The heat was scorg, perhaps akin to the heat waves that strike Texas. Here, a hard tration made one want to lie in a hammod sleep all day, g only for rest.

  The positive side was the ck of press, and the location was rather remote—a curious course for a shoot. But his team of bodyguards was there. He had stopped being afraid since his three trusted men, rotated with three others, followed him day and night, speaking only when necessary for their job. Even born in a hion, he felt like he was boiling.

  I'm gd we could make it on time. - Billy eo his bodyguards, who responded in their usual silence, rec all his words behind the cameras. They even used ississippi, taking some old buildings, renting them out, and leaving the rest for the set's creation and hiriras. The time in court was a brief se, but the industrial park and Madison ty ter, along with the old courthouse grounds, would be used.

  The arrival in ton and the produ studios was quick. The budget was siderable, so they g to a good scale to reduce costs. From there, the price wouldn't vary much.

  His main ses were with Samuel L. Ja, who had a tight schedule and would be t the Uates to plete his work. Alongside him was Oliver Ptt, pying Harry Rex Vonner, a partner of Billy/Jack Brigance.

  Entering a tent serving as his preferred dressing room for this occasion, Billy had to py his cards right. Jake Brigance is a righteous wyer, a moral man, and a family father, always looking tired but well-dressed. The trial es him; his sary is minimal, and he works for the sense of justi his heart.

  The at was plex, and the minimal characteristics were the details that highlighted the performance. A well-pced red thread in his lines was all he needed for a satisfactory role.

  -Good afternoon, everyone. - ented Arnon Mil, along with the director. Both men were white, thin, and had hints of blonde hair, pleting their outfits with Sunday shirts, typical for office workers pying golf. Likewise, Billy took a seat while reading the already formed and solidated script.

  -We’ll have lunmemorate the start of the shoot... - ented Arnon Mil.

  Billy thought there would be recs, but perhaps it was already too te, and the night in towns tends to be more visual due to the ck of present lighting in such pces. As usual, it's on to pause at five iernoon.

  The buffet-style food, with many tables around, was set up in the yard where some movie events were supposed to occur. Two barbecues, along with e tainers of food, smelled of meat.

  -You're older than you look on s. - ented Donald Suthernd, a man with many years in the film industry, now pying the relut mentor of Jack Brigance, but often one of the grounding poles Jaeeded throughout his performances.

  -Mr. Donald, it's an honor to meet you. - Billy replied.

  -Enough of that, boy. Each of us is an actor fulfilling our parts of the deal. Our ses will be relevant. Luckily for me, I'll take a half-year break. I've worked hard... but now I'll dedicate myself to my family. - ented Donald.

  -It's good to rest. Life tends to slip away, and the years pass quickly. -

  -A curious statement for someone so young. You must have been w diligently. - ented Donald.

  -This is the fifth movie of the year, and I think my st. I’ll wait until year to take on other roles. - said Billy, ting the dubbing for The Iron Giant and not A Bug's Life, as his work in The Iron Giant was much deeper.

  -A very busy year, even for veterans in the industry. But enough of that, try the meat. It's seasoned with a particur touch. The meat is stretched over hooks and washed in hot air for two days, which gives it a unique fvor. - ented Donald.

  - I wasn't going to try the meat, but I do it. I'm following a diet, but some good pieeat would be fantastibsp;- said Billy.

  They both took a seat at the distant table, occupied by other members of the produ team. At least three photographers, two lighting teis, two assistants, and a coordinator were anize everythied to the produ.

  - I prefer ovies, but now the genre is almost extinct. Many produs foore eborate but less structured cepts - ented Donald.

  -We're in a good era now. Teology hasn't yet ihe ses and allows for things never seen before. But I think we stabilize that ception if we keep on this path - said Billy.

  He observed the director of the film. Behind him, John Grisham was talking to Samuel L. Ja, looking very happy about something. The words seemed trated, judging by John's serious look. Billy was ied in this person, as he would be a great addition to his publishing house Ma... Tor Books, and future series or movies. There were always loose ends that wao adapt books with such wide circution and impact as John's.

  - You guys beat us to it. You're quite anxious - ented Donald.

  - Ahhhhhh, we expected the work to keep you busy until tomorrow - said Samuel, smiling.

  -We need more funds - said David Filo. The finang made Yahoo's idea a reality, but now they wao start a great brand, expanding to various i services. eg people is Yahoo's ultimate principle.

  ***

  -Lux Animation offered us awo million dolrs to gee profitability, along with their process resources - said Jerry Yang, reviewing data-. They have 30% of the pany and will likely push for another 10 or 15%. It's better to seek finang further away that sacrifices less of our pany. It's time to go public! -

  Yahoo is a web portal that ects with Yahoo Search. It now includes My Yahoo, a page aiming to coordinate different services. But to Hotmail's surprise, they now want to break through with their email, news page, sports, financial resources, and advertising.

  - I think you're right, but if we get information about Hotmail from Billy, we ie our portal iime. Maybe with some finang and a good proposal, we won't have to give up another pertage - said David Filo, pnning ideas for it. They kheir closest petitor was Excite, another pany headed by Billy, who owns 40%. Excite went public at the end of 1994 and has since bee one of the most visited websites. Its popurity keeps growing.

  -Let's talk to the board. For now, let's have proposals in the air - said Yang, sidering how they could create the eventual business. They were losing momentum and feeling tired. W 18-hour days was exhausting them. Due to inexperience, both Billy and Yang had that fw; they worked more than they should.

  ...