The conversation

As Judy relaxes in her deluxe bubble bath, whirlpool tub after a long day. She tries to clear her mind; as she sips on a glass of red wine, and listens to the lull of the jets in her tub. But she can't erase all of her day; she keeps going back to the conversation she had with Shonda.

Flashback

Judy is finishing a meeting with a client, and gets a call on her cell from her private eye; advising her he found evidence Shonda is connected to this situation. He explains that her telephone number was found on Jarrod's call log. And there was an extensive call history, as well as text messages between them.

Immediately, she called Shonda and set up a meeting with her. She arrived at her office about an hour later, and her secretary showed her in. Instantly, Judy could see she wasn't in the best of moods. After they exchanged niceties. Shonda offered her a seat; as they both sat down, Shonda with annoyance in her voice asked, "What is it your clients want now?"

Surprised at her question; but appreciating the chance to get this over with quickly, she says, "For starters, I think we'd all like if you saw a therapist; so you can get some help with your narcissistic personality disorder. Because it's got you going down a path to self-destruction; that I don't think you can see clearly." Her reply catches Shonda completely off guard, and Judy sees the shift in her eyes from annoyed to angry.

She loudly replies, "What the hell is your problem? Where do you get off coming in here insulting me?" Judy, matching her tone responds; "Insulting you? How about you being so damned arrogant; that you thought you'd be able to pull your little caper without me tracing the starting point back to you?" Shonda replies, "What are you talking about? I haven't done anything wrong." Judy she replies, "Okay. How do you know Jarrod Randal?" The look on her face is priceless; she tries to cover it, as her tone lowers, and she says, "I'm sorry who is that?"

Judy intensely replies, "He's the guy you hired to get Bellamy to spill the beans to about Tony and Kerry; so he could take their photo, and you could shame them into not appearing together in public. To keep control of them off set. Ring a bell now?"

Shonda, not wanting to admit she's busted. Tries again to deny her connection to this; by saying, "That's an interesting story you're telling. But it doesn't make it true." Judy can't believe how ridiculous she's being. She can't be this thick. Obviously, she's still trying to plead ignorant. Which isn't going to work, and she's tired of this game.

So she says, "You may not find my story interesting; but maybe the network execs would love to hear it, and I'm not talking about Paul Lee, either." Shonda's facial expression shifts again; Judy can see the overwhelming discomfort and rage fill her eyes. But she continues, as she says, "I'm quite sure this is something your contract insurance doesn't cover Shonda. So, playing ball here is your only option; if you value your professional success." Shonda surprisingly, and stubbornly replies, "Are you threatening me?"

Judy shakes her head in disappointment, and disbelief. As she plainly says, "Shonda sadly, you're threatening yourself. Again, I don't think you understand the gravity of your actions. So let me advise, there are tremendous consequences for what you've done. Especially if ABC gets wind of your little experiment. Which by the way; had great potential to go wrong. Considering the fact Jarrod was getting money from you, Bellamy, and TMZ for the same photos, and he had a record of all of your communications; which means he was setting up a very lucrative blackmailing scheme that could've gone on for years. Lucky for us; we were able to discover this before it exploded."

Shonda, completely unaware of the double cross Jarrod was planning. Realizes her point as she says, "Damn it." Judy responds, "Yeah. I figured you didn't know about his little side hustle. Anyway, this needs to be resolved once and for all. This can't continue Shonda. No more plots to control them. It's time you stop acting like you're God, and playing with people's lives. These are real people; they aren't characters. You can't control them when they're off set, and it would behoove you to not only accept that; but be instrumental in protecting their secret."

Judy sees the anger resurfacing in Shonda's eyes, as she says, "I'm nobody's go between or baby sitter." Judy responds, "Stop being so damned dramatic. I believe we've already established this isn't only about you; despite you constantly thinking it is. Think big picture."

Shonda asks, "So, how am I supposed to help them keep this secret? Like you said. I can't control them." Judy replies, "Start by not hatching anymore plans to scare them, and go from there. The bottom line is you can't afford for them to be found out any more than they can. So make sure it doesn't happen on your watch, and if anything happens to threaten their privacy; I am here to assist in resolving it. It's just that simple.