Love on the Slopes

---

[]

Africa again?

Kate. You scared me.

You know,

you do that a lot.

Well, occupational

hazard.

We work at

a travel magazine

and we're stuck in these

tiny little cubicles.

I mean, come on,

can't you picture it?

Me, in a safari hat,

one of those cute little vests,

and those amazing

knee-high boots,

just hanging

with the elephants.

Mm, if only in your dreams.

Well, at least

I can dream, can't I?

Do you really want

to quit your job?

No-- well, no.

But I am planning my escape

from this copy editing desk.

I am a writer, remember?

At least you're editing

the "World's Best" articles.

Could be worse.

Could be me.

Apparently, this was

also a landfill.

Plastic is single-handedly

destroying our planet.

Okay. Everybody, gather around.

So, it's been a great quarter,

and that is thanks,

in large part,

to the incredible

hard work and dedication

of you fine people.

But... as the magazine grows,

so does our audience.

Which is why, this year...

Around the World Travel

is looking to expand

our travel writing team.

We're hoping to find

a fresh voice,

a new perspective,

so I am accepting story pitches

from anyone on staff.

Now...

here's the exciting part.

Whoever writes

the best travel article

wins a first-class ticket

to anywhere in the world...

[gasping collectively]

...And the cover story

in our next issue,

as well as an ongoing position

as a staff travel writer.

Deadline is a week from Monday.

Here's your chance.

Get in there!

Oh, Kate,

the last time

I pitched a story

to McHugh,

he gave me the old

"That's not quite

right for us, Alex,"

and sent me

back to my desk.

That was then!

You heard him, they're looking

for a new writer.

Second chances.

Alex, go, go, go!

You really think so?

Yeah.

Whew. Okay.

Mr. McHugh? Sir?

Do you have a moment?

Walk with me, Alex.

I just think it's

such a great idea,

what you're doing,

about the contest.

Thank you.

Is that all?

Uh, n-no.

I would love to enter it.

As a writer.

Great.

What'd you have in mind?

In mind?

Uh... well--

Off the top of my head,

I could, uh...

I could write about

this romantic New England B&B

that I went to recently,

that is classic and decadent,

and, um...

did I mention romantic?

It's nice to see you

taking initiative, Alex,

and you're a very valuable asset

to our copy editing team,

but travel writers,

they go off the beaten path,

they come outside

of their comfort zone.

You really think that's you?

Yes, sir.

I mean, pretty much...

...ish?

Travel writers

are courageous, Alex,

they'll try anything.

Each story reveals

a part of their soul,

taking the reader

on an inner- and outer-journey.

So....

not a romantic B&B then?

Think bigger.

[mutters]:
"Bigger."

[sighing]

[]

There you two are!

Join us.

We have been summoned.

Mother,

you look lovely.

Oh, thank you,

dear.

Alex, so nice to see you.

Nice to see you, too,

Mrs. Kane, Mr. Kane.

Thank you so much

for having me.

Of course.

I always say,

call me "Bitty".

Right. Sorry. Bitty.

As I was saying...

the Raven's House

is looking to expand

its charity program

this year.

And, between that

and the Kanes' Foundation,

we've raised nearly $2 million

for "Paws for Peace."

Wonderful!

Alex, you should really

volunteer with us.

You've been

such a big help in the past.

You know

I'd love to, Bitty,

thank you so much

for asking,

but there's actually

this opportunity

coming up at work.

My editor at Around

The World Travel magazine

announced

this contest today.

They're looking

for a new travel writer.

A contest? To travel?

As a job?

Yeah. I mean, I still have

to apply and everything,

and who knows

if I even stand a chance,

but I mean, traveling the world

as a writer,

inspiring people

through my words, it's...

it's a dream job.

Well, apply you should.

[Mr. Kane]:

Yes. Well...

this might be

a good time

to make your

announcement, Barton.

What?

[Mr. Kane]:
May I have

everyone's attention?

I've been wanting

to create more

stability in my life,

Move things

to the next level.

[Mr. Kane]:

I'm thrilled to announce...

Barton has been

promoted to partner.

[gasping and applauding]

Thank you.

Thank you, all.

That's just so...

Amazing. Right?

...Amazing, yes.

[stammers]

Congratulations.

I knew you'd be thrilled.

You deserve it.

Hey, Kate?

What is this called?

What are we looking at?

That, there.

Mm. I don't know.

Exhilaration?

Yes! That's it!

Thank you.

I don't have that.

Has my life become complacent?

Uh, I wouldn't say complacent.

It's more like stable

and predictable.

Are these the shots

for the new

"World's Best" article?

[Alex]:
Mm-hmm.

I love the photographer.

He captures something.

This-- This feeling.

I can't really explain it.

Who is he?

Is he handsome?

The only thing I know

about Cole Taylor

is that he lives

in Ridgeline Resort

in Colorado.

He must have

a Facebook account.

No. I checked.

He has a website,

but other than that,

no online presence,

no photos, nothing.

Sounds like a real recluse.

You know, I bet

he has a wilderness beard.

All enigmas

have beards.

[laughs]

So someone's a recluse

just because they don't have

a social media profile?

Pretty much.

Oh, it's 3:
00 p.m.

Shall we?

We shall.

[]

Oh, hey, Cole.

What are you doing?

Uh, we need to change

things up a little,

for your Winter Walk

meet-and-greet.

What do you mean?

No, no, no, no, no.

We agreed--

I'm the silent partner.

You do the talking

and the selling.

There will be no "meet"

or "greet".

Cole, I haven't sold

anything in weeks,

and people are requesting

new pieces,

which is you.

With all the commercial work,

I haven't had time.

Fair enough,

but we can't keep working

on the same old material.

What happened

to the guy

who needed to "capture

a moment in time"?

Capturing a moment in time

is not just about

a beautiful photo, Max.

You gotta be inspired,

you can't just

force inspiration.

Anyway...

How does it

happen so fast?

One minute,

you're reaching

for your dreams,

and the next,

you're 29 and coasting,

everything is easy

and safe,

and the most exciting

part of your day

is getting lattes

at 3:
00 p.m.

I mean, don't

get me wrong,

I have a great job.

but I majored

in journalism in college.

When did I become

a bystander in my own life?

Well, that's just

who you are.

You're not a risk-taker,

and that's okay.

Hey! I got double whip

on my latte today.

Yeah,

first time ever.

It's true. You know...

ever since I fell

down the stairs

when I was four years old,

my mom's had me in

hypothetical bubble wrap.

I'm a low-risk dreamer

with nothing to show for it.

No wonder

Barton has zero faith in me.

Hey, entering

that contest isn't safe.

Okay? It takes

real guts.

If I can figure out

what to write about.

I don't know

how I'm gonna

get McHugh

to take me seriously

as a travel writer.

Oh, hey, look.

That's Cole Taylor's

photo.

For an enigma,

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