enjoy it.” They both laughed.

“Now what may I do for you, Mr. Justyn?”

“Actually, I hope it’s what we can do for each other, and please call me Ian, I’m very uncomfortable with the whole mister thing…”

“I understand, Ian, I hope you will call me Pearce.”

“Certainly, Pearce. I apologize up front. I normally don’t use friends for business contacts, and I am hoping you’ll forgive me. Obviously, I wanted to get as close to the head of the line in handing out job offers.”

There was a moment of silence. “Well, I must say I am very flattered but I was not aware that you were a part of HRT’s news division, I understood you to be in development.” Being a good newsman, Warner…Pearce…knew what was going on, but then again maybe he didn’t.

“True, and I am assuming the possibilities of your interest in what I have to offer will be minimal at best, but I am praying that you will at least hear me out.”

Ian heard Pearce take a deep breath. “I wish I could say that I was fielding exciting offers right and left, but only the former would be true not the ladder.”

“I’ll just spit it out then, since this may very well be one of those offers that only I will find exciting. I want you to join “America Alive!”

Ian expected Pearce to laugh, and wasn’t prepared for the flat, “Well at least it is a news format, and I am actually flattering you when I say one that I assume you save money by broadcasting in monotone…”

“Hmmm…not a bad idea.”

Now Pearce laughed, “You’re sense of humor is adorable.” Ian knew he was beet red. “I am surprised that a major network is even interested, I’m a newsman Ian, and I know that I’ve been caught with my pants down in the football locker room.”

Ian decided not to pussyfoot, “Pearce, I don’t give a fuck. I have a morning news show that’s about as exciting as a cockroach race. I know it’s not exactly hard news, but I think if the two of us put our heads together, we can make it something worth while before my bosses start chasing us around with a can of Raid.”

Pearce’s response was more laughter. “Look Ian, you are just too much fun, so I am going to be honest with you. I’m being courted with everything from my own live talk show to spreads in Playgirl magazine…”

“You, too?”

“Well, my friend, the You Tube things are really…nice….”

“Oh shit.” Ian said unfortunately out loud bringing even heartier laughter. “Pearce, just don’t say yes to anything until I’ve had a chance to bounce some ideas around with you.”

“Ian, I’m about to get on a plane for home, can we do this later?”

Ian didn’t want to wait, while he seemed to be inadvertently charming this guy he wanted to strike. He looked at the magazine on his desk, and cleared his throat. “I tell you what, let me give you my IM address and we’ll chat when you get home tonight.” There was dead air. “I just want you to hear me out. I’m not the only one who does his research, Pearce.”

“So you know about my deadline with CNN. I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“There