Eric dresses in the best suit he possesses. He takes the time to look his best, he is not as concerned about looking his best as what he once may have been, but this is a special evening coming up and he at least wants to make the effort. Less vanity, more respect. Audrey on the other hand, while indeed realizing how special this evening is and will be, just has to morph a little and is ready to go almost in an instant. This makes Eric question his effort in a fun way of course. If only he could have been ready in such an instant.

With a smile on his face and feeling good having put the dread aside for the moment anyway, Eric sticks out his left elbow and Audrey links him. There is a Limo outside ready to take Prince Charming and Cinderella to the ball, may as well go all out on this. What happens at the stroke of mid-night? The Limo is big enough that they can go collect Mike and Ellen and be brought to their destination in style and comfort. With Audrey having ensured that they all are on the guest list Eric, Mike and Ellen all feel important, VIPs for a night.

Inside a big band playing on an elevated stage to one end of an enormous room indeed brings a big fight feel to the evening. The room is well lit with multiple chandeliers, the biggest by far of which hangs right in the center. Celebrities and dignitaries are gathered here for this charity event though despite the large number in attendance there is plenty of space to freely manoeuver.

'A dance with the lady?' asks Eric offering out a hand.

'Oh, how nice' speaks Audrey accepting Eric's hand, 'but hey, who says I am a lady?' continues Audrey as the two dance.

'Just go with the flow, don't ruin the moment' he says with a smile.

'Who me? Would I do such a thing?' speaks Audrey returning a smile.

Mike and Ellen also take to the floor for a dance. Fairly soon, a dance floor is filled with paired dancing. When the band takes an intermission food is served. There is plenty of time for dance to continue once food has been consumed of course. As with the first part of this day the evening seems to pass in slow motion while also having the feeling that it is passing all too quickly.

Not being far from midnight, Audrey moves and sends a nod Mike and Ellen's way. Once again just like at the community center, there is an understanding. They all know that this is a goodbye moment. Mike and Ellen may never see Audrey again, though they both more than appreciate the presence that Audrey has had in their lives.

'C'mon, let's go' speaks Audrey reaching for Eric.

'Where to?' he asks.

Audrey looks Eric in the eyes and smiles. Audrey takes Eric by the hand, and they head up onto the roof of the building they had come to. Despite the time of night and how high up they both are there is only a slight cool breeze, other than that it is dry and quite warm.

'Did you enjoy tonight?' asks Audrey.

'I have indeed as I have enjoyed the time we have had together. I really am going to miss you, Audrey. You don't really have to go do you?'

Sixty ...

'A deal is a deal; you agreed to take me and look after me for ten days. You more than looked after me. You made me feel special, you made me feel wanted. I will forever and always miss you too.'

'I agreed to look after a plant and Audrey you are so much more than that.'

Fifty ...

'But take me in and look after me is what you did. You have a good heart my friend. You are a better man than what you give yourself credit for. You have let your mind rule you for so long, and now your heart has taken over.'

'Thank you, Audrey, not for what you just said or for arranging tonight but for coming into my life, you have made such a difference that I will never forget you.'

Thirty-five ...

'Never doubt yourself, live your life and be free, see the positives and always remember.'

'I will, most definitely I will.'

Twenty-five ...

Audrey throws her arms around Eric's shoulders and plants a smacker right on his lips.

Fifteen ...

'I love you, Eric.'

'I love you, Audrey.'

What Eric just said makes him think. Love, friendship, they both take many forms.

Five ...

'What's that?' asks Audrey pointing behind Eric.

Three ... Two ...

Eric turns and looks out upon the town and as soon as he does this, he realizes what Audrey has just done.

'Live long and prosper my friend ...' is what he hears Audrey speak ... her last words ... to him at least.

The town bells ring out confirming that it is indeed midnight. Eric's eyes well up and as he looks downwards a tear falls to the ground. He is afraid to turn back around to where Audrey had just been, but when he does, he does not see Audrey, well maybe he does, he sees that plant that he had brought home from that antiques store in Chinatown ... the same size it was when he acquired it and as healthy and strong as it was when it was given to him.

The plant is not humming or whistling, it is not vibrating or morphing, it is not having any fun at Eric's expense. It is just there in a flowerpot looking just as what it did on that day he had acquired it.

He soon takes this flowering plant and heads back down to the ballroom where he places it on the seat that Audrey had been using during the evening. He sits at a table with Mike and Ellen and all with a glass of white wine in hand toast Audrey. The flowerpot, Audrey must have brought it with her.

The evening has come to an end; the Limo brings Mike and Ellen home first before dropping Eric home. He places the plant on the ledge behind the sink in his kitchen ensuring that he does not put his keys down. Looking at his keys just lying in the palm of his left hand makes him smile.

'Feck it' he says deciding to put his keys next to the plant.

What a ride he has been on, a ride he would not give up or change for the world.