THE HEART’S DUTY

Prologue

Kristine David’s train pulled into the Transportation Center a couple hours behind schedule. A woman who decided to race the tracks had the train destroy the back of her SUV, but fortunately survived. For Kristine, the evening proved more of a frustration as she just barely caught a bus home. The cost of gas being what it was, she needed to use commuter trains and buses to keep within her budget to and from work.

She checked email as soon as she got home, plopping exasperated into her chair. Among a smattering of spam was an email labeled “Alumni Update-Radio TV Film Students.” Sent from her alma mater, it announced the retirement of longtime professor Dr. Patterson and mentioned a search for new instructors.

Without Dr. Patterson’s encouragement, she might never have completed her undergraduate degree or met Lawrence Gregor, a former big budget film producer that turned to independent films, who discovered her at a screening of her graduate film and for whom she began directing independent films. His constant reminder was that the heart of the story mattered most; without it the rest of the film could wither and die.

Just like Lawrence Gregor had.

Kristine wondered if Lawrence foresaw that a heart attack would kill him a month ago, which then left her with the heavy burden of inheriting his independent film company. Even her ten years of experience didn’t seem like enough.

Her self-absorption broke with a jarring knock on the door. She answered, and on the other side, with a wide smile and a box of red roses, stood her fiance' Markus.

"I thought you were away on business," she said astonished, taking the roses from him.

Markus swept her up in his arms.

"You know how you've always said you wanted to go to Japan?" he asked excitedly.

Kristine struggled to hold on to the roses.

"Yes, I have,” she replied with uncertainty. “But I don't understand."

Markus abruptly put Kristine down.

"Somehow I thought you'd be more excited," he said, puzzled, as Kristine put the flowers down on the living room coffee table. “You’re more interested in the flowers.”

"And you're more interested in telling me what's so all-important about Japan than anything else," Kristine pointed out.

Markus slumped down onto the couch.

“That answers it, then. I wanted us to get married and go to Japan together. My job’s transferred me to the Tokyo office. It’s a great move.”

Kristine sat down beside him.

“I admit, visiting would be nice. But I’m not prepared to spend years there. Lawrence entrusted me to continue his vision.”

“Just how do you plan to do that? Especially from living here? It was one thing when you went away for a few months on shoots and came back to the old hometown, but managing the guy’s company first-hand is beyond your experience. Find someone else to administer it for you and go live your life.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Kristine bit back sarcastically. “Just leave me alone to think. It’s not been the best of days.”

Markus left the room. After some contemplation, Kristine remembered the email and returned to the computer. Rereading the email, she fondly remembered Dr. Patterson and Lawrence and how their mentoring her helped her to grow. Now she wondered what it felt like to be in their shoes.

Months later, in an office looking down on the college campus, Kristine unpacked the last of her awards and contemplated a life left behind.

A knock on the door interrupted; Kristine opened it to discover a nervous young student standing there.

“Professor David,” the student stumbled. “Could we talk about my script, please?”

Kristine ushered the student in, and as she closed the door, she began by saying, “Don’t forget that the heart of the story matters first…”