Mickey Talon arrived an hour late for the team meeting and by then Barry was getting frantic. It had been his responsibility to bring everyone together that morning, but at least Jim wasn't planning to attend this initial session.

"Barry, Mickey Talon is entering the lobby," Stephanie said in her page. Barry leapt up from the table and ran from the room.

"Not an auspicious beginning, but genius must be forgiven I suppose," Marie said.

"I'll remember that the next time I screw up," Bob Ware said.

"That will be difficult when what you do is all recorded on film," Karen said.

Ted laughed with the others. They had used the time to look through the resume folders and discuss the work schedule. If they could begin filming by mid-January then there would be no time conflicts, at least not for the major players. Later in the spring other things would pull them away.

The door opened and Barry came in leading Mickey and a young lady who appeared no older than Ted but was carrying a huge briefcase. Their director looked like he had slept in his clothes, maybe he had.

Barry introduced everyone and in turn they discovered that the young lady was Jillian, Mickey's sister and personal assistant. Mickey sat down and laid his iPad, Blackberry and cell phone on the table in front of him which made Marie smile.

"Nothing like making a film about the electronics revolution with a director who seems to lead it," She said.

"Sorry we're late," Jillian said. "Mickey was in the middle of something."

Barry raised his eyebrows wondering what could be more important than meeting contractual obligations, but he said nothing. Instead he offered Mickey and Jillian some coffee.

"We don't do caffeine," Jillian said. "Water or juice if you have it."

Ted went to the kitchen and returned with two bottles of water. So far Jillian had done all the talking while Mickey looked around the room and said nothing. But Barry was going to chair the meeting and so he began.

"Jim will join us next week after he gets out of the studio. That pile of folders represents the resumes of twenty kids who Jim feels are acceptable for the secondary roles in the film. Today we need to look through them and line up the audition schedule."

"So who have you chosen to play the part of Nicky," Mickey asked.

"Jim selected Steve Biddle, the boy from Top Dog," Barry said.

"Oh ... I don't know him," Mickey said.

"Sure you do, Mick ... that alien television show two years ago," Jillian said. "The blond boy?"

"Oh ... him? Yeah, that sounds fine ... what else you got?" Mickey asked.

Barry went through the team's choices. Beverly Cooper, Miguel Guzman, Bobby Morris and Leonard Baker. The resumes were laid out in front of Mickey and he perused each of them in a casual manner.

"There are of course other possibilities," Barry said.

"Jim likes these?" Mickey asked.

"Yes he does," Ted replied. "But he suggested you may have your own opinions or suggestions."

Mickey shrugged. "These will do ... who are you anyways?"

Ted smiled. "I'm Jim's intern, one of the production assistants."

"Mickey doesn't like talking to assistants, it gets in the way of progress," Jillian said.

"Well, dear ... he will be obliged to talk with anyone Jim Curry appoints, it's in his contract. Everyone on this team is here for the same reason. Jim chose us to support Mickey in the making of this film," Karen said.

There was silence in the room until Mickey spoke. "I'll talk to anyone if it helps make the film I want."

"Good, we'll be scheduling interviews and screen tests to begin on Friday. Would you like to be present or just see the results?" Barry asked.

"I have a conference on Friday in Vegas. Get me some film of the kids and we'll go from there," Mickey said. With that he stood up and Jillian followed him out the door.

"Okay, what the hell was that? Is he on drugs?" Marie asked.

"He won't even run the screen tests," Bob said. "What's more important than that?"

"A video gaming convention in Las Vegas, I heard it on the news yesterday," Ted said.

"You're kidding?" Bob said. "What have we gotten into here?"

"Jim's directing genius is a gaming junkie, lucky us," Barry said.

By afternoon they had not made any decisions and so Barry took the bull by the horns and confronted Jim as he took a break from the editing and was getting ready for lunch.

"Mickey doesn't seem to care who gets cast, so who makes the decision?"

"He doesn't care? I find that hard to believe," Jim said.

But when he was told about the aborted meeting he could only shake his head.

"What do you think, should we just go ahead? I understand Mickey is difficult to work with, but you are more than capable of handling him, Barry. Tell you what, you and Ted pick the kids and bring them in for a test."

"Are you sure? This is a big decision," Barry said.

"I have confidence in you and your young sidekick. We can always adjust the script to handle any weaknesses. Thank God we have Steve."

And that's where it stood. The assistants that Mickey scorned would make his decisions and the man would have to live with it. Jim would be there every step of the way and somehow Barry decided it was Mickey who'd better watch out.

By later that day Barry had contacted the agents of all four kids and lined up a screen test on a Friday morning in two weeks. It was his idea to bring them all in at one time to watch the way they interacted and Ted concurred.

The script would provide each of them a role to play, and as actors they could certainly recite the lines as the director wanted. But the chemistry of a cast was often what made the film work, and none of the team was under any illusions that working with Mickey would be easy.

Ted managed a call to Steve and told him of the Friday casting call, he promised to be there. Other than the gay factor, Ted was sure he would enjoy a friendship with Steve outside of work. The boy was bright enough to enjoy intelligent conversation and they would soon be classmates for the final year of high school.

Studio school would only encompass two hours a day, and likely another two hours of independent study in the evenings. Ted's father had the paperwork in hand to get it all started, he was planning to bring the school records down with him for Ted's birthday.

Dennis had said he would take care of dinner reservations and invite a few friends to attend. Ted had to trust him to do the right thing and not go over the top in front of his father. Of course Dennis would tell him nothing about the plans, but in two weeks he would find out.

Barry was making another study of the script, and for good reason. He would be Mickey's directing assistant, and from what he had seen at that morning meeting there was cause for concern.

"I wonder if he's even read it?" Barry asked.

"You're joking ... what are you looking for?" Ted asked.

"Second Unit stuff," Barry said. "The boring shots of computer labs, scenic cut-ins, street work ... all those things Mickey won't do himself."

"Then who does them?"

"Hopefully me," Barry said. "I wouldn't mind a credit for second unit direction. I've been given production assistant credits for three Curry films and it's time to move up."

"I'm sure Jim will let you do it," Ted said.

"He would if he was directing, this will be Mickey's call."

Ted nodded ... he could understand Barry's uncertainty. Mickey was the unknown, he would be a concern. And Jillian, if anything she was a bit bitchy. Dennis had more experience with artistic temperament, Ted laid it all out then they met for lunch.

Dennis nodded in agreement as Ted told him of the morning meeting. "The director is the artistic creator, although I imagine Jim will get involved in the final edit," Dennis said. "Your team will have to indulge the artist to get the best work out of him. Find out what he likes, cater to his needs, but don't let him roll over you."

"I have an idea," Ted said. "I'm going to work on the sister and I know just who can help me."

The rest of Dennis' week was filled with dogs and ferrets. Jim was focused on working with the human actors, and to that end he sent Dennis with the animals and a list of instructions.

"I like the blaze on the right side of Pepper's neck, try to catch that side of her head whenever you can. And when Rags sneezes it's so damn cute. Be sure to get some of that in there too."

Odd notes, but then Jim knew what he wanted. Dennis knew that a director could not bring the entire film to life by himself. He had to depend on his support staff to bear some of the burden. As Jim's assistant Dennis carried these thoughts to the assistant cinematographer who ran Unit Two and they discussed the animal shots.

Without being specific, Jim was showing Dennis how to view a scene through the eyes of a director. The visual image an audience would see was of paramount importance, they had one chance to capture that perfectly. Pepper and Rags rolling and playing was something they could only create with a lot of luck, and a quick take with the cameras.

Because of technology they could add sounds at any point. Voice-overs to cover stumbles in speech, background noises, and these things all came under the auspices of the Foley people, the sound experts. Their magic was used all the time in films and the audience rarely knew it.

Every afternoon they broke off the live filming and looked back through the day's work. Dennis kept watching the footage add up to something positive. Pretty soon they would have enough to edit into the original and Jim would have his movie.

One week, two weeks went by and the routine went on for both films. Ted and Barry had worked with Jim's tech support people to establish a website for Come Next Tuesday. They would now hold just one audience encounter and so Karen made arrangements to rent out the Bel Air Cinema, a grand old theatre that could hold twelve hundred people.

The event was scheduled the week before kids would return to school in late August. The timing would work in their favor. They could be assured that all those who got tickets would be spreading the word all over town. Now they were committed to a time and place so things could progress accordingly.

July arrived as did the dismal heat and smog for which the town was famous. But no sooner had they adjusted to it than the winds blew down from the mountains and cleared the air. Early on a Friday morning in the middle of the month they had just two big scenes left to shoot when Dennis walked in the office. Jim was on the phone in his fishbowl yelling at someone and Veronica looked tense.

"What's up?" Dennis said with a look.

"Central Casting goofed on the people for the crowd scene at the park and Jim is due to begin that setup in four hours."

"You mean we'll have a carnival with no people?" Dennis asked.

"Something like that. You better be prepared for the worst," Veronica said.

"No shoot?"

She shook her head. "Oh, he'll shoot today and he'll have a crowd even if he has to empty the office. The carnival folks moved in two days ago and the crews are down there setting up right now. Their time is too expensive to waste."

"What? You mean he'll put us in the film?"

"Yup, he's done it before. Then afterwards he'll have to go back and get paper on everyone. Congratulations, you'll be member of the Screen Actors Guild ... most of us already have a card."

Dennis started to laugh. It seems Jim was not to be denied anything, and then he remembered Ted. The call for the filming was at eleven o'clock which was to be followed by Jim's celebratory picnic in the park after it was done. Ted and Barry had their casting auditions at ten.

It wasn't a big scene, but an important one. Libby and her family walking the animals in the park when they come upon a small carnival set up. Jim had invited kids from the local YMCA summer program and their parents to attend, but there were supposed to be actors in the scenes as well.

The script called for people to react with Libby. Couples to stroll through the scene and pet the dog, a man selling ice cream, another with balloons. There were lines to be said, images to convey that would build the ending to a moment of real joy. No wonder Jim was upset as he stormed out of the fishbowl. He gave Dennis a scowl.

"I suppose you heard ... the idiots," Jim said.

"I can sell balloons," Dennis said. "That doesn't require much skill."

A grin split Jim's face. "No doubt you can ... and you will have to at this point. We'll be using everyone."

"Ted's team has that casting call with the kids at ten," Dennis said.

"Oh Lord ... that's right ... that's important."

"Oh ... Wow, I just had a thought. Bring them to the park," Dennis said. "Bring the kids to the park as a group. Steve was planning to be here and watch the auditions. Damn, what if we had them in the crowd scenes as a group ... what a publicity move."

Jim stood silently for a moment, the wheels turning, and slowly he began to nod. "Yes ... oh yes. We can pay them scale, I'm sure they'll do it. We'll even list them as the Chips Club in the credits. Imagine what a buzz this will cause when it gets out."

"I could call my sister at the Times," Veronica said.

Jim nodded. "Do that ... and give this man a raise." He was out the door in a flash.

Dennis looked at Veronica. "I better go find Barry and Ted. Is anything ever normal around here?"

"Welcome to Hollywood," Veronica laughed. "How many raises have you had so far?"

Dennis grinned. "That makes two but I don't expect anything."

She picked up her phone and nodded. "You will someday ... count on it."

Dennis wandered down the hall to the production office and found Barry and Ted putting together the sides for the kid auditions. A side was usually just a page or two of the script as there was no sense in handing out the entire book.

Ted looked up as Dennis walked in. "What's up, aren't you shooting in the park this morning?"

"I have some good news and some strange news," Dennis said.

"Uh oh," Barry said. "Let's hear it."

"You're coming to the park with us, you and the five young actors ... we're making a film."

"What are you saying?" Ted asked, and so Dennis explained.

Ted and Barry both understood what a good thing this could be. Anything at all different about the approach to this film was attractive. Producing Come Next Tuesday was going to be unlike anything Hollywood had ever seen, this would only add to the hype.

"Will they do it? That's my only question," Dennis asked.

"I know Steve will and the others will follow him," Ted said. He looked at his watch. "We'll find out in just a short while."

Steve arrived before the others and Ted hurried to meet him in the lobby, fortunately he had come with Tim. As he stood there talking to Steve the door opened and Beverly Cooper walked in with her mother.

"Steve," Beverly squealed and Steve rushed over to give her a hug.

They were old friends, and yet as normally busy actors in the entertainment industry they saw little of one another. Ted knew they would spend the day catching up on their lives. But shortly they had Miguel Guzman, Bobby Morris and Leonard Baker present and accounted for, each with a parent.

Ted and Barry led them all into a corner of the lobby where they could sit and talk. Barry watched Ted give them the facts, knowing that he was Steve's friend and would soon become friends with the others. The parents listened attentively and they had the questions.

Barry assured them that the kids would be paid for this appearance.

"We still need to see you on camera, but I thought to do a little impromptu scene right here and now if you're willing."

"What are you asking for?" Steve said.

"You read the script, Steve," Ted said. "It's the scene where the club talks about Arthur Doyle and what they think has been happening. There's conflict and emotion between the characters. Barry here will probably be the Unit Two director on the film so today you'll be performing for him."

Ted passed out the sides for the scene and gave each kid about fifteen minutes to study it. They wouldn't have to memorize the lines, just give it their best interpretation. Barry had marked each line with the name of the actor instead of the character's name just to make it easier. Now the lobby was silent except for the mumbling of the kids studying their parts.

"I'm ready ... guys?" Steve asked, and received nods of assent in return.

Barry circled five folding chairs in the open space of the lobby and placed the kids in the chairs. "You may begin when you feel ready," He said, and then stood back to watch.

Steve had the opening line and he stood up, walked behind his chair and leaned on the back facing the others.

"I think Doyle has become a menace, did you read what I posted?"

"What you hacked, you mean," Beverly said. She stood up and faced the boy, hands on her hips in an aggressive pose. "Steve, we were never supposed to see that memo, it was sent to Principal Jackson."

"We would have found out soon enough," Leonard said. "I didn't know you had Jackson's password?"

"His daughter's name is Lela and she's twelve ... Lela12, how lame could he get?" Steve said.

"That's not the point ... " Beverly began to say.

"I know we weren't supposed to see it, but you heard Doyle in class the other day ... that whole memo is filled with lies. He's trying to kill the club."

"I for one do not sit in class and text," Miguel said.

"I don't think any of us do, but there are others," Bobby said. "The jocks are the worst offenders."

"If that includes the cheerleaders I agree," Beverly said. "Okay, so we know Doyle is after us ... why would he lie?"

"He's losing it," Miguel said, twirling a finger beside his head. "Mucho loco."

"He's technologically challenged, we all know that ... I think he's plain jealous," Leonard said. He held up the script and pretended to thumb through the pages. "Listen, I wrote down what he said last Thursday. 'Science will prove to be the last refuge of the human mind and you people are wasting time with your gadgets. If you don't focus the remaining portion of your brain on science you'll get sucked into that internet you hold so dear, and then it will be too late.'

"Loco," Miguel said. "Sucked into the internet?"

"He works too hard, the man clearly needs a rest," Beverly said.

"Don't defend him," Steve said. "We have to prove he's lying or Jackson will take his advice. Doyle is making us the scapegoat for his phobias."

"Well said ... what can we do?" Bobby asked.

"We ought to secretly document his class, capture his rants on cam," Steve said.

Beverly shook her head. "And then we become exactly what he's lying about, I won't do it."

"How about something stationary? Perhaps a fixed cam in the classroom," Miguel said.

And there the sides ended. Barry clapped his hands. "Well done, we could start filming tomorrow."

Instead they all made plans to drive to the park. A line of cars followed Tim's limousine up onto the Santa Monica Freeway and headed east towards the 110. Elysian Park had been chosen because it was used all the time in filming and the Police Academy was located there right near Dodger Stadium.

That made it convenient because the carnival could be set up on one of the lower parking lots and all the support trucks wouldn't have to mess up the park. But the shots of the carnival rides against the background of the trees was enticing, Jim was pumped up.

Dennis and Ted trailed the convoy of vehicles into the stadium parking lot and marveled at the huge setup it required for just six or seven minutes of film.

"I thought this was going to be a few kiddie rides," Ted said. "Damn, look at how tall that Ferris wheel is."

"Jim Curry never does anything half way, remember that, live with that," Dennis laughed.

The cameras were set up on a large swatch of green near the walkways beneath the trees. That angle would allow them to shoot trees and park as background, and then immediately pan over to catch the stadium and the carnival. One look told Dennis that much of the office staff was already there.

Veronica saw them coming and ran over with a handout and a smile. "This is your pick-a- part time," She said. "Jim said you were going to sell balloons?"

"I can," Dennis replied.

"Props and costumes are over there," She said pointing at the collection of trailers.

"I wonder what a geek needs for a prop?" Steve laughed.

They moved as a collective group, parents and actors. Jim was standing at one of the trailers and walked over to see them.

"Hi folks, glad you could come to our party," He said, looking at Ted. "So what have we decided?"

"The club is all here, they'll do it," Ted replied.

Jim turned to the small group and immediately began shaking hands. To each of the four newcomers he smiled, spoke their name and thanked both the kid and the parents for coming. When he had found the time to memorize the names Ted didn't know.

"So Ted and Barry decided to make this appearance work for us and publicize the new film. I thought to put all of you together sitting under a tree beside the walkway and have you speak to Libby as she passes by. It might be all of ten seconds on film in that one scene but we've been thinking of a broader view. Are any of you afraid of heights?"

Ted raised his hand and Jim laughed. "No, I mean the actors. I thought after the little waving scene we could get the five of you together at the carnival, shoot some fun stuff as a group."

And that's exactly how it happened. Ally Barnes was thrilled to meet the cast, and especially Steve. As performers they connected and in short order were chatting like old friends. Ally was definitely one of Steve's fans but their conversation was professional and all about the work they were doing.

The scene was about Libby and her parents moving slowly through the park as the animals played in the grass around them. The young actors destined to become the Chips Club were stationed under a tree nearby, all except for Steve.

Steve was shown walking towards Libby. He stopped to smile and pet the dog before motioning to his friends under the tree who ran over to join him. At this point Libby talks to the kids as they chatter about her animals. None of that conversation would make it into the film but it allowed Jim a few moments of time to show them as a group before the scene moved on.

Rags did his best to steal the scene but Antonio finally called him off as they approached the carnival. The camera's eye showed Libby's reaction to the sounds of the rides and the smells of the midway. The wheelchair came to a stop as the camera moved behind her and took in the three people as a silhouette against the carnival.

Libby could not see the moving Ferris wheel or the spinning rides. But she could hear the sounds of people moving about. Barry dressed in a white jacket selling ice cream, Dennis in a yellow and blue striped shirt with a handful of floating balloons and a clown juggling balls in the air. The clown was of course Jim, but no one would know that.

And after the take had run its course, the cut mark was called and the camera stopped recording. There would be other things to edit into the film, but from a practical standpoint they were finished.

Marty ran back the sequence as Jim peered in at the monitors, nodding his head.

"That's a wrap," Jim yelled, and everyone visibly relaxed.

What followed could only be described as a cast party. The caterer was grilling food in the park, the carnival rides were open to everyone and Curry Productions took the afternoon off. Ally dragged Dennis off to the Tilt-a-Whirl while Ted and Steve rode the Ferris wheel.

From a car on the Ferris wheel Steve looked around at the two casts mingling and having a great time. "Does Jim always end his filming like this?" Steve asked.

"Not sure, but he is the consummate clown deep down inside," Ted replied.

"You have no idea how much I needed to be in this film," Steve said. "I know Hank tried to get that space age script off the ground but no one would buy it. I guess there have been just too many similar projects out there the past couple of years. I was beginning to wonder if this town still liked me."

"Aw, come on, Steve. Don't be afraid of losing your status as a child actor. That only opens the door to bigger and better roles as an adult. If Jim and Hank are serious about casting you in their films then you have a good future. Just be glad you didn't go the Disney route."

Steve nodded. "Yeah, I've seen what happens to those kids ... here today, gone tomorrow."

Ted took Steve's hand as they swooped upwards. "I really do hate heights." And he laughed to cover his fear as they reached the top.

Dennis was dizzy by the time Ally had enough of the Tilt-a-Whirl ride, but they walked over to the bumper cars where he discovered what an aggressive little girl she was. Jim was showing a few people around, a man and a woman Dennis had never seen before. They were waiting when the cars stopped moving.

"Ally ... Dennis, this is Barbara Wilson and Terry Leonard, they write the Hollywood Now column."

There were handshakes all around and then Barbara focused on Ally.

"So Ally, what's it like working for this clown?" She asked. Jim laughed, he was still in costume.

"The best," Ally replied with her patented smile. "This is not Disney anymore, I love it."

Dennis stood back trying to look invisible, but Jim would have none of that. "Dennis here is also new to Curry Productions."

"And what do you do?" Terry asked.

"So far I babysit little girls," Dennis said, and Ally gave him a punch in the arm.

"He babysits me as well," Jim said. "I predict great things for Dennis, and he might even find his way into being my assistant director this next year."

Dennis blushed; this was all news to him. Barbara and Terry were introduced to the young cast of Come Next Tuesday and began to ask questions. It came as quite a surprise when they discovered the kids had just met Jim three hours ago.

"Then how did you cast these actors, did Mikey Talon choose them?" Barbara asked.

"Again, I used my young assistants to make the choices," Jim said. "Let's just call this an experiment in chemistry. Barry has been with me almost four years now, Ted just started. But the cast is from their generation. I want you to meet them because they are about to do something for this film that will make it unique."

Barry and Ted were introduced and then asked to explain what was about to happen with a theater full of kids at their charity event. It was Terry who immediately caught on to the advantages of asking a young audience what should be in the film. He agreed that most kids were far in advance of their parent's generation when it came to interfacing with the electronic world and the internet.

"Will you make the information you gather available to the public?" Barbara asked.

"Perhaps, but after the film is made," Barry replied.

"Are you familiar with Avatar, the Airbender series?" Ted asked.

"The movie that came out last year?" Barbara asked.

"No, Avatar, The Legend of Aang. It was an animated series on television produced by Nickelodeon," Ted said, but neither columnist was familiar with it. "It ended a few years ago, so maybe you didn't know about it. The series was begun by two very creative animators with a basic storyline that evolved. Their premise encompassed global conflict in a fantasy world; ours involves a struggle between generations on the internet in our world. Believe me ... the kids in the audience will get it, and their feedback will give us new direction."

"Does this mean you plan a series of films?" Terry asked.

"I don't know what to tell you about that," Ted said. "This script isn't written with a sequel in mind."

"So whose idea was it to create a film this way?" Terry asked.

"His," Barry and Ted said, pointing at Jim.

Jim laughed. "Take it from me ... there isn't anything I like better than good team work."

Barbara and Terry left the park and Jim took off the clown costume. He found Ted and Dennis sitting at a picnic table eating what would be their dinner.

"You know, Ted ... I really liked what you told Terry about the film, it is about the broader struggle between generations," Jim said. "This is going to be a special film and I doubt we'd do a sequel. In fact I know we won't since there are just too many things on our list into the future. I didn't know you watched The Airbender series."

"I think I saw them all," Ted said. "I liked heroic fantasy, especially when I was twelve."

"Don't tell anyone but I watched a lot of them too," Jim said. "I have them on DVD, they're at the condo."

Ted smiled. "We watched you in Mother's Little Helper not too long ago."

Jim laughed. "One of my sillier roles in film...but what do you think of Arty D?"

"I like the evolution of the character ... the descent into madness. There's nothing silly about that part."

"No ... no there isn't," Jim said. "I like silly, it brought me to where I am now ... but I want Arty to be my masterpiece." Then he looked at Dennis. "What do you think?"

"I think Jim Curry can do whatever he wants ... if time allows. The company allows you less time to direct and the directing gets in the way of acting. It's good to be versatile, but a man can only wear one hat at a time."

"Exactly," Jim said. "I need to teach someone about directing so they can stand in for me." And here he smiled. "How do you feel about that?"

It was the most serious question anyone had posed to Dennis in years. His thoughts flew back to Arthur Lynch, the principal at Cabot Performing Arts. They had been standing in the lobby of the school admiring a celebrity plaque on the wall. "We have lots of room on this wall," Dr. Lynch had said. "I expect to see your face up here someday ... I know I will."

Dennis blinked and he was back at the picnic table where Jim was offering something grand. "I ... I would enjoy learning to direct ... but I want to earn it," He replied.

Jim nodded. "You will ... you've already begun. Get yourself into the program at UCLA and then give me your spare time. Nothing good happens overnight, we have the time."

Dennis watched as Jim made the rounds of those who remained and then Raul drove him away. The moment was still with him and across the table he could see the joy of it reflected in Ted's eyes.

"That was awesome," Ted said.

"I'm still absorbing it. I mean we knew he was pushing us towards something larger, but I never thought he would just up and say it like that."

"It certainly gives your life some direction ... and mine too."

"Ted, none of this would be possible without you," Dennis said.

The afternoon was fading when Steve and Tim said their goodbyes.

"When is your father due in town?" Steve asked.

"Thursday, I think. The party isn't until Saturday so I'll have to entertain him for a few days," Ted said. "He didn't want to stay at the condo, but I insisted. My father is just a country boy at heart, he won't like Los Angeles."

"Why don't you take Friday off and we'll take him sailing," Tim suggested.

"He might like that, I'll ask."

Ted awoke the following morning with the realization that in seven days he would have a birthday and be considered an adult. He had grown up faster in the last three years then at any other point in the rest of his life. Dennis would get the lion's share of the credit for inspiring those changes, but the support of friends and his father had made a big difference.

He had only spoken to his mother twice in the past six months, probably because he didn't understand her life. No child wants to imagine the dissolution of a family and his mother had caused it. But just as Ted could not talk to his parents about his sexuality, neither could his mother discuss the events that caused the divorce.

Dale Cavanaugh was everything a father ought to be to his son and Ted had always felt the love and support, but he worried about his father. It was easy to see that he had immersed himself in building the family farm supply business as a means of compensating, but money was not the answer.

His father had a social life from the business and the car culture surrounding all those expensive automobiles he'd collected. But they had not spoken about dating or love interests. It would be strange for a father to talk with his son about needing companionship when the flow of that discussion usually went the other way.

Perhaps the time was right, Ted thought. Perhaps he needed to be open about his relationship with Dennis. If his father would stay and listen Ted wanted to tell him about the wonders of being in love and the joy he felt. He had to say something and this was the time to do it. He had to do it now because he was committed to this life with Dennis. He had to make his father understand.

The weekend was quiet and they had made no real plans to do anything. On Sunday they drove south to Laguna Beach, had lunch, looked in the shops and spent some time on the beach. Dennis had this idea he wanted to see the Bel Air Theatre so they drove up Sunset to catch a showing of the newest Spiderman movie.

The theatre was huge and had a balcony where they sat, ate popcorn and held hands, it was like a date. Ted could see lots of places where Bob Ware could set up unobtrusive cameras for their charity event. They would find out if it would all work in about three weeks, August was upon them.

Jim and Dennis vanished into the editing studio on Monday morning leaving Ted with Barry to script out the Power Point presentation to the audience of kids. The Come Next Tuesday website had been up and running for less than a week with little more than a few storyboard images posted.

A small paragraph explained that the site was under construction and would not be fully functioning until mid-August but that didn't seem to matter. The word was spreading and the data showed they already had six thousands hits on the site.

"You know this will go viral," Ted said and Barry grinned in reply.

"That's why I have Nelson coming to our team meeting this morning. He's been watching the response and has a list of items to add on. Did you see the shots they took on Friday at the park?"

"No ... you mean the Chips?"

"Yup, we got some wonderful images. Hollywood Now will have a column about the film in next Saturday's entertainment section and I think we need to make sure they get a photo to run with it. Zing, we're off to the races," Barry laughed.

Ted smiled. "Someone had a good weekend."

In response Barry blushed, a first as far as Ted was concerned. "It was exceptional. Mike and I owe you and Dennis a dinner for bringing us together."

"I think we'll have a free moment sometime around Thanksgiving," Ted said.

"Ain't that the truth," Barry replied.

The whole office waited to see what magic could be created in the editing room that week and then on Thursday they found out. Jim had a not too subtle way of announcing their success. He got on the paging system and screamed, "We have a movie!"

The titles needed to be added, the credits tacked on to the end and the soundtrack synchronized, but it was a happy duo that emerged from the editing studio. Ted heard all about it that afternoon as he sat gazing at photos from the park scene.

"No one looked more relieved when we were done than Marty, the cinematographer," Dennis laughed. "He actually hugged me."

"So when do we get to see the final product," Ted asked.

"Oh, that will take weeks. Now they have to do the final cleanup and cut the master. I think Jim will throw a party for the showing."

"The big question ... is it any good?"

"It's a film for kids, no doubt about that. I don't see it winning any awards, but it will make money. I don't think Jim will be ashamed of it." Dennis smiled. "I bet even his ex-wife will like it."

"She better, she got paid for it and there are residuals."

"What are you looking at?" Dennis asked.

"A cute guy selling balloons in the park ... " And the phone rang.

"Ted ... I'm just rolling into the city," His father said. "Should I come to your office?"

"That will be fine ... we'll be taking you out to dinner anyway."

"Okay ... see you in about an hour."

Dennis smiled. "So much for our love life this weekend."

Ted was waiting in the lobby when his father arrived. It had only been two months but they hugged hard and fast. Stephanie already had a visitor's pass for him and so Ted walked them back to the production office. The walls were covered in Come Next Tuesday material, a few storyboard sketches and a blow up of the kids in the cast with Jim.

"So this is where you work?" His father asked.

"For the moment this is my spot, Dad. But all over town there is other work going on to put this film together. Jim is looking for a January start date on filming."

"Now I understand why you can't walk away, this is pretty impressive."

The door opened and in walked Jim with Dennis and Barry in tow. Ted's father shook hands with Jim and was introduced.

"I want to thank you for allowing Ted to stay on here, Dale," Jim said. "I would have had to kidnap him if you didn't."

"He's of an age to make his own decisions, and he has been for quite some time," Dale replied.

"I've been watching that happen all summer," Jim said. "You two have a good time tomorrow. I can't afford to give these guys too many days off, but they deserve it."

And with that Jim took the folder Barry handed him and made his exit. Ted introduced his working partner and Barry shook hands before he wandered out and back to work. Dennis dropped a pile of papers on the table and reached out to shake Mr. Cavanaugh's hand, instead he got a hug.

"I'm impressed, he seems to like you both," Dale said. "So what are we doing tomorrow?"

"You didn't ask?" Dennis said.

"I forgot. Dad, would you mind sailing with us?"

Dale gave back a big grin. "I'd like nothing better."


On to Chapter Eight

Back to Chapter Six

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Exit Hollywood is © 2010 by Chris James.
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