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you'll be real careful on this one, okay?

Anyway, how's the other one?

Have you found a hook?

Yeah, as a matter of fact.

I found this terrific opportunity.

It's not the kind of story I had in mind

at first, but it's pretty good. Listen.

There's a girl at the Sports Connection

who they call "the Aerobics Pied Piper."

She's got this following

of leotards and sweat suits.

She's fun to watch,

so lots of couples meet there.

Sounds good. Maybe that will work.

It's great. The only problem is

she doesn't want to cooperate.

- But she will.

- I'm sure she will.

Just remember, get close to her

while you research, but when you write...

Forget she has a mother. Right.

Don't I always?

- Talk to you later.

- 'Bye.

So, who's going to get

the Lawrence treatment this time?

Some girl he met.

- That's obvious.

- So what's the hook of your story?

It's not one of those pieces about how

health clubs are the new singles bars?

God forbid.

- Do you work out?

- Yes, I do work out, when I have time.

I don't take it as seriously

as you guys do, but I do work out.

My dad didn't take it seriously, either.

He died fat at 40.

Sorry.

I was 8. I knew even then...

if he had worked out and not smoked,

he'd have lived longer.

How old are you?

I'm sorry.

You don't have to answer that question.

- Mid to late 20s.

- Interesting.

What?

Most people I've interviewed

are about that age.

I think when you get to our age

you feel the need to keep in shape.

Probably no coincidence

that the baby-boom generation...

approached 30 at the same time

as the exercise boom started.

- You do have a hook?

- Maybe.

It's good to talk a story out before writing.

It's all spitballing at this point.

- What's that?

- A tape recorder.

I thought maybe we'd exchange ideas,

if you don't mind.

- Do you mind?

- Yeah.

- I won't do it.

- Thanks.

I do have some notes

that may interest you.

Look at this.

"The baby-boomers are leading

a physical great awakening...

"like the spiritual awakenings

that grip America about every 100 years."

Pretty good.

I think people want to take responsibility

instead of leaning on institutions.

For instance, does anyone believe

the government will take care of us?

- No.

- Not since Vietnam or Watergate, no.

Or big corporations? Or even doctors?

So, you have to take care of yourself.

A lot of people are trying to get in shape,

as you well know.

I think we've come full circle.

Almost back to Emersonian America

of self-reliance.

There's something else here.

Emerson:
"Do that which is assigned thee

and thou canst not hope too much...

"or dare too much."

So, what could be more all-American,

more old-fashioned all-American...

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