“Uh? What’s that?”

“The meeting, sir. Ten minutes until the meeting.”

“Oh, yeah. I’m sorry. I started thinking about this old Bowie song I used to listen to back in the day. ‘Young Americans.’ Are you familiar with it?”

“Not exactly, sir. Uh, we should prep for the meeting, don’t you think?”

“Gosh, he was amazing. I saw him, you know. Back in his Ziggy days.”

“Yes, I’m sure it was a good time, but we should concentrate on the business at hand. The meeting is only -“

“Ah, those were the days. You know, I used to see all the shows. Crosby, Stills & Nash, KISS, Simon & Garfunkel. Sigh… Gosh, I miss those days.”

“I’m sure you do, sir. Now, if we could just look at some of these figures.”

“You know, when I was a younger man I used to think that there was nothing better than a concert. In fact, back then I thought, if I ever became a success, I’d go to every show in town. Now look at me. I’m king of the hill, but when was the last time I went to a show?”

“I… I wouldn’t know, sir.”

“Did I see Prince when he came to town? Heck no. I was in a meeting. Did I see Phil Collins when he played at the sports arena? No, I was in a meeting. Did I see -“

“Sir! I get the picture, but we really should prepare ourselves for this meeting.”

“That’s my point. That’s all I do these days. Meetings in the morning, meetings in the afternoon, meetings in the evening. What I need is a good concert, like maybe Sarah McLachlan or John Mayer. Yes! That’s the ticket! More concerts, less meetings. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good, sir. Let’s discuss this after the meeting.”

“Oh, the hell with the meeting. Tell you what. How about if you and I play a little hooky. We’ll skip out on the meeting and see if we can grab a couple of tickets for Metallica or the Dave Matthews Band.”

“I’m afraid that is not possible, sir.”

“And why not?”

“Because this is a really important meeting. You have to go to it.”

“Dammit! I wanna rock!”

“Sorry, sir. No rocking. At least not today. Maybe tomorrow.”

“Yeah, right. I’ve heard that before. No you can’t see a concert. You’re the boss. You have a job to do. Well, I’m sick of hearing that. I wanna get crazy! I wanna rock n’ roll all night and party every day!”

“Sir! Get a grip on yourself. Other people depend on you. You can’t go to a show.”

“But… But…”

“Now, I know how depressed this makes you feel, sir, but you’re going to have to get it together and go to this meeting. People are expecting you.”

“Well, they can wait.”

“No they can’t, sir. Hey, I’ve got an idea. You go to this meeting and I’ll see if I can score a couple of Eagles tickets for later this summer. How does that sound?”

“Well…”

“Think about it, sir. ‘Take It Easy.’ ‘The Best Of My Love.’ ‘Hotel California.'”

“Well…”

“I knew you’d like that idea, sir. Now, let me see a smiley face.”

“I don’t wanna.”

“Come on, sir. After all, a smile is only a frown turned upside down. You can do it. Smile, sir. Smile.”

“Well…”

“There you go, sir. I knew you could do it. Don’t you feel better now that you’re smiling?”

“Well… I suppose I do feel a little better. But I’m going to hold you to those tickets.”

“Of course you are, sir. Now, shall we go to the meeting?”

“I guess. Lead the way, Condi.”

” After you, Mr. President.”