A/N: Whoot! Two chapters in one day! I'm totally on a roll!
Anna smiled as Martha felt her into her place. Martha strolled back into her seat as she said "Nine."
Anna followed Martha's led and gave her a curious look as she asked, "Nine?"
Martha nodded as point off-handedly to the paper on the desk. "Nine movies are coming out this week. I remember a time when nine movies would come out in a month!" Shaking her head she said, "It's astounding. If a movie doesn't make a lot of dough during the first weekend it's dead. How this brings about great work in the film business is beyond me."
Anna grinned, "Have you always been this feisty Martha?"
"Darling when you've been in the film business it's hard not to be."
Anna laughed shaking her head. "Right well I picked up your mail for you."
Martha smiled, "You're a gem."
She rolled her eyes placing each piece of mail down as talked, "Gas Company, phone bill, and a letter from the Screen Actors Guild."
Reaching over Martha grabbed the last one and flung it into the trash. "So Anna have you started the movie list I've given you yet?"
Glancing over to the trash bin Anna nodded, "Yea there really fantastic." She glanced at the trashcan again before asking, "I'm sorry but are you sure you don't want to open it before you toss it out?"
Martha waved her hand as if waving off the very notion. "No they keep writing me about the same thing."
"If they keep writing you about it isn't it important?" Anna said giving her a look.
Martha shook her head, "No no… they just want to throw me some kind of tribute. A night with me I think it said. I don't know it sounded ghastly."
Anna walked over to the trash bin and scooped it out and put it on her desk. "What are you talking about Martha that sounds terrific."
"Deary how would you like walking onto a stage, as fast as snail, looking a hundred years ago, and make some kind of ridiculous speech that I honestly would know what to say for eleven bozos waiting to meet me, forgot it." Martha said moving the letter away from her.
Anna shook her head, "May I?" Martha nodded. "An evening with Martha Levinson," she said aloud to herself. Reading the letter she was shocked. It was event to celebrate and honor all of Martha's hard work in the film industry. "Martha this is huge. You should do it."
Martha looked away to the window ignoring her she imagined. "You look amazing and if it's the speech you're worried about then I'll help you."
Martha gave her a dubious look, "Really?"
"Absolutely, I may not look it but I come from a family of journalists. I happen to be a writer for a magazine and you know John is writing a book so I'm sure we could get him to help us out." Anna said grinning as she dangled the letter between her two forefingers.
Martha narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. "I don't want to go alone."
"Then I'll come with you. I've always wanted to go to a glamorous New York City event." After staring at her for another few seconds Martha nodded.
"Thanks for doing this John." Anna said as she sat down on the couch opening a bottle of wine.
He grinned and that wonderful place of his that always seem to make her heart flutter. "No thanks needed. I'm glad you asked."
Anna watched as he read the speech that she and Martha had been working on. As soon as Anna got her to agree that had spent the rest of the afternoon brainstorming ideas of what to write or mention in the speech. It was rough a draft so to speak right now but when Anna had mentioned it on the phone John had been eager to read what they had so far.
"I like it," he said nodding his head in approval.
Placing her drink down and scooting closer she asked, "You do?"
"I do," John said passing it over to her. Her heart jumped at the words. Anna chastised herself, Stop it! You just meant the man for heavens' sake!
"It needs some editing and rewording mind you- which I'm sure you know but I think the sentiment behind it is rather perfect." John said taking a sip from his wineglass.
Anna grinned, "That's what I keep telling Martha but she's worried that it will come off as sappy or something."
Turning towards her, she felt his knee touch her leg as he said, "Well tell her to don't worrying because she's going to be utterly brilliant."
Anna nodded her head and after a few moments finally tore she eyes away from his. Taking a long sip of wine she finally asked, "Are you going to come? To the tribute?"
"I was planning on it yes." John said looking into his wineglass until he suddenly lifted his head up. "Anna."
"Yes John?" Anna said nervously, he was looking at her intently and she could feel her heart racing.
"I was wondering-" His phone rang and they both jumped. "Sorry."
She shook her head, letting him know it was no big deal, as he answered it. "Hello?... what?... No I understand why how... yes I'll be over in a bit."
Her heart dropped as he got up and put on his jacket. "You're leaving?"
He nodded solemnly, "That was my lawyer. He needs me to come over right away…. I'm sorry."
She smiled tightly, "No I understand. If you're lawyer needs you now it has to be important."
John nodded his head and walked over the door only stopping as he's about to walk through it. "Anna?"
"Yes John?" Anna said walking into the hallway.
He paused for a moment before saying, "I'll see you later."
Anna nodded and watched as he closed the door behind him wishing that his lawyer had waiting a one more minute to call.
