Although for many people, reviewing stocks, accounting, and studying a person's companies who wasn't making much money seemed like a foolish endeavor, especially to his father, who spoke of the limited growth he was trapped in at his desk job, Raimon was content. Every day, he could play video games at the company, people respected him, and he could read comics without anyone questioning it.
The working hours suited him perfectly, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. He had many friends who shared his interests. He could watch the shows on the third floor, and now he had a best friend who supported him in every way. Billy Carson's shadow was large, and the light he radiated covered everyone. It was magnificent how someone could be so talented at everything, and even though Billy denied it, Raimon was consistently amazed by his knowledge. What was Raimon doing at this moment? He was reading all the Star Wars comics and watching the movies with a bag of popcorn. Billy allowed Raimon to be the official series consultant. He had to study the films, the reviews, and the fans' opinions and create a summary to be delivered to Raichel, Mr. Gorman the company archivist, and Mr. Cloud's group.
The company's analysis group was now divided into two teams: one focusing on entertainment and the other on business. The report also had to go to the animation department, but that department was Billy himself. So Raimon was solely concerned with doing the best possible work. He would do everything in his power to be a part of the Star Wars movie, even if he had to act as an extra, or even as a janitor. He was determined to be involved in the Star Wars film, regardless of the role.
-What are you doing during working hours? - Raichel asked, clearly irritated, as she saw Raimon eating popcorn, soda, and candy. He had been sitting for three hours without reporting to his workstation.
-Raichel, my dear Rachel, I'm working right now. You can come and keep me company, but this is something assigned by Billy himself, so you can't interrupt me, - Raimon said, trying to strike a cool pose. In Raichel's eyes, all she could see was the gummy bear stuck to his cheek and his ridiculous posture.
-Fine, don't forget that you have stocks to review. In March, Billy's financial returns from the stocks will arrive. It's not an easy job. According to the reports I have, you'll need to calculate several hundred million, different transactions, and perform the purchases Billy assigned to you, - Raichel stated with a hint of pride and a sense of "I know it all."
-Of course, I'll get to that after I finish watching how the glorious Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star, - Raimon replied.
He continued jotting down what he considered to be the most epic moments in the movies, including epic space battles, starfighters flying in all directions like furious storms, lightsaber fights, and, of course, more secrets of the Force.
I'll leave the sixth and final movie for tomorrow; I have some stocks to review.
He went up to the third floor to see all the groups working intensely, remembering Anne's conversation. Animators and artists are addicted to doing what they love with unmatched intensity.
-Butch, how's it going, my friend? - Raimon said.
's pretty good around here. I'm working on a script for David Feis's series, 'Cow and Chicken.' But I take breaks drawing scenes for 'The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy.' Lately, this series has filled me with ideas I can't stop writing and drawing, - said Butch, stretching his back as if it were a memory. He had been writing for a long time.
-Well, buddy, I came for lunch. I was working, and, well, I think I'll have a busy afternoon this time, - Raimon said.
He heard Paul German's shouts of happiness. Behind him was a large poster of "Metoro" created by Paul himself, who was chatting cheerfully with Craig, the director, screenwriter, and artist for "Dexter's Laboratory," "The Powerpuff Girls," and "Rocko's Modern Life."
-It's two in the afternoon. Yes, let's go eat. I haven't had a bite since morning, - Butch Haman said.
-Well, buddy, finish up, and I'll wait for you to complete the scene, - Raimon said happily, watching the many projects. Among them, the one that captivated him the most was "Gargoyles," a mega-production that involved 40 animators working tirelessly on a single series. It had the best shots, deep stories, and dark touches. Billy himself had written the series and created the drawings. He hired a mythology and history professor and charged the story with such a wild plot that Raimon, whenever he could, watched the progress of the story. It was made in 2D with printed technology, watercolor backgrounds, and scanning techniques. It was undoubtedly an ambitious series.
-Hello, Raimon. What do you think, my friend? Are you satisfied? We'll have the fifth episode of the 'Gargoyles' series soon, and there are only 23 more to go, - Roy Graham asked, somewhat regretful and a little sad about the length of the series, which demanded all his work.
-Wow, aren't you a bit slow? - Raimon said.
-Not at all. We'll have this baby by June. We're improving with each step we take. In a few weeks, we'll be making episodes in less time. We might even be efficient enough to finish by late July. But the boss says he already has 15 new episodes prepared, so the project might be postponed to October, - Roy Graham said, rubbing his forehead at the massive project. He had already run through the first episode and couldn't help but be amazed by the program's quality.
-And you know where the muse is, - Raimon said quietly, approaching Roy Graham, who could only make a complicit face. He was talking about Anna Szymanska, the rebellious animator who had caught the eyes of many, and Raimon was one of them. He had been enchanted the day he saw her in a cropped Spider-Man top, exposing her midriff, slim hips, and confident stride, which struck Raimon just as Cupid had done back in high school.
-Well, she's working fervently on the 'Gargoyles' series. Joe Murray and Stephen Hillenburg are helping her with the script for her series about a family living on a train that crosses all of Europe until it reaches France. It tells of an event during World War II. We all believe it will be a miniseries. For now, there are three episodes finished, and, well, Billy promised her that if they were to make a series, it would be with the best available animation, - Roy Graham said, with admiration
-And what about you? Do you have a series you'd like to create? - Raimon asked.
-Of course, but it's not in that style. I prefer cartoons like 'Dexter's Laboratory' or 'Rocko's Modern Life,' - Roy Graham said.
-That sounds fantastic. I recently saw a request from a young man named Glen who applied for a license to create a 'Star Trek' series, something quite ambitious. Anne didn't let me review the brochure, but the competition is fierce, - Raimon said.
Before Raimon could say more, Butch Haman called him. - Roy, would you like to go to lunch? I'm going with Butch. We can also check out the new 'Evangelion' title that's just been scheduled for release tomorrow. The orders have been shipped, and they'll be on the shelves in less than 24 hours, - Raimon said.
-Sure, just let me call Jose. I promised to have lunch with him, - Roy Graham said.
-Perfect, - Raimon replied, only to find his goddess walking from the door directly towards him. His tongue got stuck in his mouth, and he tried to say something, only to see that she didn't even look at him. He raised his hand and decided to go with Butch Haman. He hated women, damn it, he needed some gummy bears to calm his anxiety.
-That was funny, - Roy Graham said to his back.
-Ha, the only funny thing is how an animator can't appreciate the glory of He-Man, - Raimon said.
-Well, I think it's fantastic, but it's overrated, and many people refuse to believe it, - Roy Graham said.
-Outrageous, - Raimon said.
-Well, I think what's outrageous is that Billy is considering buying a 'Star Trek' license. How many millions do you think it costs? -- Roy Graham said. -- Hello, Butch, how's the 'Cow and Chicken' script coming along? -
-I'm still working on it. David Feis is a strict man. And what's this about Billy wanting to buy a 'Star Trek' license? - Butch Haman asked.
-No, it's just that they submitted a request for a license. So far, only three requests have been approved, but 'Star Trek' is still under consideration, and there's a possibility of negotiations with 'Star Wars.' Everything is up in the air, - Raimon said.
-It would be amazing to create a series. My nephews would be thrilled. Their uncle is the creator of the 'Star Wars' series. Even my brother would stop bothering me about being an animator, - Butch Haman said.
-Billy will do it, but apparently, the cost is quite high, - Raimon said.
...