Kenneth hung up the phone feeling confused. A secretary gave him the runaround, then insulted him. Why? He loved her boss. His review last month had praised the man as the one great thing in a good enough show that happened to be the best new thing in town. He was going to stroke the man even more in a puff piece on Sunday. But the man’s secretary mocked Kenneth, and it hurt. He was already in a very delicate mood this morning.
There was a knock on his open door.
Ted Bickle stood there in his red suspenders and bushy white beard, leaning on the cane that he’d used since heart surgery.
“Hello, Ted. Come in. Have a seat. What can I do for you?”
“I’m fine, Ken. Just dropped by to say sorry. For reducing you to a cub reporter. Jimmy Olson, huh?” He laughed. “But Week in Review said they need something on Lewse for Sunday or we’re going to look foolish. And you’re the best choice.”
“I don’t mind,” said Kenneth. “Be fun. It’s time I cross the fourth wall and talk to actors again. I miss it.”
“You do?” said Ted.
“Oh yeah. I love talking to actors. The gossip, stories, and jokes.”
“Good then. Good,” said Ted uncertainly. “I guess I made the right choice. So. Have fun.” And he limped away on his cane, looking mildly disappointed.
Damn Bick, thought Kenneth. This assignment is just his way of putting me back in my place. Kenneth had been a theater reporter years ago, writing up the half page of items that ran every Friday. In those days, people were delighted when he called. He was attention, he was notice, he was Michael Anthony from The Millionaire, the old TV show, changing lives with a certified check. Now he was just the second-string critic, the man who got blamed for everyone else’s failures and unhappiness.
The interview was only filler. They could’ve sent any intern or assistant to talk to Lewse. But Ted gave the assignment to Kenneth. Because he thought Kenneth was getting too big for his britches. And because Ted was going to retire soon. And he would die, and Kenneth would still be alive, and maybe even writing for the Times.