I thank Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr for getting me their

springboards so promptly. Jack emphasizes they’re ready to write and presses on

about when they’ll hear from me. I say I’ll get back to him in a couple of days. He

doesn’t seem pleased so I add, “I’m dealing with a lot of writers.”

This pleases him even less and he says, “Not writers like us.”

I tell him, “I’m sure.” I realize subtlety is lost on him.

Eleanor touches his arm like a trainer would a circus bear as she says, “That’s fine. We look forward to working with you.”

I say, “Me, too.” That softens Jack. It’s clear he’s in this for money. Everyone’s got their own life, their own problems and motivations. It’s not my business. But I like that Eleanor is more attuned to the pure creative elements.

As they’re about to depart, Lori appears and Jack and Eleanor exchange

pleasantries with her. They leave. Lori comes in, closes my door and says, “Howard

visited you.” I nod. She says, “Andy must have reamed him. He can be crass.”

I ask, “Howard or Andy?”

She smiles. “Howard’s an acquired taste, but he delivers.”

I nod as I pat his storyboards with, “As I’ve learned. I’ve got some reading to do.”

Lori says, “You’ll have time on the plane.”

My eyebrows furrow and I ask, “What?”

“You’re going to Cleveland tomorrow with Andy.” And then like vapor, she’s

gone…