"I'm glad you two think this is funny." Nadine shakes her head. She stops suddenly and sits straight up in her seat. "Parental units, twelve o'clock," she whispers sharply. I look up and see my parents and Matt headed straight towards us.

"We just had the loveliest talk with Sandy Bullock," Mom announces as she slides into the booth. "She's a huge fan of FA. She said she hates summer Sunday nights because FA is in reruns. Sandy thinks you should have new episodes year-round."

"Maybe then Kaitlin could get me a part," Matt grumbles under his breath.

"Year-round?" Nadine repeats. "When would Kates have time to rest?" She steps on my foot a little too hard, considering she's wearing white Nine West stilettos. There's my segue.

"Time off is for people who don't have a hot career," Laney admonishes as she appears from behind a plastic palm tree. "Guess who I was just talking to?" We look at her dumbfounded. "Hutch Adams's agent," she shrills.

Hutch Adams. He's my absolute favorite director (not counting George Lucas, of course). All the big stars want to work with him. He does everything from smart dramas known for their witty dialogue to action-packed sci-fi fare with cyborgs and aliens -- done the right way. I especially like Seeing Is Believing and Rock On. (I've forgiven him for doing High Stakes Part Deux.)

Mom squeals. "What did he say?"

"We were talking about Nobu," Laney starts off. "I said I had been there the other day with Sarah Jessica. We had her son James Wilkie with us, so we wanted something quiet for lunch. Asiade Cuba is just too loud. Anyway, Keith says he was just there with Hutchie and he's officially signed on to direct a sci-fi film for Wagman Brothers Studio. Are you ready for the best part?" Laney's French manicured fingernails tap the table dramatically. "The movie is shooting during hiatus and the lead is going to be a teenage girl! Kaitlin will definitely get an audition!"

"Oh my God," I whisper. My head spins. I've wanted to work with Hutch forever, but this hiatus? No, I can't audition ... I need a break ... Oh God I'm confused. This wasn't how my conversation was supposed to go at all....

"What's the movie about?" Dad asks eagerly. "Do they need a producer?" He scratches the shiny bald spot on his head.

"The movie takes place in the distant future," Laney explains breathlessly, ignoring Dad's second question, "and it's about a young man and a woman who suddenly realize they're part of a government experiment. They're being bred to form a super-human race!"

"Have they cast the man, Laney?" Matt interjects. "I love sci-fi." Everyone starts talking at once.

"When does it start filming?" I ask quietly.

"June," Laney exclaims. "Perfect timing. Your press commitments will be done by then."

"A Hutch Adams project would be perfect for us, Kaitie-Kat," Dad says. "We need a strong vehicle this summer."