Hollywood Art: System of sunnys

June of 1989.

A world without standardized email where everyone communicates, schedules, chats, and potential business relationships start with an email is almost an impossible cradle for some people in this day and age.

Practicality! Everything is at a good price.

The dear bomb of why the Nike relationship closed so quickly and without some dark methods that large companies usually use to close deals. Adidas came at the end of July with a wide-ranging offer, a point-of-sale commercial relationship, Slam Dunk's commercial image with Adidas, and a four-year high-exposure cooperation relationship. Full sponsorship of $5 million, with earnings from derivatives like the Slam Dunk design brand.

-I see we lost a more reliable relationship - Billy told Thomas.

-Yes, exclusivity leaves us with our hands tied; it's impossible to close that relationship unless we pay the contract penalty clauses. It's almost double what we made with their three-year commercial relationship. - Thomas said.

-Do you think there's foul play? - Billy asked.

-Yes, strange things happen among these giants; we're just part of their political games of repression. - Thomas said, patting his little son's head.

-Is it a two-year contract? The series is planned for about 200 volumes. So far, it's number 16, the last one printed. - Billy replied, that all he wanted was to keep drawing to earn many system points.

-Sales haven't been very good this month. Your series, although of good content, needs time to build a community. Selling the comic book is a cost that kids aren't willing to bear, and sales aren't what we expected. - Thomas said.

-It doesn't matter; I uploaded them as a way to give myself time to continue with the other issues of the series. Although I have the design for the entire series, it's not easy. Publishing issues every week for these two months, with alternative publications, gives me space to get ahead and publish until December. - Billy said.

-Drawing problems? - Thomas asked. - I hadn't considered it! You're always drawing everything so smoothly, it gives me the impression that it's a very simple task.

We have printed up to issue number 20. Don't rush it; Mike told me it's good to let some time pass so that new readers enter the market and have the opportunity to recommend it to their friends. Don't worry, son, it's good to take some reader vacations. - Thomas said.

-I'm not in a hurry. - Billy said. - I know that, over time, we'll sell. Father, think about it, it's an investment; have you heard of George Lucas's case? Content bets these days are on derivatives; once we have more fame and recognition, we can start selling YuYu Hakusho/Phantom Report and Slam Dunk stamps. The relationship between basketball and the United States can generate a lot of income.

-What's George Lucas's case? - Thomas asked Billy.

-Look, in the 70s, George Lucas proposed to 20th Century Fox (now Disney or Star+) that the original content's profit came from ticket sales in both North America and the rest of the world. At the time of closing the contract, Lucas bet on the merchandising rights and derivatives associated with the franchise. At that time, Fox didn't consider the derivatives valuable, so they agreed to give Lucas the rights in exchange for lower royalty payments. - Billy said.

-I had no idea about such a trick. - Thomas said.

-Yep, he's a brilliant guy; he's a billionaire with his series, and he played Fox incredibly. - Billy told Thomas.

-However, the key to all this is that your work performs in the North American box office. - Thomas said. - Only high exposure can sell large quantities of products as you have told me.

-There's truth in your words, but right now, we're getting exposure. By the way, let's go watch the fourth Pistons game against the Lakers, - Billy said.

-We will; let me sort out some contracts. - Thomas said.

-Yes, although there's no surprise, the Pistons will win; they're a very complete team. - Billy said.

-Billy, they're tied 2-2; there were some obvious problems with the Lakers' lineup in the last few games, but they'll surely win the next game- Thomas said.

-Is it certain? - Billy asked.

-Yes, everyone is talking about the big comeback in the fifth game. - Thomas said. - We're talking about the Super Lakers with five championships; they have Magic on their team. - he said.

-I'm rooting for the Pistons; want to make a bet? - Billy asked.

-Bet! Sure, we'll see, kid. - Thomas said.

-Okay, $50 that the Pistons win - Billy said.

-My son, although you're intelligent, leave sports to the more experienced. Let's do this. $100 on the Lakers, don't be discouraged by losing your lunch savings. - Thomas said.

A whole new world of possibilities doesn't know much about NFL outcomes, but if there's something he knows, it's about the golden age of basketball during Michael Jordan's time. The Pistons will continue winning; next year, they'll also be crowned champions, and then it will be the hegemony of the Chicago Bulls, winning three tournaments and achieving the same feat after retiring to play Baseball in 1995.

Knowing the winner of the World Cup between Germany and Argentina, 1-0, how much could he win with sports betting in this dream life? He needs to be of legal age to go to betting houses; he can't wait six years to start betting, he's forgotten some games. But he'll never forget great moments in sports history. Unfortunately, he only knows basketball and football results, two golden sports in Spain.

On the night of June 21, 1989, Billy could be seen receiving $100; he upped the bet after the second quarter when the Pistons' start wasn't very threatening, but their explosive physique and staunch defense ended up drowning out the Lakers' warm game.

-I still can't believe it! - Thomas said.

-Believe it; they'll win next year in the East and also the final against the West - Billy said.

-Are you boasting again, Billy? - Thomas said.

-Not at all; they'll certainly win next year. - Billy said.

-What are you basing that on? -

-How do you think a team can sustain Michael Jordan, one of the best players in the East, who in my opinion is one of the best in the entire league? In the West, there's no other Michael Jordan, so as long as they win in the East, they win the West, simple. - Billy said.

-Sure, but they'll win next year in the East; it's two in a row. - Thomas said.

-Yes, they'll win because... Want to bet again? - Billy said.

If there's something his father can't stand, it's losing; he'll certainly lose again and fall into a vicious circle, typical of gambling.

-Yes, how much do you want to lose? - Thomas said - How about $1,000, now that you're making some income with your comics, in a year, it's certain you'll have that money. - Thomas said.

-Better, Dad, if I lose, I won't go to the graphic animation school and I'll immediately study business at Stanford University. - Billy said.

-Wow, Stanford! We have money to pay for it. - exclaimed his father.

-There's the sale of the comics, - Billy said. - Anyway, it's an investment for the future.

-Deal, Billy, although you're very intelligent, this bet will cost you dearly - Thomas said.

He had always wanted his son to go to a good university, but he wastes his talent for business and doesn't go to not-so-good universities here in California. - Thomas thought.

-And if I win? - Billy said.

-Well, what do you want? Ask for anything you want; it's not possible that you'll win anyway. - his father said jokingly.

-We have $400,000 in the company's savings account. With the comic sales and the $1 million that Nike owes us, it's possible to make transactions. I want $30,000, to bet in three betting houses, that the Pistons will win the 1990 season, both in the East and the final championship. - Billy said.

-I still don't understand what all this is about. - Thomas said.

-Easy, the bet is $30,000. If I lose, we lose $30,000, and I go to Stanford. If I win, I keep all the betting money. - Billy said.

So far, there hadn't been a distinction in income, and his father handled all the accounts. He was even the owner of Lux Comics, Billy had all the copyrights, but he did nothing but present comics and sell them. Like a good worker, his father was very austere in his expenses, and all the money went to single purchases for the company and household expenses, also sustained by the company.

But he didn't have financial freedom; although he had 90% of the company, he trusted his father, what if something happened to him? What about his grandparents, his uncles, or worse, a new woman coming into the house? Money is the root of all evil; it can bring happiness, and comfort, but for money, people are willing to do anything.

-You're crazy! $30,000 isn't a trifling sum; you need to know when to stop. - Thomas said.

-Come on, Dad, it's $30,000 to go to Stanford. - Billy said.

-Okay, deal, I'll check with the notified betting houses, - Thomas said. - I hope you don't regret it; you'll go to Stanford, study two basic courses, and then an MBA in management.

-Sure. - Billy said.

-Why are you so sure? Recently, we argued about your hurry to enlist in the animation school. Now, you're saying that because of some bets, you're willing to postpone for five years. - Thomas said.

-I'll win. - Billy said.

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