‘And that is not a name that I throw around in any context. Let me give you a brief history of myself, my sweet.’

That phrase again.

‘I think I should make something clear about myself.’

This took him completely by surprise; he was convinced the opposite would happen, that that exact proposal would be directed towards him, demanding an explanation from him.

‘I…’

She continued.

‘Was married to a man I thought, or rather took to be a lawyer, which indeed he was, but that was not all he was. He was Robert, or in fact Roberto dePirizone, that means nothing to you, but he was known as the boss, he was Italian, here in Los Angeles, in the very early sixties. So, use your imagination. I came here, and had, in pursuing my dream, my dream to be an actress, contacted a man who had given me his card years previously, when I was working in the Carlton Hotel in Pittsburgh. My home town. He had told me, and indeed did tell me when I arrived, that he could get me into motion pictures. I never, through a set of circumstances that I am not ready to go into, never did make a motion picture as such. But I made a lot of money, that is the point I am getting to: that is the answer to the question that you are sitting there wanting to ask me, that you were so concerned with that you dropped a note through my door at eleven-thirty at night.’

Her tone was increasing in volume, backed up with a suggestion, or maybe more than a suggestion, as she went on, of anger.

‘And let me tell you, just because we have had dinner and you got an erection when holding me, gives you no claim to my name. Although it is my maiden name, and no one connects me with my past, which was—’

She halted.

‘No, I am not going to explain all that to you now. Yes, in answer to your selfish concern, my financial status if checked by some pretentious gallery, would be more than adequate for whatever it is you want to do. And that brings me to the question. What do you want to do, my sweet? What is the little mess you have found yourself in? Are you wanting me to buy these paintings, or just for me to appear to be impressive enough for them to hang them for a private view? And be honest with me. I don’t know you, I like you, but those are two very different things. And knowledge clarifies a situation far more than liking someone. So, tell me about your little mess.’