Once they are dismissed from the stage; everyone goes back onto the main floor. Kerry and Tony both keep an eye on each other subtly, as they socialize with the other party attendees. The goal is to successfully mingle with others, without being obvious that they'd rather be alone somewhere else together.
As she walks around the room aimlessly, she converses with various high ranking executives, including the network President Ben Sherwood and Sr. Vice President Todd Donovan. She's clearly trying to find a conversation or two, to pass the time. As she pretends to be interested in everything anyone has to say. She'd give anything to be able to walk out of here right now, and settle the situation between her and her love, but duty calls.
Her haze ends as she hears, "It's a pleasure meeting you Kerry. I can't wait to see the finished product of this amazing show." Says Ben, followed by Todd who says, "Agreed, it's sure to be a hit, with you and Tony at the helm, coupled with Shonda's writing. I'm quite excited."
She smiles as she says, "Thank you so much Mr. Sherwood and Mr. Donovan; I am super excited about this project too, and I believe the combination of actors we have on staff, and the writing. Is what makes this special. I can't wait to get started." As she finishes speaking; Sherwood says, "Now Kerry, surely after holding you hostage for the last half hour, by now we are all on a first name basis."
Donovan agrees, by following with, "Absolutely Kerry. There's no need to be so formal, I am Todd and he is Ben." She smiles politely as she says, "Very well gentlemen; Ben and Todd, I appreciate your votes of confidence for the show's success." They smile back at her in agreement with her statement. Sherwood smiles as he says, "Well, we will let you go Kerry. We know others are lying in wait to talk to you. So you have a good evening."
She responds, "Thanks gentlemen; you do the same." After she walks away, she takes a breath and walks over to the beverage table. She's thanking God she didn't say anything wrong during that conversation. Truth be told, she barely remembers what they were saying. A hazard of her having Tony on the brain. She's replaying their last conversation over in her head, and each time, she is outdone by how the situation ended. But one saving grace, is their moment on stage. Clearly, they are both over the emotions of their last meeting, and are ready to move forward.
As she sips on her drink; which tastes unbelievably good, She sees a familiar face that always makes her smile. It's her play brother Columbus (Colby). He smiles at her as he approaches her, with outstretched arms for a hug. As they embrace he says, "Hey there, I have been trying to make it over to you for the last 2 hours. This is some cast party; did you know the network President is here?"
Kerry smiles at him as she says, "Hey there yourself, and yes I did know. I just finished meeting him, his name is Ben and the Sr. Vice President is here as well, his name is Todd." He responds, "Look at you; on a first name basis already huh Ms. Lead actress." They laugh at his teasing; then he says, "Man, I am not used to this type of hype behind a show; we haven't even shot the pilot yet, and things are buzzing."
She replies, "I know, it's crazy how much of a buzz that's forming already. Talk about pressure, we have got to deliver." He says, "agreed; this is definitely a succeed or fail period, there's no in between. We have to kill it; because if we do it right those syndication checks will be a nice compliment, in addition to making history. Not a bad gig."
They share a laugh as she says, "Very true my friend. So what's up with you? You didn't tell me you were trying out for this project, or that you got the part." He sighs as he says, "I know; it's been crazy. I auditioned and got the part, but I didn't know until the day before yesterday because I was in disposed."
She looks at him shaking her head as she says, "Not again Colby; really?" He responds, "Yeah again. But I swear I didn't touch her; we were arguing at the park, and someone called the police. Of course I get taken downtown because she wants to embellish what happened."
As she listens to him explain his story, all she can think about, is that this is a time bomb waiting to explode. He sees the look on her face when he finishes and says, "You believe me right Kerry? You don't believe I did anything wrong right?"
She responds, "Colby I believe what you're telling me; but I can't believe your still going through this. You have to get this under control; if not it could ruin your career. Shonda doesn't play when it comes to bad publicity and her cast members. Do you remember Isaiah Washington from Grey's Anatomy?"
He replies, "Yeah that's still on television." She replies, "Yeah, it is. But he's not on it anymore. Get my point?" He nods remembering the scandal that got him booted from the show's cast, and he was a lead character. She sees he's thinking as she speaks; she hopes he hears her.
He looks at her and says, "You worry too much Kerry; I will get it under control." She responds, "I hope so; it's too good of an opportunity to mess up Colby. This is something special, and I want you with me to share it with. You deserve it just as much as I do. We've worked hard to get projects like this."
He smiles at her as he says, "I agree; we have worked hard, and like I said, I will take care of it. So stop worrying I've got this." She smiles back at him; but she's not sold on him actually doing what's necessary to correct this. Nonetheless, the conversation changes tracks when he asks, "so what do you think of the cast?"