August 16th.
In a high-end restaurant, Steve Jobs adjusted his attire to fit the setting. Not a fan of ties, he wore jeans and a cotton shirt. Would they deny entry to a businessman? Probably not. Billy walked in with his typical suit, stretching his arms. The days as Jerry Maguire had ended with the recordings in Arizona, and now he only focused on managing his businesses and continuing to draw. The purchase of Panini and the ever-growing business balance were encouraging.
-Sorry for the delay; the eting with the video ga guild lasted longer than expected, - Billy said, shaking Steve Jobs' hand.
-I didn't wait long. Your call was tily; I decided to co early and relax. A glass of wine always helps clear the thoughts that accumulate after the office, - Jobs replied.
-That's true. For now, I keep my thoughts sober, but I hope to take a trip to so secluded island to find the peace and tranquility I need after all the workload. I've heard that Next has been developing high-quality software, - Billy comnted.
-It's a design for now. We have microprocessors and so... I call them SPARC. But nothing outstanding. Nothing is like the first ti, nothing is like what you wish to accomplish, - Jobs said.
-A true reason, - Billy comnted.
-I've read about the success of your movies as a producer, screenwriter, and animator. People hold your animation work in high regard. Your last movie was captivating, - Jobs ntioned.
-They haven't seen anything yet! The projects for December co in pairs, and next year we'll deliver at least three movies. Although, if we plan it out, my idea is to deliver five movies a year, - Billy said.
-A risky bet, - Jobs said, calculating the costs. If Billy made five movies a year, that ant at least 150 million dollars in expenses.
-Our movies have been particularly profitable. I believe that if the pace of releases and our technological advancents continue to increase, we can implent low-cost movies for so independent filmmakers to try at Pixar Europe, - Billy explained.
The idea was simple: they required good work, but above all, many people were willing to create true works of art. Art had to be conceptualized in movies. However, it was an idea for five years into the future.
-Is it profitable? - Jobs asked.
-It is, very profitable. Think about it... How many movies are released in a year? And of all those releases, how many make a profit? At least 40%. However, with the sales of products, peripherals, and licenses, you manage to cover all costs, as long as you have the machinery, which we are building. But, among that 40%, there is about 5% that manages to surpass and exceed the average. A good movie can help our inco, - Billy explained.
Like having a library in his head, using it to his advantage, and condensing several excellent movies.
-A particularly risky business, but I see that when you have the talent, it's easy. It's like ; at a certain point, I found a way to guide companies to a chosen result. What do you think is the biggest lesson I've learned in all my years? - Jobs ntioned, taking the wine he held in his glass with more than nostalgia. Sothing he hadn't seen the first ti in Jobs, now he observed with attention.
-What? I'm curious, - Billy comnted.
-If you want to hire wonderful people, you have to let them act as they wish. It doesn't matter. If you learn to communicate with people who want to excel, you must let them be free. When we have an idea, that's when people aim in the right direction," Jobs said, much calr and more peaceful. His posture relaxed, still a strong character, but his way of expressing it was so deep that it left Billy breathless with the depth of his words. He understood a little, but surely Jobs' thinking went hand in hand with certain behaviors that were not easy to learn.
-It sounds like sothing that took you ti to learn, - Billy comnted.
-Don't even ask. Now I understand a lot of what I failed at, - Jobs comnted.
-I also understand many things. At the ti, I made many rash decisions, and the mistakes ca in a way that I paid for, both in money, hours of sleep, relationships, and connections, - Billy comnted.
The waiter brought their dishes to the table, and both n proceeded to dine calmly, talking like old friends. In the background, Billy needed Jobs, as wonderful people can create wonderful scenarios. However, that wonder is overshadowed by the idea that Steve Jobs needs him, and Billy knows it's better to let others make an offer, question that offer, lower the price, and see what benefits he can reap. A crude way to look at things, but it’s how business works.
-I see we've run out of small talk. Let's get to what I need, - Jobs said.
Billy fell silent, looking directly at Jobs.
-In most matters, I find many words to say it, but I want Apple and Next to rge, for a price, of course, - Jobs said.
-What’s in it for ? - Billy replied.
-Ah, a familiar phrase in the business world. My idea is for you to acquire my company as the majority shareholder. If you inject capital, it’s ti for both of us to have a position. I understand Gil Alio isn’t very bright, giving away our hardware to Chinese companies. He’s made a ss to make quick money, and the company’s decline is starting to show. I have 5% in shares, and I have mbers who want to see Gil out. If we rge our companies, we’ll have the majority vote, - Jobs said carefully. - We’ll double the value, and you can put money on the table to acquire a 49% stake, no more, no less. -
-I want Apple to be a private company, - Billy said.
-What? That’s not possible! - Jobs exclaid.
-It is. I’ve already negotiated with the board. I can buy 19% of the company. With the 35% of shares in my hands, I can have 54% of the company by next week. Let’s put it this way, we’ll buy Next as an acquisition for $290 million. I’ll na you CEO, and give you a lucrative contract, but I want you to solve Apple’s problems. I have an idea; however, I plan to acquire so other companies and rge them with Apple, - Billy explained.
The turn of events left Steve surprised.
-You’ve outplayed again. How long have you known I’d try to rejoin Apple? - Jobs asked.
-Since the mont you sold Pixar. Not right then, but I’ve been waiting for a move for two years. We’ll settle the participation later, but I don’t want too many owners of the company, just you and , - Billy said.
-Let’s do it, - Steve Jobs agreed.
Why did he accept the offer? It wasn’t the price; it was being part of Apple. His only option was to agree with Billy Carson, knowing the money would multiply with Billy and him at the helm. Five years ago, he saw a kid. Now he sees a partner.
If Steve joined a year later, he would declare a forced acquisition, spending most of Apple’s budget, and they would end up covering with loans of $150 million or more.
Lux Animation’s finances were thriving. The profits from "The Iron Giant" and "A Bug's Life" were enough to buy Panini. Even now, Billy had surplus money and planned to buy Discovery Channel, create the Discovery Kids channel, stabilize Apple, buy Variety magazine, purchase sports teams, and take over Marvel.
He had a $300 million credit with Arican Bank, $300 million with City Bank, and a credit capacity of $1 billion. Two movies were invested, 100% in "The English Patient," and 50% in "Jerry Maguire," "Star Wars," and the upcoming releases of "Ice Age" and "Lilo & Stitch." He had bought $60 million in tech stocks, reducing percentages in AOL for obvious reasons.
...
User Comments
0 comments from readers