Falling Stars (Shooting Stars 5)

determine if you are all making such an effort, and

they will report to me on a regular basis. I have placed

great faith in your natural abilities. Don't disappoint

me."

"Or me," Edmond piped up, looking toward

Rose in particular.

"It will be a while before you get your greedy

hands on these prodigies and gobble up your ten

percent. Edmond," Madame Senetsky said. Our teachers laughed. Howard joining them as

if he was an old, experienced thespian already. "I can see my son is already counting his

commissions." she continued.

"Mother," Edmond said. "you know I'm in this

for the love of it and not the profit."

"Spoken like a true agent," Alfred Littleton

declared. When he laughed, he laughed in silence, his

heavy body bouncing, his jowls trembling.

There was more laughter, and then the

discussion took a remarkable turn away from us and

centered on the current New York theater and music

scene. Except for Howard, who really did keep up

with it, the rest of us could only be fascinated

listeners.

"I'd like them to attend the new production of

Madame Butterfly at City Opera." Mr. Littleton said. "Puccini is not real opera," Mr. Bergman

remarked. "Why don't you take them to Wagner at the

Met?'

"Why not do both?" Mr. Marlowe interjected. "Of course we will," Madame Senetsky said.

She turned to us again, "Ms. Fairchild will discuss

your first weekend with you tomorrow," she told us.

"We have arranged for you to visit MOMA." "Visit who?" I blurted. I think it was the wine