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idea, but I work a 2/2 job. I guess the weekends are the only time when you don’t work?”
    “Sometimes I work Saturdays, too,” Craig laughed.
    “Okay, we’ll figure it out…”
    “All right, but why do I find you more serious than usual?” Wayne interrupted her. “Has anything happened?”
    “No, nothing. It’s just…” Ashley continued with bitterness in her voice. “Today I remembered it’s been ten years since our live showcase at The Viper Room and…” She sighed. “I realized that my life is so different from the dreams I once had for myself.”
    “You know, I was thinking the same earlier today. I found an old photo of ours and we all look so young, happy and smiling in it,” Craig added. “Life has changed us so much!”
    “I, too, often ask myself what would have been today if the producer had liked us…” Chad began, but was angrily interrupted by Wayne.
    “Please, just don’t bring up that subject, not today!”
    “It’s exactly because today marks ten years since our live showcase that we need to talk about it! What else could we talk about, our various affairs?”
    “Now, now, boys, let’s not ruin the evening! There are ladies present,” Craig interfered.
    “What producer are you talking about?” Peggy asked whispering. Ashley only waved her hand, meaning it was a long story. She didn’t feel like giving explanations now.
    “Chad,” Ashley began, “you know, I’m asking myself the same.”
    “Back then the audience just didn’t like our song. That’s all,” Wayne replied curtly.
    Ashley ignored him and went on: “Fate is generous to those who are stubborn and persistent in their efforts. If we had swallowed our egos and kept looking for our road to fame, perhaps we wouldn’t be having this conversation now.”
    An awkward silence settled in, though it was apparent that the rest of the band shared her opinion. Wayne was the only one sitting sulky and displeased – his ego was hurt.
    “As a matter of fact,” Ashley resumed, “have you noticed that the song “Burn” by The Dragon’s Circle that’s been all over the charts now is quite similar to our “Where is Your Lover?””
    “Okay, but what does this have to do with our case?” Wayne persisted.
    “Well, what would it have been like if we could have sung “Where is Your Lover,” changing it a little so that it resembled “Burn?” Do you think that the producer and the audience would have liked it in that case?”
    The others became thoughtful. After a while, Wayne broke the silence. “Ash, what’s the matter with you?”
    “Just imagine if somehow it was possible for us to go back in time; wouldn’t that be great?” added Peggy, who had been silent until now. “I bet the producer and the audience would have fallen in love with your song!”
    “That’s just bullshit. There’s no way we can go back in time, thank God.” Wayne laughed. “It’s impossible!”

Chapter 6
     
     
     
    “Latte and cappuccino, here you are. Here’s your change – two dollars and sixty cents. Have a nice day and welcome back to Starbucks.” Ashley had just attended to yet another customer when she saw her old friend, scientist Harry Neil, coming into the café. “What’s he doing here?” she thought and smoothed her skirt. She had hated the idea of wearing a uniform since her teenage years, and now she had to wear one every day.
    “Harry,” she yelled.
    He looked around nervously and came closer to her. Harry had quite a peculiar appearance: he wore glasses too big for his face that almost touched the tip of his nose, he had curly, medium-length hair, and was dressed in a funny shirt with a pattern of oranges and bananas. To top it all off, he always made nervous hand gestures as he spoke. Ashley was used to him, but people who saw him for the first time would get slightly baffled.
    “What’s up, Harry? What brings you here? I haven’t seen you for a while.”
    “I came… for something important,