MAGIC by William Goldman

Author:William Goldman [Goldman, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780307487865
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2008-12-30T08:00:00+00:00

4

“You never really told why you were here.”

Corky answered, “The truth, I guess, is I'm hiding.”

She looked at him. They were finishing dinner in the living room where she'd set up a card table by the fire. At first, it had been too hot, but as the meal went on, the fire softened, and they kept moving closer and closer, table, wine bucket, folding chairs. “From?”

“I just have to get my head on straight about a few things.”

She nodded, took out the wine bottle. “I don't think you're supposed to chill it when it's red, but I figured the bucket added the proper note of elegance. When you entertain a lot, you learn little touches can really add up.” She started to pour. “I was being funny,” she said. 'About my entertaining.”

“It's very good wine.”

“Gallo Hearty Burgundy. Won lots of blind tastings against those higher-priced French imports.”

I'm not really into wine much.”

“When you run a fancy resort, you have to keep track of the trends,” Peg told him. “Your head seems on pretty straight to me.”

“I've been acting weird, believe me.”

“If you say so.”

“See I thought I was having an argument with my agent about a matter of principle. But earlier today, I was walking around the lake and I realized I'd been b.s.ing myself. It's the future's really got me scared.

See, I guess I've got an outside chance at making it big, and I'm not sure I want to take it.”

“I guess you are a little weird.”

“Nobody's arguing with you about that. But there's a lot of hassling that goes along with success.”

She nodded. “Should we eat at Sardi's or '21? Should we hit the opera or the dance? Should I switch to Hal-ston or stay faithful to Balenciaga? Could be murder.”

“I'm a private person,” Corky said.

“And if you make it, you think they'll find out all your secrets?”

Corky smiled.

“More?” She pointed to their plates.

“Thanks, I'm stuffed, it was delicious.”

“I don't like to sound conceited, but anything Swan-son freezes, I can thaw. For dessert there's Miss Lee's brownies or Mrs. Smith's pie.” She smiled. “Years ago, Ronnie told me, 'Whenever possible, Birdseye.'” She stood up, reached for the plates. She was wearing a white satin blouse now, unbuttoned at the throat, and just the start of her breasts was occasionally visible in the firelight

“Maybe dessert later, if that's okay.”

“Whatever.” She took their plates and started for the kitchen, concentrating on being careful not to spill, so Corky's “you're really beautiful,” took her by surprise. “I'm not,” she said before she said, “I only wish I was,” followed by “but” and then she turned. “You think so?” She shook her head, remembering. “Hey that's right, I was always pretty for you.”

“I didn't say you were pretty.”

“Whatever.” She finished her trip to the kitchen and called, “You didn't pick up on Ronnie.”

“Is he important?”

“Mate. Consort. Spouse. I'm very big on enlarging my vocabulary.”

“Are you very big on Ronnie?”

She came back. “How come you ask?”

He pointed to her hand. “No ring.”

“We're separated as of this moment.

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