Chapter Ten: The Ecdysiastic Proposition
Penny was tending bar that night, wondering whether things would ever be resolved when Paul Hernly walked up to the bar surprising her. She immediately decided to play dumb.
"Hello, Penny."
"Hello, Mr. Hernly."
"Your mother mentioned that you had returned from Nebraska. How's your father?"
"Mr. Hernly, you may be "dating" my mother but I really don't know you well enough to speak about my family's private business with you."
"You are aware that your mother and I are together, though. I do hope that we can get closer as time goes on."
"She mentioned that she's living in your house."
"Did she tell you that I have a big hit television show now?"
"She did."
"Well, that's why I'm here to speak with you. You see, I was very upset that you weren't able to finish my class last summer. Your writing showed a great deal of promise and I believe that with the right guidance you might become a professional writer someday."
"That's very nice to hear, Mr. Hernly."
Penny was trying to decide exactly what kind of cocktail to prepare and throw in his smug face.
"In fact, the script you prepared gave me the germ of an idea that I was able to turn into my new show."
"Really?"
"Really. And, because of that I think that I owe you some compensation for that idea. Since we're a hit I can afford to be generous. Do you think $20,000 would be fair."
Penny wondered what he was up to.
"That's a lot of money but I'm not sure."
"Well, we could discuss the amount and possibly more. However, my lawyers and the studio require that you sign this before we can proceed."
He held out a contract.
"It's pretty standard stuff. It says you had an idea that contributed to my idea and that I am paying for it so you can't use that idea again."
"I'd like to take it home and read it before I sign it."
"Sure. Go right ahead. But the sooner you sign it the sooner you get the money. There's also another thing."
"Yes. Mr. Hernly."
"I remember that you mentioned in class that you are an actress and I may have a part in the show for you."
"Really?"
"Yes. Your mother said you watched the show so you know that the female lead, Patsy, works as an, um, exotic dancer, right."
"A stripper, yes."
"Well, I prefer exotic dancer. Well, we are going to include some of the other dancers she works with at the club on the show and I think you'd be perfect as her best friend, Antoinette. She would be a recurring character so there could be a regular salary there. And it would certainly help with getting other parts down the road."
Penny wondered what reaction he would like to see.
"So I'd be on the show almost every week? That would be great!"
"There's something you should know ahead of time. I'm preparing to sell the show to the European market which has much more liberal broadcast rules. There will probably be some nudity involved. Do you have a problem with that?"
So not only was he stealing her ideas from her. He wanted her to take off her clothes. On TV.
"Well, I don't. But my mom might."
"Leave your mother to me. Now take the contract home with you and read it over. Give me a call with your decision. As soon as I receive the signed contract you'll be paid. Then I'll let you know when I can schedule your audition, which is really just a formality since I'll be handling all of the auditions myself."
Penny thought she knew exactly what he meant by audition. What a sleaze!
"Sure, Mr. Hernly. I wish I could sign the contract right now but I really should sleep on it."
"You're absolutely right, honey. You sleep on it. That's the responsible thing to do."
It was all Penny could do to stop herself from going Junior Rodeo on Hernly right there and then.