Drawing SpongeBob SquarePants

"Your name is Charlize Theron, and you're from South Africa?"

Zucker studied the blonde woman in front of him, who was about twenty and dressed somewhat unfashionably, with a strange look on his face.

"Yes, boss. I'm currently an actress, but don't worry, I'm only a bit player—an extra. I only attend acting school at night, so it definitely won't affect my daytime work," Charlize Theron hurriedly said.

Having only just entered the industry, she lacked the commanding presence Charlize would have in the future. With no money in her pockets, she desperately needed a job.

She was terrified that Zucker would turn her down.

Holy shit!

It really was Charlize!

Charlize Theron was one of Hollywood's representative actresses. She had only begun appearing in films in 1995, merely as an extra, but in 2003, she rose to become an Oscar-winning Best Actress with her image-shattering role in Monster. Later, she appeared in numerous films such as Hancock, Snow White and the Huntsman, and The Fate of the Furious.

In Forbes's 2019 list of the world's highest-paid celebrities, she ranked ninth among female actors in income.

At that thought, Zucker could not help clicking his tongue.

Although he had confirmed that she was indeed Charlize Theron, Zucker was only briefly surprised before quickly regaining his composure.

I've met Jobs and John Lasseter. What's there to be surprised about? Damn, this feels good, Zucker thought.

"Boss, don't worry. I work hard, and I definitely won't let you down."

When you were under someone else's roof, you had no choice but to bow your head. That was exactly Charlize Theron's situation now.

"All right. I can hire you. Four hundred dollars a week during the three-month probation period, then five hundred dollars a week after you become a regular employee. There'll be an end-of-month bonus and sales commissions too. If that's acceptable, come in next Monday," Zucker said directly.

"No problem. I can do it."

A weekly wage of four hundred dollars was not low in the United States service industry in 1995. Of course, it was really only about average, but there were bonuses and sales commissions on top of that. Charlize Theron, who desperately needed money, naturally would not refuse.

Seeing her agree, Zucker could not help thinking, Don't think being pretty means you can get more money out of me. Don't even dream about it. I'm just that practical.

No wonder he'd die alone!

The recruitment process went smoothly. In just one day, Zucker brought in over twenty employees, averaging more than three employees per store.

"More than twenty people... Payroll alone will cost over thirty thousand dollars a month!"

Zucker could not help missing Great China's labor costs. Those had been dirt cheap.

At eight that night.

At Zucker's home.

"Boss, I've confirmed the construction progress. In three days, this Friday, all the stores will have completed renovations," James Shawn said excitedly.

How could he not be excited? James was the manager of one of the stores, and he was even the manager of the flagship store at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

If he performed well, perhaps his status as Zucker's old neighbor would allow him to move up even further.

This was simply wonderful!

"Mm, it looks like I need to hurry up."

Zucker instructed, "James, work a little harder these next few days. Keep a closer eye on the construction progress and quality. I'll contact several toy shops in Los Angeles and try to sign toy manufacturing contracts before Friday."

"All right." James nodded.

These past few days had kept Zucker incredibly busy.

He had been running around arranging toy manufacturing and purchases, contacting other film companies to secure merchandise licenses for their movies, and dealing with business licenses, utilities, and all sorts of other issues. He had been so busy he could barely tell day from night. Fortunately, he had worked in logistics in his previous life. Otherwise, he really would have struggled to settle everything in just a few days.

Ding-dong!

[Congratulations, Host. You have received a new system gift package. Please check it.]

"Holy shit, the system's alive? I thought you'd been dead for ages."

That was right. Since his rebirth, the system had only appeared once. Zucker had long since forgotten about it, yet today it had suddenly risen from the dead.

"James, let's call it a day. Just come by and report once a day from now on," Zucker said, quickly ushering him out.

After James Shawn left, Zucker immediately opened the system.

[Confirm opening!]

[Congratulations, Host. You have received a complete animated series of SpongeBob SquarePants, which has been implanted into your mind.]

Boom! Boom! Boom!!!

Before Zucker could react, a massive flood of memories surged into his mind, hurting so badly that he nearly passed out.

"One-star review! Definitely one star! The experience is awful."

Once he recovered, Zucker immediately started cursing.

It hurt too much!

However, after reviewing the memories related to SpongeBob SquarePants, Zucker had no time to argue with the system.

This was too good!

The memories in his mind contained not only the visuals and audio for over a hundred complete episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants, but also information on producer Stephen Hillenburg and the rest of the relevant staff.

"With such complete information, I can finish production in just a few months!" Zucker was ecstatic.

How could he not be?

That was SpongeBob SquarePants!

Even if it could not make money as quickly as animated films like Cars and Peppa Pig, its earning potential was still impressive. It could bring Zucker at least forty million dollars in profit, not to mention its influence.

SpongeBob SquarePants was part of Zucker's childhood too!

At once, Zucker made a decision.

"I'm naming the movie merchandise chain SpongeBob SquarePants. That doesn't sound bad."

All right, SpongeBob Merchandise Chain Stores was not exactly a great name, but it was still far better than the previous name, "Zucker's Shop."

In the blink of an eye, it was September 10, 1995.

SpongeBob Merchandise Chain Stores officially opened for business. All seven Los Angeles locations opened at the same time!

Although Zucker had been quiet and reserved in high school, he still had some friends. More than thirty of them came, both men and women, including a beautiful female teacher from the school. Naturally, quite a few neighbors from the street where Zucker and James Shawn lived also showed up.

Not only that, Candy, the former ace negotiator, came as well.

"Hey, hey, hey, buddy, everyone else brought gifts. You came empty-handed?" James cursed at Candy.

Candy smiled. "James, unlike them, I'm not some ordinary person. I came with a sincere heart."

"Fuck your sincere heart. You're just broke. What's the point of saying all that?" Before James could respond, Zucker cut in.

Time ticked away.

More than two months passed. Zucker's SpongeBob Merchandise Chain Stores had not been doing very well. Compared to other established merchandise stores, they had no advantage whatsoever, not to mention the shitty renovations.

One day, James Shawn came to Zucker, filled with worry.

"Boss, the toy factory just called. They said our goods have already filled five warehouses. If we don't pay them, they'll sue us in the Los Angeles District Court."

"Shit!"

Zucker cursed, "James, tell them this: no money, but they can take my life."

"Are you sure there won't be a problem?" James could not help worrying.

To be honest, Zucker paid him quite well. If he lost this stable job, what would happen to his mother, who was bedridden and paralyzed, and his young sister?

"Don't worry, buddy. Toy Story premieres tomorrow. I'll earn back every dollar we've lost these past few months, and then some." Zucker clenched his fists.

What did a few months of losses matter?

Toy Story was the first feature-length 3D animated film, and this year's North American box office champion!