An hour before closing, Ivy was serving this man (Wayne Todd) throughout the night. As he was finishing his plate of food, he kept on looking at Ivy's painting on the bar counter because he sat right next to it. He admire her work and he knew from that point on that it was hers. When Ivy was making her way towards him, she assist him if he needed anything.

Ivy (*asks as she signals to the man for his plate) : may i take your plate if you are finished ?
Wayne Todd : yes, please.

Ivy grabs the plate from Wayne's table area and held it in her hand.

Ivy (*asks) : would you like some more wine sir ?
Wayne Todd : no thanks.
Ivy (*asks) : are you sure ? it’s on the house for today, no charge.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : oh really ? whats the occassion today ?
Ivy : we are near the holidays and closing for about 2 weeks until New Years.
Ivy : so we wanted the customers to be free of drinking and serving more.
Wayne Todd : then sure. i would like another glass of wine. please.
Ivy : alright. i’ll be right back with your glass of wine.

Ivy took the Wayne's wine glass and his plate of food to the side where the dirty utensils were. She dropped off the plate into the bin and filled the glass with wine in front of Wayne as he was sitting there. Then she slid the glass of wine in front of Wayne.

Ivy (*says) : your wine sir.
Wayne Todd : thank you so much.
Ivy (*says & asks) : your welcome. is there anything else you would like ?
Ivy (*asks) : some desserts ?
Wayne Todd (*asks) : what kind of desserts do you have ?
Ivy : we have everything sir.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : which are your famous desserts ?
Ivy : our New York Cheesecake or Chocolate Mousse Cake here is popular.
Wayne Todd : im craving cheesecake so i’ll get that.

Ivy writes his dessert order on her order pad.

Ivy : i'll be right back with your dessert.

Ivy walked to the side next to the bar where the deserts were and got a slice of cheesecake to put on a plate. Then she walked back to serve Wayne again and laid the plate in front of him from behind the bar counter.

Ivy : here you go. (*slightly slides the plate in front of him)
Wayne Todd : thank you.
Ivy (*asks) : is there anything else i can get for you ?
Wayne Todd : actually. there is something bothering me.
Ivy (*asks) : what is it sir ?

Wayne Todd points at the painting next to him.

Wayne Todd (*says) : i'm looking for the painter of this painting.
Ivy (*looks at the painting & says) : ah, that painting.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : do you happen to know who painted it ?
Ivy (*smiles & says) : i'm the painter sir. it’s one of a kind.
Ivy (*asks) : why do you ask ?
Wayne Todd : i really like and admire your work. its different from what i normally see.
Ivy : thank you so much.
Wayne Todd : i forgot to introduce myself.

Wayne puts out his hand for Ivy to shake and she shook it.

Wayne Todd : i'm Wayne Todd, a museum executive manager in LA.
Wayne Todd : you're an artist. (*asks) have you ever heard of LACMA ?
Ivy : its the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts.
Ivy : it's one of the top art museums across the world.
Wayne Todd : thats right.
Wayne Todd : I would like your artwork to be a part of our museum.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : how would that sound ?
Ivy (*says & asks) : it sounds great but you really think that i'm the true painter ?
Wayne Todd : i believe you. i want to see other paintings you have worked on.
Wayne Todd : i want to speak to you privately if that's okay later.
Ivy : sure.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : what time are you off tonight ?
Ivy : we close at 11PM but i am done with work by 11:15PM sir.
Wayne Todd : i’ll swing by then and we can talk.
Ivy : i forgot to introduce myself. i’m Ivy Manovitz.
Wayne Todd : it’s nice to meet you Ivy. bring your artwork and we’ll see from there.
Ivy : i understand. thank you.
Wayne Todd : thank you again Ivy.

Ivy walked away from the counter and did her job so Wayne could finish his dessert. After eating all of his dessert, he paid the bill and walked out of the restaurant. Ivy came back to Wayne's table area and picked up the dirty plates and the bill. She stood there looking at the bill and smiled. She saw a note in it from Wayne that said....

"Dear Ivy. I already knew who you were. I searched your artwork online and it looked incredible so i wanted to check it out with my own eyes instead. I figured that there was a painting here at this restaurant. I’m so glad I found you in New York City. I look forward to seeing what other paintings you have painted and for you to make a decision to join us at the museum in LA. -Wayne Todd"

Ivy put the note in her pocket apron and continued to work, cleaning up the area.

An hour later, it was closing time. Ben and Jason were in the kitchen helping Charlie clean up while William stayed at the front to help with Ivy wipe down the tables and put the chairs up. Ivy still hasn't told William or Charlie or the other guys about Wayne Todd so Ivy took the time now to talk to William.

Ivy (*asks William) : William ?
William : you can just call me Will, Ivy.
Ivy : Will.
William (*asks) : what is it ?
Ivy : there is a man who is coming in a couple minutes.
William (*asks) : at this time ? its already late.
Ivy : yeah at this time. i met him earlier when i was serving him.
William (*asks) : who is he ?
Ivy : he’s an executive manager from LACMA.
William (*asks) : you mean he’s from LA ?
Ivy : yeah.
William (*asks) : what is he doing here in New York ?
Ivy : he wants to see my artwork.
Ivy : if he likes them then he might display my paintings at where he works, LACMA.
William (*smiles & says) : that's wonderful !
William : you finally did it Ivy.
Ivy : i know. because of that picture.

Ivy points at the picture on the bar counter and smiles.

Ivy (*asks) : so is it okay if you guys stay in the back while i talk to him out here ?
William : sure.
Ivy : i promise it wont take long.
William : just take your time. i'll tell Charlie when im in the back with him and the guys.
Ivy : thanks Will.
Ivy : i'll be right back. im going to get my painting portfolio down.
Ivy : if the man comes in then invite him inside and tell him to wait for me.
William : Okay.

Ivy dropped her things onto the table and walked upstairs to get her art portfolio.

A moment after, the sound of a bell rang as someone walked through the door. A figure of a man (Wayne Todd) holding a folder stood there. William walked over to him and told him....

William (*says) : hello.
Wayne Todd : Hi. im looking for Ivy Manovitz.
William : you must be the executive manager for LACMA.
William (*asks) : you wanted to speak to Ivy, right ?
Wayne Todd : yes. im here to talk to Ivy about her art work.
William : please take a seat. she'll be right down.
Wayne Todd : thank you.
William (*asks) : would you like anything to drink ?
Wayne Todd : no, its fine. thank you.

When Ivy was making her way downstairs with her big portfolio, William was walking to the back into the kitchen. She signaled him that its going to be okay and she needed to talk to Wayne Todd herself.

Ivy took a seat in front of Wayne and they started to talk.

Ivy : thank you for coming again.
Wayne Todd : im glad to be here. you have quite a nice staff where you work.
Ivy (*smiles & says) : yes. its almost like family here.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : do you live here too ?
Ivy : im renting a studio room upstairs temporarily.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : how long do you plan to stay ?
Ivy : im not actually sure. i was thinking just until im stable with everything.
Wayne Todd : it seems like your already stable.
Ivy : im working on it.
Wayne Todd : so about your paintings.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : can i see them ?
Ivy : yes.

Ivy laid out all of her art painting pieces on the empty tables around the room. Wayne took the time to go around the room to look at it. He was very interested in Ivy's landscaping paintings the most. While he was looking at those, the guys in the kitchen were whispering as they were looking through the small peek window at the front.

Ben (*asks) : what do you guys think their talking about ?
Jason : Ivy's paintings, of course.
William : that man seems to like her paintings.
Ben (*asks) : how can you tell ?
William : you can see it on his face, duh.
Jason : i hope everything goes well for Ivy.

After looking at Ivy's paintings, Wayne Todd made his way back to his chair to sit down and Ivy followed his actions.

Wayne Todd : you have quite a talent with painting.
Ivy : thank you.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : where did you learn how to paint ?
Ivy : it started when i took art classes in high school, freshmen year for an elective.
Ivy : i fell in love with art since then.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : what do you think about when you paint ?
Ivy : i dont think about anything.
Wayne Todd (*asks) : and why is that ?
Ivy : because making art to me is like therapy and it keeps my mind off things.
Ivy : thats why i dont think about anything when i paint.
Wayne Todd : very impressive.
Wayne Todd : since i have seen all of your art work, i want to make an offer with you.
Ivy (*asks) : what offer sir ?
Wayne Todd : i want you to display your paintings at our art museum in LA.
Wayne Todd : LACMA would love to have you. we are looking for new faces, new artists
Wayne Todd : to display our museum. i think you could one of them.
Wayne Todd : so i want to offer you a contract to sign with us.
Ivy (*asks) : whats on the contract sir ?

Wayne Todd pulls out a contract from his folder that he was holding towards Ivy in front of her and he explains to her.

Wayne Todd : you will work on your paintings in one of the painting labs in the museum.
Wayne Todd : we have many labs you can choose from and an office for your work.
Wayne Todd : once you are all done, we can display them in the museum.
Wayne Todd : thats when you get your very own exhibit with just your paintings in it.
Ivy (*asks) : how long is this contract ?
Wayne Todd : its a 3 month contract with LACMA.
Ivy (*asks) : and what happens when those 3 months are over ?
Wayne Todd : you can either renew the contract or go your own way.
Wayne Todd : its really up to you, your decision, from that point on.
Ivy : i need some time to think about this.
Wayne Todd : of course. i will give you all the time you need.
Wayne Todd : when you have a decision, you can contact me.
Ivy : thank you.
Wayne Todd : have a look at the contract and get back to me.
Wayne Todd : my business card is the folder so just give me a call when your ready.
Ivy : thank you.
Wayne Todd : good night Ivy.
Ivy : good night.

Wayne Todd stood up and walked out of the restaurant closing the door behind him. Ivy followed him to lock the front door and she came back to the table where the contract laid. She stood there running her fingers around the contract and wondering what she should do about the offer.

Notes