The Man from Elysian Fields Page #2

has shrunk into a mole hill.

And unless you have family...

of moles...

how do you live?

A man can always support his family

if he's willing to do the necessary.

I've got to go.

Listen, I appreciate the drinks

and the ear.

Thank you.

If a key punch operator doesn't

happen for you, why don't you...

drop by the office? Maybe we can

work something out.

Nothing like a little life experience.

-Hey. What did your editor say?

-Why aren't you asleep?

I couldn't wait.

I had to hear what he said.

-He saw room for changes.

-But he loved it, right?

-Love, I don't know. It's relative.

-Relative to what?

To whether you're

a John Grisham or not.

Somebody like me,

they don't get too effusive.

They are going to publish it, right?

Yes.

-Did he say when?

-No, that's scheduling.

The other side of the building.

I'll find out.

I told you it would

all work out, didn't l?

Paul Pearson!

Paul Pearson!

-I thought it was you.

-Good to see you.

-Good to see you.

-Things going well since you left us?

Yes, great. I've just had

my first novel published.

So I hear. Been meaning

to read it, but...

...couldn't find it anywhere.

-Right.

-So, how's the office?

-You know advertising.

-Killing ourselves a little very day.

-I miss it.

The action, the deadlines. There's

a hell of an adrenaline rush there.

I'd even consider getting back in

under the right circumstances.

-You told me to go f*** myself.

-That was the adrenaline talking.

You'd really be willing

to come back?

Salary'd be smaller,

accounts would be sh*t.

-Whatever you decide.

-Well, that's a good attitude.

-Why didn't you have it before?

-Well, I've grown up a little.

I'm very glad to hear it.

Thank you.

I'll see you in the morning?

Actually, I think it'd be better

if you just...

go f*** yourself.

Congratulations, Byron.

So you've come here to celebrate?

-Where else?

-My two favorite people.

Tell you what. I'm gonna send over

my very best bottle of wine.

-No, Dom, that's not necessary.

-It's my gift to the author.

That's very generous.

Now don't get mad, but...

I think maybe we should borrow

some money from my parents.

-Your father hates me.

-The reason he'll loan us the money.

It'll make him feel superior.

-I won't give him the satisfaction.

-Honey, he's never satisfied.

You know that.

And once your novel gets published,

we'll pay him back. With interest.

Did you ever think that

your father was right?

-About what?

-Maybe I am a failure.

You just love me and figure

that everything is gonna work out.

Unconditional love can be

a real pain in the ass.

Bye. Bye.

-Love you.

-See you after work.

What do you want

to do now, champ?

Want to go to the park for a while?

It's a tough f***ing business.

If you write the Goddamned Iliad who

knows if anyone's going to buy it.

Take your last book.

Nice little review on the "Times"...

...meant nothing, right?

-In that neighborhood.

-What kind of business is that?

-Ask what Gutenberg was thinking?

I don't give a damn what Gutenberg

was thinking. Let's cut the bullshit.

You need money, right?

-Just a loan.

-I've given the matter a thought...

...and I won't lend you the money.

-Why?

What was it Shakespeare said?

"Neither a borrower nor a lender be".

I'm only here because I promised

your daughter I would meet you...

and stick my tongue up your ass.

I guess my work here is done.

We both know you'll never

be able to support your family.

Think about it!

Hi, how're you doing?

Yeah?

Hi.

-Is Mr. Luther Fox around?

-This is "around". See him anywhere?

No. Will you tell him that

Byron Tiller came by to see him?

Byron Tiller, the writer?

-You heard of me?

-Sure.

The other day, from Luther.

Right.

My fame is spreading.

I assumed you'd be here.

-My receptionist told me you came by.

-She doesn't like people very much.

I've known her for 6 years.

And the only things

I'm sure she likes...

are romance novels and raisinettes.

-Not much of an office, is it?

-Not much an office, it's a place...

to pick up your messages.

Right. Just I was thinking...

the other day you mentioned you might

have something for me, so I came by.

-Come over and we'll talk about it.

-Sure.

You know, the only other job

I've ever had is with an ad agency.

They wouldn't let me back in. I've

been to many employment agencies...

and they just keep telling me "I'm

not equipped to do anything else".

So, what is it? What kind of

business is it that you're in?

Elysian Fields is an escort service.

An escort service.

Escort service.

So what you're

saying is you sort of...

you know, stand on a street corner

and put on a cowboy hat?

No. We're not hustlers.

We tend to the wounds

of lonely women...

in need of emotional

as well as spiritual solace.

-Women.

-0ften is only friendship.

-0nly women?

-Call me old-fashioned.

And this is the job that you

thought I would be right for?

Well, you're handsome,

well-educated, and compassionate.

-How do you know I'm compassionate?

-I'm the one who read your novel.

-Compassion was its best strength.

-Thank you.

Even if the premise was sh*t.

If you would've read the fly leaf,

you'd have noticed I'm married...

...and have a kid.

-All the better.

-How is that better?

-Well, we're professionals.

A family at home prevents any

unnecessary entanglements...

...with the clientele.

-You have a family at home?

I'm not that fortunate, but many

of our employees do.

Look, I'm not trying to sit on top

of any moral high ground...

but this business you're in, doesn't

it make you a little bit ashamed?

No. Poverty does that.

What I'm suggesting here, it can be

as short term as you want it to be...

just to get you out of this

little dry patch in your life.

Temporary.

Hello.

How are you?

I was passing by.

I wanted to thank you for the...

You thanked me last night.

-Well, I don't remember.

-I do.

It's not easy to be polite when

you're suicidal. I was impressed.

I've just gotta get that...

-Again...

-No, come on in. Come in.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, absolutely.

I didn't know you were already

back in the country, Mrs. Hardwick.

My book says that you're gonna be

in India for another month.

Well, I know curry can do that.

But you always look

wonderful, my dear.

Naturally.

I'm not sure if I can do something

on such short notice.

How much body hair do you have?

-What?

-How much body hair do you have?

Body hair? Why?

The amount they pay,

they can afford to be particular.

Let me call you back

about five o'clock, okay?

I'm sure I can find you someone

by then. Bye, bye, Mrs. Hardwick.

-She's not right for you, anyway.

-Right. Look, Luther...

I confess I've been thinking about

what you proposed to me last night.

-Do you play tennis?

-Badly.

-Good, she hates to lose.

-Who's that?

-Mrs. Franklin Buckner.

-Look...

I was up all last night...

Mrs. Loretta Forbes, of Encino, 46,

likes opera, the ballet...

That's kind of what I was thinking.

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