“Avoiding . . . ? How did you . . . ? Oh, oh, right, you’re joking. Uh, Suzanne, I don’t know if you remember me or not. This is Alex. We were in the drug clinic together. Alex Daniels? Do you remember me? Anyway, great message. I see you’ve still got your sense of humor. Are you still going to meetings? I’ve looked for you but I’ve never seen you at one, but I mostly go to the cocaine meetings . . . Anyway . . . Do you remember me, by the way? I’m calling because . . . I got your number from . . . I hope you don’t mind, but I got it from Sid. Anyway, remember I had told you about how I was maybe gonna write a script? Well, I did, and it’s getting made. I’ve been working on this for a year and this is like the third draft and it’s a go project, and I wanted to wait to be sure before I called. I hope you don’t mind, but I used your name in the pitch . . . Jesus, I’m going on too long here, sorry . . . I used your name, and also you told me to keep a journal and that really helped. Anyway, I’ve written a character sort of loosely based on you . . . Well, not that loosely. She’s an actress, her name is Katie . . . I hope you’re not mad. I hope you’re flattered, because that was a very big thing in my life, it had real impact . . . Anyway, your agent said you’d have it today, which is why I’m calling. The network is very excited about using you, although they did pitch some other names, people they said had higher TVQ. But you’re obviously ideal for the part. I mean, I did write it for you and, I don’t know, I hope you like it. If you have any questions, I can be reached through my secretary at my office at the studio, or at my new apartment in Century City . . . This is going to be so embarrassing if you don’t remember me. Oh, my numbers. I’m at 870-6324 or 965-0372. I’m sorry to have used so much of your tape. I’m the guy . . . I pushed you in the swing. Bye.”

Lucy came into the room. “Barry said—”

“Wait! I just want to play you this message,” said Suzanne.

“We’re going,” Lucy said. “We have to be there at five thirty. They’re sending a car.”

“All right, we’ll be there. Let me just play you this.” She rewound the tape. “Remember I told you about the drug clinic and all that?”

“Remember the drug clinic?” said Lucy. “No. No, were you in a drug clinic? It wasn’t something you like talked about for a while, was it?”