Larry Joins the Company for a Share
Just then Greg and Larry, a twenty-something college geek, enter with a big old beaten and battered backpack. Larry speaks up first. “Hi, we’ve got a delivery for Jan, a contract for her to review.” Linda watches him closely and says, “Sure. She’s over there talking to her Mother. Jan, there’s a delivery for you!” Linda yells across the floor.
Jan is grateful for the break in the conversation with her mother. “Thanks, Linda!” Jan motions for Larry and Greg to walk to her. She sees a look of concern on Greg’s face. Reassuring him, she continues to motion that they should join her. “Come on over, it’s okay,” Jan says. When Greg and Larry reach where Jan is standing on the gallery floor with Anne, Jan says to Greg reassuringly, “Don’t worry.
You weren’t interrupting anything important.” Greg and Larry walk over to Jan and Anne. Linda checks Larry out and likes what she sees. She licks her lips like a tiger settling on its next prey. Larry turns around. Greg unzips the backpack, pulls out a pile of papers, handing them to Jan. Larry is happy to be there and doesn’t yet sense the tension between Anne and Jan.
Greg speaks. “Here you go, as agreed - the full contract. Oh, hello. Don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” Greg offers his hand to Anne, she ignores him. Greg drops his hand. Jan leans forward and announces, “This is my mother, Anne Bentley. Who’s your friend, Gregory?” Anne asks. Jan shoots her mother a sharp look. She is shocked at her mother’s forwardness.
Anne whispers to Jan, “Just because I’m a happily married woman, doesn’t mean I’m dead.” Greg turns to Larry, then to Jan, ignoring Anne… somewhat. “It’s Greg, actually. Jan, this is Larry. He’s a whiz with computers, and he’s going to be setting up and running the website for us.” Jan shakes Larry’s hand absent-mindedly. Anne has placed her hand on her chin, admiring Larry… “Larry, good to meet you.
Wow, so, you guys must be doing pretty good - if you can afford to hire a staff.” “Actually,” Larry begins, “they didn’t. I heard about the company from my Dad - he’s investing - and we worked out a little deal.” “Yeah, Larry works for us in exchange for a share in the company,” Greg says. “Ah, very good,” Jan says without much thought. Linda walks in with her eyes on solely on Larry. “Can I get you guys some coffee or something?” Greg and Larry nod.