bythenumbs Follow

"CONFERENCE 2" SPOILERS – REAL OR NOT REAL

Heard a rumor yesterday that filming should take place on location in New York but production needs extra budget to make it happen. I'm not ready to see my baby ruined by some cheapo studio lot. I need real NYC romcom magic. Lol. Super stoked for William Darcy's performance. Still need some convincing that this Lizzie person is the right Kaitlyn.

#bythe123 #charlottelucas #Kaitlink #Jonnison #Litlyn #Katison

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madamedomino Follow

Is it just me or would the movie do so much better if they're not afraid to go for NC-17? Lol.

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thequeenashley Follow

I will so faint on the carpet at the premiere and become a meme. never been this exited IN MY LIFE for a movie. Booking preselling tix the moment their posted. *hearteyes*

#bythe123 #charlottelucas #Kaitlink #Conf2 #Jonnison

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bythenumbs Follow

OFFICIAL SHIP NAME CATALOG

We're going official, girls. What's the ship name here? Is it Kaitlink, Jonnison, or Litlyn? Hollywood will take this by storm and the online book club should get to decide the narrative. Do we need a poll? But I swear to God that if this movie doesn't happen I will personally fund its kickstarter with my life savings. Lol.

#bythe123 #charlottelucas #unknownshipname #Conf2

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misty401 Follow

Kaitlink must happen! We will wait many years if have to

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bythenumbs Follow

I read the press confirmation today. This movie IS HAPPENING. The cast is getting together next week for the first time. Ed Gardiner will personally pilot this ship if he has to. Charlotte Lucas dismissed the rumors of production costs herself. We're getting the whole NYC package for Kaitlink! Pre-production is already underway. Principle photography won't happen until another month, but I guess it takes a long time to get our dream couple into dream shape. Lol. They mentioned something about Broadway engagements to finish for Lizzie. Still hoping they won't change the book too much for time or cast constraints. The original story is gold.

#bythe123 #Conf2 #charlottelucas #Kaitlink

"Ms. Lucas, over here. Ed is getting his coffee and will be right with us." The director's assistant - one of many revolving faces - nods politely as she seats the esteemed author of the global sensation that is By the Numbers.

"Call me Charlotte." The writer smiles.

At least Hollywood doesn't ruin everyone.

Lizzie adjusts herself in her seat, three down from Ms. Lucas, like an awkward school girl on her first day of junior high.

It's not her first table read. She's done a few television cameos before.

But this is somehow weightier - scarier. It's her first shot at the big leagues - that chance to finally get her own Wikipedia page.

But, God help her, she will never admit her nerves to the person across from her.

"Are we starting yet?" William Darcy snaps, eyes above people's heads like a haughty distant cousin of the king. He would make a pretty good George III, if he could sing. His face, still cursedly handsome, displays a decidedly annoying scowl.

He hasn't spoken a word past 'hello' to her - or anyone - before this point. It's beyond cliché that his first real sentence is a complaint.

It's hilarious how anyone thought this sour-faced creature can front a rom-com franchise.

"Ah, here we are!" Ed Gardiner spins into the room, beaming, sparing anyone from having to answer William Darcy. "I'm sorry about the tardiness. Got too excited brainstorming last night. Need my caffeine boost."

He rushes to his seat at the head of the table - stopping short just to grasp Ms. Lucas's hand.

"Thank you for trusting your baby to us. We will make sure the world over knows the ingenuity of your work."

The author chuckles and shrugs as the director sits down beside her at last. "Just don't kill it."

"Guarding it with my life, ma'am."

"Don't get yourself killed in the process. I can always write another one."

"You're too kind." Ed Gardiner grins.

Lizzie decides she likes Charlotte Lucas, even beyond the fact that they share similar small town upbringings.

And she starts to understand that the industry is just as much about amiability as it is about craft.

With just a few lines of banter, the two most influential people in the room have managed to lighten the atmosphere a hundredfold.

"So, let's get to it. To enhance authenticity - and, of course, since schedule demands it - we will be tackling the meet cute first." He's still buoyant and cheerful, but Ed Gardiner also means business, apparently. "Turn to page 10, we will start at the top of the Central Park scene. Miss Bennet?"

Lizzie sits taller, adrenaline high. She's a professional actress - and she's about to prove it to every single skeptic in the room.

"Excuse me?" She reads off the script, inserting all her mustered (and natural) righteous indignation. "I wasn't finished with that."

"You leave half-eaten shawarmas on park benches for fun?" William Darcy picks up his line immediately.

"I just went to get water."

"I was just clearing my bench."

"It's not your bench, mister - big fancy suit."

"City property isn't exactly yours either, madam."

"Madam? What are you - a hundred?"

"No, I am not. I am a young and hardworking professional with common sense and a safe understanding of how little New York City public hygiene may be trusted."

"Professional - sure."

"More so than you, I would presume."

"I - I - " The lines on the paper mirror a real-life insult so much that it's a little painful for her to get the next words out. Her eyes - having wandered up to Darcy's face - sift quickly back down to the safety of her script. "I have a job too, you know?"

"You don't quite dress it."

"These are perfectly acceptable clothes for a New York office!"

"For an intern, maybe."

The script cues 'Kaitlyn' to meet 'Link' in the eyes - so Lizzie does.

And she forgets where the story goes, or why she's even here.

Because somewhere in the bottomless eyes of William Darcy is a vulnerability she would never have thought to find. There's still a guarded look, a hesitation to let anyone or anything in. But, somehow, she sees past that - to the mysterious depths beyond.

"Miss Bennet?" Their director prompts.

Lizzie shakes off the unexpected haze and lets her eyes fly back to the forgotten words on the table in front of her. Method acting never did do her any good.

"One day, I'm going to own this town - and your company is going to work for mine - and I will make you pay for throwing away my lunch."

And just like the script demands, William Darcy gives her a darned, bloody smirk. "One day, I'm going to snap my fingers - and everything you want and love is going to disappear."

"God-complex much?"

"Maybe - but ask nicely and I just might be willing to help an earthling or two - especially if they're halfway pretty."

And just like that, the scene ends - the crew applauds - and their director looks at them with a very unnerving glint of satisfaction.

"Golden, folks. Golden." Ed Gardiner's smile grows. "Charlotte?"

Under her thick-rimmed glasses, Ms. Lucas smiles too. "It's like Gosling and Adams."

It takes a beat for Lizzie to realize these people are comparing them - the least reconciled movie leads in history - to them - the golden standard of romantic drama chemistry.

She can't help gulping at a few involuntary flashbacks to that bedroom scene.

"I gotta give Shawna a big Christmas bonus." Ed Gardiner is still grinning - even though his Kaitlyn and Link are decidedly not. "That is going to make us all millionaires."

"You shoved me."

Darcy looks up from the designated coffee table, his fingers still gripping the handle of the thermos with more-than-average force.

It's Lizzie - his co-star - future Jane Bingley's sister. He should at least be civil.

"I did?" He shrugs. "I - sorry."

He looks back at the coffee in his flimsy paper cup, frowning at the smell. The paparazzi hounded him tirelessly this morning for the entire first five blocks from his building. It took a panicked phone call to an apologetic Bingley to explain what the trigger was this time.

Quite unfortunately, it's not the first time that Caroline Bingley has managed to get media attention again for their very brief and distant fling in college - a result of a few ill-advised and misguided choices. Was he to pay the price forever?

The answer is, very unfortunately, yes - because she's a reality star, stupid Darcy.

"Seriously?"

In front of him right now, another woman is angry at him.

"I said I'm sorry." Darcy shrugs again. He very nearly spills coffee on his hands. "I don't recall. Was it today?"

"Right before you came in here." The petite actress is folding her arms. "Just because you didn't notice doesn't mean it didn't hurt."

Darcy rolls his eyes. This kind of crap is exactly the kind of thing he has zero time for.

"I suppose I must apologize for inadvertently hurting you," he declares gallantly, just loud enough for the people in their immediate vicinity to hear. It's only the second official day of working on this project. He can't afford to cause a scene. Bingley would kill him. 'Stormy' and 'brooding' personality traits can only be excuses for so long. "I assure you I meant no harm."

She makes a face, almost as if she's cringing at his choice of words.

"Have I done something to offend you, Miss Bennet?" He levels his eyes at her. Her gaze is eloquent and fascinating. "If there is nothing further ado, I'm afraid I have to go back to doing my job."

Her scowl turns even harsher. It's appealing and annoying in equal measure.

"Miss Bennet, perhaps we should - "

"Save it," she snaps - and marches away to her seat.

A part of him is happy they're only reading the second half of the script today. God knows what that woman would do to him if he tried to kiss her now.

Talk to her about it - Kitty said.

It can't be that bad - Kitty said.

She'll understand.

Lizzie takes a pause at the door of the hole-in-the-wall coffee shop, its brick walls and warm wooden interiors transporting her to a nostalgic bygone time. She feels almost compelled to take off her imaginary matching coat and hat as people call her 'madam.'

But she's here on business - and she tucks away the romantic in her to replace it with the epitome of a professional actress.

"Miss Lucas," she greets the woman with all the power, making sure to be everything pleasant, when she finally makes her way to the table in the last corner.

"Call me Charlotte. Here, have a seat." The lady smiles after the handshake. There's a serene graciousness to her - an almost royal air. "Thank you for coming over this part of town."

"Oh, it's no problem - and it's such a nice place." Lizzie smiles. Maybe Kitty was right, because she already feels more at ease than she ever did in the studio - or probably will be on set. She adjusts herself to sit more comfortably. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

Miss Lucas - Charlotte - nods politely. She takes a sip from what looks like a mix of coffee and tea.

"I want to make sure you are equipped with everything you need to bring Kaitlyn - and, hopefully, Selena and Dina as well - to their live counterparts. If you have any questions, do share." Even her smile is perfect - prim, proper, professional.

Lizzie nods eagerly. "Of course - and that is why I - really needed to talk to you."

Charlotte nods before taking another sip. She's composed - and collected - and in control of her fate.

Lizzie gulps and takes a break to order her own beverage - because the place is too traditional to have you line up at a cashier.

"Thank you."

Charlotte nods, a small smile of her own, as the waitress backs away.

"I trust we are both busy, Ms. Bennet. Shall we cut to the chase? You said you had some questions regarding your character."

Lizzie chuckles awkwardly, realizing just how selfish she is about to sound once the words come out of her lips.

"Yes?"

"I - I do have - some questions." Lizzie shifts. Charlotte nods. "They are mostly about the - romance - between Kaitlyn and Link."

"Of course."

"Because it's a romance - right." Lizzie chuckles softly. Her fingers start playing with the edge of the the table.

"Lizzie, what's wrong?"

She takes her time meeting the author's eyes. After two weeks' worth of pre-production, her starstruck-ness has faded - though her respect has only grown - for the firm and competent lady.

"I am having trouble - getting into character." Somehow, the truth just makes its way out. Lizzie blinks and sighs. "I've read the book, and the script - so very many times. And I love it - and I resonate with Kaitlyn and her spirit and her everything. And I feel so beyond lucky to have gotten the part."

"But?"

"But I - " She pauses, just a little hesitant.

Charlotte raises a well-groomed brow.

"But I can't seem to feel the things that - Kaitlyn is supposed to be feeling for Link."

For what feels like two whole minutes, Charlotte just slowly, sagely nods.

The waitress brings Lizzie's coffee. Lizzie thanks the teenager.

Then Charlotte smirks.

"Are you having trouble connecting with your co-star?"

It's Lizzie's turn to nod, though a lot less confidently than the By the Numbers creator did.

"There's a reason you're our Kaitlyn."

"I know. I know. My agent said as much, and it's not as if I'm not grateful. I just think - "

"And there's a reason William Darcy is our Link Harrison." There's a finality in her tone that makes Lizzie feel just that bit of discontent.

"Because he's half-British and hot? Because his appearances fit the bill? I know he happens to be available for this project and there were always talks that - "

"Miss Bennet, Do you believe I achieved success because I'm half-French, half-Chinese and just happen to be married to someone in publishing?"

Lizzie stares, shocked.

Then she scrambles. "Miss Lucas, your works are amazing - and no one can possibly rightfully accuse you of being where you are today because of any factor other than hard work and pure talent."

The author nods again - this time, with a small smile.

She reminds Lizzie of those literature teachers who look almost self-congratulatory when they've finally cornered their students into the correct story insight.

"And I believe the same principle applies to you - and Mr. William Darcy."

Lizzie gulps.

All of a sudden, she realizes that Kitty knew all along that sucking it up and playing the part the way it's meant to be - opposite William Darcy - was a foregone conclusion.

Her cousin was just letting her try like a spoiled little brat.

Lizzie groans.

"Has Mr. Darcy made any inappropriate advances towards you?" For a moment, Lizzie realizes that Charlotte Lucas does care.

"No." She shakes her head.

"Has he been treating you abusively?"

"No."

"Good." The author finishes her coffee - or tea. "Please know that we want all communication to remain open - and you have every right to let me or Ed know if something is making you uncomfortable."

Lizzie smiles, genuinely grateful. "Of course."

"Look a little deeper, Lizzie." Charlotte smiles more fully now. "And maybe you'll see exactly what it is in you and what it is in him that made Shawna trust you two with what we all hope to be a multi-million franchise."

"But shooting starts tomorrow," Lizzie wails helplessly.

Charlotte is unfazed. "Then maybe just look a little faster too."

A/N: The plan is to have some kind of press release or "fan involvement" start off every chapter in this story. I hope it won't be confusing!