She twirled around the room, her long blond hair hanging loose and touching her waist. She wanted to call her mother, or Madison, to tell them about this man, but they’d think she was crazy. No one falls in love so quickly. At least no one she knew. And could she write this biography without bias? She had no answers. Clearly, she would have to focus on her original goals. John would have to take a back seat to his father.

This was indeed going to be one of the best holiday seasons she’d had in a very long time. If only Razzle Dazzle could recover from its sales slump, it would make the holidays even better. However, she knew as well as anyone that unless her parents moved forward, joined the contemporary world, Razzle Dazzle would fade, sadly, into nothing more than a memory for the residents of Fallen Springs.

The penthouse was equipped with every kind of electronic gadget available and a couple she’d never heard of. Prototypes, she guessed. The espresso machine took her a few minutes to get the hang of, but once she did, it was too easy. She carried the tiny cup into the bathroom. Beyond lux, it too was a techie’s dream. Flat-screen TV above a huge soaker tub, a spa area with lotions and potions, and all sorts of contraptions for one’s hair. She just wanted a shower. She put her espresso aside, stripped off the nightshirt she’d slept in, punched a few buttons on a panel, and sprays of warm water from all directions drenched her body. “I can’t believe this place,” she said to herself. A mechanical, though distinctly female, voice said, “I will tell Mr. G.” Lauren looked around the shower, then saw where the sound had come from. A Siri-like application was placed behind a glass panel above the main showerhead.

Lauren felt a bit creeped out. While she liked the high-tech everything in the penthouse, she didn’t want whatever she said to be questioned or heard by anyone or anything in this place. She quickly finished her shower, used the plush robe provided, and, pulling her long hair into a bun, secured it with an unused toothbrush.