"Giovanni is willing to do a private concert, but his price tag is not for the faint of heart.”
Joel told me the number, and it was eye watering.
He continued. "And there are a few stipulations. No cameras, no recordings, and it would just be for you two. You can't sell tickets, you can't publicize the event, yada, yada, yada. I need to know right away if this is a go. I’m pulling a massive favor here, just so you know."
"I appreciate it. Let's do it.”
"He will require the funds in advance.”
"Give me an account, and I will transfer the money.”
"Perfect. The event at the Pavilion runs from 5 to 7:00 PM. He can be at your place by 9, and he'll play for an hour."
"That's a hell of a lot of money for an hour," I said.
"He's the best in the world.”
He had a point.
"Thanks, Joel. I owe you one.”
"Just get your ass out here and take some meetings with some directors and production companies. I've got plenty of people who want to do business with you. The Mickey Malibu story is the talk of the town right now.”
"Well, I'm sure we’ll have a finished script before long."
I was working on the project with Flynn McQueen and the legendary Micky Malibu himself. It was to be Flynn's big comeback.
I ended the call and dialed Catalina. In the back of my mind, I wondered if the feds were monitoring my phone calls. It wouldn't surprise me. I was calling her on an unencrypted line.
The phone rang a few times before she picked it up. With a smile in her voice, Catalina said, "I was beginning to think you had forgotten all about me."
"Not possible," I said. "You’re unforgettable. Listen, I know this is short notice, but you're going to have dinner with me tonight on my boat at 9 o'clock.”
"Am I?”
"I can't tell you what it is, but I’ve planned something that I hope you’ll enjoy.”
"Well, the bar has been set pretty high," she said.
"This will measure up.”
“What if I have other plans?”
“You’ll cancel them.”
“Will I?”
“Yes. You’d regret it if you didn’t.”
"Under normal circumstances, I would never accept an offer at such a last-minute.”
“This isn’t a normal circumstance.”
“I don't think I amPlan Bfor you. However, I could be wrong."
I laughed. "Trust me. You are not my Plan B for the evening. I'll pick you up at 8:30 PM.”
"How shall I dress?"
