don't panic, i'll join you in a minute. what's you think of richard and poppy?
we have to talk a little business. i've just been on the phone to los angeles. barton, capitol pictures wants to put you under contract. they've offered you a thousand dollars a week. i think i can get them to go as high as two.
what do you do far a living?
fair enough. no pressure here, barton, because i respect you, but let me point out a couple of things. one, here you make a difference to five hundred fifty people a night – if the show sells out. eighty five million people go to the pictures every week.
yes, generally, to see pap. however, point number two: a brief tenure in hollywood could support you through the writing of any number of plays.
i'd say you're already enjoying some.
okay barton, you're the artist, i'm just the ten percenter. you decide what you want and i'll make it happen. i'm only asking that your decision be informed by a little realism – if i can use that word and hollywood in the same breath.
look, they love you, kid – everybody does. you see caven's review in the herald?
take my copy. you're the toast of broadway and you have the opportunity to redeem that for a little cash – strike that, a lot of cash.
the common man'll still be here when you get back. what the hell, they might even have one or two of 'em out in hollywood.
barton, it was a joke.
barton? what time is it? are you all right?
okay.
it's barton. calling long distance.
what is it barton? are you okay?
go ahead, son.
what do you mean, barton?
well, i'm.  glad to hear that –
that's fine.
barton, is everything okay?
well, i'm just asking. you sound a little –
well, you just.  sound a little–