The Patron's Prize

The first time I met Adrian Halloran was in a bungalow at the Bel-Air Hotel.

Hal Brenner had laid the script sides face-up on the glass coffee table. Next to the sides, a neat white line. Next to the line, a rolled hundred. He pushed the rolled hundred toward me with two fingers, the way you'd slide a tip across a bar.

"Couple bumps and the part's yours. Third lead. Eight episodes."

I didn't move.

Under the table Cass kicked me in the shin and dropped her voice. "Sloane. Do you want to work this year or not?"

I did.

I wanted to work so badly it had been hollowing me out for three years.