“Yes, of course!,” Rachel nodded emphatically.  “Tina is the hottest woman in Film Features, bar none.”

“Wha-a-a-t-t?,” the blonde exclaimed, shaking her head at Bette as if to deny Rachel’s claims, but the brunette wasn’t buying Tina’s denials.  Rachel continued, “Bette, do you know no one wonders anymore why William always asks her to be the one to represent Film Features in all these industry functions, negotiating partnerships with firms, etc …  she’s so distracting!”

Bette laughed as Tina squirmed slightly.   “But smart … super smart.  And a good mentor.  So I’m really honored that I’m one of the producers you picked for this project, Tina,” Rachel added.  “I promise to work my tail off.  I won’t let you down.”

“Well, the first thing I want you to do is to stop blowing smoke up my ass!” Tina exclaimed, but smiled at Rachel.

They ate in companionable silence, comparing the relative quality of the dishes they’d ordered as they tasted the food. 

After a few minutes, Rachel looked at Bette, and asked, “Bette I’m curious … Tina mentioned earlier you were in finance, and so you must have a head for these things — why collect art?  Why invest in it?  I mean, I’m sure there are other things you could have put money in, right?  Sorry … I just don’t understand that part of it.  I’ve often wondered why people in my family have done so, also.”

Bette put her fork down, and put her hands together to form a steeple, and started slowly to explain, taking care not to reveal what she didn’t need to, “I’m a great believer in the arts.  And in beauty. And I could go on and on about that side of it. But since you mention finance, I think these days if you buy certain types of art, your returns will exceed those from the stock market and many other types of investments, over time.  In the past half-century investments in art and other valuables have just taken off like a rocket, and are considered by some in the financial world to be safer than stocks, if you asked them privately.”

Tina looked at her with interest, realizing that she hadn’t really focused on this aspect of Bette’s activities.  Hmm … come to think of it Bette hadn’t slowed down with her art purchases even after leaving the gallery business.  At some point we’ll probably get a chance to go over what art she’s picked up over the last few years, particularly those that are now in storage.