When she was done, she gave the camera her trademark smile and turned the show back over to Bryant and Katie. As she was gathering her script and notes, an assistant producer came and whispered in her ear, “Your agent is on the phone, Tully. He says it’s urgent.”

“Thanks.”

She talked to several members of the cast and crew as she made her way out of the studio and up to her office. There, she closed the door and picked up the phone, punching in line one. “This is Tully. Hi, George.”

“There’s a car waiting for you out front. I’ll meet you at the Plaza in fifteen minutes.”

“What’s going on?”

“Touch up your makeup and move.”

She hung up, told everyone who needed to know that she was leaving for a meeting, and left the building.

At the hotel, a liveried bellman appeared instantly to open the car door for her, saying, “Welcome to the Plaza, Ms. Hart.”

“Thank you.” She handed him a ten-dollar bill and went into the cream and gold marble lobby.

Her agent, George Davison, was waiting for her, looking elegant in a gray Armani suit. “Are you ready to make your dreams come true?”

“You’re finally going to do that, huh?”

He led her down the hallway filled with glass cases that held expensive items for sale from the various gift shops and the sparkling jewelry store, and into the airy, high-ceilinged restaurant.

She saw instantly who they were meeting. In a back corner of the room hidden behind the world-class buffet was the president of CBS.

He stood at her arrival. “Hello, Tallulah, thank you for coming.”

She missed a step but not her smile. “Hello.” She took the seat across from him, watched George sit between them.

“I won’t beat around the bush. As you know, The Today Show is killing our morning show in the ratings.”

“Yes.”

“At CBS, we think you’re a big part of the show’s success. I’ve particularly noticed your interviewing skills. Amy Fisher and Joey Buttafuoco, the survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing. O.J.’s defense team and Lyle Menendez. You were great.”

“Thank you.”

“We’d like to offer you the cohost spot on our show, beginning with the first show in ‘98. Our market research indicates that viewers connect with you. They like and trust you. That’s exactly what we need to get our ratings back. What do you say?”

Tully felt as if she might float out of her chair. There was no way to contain her joy or make her smile anything other than huge. “I’m stunned. And honored.”

“What’s the offer?” George said.

“One million dollars a year for five years.”

“Two million a year,” George said.

“Done. What do you say, Tully?”