The Diamond Lane (58 page)

“The first thing you'll take out is the swimsuit models on safari, isn't it? Be honest. I can take it.”

“Never. That's my favorite part.”

Tony and Mouse traded grins. To Mouse, their smiles felt dangerously familiar, like those they'd once carelessly tossed to one another in a dusty African village.

“Perhaps we could call it
The New Stanley Goes Hollywood
. Or no,
The Newer Stanley
,” said Tony.

“We could do a whole
Stanley in America
series,” said Mouse.

“Here are my friends who get married!” said Stanley. “Tony and Mouse, may I present Janine and Tracy.”

“Congratulations,” said Janine or Tracy.

“Thank you,” said Mouse. She reached over and squeezed Stanley's shoulder. She imagined him, suddenly, propped in a patio chair by the lagoon. The chair she saw had a bright red and pink floral cushion that would complement Stanley's rich umber skin. In the background the gurgle of the lagoon's waterfall would harmonize with the oceanic sound of the wind in the palms overhead, conveniently covering the whir of the camera. At Stanley's elbow, a touch of visual irony in the form of either a bottle of overpriced designer water or a cocktail with a parasol in it. She and Tony would interview him after a trip to Disneyland. There would be the usual battle over who would get stuck rolling sound.

“We should probably wait until he's had some sleep and a meal before we pitch our idea, don't you think?” Tony whispered to Mouse, looping his arm around her shoulder.

“I do,” she whispered back.