Distant Shores

"Love you guys, too. Bye. "

For the last few days, Jacks life had been a full-speed running game. Drew Graylands arraignment had been broadcast on Court TV. The young man had admitted nothing and pled not guilty, but that didnt matter. The whole sordid, sorry story had come front and center. All across America, students and parents were protesting the lack of athlete accountability. Female students from dozens of universities had filed rape charges against football and basketball players.

At the heart of the story stood Jack Shore. By luck and chance--and a ton of Fox advertising money--hed become the national poster boy for change. Everyone knew who he was again.

Now he was on the edge of his seat. Literally.

Sally sat beside him, her foot tapping unevenly on the floor as she pawed through the fruit basket on the coffee table. "Youre going to be great," she said for at least the fifteenth time in as many minutes.

To be honest, he needed her to say it, again and again. That was a big part of why hed hired her. She was great for his ego--and, of course, she was a damned fine assistant. Shed organized every nuance of this opportunity, hadnt she?

There was a knock at the door. In walked Avery Kormane, the woman whod shown him to the small, windowless waiting room and conducted his pre-interview. "Howre you doing?"

"Has anyone ever puked on the Tonight Show, or will I be the first?"

"A bird caller from Kentucky took one look at the audience and fell face-first onto the floor. " She smiled. "Everyones nervous in this room. Ive seen your tapes. Youll do fine once youre in front of the camera. Just focus on Jay if you get nervous. Hes a nice guy. Hell catch you if you fall. "

Sally had chosen Leno for that very reason. When the offers started pouring in last week, Jack had instinctively gravitated toward Letterman. It was Sally whod reminded him that Leno was a hell of lot easier.

Avery consulted her clipboard. "As I told you earlier, your seat is the one closest to Jay. The others should be empty. George Clooney has to catch a flight to D. C. for the next leg of his press junket. "

Jack glanced up at the television monitor on the wall. On screen, Thea Cartwright was laughing with Jay. She was the most beautiful woman in Hollywood, bar none. "What about Thea?"

Avery looked up sharply. Behind the worlds ugliest black frame glasses, her eyes narrowed. "Do you know her? I dont have that in my notes. "

Sally was frowning at him.

"No, no. I just think shes great. Thats all. " He felt like a complete idiot.

Averys nose crimped up. "Oh, that. Well, shell be long gone. She has an opening tonight. You just shake Jays hand, wave to the audience, and take your seat. " She glanced at her watch. "Follow me. "

Jack did as he was told. Sally stuck to his side like glue. They walked through the industrial maze of backstage hallways, passing several closed doors that had red on air signs above them. Finally, they came to the edge of the stage.

A narrow vertical sign lit up the word Hollywood beside him. The lights buzzed softly.

Jacks palms were sweating like geysers. He was wetter than the goddamn Man from Atlantis.

"Youll be great," Sally said again.

He wished Elizabeth were here. It only took a look from her, a feather touch, to calm him. Hed wanted this--national exposure--for years, but now that it was here, he was as jumpy as a rookie on the starting line.

This wasnt like reading the news from a teleprompter. He was supposed to be relaxed and witty. Avery had mentioned funny personal anecdotes as a good thing.

Had anything even remotely funny ever happened to him?

My wife dumped me last month . . . ba dump ba. Funny enough?

Applause thundered, shook the soundstage. On the wall, a red light flashed.

Avery tapped his shoulder. "Youre on, Jack. Break a leg. "

He mumbled something--he had no idea what--and stumbled around the corner. The lights were Broadway bright and aimed at his face. He could barely make out the stacked rows of people. He blinked suddenly, realized the lights werent aimed at him; he was staring right into one.

Idiot.

His smile felt awkward, as if hed borrowed it from a bigger man.

Jay was coming toward him, hand outstretched.