It’s Christmas. Gladys feels she is on the brink of success, but once again she finds herself working in the background to help others with little credit for herself.

Gladys has reached California and the final chapter in this series about the girl who wants to make it big as a pop star.

Gladys goes out to dinner with a famous film star, but she is determined that she is going to remain “Miss Sensible”.

Gladys writes her song “In Real Life” about her meeting with the film star, Darren Wolf. When she plays it live for the first time, someone special comes to hear it.

Gladys is finding her manager, Dud, more and more frustrating.

Gladys takes part in an audition for a TV talent contest and sings at a gig arranged by Dud, her new manager.

Gladys considers taking on a manager and is talking into doing something she thought she would never do.