"Jessica, it's a flap-heel, not a shuffle-flap!" Tony, my director shouted for the umpteenth time. He finally got frustrated and shouted, "Alright everybody, let's take a ten- minute break."

I went to join Tony at the edge of the stage when the back door flew open. Tony turned around to the intruder and said, "We're closed!"

"I'm here to find a girl to star in my show," a voice I knew all too well said in reply.

"It can't be…" I said with disdain. A short, pudgy man in a nice suit came up to the edge of the stage where Tony and I were standing with a tall skinny man with glasses following.

"Well, well, well," Carl Denham said as he noticed me standing there. "If it isn't Ms. Summers. Haven't heard from you in a while. Doing some theater acting I see."

"Yes, I have," I said through clenched teeth. I then turned to Tony and said, "Tony, may I have a word with you please?"

I dragged Tony over to the far corner of the stage and whispered to him, "Tony, whatever this guy asks for, do not give it to him. The man is a crook, a liar, and a scoundrel. You know that little 'trip' I took a month ago? Yeah, he was the idiot in charge of it."

"I shall see what he wants," Tony said. He went back to Carl and Preston and got down off of the stage, talking with Carl the whole time. Preston looked at me and I looked at him, smiling. He immediately smiled in response.

"Done," I heard Tony say. He immediately went back stage, leaving me, Carl, and Preston alone in the stage area.

"So, I hear that your father has redeemed himself and created another masterpiece film," Carl said to make small-talk.

"Yes," I said. Dad had recently taken one his own camera's and gotten a couple of personal friends to cast and crew for the film. When it was complete, one of the friends brought it to the board and they deemed it worthy of the big screen. Dad had made loads off of the movie, and he now was considered a good director again.

"And what about you?" I asked. "What are you doing with that giant of ape of yours?"

"He's going to be the biggest attraction ever seen," Carl said. Preston looked a little disgusted when Carl said that. "I've already booked a night at the Alhambra for his unveiling. I sent a ticket to each person on the voyage, so you should be getting it any day now. Hope to see you there."

"I wouldn't go even if it was a free ticket," I said. "Carl, that thing is a danger to every one in New York, and you don't really seem to care. All that matters to you is the cash that this thing is bringing in."

Carl was about to say something in reply, but Tony came out saying, "Mr. Denham, I have four lovely ladies who are perfect for what you are planning. If you will just follow me…"

Carl turned to Preston, said something to him, and followed Tony behind stage. We stood there in silence for a while. I finally walked down the side steps off of the stage and stood before Preston so that he had to look down at me.

"You never really said good-bye," I said. I could see that the gash on his cheek had been somewhat tended to for it was healing faster than it would have without a doctor's care. I gently put my hand up to the gash and stroked my hand along it.

"I did what you said," he said, never looking away from my eyes.

"Yeah, you did." I took my hand off of the gash and let fall to my side. "It's been so long since I've seen you. How've you been?"

"Busy," Preston said. "What with this Kong thing…"

"Kong?" I asked.

"That's what Carl is calling it. Anyway, I have been scheduling appearances for the beast, and tickets, and holding places…the list is almost endless. I…I looked you up in the address book, but I haven't had time to call."

"You weren't kidding then, were you?"

Preston shook his head and adjusted his glasses as they started to slide off of his nose. "I really did try. It's just that…well, every time I picked up the phone, Carl would come barging in, giving me something else to do."

"Well, Christmas is right coming up. Do you have any family you spend Christmas with?" Preston shook his head. "Well then, I know that you will be more than welcome to spend Christmas with my family. And besides, if Carl's made it big, he'll probably get an invitation to our annual Christmas party."

"I'd love to come," Preston said.

"Alright Preston," Carl said as he and Tony came from backstage together. "We're all set. Let's go. Thank you Mr. Harkman, and it was a pleasure to see you again Ms. Summers. Please do reconsider coming to the show. You'll regret missing it."

"Good-bye Preston," I said.

He smiled at me and said, "Good-bye Jessica."