Hollywood Art: System of sunnys

December 6.

The sharp chill of the early morning in Los Angeles was unusual, with temperatures dipping to a frigid 2 degrees Celsius.

"Don't go, my love. Stay with me on this cold morning," whispered Monica Bellucci, burying her face into Billy’s neck. Playfully, she licked his skin as she laughed, holding him close. As Billy tried to pull away, Monica bit his neck lightly, teasingly keeping him in bed.

Billy returned the gesture with a soft kiss on her lips, the darkness of the early morning wrapping around them as they shared a tender, intimate moment.

-The commander will fire me. I can’t tell him my partner caught me in a tiger trap this morning, my little empress,- Billy joked, kissing Bellucci once more before reluctantly getting up.

Billy soon found himself on patrol in Los Angeles with Carl.

Meanwhile, Monica's day began a couple of hours later. She stretched her arms as a faint sun, covered by gray clouds, dimly lit the room. After a two-hour beauty routine, she headed downstairs for a bowl of fruit and a glass of water. Keeping up with her regimen, she spent an hour doing yoga and bathing, and by 11 a.m., she was ready to face photoshoots, interviews, or perhaps some social appearances.

-I thought you wouldn’t come,- Winona Ryder greeted her with a warm hug. Behind her, several entertainment industry figures mingled, enjoying what appeared to be a casual morning barbecue.

The setting featured a small terrace with a balcony adorned with vines. Tim Burton stood out, as always, with his wild hair and a motorcycle jacket that seemed out of place but oddly fitting for him. His age only made his theatrical fashion choices more intriguing.

-I almost enjoyed my time at home, but seeing you makes me so happy,- sighed Monica.

Courtney Love, Sofia Coppola, Keanu Reeves, and the ever-stunning Uma Thurman were also present, the latter leaning under some shade with her usual charm. Despite the notable guests, the gathering seemed more like a simple wine-and-bread affair rather than a high-profile event.

Monica found a seat but excused herself to freshen up in the bathroom. The expansive house was impressively minimalist, with gleaming bone-white walls, silver accents, and dark wood details that added a unique charm. She noticed the mirror was cracked in the lower corner as she checked her reflection.

Returning to the terrace, a soft ballad played, Winona’s signature touch.

-I didn’t expect to see you in L.A., but here you are,- Sofia Coppola remarked, her tone as straightforward as ever.

-A beautiful flower,- added Burton, his compliment laced with his usual flair.

-Thank you, dear,- Monica responded, her words filled with the casual confidence of someone used to such interactions.

-What brings you here? I thought you’d never leave Los Angeles,- Sofia pressed further, recalling how her father once admired Monica.

-She’s with Billy. Why didn’t he come? I think I’ll call him to join us,- Winona interjected, holding a cheese platter, her hair tied up, her large eyes sparkling.

- He’s working. He’s training with the LAPD for his next role, so he doesn’t have time for these kinds of gatherings. Even if he wasn’t, I doubt he would come. His phone is always ringing off the hook; he’d probably be somewhere else handling things, - Monica explained, her voice softening as she spoke about Billy, a topic she didn’t particularly enjoy delving into.

-Nothing new with him... I have your favorite, blue cheese with grape bread. Later, I’d love for you to try my Neapolitan sauce, - Winona said, placing more food on the table, lightening the mood.

-Honey, I adore your pumpkin pies, - Courtney Love chimed in.

Everyone seemed to be nursing a mild hangover, Monica realized—it had been a while since she’d been out drinking.

-It’s not a bother... I know the boy, Billy, a force in the animation industry. What’s he up to next year? No idea… but let him know I was impressed with his Ice Age film, - Tim Burton commented, pouring himself more wine with a calm demeanor.

Having recently released Batman, in which Uma starred, Burton was also gearing up to release James and the Giant Peach.

-He says you make great animated films. He loves your unique style and considers you one of the best directors in animated cinema, - Monica replied, surprising Burton with Billy's high praise.

***

Thomas Carson had spent an entire month grappling with the distress of caring for his ailing father, while his personal life seemed to crumble around him. His wife, Ivanova, three months pregnant, was exhausted, especially with the twins, who were already a significant burden. Sitting in the hospital, crushed by the weight of his responsibilities and fresh from a steamy shower, his mind couldn’t stop wandering.

The family business wasn’t doing well, and what lay ahead wasn’t going to be easy. His brother, Jeffrey Carson, had made decisions that deeply disappointed him, pushing him toward selling everything before it all fell apart. Thomas had to think about his mother—about moving her to Los Angeles, where the care would be different. But the thought of dismantling his life caused a sharp pain in his chest. He considered converting the garage into a small apartment for her, expanding the patio to give her a spot to enjoy coffee, but all of this felt like an attempt to escape his overwhelming despair.

His foot tapped incessantly against the floor, a physical manifestation of his rising anxiety. His father’s surgery had begun in the early hours of the morning, and now it was already noon. The discomfort that gripped him remained, even the water did nothing to soothe his dry throat.

By 1:30 p.m., the unease lingered.

-Thomas, darling...- Ivanova's voice pulled him from his reverie. Despite being visibly pregnant, the large blue coat she wore concealed her growing belly.

-Livi...- Thomas responded with a sigh.

-Your mother is about to arrive,- ivanova informed him, sitting down beside him. At 39 years old, she was tired—worn out both physically and emotionally by the pregnancy and life with the twins—but, as always, she managed to keep her composure.

-I see... And the kids?-  he asked, noticing the absence of her usual double stroller.

-Fed and taken care of... They were asleep when I left. Yamile’s watching them now. Your mother’s probably arguing with the receptionists. It’s not good, to leave a pregnant woman, an elderly lady, and two kids home alone. Very bad of you, Mr. Carson,- Ivanova added, stretching her arms and resting her feet on a small stool. Her shirt was stained with applesauce, and dark circles shadowed her eyes.

The hospital remained in near silence, broken only by the hum of the air conditioning and the occasional footsteps of staff or patients. That silence was soon shattered by the arrival of Helen Carson.

With her slow but purposeful stride, Helen entered the room with her usual presence. -This hospital is utterly incompetent! Back in my day, employees would be running to get things done... We’ve raised a generation of lazy, good-for-nothing people!- Helen grumbled, her displeasure palpable, making everyone in the room tense up.

-Mother... How nice to see you looking so well,- Thomas remarked, knowing that the rare times when his mother wasn’t complaining were often the most concerning.

-Lazy, all of them... Where’s Billy? He’s been gone for too long. Even Jeffrey’s worthless sons have been coming daily. Where’s that altar boy who thinks he’s from a better family?- Helen continued, adjusting herself in her seat with visible dissatisfaction. Despite her harsh tone, it was clear she missed Billy, who had become the primary financial support for his grandparents, overseen by Anne Hall.

-Mom, he has a lot of commitments. Everything was scheduled before Dad’s accident. While it’s true this is an important cause, we can’t ignore that he’s busy,- Thomas explained, trying to ease the tension.

But Thomas knew Billy would come before Christmas. That, at least, was certain.

***

Nike, the sports company that holds the largest market share in North American basketball, was founded in 1964 and has experienced a growth trajectory akin to a surge in bestsellers. Its rival, Adidas, is not far behind, but it is recognized that Nike excels in certain aspects of footwear and basketball.

- I thought I would eventually hear back from Nike, but I didn't expect such a quick response, - commented Anne Hall.

- I was just an advisor for the sports brand when we first signed the contract. Now, six years later, I am the Director of Marketing and Advertising for the company. I have a certain connection with you; this was one of the first major contracts I brought to the company, and I do not regret taking that gamble, - remarked Peter Rupe.

The man who met Billy a long time ago has a significant reason for this connection; he has known Billy since his beginnings. The little boy, who was once mute around adults, now runs a massive entertainment company. He is unsure how much they will pay for the license. Taking a seat, both were deeply engaged in preparations. Real was a true powerhouse; his story could resonate not only with the American audience but with many beyond its borders. He understood that reaching out to an overlooked audience, the disabled community, while it may sound harsh, was a lucrative business opportunity.

- I believe we can seize this opportunity to enhance mutual understanding. The Slam Dunk products are among our favorite brands, embraced by all young people. We want to revitalize the brand, and of course, I saw Real's assistant... we want to launch a campaign with that comic, - Peter Rupe commented.

- We can renew the Slam Dunk contract for four years at double the previous terms, - Anne Hall stated. Eleven million dollars; a whistle escaped from Peter Rupe, who accepted immediately. It wasn't a lot, especially with the 9% of sales generated, it remained a great deal. The issue was Real; if Slam Dunk was extravagant, Real was a bombshell—four years, 20 million, 5%.

- That's a tough pill to swallow, - Anne Hall remarked.

- This is the offer Adidas made; I am extending my goodwill for the many years of negotiation, - Anne Hall explained.

- I see, - he replied, more anxious than he let on. The position is crucial, and they found in sports comics a clear decision-making opportunity that significantly affected the audience. The Slam Dunk comic was read by millions and viewed by even more; children loved Slam Dunk, and that was a fact.

What about the Real campaign? Just the name alone made all the executives salivate. Goodwill wins loyal customers, and those are better than any ordinary buyers.

...