Ethan entered the boardroom and snatched the remote from the conference table, answering the incoming video call displayed on the large screen.
Jacob Kennedy appeared, seated at his desk in his office at the parliament building. "Ethan? Where's James?"
"In bed, I thought he told you he cancelled all his meetings today because he's sick?"
Kennedy frowned. "I wasn't informed. Anyways, I'm calling to let you know I won't be attending the rulers' meeting on the cruise ship. A volcano erupted in my calendar. I don't have time this weekend to go to Intermarium."
"That's a shame," Ethan replied. "Has Richard Scott cancelled his flight too?" He smiled hopefully.
"As far as I know, he's still going."
Ethan's smile vanished. "Well, at least you'll miss seeing Lolita, she thinks ghosts speak to her."
Jacob chuckled. "What do the ghosts say?"
"Lolita fashion is popular in Japan. Japan, another made-up nation that the ghost says is real, along with Canada. Anyway, I've to go because Maxwell is coming to the castle to play pool with me."
"Take care." Jacob ended the call. The screen went black.
Ethan stared at his reflection in the dark screen. Sometimes he wondered which side was real—and whether he was the one being dreamed.