THE NEXT DAY, I woke up to a ringing phone, deeply hungover and mildly confused about where I was. “Hello?” “Rise and shine, little bird.” “Harry, what on earth?” The sun in my eyes felt like a burn. “After you left the Fox party last night, I had a very interesting conversation with Sam Pool.” “What was a Paramount exec doing at a Fox party?” “Trying to find you and me,” Harry said. “Well, and Rex.” “To do what?” “To suggest that Paramount sign you and Rex to a three-picture deal.” “What?” “They want three movies, produced by us, starring you and Rex. Sam said to name a price.” “Name a price?” Whenever I had too much to drink, I always woke up the next morning feeling as if I were underwater. Everything looked muted, sounded blurry. I needed to make sure I was following. “What do you mean, name a price?” “Do you want a million bucks for a picture? I heard that’s what Don’s getting for The Time Before. We could get that for you, too.” Did I want to make as much money as Don? Of course I did. I wanted to get the paycheck and mail a copy of it to him with a photo of my middle finger. But mostly I wanted the freedom to do whatever I wanted. “No,” I said. “Nope. I’m not signing some contract where they tell me what movies to be in. You and I decide what movies I do. That’s it.” “You aren’t listening.” “T’m listening just fine,” I said, shifting my weight onto my shoulder and changing the arm that was holding the phone. I thought to myself, I'm going to go for a swim today. I should tell Luisa to heat the pool. “We choose the movies,” Harry said. “It’s a blind deal. Whatever films you and Rex like Paramount wants to buy. Whatever salary we want.” “All because of Anna Karenina?”