Author: Scott Taylor

Chapter One The Stage
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” 
Ralph Waldo Emerson 
It wasn‟t just any night… it was their night. Glamour and beauty was the object of the evening. It was as though all power in heaven and earth was now bestowed upon them. Kings would bow and sages stand in awe over the attainments of the two unassuming women standing before them. Now, amidst the most illustrious and esteemed peers the world could muster together, in honor of the superlative accomplishments of the two most renowned women this stellar orb has ever produced. Hundreds of thousands of people constellate to endow these wonderful seraphs with the greatest acknowledgement of appreciation and gratitude the world could dream of presenting. A resounding cheer fills the air as the most notable person on earth, the King of Cogenopolis, steps up to the podium to introduce our infatuating celebrities. 
Their story is one of wonder and amazement yet the masses are clueless to the fact that only a few years prior to this resounding event the lovely Ladies of Shimminway lived lives of penury, destitute of even the most primal staples of existence. No, the majority of the world believes only in the fairytale assumptions spun by the imaginary tarradiddles of silly folklore. However, their fame is merited and undeniable, their success is assured, and their glamour is both unpretentious and venerating.  
These women have accomplished more in a few short years than any enterprise known to man. But it is not the achievements of these glorious individuals that will be the object of our narrative-- no, no, no; our focus will be the potential to perform on the flamboyant stage of life for which we each grapple so earnestly. What is it that keeps us from becoming the stars of futurity? What limits our capacity to thrive? Is it the low self-regard of our being, or the unseen vantages of our wares… or maybe a little of both? 
And now enter the stage-- Biff, a self-actualized man of business; impatient, daunting, arrogant, yet abounding with ambition to find any way possible to make his new invention a success, and Steven his mentor. 
“My eyes are under attack by the blinding effect of a hundred thousand flashing cameras, and my ears are about to bleed from this vociferous applause. Why did you bring me here again?” Biff asked as he hid behind the arms folded before his face.  
“You wanted to know if there was any way your Fillinbopper had a chance in the marketplace. Well, there it is, what do you think?” said Steven in response. 
“What does this celebration have to do with my Fillinbopper? Isn‟t this all about Globerth and Derelip. What in the world could this spectacular occasion possibly have to do with my product?” retorted Biff. 
Steven looked at the stage to see his Royal Majesty, the King of Cogenopolis, a man celebrated for his achievements in sports, music, economics and science, and a seven-time winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, paying homage to the lovely Ladies of Shimminway. While gazing in awe at this wonderful spectacle, he calmly said, “Their acclaim was unfathomable only three years ago.” 
Biff, becoming somewhat impatient, shouted, “I guess you couldn‟t hear me! What does this have to do with my Fillinbopper?” 
Steven looked at Biff with a cheeky smile and said, “I heard you just fine. Haven‟t you heard the story behind Globerth and Derelip?” 
Biff answered, “I know you had something to do with their success; that‟s why I came to you in the first place. Your time is not cheap and neither is mine so please tell me what this has to do with my invention.” 
Steven explained, “The problem with your Fillinbopper is the same problem Globerth and Derelip had when I first came in contact with them. I believe we can do for your product what we did for The Ladies of Shimminway. 
Biff, full of confusion and becoming rather frustrated, gruffly said, “What problem?” 
Steven responded with a mystique of patriotic pride as he said, “Look up there. Can you picture yourself up on that podium with the King of Cogenopolis holding your Fillinbopper in hand, paying such homage to you?” 
Biff fronted Steven with a bewildered and somewhat sarcastic look as he said, “You‟ve got to be kidding! Heavens no! Are you totally nuts?” 
Steven looked back at The Ladies of Shimminway and said, “They could.” 
Biff retorted, “Yah, but look who they are.” 
Steven quickly turned back to Biff and sternly stated, “No, look who they were.” 
Biff was taken aback by the boldness of the mild mannered Steven. Steven‟s simple yet sobering statement caused Biff to realize he may be missing something here. He then stated, “Okay, you have my attention. Who were they?”