Diary and dialogue
Diary

Finally, the jet's landed at O'hare. Of course, there's the parade of black SUVs in line and a receiving line of my most closest employees

My name is Christian. Christian Sanders. Business is my passion, it's also my job. My dad dreamt of turning the enterprise into America's largest technology conglomerate. His dream is now my purpose. And I'll leave nothing undone in order to achieve it. I live in Chicago. My mother was born in this city. I share a bond with this city.

Here we are, at NextTech, my office. The third tallest building in the city, after the SEARS Tower and the John Hancock. And, there are my most trusted employees. I'm going to step out, they're going to ask me how my trip went, and then I'll be bombarded with paperwork and phone calls and meetings to attend.

Dad used to say put all your emotions into work, don't get emotional about it. Across America, we're targeting a 500 million subscriber base. Are you shocked? I can achieve it. And I'm not being vain, I'm just confident. It's a fine line between vanity and confidence. That I can achieve it, speaks my confidence. Only I can achieve, would speak of my vanity. We need confidence, let's build on it. Confidence is our need, always have it with you. And vanity, kindly leave it outside the door. (laughter)
Thank you.

The crowd burst into applause and Christian Sanders thanked everyone and was escorted out to the luncheon and meet and greet.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Penelope!" An old man angrily burst into the room, making the girl jump as she pulled out her time card.

"Boss!" Penelope cheekily smiled her biggest smile.

"What time is? What time is it!?"

"It's 10:30 sir." she whispered quietly.

"10:30. 10:30! You were supposed to be here AN HOUR AGO!" the boss grabbed her arm and pulled her to the dressing room.

"So sorry sir! There was so much traffic today... and there was, and I was-"
"Don't make excuses. Go and change. Literally everyone is waiting up on you."
"Okay, sir. Be there in five minutes." Penelope slammed the door in her boss's face and he stormed away to the set, screaming.

Penelope ran in five minutes after, and took her place next to the other actresses, who could have just been extras compared to the diva on the other side of the set.

"Hi... am I too late?" She asked panting. Her costars giggled.

"Let me guess, you were lost in your daydream while driving to work and held up traffic."

"How'd you know!" The three giggled and received death glares from the lead actress across.

Penelope sighed.

"What a life man. Filling in for a crowd. And she, preens like a superstar. Look at her, Miss Amy Lawrence. I could puke." They all laughed.

"Quiet on the set! Can I go for lights?"

"Lights."

"Roll camera!"

"Rolling."

"Action!"

Extras:Rub and scrub, till my hands tire. The yellow just, will never expire!"

[Camera pan.]

"Action, ma'am...?" The director kissed up to Lawrence.

"That's why you must get Kite! Then you'll discover the whitest of white. Sparkling white in under 20 dollars. Gleaming, glistening whites, and all your col-aaah!" the actress screamed as she pulled out the laundry, covered in brown slush and green slime. The other three "extra" actresses laughed out loud.

"Penelope!"

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The parade of black SUVs slowed and pulled over off the main road in the town of Alton, IL, perfect spot to view the empty billboard high across the road. The local townspeople stopped and watched, then whispered as if it were the most scandalous gossip.

Christian Sanders stepped out the middle car and took off his sunglasses to better see the advertisement.

"If we get this, it'll be our fifth display site on this road, sir"

"Are all three boardings available?"
"Just this one, sir. The other two are for local businesses. We can pay for them to be removed."

"No, leave them be. I encourage local businesses. Next choice?" He got back into the car before everyone else shuffled in and drove off to the next spot.

"Over here. This one, the boarding on the terrace has been empty since the people can remember. It is the best one, will be visible from the fly-over."
"Looks okay to me. Who lives here?"
"A girl, miss Penelope Adams. She works for the local television network."

"Alright, do that. I'm gonna take a walk around town. Meet you back at the hotel."

"Yes sir."

o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Now what? The camera's not blinking. No lights. Battery problem."
"What's going on?" The boss came to, stressed.
"Now it's the battery, Mr. Kirby."

"Why? Why not tell me this before!" Mr. Kirby smacked the dead camera.

"Excuse me, excuse me sir."

"Go away, if it's not good news, I don't wanna hear it."Mr. Kirby said without looking.

"Can we talk to Miss Penelope Adams?"

"Penelope isn't "miss". Just Penelope. And you are...?"
"We're from the company NexTech. I'm Mr. Christian Sander's executive assistant."

"NexTech?" Mr. Kirby was as if he was punched in the face. "I'm myself, Brian Kirby. I run this ad film company. We've done a range of ads: soaps, oils, toothbrushes, digestive pills. You want us to film you an ad?"

"Weeh, just want to see Miss Penelope." wheezed the assistant, uncomfortably. "Mr. Sanders has sent me here for her."

"Penelope, yes, she is in the green room. Go ahead."

"Thank you." The assistant said and found his way to the green room where Penelope was. He knocked on the door and entered

"Excuse me, ma'am...?" He asked unsurely.
"Yes?"

"I'm Edward. From NexTech. My boss Mr. Sanders has found a deep interest in..."

Mr. Kirby lurked by the green room, and as a water boy walked by, he quickly pulled him close.

"Open the door, go in. Serve them coffee and come out, but leave the door open a little."

"Boss?"

"Do as you're told!" the kid received a smack in the head before he ran to get coffee and came back to do as he was told. He went in with the coffees and came back out empty handed, leaving the door slightly ajar. By now, more of Penelope's coworkers had hoarded outside her room.

"Sorry, don't try to convince me anymore. Your boss is enchanted? So what? The proposal ought to be
acceptable to me, and it's not! It's a matter of love, Mr. Edward, a matter of love. I shouldn't think any business man such as yourself should know the concept!"

"Please madam, on behalf of my boss. He would really appreciate it I request. Please think it over. He's a good and just man. He can give you anything you ask for."

"What's there to think over?!" Penelope huffed and grabbed her hair as she spun around, walking towards the door.

"She's coming! Move back you fools!" Mr. Kirby dispelled the crowd behind him.

"You have heard my decision. Now leave, please." Penelope opened the door and ushered her guest out.

"Madam, please..." Edward tried one last time on his way out.

"Un un un. Tell your boss, Penelope is displeased." she said, throwing her hands on her hips.

"If you change your mind, here's my card. Do call. Goodbye." Edward handed her his card and left.
"Okay, goodbye." Penelope shouted after the man, but as she turned back to her room, her eyes finally fell on the waiting crowd.

"Shoot! Sorry... I'll get ready in two minutes."
"Miss Adams, one minute..." Mr. Kirby stepped forward.
"Miss?" Penelope stopped in her way and whispered to herself.
"Miss Penelope. I apologize for intruding upon your personal affairs. But all of us heard whatever
went on inside."

"You-you did?"

"Spot boy!" Mr. Kirby snapped his fingers in the air, "find a chair for miss Adams." He grabbed Penelope gently by the shoulders and sat her on the chair that was brought forth.
"Let me surmise what might've happened. Christian Sanders saw you somewhere. And when he saw you, it was," he paused for emphasis and dazzled his hands "love at first sight."

"Love? Wait, you think-"

"THEREby hangs a question." Mr. Kirby interrupted. He pins his hopes on a yes from you, it's why he sent his men to you. And you for one, are putting him away? Am I correct, madam? Correct?" He prodded her.
"Yes, correct." She replied uneasily.

"Why are you spurning a fine proposal?"

"Today, it's a man who owns NexTech. Tomorrow, it'll be a George Clooney. Am I to just to capitulate?" Penelope jumped off her chair, "After all, my choice matters!"

"Think, what a wonderful opportunity it is!" her boss encouraged her. "On a nod from you, our company, I mean, YOU will be transported to such heights! You must've done a deed of great virtue in a past life. Just say a prayer and take the plunge! Allow me... I'll call."

Mr. Kirby snatched the card she still held in her hands and dialed the number from his phone.

"Sir... oh, but no-" he interrupted again.
"It's ringing... talk." He thrust the phone in her hand and forced it to her ear.
"Talk. Yes I'll talk."

"NextTech. Can I help you?" a male voice spoke
"Hello. This is Penelope."
"Penelope? Who...? Oh, Penelope of the terrace-boarding? We found out about you. The house isn't even yours. You haven't paid rent in two months. And you're playing hard to get? Do you know the offer Mr. Sanders sent you? Get lost." He slammed the phone and Penelope looked around her. She nervously laughed at them.

"The whole office is all shook-up!"

"Keep talking."

"Go to your boss and tell him, Penelope said yes." She confidently spoke into the off phone and the whole studio erupted into celebration.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Christian walked around the petite little downtown, where everyone knew everyone else. He saw their smiles, and their authentic friendliness. It definitely was not the kind he was used to seeing in his own society, the kind where you bought people's smiles and friendships were in other words alliances based on the principle of money. He took advantage of his anonymity, and introduced himself under another name. He chatted up old people, learning the impressive history of themselves and their town. He met some kids at the seaport and taught them how to captain their makeshift boats. The fun he had with the children on their yachts, he could never compare it to the time he spent with fame seeking women on actual yachts. The time with the kids was much better.

He left the kids with some adults and went back into town, exploring the buildings. He had stopped in front of the town museum when he noticed a group of school girls crowded in front of the gate, their teacher worried.

"What do we do now?" a girl cried.

"It's impossible for us to cross. Should we go back?"

Christian stepped closer and finally noticed the situation. The girls were handicapped(no disrespect meant here). Some wore braces on their legs while others were on crutches. And past the gate lay a grate with wide bars, impossible for the girls to cross.

"Perhaps I can help, ma'am." he offered the teacher and they all turned to him.

"I can get my car and drive everyone across."
"That's a lovely idea, sir."
"If you could wait two minutes I'll run and get it."

The girls cheered him as he ran back to get his car.

He'd only been gone five minutes tops, but saw none of the girls there. Christian quickly parked his car and started to search for the kids till he heard a hoard of giggles.

He turned around towards them, but what he saw left him starstruck.

A woman, perfectly tall and perfectly smart. Her curly brown hair bounced as she became a child herself, playing with the girls as she figured out a way to get them across. The girl jumped with an idea and walked over to the gate, seemingly closing it. But then, she took their crutches and took them to the gate, that had bars on it, wide enough to fit a foot between. The woman helped a couple girls at a time, helped them put their feet on the gate, then swung the gate over to the other side. Christian smiled to himself. Genius. Not only was her solution quick, it was fun for the little girls, who cheered as they swung across the grate as if it were a ride. Once every girl was across, they all swarmed the older one who had helped them, taking their turns to hug her and kiss her cheek. Her perfect cheeks, oval and petite, fit for her figure. Christian stood there in awe of the girl, being unable to snap out of his daze till his phone rang and he got in his car and drove away.