She pointed toward a gigantic lagoon, around which were structures evoking the architecture of the countries that harbor the Pacific Ocean.

“—they held this contest for a musical composition honoring the spirit of Treasure Island. I called mine Swing or, actually, Swing Around the Sun, with the subtitle One Star, One Planet, One Orbit, One People. Because, you know, we really are.” Her eyes got shiny with conviction and she had to turn a nervous laugh into a cough to cover her embarrassment. “Hokey, I know, but I think it helped me with the judges. Anyway, guess what, Ray? I won, and it’s going to be performed here on Treasure Island by the Pan-Pacific Orchestra, an Asian swing band, if you can imagine. Our music, their musicians. Kind of sweet.”

“Sweet indeed.”

“Yes, except I composed the piece for the piano and I don’t know a thing about scoring it for five saxes, four trumpets, four trombones, and rhythm. So I’m asking if you would orchestrate it for me. My notes, your voicings.”

It sounded like an awful lot of work to me. This must have been more apparent in my face than I imagined, for she rushed to reassure me, “Oh, I’m not asking you to ghost it, if that’s the word. You’d get full credit for the arrangement. Like Ravel did, orchestrating Pictures at an Exhibition from Mussorgsky’s piano piece. Or Ferde Grofé for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Eventually I’ll learn to arrange my own work, just like Gershwin did, but not in the time that’s left before the concert. And this, well, this could show a whole new side of you.”

I smiled. If I wanted to show a whole new side of me, I’d be back in New York, not working in towns like Dayton and Eureka with the Jack Donovan Orchestra.

She pressed her case. “The prize money was a hundred dollars. I could pay you fifty.”

I smiled further. Fifty dollars probably wouldn’t cover the copying bill.

The earnest enthusiasm in her face was the most pleasant sight I’d seen in ages. In a further attempt to manipulate me against my better judgment, Gail got a breeze to conspire with her by having it tousle her hair. She really was just lovely.

“Gail . . . how about I hear the piece and see what the work would entail?”

“Yes, that’s great. Absolutely. Let me see, it’s—” She looked at her watch. “Oh damn, I’m going to be late. Come on.” She tossed some coins onto the table and raced away. I followed her, since she wasn’t leaving me much of an option.