"Come get the phone, Sydney!" Mrs. Landson called out with exasperation.  "You're father doesn't have much time."

"Since when does he ever," Sydney muttered under her breath.

"You're father works hard, young lady.  You live in a beautiful home and have a more than generous allowance. There are a lot of girls who would gladly trade places. You should be ashamed of yourself."  Her current nanny handed her the phone, lips pursed in disapproval.

Sydney glared at her as she took the phone.  "Hello, Dad."

"Sydney, I'm leaving for Japan this afternoon.  I won't be home until late Wednesday.  If you need to reach me, call my secretary and she can track me down."

"Sure, Dad.  I'll call Mr. Watkins and tell him you won't be needing that ticket for the concert on Friday."

"Sydney, I told you I would be there."  Her father sounded annoyed.  Sydney gave a sardonic smile. "Wednesday is two full days before Friday.  If this high school hasn't taught you that much, then perhaps we should revisit your attending that private school we discussed last year."

"I know how many days there are between Wednesday and Friday. Based on previous experience, I'll assume you won't make it." Her voice unconsciously mimicked her father's dry, flat tone.

"You did request a seat on the end?"

"Yes, Dad.  I even arranged for them to hold your ticket at the door.  You can pick it up when you get there."

"Good.  Have you been practicing?"

"If you spent any time at home, you'd know the answer to that."

Jack sighed heavily into the phone.  "You know my work entails a lot of travel, Sydney.  I have to go.  I'll see you on Wednesday."

"Yeah, sure. Bye, Daddy."

"Mrs. Landson, has my dad called?"

"No, I still haven't heard from him."

"Has his secretary called?"

"There have been no phone calls, Sydney.  I'm sure you're father has merely been delayed and will call soon."

"The concert is tomorrow.  He promised he'd be home this time. I'm calling his secretary."

"You shouldn't bother her. If she had any information from your father, she would have called."

"Dad told me to call her." Sydney gave the nanny a truculent glare and picked up the phone and dialed. "Hello?  Yes, I need to speak with Mr. Bristow's secretary." The phone rang through to an extension.

"Hi, I'm Sydney Bristow.  My dad told me to call you if I needed to reach him."

"Oh yes. Sydney!  I must apologize for not calling you and letting you know your father has been unavoidably detained."

"Could you have him call me, please?"

"That won't be possible.  His business meeting is in a very remote location.  They were hit by a bad storm last night and we haven't been able to contact them yet." The secretary paused, then quickly added, "the local authorities had radio contact, but the radio apparently stopped working.  The last report said everyone was fine."

"Okay. Thank you."  Replacing the phone in its cradle, Sydney gnawed worriedly at her lower lip. 

"I'm going to have a conversation with your father when he gets home, young lady. You're behavior is not acceptable and I will not put up with your attitude much longer."

"So what else is new?"  Sydney stomped over to the stairs before calling back to the nanny.  "You'll have to wait a few more days before you tell him.  He's been unavoidably detained again."