The Thirty Something Snap

Chapter Eleven - No Time To Party

It was now 9:30 p.m., Monday evening, and the photo sessions for the re-created Two Virgins cover and the sessions of Yoko Ono and Tomoko Takahashi posing with the installation pieces that had been assembled in the Facilitation Room were now complete. JEG opted to run with a print and internet campaign only and so the video production we had penciled in for Tuesday was cancelled.

The photos of Yoko and Tomoko, featuring the caption 'Give This Piece A Chance', would appear on bus wraps, billboards, on the jumbo electronic billboards in Times Square, in the subway trains and subway stations, and in every public advertising space imaginable.

The re-created Two Virgins photo would be included in a bulk mailing campaign of glossy brochures sent to over 200,000 art lovers and journalists in the New York metropolitan area. The photo was also selected to be featured in the program that would be handed out at the art show.

Web-masters were already busy placing a variation of all the ideas in an internet campaign that included an interactive site designed exclusively for this one-woman show by Tomoko Takahashi.

The campaign, from this point forward, was now out of our hands. It was time to celebrate.

"We did good," I said to Penny. "It was definitely a rush job, but we did good!"

Penny smiled and said, "Yes, we did. Let's hope they get the crowd they're hoping for."

I proposed we celebrate but the consensus among Peter, Ellen, Sylvia, and Penny was that we postpone our 'wrap party' until the weekend. Tomorrow was another work day for all of us, with the exception of Sylvia who was retired. Plus, Peter and Ellen had to get back to their teenage children at their home in Deer Park.

"Four to one," I chuckled. "I guess I've been outvoted."

Peter said, "We'll be able to relax more on Friday, Howie."

Sylvia added, "And I'll have more time to make a lasagna."

"And maybe some more anchovy casserole?" Peter asked.

Penny then reminded me that the 'Hitchhikers Guide To Europe' campaign was nearing its deadline and that we really had to get back on track with that assignment.

The Tomoko Takahashi contract was a last minute thing. Penny and I had been assigned a PR job to help promote a book and website for aspiring explorers wanting to travel Europe with nothing more than a backpack. We had put that assignment on hold in order to tackle the Takahashi project.

"Yeah, you're right," I conceded. "I guess we all have to get home and snap back into reality."

Peter and Ellen were at my mercy. They had ridden with me into the city and now that our assignment was complete it was time to bring them, and myself, back to our homes on Long Island.

Penny thanked Peter and Ellen for being such good sports and gave both of them a hug of gratitude. Sylvia gave me a warm hug and thanked me for allowing her to be present for the photo shoot.

I, in turn, thanked everybody for their role in the day's events and promised to make good on my offer to throw a little wrap party this coming Friday. "I'll let everyone know the details," I said.

Penny then thanked me and said good-night. Her hug was warm and lingered a little more than hugs typically last. I felt her breath as she whispered 'thank-you' into my right ear. I felt a sexual rush from my close platonic friend but I maintained an honorable demeanor knowing that my hormones were simply acting inappropriately.

We then parted. Penny and Sylvia utilized the corporate town car and headed back up to their place in Yonkers. Peter, Ellen, and I walked over to the Edison Park Fast lot and got into my Nissan.