The Idiot Box
Summary: Isabella French is the head writer of Storytime in Storybrooke, a popular children television show, when a new executive, Mr. Gold decides to make major changes. (What happens when Storm watches 30 Rock and The Dick Van Dyke Show.)
Author's Note: Thanks so much to Delilahbe for letting me bounce ideas off her and beta reading it. Also I don't remember where Jefferson's last name Madden came from, but I read it somewhere, and now his last name can't be anything else.
I must say I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a good book. — Groucho Marx
Isabella French loved her job as head writer of Storytime in Storybrooke. She entertained children for a living, however it did have its moments. The second she stepped into the TAN (The American Network, not tan, T-A-N as she had to always remind people) building she was bombarded by her producer Jefferson.
"Little rabbit, news is buzzing around this place about a new executive upstairs," he said handing her a coffee.
"What happened to Blue?" she asked. Rebecca Blue always seemed to have an ulterior motive but always publicly supported children and family entertainment, which for Belle, in the sea of sharks was good enough for her.
"Who know? These these executives are interchangeable," he said. "But we have a meeting with the new guy in five."
"What?" she yelled, stopping in her tracks and looking down at her outfit of a blouse and jeans, it wasn't the best outfit for a first impression of the person who would be overseeing their budget.
She ran into wardrobe and threw on a dress Mary Margaret wore in her part as the librarian, getting an evil glare from Granny the costume supervisor.
"Sorry Granny, I'll bring it right back, I swear," she said zipping herself up as she ran to meet Jefferson in the elevator.
"Are you late for a very important date?" he asked. Belle just rolled her eyes with a smile. Jefferson's love of C.S. Lewis and other children stories made him the perfect producer for Storytime.
The show revolved around a young boy named John, played by the adorable Henry Mills, who dealt with the day-to-day issues every kid went through. His sanctuary was the library, where the lovable librarian Adriana, who would read to him the classic stories that would be brought to life by his imagination on screen.
The whole plot was pretty much Belle's childhood, so she was a little more invested in the show and the story than most people in the "business."
The ride to the top floor seemed to take forever and they made their way to the front desk where a giant was sitting behind Astrid's old desk.
"You are Mr. Gold's nine o'clock?" he said quietly.
Belle looked at the nameplate and smiled. "Yes, Mr. Dove."
The man just smiled and said, "Call me Danny. And right this way."
After opening the office doors, the first thing she noticed was that the whole office seemed to be host to a construction zone. The second thing she noticed was the man in a well-tailored suit, his eyes instantly locking with hers. His long hair not normally seen in corporate America, took her aback, maybe this guy wasn't just another suit.
"Ms. French and Mr. Madden I presume?" he asked in a Scottish accent, holding out the hand that wasn't gripping an ornate cane handle.
She shook his hand while pretending to not feel the warmth of his palm. After greeting Jefferson, he motioned for them to sit at the two chairs across from his desk.
"Forgive the noise, this was all suppose to be done before my arrival but things happen."
"It was a beautiful office," Belle replied looking around confused.
"It's a great office, but sometimes, you have to change things that are perfectly good just to make them your own."
Belle and Jefferson shared a nervous glance.
"Plus, blue was never my color," he said waving his hand to the walls that were now a cream color. "But you didn't come here to discuss my decorating preferences. I'm Cameron Gold, the new VP of East Coast Entertainment and Clothing Manufacture. Let's talk about Storytime."
"Blue pretty much just went over our budget once a quarter and let us do what we do," Jefferson said hopefully.
"Well, I'm not Blue," he answered sternly. "And Storytime, while it does alright in the ratings, doesn't merit the budget it has now. You are hemorrhaging money. I know you have a contract for another year, but —"
Belle stood up before he could finish "Wait. While we might not have all the key demographics, we do get some from the 18-49 demographic, parents watch the show with their children and parents buy… things! And we were nominated for an Emmy. And yes, it was a daytime Emmy, but it still counts!"
Mr. Gold leaned back in his chair and smiled, "Well there it is, what I was looking for. You will have to forgive me, Ms. French, but when you walked in I had you pegged as a mousy librarian who was going to do whatever the executives told her."
Belle looked down at her floral dress, but quickly met his eyes again. "Well you are wrong, I put my heart and soul into the show and if you could just read a tenth of the letters we get from children all around the—"
It was his turn to interrupt her. "I have no doubts children love it, but we need to look at the bottom line," he stared at her for a moment. "I'll make a deal with you. If you make three changes then I'll let you finish the season and then we'll talk about season three."
There was a pause, Belle still standing glared at him. "I would be an idiot to agree to something without hearing the stipulations."
Mr. Gold grin grew even bigger. "I like you. First things first, your season has to be shortened from 24 to 22 episodes, still a full season."
Belle grimaced, this meant cutting a whole storyline with the mermaids from Neverland, but she still agreed.
"Second, no more outdoor shoots, everything needs to be shot on a green screen."
"What? Our computer graphics department is good, but nothing looks better than the actual forest in forest scenes."
"That may be true, dearie, but with the unpredictability of weather and traveling to upstate New York every week, it costs a pretty penny and the show just isn't worth it."
Jefferson who had been watching the exchange like a tennis match, chimed in, "What if we only do it every other episode and the second unit crew shoots it?"
"So glad to see you aren't a mute, Mr. Madden and I'm agreeable if you are, Ms. French," Mr. Gold answered.
Belle nodded.
"And the third condition," she asked almost afraid of what was next.
"I want to you to bring Regina Mills back as a regular."
"What? No! The evil queen episode terrified children!" Belle countered.
"It may have, but it was the highest rated episode of your entire season, and fathers loved her. Bring her back, she she is a theatre actress, she will class up the place."
Belle sighed and wondered how Mary Margaret would take her "arch nemesis" working on the show permanently.
"I'm taking that grumble as an assent you agree?"
"Yes," she said. "If it means no one gets fired and we are still on the air."
Mr. Gold stood up, smiling and shook her hand: "The deal is struck."
