Jaunted

We didn't go to make merry—no, we went to catch more news, like where Richard Branson is off to next, after this celebratory day in Chicago. His answer? The Monaco Grand Prix tomorrow, as Virgin has their team in the race and he's got to keep face against Tony Fernandes, owner of the AirAsia/Lotus car. Following Monaco, Branson dashes down to Marrakech, then to the anniversary of Virgin's Roof Gardens Club in London, and from there to a very serious Global Drug Commission meeting with Kofi Annan.

We asked: how does he handle transitioning from a carefree party like this to something with the gravitas of the War on Drugs? His reply, after some reflection: "I change outfits, and my stomach turns over. I get better press if I make a fool of myself [at fun events], but I see the serious side in everything."

It may seem hard to believe—Branson with his face set into concentration instead of a big grin—but it does happen.

Disclosure: We traveled to Chicago as guest of Virgin America, but we worked more than partied and are expressing our own opinions and impressions.

[Photos: Nicholas Gang for Jaunted]