The next morning she called her agent. She wanted to begin working. At first he tried to put her off.  She should finish her recovery before trying to work. After a few stilted exchanges she said, “If you don’t want to represent me just say it.  I will engage another agent.”

“Well.” His mind raced. She was a good commodity if she could work. He could lose her to another agent if he didn’t find her work for too long. “I was just looking out for what is good for you.”

“Can I drop in at your office today?”

“Sure any time except eleven to one, I have a dinner appointment.”

“Be there in about an hour.”

She dressed, did her makeup and hair and called a cab. She was wearing her arm brace so she didn’t need the sling. Hopefully that would not be necessary in a day. Her arm hurt and she took a pill. They didn’t seem to be having as much effect.

She walked into the agent’s suite and was ushered into his office without a wait.

“Hello. You are looking good.”

“Thank you.” She offered her hand, he took it and shook it. He noticed that she did not grip his hand and it felt like shaking a rubber hand.

“I had heard you were having more surgery. I was afraid that you were really not able to get back to work.”

“Bart, let me be frank. There will not be any more surgery. There isn’t much more they can do for my arm.”

“But with all the new things.”

“I have had ten surgeries. Other than what they did the day I was hurt have given me nothing more, other than the one surgery to reshape my hand. That didn’t give me any function, it just looks better.”

“So let me get this. You can’t use your hand?”

“Only to push something around and only with the brace.”

“And you want to go back to work?”

“Yes. I know major parts are out but I need to work. It isn’t the money. I am fine there. I need to work mentally. I will take anything.”

He thought tofor a moment. “I have an idea. How would you like to co-host a woman’s show? It’s in a local market but is doing some syndication. It isn’t going to pay big bucks but if you make it grow I am sure the bucks will come.”