The urge to go skipping down the sidewalk was so strong, it left Emily feeling torn between giggling like a schoolgirl and checking herself into the nearest asylum. She was able to keep from doing either, though she was smiling broadly when she stepped through the front door.

She found Mary in the living room, surrounded by colorful bits of paper, and dropped happily into the other chair.

Mary: “I take it by your grin you didn’t get lost driving around town today. Did you find a suitcase full of money or something?”
Emily: “Not exactly, but close! I had my meeting with Andy already.”
Mary: “Wow, that was fast! Things went well?”
Emily: “It did! I cannot believe how much my life has turned around in just the last few days. It’s crazy!”

Mary: “So did you work a deal out?”
Emily: “Yep! Same as yours, apparently. He even gave me the key to my very own studio.”
Mary: “Congratulations!”
Emily: “And as an added bonus, I didn’t have to pay for lunch.”
Mary: “He never bought me lunch; that’s so not fair!”
Emily: “It was Italian.”
Mary: “Hey! Yeah, he owes me.”

Emily: “Apparently he’s already got an assignment for me, too. We’re supposed to talk about it in the next couple of days, after I get settled in the studio.”
Mary: “Seriously, Emily, I’m so damn happy for you!”
Emily: “I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet, really.”
Mary: “It’ll probably take you a few months, and then you’ll be sick of it.”

Emily: “What did you have planned for tonight?”
Mary: “Nothing more than me, my paper rainbow, and several hours of mindless TV. Care to join me?”
Emily: “Sounds like a perfect evening!”
Mary: “Tonight we take it easy, and tomorrow night we’ll hit the town.”