169 playing pinochle.

April 24.

Anne hadn't slept well in days, struggling between the joint block of Raimon and Steve Parks. For Anne, the challenge lay in fulfilling her responsibilities, including the task of buying for her boss, Billy Carson, at Lucasfilm, or at least establishing a mutually supportive relationship between two parties willing to work as a consolidated group.

Now she had to face Raimon and Steve despite their refusals.

-Rachel, come on, follow me. We need to attend an official meeting for the next director of Lux Channel, - Anne said.

-Yes, ma'am, - replied Rachel, clumsily tidying up her desk before her boss.

-Where is Raimon? -- Anne asked with a hint of indignation. -- I thought I had banned him from playing video games until he resolved the issue with Lucasfilm. -

Walking to the game room, which wasn't particularly empty, she went up to the third floor, her high heels tapping, creating a silence that made everyone stop and continue with their tasks. After all, CEO Anne was the one holding the highest position in the company, becoming the ultimate authority.

-Where's Raimon? - she asked the animators who were going about their daily tasks.

-He hasn't come up here since yesterday, Miss Anne. I can see why you're asking for him, but he hasn't come to the third floor today, - said Craig McCraig.

Anne stopped to look for any sign of falsehood, but Craig's black eyes, like two black holes, and the thick black circles under his eyes only emphasized his already tired appearance.

-All right, everyone can continue with their work. Don't forget to fill out the annex Mr. Gorman left at the entrance for the collective holidays. You'll enjoy a trip to the Hawaiian islands with a paid hotel, paid travel, and fast-food bonuses like pizza boxes and T-Box Burgers. Those who don't fill out the form for August and submit the papers won't be able to go, so it's better to do it. There's no compensation for those who don't go, other than the vacation days, - Anne said, nodding as she saw everyone ready for her words.

Anne went downstairs and checked the second floor. She found him in a heated discussion with Steve Parks about something. She approached as closely as she could, but couldn't hear anything through the glass. When they noticed Anne approaching, both stopped their interesting conversation.

-What do you have to tell me? - Anne said from the open glass door.

-Uhhh... -Raimon tried to argue.

-What my colleague is trying to argue is that we need to revamp our strategies. Mr. Lucas is once again indecisive, and we plan to lure our beloved fish out of the sea. Although Raimon acted skillfully, it was a bit hasty not to leave our proposal at the reception, but it's a mistake of which he's now aware. So, in the coming days, we must target the strong points, - said Steve Parks.

-Get to the point, - Anne said.

Both held their ground despite the insistence.

-You see, Anne, I've already sent offers to the Paramount network for Stark Trek. If we're lucky, they'll spread the word and raise the offer based on an intrigued and tangled web of plans that television executives often conceive, - said Steve Parks.

-Did you send an offer? - Anne asked.

-Formally, yes. We sent an offer with all the benefits we proposed to Mr. George Lucas. After all, in the coming months, greed always prevails over people, above the love George Lucas has for his film series. This man is more eager for money; he wanted to take as much money as possible and reap all the benefits while growing his company, - said Steve Parks.

-Why do you know this? I thought the perspective was different. What changed? - Anne asked.

-The first time, in negotiation, the money was little, but the franchise's growth was substantial, from museums, films, series, and books. We proposed many things for the growth of his favorite series, but he closed the deal and offered us a strong license with a 15% share in the box office, museums, and marketing, as well as control and a salary set as the official producer, - said Steve Parks.

-Yes, he even dared to offer us Lucasfilm $100 million for a 10% stake in his company, plus an investment of no less than $300 million to make the films. Anne, this man was negotiating even when I called to confirm my non-attendance. He's very astute and loves money, - said Raimon.

-But Billy wants this series for his plans. What should we do? I know that if we want to make a purchase, we have to invest a lot of money. But according to the accounts, it's quite unnecessary to invest so much money, and it's better to strengthen our companies than fill the pockets of a man who doesn't appreciate our enterprises, - said Anne.

Thoughtful about what Billy would say about the failure to buy Lucasfilm, or at least obtain a license. The challenges involved in growing the company at an outstanding pace.

-Go for other franchises. Besides, I'll present my perspectives on George Lucas's business, and I'll add that it's better to embark on a new business venture that isn't Lucasfilm, which is impractical for our company's growth. The flies will come to the honey themselves. I believe that the appeal of our company lies in our talent, and Billy's talent is enough to overshadow, - said Steve Parks.

Anne walked to the middle of the room. Kevin looked up and focused on his tasks, observing Anne's furrowed brow as she contemplated, with a few stray rebellious hairs fluttering around her chubby cheeks.

-Do you have a clear plan? - Anne asked.

-As you can see, to pursue our interests, we can start by signing various writing authors. With Raimon, we've outlined a detailed plan to solidify our writing empire, leading to the acquisition of Tor Books, which is a done deal. We'll be signing new science fiction and fantasy writers. I've personally spoken to four authors, and two have accepted, - said Steve Parks, handing over a bibliographic profile resembling a resume.

The names of R.A. Salvatore and Tad Williams will be the first to join the United Writers Society. A society that financially supports writers, hiring them for benefits over their created works, providing favorable terms for book editing, and exclusive rights to Lux Animation for generating series and movies.

-As for the purchase of lands in the surrounding areas, I've already spoken to the real estate advisor to negotiate the purchase of lands in specific areas of San Jose, San Francisco, and Sacramento, - said Steve Parks.

The cheapest prices are in San Jose and Sacramento, unlike San Francisco, which, though more affordable, has experienced rapid growth, and its economic value has increased over the years. However, the plan is to buy several plots of land, with preferences for Oakland, Richmond, and Dale City.

-That would divert us from our main goal, which is to acquire Lucasfilm, - said Anne.

-We have time; for now, our growth is important. I have outlined some of the plans, but that can be considered as an appetizer to the final plans the company expects. Meanwhile, let's fish a little, - said Steve Parks calmly.

The animation battle has only just begun.

-I'll inform Billy of the plans. Only with his approval will we start this crusade of his, something he contemplates as distant, - said Anne, walking to her office, visibly upset by the change of plans. However, the fact that George Lucas's position is to demand more money as negotiations progress only shows his lack of interest.

The office was quiet, except for some movements in the industrial printers and some shouts from people on the first floor.

-Mr. Gorman, do you have the negotiation contracts we made with Tactical Studies Rules and Workshop Games, especially those regarding the hiring of paid writers? - Anne asked.

-Give me a second, - said Gorman, checking the toy store files, Workshop Games, and Tactical Studies Rules.

Anne bit her lip, a habit she had whenever something was on her mind.

-Are you okay, Anne? - Gorman asked.

-Yes, do you have the contracts? - Anne said.

Gorman handed over the contracts and some other information, knowing Anne's strict temperament, he overlooked it and began to review and organize all the deliveries made by Billy so far, while compiling reports on statistics and best-selling volumes, with additional insights.

...