Howie stood there fist in the air poised to knock again.  “You were in there dancing right?” Howie laughed.

“Hey Howie. That’s no way to greet a person. Come in and leave any insults at the door.”  Alice retorted noticing Howie carrying a large bag.  She was instantly reminded of the last time this young man’s knocking had interrupted her. She raised her eyebrows and shot a look at the bag he was carrying, “you know Pride isn’t for another four months right?”

Howie looked at her questioningly until he remembered that afternoon he’d showed up previously and he figured he’d play up to Alice.  “Oh well you know I just thought I should get here in good time and be first in line for those cute L.A. men who have been waiting all their lives to meet me!”

Alice forgot how easy it was to engage in playful banter with the younger Fairbanks sibling.  She gently punched his arm saying “Well come in then, we better get started we have a lot of work to do with that image of yours before we let you loose on the streets of L.A.! Grab a seat; do you want something to drink?”

“Um yeah I’ll have a soda thanks” Howie replied sitting down and carefully stowing the bag between his feet. “So how have you been keeping?” Howie called to Alice as she came in drinks in hand. 

“Oh you know pretty good and you?”

“Yeah I’m doing ok I guess.”  Howie replied he seemed uncomfortable and never one to be patient when she wanted information Alice jumped straight in.

“Ok How, what’s going on? You remember I’m not good with suspense right. What did you want to talk to me about?”

Howie shifted his gaze to the floor suddenly becoming fascinated by the straps on the bag between his feet and twisting them round his fingers.  He took a breath in to steady his nerves and began cautiously unsure of the response he was going to be met with. 

“So here’s the thing Al, well the thing is, eh you see”

“Oh for god’s sake man spit it out already you’re killing me”

“Alright, alright, calm down, the first thing I need you to know is that I absolutely came to you with this immediately I knew ok.  The delay has nothing to do with me.“ He paused trying to gauge a response from the writer.