San Francisco
Mad Dog in the Fog 9:30PM
Sydney and Danny had rushed to their favorite nightspot, Mad Dog in the Fog, to tell all their friends about their engagement. Sydney's best friend, Francie, had asked to see the ring about 5 times since their arrival, but with no boyfriend for herself, Sydney could completely understand. "So when's the wedding?" Sydney's other friend, Will, asked. "Soon," Danny answered, "before my tour." Danny was soon headed on a tour of the world; he was a wildlife TV show host. He considered himself the next Jeff Corwin, or Steve Irwin, but unfortunately was stuck on local access cable. Nonetheless, he was funding his own trip around the world so that his viewers could see more than the city's wildlife, and the few dolphins in the bay. Sydney understood how important his show was to him, but she often urged him to get a job working on a real wildlife show. Maybe an intern at 'The Crocodile Hunter' or something. "Well, I was just wondering..." Will continued. "...because he wants to house-sit for you!" Francie finished for him. "Oh, that's a really good idea, Will; of course you can house-sit for us. It'd be a great help, you know, one less thing to worry about." Sydney answered. "Yeah, that is a great idea, thank you, Will." Danny added.
San Francisco Sydney's House 10:15PM
Sydney walked into her house, and put her purse away in the closet. On the table next to the door she saw Danny's change from their dinner. Instinctively, she turned over the 5 dollar bill, praying she would see the pink markings Michael had left on their 5 dollars all those years ago. It was blank, just like every other 5 in her possession in the past seven years.
New York City Sidewalk near the Waldorf-Astoria 12:00AM
Michael was walking home when he passed a street vendor. He normally would keep walking, but he noticed that this man had books. Unable to pass up the opportunity, Michael quickly looked for the first edition Alice in Wonderland book that he'd looked for often since he and Sydney had parted. He found one, opened the cover, and found nothing. Blank paper. Disappointed, he put the book back, and continued home.
New York City Michael's Apartment 12:30AM
Lauren was sitting on the bed, which was covered in assorted junk that was clearly not hers. She had only been able to stand another half-hour with her parents. Michael came in from the bathroom and Lauren said, "Hey, I'm hungry." "Already? We didn't have enough at dinner?" Michael asked. "Not for me, you remember, a steak dinner isn't the best thing in the world for a vegetarian." Lauren answered. "That's true." "I'm going to go cook something for myself, do you want anything?" "No, I'm fine, thanks Lauren." "Oh yeah, you haven't been home today. I cleaned out your closet. We have to pack for the honeymoon, and I couldn't find a suitcase anywhere." "Oh, um, ok, that explains why all my stuff is on the bed." Michael lay down on the bed, and heard the crinkling of paper underneath him. He reached under his back and pulled out a red Bloomingdale's bag. He reached inside and found one black cashmere glove. When he pulled the glove onto his hand, he discovered something he'd never noticed before. A receipt containing Sydney's account number, and address. How is it that when everything in my life is perfect, you come running back to me, Sydney?
Sydney and Danny had rushed to their favorite nightspot, Mad Dog in the Fog, to tell all their friends about their engagement. Sydney's best friend, Francie, had asked to see the ring about 5 times since their arrival, but with no boyfriend for herself, Sydney could completely understand. "So when's the wedding?" Sydney's other friend, Will, asked. "Soon," Danny answered, "before my tour." Danny was soon headed on a tour of the world; he was a wildlife TV show host. He considered himself the next Jeff Corwin, or Steve Irwin, but unfortunately was stuck on local access cable. Nonetheless, he was funding his own trip around the world so that his viewers could see more than the city's wildlife, and the few dolphins in the bay. Sydney understood how important his show was to him, but she often urged him to get a job working on a real wildlife show. Maybe an intern at 'The Crocodile Hunter' or something. "Well, I was just wondering..." Will continued. "...because he wants to house-sit for you!" Francie finished for him. "Oh, that's a really good idea, Will; of course you can house-sit for us. It'd be a great help, you know, one less thing to worry about." Sydney answered. "Yeah, that is a great idea, thank you, Will." Danny added.
San Francisco Sydney's House 10:15PM
Sydney walked into her house, and put her purse away in the closet. On the table next to the door she saw Danny's change from their dinner. Instinctively, she turned over the 5 dollar bill, praying she would see the pink markings Michael had left on their 5 dollars all those years ago. It was blank, just like every other 5 in her possession in the past seven years.
New York City Sidewalk near the Waldorf-Astoria 12:00AM
Michael was walking home when he passed a street vendor. He normally would keep walking, but he noticed that this man had books. Unable to pass up the opportunity, Michael quickly looked for the first edition Alice in Wonderland book that he'd looked for often since he and Sydney had parted. He found one, opened the cover, and found nothing. Blank paper. Disappointed, he put the book back, and continued home.
New York City Michael's Apartment 12:30AM
Lauren was sitting on the bed, which was covered in assorted junk that was clearly not hers. She had only been able to stand another half-hour with her parents. Michael came in from the bathroom and Lauren said, "Hey, I'm hungry." "Already? We didn't have enough at dinner?" Michael asked. "Not for me, you remember, a steak dinner isn't the best thing in the world for a vegetarian." Lauren answered. "That's true." "I'm going to go cook something for myself, do you want anything?" "No, I'm fine, thanks Lauren." "Oh yeah, you haven't been home today. I cleaned out your closet. We have to pack for the honeymoon, and I couldn't find a suitcase anywhere." "Oh, um, ok, that explains why all my stuff is on the bed." Michael lay down on the bed, and heard the crinkling of paper underneath him. He reached under his back and pulled out a red Bloomingdale's bag. He reached inside and found one black cashmere glove. When he pulled the glove onto his hand, he discovered something he'd never noticed before. A receipt containing Sydney's account number, and address. How is it that when everything in my life is perfect, you come running back to me, Sydney?