Hollywood Art: System of sunnys
416. lucky break.

January 25.

-The glory of a man! Since January 25, tech stocks have surged at an unprecedented rate, igniting the American economy for various reasons. The market was alive, reminiscent of Constantinople over 1200 years ago. Wall Street was bustling, just in time for Ronald Perelman to carry out his usual activities, using his intelligence and business acumen to make the right move—but it turned out to be the wrong one for Marvel. This company is still on the rise. It wasn’t the only company, just the most defiant one, alongside a cosmetics firm, digital camera manufacturer, and an investment fund—reinvestment upon reinvestment.

In each of these companies, he stretched his money, and in some, like the digital camera company and Marvel, he sold his shares as public bonds to different banks, paying a special price, almost 20% extra. He then played with that money in the stock market, dabbling in currencies, but the stocks grew so much that everything resolved itself in a truly remarkable way.

-I didn’t think he would take that action, - remarked Stan Lee, still mulling over his thoughts, feeling a bit foolish. The young Billy Carson left him with a sense of doubt. Three out of three predictions: the comic book bubble, the poor development of the company, and that Ronald Perelman was never going to slow down. As Billy often said, Wall Street folks only get excited by the money in their hands and how much more they can make. When they see what looks like a sure bet, they jump at it, with no hesitation, often in ways so abstract it’s hard to foresee.

-It's typical, sir... but when the time comes, I'll buy all the shares. I’ll argue for a displacement in the board. For that and other reasons, I’ll make sure it becomes ours, - Billy replied, having already formed an idea. As a former Marvel employee, he knew a lot about both Marvel and DC Comics history, after all, he once worked as a colorist—a poorly paid job at just 500 euros.

-I'll get you all the data...-  said Stan Lee. For him, gathering such timely records that filled him with confidence was easy.

-Good, send me all the details, and be careful, especially with people trying to make a miracle catch—a catch that could be uncomfortable. But don’t worry. If there’s a contender, we just need to know who they are or who is interested. We only need the comics and animated licenses for now. We can negotiate those at a low cost or even free for the next five years. Films and series are hard to pull off at the moment, but I’m not closing any doors. It’s better to let the whirlwind drown out the time, and when the opportunity arises, that’s when a company will invest all the capital its pockets can hold, - Billy continued.

-Interesting idea about the future of the company. Will you keep your promises? - asked Stan Lee.

-Just as we wrote them on paper, I’ll sign. The comic book creators will receive a percentage of the profits, up to 12%, along with 1% of other royalties for veteran creators. The copyrights will belong to Marvel, as they always have,- Billy recalled, referencing what they had once signed. - I’ll also compensate all the authors who have worked with the company for years.-

Given that many authors felt neglected, this was a tactic Stan Lee had suggested. However, once the films hit theaters, they would face lawsuits worth millions. Better to spend a small amount now with future profits in mind, ensuring a sustainable lifestyle.

-I’ll do what’s necessary,- Stan Lee said.

Billy sighed, grappling with the dilemma of acquiring something entirely versus not receiving something in full—two very different things. But for the sake of the company, he would make sure that anyone with future claims would be dealt with, regardless of whether they were justified. The biggest mistake would be to think it would never happen.

- We have plenty of time to make things happen,- Billy remarked. - For now, let’s just focus on what’s done and what needs to be done. We need power. If the company is in my hands, that’s when we can perform better.-

-Very well, I believe that’s all for now, - responded Stan Lee, hanging up the phone. He glanced at his surroundings—a quiet street, cars lined up in front of the sidewalk, surrounded by a hint of grandeur from the towering corporate buildings. He was inside a small mattress shop, enveloped by rows of mattresses.

In the grand scheme of things, Stan felt completely outmatched. The fact that Billy had been right three times in a row was no longer a coincidence. Was he the Tony Stark of business, then? How ridiculous, yet the feeling of being outdone by something so small gnawed at him—a ridiculous notion he couldn’t shake from his mind.

Outmatched, and utterly blank, Stan confided in two old friends—friends who told him everything was too good to be true. But perhaps this was real, given the confidence Billy exuded. It was like searching blindly in a dark room full of bear traps—one wrong move, and the forest would hear your screams.

...

-Mr. Carson, you have a scene to shoot,- an assistant commented nearby.

Billy rose from the table. The scenes with Kim Basinger continued through various takes—two completed, with three more needed, followed by a major shootout. It was quite something, with a mix of emotional moments... fortunately, Billy didn’t feel particularly attracted to Kim, which made things easier. The scenes were unnecessary in his opinion, but they were part of the job, especially with his constant traveling.

***

INT. 1736 NOTTINGHAM (LYNN BRACKEN'S) – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Exhausted, Bud and Lynn lay in bed. She traces a finger along his bicep while he stares at the ceiling, deep in thought. These scenes are the toughest to shoot, often requiring the perfect lighting.

BUD: Who was that guy that was here earlier?

Lynn's finger stops at a small white scar on Bud's shoulder.

LYNN: Doesn't matter. All they want is Veronica Lake. You've got the real Lynn Margaret Bracken... (re: scar) Where did this come from?

BUD: When I was ten, my dad threw a bottle at my mom. I guess I got in the way.

LYNN: So, you saved her.

BUD: Yeah. But not for long.

Bud looks away. Lynn senses he doesn’t want to talk about it.

LYNN: Do you like being a cop, Bud?

BUD: I used to. What I do now is strong-arm stuff. A walking target... No, I don’t like it. If I could work Homicide like a real detective...

Lynn listens with empathy. Bud is opening up.

BUD: Something's wrong with the Nite Owl. That idiot Exley shot the wrong guys. But they made him a hero, and whoever killed my partner is still out there.

Frustrated, Bud taps his chest.

BUD: I know it in here. But I can't prove it. I'm no detective. I'm not smart enough. I'm just the guy they bring in to scare the other guy.

Bud looks away, ashamed of how much he's revealed. Lynn leans in and gently turns his face back toward her.

LYNN: You found Patchett. You found me. You're smart enough. Be a detective if that’s what you want.

BUD: Just like that, huh?

Lynn nods. Just like that.

-Cut,- the director called.

Comfortable and focused on a single matter, Billy waited in bed as they prepared for the next shot. Kim, still draped in a thin white sheet that barely concealed her body, observed silently as two other producers began discussing the scene.

-Do you have any idea why they’re arguing? -Billy asked, breaking the silence. The blonde’s eyes, expressive with a bit of makeup, gave her a completely different appearance from what he initially thought. Without it, her pale eyebrows blended into her skin, making her less intense.

-Maybe I didn’t look sexy enough, or we made some weird faces. This often happens with scenes like this—they like to make you repeat them with a bit of... curiosity,- Kim responded, still unsure, aware that the boom mic hovering above could hear everything.

-Hahaha, it would be impossible for you to make an ugly face. I think it’s my fault,- Billy said.

-Well, I have my bad moments sometimes. I tend to squint one eye and leave the other open. It’s completely annoying,- Kim replied with a hint of grace, though so elegantly that it was hard to tell if it was true.

-A man’s imperfection is not fully believing a woman when she says she’s feeling alone,- Billy said smoothly.

...

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