”Thanks for waking me up, by the way” My voice is even, but full of sarcasm.

She looks up and stares at me for a minute, then turning away says nothing. I feel sorry for my remark right away, but also say nothing to her. I drink up my coffee and then I’m out of the house.

I was pleased for my concentrated mind, because Franklin is running beside me a lot today. Negotiating the gallery space with our cooperators and ordering the staff around I cannot do on my own, he thinks probably. But thats okay as long as he doesn’t give orders to me. Working in my office, I hear someone knocking on the door.

”Come in”

There steps in Annie Richardson, the gallerist from New-York, who was hired by CAC to help me putting things together with the Impressionists show last season and with whom I developed a good frienship.

”Well well well, Ms. Porter. Isn’t it fucking good to see you” She walkes up to me as I stand broadly smiling at her and hugs me tightly.

”What are you doing here, Annie? Aren’t you supposed to be in Paris knocking off the feet all the french artists with your talents?”

”What talents?” She smiles slyly at me sitting down on the couch.

”You tell me” I lean against my desk and stare at her also smiling.

”Oh, feeling sassy today, aren’t we? And to answer your question I didn’t go to Paris, because I have some business to do in LA, so here I am! Decided to drop by the CAC and see if my dear friend was feeling like going out with me tonight”

Shit, I was determined to work at home tonight. Surely, it can wait. Annie is in town.

”I think it’s a great idea actually. Feeling like having a drink or two with you. It was a hard week. Franklin keeps breathing down my neck everytime I try to work peacefully.”

”Franklin never learns, I tell ya”

Laughing out loud I mumble ”You and your weird sense of humor, Annie”

Standing up, she walks to the door ”Bette. 7 p.m. Our usual place. Don’t keep me waiting.” She points her index finger at me and turning on her heels exites my office with a smirk on her face.