Daily Dialogue — November 1, 2011

JAN: How did you two meet?

LAYLA: Billy, you didn’t tell your mom how we met?

BILLY: You tell her.

LAYLA: Well. l was working as a typist for the CIA, which is a special part of the government. And Billy is a top agent with the CIA. I’m sure you know that. You’re probably so proud of him. Anyway, he has *hundreds* of people working for him. All the girls in the office were always telling me how much they were in love with their boss. I had never seen him because I worked way down on the other side of the building. But one day, he comes into the office, and I see him, and I fell in love — *madly* in love — with him. But, you know, I couldn’t talk to him, because I was just a typist, and I…he’s the kindest, smartest, most handsome guy there. I mean, even the guys loved him. They idolized him. So, I just…I just couldn’t. I didn’t think he’d ever like me. I was just a little typist girl. And, you know, he was like, the king. I mean, even the president is so proud of him. So, one day, I walk into my office, and there’s this *giant* bouquet of roses. I was just like, “My God. What are those flowers on my desk?” I thought maybe they had gotten the wrong desk or something. So, I go over and I open the card. There was a little note attached…

Jan turns up the volume on the TV. She’s watching an old Bills game.

LAYLA: And it said, “Dear Wendy, I have been in love with you for a year, but I’m very shy. I didn’t know how to tell you before this. But l want you to know that I really love you, and I’d love to take you out to dinner some time.” And guess who it was signed by?

JIMMY: Who?

JAN: Honey, honey, hold on. Watch this play, all right?

LAYLA: Billy. It was signed by Billy. It said, “Love, Billy.”

— Jan (Anjelica Huston), Layla (Christina Ricci), Billy (Vincent Gallo), Buffalo ’66 (1998), written by Vincent Gallo

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is lies. Buffalo ’66 suggested by Joe.

Trivia: The song Billy’s father sings to Layla, “Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear To Tread”, was actually sung by Vincent Gallo’s father, Vincent Gallo Sr.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Layla makes up her entire story, but it’s interesting to think what it says about her inner life, her wants and needs, a desire for true romance… and of course ironic given who Billy is.

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