On the set, it was business-as-usual. The hot winter costumes seemed to weight hundred of pounds on this balmy April 17th. Finally, the director called out, �Okay, people--that�s it for today.�

Slowly, Gene made her way to her dressing trailer. Somebody would stop her with a cheery �Happy Birthday!� But they all seemed preoccupied, hurrying to get somewhere.

At her trailer door...a box! Not a present, though. A costume sample from a designer friend. �Give this a �test run� for me, would you, Darling?� said the note. Determined not to let The Glooms take over, Gene slipped into the sunset-hued gown. Already her mood brightened. Then--a knock. It was Eddie, from the crew.

�I was over at Studio A and, well, there�s something you just gotta see, Miss Marshall,� he said. �Don�t change. Just come like you are.�

Gene followed Eddie to an empty sound stage, and, as he pushed aside the heavy doors, Gene was suddenly caught in the glow of a spotlight and the warmth of crew, cast and friends--all there for Gene�s birthday. And as the sun set, one of Hollywood�s brightest stars celebrated something more than �just another day.�