Above the Bar

“No, no, you’re right better to let the dust settle.”

“I have been thinking, Christmas, should we go away for it?”

I could go for a getaway. Where did you have in mind?

“I really liked the screenwriter, but fine. You know better than me.”

“I’m not saying that. I’m saying I know how much you yearn for her. To be honest, had she not spit at me, I’d have probably stayed at home all day playing the piano to her.”

Would you like me to find you another? I’d just rather us have a bit more control over the story.

“I’m getting a distinct feeling you dislike reporters, satirists or anyone whose job it is to comment on current events. I’m so glad I found someone with shared hatred. As a side note, since I’m home all day and when not being assaulted by our daughter I have fielded some phone calls of which I’ve redirected to you. Two publishers want my memoir, and they want to make a film about me, I said talk to you.”

“I’m also concerned, I think you should lessen your work load and slash your hours so you can spend more time with Gemma, I think you both miss each other.”

I love press. Press are one of my top three ways to spin a case. I don’t like uppity, greater-than-thou cretins that dig up dirt on other people just for entertainment, views, or sales. I’ll speak with the publishers later this week. No to the film. I think I’ve made my point about how you need to not be a victim of media for awhile. Give it a year or two. Preferably five.

Wes: She refused to believe anything I said about you and Jeff turning her offer down. That's where her mental space is. She wants this.

“I’m just saying, it’s fine. Anyway, what’s new.”

Nothing besides Rayes. Or whatever her new last name is now. If she even changed it. Wesley also has this new reporter bimbo. She disrupts his workload all the time.

“Oh I am learning, and I think talking to liberal minded press would be a good thing, face one’s enemy head on, but I do defer to your judgement.”

Why are we still talking about this?

“That’s hurtful, and surprising.”

“I blame our housekeeper, but I’m assuming you’re blaming me.”

Neither should be the case. You know who you are, as do I. If you weren’t that way, I wouldn’t have chosen you. I needed someone who is as willing to do what needs to be done as I am. I don’t regret things, but I do learn from them. A trait you should adopt.

“Am I that heartless you don’t think I’m capable of genuine remorse or humility?”

“This morning I genuinely thought she was going to say daddy, but instead she spat at me. Everyone’s a critic.”

In a word, yes. But that’s why I married you.

“I’m sorry, Diane. I know I broke your trust, and I’m sorry. You’re right, it’s ego talking to me again. You’re right. Lunch, us, shall we?”

I feel like you’re being patronizing, but at this point I don’t care. I’ll take my lunch break at home. I want to see my daughter. Let’s go.

“You didn’t seek me out.”

“Diane, I need this. Anything I can do to repair my reputation. I love Gemma, and I love you, but I cannot be stuck doing nothing, I am good for something. If not politics or big business, something. I have to do something. I have to have something to focus on. I’ve been writing a memoir and I need to get out into the world. My reputation is in tatters, there is nothing Vittoria Arazi can throw at me that’ll surprise me.”

Alright, Jeffrey. Whatever you’d like to think.

“She came to– well you, but us, which means she wants me. Which means she’s set her mind on it, which means we have all the bargaining chips. We demand it aired live, no edits, you vet the questions beforehand, no side swipes, no questions about personal matters - not Maria questions, no Gemma questions. You’re not just my attorney though, are you? You’re my wife, you know me and you know that when I want I can be charming, and remember, I’m sober, I keep that chip in my pocket. People love to cancel toxic people, yes, fine whatever, but what people love more than that is someone who makes themselves better. A crooked politician who saw the error of his ways, made himself a better man for his daughter and his powerful wife. You’re one of the greats in your field, but I didn’t make mayor, while running a company, I didn’t win your affection by being so-so are charming people did I? Remember before my vices, how I could spin a room under my spell. I managed to seduce you, Diane Prevost does not suffer fools and yet here you are, having suffered the worst fool. You want me to trust your judgement, I do, but I’m begging you, trust mine. I can do this.”

First of all, you didn’t seduce me. I sought you out, Jeffrey. Secondly, you just put the horseshit right under my nose and the only reason your pants aren’t stained red right now is because I wouldn’t waste such a lovely year on your self-obsession.

And two things are reasons why we pay you the big bucks.

As long as you keep paying me that, I’ll stay.

I do know, given your billing rates.

Yeah, you’re probably right.

My billing rates help keep the lights on in this office.

“I don’t think you should be making complete decisions on my behalf. I think this is a good idea. Arazi has good viewership and despite what people think, public opinion matters more than anything. Do you not think I could get good press?”

As your attorney, I disagree with that line of thinking. You know, all of my other clients just shut up and do what I say because that’s what they are paying me for. It’s not whether you can do good press or not, Jeffrey, it’s giving her that platform. She’s a chaotic individual who feeds off of controversy and attention. We’re not going to give her an opportunity to turn you into a debacle. No matter what you say, they can edit the interview to whatever they want it to be. And what’s more, all of the allegations that the general public is aware of, you are guilty of. What could you possibly say to answer her questions that won’t paint you as a villain? And if you tell me some remorseful horseshit, I’m dumping my wine into your lap.

“Hurtful but I suppose you’re right.”

“She’s got your attitude that’s for certain. Married? I didn’t know she was seeing anyone. Wait– what? An interview? Why? Why do I feel like this should be run past me.”

Yes, well, she’s very hush hush about most things in her life. Yes, Jeffrey, keep up. And it is being run past you. I just ran it past. And I already told him no.