Reality Bites

Episode 03: The Producer

By: Sailor Angie

AN: Looks like Reality Bites is off to a running start. Thank you so much for all your support and your reviews. You guys liked the Care Bear boxers much more than I had anticipated. There is a challenge at the end of this chapter. Please read, review and enjoy!

Segment 03A

Serena Taylor sat at her desk in a Monday morning haze. She never really had been a morning person. Her slender index finger twirled a stray blonde lock that had fallen from the bun she tied her hair into everyday. Her crystalline eyes stared at the face clock opposite her desk. She followed the second hand and watched the time tick away.

Suddenly realizing that she had a meeting in a few minutes she tucked the strand behind her ear, gathered her papers and trotted into the boardroom just as the meeting was getting started.

"Well ladies and gentlemen, the internet campaign has reached the end of phase one. We've received a few notable applications, but hype is through the roof. Our audience was really affected by nationwide casting calls; shows that we're not putting 'fake' people on reality TV." Serena's boss paused as his audience chuckled softly at his last comment.

Jonathan Diamond climbed the ladder of success a bit too quick for comfort. With his good looks and charming demeanor, it was no wonder. The man was a perfect physical male specimen. However, hiding behind his 6 foot frame, chestnut brown hair and hazel eyes was the biggest asshole known to all of woman kind.

"We're set to have some last minute interviews on Friday at 4pm. Serena I expect you'll be sitting in on them?" His eyes darted across the table to meet hers.

"It's Ms. Taylor," She challenged; he cocked an eyebrow at what he interpreted as foreplay, "Why can't Greg go?" She wanted to know why he wanted to single her out.

"What's wrong Ms. Taylor? Got a hot date?" The corners of his mouth curled to a sneer as she scoffed at his public suggestion.

"Serena, I can—" Greg was interrupted.

"No Greg; Ms. Taylor will be sitting in on the interviews." He stared at her waiting for a reaction. She could only stare daggers back at him. "That will be all; nice work people." Serena was the first to bold from her chair and seek refuge in her sparse office, away from Diamond. She slammed her door hoping he would hear it and fire her.

Segment 03B

Oh, he heard it alright, but he had no intentions of firing her; at least not until he got what he wanted from her. Jonathan followed her into her office. She was facing out the window when he entered. She spun around as she heard the door latch shut. "Get out." She said shortly.

"My building," He smirked.

"Get out." She repeated herself.

"Oh come now love, don't be mad about what happened in the boardroom." He began to advance her.

"This is sexual harassment Diamond; you best leave before I call someone." She tried not to show her fear.

"Diamond?" He questioned, "It was Jonathan last week," He pouted.

"I will never call you by your first name." She defended herself, "I'll call someone if you don't leave."

"Who are you gonna call Serena, the police?" He laughed, "'Oh officer,'" He mimicked her voice, "'The most powerful man in Hollywood is hitting on me.' What are they gonna do?" He paused, "Hang up." He answered his own question, now a mere foot from her.

"Get out." She said with more force than before, balling up her fists.

"Let me take you out for a cocktail after the interviews on Friday." He traced the lapels of her suit coat with his finger.

She shoved his hand away and slapped him across the face. At this he grabbed her and growled into her ear, "You'll be moaning my name, begging me for more, pleading 'harder.'" He violently released her against the window and stormed out of her office slamming the door for a second time that day.

Serena sunk to the floor and buried her face in her knees attempting to hold back tears she was too proud to shed in front of him.

'What a horrible way to start the week.' She thought to herself, 'Not only was I just assaulted, but I can't tell anyone, and I won't be able to see that gorgeous man in the cafe on Friday.' It was 10 O'clock in Monday morning and she already wanted to go home.

Segment 03C

"Where does he live? I'll kill him." Sammy dropped the box he was holding when Serena shared her morning with him, "Serena, are you sure you want me to move out? I can stay; I don't want him coming over here and—and—violating you." Sammy cringed.

Serena's younger brother Sammy had recently graduated from college and had gotten a job offer to work with computers in Santa Barbara. He had been living with her for almost a year since he had finished school. She knew she'd miss him terribly.

"Thanks Sammy, but I'll be fine." She smiled, "And there's no way I'd let you turn down this job." She began to fold some of his clothes and pack them into a suitcase. "I can take care of myself," She reassured him.

"That's what worries me," He joked.

"Sammy," She rolled her eyes.

"As much as I hate to say it, I wish you were dating someone. At least then I'd know you'd be safer."

She took offense, "I don't need a guy to be safe," She protested.

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" She looked at him with pain in her eyes, "I don't need a man to carry me off to his palace on a white steed. I've been doing just fine on my own." She sat down on her couch.

"Who are you trying to convince?" Sammy sat next to her.

"I'm just gonna be lonely without you." She felt tears pricking at her eyes.

He hugged her, "I'll miss you too sis."

"I swear to god there's not a decent guy out there Sammy." She let the tears escape her eyes and run down her cheeks.

"You know that's not true," He comforted her.

"Then why can't I find any?" She broke their embrace, "The girl who makes you settle down will be so lucky. I've taught you how to treat women." She wiped the tears from her face.

"That's right Serena," He handed her a Kleenex; "You shower women with gifts if you want to get them into bed." They both laughed.

Segment 03D

"I thought the interviews were supposed to start at 4, not 2." Serena walked briskly down the hall with two casting directors.

"Diamond scheduled too many." Susan spoke on Serena's right.

"We'll be lucky if we get outta here by midnight." Daniel countered on her left.

Serena stopped in the middle of the call, "Wait a minute, how many of these last minute interviews are there?" She demanded.

"Two hundred," They spoke in unison.

"Two hundred?" She asked meagerly.

"Didn't you get the memo?" Susan began walking again.

"The one Diamond sent?" Daniel offered.

"No, I didn't get the memo; not the one Diamond sent." She had half a mind to march into his office and knee him in the groin right now, but her better judgment prevailed. "Fine, let's get these boys in and outta here, if they're of no interest, let's not waste our time."

"Of course," Susan chimed.

"I agree," Daniel piped.

Serena entered the spacious waiting room which seemed to be crammed with way more than 200 applicants. "We'll be starting the interviews in your numbered order. Please have your information handy. Thank you. Number one. . ." Serena sighed.

AN: I'm forgoing the Q&A section this week in lieu of a challenge, but as always, if you would like to be featured in the Q&A section simply ask me a question about the fan fic in your review.

Challenge #1: What do you think the bachelor type show should be named? Give me lots of suggestions no matter how goofy they are. This is reality TV, so the dumber the better.

Preview --- Episode 04: The Casting Call --- Yeah, so ya know how Andrew submitted that form . . . let's just say he's going to have a fun time luring Darien to the casting call.