Seventeen-year-old Rick had a plan for his life as well. His was rather simple, take the quickest path to a lot of money. His parents didn't mind not being rich. But every time Rick saw his classmates flash the latest gadget or drive up in a cool car or sport a trendy jacket, the slow burn of want and jealousy ate him alive. More so because, unlike others, he knew he would never be able to even ask his parents for something other than what was essential. He had stopped repeating the same discussion about money and how it is different from value with his parents around the time he was six. So he studied anytime he could, aced his tests, put in all the extra hours needed to make a strong resume for college. He set his eyes on the ivy league and he reached it. From there getting hired into an investment firm in New York was relatively easy. Just a matter of using the university resources and connections to find the right sponsor, cultivating her, impressing her, and in the end obtaining a recommendation that opened doors.

Yukiko did try hard to stick to her plan. She studied hard and practiced hard. But being a flight attendant meant having one important quality that Yukiko thoroughly lacked. And that was having the presence of mind to act in an emergency. Yukiko, when faced with a situation that induced flight, fight or fright ended up with the fright option - completely frozen and unable to move or act. She tried desperately to get over it but couldn't and in the end accepted the impossibility of realizing her dream. Listening to speeches from well-wishers and family about how life/god/fate opened and closed doors or opportunities drove her crazy. So she moved in with one of her friends who had been successful in becoming a flight attendant. This friend had received an opportunity for a modeling gig but couldn't take it because of her job. She suggested Yukiko try out. Yukiko, born with a sense of balance from heaven and having practiced the remaining poise was amazing at holding herself to portray the exact kanji needed from her in modeling. She was a natural and the modeling industry loved her enough to catapult her to fame and fortune as Elena - the top model of all of Japan. 'One day, I will meet that rich man from USA.' she thought to herself in a place in her heart that no one knew about. She didn't need a rich man but perhaps she wanted a man rich in the qualities she possessed - excellence at her chosen job and an ambition to be nothing less than the best.

Nakajima walks back with "Rick" and asks him to wait in the same waiting room as before. She goes inside to consult with Director Hyuga and finds them having lunch and talking about Rick's audition plans.

"I have a Rick per your specifications, Hyuga-san," Nakajima says. "He has already immersed himself so much in the role as to call himself Rick Hernandez."

"That was quick," Hyuga raises an eyebrow but Nakajima doesn't respond."What is his real name, then?"

"He won't say."

Hyuga frowns but says, "Very well. Bring him in in five minutes. Is that enough time to finish your lunch Kyoko-san?" Hyuga asks. Kyoko only nods because she has already started eating at high speed. Hyuga stares mesmerized watching her finish her whole plate in sixty seconds.

Yashiro standing nearby gives Hyuga a look as if to say, "Actors, they are scary people, aren't they?"

"Go get Rick now and let him know it is the cafe scene," says Hyuga to Nakajima who then leaves. A couple of assistants arrange the chairs for the scene and are just about done when "Rick" walks in.

Cafe scene: INT

The cafe is a large yet cozy place with low lighting giving off an intimate feel. Rick walks in and scans the place. A few couples are sitting closer to the entrance but at the very back, a woman is sitting with her back to the entrance. Rick silently asks a question of the waitress at the door and gestures to the woman. The waitress nods and takes him to the woman's table. Ricks sits opposite her and it is revealed that the woman sitting there is Elena.

Elena looks up as Rick sits down.

In the audition room, there is pin-drop silence. Director Hyuga is sitting at a position where he can see both Kyoko and "Rick" and the others- Nakajima, Yashiro to his either side and the two assistants behind him can also see the expressions on the two's faces fairly well.

One minute ticks by but eons pass in the silent communication between Elena and Rick.

Nakajima watching closely interprets the silent communication thus

Rick: It's me, Rick. Do you recognize me? Please say that you do.

Elena: Who are you and what the hell do you want with me?

Rick: Please give me some sign that you know who I am.

Elena: I know what you came here for. Same as all those other men - either hopelessly in love with me or wanting a piece of my fame. You don't even seem as good-looking as some of them. Look at your forest of a face and plump cheeks and is that the beginning of a paunch that I see above the table?

Rick: I know I don't look the best...

Elena: Now if only you were a little slimmer and didn't have a beard. Wait a minute...

Yashiro knows a bit more about Kyoko and "Rick" and interprets it thus.

Rick: It's me. Do you recognize me? I am sure that you do but please don't act if you can.

Kyoko: I don't care who you are as long as you be the best Rick.

Rick: I hope you do recognize me and are only pretending you can't. I can't tell.

Kyoko: I know what you did to come all the way here. All that effort - was it because you love me or because you want to become a great actor again? That beard, the plump cheeks and is that the beginning of a paunch that I see above the table?

Rick: I know I have gone all out on this look. But you needn't look that disapproving.

Kyoko: Were you thinking I would get fooled. I see the slim beardless person underneath. And now I shall pretend to recognize you...

Rick says in English, "I know it has been a while but I wonder if you remember me."

Elena frowns, then sets her jaws and glares back.

"Yukiko.." Rick begins.

"Don't call me by that name." hisses Elena in Japanese.

Rick is taken aback by her ferocity.

"And don't pretend you don't know Japanese.," Elena continues. "I know you Rick Hernandez come back from the past to haunt me. What do you want? Money? You fifteen minutes of fame? Was America not a cool enough place for you anymore?"

"I ... I..." stammers Rick in Japanese.

"What do you want?"

Rick takes a deep breath, "Elena, I don't want anything from you except just listen to me."

Elena doesn't say anything which Rick takes as an encouragement to continue.

"I don't want money or fame or anything. It's just that we met so many years ago when you and I were in different places in our lives. We had plans and we couldn't acknowledge anything outside of those plans. Now, I just wondered if perhaps, now was a better time to rethink some things and maybe uh..."

"I am not seventeen anymore.," Elena bit back. "Nor am I Yukiko. Yukiko had plans, yes. Some of them worked out. Some of them didn't. But Elena," she points to herself, "has achieved the pinnacle of what she wanted. I have everything I need. I certainly don't need an overweight American man tagging along because he has nothing better to do and no money."

If Rick is hurt by the words, he doesn't show it.

"Are you happy?" he asks.

"What?"

"Simple question. Are you happy?"

There is a pause and Elena cannot answer.

"See. I too had plans and I went and achieved them. I have an eight-figure net worth and this weight I put on was just in the last month when I was sitting in front of a computer 24/7 trying to find you. I came to Japan with just a laptop and some clothes looking for you. I don't want to tag along with you, Yu- Elena. I want you to be happy. And because I know how isolating it is to become exactly who you want to be and achieve all the dreams you had when you were seventeen. I want to be your partner. Tell me, Elena. Does anybody really know you?"