Wald Pictures' animation studio.
Stephen Hillenburg, the studio's first-in-command, and David Maisel, the second-in-command and head writer, were already waiting downstairs when Zucker arrived.
As soon as they met, Zucker gave them each a hug.
"Stephen, David, you guys are really something!"
"I was just downstairs at ICQ a few days ago handling some business. You could've told me then, but instead you only called me now."
Zucker's wounded expression genuinely caught them off guard.
(The animation studio wasn't in Burbank. It was in Silicon Valley, sharing a building with ICQ.)
Stephen protested, "Boss, we didn't know you were coming a few days ago!"
David Maisel chimed in, "Exactly. We've been pulling all-nighters for the past few days to finish post-production on SpongeBob SquarePants. Stephen's barely slept in almost two days."
"My bad, my bad!"
After hearing that they'd pulled several all-nighters, what could Zucker say?
Truthfully, Zucker had only been able to help a little at the very beginning of the SpongeBob SquarePants animated series. He'd barely visited during the later stages.
It wasn't that he didn't want to come. He just didn't know enough to be useful!
Besides, Zucker trusted that they had what it took to do a perfect job.
After all, one of them was the "Father of SpongeBob SquarePants," and the other would later become one of the key figures behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With the talent, funding, and data all in place, what could stop SpongeBob SquarePants from succeeding?
Looking at Stephen and the rest of the animation department—with their dark circles and disheveled appearances—and comparing their situation with Pixar's comfortable working environment, Zucker couldn't help feeling for them.
"Zhao Wushuang, Sun Lei, go buy some milk tea and burgers right away. And make sure you get plenty."
After giving his two bodyguards