Chapter 106: Friendship.
May 22.
Mr. Constantino, the math teacher, walked back and forth, giving orders to students here and there, while Professor Julie, on the other hand, spoke to the students more calmly. Both had taken on the responsibility of leading the high school seniors from Notre Dame High School on a three-day camping trip. To his misfortune, Billy was forced to attend this school event for some reason. Even in his bad luck, his only friend, Connor from the basketball team, would be playing in the regional finals with the basketball team, a last-minute stroke of luck that qualified them for the regional finals.
-Billy, my boy, you'll be late for school, - said Thomas Carson, who was very happy. His son had just been admitted to the business program at Stanford University, and he had an excellent national exam score. According to his grades, he could graduate with the class in June.
-I've got everything ready in my backpack, - said Billy, holding a large backpack in his hand, which contained all the necessary changes of clothes.
-Well, take some money, spend it wisely. There are some special stores near the campsite; you can buy whatever you like. If you need anything, just call me. That's why I got you the phone, - said Thomas.
-Of course, Dad, I'll bring back souvenirs, - Billy replied playfully. He even had about $80 in his pocket for any unexpected expenses. - By the way, it's $400, - he added.
-Invite a girl or something, buy some souvenirs, or spend it on arcade games, - said Thomas.
At forty-five years old, gray hairs had started to appear in his blond hair.
-Come on, I don't want to be late. The buses leave at 9 in the morning, - said Thomas.
-Just give me a second, Dad. I need to grab my wallet, - said Billy, running down the stairs, making a ruckus on the wooden and tiled steps. Billy's room was the last one on the left, with a home movie theater bought two years ago, featuring a variety of films.
The rooms were so minimalist that they gave off a sense of masculine simplicity. Billy entered the room, wearing a green T-shirt and a black Nike hoodie, giving him a youthful appearance that he lost when wearing suits most of the time.
-I'll be in the car, - Thomas called out as he left the house through the secondary door leading from the kitchen to the garage to warm up the car. It needed some time to warm up properly.
He watched Billy leave with the backpack slung over his shoulder. He got into the car, pushing the backpack onto the back seat with force. The traffic on this late morning wasn't as bad as they initially expected, and the trip didn't last more than twenty minutes.
They turned onto the streets, and after about twenty blocks, they could see Notre Dame School and the yellow school bus that would be used to take them to the annual camping trip for schools in the San Jose area. Out of the 49 senior students, six members of the basketball team were absent, and three others claimed medical incapacities. Forty students from Notre Dame High School would embark on the adventure in two buses.
-Remember to listen to your teachers, and I hope you behave well and have fun, - Thomas said.
-Of course, Dad. Remember to talk to Jim Lee. He promised to join the company once he finished some pending work. But his editor, Terry, will be the first to arrive. Leave some comics for me to start working on. The new Samurai X series will start publishing this summer season, and if there's still time, you can edit the comics for The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Power Rangers, - Billy replied.
-I will, son. Don't worry; Anne has everything ready. We've set up a workspace for Jim Lee and his team, and your old man even took advantage of the purchase of the building on 43rd Street to rent apartments to the three of them, - Thomas said.
-The new apartments certainly surprised me, - Billy said.
-How much did you invest, Dad, for the whole building? - Billy asked. He never expected the purchase of a building, let alone that it was such an affordable price.
-Well, $160,000 from your end, and $70,000 from my end, so 65% and 35%, - Thomas replied.
-Say hi to Jim Lee's team for me, - Billy said.
-Take care, son! - Thomas said.
Exiting the car to head to the yellow school buses for a three-hour journey to their next destination, Billy saw Mr. Constantine with a clipboard, taking attendance as students boarded the buses.
-Good morning, Mr. Carson, -- Constantine said as he checked off names. -- Young man, you can board that bus over there, -- he pointed to a bus parked facing the street.
Billy boarded the bus, which was empty, and he was curious as to why he was assigned to this particular bus. He checked his wristwatch; it was 8:55 in the morning. He pulled out a book on modern art and started reading while making circles with his hand, a habit he developed from doodling at the factory.
-You're crazy! That damn teacher is a pervert! - a voice exclaimed.
-Shut up, - said another voice that Billy recognized—it was Selene. One of the most unpredictable women he knew; one day she was flirtatious, the next she was mean, and on another, she was quiet, with a mood as unpredictable as the weather.
-Mr. Constantine is as old as my grandfather, - said another voice that Billy recognized but found somehow annoying—Jessica.
-What nonsense. This is probably the stupidest thing that has happened today, - said a voice that Billy couldn't identify.
-Oh, of course. I bought them over the weekend. Do you like them? - Selene replied.
-Red doesn't suit you, - Alice commented.
-Ha! Jealous, aren't you, my friend? - Selene retorted.
-Jealous of your superior intelligence? - Alice replied sarcastically.
-Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Don't worry, Austin is an idiot. Luckily, the basketball team kept him away from this activity. I swear, I wouldn't have come if that jerk was here, - Selene said.
-I know, he's such a jerk... Look who's here, our favorite guy, - Jessica said.
-What are you doing here? - Selene asked. - I thought you wouldn't show up. You usually keep to yourself, never participating in anything that resembles a classroom. -
-I just enjoy these activities. I hope you all do too, - Billy replied, returning to his book. The girls walked to the back seats to gossip from a distance.
The bus filled up with different students, and it became increasingly difficult to concentrate on the words in the book. So, Billy focused on sketching a bit here and there. He had been trying to expand the Slam Dunk comic, which had become popular among people. But it needed some filling in certain parts, from the training segments to the challenges faced by the secondary characters in the plot.
-Wow, buddy, you draw well. I'm a Slam Dunk fan too, - a young man sitting next to him said.
-Thanks, - Billy responded. - Who are you? -
-Haha, it's obvious. How could Billy Carson pay attention to anything other than his world? - the guy chuckled. - I'm Brando, a substitute for the basketball team. I didn't go because I got kicked off the team for bad behavior. -
-I'm sorry to hear that, - Billy said.
-Don't be sorry. I earned that expulsion. I honestly couldn't stand being on that dysfunctional team. I prefer to practice on my own. I'll try out for a second-division team in the summer. So, there's no point in regretting being on a team like that, - Brando replied.
-Which team are you trying out for? - Billy asked.
-The South Larkers. The tryouts are in the summer, and I'm already enrolled at San Jose University. My dad allowed me to defer a semester if I made it to the second-division team. The other option is to join the San Jose University team, but they're not very good, - Brando explained.
-You're going to college? - Billy asked, surprised.
- That's right, electronic engineering, and if I'm lucky, automotive engineering. My old man has an auto repair shop, so if you ever need any repairs, you can come by, we won't turn you away. We're in the Yellow Pages under "Mechanics" around here, - Brando said.
-I see. I'll come by someday, but for now, I don't think we need a mechanic, - Billy replied.
-No worries, man, - Brando said. He was dark-skinned and had very white teeth. Although he seemed happy, his appearance left much to be desired—worn-out shoes, and second-hand clothes. Billy knew he was one of those struggling souls in California.
-Who's your favorite Slam Dunk character? - Billy asked.
Brando smiled, showing all his teeth. - I like Sakuragi/Wilt. You know, it's funny how he got into the sport just to impress a girl, but he puts so much effort into it that it's infectious. My old man built a court behind the shop. I've got all the volumes. What about you? Who do you like?" Brando said.
-I like Hisashi/Benz. His redemption arc is how he follows his passions without regret, and if he wants to apologize, he just does it. He's great, - Billy replied.
-You like the delinquent! Bravo! I never expected you to like the delinquent. You know, I thought you'd go for Rukawa/Lucían, - Brando said.
-Not at all. He's not as cool as other characters. He's just your typical superstar, - Billy said.
-Hahaha, - Brando laughed.
He leaned a bit closer to Billy. - Hey, I know I shouldn't pry, but what's the deal with the school beauties? You know, I always see you talking to them at lunch, and there's even a rumor going around that you've dated each of them, - Brando said.
-They say that? - Billy asked, a bit surprised. Rumors?
-Yeah, you know, they say you've dated Selene, Claudia, and Alice, - Brando said.
-I can't deny that I've gone out with Claudia, but not with any of the others, - Billy said.
-I see. I won't press, buddy. You know, in the basketball team, there's Austin, and that guy couldn't stop talking about how much he hates you. And Alice talks about you a lot, or at least that's what Austin says, - Brando said.
-I didn't know she talked about me that much, but there's nothing between her and me, -Billy said.
-No worries, buddy. I'm just laying out the facts, - Brando said.
The conversation continued until they parked halfway at a small shopping center with some toy stores.
-Will you come with me to grab something to eat? - Billy asked.
Brando looked like he wanted to say something but just nodded instead. In a small breakfast and lunch joint, Billy saw a menu for hamburgers.
-I think I'll use the bathroom. Give me a second, - Brando said.
-Can I have the double cheeseburger with fries, - Billy ordered, leaning closer to a person picking up their onion rings. - Oh, and I'll take some onion rings, a bottle of water, and a chocolate milkshake too. -
-That'll be $19.72, - the cashier said robotically.
Billy paid and waited for his order. The girls came in, laughing and giggling about something. Brando's words echoed in his head, "Alice talks about you a lot." He noticed Alice's jean shorts that showed off her long, white legs.
-Oh, sweet Billy, what are you staring at me so intently for? - Selene said as she approached Billy's table. The laughter continued behind her after her loud comment.
-Sorry, I got lost in thought, Selene, - Billy said.
-Hmph, see you later, - Selene said, returning to her friends. Billy's cold response had always bothered her.
Brando returned with a washed face and his usual friendly smile. In his hand, he held a peanut butter bagel. The aroma hit Billy's nose along with a thermos that appeared to contain hot chocolate.
-So, what are you eating? - Brando said with his mouth full.
-Well, I ordered something light, - Billy said.
The genetic makeup of this body loves to eat. Living with constant hunger was something he'd gotten used to over time.
-Order number 713, - they announced loudly.
-Ah, that's mine," Billy said, walking over to the pickup counter. The scent filled his nostrils. "I promise I'll start ordering salads next week, - Billy thought.
-Look, this one's for you. I didn't know you liked it, but it's a double cheeseburger with fries, just like what I got, - Billy said.
Brando's raised eyebrows revealed his surprise at the gift, sometimes things just are the way they are. And individualism tends to be an unwritten rule among people.
-Don't look at me like that. I don't like eating alone in front of someone, - Billy said.
-Oh, okay, - Brando replied. For the first time in three hours of talking to Billy, he was quiet while eating his burger. His big eyes contrasted with his long arms and even longer legs. Brando's height, as determined in medical records from last August, was 6'1". His hunger was voracious, and in less than 10 minutes, his burger was gone.
-You can have half of the onion rings if you want, -- Billy said, calmly eating his burger. He thought to himself, "You're doing me a favor; it's too much grease for me." He offered Brando the box of 8 onion rings.
Brando took half as Billy had suggested, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
-Thank you for the food. God bless you, Billy, - Brando said, making the sign of the cross that his mother had taught him, a practice she instilled in her three children.
The shopping center also had a sports store and a pet store. The trip continued without any further incidents until they reached the annual activity camp organized by private schools in the San Jose and Pasadena areas.
Mr. Constantine had his shirt soaked in sweat. He came down with a large megaphone and began giving orders to all the students.
The camp exceeded his expectations. The cabins were larger than he had expected, and the freshly painted wood shone along their edges. The rooms were spacious, with at least five people or more in each. The first activity was a long hike of about three to four miles. They were divided into two groups. The first group would engage in arts and crafts activities in the art cabin. A path through the forest led to a beautiful spring, home to some colorful and beautiful fish that swam throughout the small pond. Upon their arrival, a rustic-looking van brought some provisions: tuna sandwiches, bottled water, and a bag of chips. Pine trees provided shade in some areas, and a gentle breeze added to the peaceful atmosphere.
Billy began to draw the place with great care in his sketchbook. He tried to artificially recreate the movement of nature in his drawings, capturing the viscosity of the water and the flow of air currents among the leaves and underbrush.
-That's a nice drawing. Brando said you were good at it, but this is fantastic, -- Will --commented. Will was one of the members who shared a room with him. One cabin had up to five spacious rooms, accommodating 23 boys. -
-Thank you, I was just trying to capture this scenery forever, - Billy said, taking a bite of the tuna sandwich that was in a plastic bag next to him.
"Stella, look. Someone's got talent," Will said, calling over a petite girl with short hair. She was very small in stature; her entire body had small proportions. He had seen some of her works in the art room, and she had skills with a paintbrush.
"Billy Carson, I saw your final art piece, it was amazing," Stella said.
"I've also seen some of your work, and it's pretty impressive," Billy replied.
Stella didn't say more, but she did stop to look at his painting carefully. Her thin eyebrows furrowed, and she almost creased her forehead, creating lines of concern, before moving to the other side of the spring. Will simply made an apologetic gesture and followed her. Billy, on the other hand, stopped in various places, greeting and exchanging words with the other people in almost random discussions with all the students on the excursion. Billy adjusted his things and continued drawing for almost another hour, repeating the landscape for a second time with firmer strokes and more detailed finishes. This time, he felt more satisfied with the drawing. However, he decided to draw other things to pass the time. They were called back after an hour and a half.
Billy returned to his room to drop off his things as the evening's music activity began. To his surprise, it was a dance dedication. It had been a long time since he had modestly danced, but the activity turned out to be fun thanks to John, the camp's entertainer, who had a knack for words.
He sat down next to Alice, who, for some reason, seemed sad. The reason was her ex-boyfriend, Austin.
-Is everything okay, Alice? - Billy asked, looking at the fire in the center of the camp.
Alice only glanced at him from the corner of her eye, but he didn't turn to look at her. - I'm fine, just tired, - she said.
-You never told me about Claudia, -- Billy said, his green eyes watching Alice. Despite her reserved state, there were no obvious signs of distress. -- I don't want to know for now. I'll wait for her to tell me. I heard you're going to Berkeley. -
-That's right. You're heading to Stanford, - Alice said.
-Indeed, I'm going to Stanford. The business school awaits me, - Billy said.
-I thought you were going to Los Angeles, - Alice said, her words carrying hidden meaning.
-I'll go later. The business course is two years; it's not much considering the time I have, -- Billy replied.
-You know, Claudia has wanted to call you for a while now, but she's been afraid to hear what you'll say, - Alice said.
-I have no intention of losing my temper. If she wants to call, she can call. I didn't realize you talked to her so much, - Billy replied.
-Well, Jessica, Claudia, and I all went to the same school. She's always been a very funny person. Come on, let's grab something to eat. I haven't eaten since lunch, - Alice said, squeezing his shoulder.
-No problem, - Billy said, hoping no one would misinterpret this. Brando's words from this morning about him still lingered in his mind. The restaurant was the typical cafeteria with large tables and a buffet served by a kitchen assistant.
-You know, I never thought school would end so quickly, -- Alice said, picking up her pasta with salad from the kitchen assistant. -- You didn't even go to the prom; it's your senior year. I'm just surprised. Selene wanted you to ask her to the dance. -
-I was busy, - Billy said.
-Again with that attitude, the mysterious guy. You know, people have feelings. Sometimes we want to be acknowledged. We want to be liked, and when you ignore someone like that, it's hurtful, - Alice said.
-When you do it, I've seen how you make fun of some guys, - Billy replied.
Alice's mouth twisted into an uncomfortable expression. She wasn't used to anyone responding to her so directly.
-They're not the same thing. I don't beat around the bush. Tell me, Alice, do I seem indecisive to you? - Billy said.
Although he spoke softly in his voice, Alice felt the weight of his words, and she felt her tears welling up in her eyes.
-You're such a jerk, - Alice said angrily.
Billy could only follow her to the table she chose.
-Come on, Alice, my words aren't meant to hurt, - Billy said, sitting across from her.
Alice was furious, and it showed in her eyes. The conversation fell into an awkward silence as two uncomfortable people ate at the same table. Billy decided to finish eating without paying further attention to the angry Alice; he would apologize to her after he finished his meal.
Alice got up to leave without finishing her meal. - Don't go, Alice, - Billy said.
Alice paused but only to look at him and flip her hair with a practiced gesture. Billy managed to grab her hand, and although the room wasn't full, there were about five people, so this was likely to spread like wildfire.
-Finish your meal, then we can talk more calmly, - Billy said.
Alice did as he asked, but anger was still evident on her face. Billy could only smile; Alice's tantrum reminded him a lot of his grandmother, who, despite her anger, only puts on a sour face for the whole day. His grandfather is an expert at mending that face, but he prefers to let her cool down after a while.
Alice finished her meal and rested her cheek on her hand, looking away.
-I'd like to travel to Los Angeles and start my acting career, but my family is pretty strict in many ways. I respect them, and I know I'm not old enough to rebel against them yet. So for now, I'm just going with the flow. I know the day will come when my actions can't be dictated by anyone, but for now, I'm just waiting for the right moments, - Billy said.
Alice didn't respond.
--That's why I can be rude sometimes. I just focus on my things without paying attention to others. You should understand me too. After all, you're part of the cheerleading team. They say you're very competent, a captain to be feared. Sometimes I see you working hard in my extracurricular basketball classes, -- Billy said.
--It's tough to have to follow others' words. I thought you were a bit more rebellious, and well, I do everything with the best of intentions, which is why I'm going to Berkeley. We'll see how things go after that, -- Alice said.
-Everything will be fine, Alice. Time puts things in their place, -- Billy said.
-Hahaha, you sound like an old man for sure, - Alice laughed.
Billy blushed but could only join in Alice's laughter. -- Do you want to go to the mall tomorrow? -- Billy asked.
-Let's go! But let me bring Selene and Abby, - Alice said.
-You can bring them, just don't cause any problems for me, - Billy replied.
The school camp was just beginning, but Billy understood that he couldn't distance himself from the people around him. That would only be detrimental to him at first. He played basketball with Brando and got to know Selene and Alice better during the camp.
....
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
rollo1019to
rollo1019to Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Chapter 107: Premiere of the game, Samurai jack.
May 22.
For Thomas Carson, things were going quite differently than for Billy Carson. The early arrival of the artists Billy had invited to join Lux Comics had been causing him headaches due to the conditions they imposed. He considered these conditions unnecessary, given the flexibility his son had offered these people. Billy wasn't charging a cent for printing the comics, and everything was being covered at cost, with a 35% distribution fee and an office space provided in the comic factory, which could easily be used for more critical administrative workers in the sector.
-It's already begun to distribute the Samurai Jack games. Capcom sent us some special copies to test since yesterday, - said Dave, the factory's inspector general, while Thomas was in conversation with Anne, discussing the arrival of the company's artists.
-I think there's only one person who can adequately test this game, -Anne remarked, taking the console and heading to the game room, where she connected it to the television. - Raimon, come over here, don't run away. I've seen you play arcade games since I arrived. -
-Oh, Anne, I got up early to finish my work. I don't have much left to do, - Raimon replied.
-Well, start checking this is the new game from the company, and Billy wants to know in great detail whether Capcom followed the instructions or encountered any issues along the way, -- Anne said, glancing at the wall clock. -- It's 9:00 in the morning. You have until after lunch. I'll leave you in your office during those hours. You also have today, Friday, Saturday, and Monday to review it. If you finish early, you can complete the game. -
-They pay you to play video games. It's pure gold, - Raimon thought.
-Oh, sweet Anne, don't worry. I'm an administrative droid who gets all the tasks done, - Raimon said.
with a chuckle as he turned on the Samurai Jack console. He opened a 1.5-liter Coca-Cola bottle and mixed it with some coffee, and the heavy bags under his eyes spoke of a night of revelry. The meeting with his old group had brought consequences, a movie marathon from the Far East, and it had never been so much fun.
Anne simply ignored his behavior and continued with the morning meeting with Mr. Carson. The June season was set to begin on June 15th, and so far, only three comics out of the five promised by Billy had been delivered: the stories of the Iron Giant, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the Power Rangers. Billy had promised to publish a fourth series online, but there were only sketches—Shaman King, the Spirit King, another idea from young Billy, which surprised Anne.
The Samurai Jack game began with an enticing intro created by Billy, featuring Jack cutting a red background into three pieces. The screen rotated, and the start game and load game options appeared on the menu. Only the aesthetic designs were top-notch.
Raimon pressed the start game button, and the voiceover narration resonated from the square-shaped television of that era. The one-minute short film created by Billy played, and Jack's sword seemed to leap out of the screen. This prompted an outburst of excitement from Raimon, who began laughing, raising his hands in the air while taking long sips from the Coca-Cola he had downed in one go. He reached for his backpack and pulled out a long tube of sour gummy candies that turned his mouth blue. They shared the carbonated drink.
-You have to prove yourself, player. Only someone destined to defeat Aku can finish this game, - said Aku with a hearty "HAHAHAHA," filling the game room. Raimon held his breath. The first thing he'd do was recommend it to his friends, call the Stanford computer group, and the Blue Cavalry—everyone had to play it with him.
The game controls were impressive and practical, from double jumps to using the sword in various combos, such as double tap and down, or double tap and up. It was simply astonishing. The game explained how to navigate the different obstacles, and the open world that he and Billy had once discussed came to life.
After completing the first mission and receiving a radar from space dogs to map locations, Raimon realized he could now map all the places he visited. From the trade center where he could upgrade his sword in the blacksmith's shop to his small inventory and the skills he was learning, he played non-stop for four hours, and the completion percentage still stood at 18%.
-Raimon, it's time to go to work, - Anne said in that authoritative tone that reminded him so much of his mother.
-Sure, sure, just give me a moment to save the game, - Raimon said like a child speaking to a mother.
-How's the game? - Anne asked.
-It's insane, Anne. I think Billy is going to make a lot of money for Capcom. It's simply revolutionary. 10 out of 10. I'll call all my friends and recommend the game. It's almost like playing Street Fighter for the first time, something I can't easily forget, - Raimon said.
-That reassures me. Write a review and leave it on Billy's desk when you finish the game, - Anne said.
-Wait, what? Billy won't play it? - Raimon asked.
"I don't think they'll have time to enjoy video games. There's a lot to do in the company, like the semi-annual reports from the companies. I've given you some extra tasks—review the accounting, and if you can find any errors, highlight them in red, - Anne said.
-Piece of cake. I was a monitor in accounting at the university, - Raimon said, thumping his chest. In the four hours of work, he had entered autopilot mode. The sooner he finished, the sooner he could continue playing the Samurai Jack game.
Accounting accounts are like a fashion runway collection; you have to show them to everyone in the right way. Each account must be redirected on a specific occasion. Each account follows a correct pattern, and if you can choose another path, that path has fewer obstacles. Some paths are longer, while others are for newcomers.
-Raimon, it's very late, young man. You should go home, - Gorman, the company archivist, said.
-Oh, I got caught up serializing the accounts to hand them over to Anne. Darn it, I'll have to come in early tomorrow, - Raimon said. It was already 8:00 PM.
-I think it's time for both of us to go, - Raimon told Gorman.
-Come, I'm about to leave. I'll wait for you, - Gorman said.
Raimon shut down the computer and organized things as best he could.
-Let's go. I'll finish with the accounts tomorrow, - Raimon said.
-Anne had to leave early. Before 5:00 PM, her little brother had to stay without a babysitter, so she'll be going home early. She asked me to give you the complete Lux Comics files. She wants you to do the study and report. She'll review it later, - Gorman said.
A man in his thirties with a serious demeanor, he only spoke when necessary. Occasionally, he could be seen reading detective novels from the filing cabinet.
-Too much work for one day, - Raimon said, bidding farewell to Ramon, the night guard, who was locking up and inspecting the company from top to bottom. The small reception area at the entrance was the only well-lit place.
-Good night to all of you, - the security guard said.
In the next five minutes, he arrived at his small apartment, thinking about how great the Samurai Jack game was. He fell fast asleep, and the alarm woke him up at 7:00 AM. Still feeling quite sleepy, he rubbed his beard and realized it was time for a bit of shaving. Although he was aware of what he was doing the night before, unfortunately, he had slept in his clothes with his glasses on, and he woke up with a terrible headache. There was only one important thing on his mind: he would shower and play some Samurai Jack at work.
He managed to dial his friends from the Blue Cavalry, and luckily, they answered. The game room had a phone.
-Samurai Jack, the best game I've ever played. You won't regret it. Spread the word—it's a glorious combat challenge, - Raimon exclaimed loudly.
He repeated these words for his friends in the Star Wars enthusiast group, his friends in San Diego, and even those in New York. He called nearly twenty groups because he had to share the excitement with as many people as possible.
...
I am trying to make the chapters a little longer, in some cases, the minimum word count is now 1200. - the maximum word count is 2200, but the last chapters are 3000 words or 2800. I want to make longer chapters for you, I feel you enjoy reading them more.
on the other hand, sorry for the delay, I've had a very busy week. follow me on Patreon I'm 30 chapters ahead, and there are even some images, and extra chapters only for subscribers, have a nice day.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
rollo1019to
rollo1019to
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Chapter 108: Year-end credits.
May 30
Billy is on his way to the airport with his father, and fortunately, his grandparents will come to the graduation ceremony on June 17, 1991. However, they will arrive twenty days earlier to spend some time with young Billy. His grandparents can be somewhat challenging to deal with.
-Remember to tell Grandma that you'll be studying at Stanford. If she asks about acting, just say it's a hobby, and now the focus is on graduating, - Thomas said, reviewing the multiple responses they would give to Billy's grandmother and Thomas's mother, respectively.
-Yes, I understand. I won't say anything that could cause us any trouble, Dad, - Billy replied, knowing his grandmother's personality. All the Carson men should keep her on the right track. Only the wrath of Richard Carson can intimidate her, which happens once every five years.
From cleaning the house to the food in the fridge, everything is for grandma's arrival. Even Billy is dressed in a suit with a tie. It's a formal uniform suit with a few colors—black suit, white shirt, maroon tie. In contrast, his father is wearing his favorite blue suit. There's this new suit shop that customizes suits for $3,000, tailoring them to your shape. You can choose the fabric from various options, and the suit's fit is adjusted to your measurements for an additional $1,000.
-Behave, just behave as best as you can. Mom can be tough, but once she leaves, we can get back to our routine, - Thomas said, signaling for the tenth time that Billy shouldn't cause any trouble.
-Yes, Dad, I understand the grandma's temperament too, - Billy said.
-Well, son, -- Thomas said, turning left toward the airport. - I think we can go to that pizza restaurant we used to visit so often before we got busy with our respective businesses, - he suggested.
-That sounds great, but I'm starting to eat healthier. I want to regulate my diet and eat something more nutritious for myself. It's essential to stay in good physical shape if you want to be an actor, - Billy replied.
Thomas raised an eyebrow and didn't say anything, but he still parked at the pizza restaurant. -We'll eat healthier next time. We'll pay one of those nutritionists to create a diet plan for you. Right now, we don't have time to go somewhere else, - he said.
Billy sighed but got out of the car. Nevertheless, that pizza was delicious. When he was seven years old, he loved that pizza. They used to go there almost every weekend when his father didn't have extra work at the office. His favorite pizza had always been pepperoni and chicken with mushroom pizza.
Is this the sensation he's seeking, a mouthwatering pizza experience?
-We'll bring some to the grandparents, - Thomas said.
-Do whatever you want, but it's a sure thing that grandma will scold you tonight, - Billy remarked.
-Hahaha, she'll never be pleased, but if you offer, she won't be able to resist her beloved grandson, - Thomas said, knowing his mother's weakness for her grandchildren over her children.
-I don't think grandma has a preference. Sometimes she prefers my cousins, - Billy replied.
-My brother has always followed in our parents' footsteps. He's followed every step, and he's strict with his children, just as they were with him. Very strict. They have followed the family's path since my grandfather's time. They go to church on Sundays and work as hard as they can on the farm, from sunrise to sunset. They cultivate the crops and tend to the livestock. There are many things I was never willing to do. Even Kevin, your cousin, studied agricultural engineering at his father's request, - Thomas explained.
-So, you're the rebel of the family, - Billy teased.
-Let's not talk about that, - Thomas replied.
As luck would have it, their grandparents arrived just in time. Billy couldn't help but smile at his grandfather's checkered white shirt, a nod to his grandfather's sporty appearance. His grandmother wore a long green and black dress that reached her ankles.
-My dear little chick, - Richard Carson said, embracing Billy tightly. The strong cologne of his grandfather was distinctive, and he had been wearing it since '58 when the store had just started selling it. It was one of those things that always stuck in his mind—the smell of his grandfather. The story behind the purchase was a stroke of luck. He had befriended the store's salesman, who turned out to be the owner. They had a long-lasting relationship until the salesman's untimely death some time ago.
-Ah, my old man, good to see you, - Billy said, embracing his grandfather. He was the most affectionate of the Carsons.
-You've grown so much, ignoring your grandfather while I'm doing my best to run your video game company. We're in the final stages of the game, - Richard said, his cheekiness always refreshing. He noticed his grandmother rolling her eyes at her husband's lack of decorum.
Thank you, Grandpa. I'm excited about everything we're doing. I think I'll spend a few weeks with you in Massachusetts, although I have to go to New York for some work. I hope you'll be with me too," Billy said.
Grandpa's wrinkled smile could only be compared to the occasional glances Grandma gave. What's curious about their attitudes are the peculiar ways of offering greetings—polite greetings, separated from their expressive love. With their dry manner, Grandma only resorted to small, solitary moments to express her affection.
-Grandma, - Billy said, separating from his grandpa and hugging his grandma, who was gently patting his back.
-Dear, - Grandma said.
-How have you been? - Grandma asked.
-I've been very well, Grandma. Everything's fine with work and school, - Billy said, adjusting Grandma's suitcase on his shoulder. His father and grandpa were ahead, a dirty but necessary tactic, carefully planned before arriving at the airport.
-University, - Grandma said, demanding answers from Billy.
-Stanford, Grandma. I'll start after the summer, the university's business course (MBA), along with the supplementary social sciences program, - Billy said.
-It's great to see my little one making progress. And what about those nonsense dreams of being an actor? What are you going to do? - Grandpa asked, with an oddly serious expression. This was a delicate topic because actors were considered somewhat like jesters.
-First, I'll pursue a business career and manage the companies. Acting is a hobby, - Billy said.
-Of course, a pastime. Ahh, how you've grown. Your grandma has been alone for a long time, and you haven't visited her. You've matured in these years I haven't kept an eye on you, - Helen Carson said, relaxing her posture. For now, her beloved grandson has come to his senses and dedicated himself to being a godly citizen, working hard.
-I'll visit this summer, Grandma, even though I'll be leaving. I have a work meeting in New York the second week of July with someone important in the comic book industry. He'll teach me some tricks. The company is expanding, and I need technical assistance, Grandma, - Billy said.
-Your grandpa mentioned it to me, the nincompoop will accompany you, there's no doubt about that. If he could roam the entire country, he would. I hope not to cause any inconvenience, but he's a very stubborn man, - Helen Carson said.
-Grandpa is always welcome by my side, Grandma. I'll try to finish everything ahead of time as best as I can to stay a few more days, - Billy said.
-Thank you, my child. You have to meet your cousins; they're all hardworking men. A bit of fieldwork wouldn't hurt you. You're looking scrawny; I don't think those little arms of yours can lift a sack of potatoes, - Helen said.
Inconveniencing Billy greatly, the loudspeaker announced, - Flight 3B of New Angels Airlines to Michigan would be delayed by one hour. Please proceed to the boarding gate. -
-Yes, Grandma, I'll take your advice into account. Come on, the car will be ready at the entrance in a moment, - Billy said.
-California, how annoying. Your father told me there's no church nearby, - Helen said.
-That's true, Grandma, but we have a fifteen-minute prayer session on Sundays. We read the Bible for a bit with care. Then Dad and I head to work, Grandma. If we don't have too many chores, we go out for a meal, - Billy said.
-What wisdom, my dear children. Richard mentioned that your father has been reading the Bible a bit, but I feel comfortable. He never liked the Orthodox Catholic Church, but the years are straightening the tree with great care, - Helen said, particularly content.
Exiting the airport bathed them in California's sun. Taxis were lined up in an orderly fashion, for better or worse for the taxi drivers. Travelers knew the appropriate fares for the journey to Silicon Valley and the business sector that wound its way through San Jose. They gave generous tips if the drivers didn't talk much and focused on getting them to their destination as quickly as possible. Time is money.
Mr. Carson's family van appeared around the corner, gleaming in the sunlight, a departure from his usual choice of the latest sports car model.
-Come on, Grandma, get in the car, - Billy said, opening the back door for his grandmother.
-Son, you'll have to carry your grandmother's luggage. I won't stop until we get home, - Thomas said from the driver's seat.
-No problem, - Billy replied.
-My father told me that John Romero brought in some game distribution companies at good prices. They're willing to distribute the games. They're still editing the game to adapt it to different consoles. You can finish the guidebook for the upcoming Doom game and bring it when you visit your grandfather. Anne will handle printing the images for the CDs. Sega, Nintendo, Neo Geo, and Turbografx-16 will take care of the entire process. They'll give us a 20% cut of the sales, - Thomas explained.
-It's almost finished. We just need to touch up a few minor things. But I think for this game, we'll have to hire two new programmers to formulate the game's requirements. This time, I'm quite ambitious in creating the game. The standards are a bit higher, - Billy said, adjusting his position. Grandma was looking out the window but listening attentively.
-That new game you released with the Chinese, how's it doing? - Richard Carson asked.
-Japanese, Grandpa. I haven't seen the statistics. Dad, do you know anything? - Billy asked.
-The cutoff is in a month. Sales are announced weekly, but it's not good until everything comes together coherently, - Thomas said.
The arrival of the Carson grandparents in San Jose, along with a bit of pizza and the irritability of Grandma, which becomes comforting once you get used to it, led to a thorough cleaning of all corners of their home. They bought new curtains, some plastic plants, beautiful pictures, and homemade food by the third day of their arrival, with Grandpa carrying bags behind her and accompanying her to the markets.
...
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