Billy took Kate to the cinema to watch Toy Story 2, a place they both felt they had to experience. It was an old theater with only two showings, at noon and 2 PM. They managed to catch the film, knowing they would need to wait for a few green screen scenes to wrap up later. For now, their afternoon was free.
-No one would believe that just wearing glasses would hide you,- Kate remarked, wearing a straw hat, while Billy settled for sunglasses and a cowboy hat. Both were dressed casually.
-They’ve seen us, but we’re not famous enough to make a fuss,- Billy replied, shaking his head as he carried two tubs of popcorn, sodas, and some chocolates.
-If it weren’t for that guard looking over at us every so often, we’d blend in completely. It’s almost like there’s a spotlight on us—we’re walking bait,- Kate said, glancing at Billy’s bodyguard. Little did she know, someone else in the theater was keeping a closer watch from the shadows.
-It’s just for safety. Let’s hurry before the movie starts," Billy said as they entered the theater, which was frequented mostly by families with kids.
-A little secret—I fell asleep watching the first one,- Kate whispered. Seeing Billy’s expression, she burst out laughing. -Haha, it’s not my fault! We had the DVD for my nephews, and I just couldn’t stay awake. But they said it was pretty good.-
-It’s ironic. Don’t doubt it,- Billy replied. -Movies are meant to be experienced in all their forms, and animation is part of that. Sure, it’s often seen as kid stuff, but we’re aiming for something bigger—something for everyone.-
Everything about the experience promised greatness. If it went well, Billy already envisioned making enough profit to fund another year of bold investments, a just reward when the stock sales came through.
-Boring,- Kate teased playfully, munching on popcorn and sipping her diet soda.
-I’ve been dieting for ages,- she admitted. "I hardly eat sweets—just salads and proteins. But sometimes I get anxious, and this feels like a treat. Six months on a diet, and here I am, sneaking caramel and salted popcorn from you.-
-No one has to know you broke your diet, - Billy said with a grin.
As the movie began and the credits rolled, Billy couldn’t help but puff out his chest with pride. The animation was outstanding in every scene, far surpassing the first film, though he could still see areas for improvement. In his mind, he was already thinking ahead to the fifth installment, envisioning new technologies to push boundaries even further.
-I need to talk to universities about fostering electrical engineering, computer systems, and robotics programs,- Billy thought, knowing that innovation had to align with academic progress. He reflected on his stake in NVIDIA, now holding 50% of its shares and collaborating with Apple on a unique processor project funded by significant investments—even down to microchips.
They were both deeply engrossed in the movie, and Kate couldn’t tear her eyes from the screen. For the first time, she truly understood that Billy Carson wasn’t just about books and comics; he was a cinematic force. Over the next two decades, his influence would shape entertainment across all mediums, taking film to unprecedented heights.
Although Billy’s name appeared only as the third credit, it was there, marking his ownership of something wholly his.
-That was an incredible movie,- Kate murmured, realizing it would likely dominate the headlines again.
-I liked it. There’s always room for improvement, though, - Billy replied, noting subtle additions like Zurg’s integration into Andy’s toys. The extra five minutes added depth, and the expanded runtime offered more to savor.
-I love how captivating it was,- Kate said, still immersed in the film. -Being a kid in this generation must be such a privilege, growing up with so many stories that open your eyes. A lot of them will fall in love with what you’re doing.-
-How was Billy’s new movie?- Cameron asked, knowing from reliable sources that Billy was a prodigy in storytelling, a gifted screenwriter, and a director.
-It was fabulous! We should plan for the whole crew to see it. It’s fantastic—a profound story about the passage of time, almost poetic,- Kate replied.
-I doubt we can pull that off... but we’ll figure something out,- Cameron responded, bundling up against the cold while Billy and Kate stayed in their casual, often damp attire, running around trying to keep warm between takes. Their filming days were far from glamorous.
-No problem, then. It’s fantastic, - Kate continued with a playful laugh. -The Oscars race for Best Picture... I’m afraid it might beat you,- she joked, teasingly poking fun at Cameron, whose big-eyed reaction sent her off to redo yesterday’s performance—acting entirely frozen.
-Alright, today’s another busy day! - Cameron announced, knowing that tonight and the early morning would likely be full of work.
Kate guessed correctly that these scenes would take a toll. Her persistent cough disrupted the shoot, and the makeup process was grueling. She felt utterly drained. Still, the movie pressed on, capturing Jack and Rose’s desperate escape from Titanic’s lower decks, running through a labyrinthine, perilous ship on the brink of collapse. They were just twenty days away from wrapping up filming at their current pace.