Mr. Tuono smiled easily at Sophia.<br/><br/>“Ah, yes.   The King of the gods and his favorite child.   Born out of a split in his skull, so the story goes.   Purveyor of the wisdom that so many others amongst a rather hot-blooded, and hot-headed, pantheon seemed to be somewhat lacking in.    It’s an interesting relationship to study, indeed.   Not for the least that a father’s relationship to his girl-children is very special, in general.”<br/><br/>Anna’s eyes briefly found the floor, on that last remark.  She knew how Sophia felt toward their own father.  How much the distance the divorce had interposed had hurt her.   Sophia had been very close to him, growing up.   Herself, too.  Yes.  Right up until she had learned…<br/><br/>Mr. Tuono’s attention then swung back to herself, pulling her from that less than pleasant reverie.<br/><br/>“Well, down to business.”   He walked to his desk, and seated himself in its comfortable leather recliner, leaning back a little, and placing one of his large hands atop the other on the desktop.<br/><br/>“As I believe you know, Ms. Evans, at this point in my career, I’m rather diversified as an entrepreneur.   I sell everything from clothing accessories, to self-help website subscriptions, to weight loss energy drinks, to advanced video game cheat codes.   Now, my diversification has in general been a great asset --  I’ve developed something of a knack for finding these profitable niches.   Originally, I ran multiple companies to market each of my various spheres of business.   But, what I’ve come to discover is this tends to make one a bit invisible --  as nobody instantly associates you with any one brand.    Lately, I’ve begun marketing and advertising under my umbrella corporation, T-Bolt Enterprises.   I’ve recruited some very sharp individuals to help with this, and we’ve spent a great deal of time going over possible marketing angles.   Most of our products are things aimed at a younger --  early thirties to early twenties --  internet and mobile device savvy audience.   Image is important.    We don’t want to seem like an anachronism from the previous generation.  Therefore, my serving as spokesman isn’t exactly going to fly.   We need someone from that age group;  someone with charisma, verve, individuality, and something of an edge.   Because, god knows, the days of daisy sweet innocence being even remotely cool are long and well behind us.”<br/><br/>Anna arched a brow, nodded briefly, acceding to this rather obvious point.   He went on:<br/><br/>“Moreover, we don’t want some mannequin, with no real connection to what we are about.   No; we want someone who themselves has experience as an internet entrepreneur, and is walking the walk, to some degree.  And who appears to be having fun doing it.  And, this is why we are meeting with you.  You encompass those things.   That you’re a singer is icing on the cake --   because we have a rather rock and roll sort of image –- fits with thunder, doesn’t it? -- and use rock music in certain of our ads.”    Mr. Tuono paused then, apparently to give her space to comment.<br/><br/>“Well, Mr. Tuono – I’m very flattered you think I could be what you're looking for.   I’m impressed with what you’ve done with your career, as well as your corporation.    And you seem to have both a sense of style, and a sense of humor, which is definitely a plus.   What have you in mind, here --  would you be asking me to relocate to Ancona?”<br/><br/>Tuono nodded.   “More or less, yes.  Certainly, during the first six months, we’d need you here full time.   After that --  you might divide your time between here, and the states.   Given enough success – who knows --  we might have offices in the US, eventually.  But that’s something for the future, if at all.”<br/><br/>Anna glanced out the nearby window, then back at him, raised a hand in a gesture of admission:<br/>“Well, I mean, it sounds good.   It sounds great, actually.    Maybe a little<span style="font-style: italic">too</span>good to be true, to be blunt?   What happens if I get moved out here, we work together for two months, and you decide I’m not really right for this?”<br/><br/>He shrugged his broad shoulders.   “Sure, it’s possible.   And that’s exactly why I’m guaranteeing you three months salary, regardless of whether it does or doesn’t work.    As well, I own a good bit of real estate.    You wouldn’t need to worry about accommodations, nor travel or moving expenses, which we’ll fund.”<br/><br/>Anna was left a little gape mouthed at that.   “I see,” she said finally.   “That’s…rather generous.   May I ask what the salary is?”<br/><br/>“Of course.  The euro equivalent of $2,500 a month --  which, while I grant isn’t a fortune --  will go further because you won’t be paying any rent, or utilities, while you’re here.    Now, if things go well, as I think they will, there’s a commission structure and bonuses on top of that, which we can discuss.”<br/><br/>Anna nodded.   “That…seems fair.  What would be the next step from here?   Interviews with other executives in your company?”<br/><br/>Tuono shook his head.  “No.   I’m offering you the position, Ms. Evans.   Do you want it?”<br/><br/>“I – I…” she reflexively glanced Sophia’s direction.   “Yes, but…I do have some responsibilities back home…”<br/><br/>“Yes.  You mentioned you and Sophia were close.   And that your family is a small one.    Naturally, I understand.” He shrugged again.  “Well, who knows.   My company has a number of other positions that need to be filled.   And I know many people in the business community out here, who are hiring.   If Sophia finds Ancona to be enough to her liking…perhaps we may tempt her?”<br/><br/>“I – we’d have to talk about it…”<span style="font-style: italic"> Take the job, Anna you idiot!  You may never get another chance like this one!     </span><br/><br/>“…but, yes Mr. Tuono, yes.   I accept.”<br/><br/>“Excellent!   Excellent, Ms. Evans.   Welcome to the T-Bolt team.   We’ll have some other particulars to discuss , but it can wait.   I can imagine you are all still recovering from jet lag.   How about if I feed you that lunch I promised, and then let you go until tomorrow?”<br/><br/>It seemed like a plan.   Caterers brought in an elegantly prepared meal of Greek cuisine.   Anna was almost too giddy with excitement for food, but she picked a little.   Had she more attention to spare, she might have noted that these Greek dishes that she’d never tried before we’re yet somehow rather familiar tasting…<br/><br/>Over lunch, they continued to talk, mostly about small, conversational things.   Much to Anna’s satisfaction, Mr. Tuono had little to say to Dean.   She did note him glancing at him, once or twice.   In an almost perplexed sort of way;  as if Dean were some conundrum he couldn’t quite sort out?   Maybe he wondered what the hell Sophia was doing with him, too?<span style="font-style: italic"> Doesn’t everybody-?</span><br/><br/>Sophia he paid more attention too --   asking her again about her interest in Grecian civilization and mythology.    Anna was gratified by that.   He seemed like such a decent guy - she hoped Sophia would see it too, and seriously consider coming to stay out here.    Dean or no Dean.   She’d be happy enough to have her sister here with her;  if she had to continue tolerating him, she could let it slide.  It wasn’t going to ruin her weekend.  Not now.   She had too much to be happy about.<br/><br/>“So, tell me – “ Mr. Tuono inquired of Sophia.     “How old were you, when you began to have this interest?   Do you remember what you first saw, or read – that sparked it?”