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She wasnt sure when she relaxed, but gradually, her stomachache eased. The more the professor talked about writing, about the gift of storytelling, the more Kate felt she belonged here.
From her place at the news desk, Tully finished her on-air banter with the shows cohosts, then turned her attention to the TelePrompTer, reading the news seamlessly. "Chief Tom Koby of the Denver police conceded today that mistakes were made early in the JonBenét Ramsey investigation. Sources close to the case allege that . . . "
When she was done, she gave the camera her trademark smile and turned the show back over to Bryant and Katie. As she was gathering her script and notes, an assistant producer came and whispered in her ear, "Your agent is on the phone, Tully. He says its urgent. "
"Thanks. "
She talked to several members of the cast and crew as she made her way out of the studio and up to her office. There, she closed the door and picked up the phone, punching in line one. "This is Tully. Hi, George. "
"Theres a car waiting for you out front. Ill meet you at the Plaza in fifteen minutes. "
"Whats going on?"
"Touch up your makeup and move. "
She hung up, told everyone who needed to know that she was leaving for a meeting, and left the building.
At the hotel, a liveried bellman appeared instantly to open the car door for her, saying, "Welcome to the Plaza, Ms. Hart. "
"Thank you. " She handed him a ten-dollar bill and went into the cream and gold marble lobby.
Her agent, George Davison, was waiting for her, looking elegant in a gray Armani suit. "Are you ready to make your dreams come true?"
"Youre finally going to do that, huh?"
He led her down the hallway filled with glass cases that held expensive items for sale from the various gift shops and the sparkling jewelry store, and into the airy, high-ceilinged restaurant.
She saw instantly who they were meeting. In a back corner of the room hidden behind the world-class buffet was the president of CBS.
He stood at her arrival. "Hello, Tallulah, thank you for coming. "
She missed a step but not her smile. "Hello. " She took the seat across from him, watched George sit between them.
"I wont beat around the bush. As you know, The Today Show is killing our morning show in the ratings. "
"Yes. "
"At CBS, we think youre a big part of the shows success. Ive particularly noticed your interviewing skills. Amy Fisher and Joey Buttafuoco, the survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing. O. J. s defense team and Lyle Menendez. You were great. "
"Thank you. "
"Wed like to offer you the cohost spot on our show, beginning with the first show in 98. Our market research indicates that viewers connect with you. They like and trust you. Thats exactly what we need to get our ratings back. What do you say?"
Tully felt as if she might float out of her chair. There was no way to contain her joy or make her smile anything other than huge. "Im stunned. And honored. "
Whats the offer?" George said.
"One million dollars a year for five years. "
"Two million a year," George said.
"Done. What do you say, Tully?"
Tully didnt look at her agent. She didnt have to; theyd been dreaming about an offer like this for years. "I say hell, yes. And can I start tomorrow?"
In writing, Kate found her voice again. She woke every morning at six and went into the office shed set up in the spare bedroom. There, she worked diligently to craft and recraft her sentences, polishing each paragraph until it revealed all that she was trying to say. At some point in this first hour Johnny came in to kiss her goodbye, and then she was alone again until Marah woke and her real-life day began.
She had so much confidence when she was in that pseudo-office of hers, with her fingers on the computers keyboard. If only she felt so sure of herself now.
