Kevin

"Yes," he said, head snapping up. It wasn't in an annoyed way, just eager. His bright smile faltered a bit as he squinted to get a closer look at me. He cocked his head to the side in confusion. "Uh, pardon me for staring, but you look terribly familiar."I smiled.

"I'm Kevin McCallister. You gave me the turtle doves. Oh, and I'm glad to see your windows repaired." Recognition sparked in his eyes and his face lit up like a Christmas tree. He waved to a nearby employee and motioned her to take his place for him. As he was getting out of his chair, I noticed that for the most part, he was basically the same-as far as appearances go-but he moved slower and with much more effort than last time.

"My, what a strapping young lad you've become! And to think that I'm really this old!" He laughed good-naturedly. "But enough about me, what brings you here?" He motioned for me to follow him through the store.

"I got a job at the Plaza and I just thought I'd stop by and see you." I shrugged. I would have felt a bit embarrassed if I admitted to him that I needed to see a familiar face-not to say that city people weren't nice and all, but...

"The Plaza! How long have you been working there?"

"I start my job behind the accounting desk tomorrow." He seemed a bit surprised at that. Was it really so hard to believe that I could manage a desk job?

"I never thought accounting was really your-"

"Well, I wanted to try out a desk job, and, I don't know, I'm really good with numbers..." I faltered, wincing internally for interrupting him and babbling like that. But he didn't seem bothered by it. He nodded thoughtfully. Behind us, a man in a suit came striding towards Mr. Duncan. The man seemed a bit weary, as if he had to do something he really didn't want to.

"Sir, your nephew is on the phone and-" Mr. Duncan cut him off with an exasperated wave of his hand. He sighed and turned to me.

"I'm sorry, Kevin, but I have to go and take care of business matters. But I do insist that you visit again soon." I nodded, and promised Mr. Duncan that I would be coming back soon. I intended to leave right after, but changed my mind last minute. I decided that I could just explore the store and all it had to offer for just a little while longer...

"Who was that?" Bill Grayson asked Mr. Duncan as a young blonde man waved goodbye.

"Potentially, the next owner of Duncan's Toy Chest," Mr. Duncan replied thoughtfully. The man turned to him in surprise.

"But, then, what about Mr.-" The old man silenced him with one raised eyebrow.

"You and I both know that I never intended him to take on the business and never will. I would think that you've heard me say that to him enough that you would know." The man nodded, feeling embarrassed that he had forgotten.

Eloise

"Mother, when do you think you'll be able to come back?" I asked as we stood in the lobby. Saying goodbye to her this trip was more upsetting than usual-probably because she had stayed for too short of a time. But what is one to do when Steve Jobs wished to discuss the investment of a new product with you?

"Oh, Eloise, I promise to try to come home in time for Christmas," she said apologetically. "But for now, revoir, Darling." We hugged farewell, and she was off. I sighed, unable to bring myself to leave right away.

"Move!" an woman so rudely commanded as she drove through me. I would've protested but she seemed absolutely livid. Apprehension slid through me as I saw that she was making her way to the front desk. Poor Mr. Salamone... "GONE! MY CREDIT CARD, MY JEWELS! THE THIEF BETTER HOPE THAT THE HOTEL GETS THEIR HANDS ON HIM BEFORE I DO!" Mr. Salamone made a please-calm-down-madadame gesture with his hands.

"Don't worry, Ms. Shire, this hotel with do everything we can to catch the culprits and return your items."

"Be sure that you do!" That was all she said before storming off, exiting in a slightly less huff than she entered. I turned and headed toward the kitchen-I hadn't had breakfast yet and it was already nine!-and planned to dismiss the whole episode. But, like a Chanel dress in pink, it nagged at me and insisted that it stay in my mind.

"Sir, this is the third theft in the past month," Jay, a bell boy, whisper to him when they were sure no one could hear.

"I know," Mr. Salamone irritatedly whispered back. "Which is why it's all the more pressing that we catch them soon."