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"Well, that’s in the ballpark," Lorrie says hesitantly

I have nothing more to say and just when I’m about to look over at the director and shout out "Line!" I’ uncorked, followed by Stephen asking, "So you’re still going to Paris, Victor?"

"I think I was always going to Paris, Stephen old chap," I say

"What’s really taking you to Paris, Victor?" Stephen asks, his eyes narrowing "Do you have friends there?"

"Actually I’ll let you in on a fittle secret," I say

"Yes?" they both say, leaning in

"I was supposed to go to London," I adot sidetracked"

"Well, I hope not for too long," Stephen says "You must stop by London on your way back to the States"

"We’ll see how things turn out in Paris, Stephen old chap," I say confidently, downing another glass of chane

Since my back is to the entrance of the Queen’s Grill I don’t see Marina coh Stephen and Lorrie have never met Marina, their drone is interrupted by her arrival, and instinctively, on cue, I turn around Marina looks stunning, effortlessly inhabiting the role that will create a star; Makeup and Costume have done an unbelievable job and her hair is pulled back so tightly and in such an elegant way that I’ out a hand, guiding her to the table Delicately she accepts it, as if I were helping her cross a threshold she ary about but since I’m on the other side-hey, it’s okay Introductions are made as she’s seated

"I’enuinely

"Oh, that’s okay," I say "We were having a very, very interesting and I ively conversation about" Stuck, I have to look over at the Wallaces

"Californian cuisine," Stephen rene?" Stephen asks Marina a little too eagerly

"Thank you," Marina says as Stephen pours, and then, trying to insinuate herself immediately into the conversation, asks, "Are we supposed to be stopping soon?"

"In about fifteen ne back in its bucket I lift out the bottle and pour lass

"Doesn’t anybody find this odd?" Marina asks, letting the maitre d’ drape a napkin across her lap

"I think the law of the sea requires vessels to help each other in times of distress," Stephen says "I don’t think the QE2 is exempt"