Jan and Her Mother Meet at the Gallery
Discussing another doomed relationship, Janice?” Anne says. Jan spins to face Anne. “Mother, what in the world are you doing here?” Jan asks, horrified. “Didn’t you get my message? I called and said I was arriving today,” Anne replies, unimpressed. “Ah, that’s my fault. I meant to tell you she called again. This time to say she was flying in to town for a visit,” Linda chimes in.
“I wish you’d remembered, Linda. I’d have arranged to... oh, I don’t know - be out of town!” Jan replies unimpressed, and still horrified. Anne’s expression turns cold and she says, “Well, it’s nice to see you too, my dear.” Linda senses the tension. “Sorry, Jan, I screwed up.” Lind shrugs her shoulders. “It’s okay,” Jan begins. “I just would have liked time to prepare for her arrival; like getting some cloves of garlic to wrap around my neck!” Linda sees an opportunity to make her exit from the now extremely awkward situation.
“Okay then, I’ll just leave you two alone. Nice to see you again, Mrs. Bentley.” Linda walks away. Anne ignores her. Anne turns to Jan. “You could have at least acknowledged her existence, Mother. She was trying to be nice,” Jan says perturbed in a loud whisper. “Janice, really. Come now, she’s only your secretary,” Anne says annoyed at being corrected; a distinct smirk on her face and slight arrogance in her tone of voice.
“She IS NOT my secretary! She is my assistant AND my friend. AND, as far as I’M concerned, there is nothing “ONLY” about her!” Jan responds, standing her ground. Anne is not in the mood to argue with her daughter, especially when knows she’s right. “Whatever you say, my dear. Whatever you say.” “You got that right! Now that we’ve dispensed with the opening salvo.
Can I offer you some coffee? It’s not espresso, but it is a nice French roast,” Jan says. “No thank you, dear…. So…this is…,” Anne starts, clearing her throat trying to find the right words. “…Your gallery? You have quite some…how shall I say? “Interesting” pieces for sale here, dear.” “Thank you. I know they’ll never measure up to your standards, but I like them.
Now, what do you want? You didn’t fly all the way from the Hamptons to discuss art.” “No, I didn’t. I’m here on some business.” Anne looks at a painting. “I’m meeting with some studio executives about a merger and thought I’d take the opportunity to drop by.