Chapter 2
Mark Cohen entered the Life Café a few minutes before seven and looked around to see if his friends had arrived yet. Of course they were late, some things never changed. He got a table close to the window and pulled out his Palm Pilot to check his appointments for the weekend. He had a three o'clock meeting with the head of his network and an interview at five. Mark had seceded Alexi Darling, and was now the producer of Buzzline. Needless to say, it was now sleaze free. Suddenly there was a screech from the front of the café.
"Marky!"
Mark looked up and saw a pretty brunette heading towards him. His blue eyes widened. He hadn't seen Maureen in almost ten years.
"Hey Maureen." he said happily. She rushed into his arms for a hug and nearly crushed him.
"Marky it's so good to see you again!" she screeched.
"You too, but I can't breathe." Mark gasped.
"Oh sorry." Maureen said backing off. "I've missed you Mark. I missed all the old gang. So where's Mimi?" all this was said in a rush that Mark barely comprehended.
"Well she's late. As are you." Mark responded with a smirk.
"Don't some people think they're important now that they're the producer of a television show?" asked a voice from the door.
Both Maureen and Mark looked up to see Mimi coming in through the front door. For a moment the man standing beside her was ignored.
"Mimi!" Maureen shrieked running over to hug her friend. "Girl you look great. I've seen you shaking it on stage at the theaters." she laughed then turned her attention to Mimi's companion. "So whose your cute- oh my"
She had just realized exactly who was standing beside Mimi.
"Don't I get a hug too?" Roger asked grinning. "Hey Mark"
Mark noticing Maureen's sudden lapse into silence had come over to investigate. He had one arm around Mimi and was staring at Roger.
Mimi laughed at his expression. "So look who I found on the street on my way here."
Maureen hugged Roger tightly. "Roger, I love your new CD. I play it all the time." she said awkwardly.
"Uh, thanks" he accepted just as awkwardly. He really wasn't sure how to react to his friends and his new found fame. Mark still hadn't said anything. Just continued to stare at his former best friend, until he realized every one was looking at him. So he put on a smile and hugged Roger as well.
"Hey man." he said simply. "I've got a table for us over here." Roger went with Mark to the table. Mimi and Maureen exchanged worried looks and then followed the boys. It was going to be a long night.