"I'd been called to the principal's office. The vampires' boss of bosses had requested a sit-down, and I was duty-bound to show up and hear the guy out. The planners involved insisted upon making a big to-do out of the meeting, dolloping on limo rides, a show, and an impromptu stopover at a fancy Hollywood party. I guess it was all supposed to dazzle me, to make me forget that I was being led around by the nose."