“Hardly darling; I couldn’t agree with you more. She’s a no talent self-centered egotistical bitch. Would you believe she actually had the audacity to apply for funding from the Peabody Arts Foundation again this past year? You should have seen her reaction when I denied her application without even reading it. When I told her that I threw it in the trash where it belonged along with her work she threw such a tantrum that I feared for my life.”

“Peggy that’s awful. Why would you even agree to see her?” Bette asked knowing Peggy didn’t bother with miscreants like Jodi Lerner.

“I didn’t. She cornered me in the lady’s room of a restaurant where I was having lunch with Phyllis Kroll. She’s been after Phyllis to interview for the artist in residence position at the California University so when she saw me with the Chancellor she figured she could kill two birds with one stone. Her behavior was most unprofessional and unbecoming. Even if I was giving the grant any consideration after her actions that day she was definitely blacklisted in my book. I just mentioned her because I don’t want any Peabody or Wentworth funds allocated to the CAC to be used to promote her works. She’s friends with my daughter Helena and Martha’s daughter Kelly so it wouldn’t surprise me if she tried another tactic to weasel funding or an exhibit through their connection with the CAC.”

“Wait a minute. What does Helena or Kelly have to do with the art’s funding? I thought you and Martha managed those exclusively given your children’s total lack of interest in the arts. I thought they were each charged with the social services projects.”

“They are for the most part Bette, but you know Martha and I are getting on in age. We need to groom our successors to take the helm someday. Our daughters need to learn every aspect of the business including the arts funding. Although I don’t fully trust Helena I’ve decided to put her in charge while I’m away. She will have full control and final decision making on all grants and funding.”

“She will have final say on EVERYTHING? You’re not going to interfere?” Bette’s tone and expression showed the extreme concern.