-I have the initial approval, but I still don't have a concrete response from the producers. There's a lot of magnetism, - Billy commented in a restaurant, as they settled in for dinner. The place was elegant, offering ample privacy.
Small seafood appetizers were placed in front of the two men. Jim Waiit, true to his custom, had neatly trimmed black hair, wore a well-tailored suit, and had a tie fastened tightly around his neck. His prominent hairline framed his oval-shaped face.
-Your work in “Nixon” was appreciated, just like in “How to Make an American Quilt.” It’s fantastic how you take on these small but significant roles. If you can establish your other lead in “The English Patient” similarly, and if you can take on that movie “Independence Day,” we might get you on a sought-after list, and people will come to us with new roles,- Jim Waiit said.
-Well, we do have advantages,- Billy replied, savoring the seafood with each bite. The seafood was satisfying.
-Satisfactory advantages indeed. Recently, there was a commission to resolve the issue of Michael’s departure. The company is now divided, and everyone is fighting. CAA took a hard hit; some top members have moved to other agencies like William Morris,- Jim Waiit commented.
-I’d call for neutrality above all,- Billy said.
-I have some good suggestions, but nothing notable that aligns with my plans as they should,- Jim Waiit said as their main courses arrived.
They continued eating, and although their relationship was purely business, Billy could call him a business friend. Jim rarely smiled, but he was happy now. Cultivating an actor as an agent symbolizes a shadow of projection that stands and shares stories of failure or triumph with the actor.
-I’ve been thinking a lot about establishing an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature. How much can we promote that from CAA?- Billy asked.
Interrupting the evening, melodic songs played at 30-minute intervals, giving people enough time to adjust to their meals. The 30-minute song break provided a new rhythm…
-I can, but it’s not very effective. Although the representatives have power, it requires many favors, and the political figure with such power was Michael Ovitz. It takes a lot of political capital to make that happen. For now, you can play with the industries, but while you're fighting with Warner, it’s complicated. However, with time, new companies might help resolve everything,- Jim Waiit said.
-I feared you’d say that, but there’s no other way than to wait for people to question why there isn’t an award for Best Animated Feature,- Billy replied.
Raimon was reviewing the accounts while Star Trek played on a small screen beside him. He wore headphones because Rachel, who shared the office, couldn't tolerate noise during her work. The office was a sacred space.
The stock market was booming, and Raimon was making some calls. Soon, he would have to go to New York with his father. He had saved $10,000 to invest in stocks and decided to put it all into Apple, following Billy’s lead, his little goldmine. Raimon had also bought some shares in Microsoft and Oracle, seeing their strong potential.
He held 2,340,000 shares of Cisco Systems, each at $1.91, totaling $4.4 million. Oracle shares were at $2.73, and he bought $4.7 million worth, approximately $9.3 million in total. Sun Microsystems shares were $1.23, AOL shares were $4.43, with a purchase of $12 million, and Qualcomm at $2.66, totaling $3,023,349. Billy's dividend income was sky-high. Raimon thought Billy might manage a fund exceeding $200 million in stock purchases.
Accidentally, Raimon dropped his microphone, which started to buzz. Rachel's glare was enough to make him try to turn it off quickly, but in his haste, he banged his head against the desk.
-Damn it!- he muttered, rubbing his head.
-Raimon, turn that off,- Rachel commanded.
As he turned it off, Raimon whispered, -"Billy doesn't like neurotics."- Rachel's stern look made him flee to Anne Hall, the second in command at the company, who needed to be part of Billy's strategy of using a representative to transfer ownership to company heads, except for Apple.
Anne Hall noticed Raimon in his childish Lion King shirt. -At least he’s wearing company property,- she thought. Raimon’s presence suggested something important since he usually avoided her office.
-What do you need, Raimon? - Anne asked.
-Billy asked me to arrange a power of attorney for the company owners. He gave me power and representation, but he wants you involved too, - Raimon explained.
She agreed but questioned Billy's new maneuvers. It made no sense for him to take over the company’s statutes, naming Billy Carson as the shareholder. It was complete stupidity; there had to be something more.
-Did he say anything about this? - Anne asked.
-Not much, but I think he’s annoyed by wasting time and trusts these companies' growth, except for Apple, which he believes can be used for disproportionate growth. It’s valid but entertains certain mistakes. It’s mysterious. When he ordered me, he said it with that smug smile he uses when he knows something no one else does, - Raimon said.
-You have no idea, - Anne thought, recalling a meeting with Billy about the company’s future. His exact words on the company's vision, growth, and the idea of creating a special conglomerate. A way to navigate people's ideas and the belief in success—it was almost a trap.
-I don’t know why he’s asking for this now. There must be a reason,- Anne said. The small fund was in Billy’s name, with three representatives: Anne, Rachel, and Raimon. Raimon was the principal agent, using Billy’s private fund director authority for other businessmen.
Even the common name Lux wasn’t used; a similar name with slight differences was chosen, a generic name “Investments In, S.A.” It subtly changed the tone of the task.
-Come, let me review those documents, - Anne said, giving Raimon a seat.