At Apple's annual board meeting, the dire state of the company was evident, placing Billy at the forefront with an estimated 17% share of Apple, making him the most significant shareholder. The discontent among the board members was palpable, with the COO and other members having held their positions for five years amid increasing chaos.
-We must acknowledge that the company is in a dreadful state and will likely go bankrupt within two years. Tell me, Mr. Director, what measures have you proposed to resolve these issues? I see nothing but incompetence, - Billy stated, rereading the ethical spaces.
-Ah, Mr. Carson, it's not incompetence, - Michael Splinter responded. "We're simply following the market flow, adapting to it, but the company's problems are exacerbated by fierce competition."
-You're completely wrong... You're not following the market trends. For the first time, I question your capabilities. The alliance with Motorola and the production of McIntosh show a complete disregard for the company's vision. This grave error will continue to erode our market share. If we keep making these mistakes, the company won't survive, - Billy retorted.
The board members fell silent, stunned by Billy's directness. His financial backing gave him significant influence. Many of these errors were well-known to Billy, who, with Raimon's help, had conducted a thorough analysis of Apple. They aimed to acquire more shares and make a substantial investment to resolve the company's cash flow issues, focusing on digital support.
The future lies in quality over quantity.
-Well, do you have a suggestion then, Mr. Carson? Given your fervent desire to contradict the CEO, you must have some magic formula, - Gary Stranden, an executive who had been with the company for five years, commented.
-It's obvious. By allowing other companies to copy our models, they sell them cheaper. As our CEO lets these companies carry our models and sell them at rock-bottom prices, what's the use of having a superior model if it's copied and performs the same function? If it were about quality, we'd still be in the market, but new companies have emerged, ruining our position. The so-called future of this company is in the hands of incompetents, - Billy responded sharply.
His investment in Apple exceeded $27 million. Given the plummeting stock prices, he planned to buy at least another $10 million worth of shares to solidify his position, mitigating the risk of a more significant crash.
His words were cutting.
-Can you prove it? All I see is an angry child with no vision, - Gary Stranden, who owned 11% of the company's shares, replied.
-Let time prove me right. It's easy to talk like a plague. A plague that will likely beg for another stupid action days later. Mr. Stranden, I invite you to walk the halls of Stanford and take some business courses. My suggestion is clear: limit the copying of our devices, continue developing Apple software and its components, take note of Microsoft, which is creating new services, and keep updating our equipment. We have 45 devices; reducing them by at least 10 would be beneficial, - Billy stated.
-I dislike your approach, - Tim Plizt, another board member and a well-known food magnate, whispered.
Michael Splinter was completely taken aback by Billy's fierce demonstration. According to his experience, these shareholders were the toughest to handle, those who expressed their displeasure imprudently. As it was the first meeting for many, they had different ideas, but Billy focused on highlighting the inefficacy of the company's business line and the lack of development and innovation.
The board meeting ended, but Billy's purpose was clear. He would buy more shares, and when the time came, he would take control of Apple at a bargain price due to its bankrupt state. If he could secure more than 60% of the shares, he could privatize the company and implement his ideas and rapid changes.
Shortly after the board meeting concluded, everything was set for the Independence Day filming, which began in August 1995. Billy took advantage of this time to start The English Patient, planning to begin filming in early June after organizing the shooting schedule.
"System," Billy whispered with some anxiety, as recent successes were beginning to accumulate. Movies, comics, and video games were adding up, and now the interpretation units were in the thousands.
Interpretation: 35,500
Drawing Store Purchases:
Samurai Jack: 15 points
Hellboy: 22 points (1993)
Slam Dunk: 30 points (1990)
Yu Yu Hakusho: 40 points (1992)
Dexter's Laboratory: 21 points (1994)
Pinky and the Brain: 15 points (1992)
Animaniacs: 15 points (1992)
Johnny Bravo: 15 points (1994)
Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X): 25 points (1994)
Evangelion: 20 points (1994)
Doom: 15 points (1993)
The Lion King: 30 points (1991)
Hercules: 15 points (1997)
Shaman King: 20 points (1997)
The Iron Giant: 15 points (published)
Power Rangers: 20 points
Trigun: 15 points (1995)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: 15 points (1996)
Wolfenstein 3D: 15 points (1993)
Toy Story: 25 points (1995)
Recess: 10 points (1995)
Game of Thrones: 30 points (1996)
Ice Age: 25 points (1997)
Serial Experiments Lain: 15 points (1998)
The Walking Dead: 20 points (1995)
Billy and Mandy: 20 points
Hey Arnold: 20 points
Whatever Happened to... Robot Jones?: 10 points
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: 10 points
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: 8 points
Tomb Raider: 25 points
Crash Bandicoot: 25 points
Cowboy Bebop: 25 points
Fate Series: 40 points
Jeanne d'Arc: 10 points
Resident Evil: 45 points
Before Trilogy: 14 points
Forza Horizon: 30 points
Ed, Edd n Eddy: 15 points
Baldur's Gate: 10 points
Bob the Builder: 10 points
Jay Jay the Jet Plane: 10 points
Thomas & Friends: 10 points
Taking a black Audi with tinted windows to his destination, Billy watched the increase in his points, a growth that was always satisfying to see.
In the car, he received a call from Jim Waitt.
-We have a second audition. You passed the first film for Independence Day (Martian Invasion), - said Jim Waitt.
That sounds good. Did you meet with the people in charge of The English Patient? - asked Billy.
-Yes, I requested an advance. Filming could start in June, maybe even May, but they’re still dealing with some issues. Responses will come in gradually, - said Jim Waitt.
-The most concerning news is from Warner. They’ve used their newspapers to run a smear campaign against your animated series, calling some of them satanic, - said Jim Waitt, with a worried tone.
-What did you say? - exclaimed Billy.
-Exactly what you heard. They’re claiming that some of your series promote satanism and that they encourage children to act in cruel and demonic ways, - said Jim Waitt.
Billy took a deep breath against Warner. These guys would never stop acting deceitfully.
-I’ll take key actions, - thought Billy, considering the entire situation. He didn't know which company was involved, but he wouldn't be merciful against the one behind these actions.
Shortly after, he reviewed some of the news articles labeling Lux Animation’s content as indecent. He saw how Warner used vague language and replicated it in at least five low-class newspapers. The attack could be managed, but legal and public relations expenses would be necessary to turn the negative image around.