photo of himself, shirt open to the waist and covered in sweat in mid-gyration.  Ella past the last bite of donut…

Sean, who always seemed to Ian a little too serious, “David Letterman called, he wants to know if you’ll read his top ten list on Thursday.”

“Okay, let’s put all this together”, Ian rounded up the group. “Anyone have anything…substantial…to add?”

“Well”, Lester blinked through his wire rims, “I didn’t get any donut, but…” he opened his lap tap, hit a button and swiveled the screen around for all to see.   

Suddenly there was Ian, standing in front of the microphone.  “Are you ready for something…sexy?”  He asked as the room screamed yes.  “Good, cause I’m wearing way too many clothes…” he shouldered his jacket off and as the band hit the opening chord he ripped his shirt open and launched into Prince’s “Kiss”.

“So that’s how that happened…” Ian said, then cringed and waved his hands, “Enough!  Enough!  Turn it off!  Turn it off!”  

Lester clicked and the screen went black.  Ian caught Ella mouthing “Make me a copy”.

“Wow!  Ian, you were hot!”  Interjected Sean, “that even made me kinda….”

“Don’t even go there…” Ian stopped him.  “First things, first...how the hell did that get on the Internet?”  The entire staff held up their cell phones and showed the camera eye.  Ian hung his head in stupidity.

“Okay, scenarios and spin control”

Ella piped in, “Timing, could be considered a move by you to gain the attention of the public in support of a bid for Tolan’s position.”

Ian answered, “Silly, too new and too naïve a move.  Next!”

Sean’s turn, “Other execs might be threatened, though.  I’m sure you’ll be called on it today at the meeting.”

“Right.  The good side and the bad side for a few moments and then Ian changed the subject to the afternoon’s meeting “Yes, the meeting, what have we got to offer?”

A verbal rundown was made of projects in various states, and pitches to win them a spot on the fall schedule.  The goal was one show, they knew they were a new team and they would have to fight to be taken seriously enough to even be taken seriously.   

Wella would attend the meeting with him, a little uncommon, but the two of them had developed a system of signals to help Ian along.  She had been around, on the periphery, a long time, and knew how each person in that room might react.  She had on several occasions already silently guided Ian through what could have been embarrassing meetings with various members of the hierarchy. Provided she didn’t come off looking like a spastic having a nervous breakdown, Ian felt more confident having her there.

“Okay, before we go a couple of noodles to throw in the pot.  First up, heard a rumor this weekend that HRT is planning on getting out of daytime completely within two years.  I need a break down, both pro and con, in time to get the facts down before the meeting this afternoon.”  Ian announced, proud of himself that it sounded very boss like.  “I have my own opinion, but want the facts to turn into a definitive side before I go in.  Undoubtedly, this will be a topic of conversation.”

Sean piped in, “Word has it they are planning on canceling “Sebastian Manor” and expanding the