The end of the reception evening and the beginning of the New York trip. I hope you like it. REVIEW! Thanks!

XX

Mary's shivering caused them to move back inside. "I knew I should have brought a cardie but with the afternoon being so hot, it's impossible to think it will cool down so in the evening." She said rubbing the goose flesh that rose on her upper arm.

"Yes. This is more like home." Matthew responded. "Even in the middle of summer it can be damp and chilly." He semi-consciously held out his hand to take hers. They walked back through the French doors. He looked around to see who was left at the reception. A few of the classmates he recognized were clustered in various corners. He probably needed to confirm a time with Lavinia to set up the mock trial rehearsal, but he put it off until tomorrow.

The general's wife waved to get Mary's attention. But before they knew it the appointed event photographer snapped their picture. She had been roaming around the room getting pictures for the JAG web site. Matthew had barely noticed her before.

The photographer walked over and asked to take another in case. Mary turned to Matthew who nodded. Matthew reached out with his fingers and adjusted her long chain necklace.

"It's a bit askew." He said his breath near her mouth. He tugged on it and straightened the chain. "That's better." His hand slid around her neck. She bent her head back against his knuckles. Strands of her hair tickled his skin.

"Thank you." She whispered. They stood and smiled as another picture was snapped. Eleanor Ashe, the brigadier general's friendly, if outspoken wife hurried over.

"You two look so natural together. " Her words made Matthew squirm again. He really needed to correct her assumption.

But he found out he did not have to. Eleanor turned to Mary. "I know. I know. You told me you just met and the shared name was a curious happenstance…" her eyes going up at that "…but let me just say again… you two are a matched pair. Sometimes accidents happen for a reason."

The two merely demurred. Matthew's head bent. Mary's face flushed.

Mrs. Ashe walked away with a telling laugh.

"Shall we go?" Mary asked.

Matthew looked around again. "Yes. I think we can safely make an escape." They left through the front doors after Matthew confirmed with Colonel Bailey that things were indeed winding down.

Mary was waiting. "My car is right over there." She pointed out onto the street. Matthew nodded, his hand up to his face.

"What?" She asked, stepping down onto the curb. Turned towards him.

"Such a nice night." Matthew looked up at the stars. They were so bright in the dark Charlottesville sky. "Thought we could walk." And he held out his hand.

"I'm still cold." And she raised an eyebrow. "And my car has heated seats."

"I have a solution to that as well." He started to unbutton the mess jacket. "It's not quite protocol to be out of uniform. But I think I'll be okay." He glanced around and pursed his lips. "I don't see anyone around."

She grinned in complicity.

Taking it off one arm at a time, he got his arm stuck in one sleeve. Mary held it out straight and he slipped out of it. "Thanks."

He placed it around her shoulders. "Looks better on you anyway." And he straightened it so that it hung evenly.

"Better?" His words so surprisingly kind, she refused to believe such people existed.

"It's very heavy." She replied, and affixed it around her neck. A surge of electricity had surged through her body as he moved closer and put the jacket around her bare shoulders. The skin, so recently cold and goose fleshed, turned flushed and warm to his touch. He caught her intake of breath.

"Are you okay?" He looked concerned. "We can take your car if you want…"

"No." Mary said, so suddenly that he turned in surprise.

"No. I'm fine." She smiled a radiant if still cryptic smile. Matthew was pleased.

She took his hand. Noticed it too was cold. She grasped it tighter and held it up to her mouth. She kissed his knuckles. "This will warm you."

He gasped. She liked his equal reaction to her own.

He took her in his arms and kissed her a deep, drowning kiss.

"You are surprising." He said. "You surprise me more and more. I don't know how to take you."

"I am who I am." Mary said, shrugging. "But even I'm not sure what that means. I keep hoping life will figure itself out. That if I do this, or I do that, that then I can say, this is what my life is supposed to be. This is supposed to be where I am."

"Like this part in New York. You really want it."

"Not necessarily this part. But I'd take anything at this point. I really need that equity card." She pointed across the street to the direction they needed to go to get to her house. "For one thing I'm on a student visa. So I need work to stay here."

"I see." He knew the twisted road of the foreigner in America. The paperwork was endless.

"I'm still on it by taking a couple of graduate course in voice and media studies." She shrugged again. "It also allows me to keep my contacts current with the University."

"That's a lot on your plate, then."

"The media stuff is on line. And the voice is with a private tutor. She's been training me for about four years."

He swallowed thickly. The idea of listening to Mary sing aroused him more than he realized. He played it cool though. "And are you any good?"

"That's a debatable point actually." She laughed at herself. "Late at night with a few in me, or in the shower I can put together a great tune."

That helped Matthew not at all…. Mary seemed not to notice, she continued "But I can't compete with the likes of Idina Menzel or Kelli O'Hara. But we'll see. Depends on the part."

"Can't you just go home?" Before he even thought it out.

She let go of his hand. "Of course not. That's just what my father wants."

"I know. Sorry. Stupid of me." His arm tentatively moved around her shoulder.

"This part is very dramatic." He recalled the impassioned speech of the younger sister to the police investigator about the missing sibling. Mary had read it to perfection.

She took a breath. "I think I'm ready. Just need to go over the script a couple more times. Refine it." She leaned closer.

"I… I won't be able to come help much I'm afraid. I have to prep for this mock trial."

"With Lavinia." Mary said, stretching out the syllables of the name. Maybe the champagne cocktails had gone to her head.

"I will need to be with her all the rest of the week."

At her barely disguised harrumph, he said, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were the tiniest bit jealous." Was it too soon to be so cheeky, he wondered, but said it anyway.

"Don't flatter yourself sir." She mocked back. "I will say she has more than advocacy week on her mind, I can tell you. You must be careful not to break her heart. I think she has a crush on you."

Matthew looked astonished. "I barely know her."

"You barely know me."

"And you're saying that's something no one could accuse you of."

"Oh, I don't know." She replied, "But I don't have a heart, remember."

"You sound as if you speak only in mockery." He replied, turning suddenly thoughtful. "Do you ever take anything seriously?"

"Oh, Matthew. Pay no attention to the things I say." She guided him down the street where she lived.

"How can I be sure of anything then?"

"You can't." She said it lightly, "maybe you shouldn't take up with me at all."

"Is that a warning?" He asked.

"I don't know Matthew." She groaned and grabbed his hand and drew him closer. "Sometimes it's best to just let things happen. Your military training tells you to analyze everything. My acting tells me to go on my gut instinct."

His arms enveloped hers. "To let it go as it will."

"To take it easy."

He kissed her. "I'm up for that."

She let go just long enough to open the door. They walked into the foyer. "I really probably should be going." But he didn't release her arm from where it wrapped around his body.

"A few more minutes, yes?" And Mary guided him to the living room, placing his mess kit jacket on a chair. Her arms bare once more, he guided his fingers along her forearm. He tugged at the thin strap holding the dress in place. It slipped down her shoulder. His lips came down and he kissed her skin along the clavicle and bone until he felt her shiver.

"You are extraordinarily beautiful." He said, his lips moving now against the nape of her neck and into her hair.

She moved him back to where she could see those astonishly blue eyes. They looked at each other, unblinking and fully aware. They fell back against the sofa. His body fell first and she came down parallel to him. Her legs draped along his right side. He gathered her more comfortably, pushing her bottom up against his hips. The kissing, breathless and hard, enveloped them. His arms tightened around her waist.

She could not get close enough. They fed each other's space.

Letting go, Matthew saw that Mary's lips were red and full from where he had been tugging at her lower lip. Her cheeks flushed. Her eyes dilated. His must be the mirror image.

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, his chin lightly placed on her shoulder blade as he caressed her skin with his stubble.

Until it really was time for him to go. He stood up and fetched his jacket.

"Until Friday then." Matthew said, with quite an effort to get out the door. "Until New York."

"Until New York." Mary replied.

XX

Mary printed out the two boarding passes. At least one thing accomplished. The morning had been hectic. At least this one thing had gone right. Matthew was to meet her at the house and they would drive her car to long term parking.

Calls had taken up more time than she had wished.

Rosamund being the main culprit of compromising Mary's morning. She had skyped to catch up, knowing that Mary was leaving for New York.

Mary had let slip she would not be going alone. She groaned faintly as she made the mistake. "We're taking the 7pm flight." She had meant to just inform her aunt of the itinerary.

"We?" Rosamund picked up immediately. "I thought you were going alone?"

"Damn." Mary cursed herself silently. "Umm…yes a …friend." Lame Lame, Lame.

"Anyone I know?" She could tell when Mary was prevaricating.

"I'll send a picture." Mary gave in. Rosamund was going to wheedle this out of her so she may as well cough it up. Matthew had sent the picture from the reception. She forwarded it to Rosamund's phone.

"Oh my. Mary. Curiouser and curiouser." Her tone was unmistakable. "He's just lovely. And an officer. Do you know the family well?"

"And so it begins…" Mary thought. Rosamund was a dear friend as much as an aunt. An ally in Mary's desire to get her education in America and a rock when it came to tough decisions.

But she was a snob.

Although one inclined to moderate her views if the man was good looking. Rich and good looking would be preferable. But one couldn't always have exactly what one wanted all the time, as she pointed out to Mary. There were, as she put it, "make do" men, you know. Until the perfect specimen comes along."

When Mary scoffed at such conceits, Rosamund said spikily, "I'm looking out for your best interests. You know as much as me you'd never be happy in some country cottage. You'd be giving your life away. Your career."

"How do you even know that? This is the 21st century after all. Women can make their own decisions if you've not noticed."

"Yes that's all well and good to say that now. But mark me, marry the wrong kind of man, the kind with no money, and he'll pull you down to his level, no matter. You're better off by far having an affair with such a man while married to a more sensible match."

"Rosamund really!" Mary's voice sneered.

"You'll see." That was where the conversation had ended for the first time. They had variations of the same conversation over the years of Mary's stay in Charlottesville. Especially as she dated men Rosamund would disapprove of. She had liked Drew. He was of the right sort. Mary pointed out that he had cheated on her with another intern at the hospital. Rosamund dismissed it as mere wandering. And advised her to do the same.

"So this one." Rosamund said, the morning Mary was to leave for New York. "How did I not know about this?" As if he was an object rather than a human being. Mary was always silently amused at her aunt's penchants.

"We just met actually. Look Rosamund, I've got a lot to do. I'll explain it all later." And she clicked off the skype connection before Rosamund could object.

She had already had a similar conversation earlier that day and she was tired of explaining. Especially since much of her relationship with Matthew was still up in the air.

She had been running ragged. She had her music lesson that morning and was now packing for the week end.

Just then her close friend from university Anna Smith texted. Knowing Mary was to be in in New York she wanted to know if Mary could participate in a charity show they were putting on that same evening.

The "they" being Anna's (and Mary's by proxy) friends who put together shows for nursing homes and schools. Her daytime job was as a high school drama coach and her mother directed a retirement community so Anna was always pushing her friends to "you know try out new acts and stuff." And why not do it in front of an audience.

Mary realized this trip was becoming a lot more complicated.

She gave a quick call to Anna. "I don't know Anna. I 'm …I'm going to be with someone."

"Oh. Peter? That's great. Everyone loved you guys last year…" Anna replied.

"No." Mary rejoined quickly. God that will need explanation. "Um. Someone else."

"I see." Anna realized her goof and tried to recover. "We really need to get together more often, you know!"

The two clicked off with Mary promising to see what she could do. They did have the evening free. Maybe she could help out.

The next hours were free for her to finish up making sure the cat would be seen by her neighbor as usual and that her bags were all ready, including the script that she wanted to peruse again on the plane.

Matthew pulled up right on time. His class ended early on that Friday and he picked up his overnight bag and came over.

"Ready?" He asked.

"More than…" She said. At his confused look she said, "I'll explain later." He smiled and got in her car. They arrived at the airport, went through all the TSA requirements and waited for their call. The flight was on time.

They got their seats on the small jet, cramped as those types usually were. Matthew bumped his bag into Mary's head as he tried to stuff it into the upper compartment.

"Damn." He looked down at her. She tried not to let on as painful as it was. "It's okay. Just sit down Matthew." His hovering in the aisle bothered her sensibilities.

"I am. I am. Just wanted to see that everything was stowed away."

"We're not going to Alaska Matthew. It's just an hour flight." Her voice growing more irritated. "Sit down."

"Got it." And he sat down.

Matthew couldn't figure out what had got to Mary. Was she having second thoughts about his coming along? His week had been intense and they had not really spoken since the night of the reception. He had messaged her a couple of times and sent the pictures along. The rest of the time had been in prep for Advocacy week. Their mock trial, in which they were to alternate between prosecution and defense, involved a sexual harassment case not unlike that already unfortunately running rampant through the Army as well as the on campus incident of several months previous. The he said/she said testimony, the non-collaborating witnesses, the confusion in a haze of alcohol and memory, and the lack of sufficient evidence were all issues they tackled.

It had frankly put him once again on edge.

He had wanted to spend the week end relaxing. Preferably with a few drinks in him. But already he was second guessing himself.

She had told him it was her rule to have no one committed relationship at this time in her life. She had made this clear to him on more than one occasion. He knew. He felt at odds with it. But here he was.

He was willing to put his heart in danger. Even as a summer romance it felt dangerous. Exciting. The reason he was sitting in this seat.

Maybe what he had thought their conversation at the reception about this week end was about, was not at all her perception. Maybe she did just want him as a friend. Someone to read the lines with. But then he recalled their time on her sofa after the reception. Her warm, throbbing, full lips. Her hands wanting to tug his shirt off but keeping them at bay.

No. He was not wrong. They were just jumpy.

He had paid Mary for his half of the flight. She had said it was not necessary, but he insisted. His money, however, was now in a penny pinching mode. And he knew this hotel would not be cheap.
He only had to look at Mary to know that. She was down to earth in some ways. But her casual elegance, even in a tee shirt, jeans, and boots denoted an ease with money that he believed he would never attain.

That was the other reason he was on edge. The lingering belief, despite all his knowledge that such things no longer mattered, he knew they did. She was not of his class. Their shared long past history proved that.

But maybe one countered the other. He didn't have to worry beyond the summer because a summer romance was all she wanted. So take her advice, dammit man. Relax and go with it. At that thought Matthew sank back into the uncomfortable airline seat even as the attendant was reminding him that the cushion he now rested on would also be used as a flotation device in case of an emergency water landing.

Relax!

He turned to Mary who had pulled out her script. "Ready?"

"Yes I think so." She put the script on her lap. They had taken off and the attendant was going around with the small drink and a cracker tray.

"Matthew." Mary said, turning so she could get a better look at him. "I had a call from a friend earlier today. Anna. She's a teacher but I know her from college. She wants me to participate in a charity thing."

At his blank face, she said, "Tonight."

"Oh." His face despite his best effort fell.

"It's at an assisted living facility for seniors and people who need rehab for injuries. Her mother is a nurse supervisor there. She runs these programs. When I'm in town, I've helped out. It's fun and I've got to know a lot of her friends."

He nodded, recovered. Would it take all evening though?

"Later we usually go to a bar or someone's apartment to relax."

Well he approved of that part at least.

"So…. " He started in.

"Well the thing is…" Mary hesitated, then plunged in, "I need your help."

He sat up and decided to listen closer. The roar of the engines had been drowning out some of her words.

"The song I usually do…and I don't really have time to think of another one… requires two people." Mary leaned in as she realized he was having trouble hearing her.

"Ok." He nodded. "But I don't really have much singing talent." He grinned.

"It's fine. I can adapt it so that you just sit in a chair with a big flower on your lapel" At his furrowed brow she said, "It will make sense once we get there, trust me. I'll sing around you."

He chortled. "I think I can handle that." Not exactly what he had envisioned, but it actually sounded quite fun.

"I'll explain more when we get there." Mary turned back and put her head on the back rest. They were already coming in for a landing at LaGuardia so Matthew busied himself with the seat belt.

Once out of the cab with overnight bags around their shoulders, each checked to make sure no mobiles were left on the seat.

Matthew had no idea where he was. The trip from the airport was conjunctively fast and slow. The traffic was light it seemed until it was full on log jammed. But the slowdown had given him time to take in the famous sky line as they drove down into the heart of midtown Manhattan.

The Hotel Crosby was just what Matthew expected. Boutique. Expensive. And quirky. Just like Mary in many ways. The lobby was brightly lit with hardwood floors and funky artwork. They checked in under Mary's name. The room, spacious and gorgeous indeed had a full deluxe king size bed. The very size of which Matthew had never seen. The design of the room was modern, clean lines and functional space. He liked it. The view was ok. That was a bit of a disappointment. But the counter was stocked with food and drinks with what seemed to him exorbitant prices.

He walked around, finally shoving his bag on a chair. Turned to see Mary slip into the bathroom to check herself in the mirror. He took the opportunity to poke his head in. That was also modern, spacious, and functional. Two sinks and the largest shower with spigots and handles and water valves all around the glassed in space. White robes adorned hooks. Two of them.

His mind raced with possibilities that he knew he'd never share with Mary. At least until she shared them first with him.

Matthew escaped back into the larger room. He sat down in one of the arm chairs.

Mary came out a few minutes later. "We need to be at the center in about half an hour for costumes and such. …so…" But he held his and out and she came and sat down on his lap.

"Thank you for doing this. I know it's not what you may have wanted." And she slid her head in the crook of his neck.

"I'm here. I'm with you. I'm out of class for the next couple of days." He smiled. "I'm a contented man." And she kissed him lightly.

"We'd better get going then."

XX

The party was loud and in full blast by the time Mary and Matthew arrived at the Village apartment of a friend of Anna's. They had been among the last to leave the center as Anna introduced Matthew to her mother and some friends that had lingered after the show.

Matthew's role, it turned out, had consisted of sitting in a chair with a big yellow tulip on his lapel. He had a white shirt and coat on and a cane in his hand. His big job, and he did sweat it, was that at the right moment he had to toss it to Mary at just the right angle and timing so that she caught it and went on with the song. It was a vaudeville tune that he had frankly never heard of. But she looked adorable in the corseted costume of an old time singer with her hair down and curled and a big red rose in her hand as a prop.

Mary had decided to skip the introduction in which both were supposed to sing, and get right to the heart of the song. She had gone over it just once with Matthew but he understood his role readily. She was pleased. When the time came, they moved onto the makeshift stage, he sat down and she took her pose with the gigantic faux cloth flower outstretched towards him.

She started singing. He waited for the cue.

"When you caressed me… what a blessing no one knows." She danced around him, touching and teasing.

The grin on his face was infectious. He had no idea that being on stage could be this much fun.

She continued with the last refrain of the tune, "Your lips were sweeter than julep when you wore a tulip and I wore a big red rose." And then he had to toss the cane. He did. And she caught it. She stepped lightly around his chair and ended up on his lap, singing the last of the song "When you wore a tulip and I wore a big red rose." And she kissed him and winked at the audience.

The applause was thunderous. At least to Matthew's untrained ears. Or maybe it was just his own ears were ringing as he seemed dazed by Mary's talent and her unexpected peck on the lips. That had not been in the quick rehearsal they had done.

They scurried off the stage. Anna met them. "That was great. Thanks Matthew for standing in like that at the last minute."

He was sweating from his limited exertions and the stage lights. The AC also seemed on the wonk at the living center.

"You looked like a pro." She assuaged. "Of course when Mary and Peter did it last year, they brought the house down with that tap routine at the end, but this was great in its own way." And she moved on to talk to the next act.

Mary had not the chance to check Anna's comments before they were out of her friend's mouth. And she was gone leaving Mary to pick up that conversation.

Matthew looked just the tiniest bit crushed. "Peter?" He asked.

Mary closed her eyes. "An old friend." At the evasion, Matthew merely murmured. He knew better already. He waited.

She corrected herself. "My boyfriend of last year. He moved to California several months ago to take up a job at a TV studio. He's been quite successful." She tried to keep it light. It had, in actuality, devastated her at the time. That he would leave and be so successful without her. That he had never called in the meantime to offer her a role or give her name to a producer or two. They had left it at see what happens. Only nothing had happened.

She let it go. "Old news Matthew." And he accepted it. He was too happy to do otherwise.

They had then moved on to the party. The cramped space meant that it had spilled out onto the fire escapes and into the hallway. Mary said they wouldn't have to stay long, but she wanted to make contact with someone there who had earlier in the evening had said something about a potential commercial. It was just the thing she needed for that equity card. The guy had not yet arrived so they cooled their heels with some vodka tonics and munchies. Mary introduced him around. She already noticed several of her female friends eyeing him up and down. He was once again in a tee shirt and jeans. This time the jeans were dark and the white tee shirt worn with a light leather jacket. He did look good.

"So Mary, who's your friend?" Mabel scurried over as soon as they arrived. Mary always brought the best looking guys to these gigs. And this one was no exception.

After introductions Mabel actually edged Mary out, walking Matthew around before he knew it to her other friends. Mary rolled her eyes and moved on herself. He was a big boy. Take care of yourself, she thought.

Matthew's radar for potential danger situations was acute. He had already had a few drinks. His buzz was cool but under control. But the music was loud. And the situation was getting a bit too out of hand. The two women he chatted with were obviously intoxicated. Just being here put him in danger of violating some of the JAG rules on sexual conduct.

He eased himself out of the grasp of Mabel who had somehow managed to put her hand around his waist. Inside his jacket. "I think I'll go look for Mary." He said, trying to find a way to extract himself.

"She's in the kitchen I think. But what's the rush?" And Mabel grabbed his hand and took him out on the fire escape. "It's too stuffy in there, right?" And he nodded.

But this was much worse, he soon realized. For outside he noticed another group on the second landing of the fire escape smoking without a doubt marijuana joints.

He had to leave. And now. That was a clear violation. He could not be anywhere near any type of illegal substance. He had no idea if any laws had been passed in New York for legal toking, but he didn't intend to inquire.

Instead he turned and sought out Mary. She was more frustrated than ever. Michael had not shown up yet. This job was too important. She had to stay.

Matthew had to go.

She nodded as he explained. "I understand Matthew. Get out of here." And they walked down onto the street. She hailed a cab for him.

"I've got to stay for a bit. But I'll meet you back at the hotel."

Matthew fumbled around in his pocket. Everyone at the SHARP lecture had been given this little booklet on sexual assault prevention. Contained within was a little white object. It was a whistle. Matthew had shoved the little cardboard container in the jacket pocket and had forgotten about it until now.

He handed Mary the whistle. She took it. "I can take care of myself Matthew you know."

"Just take it. For my peace of mind. And blow it as loud as you can if …if…anything happens." He hated leaving her. This was not at all how he wanted the evening to end. The sirens at the end of the street were not helping matters. So much tension in the city lately.

"I will." And she kissed his cheek. It really was a sweet gesture of caring. "Don't wait up for me. You look done in."

Even though she hoped he would.

XX

Matthew had tried to stay awake. But with the TV droning some late night infomercial and the drinks catching up to him, he found himself drifting.

Mary returned around 1am. She had secured what she needed. Determined that if she was to miss out on any time with Matthew, it was to be worth the effort, she got the gig for the following Saturday afternoon. Another actress had too many commitments and they needed someone for the department store commercial at the last minute. Would Mary be available? She said she would be there right after the audition at the Village playhouse.

Another blow to their week end. But it could not be helped.

Mary moved around the room, trying not to disturb the sleeping Matthew. He had taken off the jacket and tee shirt. She could see that he slept without any night shirt.

His toned body, just a hint of which slipped out from the sheets was silhouetted against the light that filtered in from the open window blinds. The city's lights cut the room with shafts of light and dark. It seemed made for love making.

Finally finished getting ready for bed, teeth brushed, shower taken, she felt better. Her own nightwear, a sleep shirt and yoga pants, were donned. She slipped between the sheets already rumpled by Matthew.

Her actions, or the sudden coolness of the air followed by the enveloping warmth of her body, woke Matthew.

"You're back." He said, still garbled by sleep. He blinked. "I tried to stay up but I just put my head down for a few minutes…"

"It's fine." And it was. His arm perhaps emboldened by his sleep induced state, slipped around her waist, and drew her closer to him. They spooned together. He talked into her ear.

"Did you find the person you wanted?" His breath hot and sticky and wonderfully ticklish. She moved even closer.

He groaned as the arousal suddenly shot through his body. She said, "Yes. It's all good. We'll talk more in the morning about it."

Matthew's hand had slipped up to touch her erect nipples. And just as sudden moved back down. She giggled at his obvious desire and his gentlemanly discomfit.

"Your hand was perfectly fine where it was." She teased. And moved the hand back to where it could cup her left breast. He groaned again into the night air. Massaged and fingered the nipples expertly, Matthew finally elicited a moan of delight from Mary as well.

But sleep won out for the time being. The day's activities, the night's surprising events had taken its toll.

They slept, bodies hugging each other and limbs entangled.

The night, however, as it will turn out, was still young.

XX

HEHEHEHE…. Tune in next chapter… New York will be full of surprises.