+TYPED OUT-

+PRIDE NO PREJUDICE-

Monday chuckled, and Ben took a step back. Her grimace could compete with the one Jack had in Stanley Kubricks' The Shining.

The womans' reaction surprised Ben. Perhaps the book was a metaphor for a private joke between Kenneth and Monday.

"Monday, are you okay?"

Charles spent an hour reminding Monday of her contractual obligations. She was her brand; Monday could not leave BookInc the way she did. The publishing house paid for the space, accommodation, and her time. Monday offered to pay back with the advance, but Charles told her it was about principals. She would be the first to complain if her publishing house delayed her book release or did nothing to promote her. Other authors deserved as much attention. She was one of the top five authors of their house they went all out for; her behavior wasn't a way to thank them.

Nikis' voice kept ringing in her head while she received her sermon. Writers were ejectable. Still, she had to avoid being the one to press the button.

Charles told Monday no diva tantrums were allowed no matter how many books she sold. He then ended by saying she shouldn't take everything for granted.

Monday regretted her actions. She let her emotions get in the way of everything she ever worked to have. On this point, Monday had to agree with Kenneth; human interactions, even furtive, impacted one's psyché. Monday met the inspirational speaker, and in an instant, she flipped modes.

Now she stood with Kenneth's book in her hand in front of the elevator with Ben.

What message was the man subliminally trying to transmit?

Without indication and with the only instruction to read the book, Monday interpreted the man recommended that she get some help and advice. The idea that sounded like a reproach didn't sit well with the woman.

Who did he think he was?

Monday flipped the book back to front.

Happy alone and Schedule love, the woman discovered Kenneths' book was divided into two parts, and the ones she saw displayed in his booth were two-in-one. 

What usually was the back cover promoted Schedule Love. One read it back to front like a Japanese manga, while the other part, Happy, Alone? Began like any book with the front cover and stopped in the middle.

The book was like a yin yang symbol. Monday wondered how Kenneth convinced someone to publish the paperback that way. Again, the man was a privileged writer, an exception in his field. The printer had no choice but to set the parameters of the pages to make the gurus' reverse book.

No, Monday didn't appreciate the man at all, especially when she replayed their night together and saw how far the man took her on his pleasure boat. 

Pff, the book alone demonstrated how pompous and self-centered he was.

"Monday?"

"I'm good, I'm great. I have a book to read," Monday said while she held Kenneths' gift and shook it from side to side with a gritted teeth smile, "I mean, how can one live without having read at least one Kenneth Mosely in their life. Behold the intellectual retinol that smoothes the wrinkles of self-reflection. I'm going to go home now and cry."

She pressed for the elevator.

"Monday, listen, I don't know what happened between you and him, but the man seemed to be in dire straits."

The woman turned her head and lowered her gaze while widening her eyes to give Ben an as-if glare.

It was time to change the subject for the man, "how is your new story coming along?"