The stranger was Ms. Hunt, who turned out to be a neighbor.

"The thing to do is be honest with the children" said Ms. Hunt.

"Nobody held a gun to your head to make that choice," said Ms. Hunt.

Ms. Hunt knew her son was in trouble.

"Ms. Hunt is going to go check the demolition circuits."

Ms. Hunt would not comment on the earlier proposal but said that the new work was "an independent and distinct project."

Ms. Hunt knew the book was due out from Forge in early '96.

"I think probably 90 percent of it is luck," Ms. Hunt says.

Ms. Hunt has also managed to land some lucrative movie roles.

So does her best friend, played by Ms. Hunt, who has enough to concern herself with.