July 5.
The English Patient had a solid month in theaters, grossing an average of 198 million at the box office. Offers poured in for Winona with such force that she felt like an inevitable award winner in the making. It was the sweetness of her youth and the sultry scenes that cemented her status as Hollywood's great beauty. Fully aware of her success, she knew she had to capitalize on it. But first, she would take a much-needed vacation to ease the back pain from her relentless workload.
-I don't want any more work. Just give me a break. I need to breathe, and I have commitments with Alien, which, honestly, I'm not too thrilled about. I'm in France, Louis, but I need this well-deserved break. - said Winona, sipping a rich coffee at Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, where the turquoise waters lapped gently. The yacht they had was anchored nearby as the group of four beautiful women basked in the sun and were photographed from every angle. They were soaking in the serene details of their surroundings, eager for rest.
-I heard you're dating some rookie actor who's gotten pretty deep into the film industry. - Winona remarked with a soft sigh after finishing her call.
-Shut up. We've crossed paths in several films. I first met him on Batman and then again on Gattaca, a science fiction film. Oh, and Billy was there too. What can I say? He's smart, funny, and has this bohemian charm that makes you want to listen to him debate a thousand things you don't fully understand all night long. - Uma responded, still mulling over her relationships. She didn't see dating the guy as anything serious, certainly not something that could evolve into a true commitment.
Uma was striking, with her long blonde hair, almond-shaped eyes, generous figure, and shapely curves. She was every bit the embodiment of a woman made for love.
-Oh, Billy has done so many films since I met him. I think he's worked on two, maybe three, just this year, but that big production he's part of has been consuming most of his time. - Monica added. - Well, Anne usually knows more about what he's up to. -
Lounging on a beach chair, Monica wore no bra, exuding natural allure in a bikini that barely covered her sun-kissed skin. Her dark hair was tied back, her angular features accentuated.
-Even I don't always know. Sometimes he just disappears for a while and comes back with a new project, new tasks, things I still don't fully understand but know are important. - Anne chimed in, dressed in a white beach cover-up over a simple black one-piece. Unlike her companions, she wasn't as proportioned, preferring to focus on moderation over their regimented diets, exercise, and constant work.
-He's filming. - murmured Winona.
-Girls' trip plans? - Monica responded with a playful tone.
-What was that movie they wanted you for? -
-G.I. Jane. They called me for that. Around the same time, I got offers for two love stories and two dramas. It's poetic. - Winona smiled. - But I don't want more films right now. I've had enough. -
That sounds like a plan. - Monica murmured, closing her eyes as the warmth of the sun caressed her skin with comfort and rest.
-Yes, let's just relax for a bit. I'm exhausted. - Anne agreed, setting her book aside and letting the shade of her umbrella and the sun on her feet lull her into a deeper state of calm.
***
Billy was exhausted from the half-day of work already behind him. They were deep into the production of Titanic, and time seemed to crawl with the mounting challenges. Days passed, and the actors watched from the sidelines as the production team struggled with the logistics—moving the ship, sinking it, lifting it, capturing the fall. None of it was simple.
Billy sketched from his station, focusing on shots that required a real sense of time and precision. His work on Bleach reflected influences reminiscent of Evangelion, and the Titanic book had already been sent out. The editors were juggling three different book series: Mistborn, Altercabano, and Mortal Engines. Now, with a fourth—Titanic—it was a labor-intensive, rewarding writing project.
Billy worked on illustrations for covers and character profiles, preparing an illustrated edition. For now, he was advancing on the Hellsing series, aiming to complete up to chapter 90 before transitioning to Eyeshield 21, a football anime series.
-What are you working on? - Kate asked, walking up to him with a cheerful smile. She was thrilled to see Billy's drawings, as there wasn't much to do until a few more scenes were completed with the partially flooded ship.
I justfinishedg some scenes for Hellsing. - Billy replied, focusing on the intricate design of a pair of pistols featured in a dramatic close-up. The series, by his estimates, would span 110 chapters; he was already on chapter 72.
-I don't have that one. - Kate admitted. She had been engrossed in Game of Thrones books, finding them both magnificent and rich with fan engagement.
-I have so many series. It's funny—I don't mind, but sometimes some of them just get overlooked, lacking the fandom to keep them alive. That leads to their market decline. For now, I can publish the series I like without worrying about losing printed copies sitting on shelves. A second chance will come, especially once I can make an animated series or film. - Billy explained confidently. Most of his series had long-term potential. For example, One Piece—a mid-tier project—was perhaps one of his most beloved IPs.
Despite modest sales—printing no more than 60,000 copies, just enough to break even—it was sufficient for Billy. He had anticipated this and stored 100 copies of the first editions in a specially refrigerated warehouse. Every series had its place on large, well-organized shelves.
-So, even if you lose now, you're banking on them succeeding later when you turn them into a series? - Kate asked, taking a seat. She had grown a bit clingy after their on-screen love scenes, though things had cooled off in predictable ways.
-Of course. If you don't believe in what you're doing, even in failure, what's the point of doing it? - Billy answered, adding fine details to his sketches. By evening, he would finalize all the drawings at his special desk, leaving the black-and-white work for his colorists to handle.
As he worked, a team member approached to discuss the next day's project, ironing out every detail, including the dialogue. It was a long process, made more manageable by a capable team.
....