Chapter 2 –The Passing Lane
Jonathan turned to face her, and with sincerity in his voice ask, "What is it you do for the studio?"
Jennifer turned to answer him, "Nothing. I don't work here."
What? She doesn't work here? Jonathan panicked a little inside. He said to himself, Jonathan Hart if you don't close a deal with her right now, you might not be able to find her again.
"Oh really, I thought…well because you're here and, well", Jonathan stammered.
"What I would really like to know is…do you…eat? Dinner that is", he said while his self confidence returned.
With a baffled look on her face and the thought floating in her head 'did I do that to him" he seems so defenseless, almost helpless… almost. Certainly not, but she decided to put it to a test. She answered with a slightly coy tone in her voice and a cool look in her soft brown eyes, "Yes, Mr. Hart, I have been known to eat dinner from time to time."
"How about tonight then, say 8 o'clock?" Jonathan asked as turned completely to face her.
"Stay cool Jen" Jennifer thought, "He must have felt something too." It might not be the heat she felt but he was interested. He had asked, but damn tonight. Damn this article. Jennifer wished to burst out "Yes" like a silly school girl, goofy grin and all. But she couldn't, the final part of her interview was tonight. She would have to wait to see how interested he was. But she wondered how to put him off without discouraging him.
Then the idea came to her. Jennifer turned to face him, and started walking toward him with long strong strides. She had flipped her notebook open and was jotting something down as she strode the distance to him. As she reached him, Jennifer pulled to sheet from the pad, folded the paper and while gazing in his eyes, handed it to Jonathan. Satisfied she turned with a slight smile in her eyes and walked away.
Jonathan watched, she didn't turn to see if, he was watching, she just walked away. Quickly Jonathan opened the note, and read it:
Rain Check
This entitles Jonathan Hart to an evening of dinner and dancing with Jennifer Edwards. As to the time and location of the redemption of rain check to be discussed by said parties. BelAire5-1013 Jennifer
"Come on Mr. H, the Board of Directors is waiting and that Stratford fella. He wants all you guys to meet his big star." said Max trying to hurry them along. Jonathan turned and followed Max back the entourage, all the while thinking, "Incredible she is absolutely the most interesting and irresistible woman I have ever met."
Jonathan strolled through the large sliding sound stage doors. From his vantage point he could only hear the enthusiastic voices of his Board Members. They seemed to be energized and, well frankly giddy with excitement. "What could possibly have these old chaps so flabbergasted?" Jonathan curiously wondered. As he passed through a bank of cameras, his question was answered. Sitting among a throng of eager aging men, was a woman. She embodied and projected charisma. The stage had been lit just for her, the lighting cast a soft glow on her well coiffed blonde hair. Her white silk dress shimmered under the lights, it clung to every curve she had, and her large blue eyes turned to fixate on Jonathan Hart.
Mr. Stratford held out his hand to beckon her out from among her admirers, she gently took Stratford's hand and maneuvered her way across the set. With each step, she skillfully made use of all her assets, and reminded herself not to come on to strong. "This is better than I ever expected" she thought "Not only do I get to seduce him but from what I see he knows how to handle a woman. This will be a delight, and who knows I might actually like him."
"Mr. Hart, I would like you to meet Miss Quinn", Stratford said with an air of arrogance. But before Stratford could continue with his rehearsed introduction citing all of Candace's accomplishments, he was interrupted by her low sultry voice.
"Please, call me Candace Mr. Hart", she said with command as she extended a freshly manicured hand.
Jonathan's mind began to work, he knew something about this "meeting" had been orchestrated just for him and he thought why not, I'll play along.
"Jonathan", he said as reached for her hand. He met her gaze, and saw a glint in her ice blue eyes. A hush came over rest of the Board Members, as they watched with jealousy. After a few moments of awkward silence, a familiar voice from the Board spoke up, "Mr. Hart it is getting late, perhaps we should end the tour here?'
"Good idea Stanley, maybe Mr. Stratford and Ms. Qu...I'm sorry, Candace could join us for dinner", said Jonathan.
Jay Stratford leapt at the chance to put Candace and Mr. Hart together, "We would be delighted, Mr. Hart."
"Delighted", repeated Candace while holding Jonathan's gaze.
Across town, in Malibu a phone rang, "Hello?"
"Mr. Manning, it's Jay Stratford, I just wanted you to know, the ball is in play. Tonight we are dinning with Mr. Hart and his associates at Chasen's."
"Excellent Jay, keep me informed." Elliot Manning hung up the phone, reclined in his chair and stared out onto the endless blue of the Pacific. "Excellent", he muttered.