Has Been Never Was (2022)

Does every man have a price? If so, what is it? Oscar, a Master Of The Universe Art Gallery Owner, invites Rudy, a down and out Has-Been painter, to dinner. Rudy has better things to do- courtside seats for the Knicks, private jet to the Venice Biennial. But here he is, having dinner with Rudy, charming him, bullying him, trying to get him to take a Five Hundred Thousand Dollar check and offering him a One-Man-Show and a chance at Art World renown. Rudy had the first show at Oscar's Gallery Twenty-Five years ago-but what is that worth? Rudy has been down so long it doesn't bother him. Nary a cent , nary a friend. Taking on catering gigs that hurt his back every time. Living in an iffy neighborhood, leading an iffy life. Oscar's invitation to dinner is the first offer of its kind in years. Could he pull it together to be charming and affable tonight? Might Oscar consider Rudy a worthy enough dinner companion-could a friendship be in the offing? Inviting someone to dinner-is that not an act of friendship? Rudy doesn't want to accept Oscar's generous offer, but he doesn't want to disappoint Oscar. Maybe if he explains to Oscar his reasons for refusing, while, at the same time, expressing his gratefulness-will that work? Rudy questions himself-Why refuse this offer? Oscar is right-it would turn his life around. Here he is, wearing a worn out blue blazer that he fears may get him kicked out of the restaurant.