Monday, Oct. 21
The Colonnades

     It's seven o'clock on WBLT, New York, and here's Robin Quivers with the news.  Robin?"
 "Thanks, Howard. We have a breaking story out of Brooklyn this morning.  Police have just announced that the body that washed up on Coney Island last night has been identifed as that of a Newark man missing since last Monday, and that the injuries and the clothing remnants suggest that the Son of Zorro vigilante shot on the ferry last week may have finally washed up."
     "Didn't we tell him?"
     Cassandra sat bolt upright in her bed.
     "We told him, Howard.  He sat right here and listened to us tell him."
     "I said they're gonna fish him out of the East River, and I wasn't that far off."
     "Police say they're withholding the identity of the 36-year-old man pending notification of kin.  According to reports, a couple on their honeymoon came across the bloated body, which washed up not far from the boardwalk at about ten last night."
     "Honeymoon?  Who goes to Coney Island for their honeymoon?"
     "I think we can assume they're out-of-towners, Howard."
     "Where'd they get married, Penn Station?"
     "It's the allure of New York.  Anyway, police were able to make identification quickly because the deceased was still carrying his driver's license in his fanny pack."
     "A black fanny pack, I'm sure."
     "Yes, to complete the ensemble."
     "Imaging being a vigilante, Robin, and carrying your driver's license with you on your adventures!"
     "I'd say he wanted to get caught — and identified."
     "I think you're right.  You know, you'd make a good psychiatrist.  You could work with crazy people."
     "Well, I prove that here every day."
     "You know, Robin,  I wonder if — we'll let that last comment slip by, because it's early, and I don't want to start with you."
     "Oh, good.  What do you wonder?"
     "I wonder if  this is related to whatever Melody wants to tell us about."
     "Good question.  She called before we got the bulletin about the body, though, and she didn't mention it."
     "Yeah, she was very mysterious.  Very mysterious.  Something's up with her.  For those just tuning in, in the last hour Melody Marven, from our sister station, called in.   She said we should watch Channel 12 at nine, and she'd be dropping by with a special guest right after that.  I wonder what's goin' on there, Robin."
     "Didn't we hear she was having contract problems?"
     "Yeah, like no contract."
     "Exactly."
     "We're probably part of her contract negotiations."
     "We're pawns, Howard."
     "Pawns in a game, that's us.  And proud of it.  This is showbiz, ladies and gentlemen, in all its hideous glory, and you're hearing it on our show.  Enjoy the ride."
     "Fasten your seatbelt."
     "Yeah, and have your vomit bag handy."
     "I'm wondering who her special guest will be, Howard."
     "Yeah.  Well, judging by the way she was all over Mr., uh, Coney Island when they were here, I'd say it's her grief counselor."
     A knock on her door got Cassandra out of bed and into her bathrobe.  She peered through the peephole and quickly opened the door.  "Rom!"
     "Brace yourself," he said.