For the Love of Gav

Wednesday

 They met, as agreed, in Nashteth's room at nine the next morning. All of them seemed full of potential energy, amped up for the day ahead.

"We watched some old episodes of Crusoe's show last night." Gav told them. "He wears a signet ring, always."

"That's useful." Nashteth put in. "You can figure out if there are any unexpected delays, keep us updated."

"I'm missing something." Nina interjected. "What is the use of the ring?"

"It's gold." Gav looked at her expectantly. "I can hear what the stones hear, so I can tap in and hear what's going on around him."

"How does that work?" Leo looked back and forth between Nina and Gav. "If you can hear what every stone hears, wouldn't it just be chaos?"

Gav turned to him seriously. "Yes. I hear it all, and it all overlaps and mixes and creates this low-level hum in the back of my mind, all the time. But if I have a location, or a specific stone in mind, I can tap into it. The others fade away."

Nina nodded. "Like tuning a radio."

"A what?"

"Never mind, it's not important. Okay, so we have an inside ear. That should be helpful."

"It's already been helpful." Gav's face was eager. "I heard him tell his production assistant that he plans to skip his customary meet and greet after the show today so he can get back to his dressing room and meditate."

"That's awesome." Leo's smile was contagious. "That will make it so much easier to plan the timing!"

"Right." Nashteth took over. "Remember, the most important thing is that we need to get in the dressing room before he does. We know the location now, thanks to Aved, and we have our plan. If it all goes wrong, we meet at the car, or, failing that, outside the Starbucks on Mission Ave." Nashteth spoke with strength and conviction and Nina could understand why she would be so good in leadership. "Does everyone understand their role? Are there questions? We need to know this inside and out."

They went over and over the plan until they knew it inside and out, just like Nashteth said. It felt like they had a real chance of success, perhaps because it was the weirdest, most shenanigan-laced plan that any of them had personally tried to pull off. They had high hopes, but deep down there was an undercurrent of dread. Each of them knew that if they couldn't execute this plan, there was the very real possibility that Crusoe would disappear and hide so long that restoring Gav's immortality wouldn't even be an option anymore. The pressure was immense.

Crusoe's show filmed from two to three, live, every weekday. He had really taken over the makeover talk show circuit, and had a rabid following. Tickets to his show were highly sought after because every ticket gave you the chance of getting a free makeover. And like Nina had mentioned, it wasn't just hair and clothes he changed for people, but sometimes homes, yards, or work spaces. He had a talent for bringing out the best in things, and there was something magical about his transformations. Now she knew why.

Traffic was against them, and they arrived at the studio later than anticipated. Crusoe was well into filming when Leo took a large bouquet of flowers from the backseat and headed to front desk.

"Delivery for Mr. Collins?"

"I'll take that." The receptionist reached out to sign for the flowers.

"I was instructed to see to it personally. It's from the head of the studio. I'm to put it in his dressing room?"

"I see. I can have someone escort you."

"Thank you."

She made a quick call and soon some behind the scenes worker came. He was clearly not security but a simply a face to make sure that Leo wasn't doing anything he shouldn't be. They walked through the corridors until they came to a door with a star (did they really have those?) that said Crusoe Collins on it. The anonymous worker opened it, and Leo stepped inside.