The Clone Wars began with a small slot in television programming. The trailer spread by word of mouth. At times, the film felt like a dramatic novel, with fewer cuts and without heavy transitions. The story contrasted Anakin Skywalker with a bit of Obi-Wan. As the plot settled into a clean, quiet life, there was hardly any movement.
—It was good work. —Billy commented. It was undoubtedly a better film than the one he remembered, and then he saw Natalie standing in front of him. She moved closer for a moment; she was nervous; she was not at all astonished. How complicated, nothing moved, nothing stirred. Billy placed his hand on her waist, and she trembled, her body burned.
—I have to go. But we'll see each other again in London. —Billy commented. That was simply how things happened; it was a small detail. How ironic that time itself lingered. Then, with a whisper, without stopping, he left just as he had arrived.
At the surrounding gatherings, everyone stood to one side. It meant that the only thing left was everyone else's words. It could be said that the journalists followed them like fans; they were completely full of themselves and perfectly comfortable because they had all been children when they saw the first Star Wars film. When they saw it, they said they liked it, and then nothing remained there without wanting the questions to be lived through quickly; none of it was disturbed. Then there was the love for the franchise that captivated people.
—What lies ahead for Star Wars in the coming years? —they asked George Lucas.
—The truth is that I'm working very hard; we want to create the idea that this isn't just an ongoing series of films; we want everything to evolve and give us time for everything to fall into the place we want it to. Star Wars is a culture. Star Wars was completely out of place, and nothing that happened was entirely relevant. Looking far ahead, I don't see Star Wars as the kind of art the purists expect; I see it as a museum, a giant museum of science fiction. —George commented. He cared very little, if at all; those were simply his answers.
He sounded a little dry.
—I think that, with the people I have by my side, I can accomplish a great deal. —George commented, bringing the conversation to a close.
Not far away, Natalie was greeting the fans, who eagerly wanted a greeting from the Queen and Senator of Naboo. What could be done so that none of it settled in her mind? For the first time, she felt the weight of being the woman whose fame made her that powerful woman, that successful and famous person who now had no privacy. The first episode put her on the map; the second gave her a complete memory of life.
And yet none of that was remembered.
—I think that in the coming months we'll have plenty to talk about; think of it as just one film, one long film that we can stretch across the last thirty years, for as long as we keep moving. Like a single linear story, not a parabolic one, that accomplishes so much with everything we have. —George commented.
Nothing would be done, nothing would come as a surprise.
***
None of that was important, none of it was relevant, none of it was attached to anything. So what was happening that time itself was reduced to a single word? Billy boarded a plane to travel to Toronto, Canada, a beautiful place because of its low taxes, tax incentives, and wages that were less constrained by unionization. They were in places less crowded by the public, and it helped the project that was part of the 35% stake in Lionsgate, in which, with great composure, another 10% was added; nothing was overwhelming.
It was believed, then, that it was a suitable place.
—Thank you for saving the waters. —Gualarri commented. They came together with determination; they joined forces to carry out the phases of the work. Through a corporate merger and thousands of dollars that changed hands, thousands of stages that came together, none of it was insignificant.
—We have a very good business on our hands. —Billy commented, entering the circle that had arranged the meeting, a circle of Toronto investors, and the films from those places, those productions with lives of their own. That gave them room to maneuver, so that nothing would remain hanging in the sky.
—Your director spoke to me about everything. —Gualarri commented, and not far away was the opportunity for him to speak with the director, the rejection, the doubt, and the way Mary Harron stood there, completely desperate to start filming. Everything was in place except the lead; they needed someone who could bring that air of charm. Billy accepted, the scenes were filmed, and Mary Harron could see that perhaps the time had finally come to capture it on film, with satisfaction.
—Then I don't think we have much more to say, except that you should keep doing your work. —Billy commented, shrugging. With Lionsgate now on board, Legendary and perhaps Diamond Films would follow.
—Well, it's a pleasure to become partners.
—The pleasure is ours, truly. —Billy commented, shaking hands with Gualarri, who served as president and liaison. Somewhere in the distance, perhaps William Dommer was watching the company's growth closely and perhaps preparing to play an important role later, now that he understood Billy's plans to create channels and acquire copyrights.
Billy spent time walking around and looking at Toronto, seeing everything in motion, seeing how everything created opportunities to make agreements. What good work, what a fine moment amid the whispers of many, a journey through time that gave them wings, a way to stir the skies, given the opportunities, given the time.
—Then let's eat something; it's the best restaurant in the city. —Gualarri commented.
The restaurant was in a villa, with a pond. It looked very comfortable. Billy wore a suit, as he always did, and that was good; in his own way, it was necessary. Nothing else mattered: there was silence, good food, and a piano that filled the place with a calm atmosphere.