23 

TEDDY SAT AT a table on the executive side of the Centurion Commissary, across from Peter Barrington.

“It’s good to see you, Billy,” Peter said. “Are you ready to go back to work?”

“Not just yet, Peter. Perhaps in another week.”

“How have you been feeling? We all know how much you must miss Betsy.”

“I do, every day. But in fact, I’ve met someone who has helped me readjust, and faster than I would have believed possible.”

“Who is she?”

“Her name is Sally Ryder.”

“Tell me about her. Where did you meet?”

“In Santa Fe. I took some temporary work on a film there, and she was an assistant production manager. We just connected, somehow.”

“I’m happy for you, Billy. Did you leave her in Santa Fe?”

“No, I brought her back with me. She’s shopping in Malibu Village right now. I’m hoping to find her some work at Centurion. She’s done just about everything on a movie set, and she’s very, very good.”

“That’s high praise, coming from you,” Peter said.

“It occurred to me that she might be good in Betsy’s old job.”

“You think she’s that good?”

“I do.”

“Well, there’s a problem there. Right after you left for your break, Ben sent over a woman from the executive offices, on a temporary basis, and she’s settled into Betsy’s job very quickly. I hired her permanently yesterday.”

“I see,” Teddy said, disappointed.

“However,” Peter said, “my number-two production assistant has found herself pregnant, so she’s leaving soon and giving up her job in favor of full-time motherhood. Perhaps I could have a talk with Sally about that job.”

“What a good idea,” Teddy said.

“Are you in love with Sally, Billy?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Well, that didn’t interfere with either your work or Betsy’s, so I don’t see why it should be any different with Sally.”

“I’m relieved you think that,” Teddy said. “Shall I have her call your secretary?”

“Just tell her to show up at my office at ten tomorrow morning and to bring her résumé.”

Teddy took an envelope from his pocket. “Here’s her résumé,” he said. “She’ll be there at ten.”

•   •   •

TEDDY WAS HAVING a drink on the deck when Sally arrived with half a dozen shopping bags. She dumped the shopping bags, poured herself a drink, and joined him. “Well, Billy, you’re a poorer man by a couple of thousand dollars, and you have only yourself to blame, turning me loose with two credit cards.”

“I’ll survive,” Teddy said. “You’ll spend more as time goes by. You’ll fill that dressing room, if I’m any judge of character.”

“You are an embarrassingly good judge of character,” Sally said, raising her glass. “Cheers.”

“Anyway, I may have found you some work to keep you busy, instead of shopping.”

“What, are you putting me on the street?”

Teddy laughed. “No, but the movie business isn’t all that different.”

“What would I be doing, sweeping up?”

“A bit more than that. You have a ten o’clock meeting tomorrow morning with Peter Barrington at Centurion, to discuss the possibility of becoming his number-two production assistant.”

“You’re kidding me!”

“I kid you not.”

“Number two, huh? How many production assistants does he have?”

“Two, and number two is with child and thus changing careers.”

“She’s not coming back after maternity leave?”

“Nope, she’s ascending to the nobility of full-time motherhood.”

“Well, bless her heart! What would I be doing for Peter?”

“Whatever he asks you to do.”

“What does it pay?”

“Whatever he offers you.”

“Does it include being chased around a desk?”

“Peter is happily married.”

“Aren’t they all?”

“Are you speaking from experience?” he asked.

“God, yes. Movie people are the horniest people in the world, and they don’t easily take no for an answer.”

“Well, I gave him your résumé. I hope it says something about taking no for an answer.”

“If I put that on my résumé, I’d never be interviewed.”

“You have a point, but believe me, you have nothing to fear from Peter, except maybe being overworked from time to time.”

“What makes you think I can do this job?”

“I’ve seen you in action. Also, Dan thought so, and apparently so did Dax Baxter.”

“Well, he did offer me a job in L.A., didn’t he?”

“There, you’re fully qualified.”

“What’s Peter like?”

“Handsome, charming, smart—no, brilliant. Have you seen any of his films?”

“All six of them.”

“Did you like any of them?”

“Each one more than the last.”

“Then it couldn’t hurt to tell him so. Peter has an ego, just like everybody else. Don’t overdo it, though.”

“I’ll try not to actually slaver.”

“Good idea. Are any of the clothes you bought appropriate for a job interview?” he asked.

“They all are, if he likes really, really tight jeans.”

“I’m sure he does, but maybe you’d better run back to the Village before the shops close.”

“Well, there is a very nice little dress that’s appropriate for absolutely anything.”

“Wear that.”

“I thought I might.”

“And maybe you should invest in a few more outfits in that category.”

“I’ll see what the other women in the office are wearing.”

“That would be effective reconnaissance.”

“Does Peter know that you and I are fucking all the time?”

“He’ll guess that when he sees you, but it won’t be a problem, unless we’re doing it at the office.”

“We can’t fuck at the office?”

“We’ll have to wait until we get home.”

“Awwwwww!”