"Good thing, too," Remo said. "They'd be demanding the movie rights from everybody and his mullah."
"Concerning the two cochairmen of Taurus," Smith continued. "You might be interested to know that they are recovering from their respective illnesses and injuries. I even read a report saying they planned to make an even bigger film than the one Omay had allegedly wanted to make."
"Wait a minute," Remo said. "They're still in business?"
"Taurus was purchased back from the Eblan sultanate by the Nishitsu Corporation before the economy collapsed."
"Aren't they the ones who owned it before?"
"Yes," Smith said. "It is not an uncommon practice in Hollywood. And as far as normalcy is concerned there, the Army has left. The California National Guard is preparing to pull out, as well."
"Before they go, I wish they'd line up everyone with a script in their hand and shoot them."
Remo heard the front door burst open. Chiun's excited footfalls hurried down the hallway toward him.
"Almost everyone," Remo amended. "If there's nothing else, I'll see you, Smitty." He hung up the phone.
A moment later the Master of Sinanju bounded into the room. Chiun could barely contain himself. His wrinkled face was flushed with joy. He jumped up and down inside the door, his kimono skirts parachuting out around his bony ankles.
"Oh, joy of joys! Oh, dream of dreams!" he trilled.
Remo turned away from the phone. "What's got you so animated?" he asked.
Chiun waved a sheet of paper above his head. "A missive!" he announced. "One containing news of such happy import that the very clouds sing for joy."
As the old Korean flapped the paper over his head, Remo glimpsed a familiar symbol at the top border. "Oh, no," Remo said softly.
Chiun beamed. He pulled the paper from the air, clutching it to his chest.
"Jealous?" the Master of Sinanju asked, his voice oozing smugness.
"That isn't what I think it is," Remo said levelly.
"I am going to be a star!" Chiun announced. Without another word to Remo he danced back out into the hallway.
"Oh, no," Remo muttered again. It couldn't be. They couldn't be that stupid.
He thought of Bindle and Marmelstein. "Oh, no," Remo repeated.
"Mr. DeMille, I am ready for my close-up," Chiun's voice called back.
His delighted singsong faded in the distance.