Present Day—Maui News Office, Kahului

It's nine a.m. Monday morning, and Tom Durkin, editor of The Maui News, has already mentally accumulated an informative story for next week's Sunday newspaper. Rising from his desk, he heads to his office door, and then scans the newsroom for his newest reporter, Bill Wise. "Hey, Bill, can I see you for a minute?" he shouts when he spots the man.

Bill Wise only started with the paper last Monday. A recent graduate with the ink still drying on his journalism degree, Bill feels lucky to have landed a job, especially back on his home island. After a week at work, Bill knows most of the people and, most importantly, the locations of the restroom and coffeemaker, which will likely be crucial to his first assignment.

"Come on in, Bill. How was your weekend?" Tom asks. It isn't that he really cares, but he wanted to break the ice with his new reporter.

"Great! Took a cruise around the island, the sea was smooth, and the weather was great. What more could a land-lover hope for?"

"Sounds nice," Tom says with a smile. "Take a seat." "I've been thinking about an informative article for next Sunday's paper, and I'd like you to write the story. As you know, a lot of baby-boomers are retiring, some from here on the island and others coming from other places to spend their golden years in our little piece of paradise."

"Okay," Bill says, flattered by the fact that he's being assigned to something a bit more exciting than measuring out Folgers for the filter and he is somewhat intrigued.

"I'd like to do a story on retirement communities here on the island, what they offer in the way of services, what it's like to live there, and what it costs. Take a look at several of them for comparison—you know, the best bang for the buck ... that sort of thing."

"So ... a kind of Consumer Reports deal, huh?"

"Something like that," Tom answers. "I'd like to have a draft copy to look at by, say, noon on Thursday."

"Sure, you bet," Bill says. "I'll get right on it."

"Good. Now, before you head out, I had a chance to talk to a Miss Suzanne Baker yesterday, the manager at the Kalama Retirement Community over in Kihei."

"I know the place. I only live about a mile from there."

"Great. Suzanne is a friend of my wife's, and she's agreed to do an interview for us. She'll be in all day today, and she's expecting you. Matter of fact, you might be able to catch her this morning, if you call right now. Here's her number, in case you need it."

"All right, sounds like a good place to start. Thanks," says Bill, taking the business card from Tom's hand.

"And thank you, Bill. Now go get to work!" Tom says with a smile.

Bill glances down at the card, smiles back at his new boss, and walks out of the office. The assignment is not a tough one; he had much tougher ones while working for the school paper. Frankly, he'd hoped for something more challenging, but at least it will get him out of the office. Besides that, if he does a good job, it would confirm for Tom that he didn't make a mistake by hiring him.

* * *

The drive over to the Kalama Retirement Community is one Bill takes every day on his way home from work. Having been born and raised on the island, the climate and sights that awe the island visitors generally go unnoticed by him. Every day is just another day in paradise. Nevertheless, one sight always takes Bill's breath away: the blue Pacific. Whether he's swimming in it, sailing over it, or just enjoying the seascape, it always has a soothing effect on him that makes him glad he's one of the lucky ones that can stay here day after day.

The entrance into the retirement community, like so many island locations is loaded with tropical foliage. Visitor parking is close to the front door, and the appearance of the place is generally quite charming.

Bill studies the facility from the outside, making mental notes he will be able to use when comparing other retirement communities to this one.

In the lobby, a young, perky receptionist greets him. "Good morning. Can I help you?" she asks, smiling and sounding genuine, rather than the robotic responses one might get at some front desks.

"Good morning. I'm Bill Wise from The Maui News, here to see Suzanne Baker."

The receptionist taps a few keys on her computer, and then smiles back at Bill. "Yes, she's expecting you. Please have a seat, and I'll let Ms. Baker know you're here."

"Thank you," Bill says, and then walks over to sit in a burnt orange, cozy-looking chair, next to a small table with a neat, spiraled pile of magazines on it.

The receptionist picks up her phone and dials extension 2009. "Suzanne, Mr. Wise from The News is here to see you ... Sure, I'll let him know." She quietly hangs up the phone and looks at Bill over the top of her desk. "She's on her way. In the meantime, would you like some coffee?" she asks politely, still sounding quite genuine and hospitable.

"No thanks. I've already had my morning limit. You have a nice place here," Bill says.

"Yes, we like it. The staff works hard to make the grounds look nice. Our residents and their guests really enjoy it."

"How long have you worked here?" Bill asks.

"About three years now. I wouldn't wanna work anyplace else. The staff is great, and it's just a wonderful place to work."

"That's great," Bill says.

"Oh, here she comes now," the receptionist says cheerfully, nodding toward a woman coming down the hall.

Suzanne Baker is the antithesis of what Bill would have expected for someone of her position. She is young, tall, blonde, and extremely good-looking. "Hello. Suzanne Baker," She says, holding out her perfectly manicured hand for a professional shake.

"Bill Wise, Maui News."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Wise."

"Please, call me Bill."

She smiles. "And please call me Suzanne. Now, why don't we go to my office? I'd be happy to tell you all about this place and the services we provide."

"That'd be great," Bill says.

"I don't know how much time you have, but I'd be happy to show you around the facility and some of the model living quarters."

"Sure, that would work for me. I have all day."

"Would you like to take the tour?"

"I'd love to," Bill replies, primarily because it will give more time to study Suzanne. He quickly tries to catch a glimpse of her left hand and is happy to find it devoid of rings. "Can I take some pictures?"

"Sure, but I'll do you one better, Suzanne says. "If you miss something, call me, and I'll send you a picture by email."

"Thanks, but I'll try not to bug you. I know you've gotta be busy here."

"It's no problem. I'm proud of this place, and as far as I'm concerned, your article in The News will be some free publicity. Just feel free to call me if you have any questions."

The tour proved to be quite informational. Great landscaping, a large dining room, and the living quarters were well laid out and well furnished.

"I've noticed your residents have all sorts of things going on, from card games, to painting classes and Tai chi. They really seem to be enjoying themselves."

"They do!" Suzanne commented with a smile. "They can keep as busy as they want to be. We offer several classes, including one in photography, and we even have a book club. If we discover that someone has a hobby or interest we aren't providing, we make every effort to get...