Charlie Holiday now has 3 books, completely new titles, and even new book covers. What’s next? We sat down for a quick interview.

We managed to get 17 minutes with Charlie Holiday to ask him, “So. Now what?”

Interviewer (I): Charlie Holiday, great to have you here.

Charlie Holiday (CH): Wherever “here” is, but yeah, OK. Great to be here.

I: OK, whatever.

CH: So, do you have questions?

I: Yes.

CH: Are you going to ask them?

I: What’s with all of the gambling stuff on the covers? You planning on opening a casino?

CH: Yes. Next question.

I: Dang.

CH: You asked.

I: Would you like a cappuccino or something?

CH: Is that really your next question?

I: Yes.

CH: Yes.

I: I’ll get it in a minute. What’s up with the gambling?

CH: Chance.

I: Chance?

CH: Here’s one of the definitions, “the absence of any cause of events that can be predicted, understood, or controlled.” I mean, how cool is that?

I: Very.

CH: Here’s another, “an opportune or favorable time.” But be careful, it’s not all candy store. There’s also this, “an unfortunate event; mishap.” “Mishap” sounds like it could be as simple as dropping your phone on a marble floor or you getting ripped apart by hyenas as your safari guide is frying eggs and bacon on the savannah.

I: Oh.

CH: “Oh?” That’s your interviewer response? Did you go to interviewer school?

I: No.

CH: I’ll help you. Ask me what the covers mean.

I: What do the covers mean?

CH: It’s all about chance. The word is bursting with meaning and hidden definitions and power. “Chance of a lifetime.” I mean, who doesn’t want that? But what if you miss the chance of a lifetime? Do you get another chance? Then do you get another? Wouldn’t it be that if you had the one single chance of a lifetime then, by definition, you would only have one of those?

I: I see what you mean.

CH: Then there’s stuff like taking chances, a chance of rain, on the off chance. There’s just so much to play with. It’s going to be fun.

I: Is fun part of your future plans?

CH: Fun is my future plan.

I: Excellent plan.

CH: My bigger plans are to spread it to others–just as those have spread it to me.

I: Sounds like there’s nothing holding you back.

CH: Well, I wish it were so easy.

I: What’s the problem?

CH: It’s not that there’s a violent international organization threatening me, but, well, it’s close.

I: Seriously?

CH: In fact, it’s even scarier. It’s even more dangerous.

I: Who are they?

CH: You.

I: Me?

CH; Yes, you.

I: But I’m all for what you’re about. I’m with you, not against you.

CH: Want to know who else is against me?

I: Yes, please.

CH: Me.

I: OK, I give up.

CH: It’s not exactly Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde …

I: But…?

CH: But worse.

I: Worse?

CH: Do you know the saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it?”

I: Of course.

CH: We go by, “I’ll see it when I’ll believe it.”

I: I think I get the difference.

CH: That’s what we’re up against. Or rather, who we’re up against. Those of us, in fact, those within us, who are against us.

I: You’re fighting against yourselves?

CH: More or less.

I: How do you do that?

CH: I don’t know yet.

I: Can I help?

CH: You just did.

I: Huh?

CH: By asking, by talking with me, by listening, by thinking about it, by taking a step towards believing.

I: It sounds like you’re running a cult.

CH: If the cult is only to seek out a sixth sense and a deeper joy and spread love throughout the world, sign me up.

I: Seriously?

CH: Seriously.

I: I thought you were an accountant.

CH: I am. But we can be that–and we can be more. It’s not a zero-sum game. That’s just it. There’s more and then there’s more.

I: Where do I sign?

CH: I don’t know.

I: No, really.

CH: No, really.

I: How can I become a part of it?

CH: If I knew, I would tell you.

I: How did you get involved?

CH: It started in Florence.

I: In Italy?

CH: Yep.

I: Do I need to go there?

CH: No.

I: So what do I need to do?

CH: Be open for it. Keep aware. Not necessarily through your eyes or ears, but just ready for a sign of some sort. For me, it started in a cafe cellar.

I: I see.

CH: I hope I see you.

I: I hope so too.

CH: There’s a good chance.

I: On the off chance.

CH: A good chance.

I: Thanks, Charlie.

CH: You’re welcome.