Book of Days_ A Novel - James L. Rubart [40]
Ann looked at him and it seemed for the first time she realized the level of intensity he carried regarding the book. She took a half step away from Jason. "My apologies. I didn't realize this search was quite so serious."
"Deadly."
"Okay." Ann took another step away from Jason. "If you find a genuine book of God, your town's population will make Woodstock look like an empty field."
Ann left the stage, the look of concern back on her face.
Jason answered questions for the next ten minutes before he wrapped up his talk and stepped down from the stage where his followers gathered around him and offered congratulations.
Ann was surrounded by people as well and Cameron moved near her to watch her work the crowd.
She was as charming to others as he remembered. Why couldn't she treat him half as kindly?
She smiled at the right times and always asked the people around her at least two follow-up questions, unlike most people who asked one return question to be polite but really didn't care what the answer was. She looked into people's eyes when they spoke, as if they were the only other person in the world, and her laugh was addictive.
No wonder she'd been Jessie's best friend.
"Have you met her yet?"
Cameron gave a start. Jason had sauntered up to his side without him noticing. "Yes."
"Do you know each other?"
Cameron nodded.
"Really. How?"
"Mutual friends from our past." Cameron rubbed his temple. He didn't want Jason to know his connection to Ann. Jason seemed much too interested in her. "That shouldn't surprise me. You're in the same type of business, and you're ambitious like she is."
"Not really."
"Oh yes. I Googled you myself last night. Three years ago you entered a short film in five different contests and you finaled twice. Your Facebook page is full of links and likes within the film industry." Jason clapped his back. "You've made no secret of the fact you want to move up in the world of video. Scrap it altogether and move into making feature-length films."
"What's your point?"
"If we find the book, you could make any film you wanted. You would never have to concern yourself with money again. You'd know the future. What if you knew which script Universal Studios would approve and which ones they wouldn't? What if you knew which films would be a massive success? You'd be planets ahead of every other director in the world.
"I'm going to use this book to help the world, but I'm only going to let a few people have direct access to it." Jason paused a moment. "You need me."
Cameron walked away. Jason was right. If the Book of Days was authentic and they controlled it, it could make his career. But his dream of making movies had faded. All he wanted now was to remember Jessie and find a cure for his disintegrating brain.
He filled his punch glass and went to study the core teachings of Future Current spelled out on two four-color posters sitting on large easels.
"Are you learning anything?"
For the second time in the past ten minutes Cameron was startled by someone sneaking up on him. He spun on his heel.
Ann. He tightened his grip on his plastic cup and it snapped, a trickle of punch wound its way down the cup's side. Great.
Where should he start? Seeing her in person was different than talking on the phone. Far different. Those eyes. Captivating. He'd forgotten how beautiful she was. And she looked leaner than when he'd last seen her. Maybe hosting Adventure Northwest required more than just standing in front of the camera.
"Hey, Ann, hi." Cameron leaned in to give her a quick hug at the same time she extended her hand, which caused her to poke him in the stomach.
She pulled her hand back. "Sorry."
"No, my fault, I wasn't sure if I should . . ."
Awkward. Just like the last time they'd seen each other.
"Thanks for coming down here," Cameron said.
"Sure." Ann nodded.
"I'm thinking we'll connect tomorrow late afternoon and talk about our game plan. I have some things I need to do the first