"How's California?" Peggy asked, looking out at the dark city. Another late night working, more lonely than usual with Stan visiting SC&P West.

"I'm far too cynical for this city. Everyone's so tanned and happy. It really is like Valley of the Dolls around here."

"I'm sure you've found something to like about the place." Peggy chuckled, moving to the cart to pour herself a drink. The speakerphone was especially nice in such a big office.

"Yes…"

"What's her name?"

"She calls herself Moonbeam."

"Of course she does."

'I'm meeting her for dinner."

"Have fun at the commune."

"I intend to."

The line went silent as Peggy's focus returned to her work. There was a tidy pile of correspondences from Ted, all business related. She still hesitated to get on the phone with him. To listen to his voice after hearing his promises, declarations of love then his rejection… it was like being stabbed, an irony that only Abe would appreciate. She was just about to start through the memos again when the phone rang.

"Moonbeam not shining for you?" She laughed, only to be met with silence. "Hello? Stan? You know this heavy breather bit of yours still isn't funny."

"Peggy."

Her heart dropped.

"Ted." She reached blindly to switch to the speakerphone. It was too much to hear him through the receiver, like him whispering in her ear about a Hawaii vacation or how beautiful she looked with nothing on.

"Stan mentioned that you were still in the office before he left."

"Yes. Lots of work." She managed, her stammering tone sounding dense.

"Right… how… how are things?"

"What do you want, Ted?" Her tone was soft, tired. She knew she could only put this off for so long, she couldn't avoid him forever, not when there was work to be done.

"I was just… it's good to hear your voice."

"Don't say that."

"It is."

"If this call has nothing to do with work I'm hanging up."

"Don't hang up."

"Ted… we can't be friends."

"We can't make small talk over the phone?"

"No. And don't use that hurt tone with me. You tell me you love me, that you're leaving your wife, then a day after getting me into bed you tell me that you can't hurt your family and can't be near me anymore! If anyone gets to be angry or hurt here, it's me."

"You think I'm happy about this?"

"Aren't you? Aren't you happy with your decision? You got to screw me and then flee to California with your life intact. You get the best of both worlds, exactly what you wanted, right?"

"I only wanted you." He replied sharply.

"And you had me. You had your night of fun, played out the scene of adultery. Then ran home and returned to the role of model husband and father. And I get left behind, feeling like a whore."

"Peggy." She could hear the desperation in his tone. He was getting ready to argue her claims.

"I'm such an idiot, I thought you were so different from the rest of them."

"You aren't an idiot, Peggy, and you are not a whore. I love you, that night meant so much more than…"

"Stop saying that." He could hear the sob escape her. "You have to stop saying that."

"Peggy, I am not like them." He paused and she could hear him sigh. "I've slept with two women in my life. You and my wife. I don't stray, I've never wanted to before I met you. I've never loved anyone the way I love you. Not seeing you, not hearing your voice everyday… it's tearing me apart. I miss you."

"I miss you too…" She fell silent, brushing her tears away. "But I'm sure one day you'll be glad you made this decision."

"Please."

"I'm not your protégé… or your lover, or your friend. Employee or co-worker, that's it. I care about the work, I will make sure that it doesn't suffer. I will be civil and pleasant and we can discuss business well into the night. But I can't give you anything more. I love you, Ted, but I can't give anymore of myself to you when the only thing I receive is heartache and rejection. It's too much to ask."

"Then I won't ask… except for this, please believe that I love you. We made love that night and it meant the world to me. Please believe that."

"I do."

"Thank you."

"What did you want to talk about?" She asked, clearing her throat.

"I need you to start coming up with ideas for Tiffany's. They're opening a west cast store and are asking for ads specific to California."

"All right. Do you think they'll send boxes of samples like Avon?" She asked, forcing enthusiasm.

"If they do I'll wrestle one away from Moira for you."

"All I ask."

And then he heard her laugh.