Acquired Tastes Read Online Free PDF Page B

recognition of one's peers as symbolised in this,' he patted the bulbous artichoke, 'is the greatest award one can achieve.' Not for the first time that evening his eyes grew misty with emotion.
    The group nodded in agreement.
    'Our beloved industry is changing. It's time to make a stand for creative excellence and quality, before the Philistines and the money-men plunder the rich citadel of public service broadcasting and lay waste to our honourable traditions.'
    As he spoke, Philip's voice rose. It was his favourite part of his acceptance speech and it had taken so long to write, a little repetition couldn't possibly hurt.
    The group signalled its assent with a few 'hear hears' and a general clearing of throats. But small talk exhausted, they drank deeply from their glasses and their eyes began to sift the room, assessing new contacts to be made, old acquaintances to be greeted and people to be avoided. One by one, they began to drift away. Vanessa sipped her wine, conscious that Philip was covertly studying her. He wasn't really her type, but…
    He cleared his throat. 'I hope I'm not speaking out of turn, Miss Swift…'
    '
Vanessa
, please, ' she urged with a smile.
    'But I'm looking for some bright young things to join my company, Right Pryce Productions, and if Elliot says you're good, well, that's recommendation enough for me. I can offer the right kind of package too,' he added hastily.
    Vanessa offered up a silent prayer of thanks to the sweaty-palmed Elliot whom she had never met before that night. Trying not to look too eager, she switched on a dazzling smile.
    'Elliot can be a very naughty boy, you shouldn't believe everything he says,' she said, wagging her finger playfully.
    'Oh, but I'm sure he wouldn't have said… Please tell me if I'm speaking out of turn.' Philip's colour had deepened.
    Vanessa put her hand on Philip's arm and dropped her voice to an enticing low.
    'As a matter of fact, I might just be open to offers. Without wishing to name names, there are some people in my company who seem to want to stifle creativity and new ideas, so perhaps it's about time I spread my wings.'
    Philip placed his hand over hers and nodded glumly. 'Talent often goes unrewarded.'
    Several delightful lunches later, Vanessa had joined Right Pryce Productions and nearly doubled her salary.
    At the thought of her salary, Vanessa fished around in her capacious bag for her mobile phone. She needed to keep Philip happy. Of late, his normal jaunty demeanour had been replaced by that of a hunted man. Last week she had received a peremptory summons to his office where he had dispensed with his normal preamble of pleasantries.
    'It would appear from our accountants that your expenses since joining us have been nearly double your not inconsiderable salary. But despite being Head of Programme Development, you have not as yet generated one viable programme idea. Can you suggest a reason for this sad state of affairs?'
    Vanessa had crossed her long legs and pulled her already short skirt higher up her thighs. It was a negotiating ploy she usually found effective. It reduced the opposition to either confusion or lust and both achieved the same result - she got her own way. But Philip's eyes remained resolutely and uncomfortably fixed on her face.
    She pushed her skirt back down and re-crossed her legs. Other tactics were obviously called for. She smiled serenely.
    'Philip
darling.
You know how it is. If you want to impress people, you just have to take them to the right kind of place for lunch. How would it look if I invited a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor to lunch at McDonald's? Think of your credibility rating darling, it would look like Right Pryce couldn't hack it. I mean, we're talking image here.'
    'And I'm talking survival.'
    Philip leaned across the desk, his eyes narrowing in a most unbecoming way. 'I'll give you the bottom line, Vanessa. I want a workable idea for a television series, on my desk, one week from today, or else we