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
