Toy Story Opens

November 21, 1995, 11:50 p.m.

Los Angeles, inside the TCL Chinese Theatre.

"Buddy, relax. Don't be nervous. It's not your first time watching it," Zucker said softly.

"Okay, but no matter how many times I watch it, I still get a little nervous. You know that," John Lasseter said with a wry smile.

Seeing this, Zucker could not help but tease him, "John, I invested a lot of money in the Toy Story merchandise project. Is it really okay for you to say that? You'll disappoint the investors."

"My apologies, my friend." Lasseter hurriedly waved his hands.

That was right. Zucker had asked John Lasseter out to see a movie today.

It was also Zucker's deliberate attempt to build ties with him. After all, Lasseter would become a giant in the animation industry. Strengthening their relationship cost nothing, so why not?

And yes, they were watching Pixar Animation's Toy Story today.

The premiere, you ask?

Come on, buddy. How could Pixar Animation have had the money for one right now?

Otherwise, why would Jobs have turned red with anxiety over Zucker's $800,000 licensing fee a few months ago and even sent in negotiators from Dabell Negotiation Company?

"Say, buddy, when Pixar goes public, don't forget to treat me to a big meal. I'm the one who reminded you to buy the full allotment of shares."

Zucker suddenly said.

Lasseter froze at those words, and his face immediately fell.

"Zucker, it would have been better if you hadn't brought that up. It hurts just thinking about it. To buy my allotted shares before the IPO, I mortgaged everything I owned, including my house and car. If Pixar's listing fails, I'll be bankrupt."

Pixar Animation going public?

How could it possibly fail?!

But honestly, Pixar Animation Studios' decision to go public had been rather sudden.

A few weeks before Toy Story premiered, Jobs displayed his genius judgment. He told Pixar's founding team: Pixar was going public.

The team members were stunned. The movie had not even been released yet, so what market were they going public on?

Jobs' reasoning was this: if Toy Story failed, they would shut down the company. But if it became an instant hit, Disney would certainly recognize Pixar as a threat and reopen negotiations, since Disney had invested in Toy Story. At that point, Pixar needed sufficient funds to prove that it could continue operating without Disney, so that it could secure greater benefits in the negotiations.

The facts proved that Jobs' judgment had been correct.

After Toy Story was released, Pixar Animation went public just one week later. Its valuation had started at perhaps less than $20 million, but within a single month, it soared to $1 billion.

A full fiftyfold increase!

"What the hell are you hurting over?!"

"If Jobs hadn't been so sly and crafty, giving share allotments only to the founding team before the IPO, I would have wanted in too."

That was right. Zucker was filled with intense envy toward Lasseter!

Although Lasseter had to pay for part of Pixar Animation's full share allotment himself, it was enough to make him a multimillionaire within a month, far wealthier than Zucker.

"Hahaha, buddy, hearing all that envy in your voice makes me feel much better. Don't worry. Once the company goes public, I'll definitely treat you to a big meal." Lasseter burst out laughing.

Soon, the movie began.

Although Zucker had watched Toy Story more than once in the future, he still could not help feeling emotional when he saw Sheriff Woody the cowboy and Buzz Lightyear the space ranger on the screen.

I may not be able to join Pixar's internal share allotment, but once it goes public, I can still get in on the action. Forget fiftyfold returns—tenfold profits should at least be possible, right? Heh heh.

Thinking of that, Zucker's mood became downright blissful.

As long as there was money to be made, Zucker was in a beautiful mood!

Zucker was in a beautiful mood, but some people were miserable.

For example, Zucker's old neighbor James Shawn, along with Charlize Theron, who had not yet become a full employee.

"Manager, do you think the boss has something wrong with his head? He wants us to open after midnight?"

Charlize was unhappy.

Who worked in the middle of the night? And miserly Zucker had not even offered overtime pay.

At the thought of it, the young Charlize was full of resentment.

"Charlize, you can't talk about our boss like that. Don't be fooled by how eccentric and stingy he usually is, but... well, damn it, I don't know why he wants us open in the middle of the night either."

James gritted his teeth. "It's just because Toy Story is coming out. I refuse to believe it can be that popular!"

That was right. No one believed Toy Story would become a huge hit, including the people at Pixar Animation.

At the SpongeBob Merchandise Chain Stores on Los Angeles Seaside Avenue, Rodeo Drive, Hollywood and Highland Center, and elsewhere, the employees of all seven stores were gnashing their teeth at Zucker.

The only people working in the middle of the night were Zucker's employees!

Ninety minutes passed amid the resentment of Zucker's employees.

The first batch of audiences across America to watch Toy Story began filing out of the theaters. Heated discussions immediately broke out among them.

"The movie was really great."

"Yeah, I never expected a 3D animated movie to be this good!"

"Right! It was twice as good as animated movies before—no, ten times better!"

"I loved Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, the cowgirl Jessie, Slinky Dog, and all of them."

The audience's discussions were enough to show that Toy Story had truly succeeded.

Hearing them, John Lasseter, who had just walked out of the theater, and Zucker both breathed a sigh of relief.

It had succeeded!

With discussions like these, success had begun.

"Honey, should we buy a few Toy Story figures? I really love Buzz Lightyear."

Suddenly, a voice reached Zucker's ears.

Zucker immediately looked over and saw a beautiful woman in her twenties speaking to her boyfriend.

The mention of buying figures reached not only Zucker's ears, but those of many other moviegoers as well.

"Yeah, we could buy a few Buzz Lightyear and Woody figures too."

"If we can't get figures, some accessories would be nice too."

However, the audience members who loved Toy Story were soon disappointed.

"Sorry, we don't sell Buzz Lightyear or Sheriff Woody figures here."

The theater employee's polite answer was filled with helplessness. Wasn't Toy Story supposed to have mediocre word of mouth? Why were people asking to buy its merchandise?

"Oh, is that so? Then forget it. What a shame."

The audience members were all disappointed.

The theater did not sell them. No matter how much they liked them, they could not exactly kill the staff over it.

"Ahem... everyone, please listen to me."

At that moment, Zucker stepped forward without hesitation and shouted, "Everyone, I know where Toy Story merchandise is sold!"

"Uh, where?" John Lasseter asked cooperatively.

Zucker announced loudly, "If you want Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear, go to SpongeBob House. They have plenty of them, right on the street outside the theater."