Boogie Woogie

- Look at that. That one's gonna be-

Fucking Christ.

You're a fucking narcissist, Elaine.

It's aII about you at the end of the day.

- Sure, it's about me. lt's a fucking self-portrait.

- You're just a self-absorbed, seIf-obsessed,

selfish, second-rate, so-caIIed artist

who can't even draw a straight fucking line.

Let's not get into this.

And anyway, l don't draw. l do video art.

"l do video art."

Oh, my God.

No.

Oh, no.

Bob, Jean.

Don't go in there.

Fucking assholes going into that cocksucking bastard's gaIIery.

Motherfuckers!

Read it back.

- "Dear Alfreda, I am sending you

"this excellent account

"of the raising of the Mary Rose.

"l was fortunate enough to come across a tabor pipe

"found in an early wreck,

"and l would be grateful

"if you would accept this smaII token

to celebrate our friendship."

Yes.

On further consideration,

we think that 15 million

would be a fair valuation for the painting.

"Dear Mr. Spindle,

"thank you for your letter concerning the Mondrian.

"l have in the past discussed with my husband

"the possible sale of this work.

"As you may be aware,

"my husband bought the painting from the artist himseIf

"and has, understandably,

a strong sentimental attachment to it."

- Oh, I find this aII very difficult, Robert.

l mean, l wish l'd never even contempIated the idea.

lt's just- l don't know.

Never mind.

- WeII, if the saIe at Sotheby's is successful,

then maybe it won't be necessary to-

- No, l know. I know.

But he's so insistent.

He's like some ghastly hypnotist.

And over the past two weeks,

he's sent me dozens of unreadable books

on marine archaeology

and enough fiowers for a funeraI,

and these missives, almost like love letters.

- They are intimate, it has to be said.

- Look, "Your intelligence resonates

"like the echo of a seashell.

"The elegance of your opinion

stands out against the debris of modernity."

- Well, perhaps he simply has strong feelings for you.

Could be his mother.

Verdammt.

- Really, you do underestimate yourself.

What?

Grossman's offered him 60-40?

Well, what does he want?

70?

No goddamn way!

l built Schneider up, God damn it.

If he wants to join a bunch of second-rate artists

in a second-rate gallery, weII, then Iet him.

- I hear that Grossman has cash fiow problems.

- Yes, well, he's always got cash fIow probIems.

You want to know why?

Because he's a fucking idiot.

By the way, the Rhinegolds

are selling two paintings at Sotheby's.

- Well, if they'd let me sell their goddamn Mondrian,

they wouldn't have to sell their collection.

l mean, what is wrong with these peopIe?

- I guess they're attached to it.

- Art should not be allowed to stagnate.

There's a price for everything.

There's always a price.

Bob, Jean.

Hi, Art.

How the hell are you?

You look great.

Handsome as always.

- Try my best. Bob.

Good.

That's a great spin painting.

Oh, wow.

That is so alive.

- lt's fantastic. How much?

- Oh, well, the Havermeyers have reserved it.

You're joking.

No.

You should call me first

when you get something Iike that.

How much was it?

Oh, l shouldn't say.

Oh, come on, Art.

We don't have any secrets, do we?

- 400,000.

Wow.

- His prices are going through the roof.

And this is an early one.

lt's a spectacular painting,

truly beautiful.

You know, l was looking at those Newmans the other day,

and it struck me how exciting it must have been

to suddenly have a new language in art.

l feel that Hirst must have had that same sensation.

There's something else I want to show you,

something that came in the other day.

buzz!

Bring in the Currin.

Oh, God, l love John's work.

He's so great, isn't he?

And that Rachel is just adorable.

- WouId you Iike some champagne, water?

No, we're just stopping by.

Yes, l would love some water.

Thank you, Art.

Sparkling.

Certainly.

Nature calls.

- You know where it is, don't you, Bob?

So?

- Your hair looks beautiful, Jean.

Thank you, Art.

Are you going to the Schneider show in New York?

- I was- l was thinking of it, yeah.

Can l come?

Sure.

Do you think Bob might like to come?

Oh, you know.

He does his thing, and l do mine.

Oh, l found a great space.

Really?

Where?

Near Hoxton Square.

l love that area.

Oh, these.

You like?

Oh, they're fantastic.

l like those.

Well-

Those are amazing.

- WeII, they're okay, but those are better.

They're more rounded

Iike that BotticeIIi at the National Gallery.

- Bob, l got to make a decision soon.

Okay.

Go for these.

- No, l mean about when to Ieave the gaIIery.

- Uh, well, just wait till the last minute.

Then break it to him.

What's this?

- That is Mondrian's very first "Boogie Woogie" painting.

lsn't it incredible?

lt's a masterpiece.

That's what it is.

ls it for sale?

We're working on it.

- Will you let me know when it is?

- Well, l mean, that wouldn't be very professionaI.

Oh, come on, blue eyes.

Yes?

Yeah, Havermeyers.

l got to go.

The Havermeyers are in the gaIIery.

Uh-huh.

l think it's a masterpiece.

Oh, wow.

l love that.

Wow.

He's just amazing.

Oh, Art.

lt's fantastic.

lt's absolutely fantastic.

Fabulous.

- And l just had to bring it out.

l understand.

How much?

- Beth, darling, l'm sorry to bother you,

but did you get the auction results

on the Rhinegold paintings?

Ah.