Hollywood Art: System of sunnys
494. advent.

Billy was in his apartment, which still had the feel of a bachelor pad—except for the subtle touch of a woman that transformed its atmosphere into something entirely different. The only unchanged spaces were his side of the closet and his drawing studio, sparsely furnished with a single cactus that needed watering every two months. Billy’s curiosity often fixated on how personal touches could alter spaces so subtly yet significantly.

–Happy birthday. – Monica’s cheerful voice broke the silence, her smile widening as she succeeded in surprising Billy. Following her instincts, she had gathered Thomas Carson, Helen Carson, and Richard Carson—now in a wheelchair after moving to California to receive care from Billy’s family. His social circle was small, but the room was filled with warmth.

The guests held luggage in hand, while the room was adorned with simple black-and-white posters, helium balloons, a cake, and a meal—a thoughtful gesture that drew a rare, genuine smile from Billy, reserved for special occasions.

Richard was no longer the lively, energetic man he once was. Illness had slowed his speech to short, mumbled words, and now, still, in pajamas, he muttered unintelligibly about being tired. His once-vibrant youth had been drained by the passage of time, leaving one to wonder if he still remembered his golden days as a dashing young man. The years, ruthless as they are, erode everything they touch.

Monica smiled as she set the table, her golden earrings—a recent gift from Billy—catching the light. Her hair was tied back, exposing her graceful neck. She looked stunning, moving delicately yet confidently as she arranged everything.

–Your last movie was amazing. – Thomas Carson remarked, referring to The English Patient, though he also mentioned The Musician, an animated film that had won hearts with its unforgettable scenes.

–It was great, indeed. – Billy replied. –How’s the food franchise doing? –

–Now that people know you own it, there’s been a surge of interest—it’s free publicity. Your friend always orders some pizzas… and I think the Italian restaurant is about to open in New York. You’ve bought quite a few buildings there over the years. – Thomas added.

–I always forget about the food business. – Billy murmured. –I hope it continues to do well. Maybe it’s time to buy a dessert shop, one with a solid reputation. Food franchises have been very profitable lately. – He spoke in a low voice, recalling the 56% net profit growth he had read about two months earlier. Expanding into food courts, where people could linger, had proven to be a winning strategy.

Monica’s large, deer-like eyes met his, silently urging him to set aside business matters for once. But the gap between father and son remained a chasm that made meaningful conversations difficult for both.

–Thanks for the gifts from your siblings. – Thomas said, his tone hinting at the weight of supporting a family.

–It’s no trouble. Special occasions call for thoughtful gestures, even if they seem impersonal. I think Livy has put the money to good use. – Billy replied.

–She has. We moved to that area we always admired during road trips when you were little—a large house, half a million dollars, 400 square meters, with a pool and space for the whole family, which keeps growing. – Thomas explained.

–It must be wonderful to live there. – Billy commented. He had motivated Livy with the help of Raimon, striking good deals on two rental properties that now covered the mortgage payments—a manageable and worthwhile effort.

Monica’s cheeks flushed as she took a seat beside him, her movements shy. Helen, ever the strong and wise matriarch, had the composure of an ancient oak—steadfast yet capable of delivering sharp, honest words when necessary. She waited for a moment of privacy before speaking with heartfelt sincerity.

–Grandson, you’re a grown man now, but still a boy in some ways. You’ve learned much, but life still has lessons to teach you. You should visit the family your father has built more often. They never meant to push you away, but your proud nature—it’s something men carry, regardless of name or age. They hold so much in their hearts that it’s no wonder failure often leads them to places they should never go. –

…

Later, as the afternoon sun bathed them in warmth, Billy and Monica sat together, embraced. She ran her fingers through her long hair, left uncut for the recordings.

–Do you think it was beautiful? – Billy asked Monica, who smiled knowingly before pressing her body against his for a kiss. She knew how to be the perfect wife, always eager to make him happy.

–It was very thoughtful of you. Now, I just want to stay in this corner, letting the world spin while I avoid commitments I don’t wish to make. – Billy confessed, kissing Monica with tender sweetness.

–It’s no trouble. – Monica replied, keeping her thoughts to herself. Anne, a poor liar, was someone she chose to overlook. How idyllic it was to feel threatened by the games of love.

In the last five years, the world has entered an era of unprecedented technological change. Investment, research, and development in machines, the internet, processors, and user-friendly designs have brought everything to a new level.

–It’s impressive what the power of persuasion can achieve. – Steve Jobs commented, marveling at the results of recent efforts. Billy’s computer designs and research had brought a vision of the future within reach.

–Well, we’ve certainly learned from the mistakes of the first Macintosh prototypes. – Frank J. Carter, a software programmer, replied. Together with ID Software, Autodesk, Microsoft, and Intel, they had developed 32-bit microprocessors (which, in reality, were dual 48-bit devices with a secondary 16-bit chip for background tasks). Both Microsoft and Apple now had cutting-edge technology at their disposal.

–No, the real breakthrough is the introduction of USB ports. Acquiring the patents and enabling the use of 500MB memory devices—that’s what users will love the most. – Walter Scott chimed in.

–Long live technology. – Jobs said, still in disbelief. Apple was flourishing like a cherry blossom, buoyed by staff cuts, mergers, and strategic alliances. With his role as CTO and advisor, coupled with Lux Animation’s support and a solid 25% stake in the company, Jobs felt he was playing on a naturally advantageous field. Yet even his stake was dwarfed by Billy’s 62%, bolstered by shares in other ventures.

–We just need to improve every component, starting with RAM and machine memory. – Frank suggested, though he remained uncertain about the ambitious expansion plans.

–We’re already proposing investments and collaborating with universities to double memory capacity in the next three years. – Jobs explained, focusing on making everything sleeker and more user-friendly—thinner, more innovative for its time.

EDO (Extended Data Out) and SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) technologies were under intense scrutiny. Apple, having learned from the failure of Gil Amelio, was avoiding cloning strategies that had previously weakened its position. By calling in favors and making calculated moves, they steadily enhanced their technological offerings. All eyes were now on Micron Technology, Lexar Media, AMD, and Digital Equipment Corporation—key players in developing powerful processors.

Apple had become almost fanatical about finding new ways to improve existing technology, driven by the goal of creating computers with twice the performance.

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