Another year, and a new one arrives curiously brimming with thousands of ideas. Without rest, everyone gathers strength and throws themselves into new opportunities—those long-held ambitions their minds had urged them to chase. The film release calendars are packed, and some of the most important names at Pixar rush back in after the holidays, ready to finalize details for a film destined to become one of America's most beloved.
Billy wrote the screenplay, the storyboard, oversaw production and directed the film from beginning to end. He was the one who chose which scenes stayed and which were left out of the final 127-minute cut—two hours and seven minutes. He even pushed for the music selections, considering it all as essential as composing a photograph. He was incredibly demanding.
–We broke the rules. –said John Lasseter, clearly stunned. And by breaking the rules, they brought in a luxury cast: Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, and of course Billy, who once again voiced a secondary character—this time with a sharp, gingery tone. It was the charm of a massive production, signing off on four films with sky-high contracts. The budget soared to 70 million dollars, a negligible cost given the franchise's prestige, which far exceeded any monetary gain. What mattered was the wave of young fans—and soon-to-be fans—who would adore every inch of a series that eventually grossed nearly four billion dollars at the box office.
–We broke it completely, but I believe we're creating something innovative, something genuinely funny. Besides, Billy has an incredible sense for the audience—this movie was practically made by him. –added Ed Catmull, one of the pioneers behind the film's new special effects. The tech created for Shrek led to significant advances, especially in simulating body movement, both for creatures and human characters. The animation appeared almost magical.
Billy had even planted seeds for future characters from the next four movies, using subtle cameos of two or three seconds to hint at what was to come.
–Now it makes more sense to break the mold for upcoming productions. I want to shatter that format—we've got some projects in the pipeline, and this will help us down the road. –Lasseter continued with a yawn. He hadn't slept this well since 1993, when they'd taken a collective break after Toy Story's success. Back then, the company had fewer than fifty employees—now they were at three hundred.
–Gentlemen, let's get back to the Monsters Inc. meeting. Can we launch the film in June? –asked Randall McArthur, aware that the animation team was halfway through production but still had the hardest part ahead—perfecting the movement in certain key scenes.
–We'd be putting too much pressure on the team. The project's release date is set for August 1997. –Lasseter replied, shrugging.
–Then get out of my office. For the next three films, there'll be no delays and no broken rules. However, if Billy can deliver a concept that meets the project's expectations, then we'll move forward accordingly. –Randall concluded, letting out a sigh. With Pixar's main team present, he could now take a trip with his family, leaving twenty people in charge. But as the boss, he couldn't walk away completely.
–Ed, what's the update on the new software development hires? –asked Randall.
–We've got solid prospects. The programmers from id Software are some of the best, always able to find solutions where no one else looks. Somehow, it just works. I think in the coming months… –Ed Catmull replied. As always, the most organized of the three executives, he had that air of someone who could handle any task in record time.
–What about the short film issue? I've seen reports saying the new tech requires top-tier processors to run. –Randall added.
–That's true. But at id Software, they found a workaround—a backdoor fix. It's not a complete solution, which is why Alvy was sent to Intel to assist with microchip processing. We're aiming for 1-gig processing speeds. Though the tech is still uncertain, with a 10-million-dollar investment and Stanford's resources, we might hit that goal quickly. The higher the processor's capability to detect data, the more we can accomplish—if tech continues to advance. But that progress depends on collaboration with academics. –Ed responded, raising a glass in Alvy's absence.
–Then we wait. That's our best option now. –Randall said with resignation.
***
Billy was exhausted—completely worn out. The New Year's party in Italy had been far more draining than he expected. Almost like a decree, he felt Monica's warmth beside him. She held him close, and since he couldn't sleep, he began brushing her hair, running his fingers through her thick black curls, full of life. With each stroke, she pressed herself close, like a cat curling up.
–Good morning, my love. –Monica whispered, hugging him a little tighter. He could feel her soft body, her gentleness, not very strong, yet she clung to him with more force than usual.
–You know, I didn't mention it on Christmas, but I've got a gift for you. –Billy told her. Throughout the year, he had given her various presents—jewelry, a share of a villa in Livorno, a yacht named after her, anchored beautifully in the San Francisco Bay.
–What kind of gift, darling? –Monica asked.
–Maybe I'm not always present, but I do listen when you say you've always wanted something… And how could I not spoil you, when you're always so understanding? –he said, kissing her forehead. A luxurious apartment in one of Paris's most exclusive neighborhoods, a proper house in the city center—so extravagant it carried a price tag of one million euros. A number completely out of reach for most people.
–What could a man who has everything possibly give me that he hasn't already? –Monica asked, eyes wide, resting her forehead against his neck.
–I won't tell you, love. When you least expect it, I'll give it to you. And when you see it… I hope you'll love it. –
–Tell me… –
–Nope. Now you have to wait. Just two days, my love. In two days, we'll be back in the United States. –Billy replied, kissing her lips. –I just have one meeting left with Panini, then we'll board the private jet. –
–Then I don't want to leave. Not yet. Another moment, another month. A month isn't much. –Monica whispered in Italian, her native language, which she carried with pride, as she should.
–Just a little more… a few more days together. –Monica said softly.
–I have to shoot a few scenes. –Billy replied, kissing her again. Kissing her was addictive—everything was returned with such love.
–I understand… We have to leave, but it's so hard… It feels like a dream, being here again with you. –
–Next year, we'll come back. But first, we'll walk the streets of France. That has to be our next stop. –Billy said, catching the gleam in her eyes—the sparkle of someone yearning for another month just like this one.
–Then it's a promise. And you have to keep it. –Monica told him.
–I've got two big productions lined up for next year—Fight Club and The Matrix. Maybe even Attack of the Clones, but there have been some production changes. George decided to push it to the end of the year. –Billy said as he sat up, a bit uncomfortable. He checked the time—noon. It was already late.
–Tell me, my love. –She whispered, leaning into him.