Tap…tap..tap…
Woman in Red Dress: “Is this thing on? Okay. I just thought it would be nice if someone would come to the microphone and announce what a fabulous specimen of a human being Phil Bowermaster is.”
(Pause for long round of applause, cheers, whistles, and hoots. Piano man plays grand arpeggio.)
W.I.R.D.: “I’ve know Phil for more than 20 years, and let me tell you, he’s Getting Better All The Time.”
(Raises glass of sparkling libation.)
“And, as Speculists, we all know making something better takes a lot of work. And patience. And intelligence. And Integrity. And foresight. And the ability to work well with others.”
(Pause)
“And most of all, it takes the unshakable belief that the thing in question CAN be better.”
(More cheers and glasses raised. More segue music from piano.)
“So, here’s a toast to Phil, in honor of his 45th birthday. For the NEXT 90 years of his life, may he keep Getting Better All the Time.”
(Looking better than his Second Life avatar, Phil stands and takes a humble bow, surrounded by his beautiful and adoring family.)
(The revelers give a ringing toast with their crystal goblets of bubbly. Environmentally friendly confetti, streamers, and balloons rain down. Piano man launches into his rendition of Lucinda Williams, “World Without Tears”…)