And I stopped the cab, I was like: “Stop, stop. They had wonderful ads on all the buses, posters of Gabriel Byrne, John Turturro. I got “Miller’s Crossing” while I was in school, but I went back to catering because I didn’t have any money. Your breakout role was playing the mob moll Verna in “Miller’s Crossing” in 1990, but a year after that you were still doing catering gigs. It’s like that old song, “keep on using me, ’til you use me up.” I just feel grateful. You know how it is when you feel used in a good way. But as an actress, I have never had a sigh of consternation when I get something complicated. When I first got the role, Jeff Daniels said: “I’ll give you a little Aaron Sorkin tip: Come to set with your lines down for the rehearsal.” I said, “What?” Usually the actor learns them during the day.

Because Sorkin is famous for writing long speeches, I wonder if it’s a mixed blessing for an actor: meaty parts, but so much dialogue to learn. You’re joining Aaron Sorkin’s “Newsroom” this season.