"It would help if you'd tell us when it is," a reporter shouted from the back loud enough to be heard all the way in the front of the room.

Owens laughed self-consciously. "I guess that would help, wouldn't it? I think I just got carried away with the moment. A week from today. Okay, then, that's it. You can contact our PR office if you need more information. Thanks for coming, and I hope you'll all get the word out so our guests can match the funds we're going to be donating to these worthy causes."

The girls watched as the men trooped off the stage. The camera went dark as Charles removed the disk and turned off the CD player.

"So we're going to be softball players?" Annie gurgled. "I do love those pink ball caps."

Charles rapped on the table to get their attention. The girls stopped buzzing. "Personally, I don't know how he's going to pull all that off in just seven days. There are female softball leagues all over the country who play for breast cancer research. They're going to want to attend."

Alexis clucked her tongue and wagged her finger. "Charles, what you do not know about women would fill a book. I can guarantee just about every one of those women will be there even if they have to walk cross-country to get to Vegas. They're dedicated, and there's nothing more important to women than breast cancer research."

"You're absolutely right. I bow to your knowledge, Alexis," Charles said magnanimously. "If you're right, and I have no reason to doubt you, then all of you will fit in just perfectly. All you're going to need will be those special pink caps, and I have no doubt you know exactly how to get them."

"You're such a dear, sweet man, Charles," Annie cooed. "Now, how do we get to Vegas undetected? The joint is really going to be hopping with the softball gala and Harry's martial-arts exhibition. Guys to the guys and girls to the girls. Oh, this is beyond exciting, isn't it, girls?"

It was hard not to get caught up in Annie's enthusiasm. Even Myra, the most conservative of them all, was laughing at what was going to happen once they all arrived in the gambling mecca.

"A tour bus? Is that our game plan, Charles?" Nikki asked.

"Oh, Nikki, driving cross-country to Nevada will eat into our days," Myra said. "We need to come up with something better than that. When we get there, we can hire a tour bus," the ever-practical Myra added. She fingered her pearls, a sure sign she was worried about something.

"I can have the pilot bring the Gulfstream back," Annie said. "Airport security is a little too tight for comfort these days. I worry about using false IDs regardless of how good they are."