The Actress & the Hermit -- the Second Part

Casey is back home looking for a producer

This is part 2 of 2. Washed up actress Casey Saunders has bought the rights to a best-selling novel hoping it will be her comeback. In the mountains, she met a mysterious author who wrote the screenplay for her.

* * * * * * * * *

Chapter Three

PRODUCERS, AGENTS, AND LAWYERS

It was close to sunset when Casey's taxi pulled up in front of a modest home in Encino. There was a broad green lawn, rosebushes, and several trees. She carried the briefcase in one hand, her overnight bag in the other. Martha opened the door as Samantha and Adam rushed out.

'Mom, we were so worried,' Samantha said, giving her mother a hug. 'Where's the car?'

'It went over a cliff,' Casey answered.

'A cliff!' Samantha exclaimed.

'We have insurance,' Casey sighed.

'Did you bring presents?' Adam asked.

'I bought you a pony, but the plane was too small to bring it back,' Casey responded.

'What color was it?' Adam pressed.

'Emerald green,' Casey replied with a grin.

'Find any other green stuff?' Samantha asked.

'Yes, Sam. I have Dawn's Mission,' Casey answered.

Martha took Casey's coat as Adam dragged in her suitcase. Samantha held the screenplay. The house was nicely but not elaborately furnished. Adam's homework lay on the coffee table. Flanders, their silver and black cat, sat on top of the couch.

'I didn't think Jab would ever get it finished,' Samantha said, flipping through the pages.

'He didn't. After Jab was fired, I met a hermit who started over from scratch,' Casey explained.

'Only your name is on the author page,' Samantha mentioned.

'Daniel probably forgot,' Casey guessed.

'Daniel?' Samantha pressed, seeing a dreamy glint in her mother's eyes.

'Daniel Lawrence. But he uses a pen name,' Casey said.

'Joshua Chamberlain?' Adam asked.

'Oh, you've heard of him?' Casey questioned.

Her children exchanged doubtful glances.

'Mom, it can't be Joshua Chamberlain,' Adam said. 'He lives on a secret moonbase with aliens from Area 51.'

'That's stupid,' Samantha disagreed.

'I saw it on the History Channel,' Adam defended.

'Everyone knows Joshua Chamberlain lives in Sri Lanka. With a harem of young dancing girls,' Samantha clarified. 'I hear they dance naked.'

'I've been told Mr. Chamberlain is dead and that his books are written by AI,' Martha chimed in.

'He's not dead. He lives in a cabin with a dog named Tonto,' Casey insisted.'

'Did you sleep with him?' Samantha asked.

'Sam!' Casey protested.

'My Little Brother Is an Alien, by Adam Saunders,' Adam concluded.

'No little brothers. Martha? What's been going on here?' Casey asked.

'Mostly chasing away bill collectors,' Martha answered.

'It will get better now,' Casey promised.

'Better get better fast. Here he comes again,' Martha warned, looking out the window.

Casey went to the front door, finding a dour middle-aged man in a drab gray business suit. He carried a briefcase like it was a weapon.

'Ms. Saunders, I am Homer Bedlawn of Wells Wango Bank,' Bedlawn said, handing her his business card. 'The note on your house is overdue.'

'I just need a few more weeks,' Casey said.

'You'll need to get them from someone else,' Bedlawn replied. 'Wells Wango is foreclosing. You have thirty days to vacate.'

'I can't pack up in thirty days. I have two kids,' Casey protested.

'Not our problem, Ms. Saunders. Get yourself a cardboard box.'

'I used to have a lot of money in your bank,' Casey reminded.

'Wells Wango doesn't care what you were, only what you owe. Thirty days, Ms. Saunders. No more.'

Bedlawn retreated to his car, looking back at the house only briefly. No doubt wondering what it could be sold for as the home of a former movie star. Casey stumbled back inside, finding Samantha reading the screenplay. She smiled, looked sad, and then laughed.

'Mom, this is really good,' Samantha said.

The next day, Casey was in the lobby of her rarely visited agent, Donald Rothstein. She was the only person in the waiting area. The young receptionist looked bored. Her intercom lit up.

'Mr. Rothstein is very busy today, Ms. Saunders,' the receptionist said. Though it was obvious he wasn't. 'Perhaps you should try coming back tomorrow?'

'Listen here, Mindy, or whatever your fucking name is, Donald was my agent for twenty years. He had plenty of time for me when I was a star,' Casey complained.

Casey was loud enough that Rothstein opened his door and waved her in. He was sixty now, with a long face, an expensive Italian suit, and an even more expensive hairpiece.

'Hello Casey. Long time. How are Sam and Adam?' Rothstein said, offering her a chair. The windows looked out on Sunset Blvd. across from the new Brown Derby restaurant.

'Growing up. I have Dawn's Mission,' Casey replied.

'I can just imagine what Reichmann did to it,' Rothstein dismissed.

'Jab didn't write it,' Casey responded, putting the screenplay on his desk.

Rothstein reluctantly picked it up, read a page, and then another. After the first five pages, he moved to a table near the window, sitting by himself for half an hour. He frowned, laughed, and sighed.

'It's terrific, isn't it?' Casey said.

'It's wonderful,' Rothstein agreed. 'So much life, and humor, and pathos. I can get you a good price.'

'I don't need a good price. I need a producer.'

'Producer for what?'

'I'm going to play Bess. It's the perfect part.'

'Perfect for someone twenty years younger. Casey, this is Hollywood. You know how things work.'

'This is my ticket back. No one's taking it away from me.'

'I might be able to get you a producer credit.'

'A potted plant can get a producer credit.'

'Sorry. I don't know what more I can promise.'

'I'll shop this all over town. Someone will be interested.'

'Who wrote this? It wasn't Jab. And it certainly wasn't you.'

'Joshua Chamberlain,' Casey said.

'No, really. Who wrote it?'

'Joshua Chamberlain. I met him in the mountains. He lives there in a cabin. With a dog.'

'Did you get his signature on a contract?'

'No,' Casey admitted.

'If Josh Chamberlain really wrote this, I'll make a few calls. Try to get you some meetings.'

'Thanks, Don. You won't be sorry.'

'Casey, you've said that to me before,' he sadly replied.

* * * * * * * *

Four days later, Casey found herself in a Century City office building overlooking the old Paramount lot. It was a far cry from the snowbound mountain of a week before. She wondered how Dan was doing and realized she missed him.

'They are ready to see you now, Ms. Saunders,' the secretary said, leading her down the hall.

The reception area was plush, but the meeting room in the back was cluttered with manuscripts, laptops, and empty pizza boxes. Casey cleared off a chair, sitting before two youngsters dressed like they were going to the skating rink. She thought they were waiting for the producers--until she realized they were the producers. Neither of them looked a day over twenty-three.

'Thank you for making time for me,' Casey hesitantly said.

'Are you sure Joshua Chamberlain wrote this?' young Manny Vasquez asked, waving the first twenty pages of the screenplay.

'Yes, I'm sure. I helped him,' Casey said. Manny looked at his partner, rolling his eyes. She looked doubtful, too. Where Manny had short black hair and a thin mustache, she had stringy blonde hair and round red cheeks.

'Well, we think it's good,' Brenda confessed.

'Yes, good stuff,' Manny agreed.

'We're definitely interested. We see Elaine Pageant as Bess. She's perfect,' Brenda suggested.

'I'm going to play Bess,' Casey said.

'Yeah, that's not going to happen,' Brenda replied.

'We can get Denzel Cragmire for the love interest,' Manny added. 'He's coming off two hits.'

'Denzel Cragmire? He's in his fifties! Dr. Dart Winston is twenty-five!' Casey protested.

'No one cares about that,' Manny said.

'But I'm too old to play Bess?' Casey pressed.

'Way too old. People do care about that,' Manny answered.

'Do you guys ever listen to yourselves?' Casey asked.

'We try not to,' Manny said.

* * * * * * *

It took Casey four days to get another meeting, this time in Santa Monica a few blocks from the beach. Casey remembered the area in better days, when eager paparazzi took pictures of her on the famous pier only wearing a bikini. There were no paparazzi now, only homeless people looking for food and drugs.

The office wasn't fancy, but it was organized. There were two more producers, both as young as the last ones. Harry Benjamin looked fresh off his yacht in white tennis shoes. Denise Solomon, fresh from the spa, her hair still damp. Their agency was decorated with posters from monster movies and action thrillers.

'We see Katie Rightly as Bess. Academy Award, for sure,' Denise said, a boney blonde wearing a loose Universal Studios pullover.

'And we can get Liam Nattmore to play Dr. Dart,' Harry added, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and blue sneakers.

'Liam Nattmore is seventy-years old! Maybe eighty,' Casey exclaimed.

'Good box office, though,' Harry said. 'His Knights of the Galaxy franchise is still going strong.'

'It's been going strong since I was ten years old,' Casey protested.

'Audiences like familiar names,' Harry insisted.

'This is my film. I'm going to play Bess,' Casey repeated for the hundredth time.

'You're funny,' Denise said. 'Maybe we can get Janice Lawford? Dye her hair green.'

'Green hair? On a French battlefield in 1917?' Casey questioned.

'Shows what a rebel she is,' Harry explained. 'The kids will love it.'

* * * * * *

On a Friday afternoon, Casey met with still another team of producers. They weren't kids, exactly, being in their mid-thirties. She was beginning to wonder if there was anyone left in the business over forty.

'We just got off the phone with Drew Barryton. She wants this part. Wants it bad,' Darla Starling said, a sleek jet setter benefiting from her grandfather's deep pockets.

'To play Bess? Drew is older than me!' Casey said in astonishment.

'Drew has her own production company. We're thinking Jorge Cruz for Dart,' Aaron Kopelman said, a bushy-haired socialite with a long nose and a longer chin.

'Or Lonny Cloner,' Darla suggested.

'Lonny Cloner doesn't speak English,' Casey mentioned.

'We can get Jorge to do the voice-overs. The best of both worlds,' Aaron suggested.

'There is a problem,' Darla warned. 'This whole No-Man's Land thing in France--it just doesn't work. Trenches. Mud. Barbed wire. Death. Dead trees.'

'Such a drag,' Aaron agreed.

'We're thinking Hawaii. Maybe location shots on Maui,' Darla said.

'With a volcano in the background. Smoke. Flames. Bess can be rescued by helicopters,' Aaron added.

'You people are unreal. I'm out of here,' Casey said, gathering her paperwork.

'Think about it, Casey,' Darla shouted. 'We can get you a producer credit!'

* * * * * * * * * * *

Casey's home office was decorated with mementos of her career. Looking out the window at her shaggy front lawn, she felt dejected. A publicity photo of Joshua Chamberlain taken in a bookstore years before was on her computer screen. He looked fresh-faced and handsome without the sad eyes. Samantha arrived with her boyfriend.

'Hello, Mrs. S,' Chuck said, a tall lanky lad with a big grin. Though it was fifty degrees outside, he wore shorts, a tank top, and had a basketball under his arm.

'Hi, Chuck. Make the team this year?' Casey asked.

'No, they got it rigged so that only the good players can play. But I'll still make it to the big leagues,' Chuck assured her.

'I'm sure you will,' Casey agreed.

'Rough day, Mom?' Samantha asked.

'Rough couple of weeks,' Casey sighed.

'I see you're reading up on Joshua Chamberlain again,' Samantha mentioned.

'His name is Dan. Daniel Lawrence,' Casey insisted. 'Joshua Chamberlain is a mask he hides behind.'

'Still can't find out where he lives?' Samantha inquired.

'Nothing but rumors, and none of them about the mountains,' Casey answered. 'That cabin of his is so remote, I'd never be able to find it again.'

'Josh Chamberlain? Hey, I've heard of him,' Chuck said. 'He wrote the Star Forest trilogy. Cool dude. Deep on the slog monsters.'

'You've read a book?' Casey asked.

'Graphic novel,' Chuck clarified.

'Okay, I was scared there for a minute,' Casey said.

'You miss him, don't you?' Samantha realized.

'He was fun. And smart. And kind. When he wanted to be,' Casey said. 'He shouldn't be a hermit.'

'Did you tell him how you feel?' Samantha asked.

'No, I screwed that up. I made light of it so I wouldn't scare him off, and then suddenly he was gone.'

Martha knocked on the office door, sticking her head in.

'Mr. Rothstein is on the phone. Says it's important,' Martha informed. Casey wearily picked it up.

'Yes, Donald, what is it? What? You've got to be shitting me! Okay, I'm on my way.'

Casey jumped up, looking for her coat.

'What's wrong, Mom?' Samantha asked.

'That was my agent. Joshua Chamberlain's publisher is suing me,' Casey replied.

* * * * * * * * * * *

An hour later, Casey parked her rented car in a lot off Beverly Blvd., hurrying down the sidewalk. She was unhappy to see Jab Reichmann walking from the other direction.

'Hi, Casey. You're staying busy,' Jab greeted.

'I haven't got time, Jab. I'm late for a meeting,' Casey replied.

'We'll need to talk eventually. About my half of the money.'

'Your half of what money?'

'The money for my screenplay.'

'You didn't write anything. You were fired after costing me $10,000.'

'It's still my screenplay.'

'It's Joshua Chamberlain's screenplay, and I'm going to prove it.'

'Don't count on Danny bailing you out. When the chips are down, he's always missing in action.'

'What do you mean?'

'A few years ago, we had a joint appearance scheduled. It would have brought in big money. Sold a lot of books. Producers would have been checking for new screenplays. But then Joshy disappeared. No explanation. No nothing. He'll do the same to you.'

'He still wrote Dawn's Mission.'

'Well, good luck with that.'

Casey met Donald Rothstein in the outer office of Third Squirrel Publishing, a small but respected firm with several prominent clients. Half a dozen young editors were busy working in their cubicles. The receptionist looked up as they approached.

'We're here to see Mr. Krabbletree,' Rothstein said.

'Mr. Krabbletree is expecting you,' the young lady said. 'It's so nice to meet you, Ms. Saunders. My mother loved Sassy's Mom.'

'Thanks,' Casey said, trying not to be rude.

Myron Krabbletree's office was impressive, filled with awards, autographed photos, and shelves of first editions. He was tall, lean, and white-haired, looking more like a lawyer than a publisher.

'Glad you could make it on such short notice,' Myron said, rising from his desk to shake hands.

'What is it you want?' Rothstein said, in no mood for pleasantries.

'We need you to stop claiming your screenplay was written by our client,' Myron replied.

'But it was! Daniel and I worked on it together,' Casey said.

'There's no proof of that,' Myron replied. 'Do you realize how many people appear every year with some story? Bar fights in Sri Lanka. Secret moonbases. Naked dancing girls. We need to draw the line.'

'Call him,' Casey urged.

'If you really met him, you know he doesn't have a phone. And he hasn't answered our email.'

'The storm blew his antenna down,' Casey said.

'Until we know better, we must insist you desist,' Myron said, sliding an official notice across the desk.

'This screenplay is my life,' Casey pleaded, starting to tear up.

'We can get you a new one,' Myron suggested. 'Would you like the rights to On Golden Pond?'

'Is that supposed to be funny?' Casey said, jumping out of her seat.

'This is a small town, Ms. Sanders. Word gets around,' Myron answered.'Go ahead and sue us,' Rothstein dared.

'What? No, Don. I don't want to be sued. Again,' Casey objected.

'A lawsuit will create publicity, and when Daniel Lawrence finally shows up, this old geezer will lose his job,' Rothstein explained.

'I don't think so,' Myron disagreed.

'And why is that?' Rothstein asked.

'Because I was Daniel's father-in-law when my daughter died in that car accident,' Myron answered. 'Our relationship goes beyond money. Something people like you will never understand.'

Escorted out of the office, Casey and Rothstein had coffee at a nearby bistro before parting. It was a cold but blue February day. Other patrons paid them no notice. No one asked Casey for autographs.

'Don't worry,' Rothstein said. 'A judge will throw this order out, and then we can countersue.'

'I don't have the money for that, and I have no credit left,' Casey said. 'I need to find Daniel. Only he can straighten this out.'

'You'd have more luck finding Howard Hughes.'

'Who?'

* * * * * * * * * * *

Back home in Encino, Casey joined Adam, Samantha, and Chuck around the kitchen table. Martha served tuna sandwiches. Adam had his laptop.

'Still no clue, Mom. The web's got nothing,' young Adam reported.

'But we know where Dan is. Sort of,' Samantha said.

'I know how to find him,' Chuck announced, a basketball tucked under his arm.

'And how is that, Chuck?' Casey asked.

'Well, this dude has, like, you know, a super dog,' Chuck said. 'So, you get your own super dog, like Lassie.'

'Or Benji?' Casey suggested.

'Wow, Mrs. S., you know Benji?' Chuck said.

'Chuck, there is no Benji. Benji is a fictional animal,' Casey explained. 'His real name was Higgins.'

'Can you still get Lassie?' Chuck wondered.

'Sam?' Casey appealed.

'No, Mom. I think Chuck has a real idea,' Samantha answered.

'Proceed,' Casey reluctantly conceded.

'Okay,' Chuck said, using his hands to emphasize his points. 'See, you go back to this mountain place, let your super dog sniff the screenplay, and fubar, you got him.'

'Chuck, fubar means--' Adam started.

'This screenplay has been handled by a dozen people,' Casey mentioned. 'How is a super dog supposed to pick up Dan's scent?'

'He must have touched something of yours?' Chuck said.

'Sam?' Casey pleaded.

'I didn't say a word, Mom. I swear,' Samantha apologized.

'I think Chuck is right,' Adam chimed in.

'Adam, we can't hire Lassie. She's retired and living in Orlando,' Casey dismissed.

'No, not that. Let's go back to that town,' Adam clarified. 'One way or another, I bet we'll find him.'

'It's a long drive up a steep hill,' Casey demurred.

'But such a rich reward,' Samantha added.

'You stop that,' Casey admonished, blushing.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The sign announcing the village of Blackrock was so small they almost didn't see it. The hamlet was only a few buildings, all old and needing paint. Surrounding them were tall pine trees still frosted from winter storms. It wasn't hard to find parking.

'Thought we'd never get here,' Samantha said, the first to jump out of Rothstein's town car. Casey and Adam followed. Rothstein saw two locals sitting on a bench in front of the country store.

'This is a town? Do they have electricity?' Adam asked.

'This shouldn't take long,' Rothstein said. 'We'll be back in civilization before dark.'

'Reserve us a motel room. Just in case,' Casey decided.

'Mom, that's not a motel. It's a shack,' Samantha warned.

'Get going,' Casey ordered.

While Samantha went toward the Sundowner Motel, Casey and Rothstein went to the country store. A balding old man sat on the porch in a rocking chair next to an old woman with stringy white hair.

'We're looking for Joshua Chamberlain,' Rothstein said.

'Young folks sure don't got no manners, do they, Molly?' the old man remarked.

'None at all, Jedediah. World ain't what it used to be,' Molly agreed, rocking in her wicker chair with a corncob pipe.

'We don't mean to be rude. I'm Casey Saunders,' Casey apologized.

'You can't be Casey Saunders,' Molly said. 'Saw her on TV last night. Bitty little thing. Only six years old.'

'I grew up,' Casey protested. The two of them looked at each other and laughed.

'Ain't no Joshua Chamberlains around here,' Jedediah said.

'He means Dan Lawrence. We're friends,' Casey explained.

'Friends who don't know where he lives?' Jedediah asked.

'Don't believe I ever heard of Dan Lawrence,' Molly added. 'Nope, never heard of him. Or his dog, neither.'

'His dog's name is Tonto,' Casey said.

'Dumb name for a dog. Don't you think so, Molly?' Jedediah snickered.

'Yep. Dumb as a greased pig at a cotillion,' Molly mocked.

'Took a goat to a cotillion once,' Jedediah recalled.

'Yeah? How'd that work for ya?' Molly asked.

'Didn't go home with no girl,' Jedediah confessed, causing them to laugh again.

'Please tell me how to find Dan,' Casey begged.

'Couple of reporters came up here once looking for good old Dan,' Jedediah remembered. 'Whatever happened to them reporters?'

'You know, I believe someone shot those poor folks,' Molly recalled.

'No, really? Shot 'em?' Jedediah said.

'So sad. Probably an accident,' Molly concluded.

Casey went to check on her children. Rothstein ventured into the country store, finding it more than a bookshop. Shelves were filled with groceries, sundries, and treats. A high shelf offered fine vintage wines. An area was set aside for coffee and sandwiches. The tall, lean owner sat on a stool with a cat in his lap.

'We're looking for Joshua Chamberlain,' Rothstein quickly said.

'Can't help you with that,' Mark the Bookseller replied.

'Look, we just want to talk with him.'

'Awful hard to do.'

'And why is it so hard to do?'

'He is a spirit of the wind.'

'Would twenty bucks bring him back down to Earth?' Rothstein said, taking out his wallet.

The Sundowner Motel looked like a relic from the 1930s. A yellowed sign in the window said Clark Gable had honeymooned there with Carole Lombard. When Samantha rang the bell on the counter, an older Hispanic lady came from the back, appearing impatient.

'Do you know where I can find Daniel Lawrence?' Samantha asked.

'No,' Mrs. Garcia replied.

'Please, it's really important to my mom. She and Daniel have a thing.'

'There are no things at my motel!' Mrs. Garcia indignantly protested.

'No, not here. At his cabin. In the snow,' Samantha explained.

'I am sorry, I cannot speak of this Daniel,' Mrs. Garcia denied. 'Or his dog. Try the gas station. Ray Lum might know.'

At the gas station across the street, the eighty-year-old proprietor looked nervous as he was confronted by a strange visitor.

'You will not make me talk,' Lum said. 'My lips are sealed. Do not make threats. Do not give me the evil eye. I am loyal. Do you understand? Loyal!'

Adam just stared and walked away.

Casey gathered her children and Rothstein at the country store, having a late lunch of grilled cheese and soup. Mark eavesdropped while serving coffee.

'This town is full of paranoid hillbillies,' Rothstein complained.

'We got nothing from nobody, Mom,' Adam said.

'I think Dan has a lot of friends. For a hermit,' Samantha speculated.

'This was worth a shot, but there's no point in staying,' Rothstein said. 'According to the map, there aren't any roads for miles around. Technically, Blackrock doesn't even exist.'

'There are roads. I crashed on one,' Casey said. 'We can drive around. Maybe see his cabin from the road.'

'It's nothing but wilderness up here,' Rothstein replied.

'There has to be something we can do. Someone who can help us,' Casey fervently wished.

Suddenly, there was movement at the door. A German Shepherd with a packet in his mouth.

'Look, Mom. Is that your wolf?' Samantha asked.

'Tonto!' Casey exclaimed.

Tonto approached her and sat. Casey took the packet. Rothstein opened it.

'It's a contract, signed by Daniel Lawrence,' Rothstein gleefully read. 'A contract selling his rights to the screenplay for $1, subject to the usual conditions.'

'I've got a dollar,' Adam said, digging in his pocket.

'What are the usual conditions?' Samantha asked.

'We have to ask Krabbletree,' Rothstein replied. He turned to the dog. 'Tell your master the terms are acceptable.'

Tonto barked and ran from the store.

'No, wait! Tonto, wait!' Casey yelled.

Tonto didn't wait, and Casey didn't, either, rushing across the road into the forest.

Casey didn't remember any of the trail. It had been frosty before, and slippery. Now it was dry and covered in pine needles. She quickly ran out of breath.

'Tonto, slow down! I can't keep up,' Casey called out.

She couldn't be sure if the dog was slowing down, but she'd get glimpses of him as they went up a steep hill, across a meadow, and into more trees. When she fell down in a gully, Tonto came back to see if she was okay. She gave him a pat on the head. There was smoke in the distance, from a cabin.

'Thank God,' Casey muttered, charging up to the front door and knocking.

It wasn't locked, so she entered. Dan wasn't there, but she suspected where he was. She pulled back the bust of William Shakespeare, turned the switch, and watched the bookcase open. A second later, she was sliding down the pole.

Dan was working at his desk in the big office when Casey entered.

'I found you!' Casey shouted.

Dan looked surprised. 'Didn't Tonto deliver your contract?' he inquired, standing up.

'To hell with that. I've missed you, snowman. I've missed you so much,' she answered, rushing for a hug.

'I'm sorry you've had so much trouble finding a producer.'

'How did you know?'

'Hollywood is a small town.'

'Well, I'm not worried about producers, or scripts, or any of that,' Casey whispered, embracing him tightly. 'I'm sorry about being so shallow and thoughtless. Please give me another chance.'

'Another chance for what?' Dan questioned.

Casey dropped her coat to the floor, unbuttoned her shirt, and dropped that. The boots and skirt went next, leaving only her panties and bra. She glanced up to see Dan's reaction, expecting him to object. He just stood back, watching.

'Okay, here goes,' she said, unhooking the bra and tossing it aside. Then she put her thumbs into the waistband of her panties, slowly dropping them to the ground and kicking them away.

'What do you think?' she nervously asked, spreading her arms. For a forty-year-old woman, her breasts were firm and perky, her waist slender. Her lower region was shaved. She managed to keep a good figure.

'You're gorgeous,' he praised.

'Now I need you naked, too. Right now!' Casey demanded.

Taking Dan's hand, she drew him down the winding ramp into the solarium below, removing his clothing at the bottom. He let her have her way until reaching the boxer shorts, which he removed himself. Casey got down on her knees, one hand cupping his testicles, the other fondling his growing excitement.

'There's a bed in the corner I use for naps,' he suggested, finding it awkward standing nude in the middle of the cavern. Not that he hadn't done it before former actresses started arriving.

'Fuck that. I want you right here, on the floor if necessary,' she breathlessly replied, wrapping her lips around him and delighted with the swift reaction. Dan put his hands on her head for balance, but didn't apply any pressure, letting her do what she wanted. He was almost ready to climax when he stopped her.

'What? Why?' she asked.

'I don't want to waste this,' he answered. He picked the eager woman up, carried her to the small pond with its charming waterfall, and laid her on his yoga mat, pressing her knees open. And then he was leaning towards her, studying her womanhood before stroking the damp folds with his tongue.

'Oh, my God,' Casey moaned.

The snowman calmly persisted. Sensing her reactions. Ruthlessly exploiting them.

'Oh, my God. Oh, my God! I haven't had this in years,' Casey moaned. 'Most guys just want to get in and get out.'

'We'll get to that,' Dan promised.

Casey realized why Dan's books were so popular. If his characters were half as talented, living in the forest hunting elk would be a life's dream. She twisted and squirmed, getting ever closer. She had her fingers in his shaggy hair, urging him on. She couldn't remember anything ever being so erotic. And she knew why. She wasn't a young actress with a boy now, or a lecherous producer, or a creepy casting director. She was with a real man. A man seeking to show he cared.

Casey came with an orgasm so powerful it left her breathless. Her arms flopped back. Her legs melted. And a second later, he was on top of her, entering her, stroking with a furious passion. Dan hadn't displayed such fierceness before. He had been cautious. A gentleman. Now he was a beast. A beast of the forest. Casey knew she would never get enough of this. She came again, and still again. The last time that had happened, she was nineteen years old dating her first husband.

Dan exploded inside her, flooding her, and continued to thrust until everything was expended. He glanced down, seeing Casey was stunned. Overcome. She grabbed his arms and rose for a kiss.

'Damn it, snowman, that was ... that was ... I've never felt anything like that.'

'You've been under a lot of stress,' he answered. 'Maybe this will help.'

'You really overthink everything, don't you?'

'It's my nature. And now that I've seen your nature, I'll need to expand my horizons.'

'Let's do it again,' Casey urged.

There were noises from upstairs, and then they heard Adam slide down the pole, followed by Samantha.

'Wow, the Batcave!' Adam shouted, his voice echoing from the level above.

'I can't believe it. Mom isn't nuts after all,' Samantha surmised.

'Oh my God, it's my kids! They found me! They can't see me like this,' Casey uttered in panic, scrambling to get up. She was naked, all of her clothes still on the floor in the office.

'Quick, over here,' Dan said, helping her hide behind the pond where a hedge of swamp plants grew.

'These bushes are only a foot high!' Casey complained, crouching down.

'Twenty-eight inches high, and plenty thick,' Dan corrected. He trotted back across the room, skirted the hot tub, and got dressed just as he heard more noise upstairs. He went halfway up the ramp. An eighteen-year-old woman and thirteen-year-old curly-haired boy were looking down at him.

'You must be Joshua Chamberlain,' Samantha guessed.

'Could be,' Dan replied.

'What happened to my mother?' Samantha asked.

'I sold her to pirates,' Dan responded. Samantha laughed. Adam looked confused.

Dan went up the ramp, finding Tonto guarding his manuscripts. He patted his loyal companion on the head.

'I have working hours at the moment,' he explained to the youngsters. 'Let's go back up to the cabin and find snacks. Tonto will lead the way.'

Tonto took the cue, going to the stairwell leading up to the pantry. Adam and Dan followed.

'I'll be along in a minute,' Samantha said.

The moment the men were gone, she gathered up her mother's clothes and went down the ramp, amazed to find a giant cavern filled with plants, steampunk artifacts, and a spa.

'Mom?' Samantha called out. 'It's okay, Adam is upstairs in the kitchen.'

'Thank God,' Casey said, popping her head up. 'Do you have my clothes?'

'Yes, right here,' her daughter answered.

'Give them to me.'

'I don't know,' Samantha demurred. 'This is an interesting situation. Did you and Dan do it?'

'That's none of your goddamn business! Give me my clothes,' Casey said, rising partially up with hands pressed over her breasts. Samantha saw she was wearing absolutely nothing.

'This is so great,' Samantha chuckled. 'I should take out my phone and film this.'

'It's not funny! Dan and I were having a moment. And we would have had another one if you hadn't barged in.'

'He's a great looking guy. Probably better looking without his clothes.'

'He's too old for you, so get your brain out of the gutter.'

'I'm not thinking about me. But you, now that's another story. I'm thinking, I can entertain Adam and send Dan back down. Let him take you two or three more times.'

'Sam!' Casey shouted.

'Chill out, Mom. Just having a little fun,' Samantha said, throwing her mother the bundle of clothes. 'And Mom, it's about time you found a guy you like. It's long overdue.'

Samantha, Adam, and Dan were sitting around the kitchen table drinking hot chocolate when Casey finally emerged from the pantry.

'You followed me?' Casey said, taking a seat.

'Like it was hard,' Adam answered with a grin.

'Dan, these are my children, Samantha and Adam,' Casey introduced.

'What happened to your housekeeper?' Dan asked. 'Do you want these kids to starve to death?'

An hour later, the Saunders family was still gathered around the kitchen table while Dan cooked dinner. Tonto lay next to his bowl in the corner.

'What kind of meat is this?' Adam asked when the meal was served.

'Elk,' Dan answered.

'Like in your series? The Elk Hunters?' Samantha asked.

'Yep,' Dan answered.

'You know, there aren't any elk in these mountains,' Samantha followed up, being well-versed on native wildlife habitats.

'They're elusive, that's for sure,' Dan agreed.

'No, I mean, elk don't live in these mountains. They aren't indigenous,' Samantha clarified.

'That would explain a lot,' Dan replied.

'I think this is hamburger,' Adam guessed, poking it with a fork.

'Just eat it, dear,' Casey said. 'Dan, I need your help.'

'Got your screenplay. Got the contract,' Dan replied.

'But I don't have the money,' Casey said.

'Movies are expensive. I don't got no hundred million dollars,' Dan said.

'Don't got?' Adam questioned.

'He's teasing,' Casey explained. 'No, I don't want your money. Come down the mountain. Meet the producers with me.'

'Tonto and I don't cotton to no cities,' Dan drawled.

'Goddamn it, will you cut that out? Children, Dan speaks perfect English,' Casey explained. 'When he wants to.'

'If you're so famous, how come you eat hamburger?' Adam asked.

'Let me get the canned spinach for you,' Dan offered, rising toward the cupboards.

'Burger's not so bad,' Adam conceded.

'Tonto likes it,' Dan said.

'What about my mom?' Samantha asked.

'We'll discuss it later, sweetie. We will discuss it, won't we, Dan?' Casey pressed.

'It sounds like we have unfinished business,' Dan agreed.

'Too late to walk back to town,' Casey hinted.

'Take the bedrooms,' Dan offered.

'Where will you sleep?' Samantha asked.

'There's a bunk downstairs,' he mentioned

They spent the evening sitting by the fireplace, the children telling stories about school while Casey relayed tales of callous producers. Later, Casey tucked Adam in the guestroom bed. Samantha watched from the door. A strong wind had kicked up.

'Sleep tight. Don't be afraid if it snows,' Casey said. 'Sam and I are in the next room.'

'I'm not afraid,' Adam assured her. Casey wasn't sure that was true.

'Tonto,' Casey commanded. 'Guard my son.'

Tonto was instantly at the door, ears up, attention on full alert. Adam saw his guardian watching over him and all fear disappeared. He was soon fast asleep.

In the master bedroom, Casey helped Samantha get comfortable under the heavy quilt, pausing to stare out the window. The young woman was using a Los Angeles Rams t-shirt as a nightgown.

'Go find him. Adam and I are okay,' Samantha urged.

'No, that's all right. Dan likes being alone,' Casey said.

'No, Mom, he doesn't. He likes you. He can't keep his eyes off you.'

'Maybe we shouldn't have come.'

'You've got it as bad as he does. It's kind of romantic. In an old person sort of way.'

'I've had boyfriends,' Casey protested.

'Before or after they got your autograph?'

'When did you get so grown up?'

Casey took the spiral staircase down to the basement. The internet was back online, the screen featuring an article on Casey's search for a producer. It all felt familiar. She went down the ramp to the cavern. She didn't see Dan, but she did find a glowing coffin-shaped pod with a figure lying inside.

'That's a bed?' she whispered.

She approached slowly, debating what to do. Finally, she tapped lightly on the glass lid. It popped open.

'Oh my God!' she screamed as a skeleton suddenly sat up. It was ghastly white with flashing yellow eyeballs, its lashing red tongue dripping black drool. Dan came up behind her.

'What's going on?' he asked.

'Jesus Christ! That fucking thing scared the shit out of me! Where'd it come from?'

'It was a birthday present from George Lucas,' he explained.

'Can we talk?'

'Is that what you came here for?'

The morning sun found Casey and Dan lying in the narrow bed near the solarium window.

'This has been the greatest night of my life,' Casey sighed, pressed against his chest.

'It's in my top fifty,' Dan dryly replied.

Casey couldn't believe he'd said that, offended and outraged. She rose up, straddling their naked bodies, ready to cause hell. And then she saw the mirthful glint in his eyes. Warm and teasing. Insightful but questioning. That was the moment she fell in love with him, wholly and completely. Not that there weren't challenges ahead.

'If you won't come down the mountain, I can move here,' Casey said, snuggling close. 'Bring my kids. Rearrange your furniture.'

'Give up your movie career?'

'Okay, you don't bluff easy. Why do you hate the city?'

'I don't hate the city. Just have bad memories.'

'Mr. Krabbletree told me.'

'Not all of it.'

'I'm listening.'

Dan got up, started the coffeemaker, and climbed back in bed.

'Eight years ago, I was back east on a book tour. Boston. Hartford. New York. It wasn't going well. Bad weather. Low attendance. Unhappy fans. Linda and my parents decided to cheer me up with a surprise visit in Philadelphia. On the way to the hotel from the airport, a drunk driver crashed into their cab. They were killed.'

'I'm so sorry. It sounds terrible.'

'I haven't gone out much since then. I just want to write my books.'

'It was a long time ago. Maybe you'll feel different now?'

'It doesn't matter.'

'I think it does. Samantha says you're in love with me. Is she right?'

'Could be true.'

'Could be?'

'Maybe.'

'Just to be clear, snowman, I'm in love with you. I love you so much, I was afraid to let you see it. If you come down off this mountain, we can be together. See where this goes.'

'It will be different in the city.'

'That's not an answer.'

'It's quiet in the forest. Plenty of room to think. Hollywood is a rat race. Fighting with producers. Dealing with agents, and lawyers, and parasites. There's too much noise.'

'I know it's asking a lot. I'm not saying it will be easy. But once Dawn's Mission is finished, there will be plenty of time for us. A lot less noise. Well, except for my kids. You don't have a problem with my kids, do you?'

'No, I like your kids.'

'We can make this work.'

'If I was to help with Dawn's Mission, you'll need to do something for me.'

'What?'

'I'll name my price when I'm ready.'

'I don't think so.'

'Take it or leave it. Tonto doesn't like the city, either.'

The next afternoon, Dan and Tonto led the Saunders family back to Blackrock.

'I thought you said the town was three miles away?' Casey said, finding the walk only took twenty minutes.

'It is three miles, along the lake trail,' Dan explained.

As they approached the country store, Rothstein came running.

'I was getting ready to call the National Guard,' Rothstein said. 'Doesn't anyone here believe in phones?'

'We've been elk hunting,' Adam answered.

'And we caught a big one,' Casey said, holding Dan's arm.

'You sure as hell did. Hello, Mr. Chamberlain, I'm Donald Rothstein. Casey's agent,' Rothstein introduced, reaching to shake hands.

'Dan, we did not rat you out,' Ray Lum insisted.

They walked toward the country store, Dan greeting the townspeople. Samantha drew Dan back as the others entered the café.

'Mom looks awful happy. Are you coming down for a visit?' she asked.

'Looks that way.'

'You treat her good,' Samantha said.

'Reckon I'll give it a try,' he agreed.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Chapter Four

HOLLYWOOD COMES CALLING

The next day, Casey and Samantha were back home on the sofa, watching a television report. The news was exciting.

'With Joshua Chamberlain writing the screenplay, insiders say Dawn's Mission will finally find a backer. They're talking big names. And a big budget,' Sammy Hauling said on Entertainment Today.

'What about Casey Saunders? Is she still in the running for the role of Bess?' Patty McGuire asked, sitting next to him on the glossy set.

'Word is mum on that, though rumors are hot and heavy,' Sammy hinted.

Casey turned the program off. 'They can't ignore me now,' she decided.

'Has anyone asked you to play Bess yet?' Samantha asked.

'No, they still think they can buy me off.'

'They are offering a lot of money.'

'It's not about the money, sweetie.'

'Dan doesn't seem to care about money.'

'Dan can afford not to care about money. He doesn't have two lovely babies to put through college.'

'Mom, you need to stop doing that.'

The phone rang. Martha answered and gave Casey a nod.

'I'm off. Wish me luck,' Casey announced, grabbing her coat.

An hour later, Casey was walking into the offices of Third Squirrel Publishing. She saw Dan approach from the other direction with Tonto.

'You made it off the mountain,' Casey said with a relieved smile.

'I get down from time to time,' he replied.

They entered the office together. Young staffers immediately jumped up, rushing from their cubicles. Dan was nervous. Casey hung on his arm.

'It's an honor, Mr. Lawrence. A real honor,' a lanky kid said.

'I've read Magistrate's Folly nine times,' another bragged.

'I named my baby after you,' a young woman gushed.

As the staff gathered around, Casey noticed that, under the shyness, Dan had a natural warmth. He signed autographs. Myron opened his office door. 'You may all go back to work,' he declared.

Myron brought his visitors in, gave Dan a heartfelt hug, and found coffee for them. They were seated in comfortable chairs near the window. He had a water bowl for Tonto.

'Good to see you again, Ms. Saunders. I apologize for not believing you,' he graciously began.

'That's all right, Mr. Krabbletree. I understand more now,' Casey replied.

'What have you got for us, Dad?' Dan asked.

'Some good offers for the screenplay. More, if you stay to make revisions. Planning on staying?'

'I haven't decided. Dawn's Mission isn't my work. Leandra McKinny wrote it. All I did was cutout two hundred pages.'

'McKinny signed away her rights, and she's not interested in the screenplay,' Myron explained.

'What about Casey?' Dan asked.

'Well, it is a problem,' Myron confessed.

'This is my--' Casey began.

'Yes, Ms. Saunders. I've heard your pitch,' Myron interrupted. 'Everyone in town has heard it.'

'I didn't buy Dawn's Mission to make pitches. I did it to revive my career.'

'This is a publishing house,' Myron stressed. 'We don't make those decisions. My job is to protect Dan. As long as his name is attached to this project, I'll be watching out for him.'

'Do what you can. We'll talk at the anniversary,' Dan concluded.

He stood up, gave Myron a firm handshake, and motioned to Tonto. Casey started to follow.

'Ms. Sanders, please hold up a minute,' Myron requested.

Casey turned back. Myron closed the door.

'Dan has a good reputation in this town. I hope you won't take advantage of that,' Myron said.

'I'm not trying to take advantage.'

'That's not your reputation.'

'This isn't about the screenplay. Not all of it. I like Dan. I like him a lot.'

'Careers in this industry come and go, as I'm sure you've learned. There comes a time to move on. A time to give up the past.'

'Maybe you should talk to Dan about that?'

'Don't think I haven't tried.'

A few minutes later, Casey and Dan stopped for lunch at a sidewalk café, sitting under an umbrella. Passersby paused to look at Dan, wondering. When a fan got too close, Tonto suddenly jumped up. The fan moved on.

'Your father-in-law isn't optimistic,' Casey said.

'He's old school. They don't give up easy.'

'I don't either. I was six years old when Sassy's Mom premiered. I grew up on soundstages. When I was seventeen, I lost my virginity behind the set for Caeser and Cleopatra. How much experience does Myron have?'

'Not that much, but he's savvy. And he's done okay by me.'

'How is that?'

'After Joss Whedon told me how the producers massacred his first Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, I wanted to keep tighter control over my work. Myron arranged the contracts.'

'Is that what Myron's contract means about subject to the usual conditions? You have final say?'

'I have influence. I'm not a jerk about it, but I don't let Hollywood turn my books into punchlines.'

Tonto's ears went up when he saw Jab Reichmann coming to the edge of their patio table, looking smug. When Jab tried to take a seat, Tonto blocked him.

'Look who's back from the dead,' Jab jovially greeted.

'Go away, Jab,' Casey said.

'I'm still looking for my money,' Jab replied.

'I told you to go away,' Casey insisted.

'Is the bidding for my screenplay really over a million?' Jab asked.

'Your screenplay?' Dan inquired.

'Mine and Casey's. You remember all those late-night working sessions, don't you, darling? Toiling into the wee hours? Together?'

'I remember long hours. There was no toiling,' Casey responded.

'Don't worry, I'm not greedy,' Jab assured her. 'I'll even share a credit with Daniel Boone here. What's the going rate for your work these days, Danny-boy? A dollar?'

'I don't mind sharing credit with those who are deserving. Have your lawyer talk to my lawyer,' Dan replied.

'That's very civil of you, old man,' Jab said.

'Anything for an old friend,' Dan agreed.

'Don't forget, you still owe me for that no-show,' Jab pressed.

'The one where you announced my first public appearance since Linda died? Without asking me first?'

'It made for good press,' Jab defended.

'Not with me,' Dan said.

Jab took a drink from Casey's water glass and departed.

'That snake has been keeping me awake at night,' Casey complained.

'I wouldn't worry,' Dan said.

'What if he files a lawsuit?'

'My lawyer is better than his lawyer.'

Casey gave Dan and Tonto a ride back to her house, impatient with the heavy traffic. Tonto enjoyed sticking his head out the back window.

'Here we are,' Casey said, pulling into the driveway.

Dan saw a modest single-story house in a quiet neighborhood. The broad green lawn needed mowing. Several trees needed trimming. There was a basketball hoop mounted above the garage door.

Dan followed Casey inside, finding Adam doing his homework on the coffee table. Samantha was in the kitchen. Martha held the door open.

'Nice to meet you, sir,' Martha said, taking his coat.

'The famous Martha, I presume,' Dan said, tipping his Dodgers baseball cap. 'I hear you keep this place going.'

'Do my best,' Martha sighed. Adam and Samantha came running.

'Wow, is Dan staying for dinner?' Adam asked.

'No, honey, he just stopped by to sign a few releases,' Casey replied.

'It sure would be nice if you stayed,' Adam urged.

'Afraid I can't, Adam. Tonto and I have someplace to go,' Dan apologized.

'To Paris?' Samantha asked.

'Where did you hear that?' Dan said.

'Your old girlfriend, Allison Grant, is tweeting all over the place,' Samantha explained.

'Allie was never my girlfriend,' Dan denied.

'That's not what the blogs are saying,' Samantha pressed.

'The internet is so annoying,' Dan concluded.

'Is it true?' Adam asked.

'Is what true?' Dan said.

'That you might go to Paris?' Samantha clarified.

'Paris is overrated,' Dan answered.

'Can you look at my term paper? It's about you,' Adam requested.

'Not another Area 51 story?' Dan said.

'No, that's kid stuff. It's about your Batcave,' Adam replied.

'I'll take a peek after we get these releases signed,' Dan agreed.

In Casey's office, she sat at her desk, digging through the file Rothstein gave her. Dan looked at the mementos. None of them were less than ten years old.

'Not a fancy place, but comfortable,' Casey explained.

'No reason to apologize,' Dan said.

'I'm not apologizing. I bought this house myself. It's all I have left from thirty-four years of pre-dawn wake-up calls and pawing directors.'

'A hit TV show. Several good movies.'

'And a dozen bad ones.'

'You've had a fine career. Your kids seem okay.'

'They're good judges of character,' Casey agreed. She found the documents, laying them out on the desk.

'Rothstein finding any good news for you?' Dan asked.

'No, but it would sure be nice if you stayed awhile. Help with the revisions.'

'You can email if there's trouble.'

'It's not the same.'

'You need to round up these producers on your own. I can't do it for you.'

'Is that what Myron said? That I just want to exploit you?' Casey asked.

'It's been mentioned.'

'I'm not that kind of person. Not anymore.'

'The idea never occurred to you?'

'Okay, it occurred to me. But only for a second.'

Suddenly they heard noise. Adam was shouting. Casey and Dan hurried into the living room, finding torn paper strewn all over the floor. Tonto had scraps in his mouth.

'Tonto, give it back,' Dan instructed. Tonto dropped the paper and sat.

'My report is shredded. And my presentation is in an hour,' Adam lamented.

'I'm sorry. Tonto's usually not such a critic,' Dan apologized. 'What am I supposed to do?' Adam said. 'Say Joshua Chamberlain's dog ate my homework?'

'Never underestimate the value of telling the truth,' Dan urged.

On the other side of town, Myron Krabbletree was hosting another guest. Allison Grant was an attractive socialite, now in her mid-thirties, nicely outfitted in the latest French fashion. They sat in Myron's office, sipping Jim Beam and soda.

'Now that Dan's off that stupid mountain, we've got to keep him here,' Allison said.

'You stirred up a hornet's nest with that blog about Paris,' Myron mentioned.

'I'll stir up more than that. Linda and I both wanted Dan, and Linda won. I'm not going to lose him again. Not to some drugged-out has-been. You know she's just taking advantage.'

'That's what a lot of people think.'

'What do you think?'

'I'm keeping my eye on her.'

'Convince Dan to come to Paris with me.'

'Dan and I will have a talk,' Myron agreed.

* * * * * * * * * * *

As Casey sat behind the wheel of her car waiting, Dan signed autographs for a group of schoolchildren. Adam was excited, surrounded by his friends. Teachers and administrators watched from the gate.

'Will the elk hunters ever find more elk, Mr. Chamberlain?' a young fan asked.

'They're elusive, that's for sure,' Dan replied.

'Can we visit your Batcave?' a girl asked.

'No,' Dan responded with a smile.

Casey drove back to the house, Adam at shotgun with Dan and Tonto in the backseat.

'Thanks again, Dan. Mrs. Applebottom would never have believed my excuse,' Adam said.

'It's nice to know youngsters still read books,' Dan confirmed.

'It's not a lost art,' Casey insisted.

'Remind me again. How many books did you read this year?' Dan inquired.

'That's really not the point,' Casey replied.

'All the kids had fun,' Adam continued. 'Once you finally started talking and telling stories.'

'I haven't spoken to a crowd in a long time. I'm out of practice,' Dan explained. 'Was that your plan, fella?'

'Fella?' Adam said.

'Tonto,' Dan clarified, wrapping an arm around his dog.

'Tonto?' Casey said from the front.

'He wants me to get out more,' Dan replied. 'That's probably why he ate Adam's homework.'

'You think Tonto planned this?' Adam asked.

'Never underestimate him,' Dan warned. 'The night your mother's car went off the road, I didn't hear it. Tonto dragged me out of the cabin and took me to the crash site.'

'Wow,' Adam gasped.

'I never knew that,' Casey said.

'Tonto doesn't like to brag,' Dan concluded.

After dropping Adam off, Casey gave Dan a lift back to the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. She was unhappy to find Allison Grant waiting for him in the hotel bar. The elegantly dressed woman threw a predatory glance in her direction.

'Don't forget to call me,' Casey said, reluctantly taking her leave.

'I won't forget. Thanks for the ride,' Dan said.

As Casey returned to her car, she saw Allison jump up from the barstool and rush over for a hug.

Later that night, Casey, Samantha, and Chuck watched the latest entertainment news. A camera crew had footage of the sidewalk café where Casey and Dan had encountered Jab Reichmann.

'Well, Pat, we've had our first official Joshua Chamberlain sighting, and right here in Hollywood,' Sammy Hauling said. 'The famed scribe was looking awful good for a man many thought was dead.'

'And Josh was seen in the company of former actress Casey Saunders,' Patty McGuire giggly added. 'And her boyfriend, screenwriter Jab Reichmann. Do we sense a triangle here?''

'Former actress?! Boyfriend?! Triangle! Those goddamn mother--' Casey shouted, jumping off the couch.

'Mom, settle down. Don't they say that any publicity is good publicity?' Samantha remembered.

'Gosh, Mrs. S., have you been seeing Jab Reichmann, too?' Chuck asked.

'Will Josh Chamberlain stay in town to work on Dawn's Mission?' Sammy asked his audience. 'Or will he soon disappear again?'

'We don't know, but that's one bachelor I'd like to catch up with,' Patty said.

'In your dreams, whore,' Casey spat.

'You seem a little tense, Mrs. S. Want to shoot some hoops?' Chuck asked.

'Sam?' Casey prodded.

'Come on, Chuck. I'll shoot hoops with you,' Samantha said, helping him off the couch. Out in the driveway, she dribbled the ball, getting ready to shoot.

'I've never seen your mom so uptight,' Chuck said.

'It's been a long time since she met someone she really likes,' Samantha explained. 'Even longer since she met someone that Adam and I like.'

'Jab Reichmann?'

'No, you big idiot. Daniel Lawrence.'

'You mean Joshua Chamberlain?'

'Yes, Josh Chamberlain.'

'I heard he has a harem of naked dancing girls.'

'I wouldn't mention that to my mother right now,' Samantha advised.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The next morning, on a foggy cemetery hillside in Glendale, a small crowd was breaking up. Dan hugged Myron before walking down the hill alone. Casey waited for him near the parked cars.

'Thought I'd find you here. Adam looked up the anniversary on the internet.'

'Myron does most of the remembering. I just show up.'

'Going back to the mountain?'

'I have something to take care of first.'

'It would be nice if you stayed awhile. I have an extra room. Sort of. It's really the garage, but it has a good couch.'

'I can't stay too long. Too many anniversaries.'

Allison Grant suddenly appeared out of nowhere, taking Dan's arm and giving Casey a catty smile.

'Casey, this is Allison,' Dan introduced.

'Seen your name a lot lately,' Casey said.

'I'm an old friend of the family,' Allison replied. 'A very old friend. Now that Dan's off the mountain, he's coming to Paris with me. Aren't you, Danny? You can't disappoint me again.'

Dan shrugged and walked toward his rented car. Allison lingered back with Casey.

'I've read the blogs, dearie. Don't get your hopes up,' Allison warned.

'I don't know what you mean.'

'Danny's mine. Don't make me prove it.'

'I don't see your brand on him,' Casey objected.

'Linda was my friend. My best friend. She was smart, and beautiful, and cultured. Linda had class. Dan will never go for someone of your--disposition.'

Allison took out her phone, bringing up old photos. Humiliating photos. Some went back twenty years. Casey posing nude for a sleazy movie surrounded by actors in green alien costumes. Dancing on a Key West beach while drunk and taking off her clothes. On the floor of a Las Vegas bar, half hidden under a tablecloth, apparently giving an older man a blowjob.

'It's good we're in a cemetery wearing our best clothes,' Casey said.

'Why is that?' Allison asked.

'Because if we weren't, I'd bitch-slap you into tomorrow.'

Near the top of the hill, Myron and Tonto stood together under a tree, watching Casey and Allison from a distance.

'Well, boy, what do you think?' Myron asked.

Tonto barked.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Back in Encino, Casey, Samantha, and Adam cruised the internet looking for the latest gossip. And finding more than they wanted.

'Don't let him leave, Mom. You've got to stop him,' Samantha urged.

'I asked him to stay, but he said too many anniversaries. What did he mean?' Casey replied.

'The Death Con,' Adam said.

'The what?' Casey asked.

'The whole story is on the fan website,' Adam explained. 'The night Dan's wife and parents died, he was at a convention. His new book, The Sand Reivers, got booed. When the fans heard about the accident, everyone felt bad, but it was too late. Dan had disappeared.'

'The Sand Reivers is a classic,' Samantha said.

'It is now,' Adam confirmed.

'That's so awful,' Samantha remarked.

'Maybe there's something we can do. Let's look at that website again,' Casey said.

* * * * * * * * * * *

In a park down the street from Third Squirrel Publishing, Casey met with Myron under an old oak tree. There weren't any reporters. The conversation lasted nearly an hour.

'You're asking a lot, Ms. Saunders,' Myron concluded.

'I can't do this without your help,' Casey insisted.

'I don't know how he'll react. He could go back to his mountain and take the screenplay with him. Are you prepared for that?'

'It's worth the risk.'

'From what I hear, you've got a lot on the line here.'

'This is for Dan. He deserves to be happy, and that means freeing him from these ghosts.'

'You're a brave woman. Okay, we'll give it a try,' Myron agreed.

The next day, at the Shrine Auditorium near the USC campus, workers were busy building sets and posting signs. A billboard out front read, 'Tonight Only, Joshua Chamberlain.' Everyone looked excited. Backstage, Casey was giving instructions to the staff. She had a clipboard and earphones. No detail was too small. Samantha and Chuck were with her.

'I'm sorry this was so last minute,' Casey said to the stage manager. 'Has anyone ever organized a convention on such short notice before?''This might be a first,' Mr. Salazar said, a chunky middle-aged professional.

'I'll get him here. You've got to be ready,' Casey warned.

'Everyone's working their butts off,' Salazar assured her, pointing to stagehands, set decorators, and carpenters.

'They've found all kinds of fun stuff, Mom,' Samantha said. 'Vendors are setting up tables with books and movie posters.'

'And graphic novels. This will be the greatest convention ever!' Chuck added.

'We've still got a lot to do. Why don't you kids lend a hand?' Casey suggested.

Samantha and Chuck ran down to the floor area. The stage manager noticed Casey looked nervous.

'Is there a problem, Ms. Saunders?' he asked.

'I may have fibbed a little on the financing. Have you been able to sell any tickets?'

'Are you kidding? You get Mr. Chamberlain here. Let us worry about the audience.'

'I've got to pick my son up from school. Keep me updated,' Casey said.

Back home, Casey made sure Samantha and Adam had lunch. She studied stacks of planning documents and schedules, marking highlights in yellow and sending a steady stream of texts. There were a hundred details to review and she wasn't going to miss any of them. Martha answered the phone.

'It's those crazy folks again,' Martha warned. 'They keep calling and calling.'

'Crazy folks?' Casey said.

'They claim to be George Clooney's production assistants.'

Casey took the phone, ducking into a quiet corner. 'Yes, hello. Yes, this is Casey Saunders. Like I told--oh, Mr. Clooney, it's you. Sure. Really? Okay. Bye.'

'Was that really George Clooney?' Samantha asked.

'Sure was. Nice guy, too. He wants to produce Dawn's Mission,' Casey answered.

'You're in the big leagues, Mom,' Samantha congratulated.

'Is Dan going to the convention?' Adam asked.

'I'm working on it. When he gets here, be sure to let me do the explaining,' Casey insisted.

'Think he'll go?' Samantha said.

'He has to. I have an ace in the hole,' Casey replied with a wink.

'He might be awful mad,' Adam said. 'Ever since the Death--'

'I know, I know,' Casey said. 'But we can still have a nice lunch, can't we?'

There was a bark.

'They're here!' Samantha said, rushing to the front door. Dan and Tonto were on the porch. The moment Tonto saw Casey's cat, the chase was on. Over furniture, under tables, with a lot of noise.

'How can we stop them?' Casey asked.

'Just tell Tonto to stop,' Dan answered.

'Tonto, stop chasing my cat!' Casey demanded. Tonto stopped in the middle of the room and sat. The cat sat next to him. They were having fun. Casey took Dan into the kitchen, preparing a salad.

'Any hits on your pitch yet?' Dan asked, sitting at the table.

'Sort of, but there's something we need to talk about. We're going to a party.'

'Oh?'

'It's a party for you, at the Shrine. Myron and some of your friends are going to be there.'

'Think I'll pass.'

'You've got to go. It's been advertised and everything.'

'That wasn't very smart.'

'Tonto is going to be there.'

'Tonto?'

'Myron is still Tonto's agent. He signed him to a guest appearance.'

'You're kidnapping my dog?'

'You need this. Do it for me.'

'It's more complicated than that.'

'I read about--that convention thing. It's different now. You'll feel different.'

'I don't think I'm ready.'

'Now you listen to me, snowman. No one knows more about lost dreams than I do. There's a time to hide, and there's a time to stage a comeback. This is your time.'

'You're pretty feisty.'

'You better believe it.'

Dan remained reluctant. Casey had more to say. Then she looked out the window and frowned. Homer Bedlawn was coming up the walkway. She rushed out on the porch, everyone following. Bedlawn pulled out a document, formally presenting it.

'Your thirty days are up, Ms. Saunders. You were warned. You'll need to be out in the morning. No more excuses,' Bedlawn announced.

'You can't just throw people out of their homes,' Casey protested.

'I represent a bank, Ms. Saunders. I can do whatever I want,' Bedlawn replied.

'Please, give me a few more days,' Casey begged.

'Do I need to call the police?' Bedlawn threatened.

'That won't be necessary,' Dan said, stepping forward.

'I don't want your money, Dan,' Casey protested.

'Good, because I'm not giving you any. Bedlawn, is it?' Dan said.

'Yes, Mr. Chamberlain. Homer Bedlawn of Wells--'

Dan grabbed hold of Bedlawn's suit, reached into his pocket, and took his cell phone.

'You can't do that. Give my phone back!' Bedlawn objected.

'Tonto, tree the banker,' Dan ordered.

Tonto growled, bared his teeth, and chased Bedlawn around the yard, dashing this way and that. Finally, the banker was forced to climb a tree. Dan used the cell phone.

'Dan--' Casey started.

'It's okay,' Dan said. 'Hello? Wells Wango? Give me Simon Krueger. Yes, young lady, the CEO of your bank. Tell him Daniel Lawrence is calling. Simon? It's Dan. Your minion is here at Casey Saunders's house trying to foreclose. I'm not happy about this. Not happy at all.'

After a short conversation, Dan walked to the tree, returning the phone.

'Your boss wants a word with you,' he said.

'What? Yes, Mr. Krueger. No, Mr. Krueger. Please don't fire me, I have a wife and kids,' Bedlawn pleaded. 'Yes, sir, I know my wife and kids aren't your problem.'

'Come, Tonto, our work here is done,' Dan said, leading everyone back in the house.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dan's scheduled appearance at the convention was only two hours away. Casey, Samantha, and Adam were nicely dressed for the event. Chuck arrived wearing an Elk Hunter's sweatshirt.

Martha heard the phone ring. 'Casey, it's for you,' she announced.

'It must be Dan. I hope he's not late,' Casey said. 'Hello? Who? What? No! No!'

'What is it, Mom?' Samantha asked.

'That was Rothstein's secretary,' Casey answered. 'Dan has been spotted at the airport. With Allison Grant.'

'What? No! We've got to stop them!' Samantha shouted.

'Come on, Mrs. S. I'll get you there,' Chuck offered.

They rushed out, jumped in Chuck's bright orange SUV, and took off.

'Where to, Mrs. S?' Chuck asked.

'Burbank Airport,' Casey answered.

They raced through Valley streets. When they approached the airport, they discovered a movie crew preparing to shoot a war scene. There were jeeps, tanks, and khaki clad soldiers under the flag of a fictional country. Chuck slowed for a moment as a traffic attendant waved for them to stop.

'We don't have time for this,' Samantha moaned.

'Hang on,' Chuck warned, speeding up again. They drove through the set, past fake explosions, and out through a yellow barrier as outraged assistants yelled at them. They pulled up to the airport terminal a moment later.

'Better hurry, Mrs. S.,' Chuck said. 'We might have cops on our tail.'

'Thanks, Chuck. You're a sweetheart,' Casey said, jumping out with her kids. 'Quick, split up. If they catch you, demand a lawyer.'

'A lawyer?' Adam said.

'It always works for me,' Casey replied.

They rushed into the waiting areas using different doors, able to see passengers in the boarding areas. Casey ran past several gates, studying groups of people. Finally, at the last gate, she saw Dan standing with Allison Grant.

'Dan! Don't go! Please don't go!' Casey shouted, waving her arms.

'Casey? What are you doing here?' Dan asked, coming over to the railing.

'I don't care about Dawn's Mission. We'll sell it. Or forget it. Just stay. Please, just stay,' Casey urged.

'That's nice of you, but I'm not going anywhere,' he replied.

'You're not?' Casey said.

'I'm just seeing Allison off,' Dan explained.

'Going back to Paris. Alone,' Allison sadly said. 'But I'm not giving up.'

'I wouldn't expect you to,' Casey replied with an acknowledging smile.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Chuck pulled into the alley behind the Shrine Auditorium, parking between a delivery truck and a food vendor. Everybody piled out, sneaking in the back door. Dan was surprised to see a poster with his name on it. Casey went to see the stage manager, hoping all was going well. There was a lot of noise coming from the hall.

'Nervous?' Samantha asked.

'Yes,' Dan confessed.

'You'll see. This is going to be fun,' Samantha encouraged.

'Fans started arriving hours ago,' Adam said. 'The studios are giving away free stuff. Posters. Comics. Hats.'

'Everyone worked really hard. Even me,' Chuck added. Adam and Chuck went down the steps toward the hall. Samantha lingered behind.

'What's going on with you and my mother?' Samantha asked.

'That's sort of private, isn't it?' Dan said.

'Mom has two kids. What affects her affects us.'

'That's fair,' Dan agreed.

'Well?'

'What do you want to happen?'

'I want Mom to be happy.'

'Don't worry, kid. Everything's going to be okay. You see, I'm going to marry your mother.'

'You are?'

'Your mother made up her mind to marry me weeks ago, and you know how determined she can be. Offering to give up Dawn's Mission proved her commitment,' he explained. 'But first, there must be romance.'

Samantha burst into a smile. They weren't happy to see Jab Reichmann suddenly appear backstage.

'Hey, Danny boy, haven't gone back to your cave yet?' Jab said.

'They wanted to give me a convention,' Dan replied. 'You know, I'm sure they have conventions for you all the time.'

'Appeared at Comic Con once. Seen Casey?'

'I'm sure she's nearby.'

'Glad to see you've crawled out from under your rock,' Jab said. 'I need the competition.'

'Say, wasn't your last movie script a lot like my last book?' Dan asked.

'Coincidence. Hard-to-prove,' Jab replied.

Dan walked over, gave Jab a long look, and shook his hand. 'I believe they saved a seat for you in the front row,' he said.

'I expect no less, but I've got to see Casey first,' Jab insisted.

'Legal trouble?' Dan asked.

'They're saying my claim on the screenplay is invalid.'

'Invalid? Gosh, Jab, what a tough break,' Dan consoled.

'There just aren't enough dead lawyer jokes,' Jab said, running off.

'I really don't like that guy,' Samantha said. Tonto growled.

'All he needs is a little publicity,' Dan speculated.

Casey returned, looking stressed but ready for more. She was carrying a clipboard and a walkie-talkie, being followed by two assistants, barking instructions in every direction. She looked at her watch.

'Okay, everybody, take your places,' she announced.

Samantha went to find Chuck while Casey coordinated with the stage manager. Myron came to Dan's side, giving Tonto a pat.

'Ready for this, son?' Myron asked.

'No, not really,' Dan admitted.

'Don't worry. Casey is right about this. That is one heck of a little lady.'

'Have you become a fan?' Dan asked.

'I wouldn't have sent Allison to Paris if I wasn't,' Myron replied.

The crowd outside stirred. Music began playing. Myron slipped through the curtains, going onstage. There were cheers. Casey came running back, out of breath.

'Still here, snowman? You're braver than I thought,' Casey teased. She looked excited, clearly enjoying being in charge.

'I'm saving up my brownie points,' Dan said.

'For what?'

'Not saying. Not yet.'

'I hate it when you do that.'

'I know.'

The crowd grew louder as Myron finished his introduction and waved to Dan.

'Okay, here goes,' Dan said with a nervous breath.

'This is your moment. You're going to do great,' Casey encouraged, giving him a kiss.

As Dan walked onstage, Samantha appeared next to her. Loud cheering rocked the auditorium.

'Listen to those fans! He's like a god,' Casey said.

'You would know,' Samantha said with a smirk.

'Sam!' Casey protested.

Dan found the auditorium filled with thousands of fans. Myron shook his hand.

'Ladies and gentlemen, my son, my friend, and America's most insightful writer, Joshua Chamberlain!' Myron announced.

It took several minutes for the crowd to settle down.

'Thanks, Dad. And thank you, everyone. For the record, I was never a hermit. I just needed a little time off,' Dan began, getting a laugh. 'Before we start, we have old business here in the front row. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the eminent screenwriter, novelist, and all-around man of the world, Mr. Jab Reichmann.'

Jab stood up, grinning. The crowd booed.

'For those who read the blogs, you'll suspect that Jab has been impinging a bit on my work. Now I don't really care about that, but lately, he's been giving my new lady love a hard time. What are we to do with such a blaggard? What would Chief Kraken Crawfish suggest?'

'Tar and feather! Tar and feather! Tar and feather!' the eager crowd chanted.

'Can't we just ride him out of town on a rail? Like Old-Duck McGuirk?' Dan asked.

'Tar and feather! Tar and feather!' was the unanimous response. A group of burly fans surged forward, as if on cue, and pulled Jab from his seat.

'What? What are you doing?' he shouted, trying to fight them off. His jacket was torn away, followed by his shirt and pants. In a blur of motion, all he had left were his shoes and boxer shorts.

'No, no, let me go!' Jab objected as he was lifted up on broad shoulders and carried out of the auditorium.

The audience remained rowdy. Dan waited for everyone to settle down, looking very pleased. Members of his mob returned, throwing white feathers to the audience. When Jab reappeared at the top of the aisle, wearing a silk robe but otherwise no worse for wear, Dan gave him a salute. Jab realized his name would appear prominently in reviews of the convention, conceding a nod.

'Okay, that was fun,' Dan said. 'Now let's talk new business. Who wants to hear about The Elk Hunters?

Backstage, Casey and Samantha huddled at the curtains. Myron came to join them. The stage manager passed by, giving a thumb's up. Dan answered questions and read sections of his new book.

'Wow, it's been two hours. Dan's having a great time,' Samantha said.

'I don't think he'll spend much more time on the mountain,' Myron agreed, taking Casey's hands. 'Casey, I was wrong about you. You've done wonderfully.'

'What do you think, Tonto?' Casey asked.

Tonto barked.

'But there's still a price to pay,' Myron warned.

'What price?' Casey complained.

* * * * * * * * *

There was a battered medical tent on a gritty World War I battlefield. Smoke filled the horizon. Churned mud, barbed wire, and broken weapons littered the landscape. Two nurses hovered over a wounded soldier. Nearby, Tonto stood guard, wearing a Red Cross emblem. Artillery fire echoed in the distance, and then shells burst overhead. Plumes of dirt and dust exploded all around them.

'Bess, we've got to go! We've got to go now! The Huns are coming!' the shorter nurse shouted. She looked across the battlefield, eyes filled with terror. Vague ghostly images were approaching through the smoke. Light flashes glistened off their bayonets.

'Calm down, Susie,' her companion said.

'They're almost here! Oh, God, Bess! They're almost here!'

'It's okay. You should go. The Huns won't bother a nurse treating an injured soldier,' Bess Nightingale replied, her face in shadow as she applied bandages. The wounded soldier moaned. There were bloody rags everywhere.

'You can't stay. What if they capture you?'

'They won't,' Bess assured her.

'But they might. What if they do? What if they do worse?'

'Worse?'

'You know what they might do!'

Bess stood up and turned around, raising a Colt.45 caliber pistol. She cocked the weapon, holding it steady. The actress was not Casey Saunders.

'Let them try,' Farina Robbins said, a fresh young presence with big blue eyes and flushed cheeks. Tonto growled, showing he was ready for a fight, too.

'Cut!' Casey shouted. 'Okay, that looked good. Let's break for lunch.'

The film crew set their equipment aside, heading for the catering trucks. Casey picked a copy of the script off her chair. The canvas backing read, 'Casey Saunders, Director.'

Farina rushed up, wiping the fake blood from her hands.

'Thanks for all the help, Casey. You know this character inside and out,' Farina said.

'I reckon so,' Casey responded.

'The scene where the Germans show up is going to be scary.'

'It's supposed to be. Don't worry, you'll do fine. We'll all be here for you.'

As Farina left for lunch, Dan emerged from the wings.

'Am I forgiven? For invoking my conditions?' he asked.

'Being on the other side of the camera is different. Exciting, too.'

'You were destined to direct this movie.'

'Do you really believe in destiny?'

'The characters in my books do.'

Tonto caught up and gave Dan a bump, making him walk closer to Casey.

'I appreciate you giving up your cabin to do the rewrites, but my house is a little crowded with all the comings and goings. I'm thinking of getting a bigger place,' Casey mentioned.

'We can stay at my beach house in Malibu,' Dan suggested.

'A beach house? You have a beach house in Malibu?' Casey said, coming to a halt.

'Myron had me buy it. As an investment. It's next to Lady Gaga's villa. Four bedrooms, four baths. Three car garage. There's a doggie door for Tonto.'

'Malibu?! Are you fucking kidding me?'

'It will do until we find something better,' Dan said, taking her hand. 'Say, I was thinking of a new story. This hermit meets a washed-up movie star. They fall in love and live happily ever after. What do you think?'

'No one will ever believe it, snowman,' Casey replied, getting on her toes for a kiss.

THE END