Nina confirmed Ruby's fee on Monday, a little over five weeks after the first video went up.
June wasn't part of the meeting. She was behind the counter when Ruby came out of the office holding the printed programme description as if it were a photograph somebody had just taken of her.
“It's happening,” Ruby said.
June looked at the paper. Saturday. A performance and discussion about a dramatized breakup piece, with new comic material. Ruby's name in type larger than everything except the cinema's.
“I'm glad they've paid you properly,” June said.
“They haven't yet. Afterwards.”
“Still.”
Ruby ran a finger along her own name. “It's enough that I can take the shift off without feeling like an idiot. A bit more than enough.”
June smiled. It hurt less than she had expected to see Ruby happy about something real. She had been keeping their messages short since the audition afternoon. Ruby hadn't asked to meet again. Now they were standing together looking at the first paid evening Ruby had ever been invited to make.
Nina came out after her.
“I need the final description and credits tonight,” she told Ruby. “And a clear list of who's participating. Nobody advertised until they've agreed.”
“I'll send them.”
Nina looked at June. “You don't need to do anything.”
“I know.”
Ruby waited until Nina had returned to the office. Then she laid the programme on the counter and turned it over.
She'd written a line on the back: My best friend found love with the man everybody thought had broken my heart.
“That's you and Eli,” Ruby said. “I thought it could end with something hopeful.”
June felt suddenly cold.
“Don't use us.”
“It's a good thing this time.”
June pushed the paper back toward her. “No.”
A customer came in to ask about the evening film. June turned to answer him. Ruby stayed where she was, the programme bending under her fingers.
Ruby folded the programme carefully. She put it into her bag, then took it out again because the corners were catching on something inside.
“I'll sort it out,” she said.
June had to go back to work. Ruby stayed for a minute by the programme stand, then went toward the office to ask Nina something else.
That evening, June told Eli what Ruby had proposed.
“She wants to do a continuation about us.”
He didn't answer at once.
“I told her no,” June said.
“Good.”
June sat at her kitchen window. She had written a first version of the dance-hall invitation and left it open on the table. She wanted to talk about that instead. For a few minutes she did, and Eli listened.
After they ended the call, she went back to the words. She changed the opening to invite people who had never seen the film.