racine's secretary, beverly, is behind the desk in the modest reception room. she's a pretty girl barely past twenty. she pushes some phone message slips toward racine and nods toward the sofa. a middle-aged woman client, mrs. singer, sits there clutching a walking stick. her face suddenly is contorted in pain. racine glances meaningfully at beverly then turns his full solicitous charm on mrs. singer.
racine is behind the desk. occupying the two seats in front are a married couple rapidly approaching divorce. they are arguing now, each trying to convince racine of their view. racine nods occasionally, looking from one to the other. but he is also looking between them, through the open door out to the reception room, where his secretary beverly is kneeling before the lowest drawer of a filing cabinet. her back is turned and her jeans are tight across the bottom. there's nothing especially provocative about her pose. she's just there. working away.
racine stands at the window staring down at the busy main street. he is far away.
racine lies on the couch. he spins the fedora matty gave him on his finger, beverly comes up and leans against the doorjamb. she's wearing a tee-shirt and tight slacks; she looks good. she watches him for a moment.
racine comes into the reception room from the hall. he's surprised the door is unlocked. he crosses the room and opens the door to his office.
the fedora hangs on the coatstand. racine works at his desk, reading over a long contract. the sun is cutting through the venetian blinds behind him in glaring strips and, as he leans back in his chair, he finds it impossible to read his document. he gets up, goes to the window and adjusts the blinds so that his desk goes dark in the shade. as it does, the phone rings. beverly answers out in the reception room, her conversation muffled through the slightly cracked door. she hits a hold button and yells, as is her informal custom.
racine sits at his desk. the phone buzzes. he picks it up.
racine listens to the endless ringing on the other end of his call and slowly hangs up. the phone rings in the reception room and beverly picks it up, then hits the hold button.