Helen Carson was getting old, and the fact that Richard, her lifelong husband, could no longer drive or do things for himself made her need for help overwhelming. Their grandson had hired a maid from a rge pany who did all the shopping, ing, and anizing. Surprisingly, their little grandson turned out to be the most successful member of the household, but the loneliness and longing to see Thomas and his family left her feeling somewhat strange.

  -Billy has released a new movie. - Richard Carson asked the woman apanying them.

  -He did; your son is quite famous now; he appeared in the neer. - Gran ented.

  Hahaha… Billy is a real ova; he’s had such beautiful women in his arms, but I’m surprised he hasn’t invited me to see the movie. It’s been a while since he called… he hasn’t left a message. - Richard said, now wearing pajamas as part of his daily attire at 85 years old; age was taking its toll on him.

  -No, sir, but we call him. - Gran replied.

  -I don’t want to bother him; the boy is so busy! - Richard said in a depressed tohe strength had left him, and he felt a sadness at not being indepe like before. The fatigue was evident in his life, and going for a walk was the most daring thing he did; he couldn’t even drive anymore.

  -e on, Mr. Carson. - Gran said.

  -You’re a coward, that’s what you are. - Helen interrupted, with her usual thinly veiled self-deprecation. - It’s annoying that you don’t call him. -

  Helen murmured, her accusataze only made Richard chuckle, his expression soft. His wife also missed Billy, even if she fervently de. She was more seal about family and likely missed Billy as much as he did; the most cherished grandson was often the most distant.

  -I think I’ll call him. - Gran suggested.

  -Don’t bother the boy; he’s a busy man… - Thomas Carson ented.

  Gran sent a text message to his direct supervisor, Anne Hall, who was in charge of all the expenses for Billy's grandparents.

  ***

  It’s surprising how the movie Sev7n began to gain popurity; this often be insistent, and it doesn’t always meet box office expectations. By early October, after two weeks, the official box office reached 48 million, and without a dee in scheduling, it was expected to reach the break-even point of 60 million nationally and could be distributed iionally for profit.

  The score offered by the media averages at least 7.9/10, marking it as one of the best films of 1995. Many people have been drawn to it, and the strong performances are starting to open up opportunities for roles.

  -We have an offer for a part. - Jim Waitt ented.

  -I don’t have time for that; we make movies year. I’ve had enough ag for one year, Jim. We’ve done film after film this year. What about sponsorships? Now that I have a bit more fame, I’d like to get some sponsorships, preferably with a luxury car brand like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Audi… I want to secure a tract with a car brand. - Billy stated.

  Jim Waitt sighed, but there was nothing more he could do.

  -I’ll send you the scripts, and of course, I’ll look for sponsorship from some car brands. We extend a tract for the year, for two years, and wait for your fame to flourish. - Jim Waitt ented.

  Billy nodded as he determined his job at Lux Animation, doing voice work. Normally, he was a voice actor, and this time he would be part of the dubbing for Lilo & Stitch, voig several characters, a routine he followed to make some extra money, as he sidered it a real success for the film and to adjust the payments.

  He carried two bottles of wine in his arms; Monica was quite fond of drinking, especially wine, ing it at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, at least a gss each time.

  After finishing his tour in Toronto, he wahe streets of New York, wearing a hat to shield his face, old clothes, and a scarf. People didn’t reize him. He spent the entire day searg for apartments, noting three buildings and four locations. He went up and tio the building where Monica was staying, borrowed from Winona, who was now in Atnta, starting to look for a year of rest.

  The average price for a two-bedroom apartment was around 700,000, while the rger units cost about 1 million. It wasn’t a low price, but Billy wao buy three apartments. His ine hovered around 3 million, and for that reason and others, he hoped to purchase some properties in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Business in London was growing increasingly signifit, as distribution passed through there. Additionally, some other deliveries to the capitals were special, but Lux Animation wao buy a rge plot of nd suffit to create the grand Harry Potter studio, a space rge enough to produce the films. Billy hoped to buy some tryside to recreate the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, establishing a stable

  enough set to recreate the castle in miniature. If that wasn’t possible, he would use Miami to his advantage.

  Somewhere he Midway River, close to Rochester or Chatan, he envisioned creating a grand castle, purchasing nd, using the castle as a general model, and ane ter to recreate the elements fI. However, recreating the basic elements was the crux of the matter, and if it could be done in a way...

  -e in. - Winona said from the door, surprising Billy.

  -I told Monica you’d e, but she didn’t check her messages or ahe phone. - Winona said with a reproachful tone.

  -Where is she? - he asked.

  -She has a runway show in Los Angeles… she was calling you all m, but you’re always busy with something else… but e in, you e in. - Winona replied.

  Billy entered; he had po return to San Jose, but he waited to see Monica. The issue with phones now was that they were very outdated, which was embarrassing. Staying informed roblem for someone in the 21st tury, years after the te. He called three times, but there was no answer. Winona was i, mixing ingredients, while Billy watched from the living room.

  -It smells delicious. - Billy ented.

  -I felt like making buttered potatoes and some chi. Luckily, I cooked for three people. - Winona smiled at him.

  Billy had no choice but to take off his pale blue jacket and check the kit, leaving the two bottles of wine on the ter.

  -Would you like some wine? - he asked.

  -I would love to… - she ughed. - It sounds a bit silly; I didn’t expect you to show up here, tempting bad luck. I came back to see Monica this m, but I found out she had already left. I’m thinking of taking a tour of Europe aing some fresh air from ag. - Winona ented.

  Billy remembered that Winona would ter face legal troubles, perhaps due to a shoplifting i. Her ag style was marred by a stroional struggle.

  -Why don’t you see a psychologist? - Billy suggested. Psychologists aren’t very well regarded.

  From the rge eyes watg him, accusatory eyes, only the crazy seek that kind of treatment. Sitting and talking to someone who listen to your problems is something that cks trust in Hollywood.

  -Don’t give me that look; it’s on for people under pressure to engage in activities that relieve their stress. It be anything from meditation, massages, or talks with a good therapist… actors have evident issues regarding privacy, but CEOs, wyers, and bankers suffer from different kinds of problems, such as ay, insomnia, and stress. Many times we fuse ourselves and make wrong decisions by not asking for help. - Billy said, p the wine, a bit more reflective thaended, with a hint of doubt. The two gsses filled with wine were ed in a moment; the wine was sweet, of the highest quality, and its fvor articurly exquisite.

  -It’s not easy. -

  -Expressiions is never easy. It’s a problem of mine; I tend to be quite closed off with my feelings. - Billy admitted.

  -Wash your hands; the food is almost ready. - the brue said, adjusting her gloves. Billy couldn’t help but notice her perky breasts without a bra, providing a view as she took the dishes out of the oven.

  ...