Hurley had been attending a session as adviser for a television play in which an artist was depicted. It was six in the evening. Annabel had just finished her day’s work. She was normally a documentary producer. They went to have a drink. ‘They are talking about this artist character’s retiring,’ said Hurley. ‘All wrong. Artists don’t retire. There’s nothing for them to retire about.’ ‘I hope you told them so,’ said Annabel who admired Hurley. ‘In a way it’s a waste of your precious time, this advisory job.’ ‘But I like to see them do it right,’ Hurley said. ‘In this case, for instance, the painter is not perpendicular enough. He shouldn’t be shown to look away from the canvas to talk while his hand is painting with the brush. I like things done right. Personally, if I were a butler or a valet I would do it right. I would know how to do it.’ ‘How would you know?’ said Annabel. ‘Have you had the experience?’ ‘Yes, on the employer’s side,’ Hurley said.
