The narrator tells us that this is the first time he's seen his friend, alice, graduate from middle school. He's so happy to see her graduate. He tells her that she'll be a valuable client for his company, and he wants to take her on a picnic the next day. The gondola is coming through the city, and the narrator says it's great to see it all lit up. He also says that the gondola association has made a big decision: they've decided to hire Alice as a hostess and tour guide.