A big project can start with a simple idea, sothing intangible, just a fleeting comnt. In a way, that’s Pixar’s business—starting with an idea. Their strength lies in their software, but that idea eventually intertwined with Apple and the brilliant Steve Jobs. He witnessed how Toy Story 2 shattered the North Arican box office, pulling in $100 million in its first week, and by the third week, surpassing $250 million, dominating the July season with sheer force and leaving August completely in its shadow. Pixar had beco a heavyweight, one that Billy always avoided. Building a computer designed solely to enhance animation activities fell short of consur expectations for a machine that could revolutionize the market. Moreover, Pixar received funding... from none other than Billy Carson’s independent company.
-So, this is how things stand,- said Steve Jobs, sitting at a conference table with Microsoft’s COO, the head of ID Software, IBM, and Intel. Each of them brought their unique expertise to the table.
-It’s the most ambitious project I’ve ever seen, a leap that’s going to require extensive collaboration among dedicated institutions,- remarked Graham Adrel, systems engineer and Intel’s director of systems. They weren’t just selling computers; they were manufacturers, and holding a stake in a patent during its research phase would skyrocket the company’s prospects for decades.
For now, IBM would take a lead role in capitalizing on Caps, the previous program, and structuring the necessary components to optimize every system in a computer. Their research into semiconductors, RAM, and internal mory—supported by Apple—had already progressed rapidly, with contracts drafted within a single week. Steve Jobs managed to secure a $300 million credit line with the singular goal of realizing these ambitions. But the Pixar deal? That was a persistent headache for Billy, as it channeled substantial revenue to Pixar.
-As an animation company, our partnership is solely aid at ensuring our software performs at its best. We face nurous issues with processing loads, and even overheating has beco a significant concern. It has, in so ways, disrupted our work, particularly the consistency of function tracking,- said Ed Catmull, who, along with Randall, was one of the key figures steering the eting’s agenda.
Anne observed everything with calculating eyes, a mix of frustration and resentnt toward Billy, who had agreed to take on more debt after just clearing previous ones. It was another blow for their company, where the parent corporation managed and then transferred debts, relying on the success of two particularly profitable subsidiaries—Lux Animation and Lux Comics.
-I agree,- said Anne, the linchpin of support in Billy’s world. After all, Billy only trusted Anne with the company’s finances. Every dollar Pixar earned went to an account managed by the parent company, which then allocated funds based on a ticulously planned accounting strategy. Profits, losses—everything passed through Anne, Raymond, or Billy, sotis all three, whenever inconsistencies arose.
As everyone exhaled deeply, John Mayer, curious about the power wielded by the woman at the forefront, noted her apparent authority over the financial matters of the companies. It was clear he lacked so critical information.
-So, our achievents will proceed as agreed: we act as Apple’s contractors, retain patent rights after three years for our use, and take 5% as contractors, with a bonus based on gross sales percentage,- interjected John Mayer, his silver hair glinting under the room’s lights.
-That’s correct. We’ll formalize everything with our lawyers, - Anne responded. -I’ll draft the terms and include a performance clause. There’s no point in planning for the future if we miss deadlines. Many companies are moving competitively. The Japanese, French, British, German, Korean, and Norwegian markets are growing, and their innovations yield results. Think outside the box and focus on needs. For example, the German market aims to advance industrial and business technologies, demanding diverse services.-
-It’ll be in the contract, Anne. I’ll handle it,- Jobs replied, though his tone suggested a lingering feeling that it wouldn’t matter in the long run. He knew the caliber of the individuals in the room. Intel and IBM were giants capable of miracles—they just needed to seize the opportunities before them.
Anne was a ticulous administrator. While not an expert in computing, she attended every major business and tech fair. She never underestimated Intel’s leadership in the market and its groundbreaking developnts. Representing Lux, she wouldn’t hesitate to demand accountability, even from a president. That was why she was twice as firm.
-Either way, it will happen. You’ll et the objectives, earn significant profits, and our investnt will be returned—one way or another,- Anne concluded.
***
Billy was a little worn out. The constant flow of information left him with little ti to relax, and fine-tuning the details of his comics had beco an increasingly demanding task with little to no reward beyond the edits. Hiring soone else didn’t feel like an option.
-Sweetheart,- Monica called softly, kissing the back of his neck. -It’s so late. You’ve been at this all afternoon, and it’s your day off. I hope you take a break; you do so much, and it’s not healthy. You need so peace. Want to give you a massage? We could shower together.-
-You’re tempting,- Billy replied as she perched on his lap and kissed him. Their lips t in a playful battle of tongues.
-You’ve kept cooped up in a hotel for four days. There’s nothing on TV, and you haven’t touched in ages—so long. All this work, all these commitnts, but where’s the love? Love ! A lover is ant to love, every inch of our bodies made to be kissed, she teased, taking his cheeks in her hands and laughing lightly before kneeling in front of him.
A knock at the door shattered the intimate mont like a spell broken. Ti-shifted entirely in the following seconds. She cursed in Italian, though her eyes promised that this would be resolved later. Even in her oversized white pajama shirt and workout shorts, she looked stunningly beautiful, almost unreal in her elegance.
It was Kate, her cherubic cheeks flushed, her deanor prim and proper—the epito of English restraint.
-Sorry to interrupt, but I was bored—very bored—and, well, I brought wine, thinking it might cheer you up,- Kate said, revealing the bottle she’d hidden behind her back.
-Of course, co in. I just wrapped up my work not long ago. Though we were planning to head out,- Billy said.
-I’d like to join,- Kate chid in.
Monica chuckled warmly, fetched three glasses, and began pouring. Billy rarely drank wine, and when he did, it was usually for social occasions. It didn’t matter, though—Monica knew that once he was slightly tipsy, his touch would beco more insistent, sothing she secretly adored.
Kate downed her first glass of wine quickly, and Monica poured another. Kate chatted about the details of Billy’s novel while Monica retreated to a corner, preferring to read in Italian over English. There was sothing about the language that she savored. She often had to keep a dictionary at hand, though comics were easier to follow.
-I’m amazed by how you managed to create six complex characters and craft a story that builds from start to finish, full of remorse, subtle but powerful. It’s the kind of story that hints at characters burning under their weight, and then, bam! You create this romantic, tender atmosphere that fills with joy,- Kate said, already on her second glass of white wine and third of red.
-It was painful at tis to give the story that identity of tragedy and romance. Making everything seem fine only to end it with such regret… I ended up adding 100 more pages. But it was worth it,- Billy replied.
The book had grown to a staggering 180,000 words, eventually expanding to 300,000 during drafting. It was later trimd to 275,000 words after editing, resulting in a hefty 910-page volu—a true behemoth born from an intense focus.
-I loved the parts with Rose and Jack. They were so subtle and romantic, and when they talked about running away together with no money, it just exploded with emotion. That should be added to the scene—it’s so romantic!- Kate exclaid.
-You should suggest it to Caron. A scene like that only needs two people, but it’d be tricky after so many takes, - Billy said.
-When’s it coming out in Italian? I’m dying to read it now, more than anything else,- Monica interjected, eager to dive into Billy’s works, which lined the shelves in both English and Italian.
-I don’t know when the translation will be ready, but I’ll request it. We’ve sold reasonably well. It wouldn’t hurt to add Italian, French, Portuguese, and Spanish editions, at least,- Billy replied.
-anwhile, you should write more novels. You have a gift for it. Very few people can produce a novel in a month. It’s a lot of work and dedication. So writers spend years crafting their works, but you make it look effortless and brilliant,- Kate remarked.
By the end of the evening, Kate, now on her tenth glass of wine, was thoroughly chard by its effects. Her rosy cheeks gave her an even more enchanting air. She tried on so of Monica’s dresses, and Monica suggested a beautiful brown one with white accents, open at the back.
-Thanks for everything. I’ll rest a bit; I have work tomorrow,- Kate said with a laugh as she bid Monica goodbye, though Monica’s longing to love Billy still lingered.
-My love…-
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