hollywood system: art

Billy wore a blue apron with white stripes while preparing the grill. He placed bananas, and quartered potatoes with cheese and garlic, creating a calming scene as the women sipped lemonade, watching him work.

–He's been exercising more consistently than I thought he would at first,– Monica remarked, glancing at Billy's arms. It was no secret that he devoted at least four days a week to steady workouts, a habit he'd kept up for the past two years since he began considering acting more seriously. She admired his dedication to both his craft and their shared life.

–Stop making double entendres,– laughed the woman next to her, observing Billy as he prepared a Texan-style meal, though it seemed more rooted in his traditions. After a while, he dashed into the kitchen, tossing chunks of meat and spices into a pot to flavor the beans. Sausages and chicken sizzled on the grill—it was an impressive spread. The salad was chilling in the fridge, dressed with lime juice.

–Dinner's ready in a few minutes!– Billy called out, noticing that everything was almost done. The housekeeper was helping with some tasks, and Billy thanked her warmly for her assistance, organizing every detail with care.

–The potatoes are almost done,– the housekeeper informed, keeping an eye on the frying pan.

–I'm glad you were here to take care of the house today. You've been a huge help,– Billy said, grateful. While he was unfamiliar with many aspects of running the household, Rosa and Anne always seemed to have everything under control, ensuring that life ran smoothly.

The table was set on the first-floor balcony, near the terrace and right by the kitchen entrance. It was laden with beans, meat, diced chicken with tortillas, mayonnaise cubes, and sautéed vegetables. The centerpiece featured a packet of Lay's chips and a generous bowl of beans with guacamole, alongside toasted bread and Winona's salad. It was a hearty feast.

–Isn't it fantastic? Though it's common for him to cook meals like this in San Jose when he has the time,– Monica smiled, savoring the tender meat that filled her with delight. She dipped into the guacamole, loving how Billy always cooked with care. She treasured the intimacy of these moments—the attention, his affectionate kisses despite greasy hands, and the simple joy of sharing a meal.

–I love it when you cook like this,– Monica said, giving him a kiss, her lips still shiny from the food. She looked radiant, her wavy hair framing her angelic, artist-sculpted face.

–Mm-hmm. Whenever I can, I'll always make what's best for us,– Billy replied, savoring a spoonful of beans, bread, and chicken. It reminded him of family dinners with his father, whose birthday in September might warrant a special day off. Anne always remembered such dates, keeping things running smoothly.

–It's not blackberries, but the meat is delicious,– Billy joked, taking another bite. He tended to overindulge during BBQs, though the absence of beer wasn't a concern.

–We're heading out for dessert later. Want to join us?– Monica asked Winona, who had sauce stains on her shirt, not yet realizing the mess.

–Sure, and maybe we can hit the nightclub afterward. Some friends invited me yesterday, but I was too exhausted after the Boy's premiere and all the work,– Winona said.

–Perfect,– Monica replied with enthusiasm, ready for some dancing.

...

May 16 marked the preparation phase for the full English dubbing of Evangelion. Months of work had gone into organizing everything. Gainax, the Japanese company, wasn't just focused on Evangelion—they were ambitiously juggling projects like Serial Experiments Lain and Kare Kano. Billy kept his promises, allocating funds tirelessly to ensure progress continued uninterrupted.

–Miss Rachel,– Anna said, surprised to see her on a Saturday night.

–I lost track of time. I oversee most productions in the East and always try to maintain order. With Evangelion completed, I may need to travel to Japan again to monitor how the companies under our umbrella finalize everything,– Rachel explained.

Anna was well aware of the endless challenges in the East. Government pressure on traditional businesses, cultural misunderstandings, and peculiar mishaps often complicate things.

In some ways, Korea was easier to navigate, though not by much. Conducting international business was always fraught with complexities, regardless of the country. A deep understanding of culture was crucial for success, as seen in China, which initially thrived with an open-market approach yet faced its unique difficulties.

–I hear they're great with deliveries but struggle with administration,– Anna noted.

That's not entirely true. The workers are exceptional—their work ethic is outstanding. We had to invest heavily to acquire the companies and retain leaders to streamline production for the new series. We'll arrange exchanges to learn their processes; we need those skills,– Rachel said, aligning with Billy's vision.

–It's an ambitious goal, challenging to achieve,– Anna acknowledged, thinking of her struggles with children's production companies.

–I fear I share similar burdens. I've been managing the children's production process entirely on my own.–

–If you need help, you can always send Raimon, - as Rachel suggested.

–Raimon? Why him?– Anna asked, surprised, recalling his tendency for disputes.

–Well, he could handle minor fiscal reviews and help with contracts you haven't gotten to yet. He's surprisingly good at it, more than we initially thought,– Rachel replied, explaining in detail.

..