Madison Avenue Shoot by Jessica Fletcher Read Free Book Online Page B

guy?”
    “And, of course, last year he directed Battle of the Alien Space Cadets .” Betsy sat back and smiled.
    “Okay. That one I’ve heard of,” Grady said under his breath. “A real shoot-’em-up. Frank loved it.”
    “So is the Permezzo commercial going to be science fiction?” Anne asked no one in particular.
    “Adam is tied up in meetings in L.A. today,” Howerstein said, ignoring the aside. “He’s flying in the beginning of next week, but he told me to tell you he sends you his very best, and that he’s eager to meet and work with each of you next week.”
    “I doubt he sent any messages at all,” Lance said, giving his assistant another poke. “Directors are prima donnas, or I should say prima donalds, since they’re all male.”
    Lena began writing furiously on her pad.
    “And I know all about Akmanian. He’s a wack job!” he proclaimed.
    “No. No. Only the best for Permezzo,” Antonio said.
    Anne waved a hand in the air. I noticed that she had removed her opal ring. “He’s probably more like a has-been,” she said, “but then I suppose doing commercials is not at the top of the wish list for Hollywood’s A-list directors.”
    “On the contrary,” Betsy said, working to control her temper. “Commercial work is prized by Hollywood directors.”
    “So you say. Name one,” Lance said.
    “I can name you dozens of Hollywood directors who have done spots,” she replied, “including just about all the famous names.” She started counting on her fingers. “Spike Lee, Ridley Scott, Michael Bay, Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann, Oliver Stone, Wes Anderson, David Lynch.”
    “All right. Let’s stop this now,” Howerstein said. “Betsy’s right. The top guys in Hollywood are happy to direct commercials.”
    “I wouldn’t have hired Akmanian,” Lance said, leaning over to see what Lena had taken down.
    “Well, fortunately it isn’t up to you,” Betsy said acidly. “We’re very pleased with his reel. He’s going to do a marvelous job for Permezzo. He’s excited about the project, and I’m certain you’ll find him very professional when you work with him next week.”
    Antonio seemed happy that his director was in the company of Scorsese and Stone; he clasped his hands together and smiled his approval at Betsy. She sat up a little straighter in her seat. “Daniel has to leave for another appointment. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask them. Or you can wait till you’re on the set next week.”
    No one around me raised a hand, and neither did I, although, if pressed, I could think of a few, beginning with, Is it too late to back out?

Chapter Five
    “S ay cheese!” “Brie!” Stella Bedford had linked arms with me while Jimbo Barnes aimed his digital camera in our direction and clicked the shutter. “That looks good,” he said, squinting at the tiny screen on the back of the camera.
    “Are we both smiling?” she asked. “Take another one, just to be sure.” Stella hugged my arm. “This is gonna be great. I’ll send you the print and you can sign it to me. Make sure you use permanent ink, right?”
    “I’ll remember.”
    “Now, don’t forget to give me your address.”
    “I won’t forget,” I said.
    “Cookie, shut up so I can take the picture.”
    Stella tilted her head toward mine and gave the camera a perky smile.
    “That’s it,” Jimbo said, turning a dial so he could view what he’d captured.
    “Let me see,” Stella said. She leaned against his arm, then pulled the camera out of his hands. “Look, Jessica. Don’t we look nice?”
    I put on my reading glasses to peer at the screen. “That looks like a good one,” I said.
    “Can I see?” Grady asked, peeking over my shoulder.
    After the meeting emptied out, the four of us had lingered in the agency’s conference room. Stella had prevailed upon me not to leave until Jimbo could take our picture together.
    “That’s a great shot of you guys, Aunt Jess.”
    Jimbo smiled. “I’ll