touch of money in excess, however, it begins to ruin us. That’s the reason why I explained to Damien that right after we’ve negotiated the sale of Synthesis to Microsoft, I’m out of the game. At the time Damien and I developed the application the only money I got was my scholarship, which barely covered my rent, and we would often have dinner for free here at Mario’s restaurant, developing and maintaining his website in return.”
“Is that why you said you didn’t really get the idea of the American Dream? That’s interesting, because I think you actually made it come true.”
“I did? Just because NSS has earned one million dollars this past year and Microsoft is ready to pay three more to buy it? Is that why you think I made the American Dream come true?”
“I don’t see anything wrong with that; what’s bothering you?”
“Look, Julia, let me tell this to you as a friend – there’s no such thing as the American Dream. In fact, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but the myth of this famed American Dream originates from a 60s mortgage commercial…”
“Buongiorno, signora!” The owner of the restaurant came to our table and interrupted Mike. “You are charming! A tender flower in the garden of GMU. Is Mike annoying you with his theories?” He poked Mike in the ribs. “If he’s bothering you, just let me know. I’ll serve him some sauce that’s so spicy it will zip his mouth.” Mario patted Mike warmly and we all burst out laughing. “I really like your stories, senorita. I’m a big fan of yours.”
“Yes, my mom is your fan, too,” Mike added. “She follows your features. I even think you’re the reason she watches Good Morning USA.”
“Is that so? I didn’t know I had such true fans.”
“I’m honored to have stars dining at my restaurant!”
“I wouldn’t call myself a star…” I objected, but the owner’s powerful baritone interrupted me mid-sentence.
“Senorita, it’s on the house! You’re always welcome here. Now excuse me, I’ll be back in a second.” Mario went to the adjacent table to take the orders of the newly arrived customers who had their eyes fixed on us.
Mike and Mario’s praise made me think. It was already my fifth year of working for AEC’s news bulletins and the third of being part of Good Morning USA. My television glory was narrowed down to some fifteen-twenty minutes of airtime – that’s how long my weekly feature for the talk show took. I wasn’t really complaining, since GMU was one of the most viewed morning TV shows, but I was always in the shadow of the real stars – the hosts. For almost a year I’d been in talks for my own show with Carter Phillips, the Program Director. I’d have liked to host The Screw because there I would’ve gone on with my feature. Carter could’ve also made me a James Miller Live’s reporter, but only if I changed my stories. I’d been waiting a year for an opportunity to come and there, The Screw’s host Diana McCarthy’s contract was expiring and the show’s producers were planning changes. I was praying for Carter to be generous to me and give me a chance to make my dream come true.
“Is anything wrong, Julia?” Mike leaned toward me with a slightly worried expression. “You’ve been thinking about something. Did I say anything wrong?”
I shook my head and smiled at him.
“Could you go back to explaining to me where the phrase ‘the American Dream’ comes from?”
Chapter 2
“Yes, that’s what I’ve been telling Jerod – a great story, and look how many people have shared and liked the tweet!”
When I opened the door of the Program Director’s office, I saw him absorbed in discussion with Raymond Harris, the Executive Producer, Advertising.
“Oh, Julia, hi, come in,” Carter invited me, seeing me at the door. “How’s it going?” He took the rubber ball that had been standing on his desk and started playing with it. I took a chair facing
“Is that why you said you didn’t really get the idea of the American Dream? That’s interesting, because I think you actually made it come true.”
“I did? Just because NSS has earned one million dollars this past year and Microsoft is ready to pay three more to buy it? Is that why you think I made the American Dream come true?”
“I don’t see anything wrong with that; what’s bothering you?”
“Look, Julia, let me tell this to you as a friend – there’s no such thing as the American Dream. In fact, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but the myth of this famed American Dream originates from a 60s mortgage commercial…”
“Buongiorno, signora!” The owner of the restaurant came to our table and interrupted Mike. “You are charming! A tender flower in the garden of GMU. Is Mike annoying you with his theories?” He poked Mike in the ribs. “If he’s bothering you, just let me know. I’ll serve him some sauce that’s so spicy it will zip his mouth.” Mario patted Mike warmly and we all burst out laughing. “I really like your stories, senorita. I’m a big fan of yours.”
“Yes, my mom is your fan, too,” Mike added. “She follows your features. I even think you’re the reason she watches Good Morning USA.”
“Is that so? I didn’t know I had such true fans.”
“I’m honored to have stars dining at my restaurant!”
“I wouldn’t call myself a star…” I objected, but the owner’s powerful baritone interrupted me mid-sentence.
“Senorita, it’s on the house! You’re always welcome here. Now excuse me, I’ll be back in a second.” Mario went to the adjacent table to take the orders of the newly arrived customers who had their eyes fixed on us.
Mike and Mario’s praise made me think. It was already my fifth year of working for AEC’s news bulletins and the third of being part of Good Morning USA. My television glory was narrowed down to some fifteen-twenty minutes of airtime – that’s how long my weekly feature for the talk show took. I wasn’t really complaining, since GMU was one of the most viewed morning TV shows, but I was always in the shadow of the real stars – the hosts. For almost a year I’d been in talks for my own show with Carter Phillips, the Program Director. I’d have liked to host The Screw because there I would’ve gone on with my feature. Carter could’ve also made me a James Miller Live’s reporter, but only if I changed my stories. I’d been waiting a year for an opportunity to come and there, The Screw’s host Diana McCarthy’s contract was expiring and the show’s producers were planning changes. I was praying for Carter to be generous to me and give me a chance to make my dream come true.
“Is anything wrong, Julia?” Mike leaned toward me with a slightly worried expression. “You’ve been thinking about something. Did I say anything wrong?”
I shook my head and smiled at him.
“Could you go back to explaining to me where the phrase ‘the American Dream’ comes from?”
Chapter 2
“Yes, that’s what I’ve been telling Jerod – a great story, and look how many people have shared and liked the tweet!”
When I opened the door of the Program Director’s office, I saw him absorbed in discussion with Raymond Harris, the Executive Producer, Advertising.
“Oh, Julia, hi, come in,” Carter invited me, seeing me at the door. “How’s it going?” He took the rubber ball that had been standing on his desk and started playing with it. I took a chair facing
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