:22:02
Has it?
:22:03
I'll tell you all about it at the studio
on Monday. Have lunch with me.
:22:07
How about telling me now?
:22:09
This isn't the time nor the place.
You have guests.
:22:12
We've known each other too long
to start playing games with each other.
:22:16
What's sticking in your throat
that you can't tell me?
:22:25
The New York boys have been out here
for the past week.
:22:28
- They want me to take a salary cut?
- No, Norman.
:22:34
I guess the only way to say it is to say it.
:22:39
They've instructed me to buy up
the rest of your contract.
:22:42
Pay you off.
:22:43
Pay me off?
:22:44
Why? My last two pictures haven't
grossed as big as they used to...
:22:48
...but neither has anybody else's.
:22:50
They know that.
:22:51
What is it then?
:22:54
Can you take it?
:22:56
Go ahead.
:22:59
They can't afford you anymore, Norman.
You're too big a risk.
:23:03
Those big, fat lush days when a star
could get drunk and disappear...
:23:06
...and hold up production for two weeks
are over.
:23:11
Even if you hadn't slipped a little,
they still wouldn't take the chance.
:23:17
Your record's too bad.
:23:20
No one can afford it anymore.
:23:22
Things are too tough.
:23:26
I tried, Norman.
:23:28
I tried very hard.
:23:30
I see.
:23:36
Don't look so miserable, Oliver.
There are other studios, you know.
:23:41
Only bad thing is I shan't be working
for you anymore.
:23:45
We had a long roll of the dice,
didn't we, Oliver?
:23:48
Can't complain now.
:23:52
By the way...
:23:54
...can you keep this under wraps
for a while?
:23:56
- I'd like to tell Esther in my own way.
- Of course.