Promises
Disillusionment and the High Price of Trust in the City of Angels
Olivia, an actress, and Sofia, a lawyer, lived very far from one another. Olivia lived in Los Angeles and Sofia lived in Rome. In addition to the miles that separated them, their lives had significantly parted once Sofia began having children. Finally, they had the chance to reconnect, as Sofia was to be in Los Angeles on business. All the distance between them melted away the instant they greeted one another
They were having cocktails at a well-known watering hole. Sofia was a little amazed that anyone could afford to eat or drink there.
“You must need a second income just to afford these cocktail prices!” Sofia exclaimed. “I mean, they’re good, and the bartender is theatrical enough--”
“An out-of-work actor, of course. And in fact, that’s exactly right,” Olivia admitted. “I do have two jobs. And then, of course, the auditions … and, when I get lucky, the actual acting work.”
“Does that all hang together?”
Olivia shook her head. “Barely. Many days, not at all.”
They talked about many things. Sofia enumerated the problems with Italy and Rome. Olivia described her failed relationships.
“I’ve gotten burned a lot lately,” Olivia confessed. “Like recently. I slept with an A-lister. He promised me a role I really wanted if I slept with him.” Her voice trailed off …
“And you slept with him?”
“I did.”
“And you got the role?”
“No, of course not.”
They fell silent, but only for a moment.
“Then this actor I know talked me into letting him share my apartment,” Olivia continued. “He promised to pay half of the rent.”
“And did he?”
“Not a penny.”
“He’s not still there?” Sofia exclaimed. “God, I hope not!”
“I was stuck with him for almost a year. I had to ask some of my friends to literally throw him out. Probably he’ll sure me. It turns out he actually has tenants’ rights!”
“Incredible!”
“And my sister,” Olivia said. “She’s in charge of my parents’ purse strings. She promised me a regular stipend from the family money.”
“And—“
“That hasn’t happened. She says our mother thinks it’s a bad idea.”
“And you’ve talked to your mother?”
“She’s impossible. One day she says, yes, of course. The next day she says I’m irresponsible and a drain on the family. Or a stain on the family. I forget which.”
This called for a third cocktail.
“I am absolutely paying,” Sofia said. “This is so clearly a business expense.”
“You promise?” Olivia replied, laughing.
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