14 INT. 50/50 PRESS - DAY

JULIANNE

Thomas! What a not-so-lovely surprise. You can't come in here.

RACHEL

I told him that. I tried to stop him, but he...

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

(To Rachel, without looking at her)

Zip your lips, little soul.

Rachel shuts up, offended. Thomas starts walking slowly in the office.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Now, Jules, I gotta say... You keep surprising me. If the plots of the books you publish were

as unexpected as your behavior, they would be a success. Have you tried the other side of the bookshelf?

You could write a best seller. You just need to learn writing other words rather than... Purse, bag,

dress... Sweet Dreams Kitty...

JULIANNE

I'm happy where I am, thank you.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Oh, are you? Because right now I'm feeling some hostility from your...

(Points to Julianne's body and contours it with the hands)

whole you. But tell me, are you bi-curious, now?

Are you turning into a lesbian or just want to get out of your comfort zone?

JULIANNE

I'm sorry?

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

I just saw you making out with your best friend. Girlfriend.

BRENT

If he doesn't leave, I do.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

(Waves at Brent)

Then, au revoir, misses Kennedy.

BRENT goes away, furious. Rachel goes after him, concerned.

JULIANNE

Have you had your "fun"? Are you satisfied? So, let yourself out.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

No, actually I'm just...

(Picks up a 50/50 business card on a desk and shows it to Julianne)

Halfway through it.

Friedkin drops the business card and approaches to Julianne.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Now, seriously, my muse... Are you really into that?

That thing? Are you that desperate?

JULIANNE

Brent is more of a man that you'll ever be. Now, what do you want from here?

And be quick. I'm on my lunch break.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Actually, I was just going to the washrooms, but I opened this door and...

Apparently I wasn't wrong.

Julianne looks offended.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

No, just kidding. Don't get your claws out.

JULIANNE

Friedkin... My levels of patience are the same as the number

of fish in the dead sea: Zero. Nada.

"Comprende"? What do you want?

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

I just want to talk about business.

JULIANNE

Business? What? Do you want us to edit a book written by you?

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Eureka!

JULIANNE

(Laughs cynically)

You're joking, right? Did you forget you're a River Rock "exclusive"?

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Let's just say Scott is taking The Rock to a new level...

JULIANNE

I'd say more like a new low.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

The books they're editing are almost all for men.

The new big title is a grilling book written by Bobby Flay.

JULIANNE

You must be really naïve. Did you actually think I was

going to edit a single coma written by you?

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Of course I did. And you will. We are the best duo, kitten.

Friedkin passes his hand on Julianne's face. She rejects him.

JULIANNE

Stop that! What are your real intentions? You are not trustworthy.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Oh, come on. You know, if you publish my books, this company will be successful.

And you do everything for your reputation. You didn't change that much, did you?

JULIANNE

Thomas, you're offending me!

Thomas does woman poses, referring to Julianne.

THOMAS FRIEDKIN

Oh come on! Look at you, all seductive, with sexy poses...

You would even have slept with Frank Galvin if that granted you more success.

Brent suddenly appears and punches Thomas Friedkin, who falls. Julianne gets shocked.

CUT TO:

15 INT. HALLWAY OF ERICA'S PARENTS HOUSE - DAY

ERICA, LENIN and SAM are at the door, preparing to leave.
GARY gives them food.

GARY

(Hands Sam some food)

This is for you...

(Hands Erica some food)

And this is for you. Give it to Adam. He is a big guy, he needs to eat.

ERICA

Oh, he doesn't need my help to do that. Trust me.

Sam hugs Gary.

SAM

Bye!

LENIN

Bye!

Sam and Lenin go away. Erica hugs Gary.

ERICA

Bye, dad. And tell mom I'm sorry.

GARY

Don't worry. She knows it's not your fault.

ERICA

Bye.

Erica walks through the door.

CUT TO:

16 INT. DR. NAADIAH'S OFFICE - DAY

ERICA suddenly walks in, surprised. NAADIAH is sitting on her chair.

ERICA

Wow! DR... Naadiah. This is unexpected.

NAADIAH

Hello, Erica. Have a sit.

ERICA

Did I do something wrong?

NAADIAH

Sit, please.

Erica sits, suspicious.

NAADIAH

I heard you already started the therapy with Sarah.

ERICA

(Smiles)

Yes!

NAADIAH

It was a good push you gave her.

Very clever.

ERICA

Oh, thank you. But... If you're complimenting me, then...

Why are you so serious?

NAADIAH

I think you know why. Erica, this therapy is never about us, doctors.

It's about your patient. Only the patient matters.

You can't use time travel to interfere with other people's lives.

ERICA

(Realizes something)

Oh, you're... You're talking about DR. Tom. The tape recorder I gave him.

NAADIAH

Yes.

ERICA

Look, it was my intention to see Sarah, when I first rung the bell,

but then I knew I could see DR. Tom and... I couldn't control myself.

And I did nothing wrong. I'm sure, after our talk,

he completely forgot about the message on the tape recorder.

NAADIAH

You're missing the point. It doesn't matter if he remembered or forgot the message.

You can't interfere with other people's past.

ERICA

(Defiant tone)

Past, present and future, apparently.

NAADIAH

Erica...

Erica gets up.

ERICA

Look, I get it. I'm sorry, okay?

(Sarcastic)

I'm sorry for the catastrophic damages I caused.

Starts walking.

ERICA

I don't get this. Seriously. Before, I tried not to let my family interfere

with my issue with Daniel's parents, and it was wrong.

But now you're telling me that sharing my feelings and my issues

with DR. Tom is not right either.

Honestly, it seems that everything I do is wrong.

It's always the same crappy story.

NAADIAH

Erica, please...

ERICA

No.

Erica goes away. Naadiah looks concerned. Looks at nowhere.

CUT TO:

17 EXT. DAVID PECAUT SQUARE - DAY

There's traffic and people walking. ERICA parks her car.
Talks on the phone.

ERICA

Hey, Julianne! I'm now meeting the events manager. And please, please,

pick up your phone when I call you, okay?

I may need your help in case I have some doubts. Bye.

CUT TO:

18 EXT. DAVID PECAUT SQUARE - DAY

ERICA and JANE analyze the area.

ERICA

It's perfect. And you say horizontal?

(Erica points to the spots)

From there to there?

JANE

Yes. Definitely.

Erica takes notes.

ERICA

Okay. We still have to contact Jay Manuel, but I think it's fine.

JANE

And this area is just... amazing.

The runway tent can perfectly have a capability of 500 people minimum.

Erica notices someone near her. Gets shocked. It's KAI and JODY, talking to someone else. Jane keeps talking, but Erica doesn't pay attention to her.

JANE

You know, the secret for a good lightning design is a high ceiling.

I always say this to my clients.

Jane notices Erica isn't paying attention to her.

JANE

Erica?

Erica comes back to normal.

ERICA

Sorry?

JANE

What happened to you? You weren't...

(Notices Kai)

Oh, now I get you. It was the lead singer of Head you were staring at,
wasn't it?

ERICA

(Embarrassed)

Oh... Erm... Kind of.

JANE

He's so hot.

Kai notices them. Jane waves at him.

ERICA

Oh, Jane... Don't do that.

JANE

Why?

ERICA

(Embarrassed)

Because... Well, because we're talking about business.

Kai walks on their direction, confident.

ERICA

(Tries to hide her face behind the dossiers)

Oh, God.

KAI

Hello, ladies.

JANE

(Excited)

Hi, Kai! It's a pleasure to meet you.

KAI

You too...

Notices the Jay Manuel's book on Erica's hand. Grabs it.

KAI

Oh... Is this a new book?

ERICA

(Nervous)

Actually, it's very new. It's not even out yet.

KAI

Oh, you're an editor. So, I have a treasure on my hands. Is it?

ERICA

Yeah, sort of. At least I see it as my treasure.

KAI

(Seductive)

I'd love to have it.

ERICA

(Uncomfortable)

Well, you'll have to buy your own.

It's coming out next week.

Kai hands Erica back the book.

KAI

I will. Nice to meet you...

ERICA

(Hesitantly)

E-Erica. Erica Strange.

KAI

What a strange surname.

Kai winks at Erica. Erica blushes.

JANE

And I'm Jane. Not Austen.

Jane nervously laugh. Kai puts on dark glasses and go join Jody. Erica takes a deep breath.

END OF CHAPTER 3