Although she did in fact have her apparel picked out in advance, that didn't mean she didn't spend some time waffling on, and agonizing over, smaller detail, such as her hair, makeup, and accessories.<br/><br/>Whereas she had awoken early enough to have plenty of time to be early, once she was finally all ready, there wasn't much in the way of time to kill.<br/><br/>And yes --  she was nervous.  She really wanted --<span style="font-style: italic">needed</span>--  something good to come out of this interview.<br/><br/>Eventually, ready as she'd ever be -- she emerged from her room, dressed in a charcoal grey skirt suit, for which she'd bitten the bullet and paid top dollar for at Saks.   What she was actually feeling notwithstanding, her demeanor was the fairly usual flippancy:<br/><br/>"Well. Hope your dreams were as interesting as mine, Soph.   I got to watch Greece burn.<span style="font-style: italic">Greece</span>...as in your favorite country...not<span style="font-style: italic">grease</span>, like when kooky old Mr. Steevers used to try and cook cheeseburgers."   Mr. Steevers having been the senile, eccentric old father of one of their former neighbors.<br/><br/>Once Sophia told her of her own dream, Anna was a little taken aback.  Really somewhat shocked, actually.<br/><br/>"Huh. Weird. Both of us..."   It<span style="font-style: italic">was </span>weird.  She didn't need stuff like this to think about, right now.    And therefore tried to make light of it--<br/><br/>"Well, dad always said people would follow you, if you could just find the right soapbox.   Never thought of you as the military type, though,<span style="font-style: italic">Commander Evans</span>.   But, anyway --  Monte Guasco sounds great!  Absolutely, we'll go.   I bet the view is phenomenal. And I've already promised the facebookers some pictures."<br/><br/>These things aside, it wasn't long before they picked up a rental car, and were en route to the offices of Mr. Zachaios Tuono.<br/><br/>* * * * * * * *<br/>On the drive, Anna reflected on what an oddball thing it was this guy had found her at all.  Apparently, he'd been searching for someone both with experience in some form of modeling, as well as working a stage, in front of an audience, and who was fairly internet savvy.  As well, someone with a distinctiveness about them --  someone who was their own person, and not trying to ape some celebrity or other.    And Anna did fit those things ---   and apparently, one of the employees Mr. Tuono had scouring the internet managed to locate her own blog, that had what she considered her best pictures, as well as her best videos, singing with two different local bands.  Plus numerous impromptu videos, and postings, made mostly for fun, where she rambled and joked about her views on life, love, and whatever else happened to be on her mind, that day.  Or hour.  Or minute.<br/><br/>As for Mr. Tuono himself...she'd of course done her homework on him.    He appeared to be an Ancona native, whom had been making a living as an entrepreneur ever since dropping out of university, in his early twenties.   In the pre-internet days, he'd co-created and marketed several products --  including a pager that interfaced with a telephone answering machine, that was apparently quite clever, for its day.    And also started a business that licensed T-shirts for heavy metal bands, but eventually went bankrupt.   Then, with the internet boom --  he took his business online, and really diversified.   He sold all manner of things, now.   Including various informational sites that charged subscription fees, and that were easier to maintain, because there was no physical product.   While the guy wasn't like a bookoo rich kind of entrepreneur, he was nonetheless really successful, made a good living for himself, and seemed to be quite well known, locally.    Now sixty years old, he was still seeking to make happen<span style="font-style: italic">'The Next Big Thing'(tm)</span>, and seemed to feel that she could be part of that.<br/><br/>Now, what that was....Mr. Tuono had said he would divulge in a face to face interview.   Anna had thought that a little odd, and just hoped that it didn't involve anything like an escort service, a BDSM dungeon, or anything else disreputable she'd likely come to regret, in this day and age of information that remained in the public domain forever.   But, surely there was enough local "talent" for anything the likes of that.  He'd hardly need to reach out to a woman overseas, buy her and two other people plane tickets, and get them a reduced rate at the local hotel, to fill that sort of position.   Every region on the planet had its already experienced pool of people in that industry.  So, she thrust that notion aside.   She would simply have to wait, to find out what this was all about.<br/><br/>Mr. Tuono's offices were on the twelfth floor of a newish office highrise, situated in downtown, not too far from their hotel.  Once they arrived and parked, Anna gazed briefly up toward the building, then toward Sophia and Dean as they disembarked:<br/><br/>"Now, remember, kids;  very best behavior, right?  It was nice of Mr. Tuono to invite you two to come and see his offices, since he new we'd be vacationing, afterward, while we're here.   But you guys are<span style="font-style: italic"> audience,</span>right?    So, please....be<span style="font-style: italic">quiet</span>; no unnecessary comments, no belching, no picking your nose, no giggling because you think his accent sounds like a B grade Trojan war movie.  Okay?"<br/><br/>It was<span style="font-style: italic">Dean</span>she was looking at.   And<span style="font-style: italic">only</span>Dean she was worried about.   If Mr. Tuono hadn't said,<span style="font-style: italic">"Ah, yes, well bring your sister and her boyfriend with you, please --  they can sit while we talk, and I'll have an excellent lunch brought in, for all of us, afterwards -- "</span>then there would have been<span style="font-style: italic">NO</span>way in hell Anna would have ever considered bringing him to any even vaguely important meeting.   Sophia had said he'd promised her he would be absolutely quiet. And so Anna held to some little faith in that.<br/><br/>The reception area of the building was kind of art deco cool, and presented more a relaxed, artistic sort of atmosphere, than a high-pressure business one.   Anna liked it, found it encouraging, as well as in keeping with the sort of environment she thought her prospective employer might feel at home in.<br/><br/>"I'm Anna Evans. We're here to see Mr. Tuono, of T-Bolt Enterprises," she supplied to the pretty, raven haired receptionist.<br/><br/>According to his website, he came up with the "T-Bolt" name because, supposedly, business ideas hit him like "a bolt from the blue."   As well, "Tuono" was Greek for "Thunder."    Anna supposed that it did make sort of a campy, cool branding approach for him.<br/><br/>"Of course," replied the receptionist.  "He's expecting you, Ms. Evans.  Please...go on up."<br/><br/>"Thanks.   And I<span style="font-style: italic">love</span>your earrings, by the way,"   Anna briefly wondered where she might have bought them, but this was hardly the time to inquire.     Greater matters beckoned.<br/><br/>Aboard the elevator, on the way up, "Does my hair still look okay?   Do I need to fix anything?" she asked of Sophia.    And then before they exited "Really --  you're<span style="font-style: italic">sure</span>I don't need to fix anything?"    She could imagine the response she would have set herself up for with Dean, in other circumstance.   But, wisely, he held his tongue in place.<br/><br/>And before long they were in the waiting area of Zachaios Tuono's offices.    They didn't do much waiting, as the man himself emerged from the hallway behind.  Anna recognized him right away, having seen his picture on his site.<br/><br/>Mr. Tuono was on the tall side -- thought not a giant.   Perhaps in the ballpark of 6'2" --  but he had a presence that made him seem even bigger.    He was broad shouldered, looked like he might have had a football player's physique, when he was younger.   He had just a bit of a paunch, now, but overall was in good shape for a guy who was sixty.   His hair was almost white, but abundant, and curly.   He sported a close cropped beard, and had broad-ish, rugged sort of features, that Anna would have described as European-<span style="font-style: italic">something</span>, had she not already known his origins.   He had an almost jovial sort of demeanor --  but also gave the sense he wasn't a guy you'd want to try and take any liberties with.    He smiled broadly at the three of them, displaying very nice, even teeth -- and either he didn't drink<span style="font-style: italic">any</span>coffee, tea or wine -- or else had just had them whitened, which she reckoned far more probable.<br/><br/>He was dressed in a navy blue, Armani sport coat over a white dress shirt, and a pair of pressed blue jeans.   And Anna worried then that perhaps she'd overdressed, a little.    Though consoled herself that it was almost always better to err in that direction.<br/><br/>Anyrate, she immediately arose and offered her hand.    "Hello, Mr. Tuono,"  She didn't bother to add<span style="font-style: italic">"I'm Anna."  </span>He'd seen enough of her online to know that.<br/><br/>He took her hand.   His own was large, strong seeming... though his grip was entirely gentle, light.    "My dear...greetings to you.  I am so very pleased you agreed to come here and speak with me.   Please...come...follow me, back to my office... your sister and her friend, as well.  Welcome to the both of you."<br/><br/>With that he turned, and they all followed.    Of course, his office had<span style="font-style: italic">the</span>view...even better than what they had at the hotel.   It was immaculately appointed and decorated.   The guy had taste, she noted.   And also a penchant for pictures of<span style="font-style: italic">lighting</span>, which adorned two of the walls.   Just in keeping with his name and brand image, she supposed.<br/><br/>"Well, now, please take a seat, Anna, here in front of my desk.    And, for you two,"  meaning Sophia and Dean, "- this couch is quite comfortable.   Can I get any of you anything to drink?   Coke, mineral water, juice-?"     Anna thanked him, but declined.    After the other two had voiced any preferences, Mr. Tuono stopped momentarily in front of Sophia, and smiled down at her:<br/><br/>"Sophia --  isn't it?   That's so very nice that you came with your sister.  I am certain she appreciates the company, and the support.   She tells me you have a fondness for ancient Greece.   Well, we share at least one interest, you and I.  Have you any particular favorite parts, stories, or legends, my dear?"