Ezzie the Next Generation Part 61

The holidays have come and gone. My Centauri movie was released and did awesome. Since I had no new movies on the horizon and had a little free time Marie started scheduling charity events and appearances for me. I would be lost without her.

We are sitting down going over my schedule when the office manager Martha knocks on my office door. "Hey, I have a quick question for you. The LA Ballers have a good chance of making it to the Super Bowl this year, and it's in Kansas this year." She says with a smile knowing that's where I am from. "Since we have the suite in LA we can get a suite for the game if you want." Says Martha.

I almost say no, but then I stop myself. I remember Jim talking about going to a game with Ezzie, after finding out Betty's boyfriend was a....

"A defensive lineman." Says Ezzie.

....

yeah yeah. I knew that.

"No you didn't." Laughs Ezzie.

I give her a mental raspberry. "I think I would be Martha." I say.

Marie laughs. "My husband has been bugging me to get us into the box for a game."

"If you took some agents with you we could write it off." Says Martha.

I look at Marie and think, the agents are always getting the perks. This place would fall apart without the assistants. I have been in a few different Suites doing different charity appearances. Some are bigger than others. "Martha, how many people will a suite hold?" I ask.

"I believe it's three dozen like ours." Says Martha.

I smile at Marie. "And we have 12 assistants in the office besides you. Each with a guest would be 24 if they all said yes, leaving 12 for you, me our husbands and my family. I think we can make that work."

"Seriously?" Asks Marie.

"Ezzie, how many of the assistants would be interested?" I ask.

"Six would definitely go with a guest. Four would not want to go and two aren't sure." Says Ezzie.

Marie is grinning ear to ear. "Hold on." I say smiling at Marie, and I look at Martha. "Are you 100% sure we can get it?" I ask.

"Let me verify it." She says making a call on her cell. "Hi, it's Martha at Goldstar. We would like to lease a Super Bowl suite." She listens for a minute, and gives me a thumbs up. "On the 40 yard line would be great. Send me over the contract. I will have it signed by the end of the day." She hangs up. "It's a done deal."

Anna would be proud of me right now. "Marie, can you let all the assistants know I want to have a lunch meeting with them all Today. Make it sound a little serious too." I say with a smile.

"You are mean." She giggles. "But I like it."

We go back to my schedule. Make a Wish would like to talk to me about visiting a terminally ill little girl that loves Centauri. My heart breaks. Some little girl knows she is going to die and wants to meet me. I want to cry now just thinking about it. I hold my hand to my stomach and say a silent prayer.

A rock band called Bad Attitude is doing a remake of an old old song from a group called Aerosmith titled Janie's Got a Gun. That singer started a foundation, Janie's Fund, that works with SARHO. Bad Attitude would like me to come on stage at an LA concert. They are releasing it that day, and will be singing it in concert for the first time. All proceeds from the single will go to Janie's Fund.

First things first. Marie calls the contact at Make a Wish and I talk to them. The little girl's name is Olivia. They email me a picture of her while we are talking. She is so cute, and she is hugging a well worn stuffed bear they made of me from the Centauri TV show, when Tony, who played The Bear guest starred. They were sold in sets, The Bear & Centauri, his Little Cub.

They live in the Houston TX area. Olivia is currently in the Children's Hospital there, but is being sent home to be comfortable. There is nothing more that can be done for her. Now I actually start crying. "Her wish is to meet you and see your new movie, but she can't go to a theater." I am told.

I wipe the tears from my eyes. "Done." I say. "Tell me where and when." We hang up and I get up and look at Marie. "Set up the lunch. I need to go to the studio and get a copy of my movie." I say.

"Mary, they will never let you have a copy." Says Marie.

"Wanna bet?" I ask, smiling at her as I walk out.

I drive to the studio. I smile and say hello to the guys at the gate that I recognize. I park outside the main office building. "Ezzie, tell me John is here please." I say.

"He is Mary. He is in a meeting right now." Says Ezzie.

"I don't care. Where is he?" I ask.

"In the conference room next to his office." Says Ezzie.

I head up to the top floor where all the executive offices are. His assistant tries to stop me as I walk over to the conference room. "Ezzie please make her sit down and be quiet." I say.

"Of course, Mary." Says Ezzie.

John looks up as I open the door. "Mary, you can not just barge into a meeting." He says firmly to me.

I am so tired of this Donkey Hole. "Ezzie, going forward if I need anything for charity all I have to do is call, and he will authorize it. If he isn't here his assistant will authorize it on his behalf." I say.

"Of course, Mary." Says Ezzie.

"Well when Make a Wish tells me I have a 6 year old little girl that is a big fan, and terminally ill. That is going home to be comfortable since there is nothing else that can be done for her. I will barge into any meeting. I need a digital copy of the Centauri movie to take to her home in Houston so she can watch it before she dies." I say.

Everyone looks uncomfortable. Too bad. I realize I told Ezzie to have him authorize things for charity, but I never said be happy about it. I can see it in his face. He isn't happy I am here and making this request, but I don't care. He taps the intercom button that I am sure goes to his assistants desk. "Please get Mary a copy of the Centauri movie." He says and drops the line before she can respond. He stares at me. "Can we get back to our meeting now?" He asks.

I give him a sweet smile. "Of course. Thank you very much." I say as I look around the room. "Sorry for the interruption but Olivia doesn't have much time left. I plan on putting a smile on her face if I can." I say as I turn and walk out.

I sit and wait as John's assistant suggests. As I do I realize I don't need John pissed off at me. I don't want him not offering me parts. "Ezzie, any time my name comes up in a conversation for any reason he will think favorably about me. If it's for a roll he will make sure I am offered it first." I say.

"It's done, Mary." Says Ezzie.

"Thanks, Ezzie." I say as a man comes up in the elevator holding a thumb drive. I stand up and walk to him. "The Centauri movie?" I ask.

He smiles as he realizes who I am. "Yes Ma'am." He says with a smile.

"Thank you very much." I say to him honestly, and I think about stuff to bring Olivia. "Ezzie, does John's assistant know where all the promo stuff is kept? I want to bring Olivia a box full of stuff." I say.

"Building B, ask for Jim." Says Ezzie.

"Thank you." I say as I get in my Jeep. As I pull up to building B, Nicole calls. "Hello." I say, as I see I missed her call while I was driving here.

"What are you doing?" She asks. I can tell by how she is asking, she knows.

"I am guessing you already know, and Marie ratted me out when you called the office because I have my top down and no earbud in." I say.

"She was a little concerned. She said, you torn out of there heading for the studio." Says Nicole.

"I am here now. I have a copy of the movie and I am heading over to the promo building to bring her a box of stuff." I say.

"You got a copy of the movie?" She asks surprised. "How?"

"I barged into a meeting with about six other people. Told them this was for a terminally ill 6 year old little girl that was my fan. I kind of backed him into a corner. Fifteen minutes later, I had a thumb drive in my hand." I say.

Nicole actually laughs. "You still amaze me how you manage to get some things done. How about if Proxima tags along. I think you are going to need a friend to lean on."

"Proxima is always welcome." I say and then add more softly. "Thank you, Nicole."

"You are welcome. Go get this girl some good stuff. Call me tonight." Nicole says.

"I will." I say and I hang up.

I walk in and ask for Jim. I tell him John's assistant sent me over to grab a bunch of stuff for a terminally ill 6 year old little girl. "Absolutely." He says with a smile. "All Centauri stuff?"

"Some Proxima too, Nicole is coming with me." I say.

He grabs a large plastic crate and puts it on a cart. "Let's go shopping. Follow me." He says. I walk out of there later with a very large box full of stuff. I even have a tee shirt for Nicole and I that look like our costumes in the movie to wear. I have a new stuffed Bear & Cub set, a Barbie doll Proxima & Centauri, Centauri tee shirts including a uniform one, a baseball hat, story books, coloring & sticker books. I filled the box so well the lid had to be strapped closed.

I get back to the office with a few minutes to spare before the lunch meeting with the assistants. I want to tease them a little, but I don't have it in me right now. I tell them I got a suite at the Super Bowl. It holds about three dozen, and of course I will want to bring some family." I can see their faces. They are expecting a fight if you will from the agents for who gets to go. "And I decided I am going to reward the most valuable employees Goldstar has." I say and pause. "So I am opening it up to you guys first." I say with a big smile.

The room erupts. The ladies can't believe it. I promise them all expenses paid including airfare, hotel, food, everything is on Goldstar. Including time off from work on Monday. They won't have to use vacation time. Not that I ever doubted Ezzie, but yes the numbers are just as she said they would be. Six are an instant yes, four say no thank you, and two call their husbands right from the meeting and say yes.

It works out to a perfect 50/50 split. 18 assistants and guests, and a possible 18 for family. The meeting breaks and I ask the four that declined the Super Bowl trip to hang back. I tell each of them how much I appreciate what they do here and airdrop them each $5,000. "Go take a weekend away wherever you would like, or treat yourself to something special." I say.

They all gasp and hug me as they say. "Thank You."

Back in my office Maria hands me a list of hotels. It's obviously a travel website list printed out. Down towards the bottom one listing is redacted with a black marker. I look at her with raised eyebrows. "We are never booking a room there ever again for you." She says gently.

I squeeze her hand and smile. "Thank you." I say softly.

"Your Welcome. So preferences?" She asks.

"A block of 18 rooms first. I really want a group feeling to this. Best or closest after that I will leave to you." I say.

"Let me make some calls." Marie says walking out.

By the end of the day we have 18 rooms booked. Make a wish has given me a number to call Olivia's Mom, Janet in Houston. I call her and we talk for about 30 minutes. I ask if Olivia likes dogs. I would be happy to bring Zeena. She says. "That would be great. Olivia loves the clip from The Alan Fudd show when I put the treats in his pockets and sent Zeena out on stage after him."

"I might have one other guest with me. If it's ok?" I ask.

"Who else are you bringing?" She asks.

"Nicole said she would love to come along. If it's ok?" I ask.

"Olivia will be in heaven with both of you and Zeena." I smile thinking of making her day.

Nicole & I fly out at 8:00AM Saturday. Once we are in the air I knock on the cockpit door. Matt starts talking loudly. "Our passengers are such a pain in the ass." He says as he opens the door with a big smile. "Hey look, Jeff. It's our favorite passenger." He says but he can't keep himself from laughing.

"Can I lock you guys in here?" I ask.

"Nope, but we can lock unruly passengers out and we have restraints here somewhere too." Says Matt.

I hold up my hand. "I do not want to know what you two do behind closed doors." We all laugh. "So I have a real question."

"Shoot." Says Matt.

"Are you guys busy Super Bowl Weekend?" I ask.

"Not that I am aware of why?" Matt asks.

"I have a Suite for the Super Bowl and I kind of have about 2 dozen people I need to get there. That would be three trips in this plane, which would take a full day back and forth. I need to figure it out. If you guys are up for it, it's all on me. Hotel, food & tickets to the game." I say.

Jeff's face lights up. "Seriously Super Bowl tickets?" He asks.

"Well tickets for the suite, yes." I say.

"Hell yes." Says Jeff.

Matt holds up his hand. "Let us work out the logistics when we land. We can go over the options on the flight home."

"Thanks, guys." I say and go back to Nicole.

"So?" Nicole asks as Zeena looks up from her bed and sighs.

"They want to figure out logistics after we land. They will let me know on the way home." I say.

A representative from Make a Wish meets us at the airport with an SUV. Since I have a really big box of stuff for Olivia, and Zeena.

We pull up and Olivia is sitting on the front porch with I am assuming her Mom, waiting for us. It's just a basic little house. Nothing fancy. I look out and I am shocked at her size. She looks so frail and small. Her hair is so thin. Nicole reaches around Zeena and squeezes my arm. "All smiles. Don't let her see that."

I take a deep breath and open the door with a smile. "You must be Olivia." I say with a big smile. Her whole face lights up, and her smile gets bigger when Zeena jumps down.

"Zeena!" She screams.

"Ezzie, please have Zeena be super gentle." I say.

"She already is aware Olivia is sick. She can smell it, but I will be sure." Says Ezzie.

"Free. Go say hello." I say to Zeena.

Zeena slowly trots up to Olivia and drops her muzzle down to Olivia's hands. Olivia giggles and scratches Zeena's head. Olivia looks up her face gets even brighter seeing Nicole.

"You brought Nicole too." She says.

Nicole bends down and smiles. "Don't forget Centauri is Proxima's sidekick."

"No way. Not anymore. Although I haven't seen the new movie yet. I have read the book." Says Olivia.

"Well if you read the book you know I need a new sidekick. Would you like to be my new sidekick?" Nicole asks.

"I sure would." Olivia says.

Nicole starts acting like a Queen knighting someone. She kneels in front of Olivia. "Ok so you have to repeat after me." She says with a smile as I can see the gears turning in Nicole's head. "I, Olivia, promise to do only good." She says and pauses for Olivia to repeat it. "And to vanquish evil where ever I may find it."

We all smile as Olivia repeats it. "And to van-kiss evil."

"From this day forth you shall be known as Bright Star, because your smile is brighter than the brightest star." Nicole says and Olivia giggles.

You can see Olivia's smile get a little bit bigger. "I am Bright Star!"

I take a moment to actually shake Hank & Janet's hands. I think of all the books in the box. I look at Hank. "Hey Dad, I have a surprise or two for Olivia. Could I ask you to get it out of the back?" I ask.

"Sure." He says and stops when he sees the large box held closed by straps and shakes his head in disbelief.

"Is that all for me?" Olivia asks excitedly.

"It sure is." I say.

Olivia stands up, and I realize she is unsteady on her feet. Janet grabs for her, but she pulls away and grabs Zeena. "Zeena's got me, Mom." She says and Janet looks at me.

I nod yes. Zeena is perfect. She lets Olivia grab her fur, and walks right beside her at Olivia's pace. She gets to the box Hank has put down, and grabs at the plastic straps holding it closed. "Open it, Dad. Open it."

Hank pulls out a pocket knife. "Ok. Hold on a minute there, Bright Star."

Janet stands beside me. "What did you do?"

"Nothing big. I just might have raided the storeroom where the studio keeps a bunch of this stuff." I say.

The box pops open as the straps are cut. "Mommy, come look." Screams Olivia as she starts pulling the stuff out of the box. "This is Awesome." She says holding up a Centauri tee shirt like I have on, and starts pulling it over her head. She gets to the stack of books. "I have it. I don't have it." She is saying sorting through everything. "Barbies too. I didn't know they made Barbies."

At the bottom is the stuffed Bear & Centauri teddy bears. "New ones. Awesome!" She yells trying to pull them out of the packaging.

"Let me help." Says Hank taking it.

Janet smiles at me. "She was very upset when an IV bag got snagged and spilled all over hers. We haven't been able to get the smell out of it. I promise you that just made her the happiest little girl in the world right now."

I pull the thumb drive out of my pocket. "I don't know. This might beat it." I say and Janet looks at me trying to figure out what I could have on it. "The new movie." I say with a smile.

Her eyes go wide. "On a thumb drive?"

"Straight from the studio." I say smiling.

Olivia gives us a full tour of the backyard, and we watch her play fetch with Zeena. Then we go inside. We see her room, and I smile as I see the SARHO picture. It looks like it's cut out of a magazine. "You like that picture, Olivia?" I ask.

"Yup. Everyone is always telling me how brave I am, and how strong I am, and Mommy & Daddy are always with me so I am never alone." She says. I have to turn away for a moment. That almost breaks me.

Nicole covers for me. "That's right. Children always have their Mommy's & Daddys."

Nicole and I take some pictures with her that Janet prints out and we autograph. We even have Olivia sign two for me and Nicole. It's a big messy little kid's writing, and she forgets the 'I' in her name but it's her autograph. We tell her a funny story or two about shooting the movie. "I wish I could see it. I can't go to the theater." She says, sounding sad.

I pull out the thumb drive and tell her I have the movie. "Can we watch it? Can we watch it?" She begs.

She wants Zeena on the couch with her, with Nicole and I on either side of her. Before the movie is even halfway over she is asleep, laying back against Zeena. Janet smiles at me. "She was so excited you were coming. She got up extra early. She was like a kid on Christmas morning. She couldn't sleep. She just doesn't have the energy she used to have. She will probably sleep for a few hours."

Hank steps up and looks at Zeena. "May I?" He asks and Zeena pulls back her head and legs that she had sort of curled around Olivia. Hank picks her up and takes her to her bedroom.

"She will be so bummed she fell asleep, and missed the movie." Janet says.

"Tell her to watch it later." I say.

"Don't you have to take that back to the studio?" She asks.

"Probably, but those things are so small. I must have lost it." I say with a smile. "Just promise me it doesn't end up on the internet." I say.

"Oh no. I would never." Says Janet.

"Ezzie, please make sure they keep that promise. I just don't need that headache." I say.

"Of course, Mary." Says Ezzie.

"Where did I put that darn thing?" I ask looking around.

Janet gives me a big hug. "Thank you!" She says softly.

I hug her back and now the tears flow. "It was my pleasure." She pulls back and all three of us have tears in our eyes. "After she watches it, text me. We can set up a time to call and I will talk to her about it."

"Really?" Janet asks.

"Really. I would love it." I say.

Nicole and I head back to the plane. It's a quiet ride back. We are in the air and Matt pops out of the cockpit. "So I have an...". He says and stops as he looks at Nicole & I. "Why don't you sit back for a bit, and relax." He says softly. He knows we came here for Make a Wish.