The negotiations continued the following day, with both parties seated at a polished wooden table, ready to hammer out the details of the deal.

Tobias Schulz had told them the day before: "Gentlemen, this seems promising. Let's continue our discussion tomorrow. We'll negotiate the terms of airing 'Mickey Mouse' then."

On the agreed-upon day, they reconvened to delve into the nitty-gritty of the agreement.

Max: “Thank you for considering our proposal, Mr. Schulz. We genuinely believe that 'Mickey Mouse' can be a fantastic addition to your network, and it's wonderful to hear your son's enthusiasm.”

Tobias Schulz: “Indeed, it has intrigued me, and my son is already a fan. Let's discuss the terms, shall we? What's your asking price for this pilot episode?”

James: “Well, considering it's a brand-new animation with a unique appeal, we were thinking of $50,000 for the 7-minute pilot.”

Max: “And, of course, we'd expect a commitment for future episodes.”

Tobias Schulz: “A commitment? How many episodes are you thinking?”

James: “We'd like to propose a one-season deal, sir. Say, a maximum of 40 episodes?”

Tobias Schulz: “That's quite ambitious. But if the first episode proves to be a hit with our viewers, we might consider it. However, I'd like to discuss that later. Let's move on to the financial aspect.”

Max: “Of course. We understand that quality programming comes at a cost, but we think $50,000 is a fair starting point for this pilot.”

Tobias Schulz: “It's a substantial sum for something unproven. What if we started with $30,000?”

James: “We believe in the potential of 'Mickey Mouse,' Mr. Schulz. How about a compromise? $40,000”

Tobias Schulz: “Agreed. Now, let's talk about airtime. We usually air new shows during the Saturday morning slot, but we could offer a weekday afternoon slot for a better price.”

Max: “We'd prefer a better time slot for maximum exposure. How about a weekday evening slot?”

Tobias Schulz: “That's a prime time slot, and it's usually quite expensive. We could consider it if you lower your price to $35,000.”

James: “Mr. Schulz, we're confident in the appeal of 'Mickey Mouse.' How about $38,000 for the weekday evening slot?”

Tobias Schulz: “You drive a hard bargain, but I can appreciate your enthusiasm. $38,000 is for the weekday evening slot, and we'll commit to airing the pilot within the next two weeks. If it performs well, we'll discuss the full-season deal.”

Max: “Thank you for your trust, Mr. Schulz. We believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial.”

And so, the negotiation came to a close, with a deal struck for the pilot episode of 'Mickey Mouse' to be aired during a coveted weekday evening slot. It was a promising start for Max and James as they ventured into the world of television, eager to share their creation with audiences far and wide.

As the negotiations progressed, Max and the team began collaborating with ABC to create promotional materials for the upcoming TV pilot. They worked on crafting enticing ads that would capture the imagination of potential viewers.

Inside the bustling offices of Sullivan Entertainment, the anticipation was palpable. The employees worked tirelessly to prepare for the debut of their first franchise on television. The studio was a whirlwind of activity, with artists adding final touches to character designs, writers fine-tuning scripts, and animators ensuring that every frame was picture-perfect.

In a corner of the studio, Edmondo (or "Ed" as he preferred to be called) was busy overseeing the legal aspects, ensuring that all contracts and agreements were in place for the TV pilot's broadcast. He was meticulous in his work, making sure that the company's intellectual property was protected and that the rights to future episodes were secure.

In another room, James was on the phone, coordinating with marketing teams to plan a comprehensive promotional campaign. They discussed teaser trailers, posters, and social media strategies to generate excitement and buzz around 'Mickey Mouse'. The team was determined to make a memorable impression on the audience.

Max, alongside Emily, was deeply involved in shaping the creative direction of the promotional materials. They collaborated with artists and designers to create captivating posters and teaser clips that highlighted the charm and humor of Mickey and his friends.

The creative energy in the office was infectious. While there were moments of nervousness, there was an overwhelming sense of unity and purpose. Everyone understood that this was a significant milestone for Sullivan Entertainment, and they were determined to make it a resounding success.

As the days passed, the promotional materials began to take shape. The posters featured vibrant illustrations of Mickey Mouse, Minnie, and other beloved characters, promising laughter and adventure. The teaser clips were carefully crafted to showcase snippets of the pilot's humor and heart, leaving viewers eager for more.

The team's efforts extended beyond the walls of Sullivan Entertainment. They liaised with ABC's marketing team to synchronize their efforts, ensuring that the promotional campaign would be a well-coordinated blitz that would reach audiences far and wide.

Excitement grew with each passing day as the team neared the television pilot's release date. They knew that the world was about to meet their creation, and they were ready to introduce 'Mickey Mouse' to the people.

An apartment in Lumaria was bathed in the warm, golden hues of a Friday evening sunset. The enticing aroma of a home-cooked dinner, lovingly prepared by their mother, Melena, hung in the air, a tantalizing promise of the meal to come.

In the living room, two young boys sat on the couch, their faces a blend of eager anticipation and mild frustration. Between them lay the coveted television remote, a small but potent source of discord.

The room was soon filled with their lively debate, voices rising and overlapping as they fervently argued about their post-dinner viewing preferences. The younger boy, his eyes shining with excitement, was determined to catch a glimpse of something special that one of his school friends had raved about.

The anticipation in the room was palpable, as both boys were eager to lay their eyes on the mysterious 'Mickey Mouse'. They sat perched in front of the television, their excitement only matched by their curiosity.

The younger boy, brimming with enthusiasm, couldn't contain himself any longer. "But, c'mon," he urged, turning to his older brother, "I heard from one of my friends that there's this new animation called 'Mickey Mouse.' He said, It's super short, like, 7 or 8 minutes, and really cool!"

His older brother, however, had other plans. He was a passionate sports enthusiast and had been looking forward to watching a game that evening.

"I don't want to watch some silly cartoon," he grumbled, arms crossed defiantly. "I want to see the game!"

Just as the argument seemed poised to escalate into a full-blown sibling showdown, a calming presence entered the room. The boys turned their attention to their mother, Melena, awaiting her verdict.

With a patient but intrigued expression, she inquired, "Alright, what's happening here, you two?"

The younger boy, still buzzing with excitement, began to explain. "Mom, there's this new short animation called 'Mickey Mouse,' and one of the kids at school told me it's hilarious and awesome. He knows about it because his dad works for ABC. Can I please watch it? It's only a few minutes, promise!"

Melena considered their request and couldn't help but smile. She took the TV newspaper and looked for the name Mickey Mouse. A glimmer of understanding illuminated her eyes as she responded, "Alright, we'll start with 'Mickey Mouse.' It's just a short animation, and then your brother can watch his sports, alright?"

Meanwhile, the older brother, initially resistant, cast a thoughtful glance in his mother's direction. He understood how much his younger sibling had been looking forward to this.

The relief and gratitude that washed over both boys' faces were palpable. With the promise of experiencing the new animation, their excitement grew, and they eagerly accepted their mother's compromise.

As Melena returned to the kitchen to complete the dinner preparations, the atmosphere in the living room brimmed with anticipation. Little did they know that the television screen would soon burst to life with vibrant characters and laughter, taking them on an enchanting journey into the world of 'Mickey Mouse'.