"Pay the phone bill first," Delphine said lethargically, waving her hand as Jason arrived. "I was so bored I even bought a newspaper."
Jason stared at her bare face and the worn-out casual clothes she was wearing, letting out a howl of despair. "You're an entertainer, Delphine Carter, you're an entertainer! Someday, you'll be famous across South River and beyond — oh my goodness!"
Resigned to his fate, Jason settled the unpaid phone bill and the newspaper cost before scooping Delphine up like a stray kitten or puppy and placing her in the backseat.
Delphine climbed into the car but stayed curled up in her seat, silent and dazed, her expression frozen and tinged with a hint of coldness.
Jason looked at this young artist he'd stumbled upon through sheer chance through the rearview mirror and sighed deeply. Having worked as a manager for over ten years, weathering countless ups and downs, he instantly knew the moment he saw Delphine that she was unique — destined to rise to stardom.
