After the party, Steve doesn't argue with him about smelling like cigarettes. He has very obviously noticed something wrong with Adam, and has been gently trying to cheer and encourage him. Steve is undeniably the greatest guy ever & Adam knows if he were smart, he'd give up this thing with Christine & the other women & their parties. But Adam is ambitious, and he's worked the small time too long. He needs a big break while he's still young. He's seen his picture in the WhooNoo's 'Fabulous Parties' pictorial, standing next to Monica, editor of the magazine, former supermodel. Steve saw the pic, too, and was impressed, remarking how handsome Adam looked, and how thrilled his agent would be, & that Monica could use some touching up around the eyes....it made Adam feel dirty, and his happiness at having gotten his photo in the magazine was ruined by memories of the party the photos were taken from. But Steve was right, his agent was thrilled, promising that offers were sure to be heading his way now that he's part of the 'in' crowd. It would pay off in the end. So Adam shows up to any party he's invited to, though he dreads every one. Once he gets the part he needs to put him in the spotlight, he won't need this anymore.

Christine lays some bad news on him...she got into a major dispute with the theater over this 'Pirates of the Caribbean' production & the whole project has been scrapped. She is moving on to a new theater, after she relaxes for a month or so in her spa. Leaving Adam without even the minor role she had promised him. His agent had said offers would be coming after his photo appeared in WhooNoo, but so far, it's just been the usual aspirin commercials & singing jingles for radio ads.

Adam begins to feel like his career is over before it began. Then, his agent calls & tells him he has an audition for a part in a soap opera. "It's a temporary gig," she tells him, "You'll be the cousin from out of town visiting in the hospital. You'll have an affair with the married surgeon & then leave...." It's not the greatest part ever offered, but it could lead to bigger things. Adam does the audition, and makes the role his: he's come to make love to the sexy surgeon...of course it will be a female doctor in this daytime drama, but Adam of course thinks of Steve. The director is impressed & Adam is hired on the spot. They hand him a script & tell him he starts in just under a week. Then he'll be on set every day for two months, while his character is in town.

Adam calls & tells everyone he knows. But he waits for Steve to get home to tell him personally.

Steve is of course passionately congratulatory. All through dinner, Adam talks about his new role. "It starts in just a few days, then I'll be doing my first real part!"

After dinner, they decide to celebrate Adam's new part in the soap in the hot tub. "I've already memorized my lines for the first week of shows," Adam laughs, "Mostly I do 'soulful looks' at the sexy surgeon as she comes into my sick cousin's hospital room...I don't seduce her for another week." And he demonstrates his 'soulful look' to Steve. "You'll seduce all the surgeons in the hospital with that look," Steve says, smiling. "So, you've got a few days before this thing starts, how would you like to take a little trip up north to celebrate?" Adam stares at Steve...it is not like him to be spontaneous about anything. "Don't you have to work?" he asks. Steve laughs, "I can have my assistant reschedule all my appointments for a couple of days. None of them are life threatening conditions, I'll just tell them it's a family emergency..." Adam just got the biggest role in his career, in less than a week he'll be working everyday. Might as well take the holiday while it's being offered. "Sure, I'd love to do a little wine tasting. The central coast is gorgeous this time of year, too." Steve puts his arm around him & looks him in the eyes, "I was thinking we could go up to San Francisco, and get married while they are still doing it. That is, if you would do me the honor?"

Absolutely no question, Adam will mary Steve. He'd rather have a huge wedding & theatric reception, but once he starts this job he won't be able to just take off like he can tomorrow. And who knows how long they'll be doing this for? This might be their only chance....

NEXT