentioned the company had limited funds, minimal expenses, and ambiguous financial challenges that Billy often overlooked. To her, the way he managed to generate money was a mystery.
-We do this and that. - Billy remarked, aware that The English Patient was nearing $150 million at the box office. With Toy Story, all debts would be settled. At least he knew it was an extraordinary movie.
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