Part 11 (1/2)

Sunday, April 30, 12:55 p.m., Caffe Dante,

MacDougal Street

My hands are sweating so much. This kind of weakness is insufferable, especially in a member of the House of Renaldo. We're all feminists. Even Dad. He has the endors.e.m.e.nt of NOWG, National Organization of the Women of Genovia, after all. Even Grandmere is a member.

Speaking of Grandmere, she's e-mailed me, like, FOUR times today about the party and/or Dad's election. I've deleted each one. I don't have time to read her insane messages! And why can't she learn to e-mail properly? I realize she's four hundred years old, and I have to respect my elders (even though if you ask me, she is in no way deserving of my respect). But still, she could let go of the R b.u.t.ton once she's pressed it the first time.

Where IS Michael? Lars and I are here. And I realize we're five minutes early. (I wanted to get rid of the paparazzi if I had to, but there's none here, strangely. I also wanted to have the first choice of seat so I could make sure I got the best lighting. Lana a.s.sures me this is vitally important in boy/girl meetings, even of the Friends Only variety. Also, I wanted to snag a table close by for my bodyguard, yet far enough away that he wasn't breathing down our necks, no offense, of course, Lars, if you're reading this over my shoulder, which, don't lie, I know you do when the battery on your Treo runs down.) So where is- Oh, G.o.d. There he is. He's looking around for us.

He looks SO good. Even better than yesterday, because today he's wearing jeans and they're fitting him SO PERFECTLY in all the right places.

Wow. I'm turning into Lana.

And he's also wearing a totally nice black short-sleeved Polo s.h.i.+rt and I'm just going to come right out and say that everything we suspected lay under the sleeves of his suit jacket yesterday REALLY DOES. As in, muscles. Not hideous bulked up steroidy ones, either.

But Lana was not far off in her Christian Bale Batman a.s.sessment.

And I know I have a boyfriend. I am merely observing this in my capacity as an investigative journalist.

He's seen me!!!!! He's coming!!!!!

I'm dying now, good-bye.

Interview with Michael Moscovitz for the Atom, as recorded by Mia Thermopolis on Sunday, April 30, via iPhone (to be transcribed later) Mia: So, it's okay if I record this?

Michael (laughing): I said it was.

Me: I know, but I need to record you saying it. I know it's stupid.

Michael (still laughing): It's not stupid. It's just kind of weird. I mean, to be sitting here being interviewed by you. First of all, it's you. Second of all...well, you were always the celebrity.

Mia: Well, now it's your turn. And thanks again, so much, for doing this. I know how busy you must be, and I want you to know I really appreciate you taking the time out to meet with me.

Michael: Mia...of course.

Mia: Okay, so first question: What inspired you to invent the CardioArm?

Michael: Well, I saw a need in the medical community and felt I had the technical knowledge to fill it. There've been other attempts in the past to create similar products, but mine is the first to incorporate advanced imaging technology. Which I can explain to you if you want, but I don't think you're going to have room for it in your article, if I remember how long the stories are in the Atom.

Mia (laughing): Uh, no, that's okay- Michael: And, of course, you.

Mia: What?

Michael: You asked what my inspiration was for inventing the CardioArm. Part of it was you. You remember, I told you before I left for j.a.pan, I wanted to do something to show the world I was worthy of dating a princess. I know it sounds dumb now, but...that was a big part of it. Back then.

Mia: R-right. Back then.

Michael: You don't have to put that in the article if it embarra.s.ses you, though. I can't imagine you'd want your boyfriend reading that.

Mia: J.P.? No...no, he'd be fine with that. Are you kidding? I mean, he knows about all that. We tell each other everything.

Michael: Right. So he knows you're here with me?

Mia: Um. Of course! So where was I? Oh, right. What was it like to live in j.a.pan for so long?

Michael: Great! j.a.pan's great. Highly recommend it.

Mia: Really? So are you planning on...Oh, wait, that question's later...Sorry, my grandmother woke me up really early this morning and I'm all disorganized.

Michael: How is the Dowager Princess Clarisse?

Mia: Oh, not her. The other one. Mamaw. She's in town for my birthday party.

Michael: Oh, right. I wanted to thank you for the invitations to your party.

Mia:...the invitations to my party?

Michael: Right. Mine arrived this morning. And my mom said hers and Dad's and Lilly's came last night. That was really nice of you, to let bygones be bygones with Lilly. I know she and Kenny are planning on going tomorrow night. My parents, too. I'm going to try to make it, as well.

Mia (under breath): Grandmere!

Michael: What was that?

Mia: Nothing. Okay...so what did you miss most about America while you were gone?

Michael: Uh...you?

Mia: Oh, ha ha. Be serious.

Michael: Sorry. Okay. My dog.

Mia: What did you like best about j.a.pan?

Michael: Probably the people. I met a lot of really great people there. I'm going to miss some of them-the ones I haven't brought over here with the rest of my team-a lot.

Mia: Oh. Really? I mean...so you're moving permanently back to America now?

Michael: Yeah, I have a place here in Manhattan. Pavlov Surgical will have its corporate offices here, though the bulk of the manufacturing will be done out of Palo Alto in California.

Mia: Oh. So- Michael: Can I ask you a question now?