Mark:
THEATRE LINE
564,480
2*(n-k-1)*(n-2)!
Or as I saw it 2 * 7 * 8! (same difference)
Shari (S) and Pamela (P), together with the two people between them, make up a fixed unit. With the four people fixed through this requirement, there are six others to account for, or a total of 7 "spots" in the line-up.
First, choose one of the seven spots for the 4-person unit. This can be done in 7 ways. Now, using the six other spots and the two between S and P, permute the 8 other people into these 8 spots. This can be done in 8! ways. Finally, recognize that P and S could change places, thus there are two ways for S and P to arrange each other within the four-person unit. If you don't believe me, just ask Mark.
absolutely inaccessible
fighting action
Alive without breath,
As cold as death;
Never thirsty, ever drinking,
All in mail never clinking.
This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town
And beats high mountain down.
Thirty white horses on a red hill,
First they champ,
Then they stamp,
Then they stand still.
No legs lay on one-leg, two-legs sat near on three-legs, four legs got some.
A box without hinges, key, or lid,
Yet golden treasure inside is hid.