？He？s in here somewhere；？ Jade Empire explained； clearly disinterested。 ？You？ve got an
appointment； right？？
？I think so。？
？Well； just hang out。 He？ll show up sooner or later。 Good luck with whatever it is。？ She shrugged
and kicked off her beaded yellow Chinese slippers and shuffled away into the depths of the loft；
disappearing behind the bookcase。
Vanessa turned to the wall behind her； which was covered from floor to ceiling with framed
photographs of all different sizes。 She recognized some of them？they were Ken Mogul？s own
work。 Before meeting him； Vanessa had worshipped the filmmaker； and she knew everything he？d
ever done。 His favorite place in the world was Capri； in Italy； and before turning to filmmaking；
Mogul had been a renowned photographer。 Mixed in with his art photos of half…nude models
lolling around on litter…strewn subway platforms were snapshots of Ken crammed into nightclub
booths beside famous faces like Madonna； Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt； and David Bowie。
？Like what you see？？ came a gravelly voice from behind her。
Vanessa turned to see the taut； stubbly face of Ken Mogul himself。 He had the unnerving habit of
seeming not to blink； and he fixed his slightly bloodshot bulging blue eyes on her with a crazed
smile。 He wore a plaid flannel vest and old Levi？s chopped off at the knees。
？Here？s the deal。？ He went on without waiting for her response。 He wheeled around and Vanessa
had no choice but to follow him past the massive bookshelf and into an enormous office with a
garage…door…size window。 ？Here。 Sit。？ He poured Vanessa a tall glass of what looked like chilled
mint tea from a green glass pitcher and pointe