The Listing Wager

After Frank finished writing, he rummaged through his office, finally dragging out a dusty cardboard box from the top shelf—it looked like a discarded motherboard box.

He emptied the foam from the box and solemnly placed it on the table.

Three folded slips of paper were thrown in.

"Just covering it up won't do; I'm afraid someone might secretly change the numbers in the middle of the night." Frank pressed the intercom in front of him. "Lisa, have Administrative Department send over a barrel of industrial resin and some sealing tape. Now, immediately."

A dozen minutes later, looking at the box wrapped in resin and tape like a mummy, Tom clapped his hands in satisfaction. "It's safe now. Unless they use a chainsaw, no one will be able to see what's inside."

Nakayama Takuya looked at the simple box that carried immense ambition, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He was curious how high these two native-born United States elites would dare to guess in this crazy era.

After providing advice on Silicon Valley Online's future development, Nakayama Takuya then approached Tom Kalinske.

"Tom, how's that thing I asked you to contact them about?"

Just before leaving the meeting room, Nakayama Takuya called out to Tom Kalinske, who was about to go and torment the Finance Department.

Tom stopped and waved the notebook in his hand. "I was just about to tell you. Ted Turner replied; he agreed to the meeting. Next Wednesday at 10 a. m., Atlanta. He'll be waiting for us at the CNN Center."

"Very good." Nakayama Takuya nodded. "Book my plane tickets."

At this moment, the California sunlight outside the window had begun to soften, turning into an orange-red afterglow.

I glanced at my watch; it was 5:30 p. m. United States Time.

Nakayama Takuya walked out of the Sega North America headquarters building with the flow of people leaving work.

The air in California was dry and cool. He tightened his trench coat and went straight back to his hotel room instead of going to a bar or restaurant.

Based on the time, it should be 9:30 AM the next morning in Tokyo.

It's just past the start of my workday.

He picked up the receiver and skillfully dialed a transoceanic number.

Tokyo, Suginami Ward, Sunrise Animation Headquarters.

Just as Miyagawa Yasuo sat down in the president's office, before he could even take a sip of his hot tea, the phone on the desk rang.

Miyagawa Yasuo's eyebrows twitched. He quickly put down his teacup, cleared his throat, and then answered the phone.

"Moshi Moshi, this is Miyagawa."

"President Miyagawa, this is Nakayama Takuya."

Upon hearing the young yet composed voice on the other end of the line, Miyagawa Yasuo instinctively straightened his back, lifting his buttocks half an inch off the comfortable executive chair.

"Special Secretary Nakayama! Long time no see. Calling so early, is there some urgent instruction?"

Miyagawa Yasuo's attitude was not merely respectful, but rather a deep and heartfelt admiration.

After Sega Sunrise became its largest shareholder, Miyagawa Yasuo originally thought that things would become even more difficult.

After all, capitalists are all vampires; changing bosses is just changing the way they exploit people.

Although it used to be an independent animation production company, Sunrise was essentially a heartless OEM manufacturer of model kits and adult films due to its deep ties with Bandai.

In order to sell models, the animation plot was often interfered with, and the production cycle was extremely tight. Even a national treasure-level director like Yoshiyuki Tomino was almost driven to depression.

But after Nakayama Takuya took over, the art style completely changed.

Apart from offering some brilliant suggestions at several key script seminars, this "crown prince" has almost completely delegated authority, instead providing various cooperation opportunities and channel support as a major shareholder.

We provide ample funding, sufficient time, and complete creative freedom.

A few years ago, Nakayama Takuya even filled the gap left by director Tomino's schedule to rush out the Mobile Fighter G Mobile Suit Gundam F91, forcing Yoshiyuki Tomino to take a vacation and recuperate, saying that he would "fight for another twenty years for Gundam".

This gesture deeply moved the long-time employees of Sunrise.

Sunrise is living a very comfortable life now. Not only do they not have to worry about Bandai's toy division, but their year-end bonuses are also higher than in previous years. As a result, almost no one at Sunrise has any complaints about regretting being acquired by Sega.

"There's nothing urgent, I just wanted to ask President Miyagawa if he'd be interested in coming to the United States?" Nakayama Takuya's voice was tinged with amusement.

"The United States?" Miyagawa Yasuo paused, "Is it to inspect Sega North America?"

"No, we're going to discuss business. Big business."

Nakayama Takuya offered a tempting offer. "Although Gundam is currently at its peak in Japan, wouldn't President Miyagawa like to give our anime works a try on television screens across the ocean?"

Miyagawa Yasuo's heart skipped a beat.

Entering the European and American markets has been Sunrise's dream for ten years, but they have never been able to get in.

Cultural barriers and distribution channels have kept Japan animation on the margins in the United States, relegated to the sidelines of video rental stores.

"Special Secretary Nakayama, do you mean—"

"CartoonNetwork," Cartoon Network Nakayama Takuya. "Their parent company Turner Broadcasting, is looking for new content to fill the time slots. I've already arranged for Tom to meet with Ted Turner next Wednesday morning."

Miyagawa Yasuo gasped.

Ted Turner! The media mogul who founded CNN!

How could Nakayama Takuya actually get a date with someone of this caliber?

"If President Miyagawa is interested, then I'd appreciate it if you could take the time to fly to the United States these next couple of days. We'll meet in San Francisco first."

"Interested! Of course I'm interested!"

Miyagawa Yasuo's voice rose eight octaves with excitement, completely abandoning his usual composure, "I'll have someone book the tickets right now! Tomorrow—no, tonight, I can fly!"

"No need to rush. Prepare the sample videos and materials, and bring along the producer who understands the European and American markets best," Nakayama Takuya reassured with a smile.

After hanging up the phone, Miyagawa Yasuo's hand holding the receiver was still trembling slightly.

He took a deep breath, flung open the office door, and yelled at the secretariat outside, "Stop drinking coffee! Notify all section chiefs and above in the production and copyright departments that there will be a meeting in five minutes!"

Put everything down, no matter what you're doing!

We're going to United States!

While Miyagawa Yasuo was busy in Tokyo preparing various materials for his flight across the ocean, Nakayama Takuya was not idle either.

He grabbed Bernard, who was in charge of Hollywood operations, and sped off towards Hollywood.

The first stop was naturally Universal Pictures.

The treatment Sega's executives receive at Universal Studios now is vastly different from what it was a few months ago.

Previously, you had to make an appointment and wait in line, but now, as soon as the car stops, the manager of the Marketing and Publicity Department comes out with a big, wrinkled smile. His enthusiasm is so great that you would think a head of state is coming to inspect the work.