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Show 88 SIXTEEN Parker, who had a reputation around school for having his head together, was as nervous as the other writers come Friday morning. The entire class arrived early in room 112. Tiffany came made up with eyeshadow-expecting an audition, no doubt-and Jan, of all people, showed up in a dress. Dyna, too, walked in looking strangely formal. For the first time, Parker saw her with her hair pulled back in clips; even she was wearing a skirt and blouse. By the time Mrs. Simpson got there with her friend and the AP newsman, the creative writers were all seated at their desks, subdued and respectful. Parker could tell Mrs. Simpson was amused by their unnatural behavior. She pulled two chairs out from the long typing table so the guests could face the class, then hung up their coats. When she smiled at Parker and the others her eyes were reassuring. "Relax, relax!" she seemed to be saying. Then she began introductions. "I want you to know, if anyone from this class disappears in the next little while, that Barbara; Goddard is responsible for the abduction." She turned to face her friend. "She's already warned me. 'I haven't even met these kids, but I love 'em.' That's exactly what she said! Even after I told her about our wild January, she still wanted to tirade places with me. That's the kind of person she is." Barbara Goddard laughed, throwing back her head, showing a set of beautiful teeth. "And because she has to be back at the airport before noon, we'll give her the first block of time. Class, this is Ms. Barbara Goddard, story editor for ON CAMERA, my dear friend and erstwhile roommate." The kids broke into spontaneous applause, as if they: too, were welcoming an old friend. The class had exchanged a number of letters with Ms. Goddard, but she didn't look much like what Parker expected. She was prettier, for one thing. In her clogs and corduroy pantsuit, she didn't fit his image of a female executive, either. She repeated the nice things that Simpson said, making them all feel important, then got down to the business at hand. "The show will be aired-tentatively-in September." She looked around the room apologetically. "Does that disappoint you? It takes forever, doesn't it? But there's lots to be done in the meantime. First, Jay Markham will be writing the teleplay from your story. There'll be |