Making proper use of the strength of a good film simply requires allowing people the time to refine each role into something new; the journey, then, becomes the way the director breathes life into it—bringing characters together and reshaping a story that is so difficult to achieve and sustain. How easy it is to dismantle the burdens of war, of duty, and of the characters themselves. It is, without a doubt, an effective approach—making use of the skills that rest in Billy's hands, who can only fully fall into the role of a man who loses his destiny over a woman who is boldly daring.
--You have twenty days, maybe twelve, in which you'll need to shoot some scenes at sea. -- Monica replied, knowing that the yacht trips along Monaco would be, in their own way, quite pleasant. Life felt strangely obedient now, as if all strategies were left hanging in the open.
--We could take two endless months traveling. It's been a long time since I've taken a real break—one full month without worrying about comics, about satisfying people. It would give me time to sort out my thoughts and carry on into 1999 in a better way. - Billy whispered, reading a comic. For some time now, that familiar exhaustion had been evident in him; he needed air, a proper rest.
--Sleep all day. -- Monica whispered. -Who are you, and what have you done with Billy Carson, the man who never stopped? He's completely lost in his thoughts, the one who decided to work for three years without rest, and even when he took me to Venice late at night, he was still working on countless projects. And now he just wants to lie in bed and sleep all day for the next ten days.
Billy was drained, utterly exhausted. He let out a faint, incoherent groan, the kind he made when he wanted attention. She continued to pamper him, with the care of a mother, a lover, a best friend, a nurse doing everything possible so that nothing would be left unresolved.
-Then I suppose you should enjoy it while you can. We have an extremely demanding schedule for the next six years. - Billy whispered, his mind drifting, aware that few opportunities remained.
--Are you going to take the role I told you about? -- she asked, weary, as if trying to catch her breath. She pulled him into a warm embrace, the kind that felt like a deep, enveloping hug.
--Yes, I think it's a supporting role. -- Billy murmured.
--You do, you absolutely do. The Cleopatra script will be excellent—a worldwide release that will come right after that role. -- Monica replied.
There were three or four roles, nothing surprising. Only two to start the year, considering he had already completed most of his parts. They were simple, almost abbreviated—a way to move forward without resistance. The series planned for the following year was decidedly ambitious: The Lady of Shanghai, Malèna, and perhaps the production of The Lord of the Rings. Three films were expected for The Lord of the Rings, three for The Hobbit, and four animated films, along with a series centered on different characters—from Tom Bombadil, to the dwarf kings, to glimpses of Aragorn, and a simpler series exploring the broader cast of The Lord of the Rings.
A ten-episode series that would serve as both an extension and a deeper explanation, giving shape to each role—so many characters with so much to say.
--It's not good; we've spent three days doing the same thing. -- Monica said, feeling Billy's kisses. He seemed entirely intent on spending yet another night with the fiery Italian woman who never stopped tempting him. She was one of those people who filled everything with a quiet, wonderful presence, drawing him once again into the symbolism of love.
--In the meantime, my parents want to know when we're leaving the house. They even sent fruit baskets. -- Monica added with a laugh. She felt completely lost in time; how difficult it was to resist.
--We could watch movies; I have a list of thirty or fifty I want to see. In recent years, I've watched nothing but my own films and a few premieres I had to attend out of obligation. I might need to watch something beyond that. --Billy replied, gently thoughtful. Time had closed in on his life; nothing elegant about it, but it had begun back in 1992, when he stopped watching films due to work. Even since 1990, he had seen very few, only occasionally finding the time.
-Well, I have an express flight to France—a New Year's party. It would be nice if you took me with you, being a model is quite something. - She said cautiously. She had commitments, and the following year showed no signs of slowing down; it demanded a relentless work ethic.
-Let's start with this one. - Monica said, now completely worn out.
***
Raimon worked wonders with currency strategy and real estate investments, acquiring small hotels in famous tourist destinations that had lost some of their appeal, with the intention of renovating them later. It was the good life.
-When we acquire twelve hotels—in Prague, Budapest— Raimon said, eager to purchase everything beyond Europe's usual hotspots, while also expanding into smaller sectors in England, Germany, and Turkey. The goal was growth in every destination, while organizing different types of vacations for employees, which were becoming increasingly frequent, using their own travel locations and partnership proposals worldwide. Having already established dominance in the Caribbean, the next step was Latin America—a region that inspired some concern due to its unstable economies, dictators scattered everywhere, a lingering touch of radical ideologies, and the occasional coup, with outlaw groups that despised wealth yet trafficked drugs across the continent.
Many places to consider.
--I think my idea is solid: we build three mega-hotels, and with those, we finance hotels across every European country—mainly in areas outside city centers, while also maintaining some within the cities. The ones farther out would be designed as complete relaxation zones. -- Raimon explained, following a structure aligned with Billy's vision. The idea was always to make the business just functional enough to later execute a massive stock sale, creating the space for Hotel Paraíso to become one of the largest hospitality entities in the world either competing with major corporate empires or merging with one of them.
-A well-thought-out strategy, but I think it's very risky. - said the new director, a forty-year-old man with a faint beard. He was an economist who had worked in the hotel industry for years, then moved into the confectionery business, only to return to hospitality before being dismissed by a wealthy superior later discovered by Raimon. They were all highly knowledgeable in their respective fields.
-Yes, we don't want profits, just make sure we don't lose money. - Raimon replied. He needed to establish a presence in thirteen countries, building mega-resorts where life felt simple, where people could move freely between hotels.