They were in for a tough battle, though the day wasn't over yet—just a little more and it would be. They were on their tenth take, every one carefully orchestrated for precision and tight logistics. It's true that action scenes often demand more time than expected and must be treated with utmost seriousness. This was the chance for Billy and his stunt double to perform most of the sequences, while Larry handled the shots of the other actions. It all worked out smoothly when supported by a well-planned schedule, aligning everything into a kind of choreography.
–Can you do it?– Billy asked his stunt double, a young man named Michael, 27 years old, a martial arts expert, and a fierce worker.
–I can do it, I just need a break.– Michael replied.
–Alright, I'll ask for a break. Let me take you out for dinner, just to thank you for your hard work after we wrap up today's shoot.– said Billy, making the young man crack a smile. He was well aware of the challenges that lay ahead.
–We need fifteen minutes and we'll shoot the final scene, but everyone's exhausted.– Billy commented.
–I'll inform the director.– Zach added, understanding how demanding the job had been.
First, they were walked through every move—simple, limited steps that had to be executed precisely. It was a kind of dance, and they had to give it everything. Mr. Smith was completely nuts, but there was something impressive about his confident, irreverent way of putting everything together.
…
–Scene 41, take 14.–
Smith: Mr. Anderson! Did you get my package?
Neo: Yes.
Smith: Good, good.
Morpheus: Smith.
Link: Whoever that is, he's not registering like an agent.
Smith: Surprised to see me?
Neo: No.
Smith: Then you're aware of it.
Neo: Aware of what?
Smith: Our connection. I don't fully understand how it happened. Maybe a part of you imprinted onto me—something overwritten or copied. That doesn't matter now. What matters is that whatever happened, it happened for a reason.
Neo: And what reason is that?
Smith: I killed you, Mr. Anderson. I watched you die… with a certain satisfaction, I might add. And then something happened. Something I knew was impossible… but it happened anyway. You destroyed me, Mr. Anderson. And afterward, I knew the rules. I understood what I was supposed to do. But I didn't. I couldn't. I was compelled to stay—compelled to disobey. And now here I am, because of you, Mr. Anderson. Because of you, I'm no longer an agent of the system. Because of you, I've changed. I'm unplugged. A new man, so to speak. Like you, free.
Neo: Congratulations.
Smith: Thank you. But as you know, appearances can be deceiving. Which brings us to the reason we're here. We're not here because we're free—we're here because we're not. There's no escaping reason, no denying purpose. Because, as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist.
Smith 2: It is our purpose that created us.
Smith 3: Purpose that connects us.
Smith 4: The Purpose that drives us.
Smith 5: That guides us.
Smith 6: That motivates us.
Smith 7: Purpose that defines us.
Smith 8: Purpose that unites us.
Smith: We're here because of you, Mr. Anderson. We're here to take from you what you tried to take from us—purpose.
Trinity: What's happening to him?
Link: I don't know.
Smith: Yes, that's it. It's almost over now.
-cut.-
As they spoke, more agents arrived—really just people in green suits with gear and props. It was amusing but effective. While it all looked chaotic on the surface, it was meticulously choreographed. Twenty people followed the moves, starting with Billy. His double watched every motion closely, absorbing it all and figuring out how to mirror each part. It was a methodical process—a matter of mastering each motion through repetition. It was a source of pride how well it came together.
They moved with power and precision, never stopping. There was no room for hesitation or failure. Billy pushed through, feeling every fiber of his being burn—his muscles, his body. But the movements flowed, nothing overly complex.
–Then I guess we've got the take. That's a wrap for today.– said Zach, fading into the background with the rest of the crew. There wasn't much left—just to finish up. A classic pressure tactic on a young stunt double, who, despite everything, lived a stressful and uncertain life.
–It's fine.– Michael replied.
He took a deep breath and jumped several times, warming up in his way. The task wasn't complicated or unusual. He just had to do it, his way, one step at a time.
***
Raimon took another moment to breathe as the market began to surge. The early Put options had triggered a frenzy, the numbers piling into what could only be described as a mad deal. And now, with someone willing to invest freely, ideas flowed more easily than they'd imagined.
–Well, now that we've got the ownership contracts, all that's left is to make it public.– the lawyer commented.
–Alright, let's make it international. "The Lux Animation conglomerate enters the race track: Luxury is the next venture by Billy Carson, following his acquisition of Lamborghini from the Italian stables and Lotus from the British legacy."– Raimon announced, fully aware of how complicated the press could be. But the lawyer simply shrugged and sent out the press release—something that would boost his reputation, even if Raimon didn't realize it. That's just how these relationships work—distinctive, transactional, and strategic.
–Well then, a pleasure doing business.– said the lawyer, while Billy continued solidifying his market positions and working to double his earnings. He was targeting heavy metals, assembly lines, machinery, Toyota, mobile microchip production, and automotive tech—everything he envisioned for himself over the next fifteen months.
Raimon did what he could, and what he had to—at least the part that mattered. By tomorrow, the notifications would reflect just how significant it all was. In the coming days, the world would tremble once again over this acquisition. It would confirm that, without a doubt, even if none of it seemed to matter at face value, he had covered his tracks in Asia. The private report for the tax office would reveal only a portion, but to others, it was clear: the growth of Lux Animation wouldn't slow down. The giant would keep devouring more and more companies, relentlessly.
...