The Man from Elysian Fields Page #6

I loved it.

But do you think it's commercial?

People always buy Tobias's novels

whether or not they read them.

It's the nice thing

about being an icon.

-Excuse me?

-Are you all right?

-Couldn't sleep.

-Are you feeling unwell?

I feel wonderful.

That's why I couldn't sleep.

I didn't want to sleep through it.

What are you drinking?

Water...

with just enough malt in it to take

the metallic taste away from it.

I...

just wanted to...

tell you how grateful

I am to both of you.

And good night.

Sleep well, my darling.

You need something.

I don't want to be alone tonight.

Not tonight.

-Come and lie down, please.

-Thank you, darling.

Hi.

Are you going out?

I wanted to pick up Nathaniel

and go get something to eat.

-Give us a chance to talk.

-What would we talk about, Byron?

Where are you going?

Why don't you tell me where

you've been going every night?

Look at me and you tell me!

You are such a f***ing a**hole!

And I'm an a**hole!

I was so f***ing blind to it!

It's none of your business

where I'm going!

How are you?

Pretty good.

-Mind if I sit down?

-Go ahead.

You haven't been around much.

-I've left you messages.

-I took a bit of time off myself.

So what's on your mind?

You said to me once

that you were married.

-While you were in the business?

-Well, there was some overlapping.

-And?

-And what?

Is that what wrecked your marriage?

Relationships are complicated.

It's never just

one thing that ends them.

You had told me that most of your

employees were married.

I didn't say happily. You've got

to learn to listen for adjectives.

Now that I finished the book, I have

a little bit more time on my hands .

I'd like to come by.

Maybe have some lunch.

I won't be there. I think it's time

I was leaving the business.

Maybe you should think

of doing the same.

-I'm a writer now.

-They're still paying you as a whore.

Don't forget that.

They never do.

Bye-bye.

What are you gonna do?

Best I can, I imagine.

"That's another important object to

accomplish 10,000 years to come."

Come in.

-I thought you might like some tea.

-Thank you. That's very kind.

Thank you, Byron.

That's...

very nice of you.

Thank you.

-Listen, I was wondering.

-Yes?

-When will the book be published?

-We were talking about that, right?

Yes, well, we...

we thought it might be a good idea

if we waited until I died.

Excuse me, but what for?

Well, if you publish posthumously,

I'm a red hot ticket.

Critics will be afraid to sh*t on me,

and sales will go through the roof.

I mean, my doctor says I have...

a few weeks left. A month.

At most.

Now it'll mean that you're

well taken care of.

And that will make me happy.

Thank you for the tea.

Byron. Wait a minute.

If it would make you

feel any better...

I've already begun

to have chest pains.

Mark Twain, huh? I like him.

He always has a way of turning

a phrase that makes me feel good.

"Let this drop fall patiently

during 5,000 years.

It's falling now...

it'll still be falling when all

these things shall be sunk down.

The afternoon of history and

the twilight of tradition will be..."

I feel so foolish.

Couldn't think of a word to say.

-It was a beautiful service.

-I was fortunate.

I said everything I wanted

to say to him before he died.

I'd like to write a foreword to the

book. To thank him. Do you like that?

Very much.

-But it won't be necessary.

-No, it's no trouble. I wanna do it.

I'm very proud of our work.

-Your work.

-The novel is very special to me.

Byron, I know this is going

to disappoint you, but...

I wasn't privy to any deal you made

with my husband. And...

as far as I can tell,

you never had a contract.

-What are you saying?

-0r any proof of a verbal agreement.

Well, excuse me a second.

I wrote that book.

-You understand.

-Understand what? I wrote that book!

I can't have any name beside his.

Then everyone will know he needed

help, and I can't have that.

You were the one who wanted to hold

off the publishing until he died.

I had to protect his reputation.

And you made that possible.

I gave up my life for this.

I gave up my life for this book!

And that's all you can say to me?

Thank you for a wonderful time.

There is no f***ing way

you're gonna get away with this!

-You don't have a choice.

-No?

Unless you want

to humiliate yourself.

Remember... you've been

handsomely paid for your services.

Please, don't hate me.

If you'd ever been in love,

you'd understand.

F*** you.

The number you have reached

is not accessible anymore.

And there's no new number. Be sure

you have checked the directory...

You must be the man

from Elysian Fields.

Is it that obvious?

-I made a reservation at Huntington.

-My husband eats there.

-Well, we can go someplace else.

-It's 0K. He looks right through me.

-That's impossible.

-Thank you.

-He's probably very busy at work.

-So he tells me.

You know, when a man

is concerned...

with taking care of his family, his

priorities can get all scrambled.

But it has nothing to do with love.

For what I'm paying you, I expect

you to be on my side in everything.

-Yes, ma'am.

-Now...

I'm just going to powder my nose.

I thought I'd bump into you here.

-Having drinks?

-No, just leaving.

Who are you with?

Norma Van Reuten, of San Marino.

-Christ!

-What?

She's the one who likes having her

toes sucked. Just some advice...

make it easy on yourself. Do not

take her dancing first, okay?

-Thanks.

-We got to watch each other's backs.

Who are you dragging

around tonight?

Her.

What, we're not getting a room?

What makes a man do what you do?

I think of our mission as a way of

giving joy to others, my darling.

Actually, I really need

to know the truth.

Well, that's simple...

f***ing is the last resort

for a man who feels impotent.

Thank you.

Good night.

Good night.

This business has a way

of making you look a little older.

And perhaps

even a notch or two wiser.

-Any thoughts?

-I'll have the linguini with clams.

Good choice. And you, sir?

-What would you suggest?

-Try the pasta primavera.

Not very convincing.

What is "primavera"?

Spring.

Vegetables with pasta.

-What, like squash?

-Like squash.

-Are those fresh?

-Like spring.

Fine.

Take ten.

I'll cover for you.

-Hi.

-Hi.

Sorry.

They're my set to the house.

I heard Dom gave you a job.

I figure that the only thing I have

a chance of getting back...

is my self-respect.

Did it work?

It'd be a lot easier without

my clip-on bow tie.

-How's my boy?

-0h, he's fine. Good.

-He's talking a lot?

-He asks about you.

-Are you writing?

-If I'm writing?

I'm having a little trouble.

Coming up with inspiration.

Have you eaten? I have

a dinner break in twenty minutes.

I don't think so.

I have to get back.

-I understand.

-I just...

came to tell you that Nathaniel and I

moved back to the old neighborhood.

I heard.

I've been trying to reach you.

Your phone is unlisted.

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