Just as the meeting adjourned and triumphant Misha was leaving the room, Johnny Badcock pulled on her sleeve.
"Misha, can I have a minute?"
"Sure!" the heroine beamed a smile.
Everyone rustled out of the room and went their way, but the Emperor, mildly irritated by reasons unknown to him, took a step aside from door just outside the room to eaves drop.
'What am I doing…'
Lately, James had a hard time understanding himself.
"Are you busy tonight?" Johnny asked.
"No. I think?"
Misha turned and looked at her bare wrist as if to check the time.
"Great. I'd like to invite you to dinner, if it's OK with you."
Misha checked the time on her non-existent watch again.
"Sure, but… what's the occasion?"
"I couldn't thank you enough. For helping me find myself again, and just now too. You have a real knack for seeing what really matters - and saying them out aloud."
"Gees, thank you. But it's really not necessary."
"We could go to Épicure, the French restaurant at the peak."
