Chapter 12
twelve
. . .
BLAIR
“To women ruling the world!” Jess yells as she raises her glass. It’s been a week since the almost lip slip with Wyatt, and I needed a distraction so I’d stop thinking about it. Drinks with the ladies seemed like a perfect idea.
We ran into Brandon at the bar, so we invited him to join our little group. It seems I was the last one to meet him. He lives in the same building as Jess and Stella, so no introductions were needed.
“No offense, Brandon!” Stella quickly adds in. She’s always so good about making sure everyone feels loved and included.
“None taken. I love women, and even more when they are ruling my world.” He winks back at Stella, and she blushes. He’s good.
“Ok, so now what?” Jess asks me, pulling the olives out of her martini glass. I don’t know why she orders them when she’ll never touch one.
“Well, off the record,” I say pointedly to my journalist friend, “I just read a script from Edie Lang. It’s a passion project for her that TWA won’t look at or doesn’t want to shop—I’m not sure what the full story is yet.”
I caught up with Edie while getting coffee yesterday morning. She keeps pushing more female-forward stories to her agent, Brian, but he keeps pushing back on her for more traditional box-office stories. Edie made her name in the business writing your favorite sci-fi movies.
“So, what does that mean?” Brandon asks.
Everyone looks knowingly at each other and then at me to explain.
“That he’d rather have her keep writing sci-fi. There’s a level of comfort and history of success.” I explain that, technically, Edie’s agent should shop all her scripts around to producers or studios, but in this business, agents are just as likely to sweep work aside to focus on the bigger ideas. I give Brandon the 101 on agency life and explain that one of my colleagues, Brian, represents Edie. Since we work for the same agency, I could offer ideas or possibly even mention in passing to a producer that she’s looking to sell a project. But “agency code” says Brian would need to approve.
Ideally, Brian would approve and let me help sell the shit out of her ideas to every studio in Hollywood. He is the luckiest agent I’ve ever met. He has a few well-placed contacts that have allowed him to coast and succeed brilliantly. It’s looking more and more like it could have been a fluke with Edie since he continues to push her to write more sci-fi and hasn’t been able to sell any of her other original ideas.
“So, could you ask Brian if you could help with Edie?” Stella asks. She knows that’s exactly what I want to do, but it’s a delicate dance.
And now, with the possibility of a merger, virtual knives will be out. People panic when career stability is a threat. Once Lance announces the intention of The Manhattan Group, the first question will be about layoffs.
“That would be the ideal solution.” I finish my drink and wave the server over for the check. “Which is why I must leave now. I have a date with my bed, a dozen scripts, and leftover pizza.”
Jess hugs me and heads out to finish up some work she’s on deadline for as well, but Stella and Brandon decide to hang back for one more drink.
“You two be safe,” I say. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll make sure she gets home safe,” Brandon says. I laugh because his reply is filled with innuendo that makes Stella shift awkwardly in her seat. I wave goodbye, and as I’m heading to my car, my phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number.
UNKNOWN
Can you meet me at Firefly at 8pm?
ME
Who is this?
UNKNOWN
Wyatt. I got your number from Sophia.
Why is he asking me to meet him at a restaurant—and a nice one at that? Is he asking me to dinner?
UNKNOWN
I’m not asking you on a date.
UNKNOWN
Official business.
UNKNOWN
Working dinner.
Does he mean Sophia? She already seemed suspicious when I didn’t immediately tell her I knew her brother.
ME
Is that fair?
UNKNOWN
You’re worried about fair in this town?
Good point. If it were anyone else, I would gladly meet up for some info that could help me gain an advantage.
ME
Ok. See you soon.