“What should I do?” she said frantically when she hung up. “What should I do? Barry called. They want me to sub for somebody on The Richard Collins Show. Tonight! Should I do it?”

“I don’t know. Do you want to do it?”

“If you came with me I’d want to do it,” Lucy said. “I have to admit I’ve been feeling the need to be televised lately. I think maybe I could be funny. If you and I were backstage kibitzing before, then maybe I could just zoom out there . . . I mean, this guy is sort of funny.”

“I’ve heard Richard Collins is funny at the expense of his guests,” Suzanne said. “He makes sure he’s funny first, and then you get what’s left.”

“Yeah, well,” said Lucy. “Do you know who’s on the show?”

“Oh, now we’re getting to it.” Suzanne laughed. “No, who’s on the show?”

“Larry Walker.”

“Larry Walker, the painter?”

“Yeah,” said Lucy, “it’s a late-night show, he gets all these weird artsy types. I’ve always wanted to meet Larry Walker, I love his work. Portia Lamm has one of his pieces. Did you ever see it? That one with the moonlight shining on the long, long hot dog? Come on, this is like spontaneity.”

“That would be a good name for a perfume,” Suzanne said. “What about hair and makeup?”

“They said they’d do all that at the studio. Come on, you don’t have anything to do tonight.”

“Well, I did have kind of a standing date with the bed, but I may have done all I can do there,” Suzanne said. “All right, I’ll come.”

“I’m afraid,” Lucy said. “I’m afraid I’ll go out of control and talk about Bob.”

“Colonel Bob?”

“I’m afraid I’ll talk about Colonel Bob,” Lucy said. “I’m such an extemporaniac. What if he makes me feel dumb and I reveal everything just to defend myself?”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Suzanne asked. “Why don’t you call your manager and talk to him about it? Call Barry.”

“You’re so practical,” Lucy said. “That’s what being in bed so long has given you: a real strong, pragmatic, practical streak. It’s like you belong in your thirties.”

“Great,” Suzanne said. “Go call Barry.”

“Wait a minute, let me just be sure I’m getting this,” Lucy said. “Are you suggesting that I call Barry?”

“Go call Barry.”

While Lucy called Barry, Suzanne went into the bedroom to check her machine. Three messages.