Chapter 6 : The Weight of Decisions
November 1973
The air outside carried a crisp chill, a reminder that the year was drawing to a close. I sat in my office, the large mahogany desk buried under stacks of reports, contracts, and projections. The oil crisis had shaken the global economy, but it had also opened new doors—ones I intended to walk through before anyone else.
My father had taught me to think ahead, to see beyond the chaos of the present. With our oil investments already yielding massive returns, I had reinvested aggressively into petrochemical derivatives—plastics, synthetic rubbers, and industrial chemicals that would become the backbone of future manufacturing. The numbers were staggering. What had started as a $10 million venture had ballooned into an empire of raw material supply deals, setting the stage for my next move.
But business wasn't the only thing occupying my mind.
At home, the atmosphere had shifted. My mother seemed radiant lately, a certain glow in her face. I'd caught my father glancing at her with the kind of admiration that only deep love could explain. There was something in the air, a quiet change I couldn't quite put my finger on.
One evening, as we sat in the study, my father poured himself a glass of bourbon and leaned back in his chair. "James," he said, his voice steady, "your mother and I have some news."
I set my pen down, already suspecting what was coming.
"You're going to have a little sister," he said, smiling.
For a moment, I just stared at him. A sister. A new life in our family. The thought stirred something deep within me—joy, protectiveness, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility.
"That's incredible," I finally managed, standing to embrace him. "How's Mom feeling?"
"She's happy," he said. "We both are."
As I processed the news, I realized how much more meaningful my mission had become. I wasn't just building an empire for myself. I was securing a future for my family, ensuring that my sister would grow up in a world where she'd never have to struggle.
But there was no time to slow down.
Laying the Groundwork for a Blockbuster
While my father celebrated the news, I turned my attention back to my biggest entertainment project yet—our first major motion picture.
I had already secured distribution through United Artists, increasing my stake in the company with every deal. The film was slated for release one week before Christmas in 1974, a strategic window to maximize holiday ticket sales. The budget was carefully controlled, but the scale was unlike anything the studio had seen before.
The screenplay was undergoing final revisions, and casting had begun. I had personally pushed for a unique marketing strategy—early teaser campaigns, merchandising deals, and a carefully curated press rollout. If executed correctly, this film wouldn't just be a hit. It would be a cultural phenomenon.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.
A year from now, we would see the results of our gamble. But I had no intention of stopping there.
The Numbers Behind the Growth
By the end of November, my income streams had expanded significantly:
Oil Investments: Our crude oil and petrochemical ventures were generating record profits.
Arcade Machines: Over 40,000 units sold to arcades and amusement centers across the U.S. and Japan, with a net revenue of $12 million this year.
Publishing: Novel sales had reached 600,000 copies, generating $1.8 million in royalties. My superhero comic series had sold over 1.2 million issues, bringing in another $2.5 million in profit.
Entertainment Expansion: My film company was now working on multiple projects, while my increasing stake in United Artists gave me greater control over distribution.
Even with all of this, I wasn't in a rush to cash out. Every dollar was being reinvested strategically.
I wasn't just playing to win—I was playing to dominate.
And with my little sister on the way, failure wasn't an option.
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(To be continued...)
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This keeps the story grounded in November 1973 while integrating family, business, and strategic growth. Let me know if you like it.