A/N Yes, the cost for the new clothes is accurate, as of 2013. Two more and an epilogue to go. I'm up to chapter five of my next story. I'm looking at a two to three week break between the last of this one, and the start of the new one. So, look for it around the end of March, beginning of April. I'll remind everyone, again, at the end of this one. The new one will be no where near as long as this one, say, 15 or so chpaters, of around 2000 words. Oh, BTW, this is now the longest chapter.

Chapter 83

Studio 44, 1:00 PM Thursday January 3rd 2013.

Jeanie was sitting in her director's chair, waiting to start the afternoon's blocking. The rest of the cast and crew was waiting and finally Jim and Kelli walked out, and asked everyone to gather around.

After everyone was quiet, Jim started speaking, "It has come to my attention that there may be some problems rumbling around on set. I don't have the full story yet, so I don't know all the individuals that could possibly be involved. But, we need to stop it now, and we will continue to investigate."

"So, here it is. Some people on set are being harassed," Jim was looking around, but keeping an eye on Brent. He saw everyone else was looking around, but noticing Brent was looking down, "Kelli and I do not condone any type of harassment on this set or on this show. I feel everyone should be act like an adult, and be treated like an adult. However, if you are acting like a child, and trying to bully or harass someone, we really don't need you here, and we will get rid of you."

"So, from here on out, Jim continued, "if you are being bothered or harassed, by anyone, you report it to either Kelli or myself. If you see any kind of harassment, you report it to either Kelli or I. Because, if you don't, and we find out you knew about it, you will be gone, just like the person doing the harassment. As I said, we will continue to investigate this, and anyone we find causing these kinds of problems, or who knows about it and doesn't report it, well, I'll just remind everyone about what happened with the person who was giving information to the paparazzi."

Jim looked around sternly, "Are there any questions? No? Every one got it?" He looked around and saw everyone nodding, "Ok then I'll turn you over to Steven, and you all can get started on your blocking."

Kettell Hall, 8:00 PM Thursday January 3rd 2013

Leonard had just finished up connecting his PS3 console to the television set Geoff had loaned him. It was an extra one that Leonard would return after he bought his own. The plan for tomorrow was to go and buy clothes a professor at Oxford required. Leonard chuckled, thinking of them as his adult clothes.

He had found dinner wonderful. Several of the servers were surprised by his American accent, and after explaining, he was told he should sit at the High Table. To Leonard, that looked like a dais, so he went up there and sat down. Shortly, several other apparent faculty came up to the table and sat down. Leonard now had a group around him, asking questions, because they heard his accent. Dinner consisted of roast beef, asparagus, and Yorkshire pudding. Leonard had never had Yorkshire pudding, but found it delightful. They even had wine with dinner.

His accent also got the attention of several chairs on either side of him, as Leonard explained he had just arrived from CalTech and would be doing research, teaching physics, and doing tutorials, here at Trinity. After dinner, he spent some time talking to the different fellows, as they called themselves, even the women, and Leonard was going to have to ask Geoff about what exactly his title was. As the group started to break up, Leonard left and arriving back to his rooms, he decided to set up his gaming console and was now looking forward to playing some Grand Theft Auto.

Apt 314, 3:15 PM Thursday January 3rd 2013.

Jeanie had just arrived back at the apartment building and instead of going to her apartment, she went to Penny's. Kelli and her had talk a bit more during the afternoon, and Jeanie got approval to move Penny into Jeanie's apartment.

She knocked on 314 and waited. Soon Penny came to the door, and asked Jeanie in. Jeanie was pleased to see that Penny was drinking tea, and asked her for a glass. While Penny got the tea, Jeanie unpacked her bag. After Penny returned, Jeanie dropped a script in front of her and said, "Here's all your blocking for the show. Tina took your place and wrote everything in. You might want to write your own notes and blocking into this, it'll make it easier, if you decide you still want to work in the business."

Penny ignored that comment and said, "What did you tell them?"

Jeanie thought about how to tell Penny, then decided to be blunt, "Before the table read, I told them you were ill. Then after the table read I talked to Jim and Kelli, in private, and told them you were hung over and still drunk."

Penny gasped, her eyes starting to fill with tears, "You told them I was still drunk?"

"Yep, I did, because you were," said Jeanie. "Then, I told them the reason why. About what happened between you and Brent, that I thought he drugged you, that he and his friends are still harassing you and that they needed to do something about it, because you are thinking of quitting."

"Oh my God, no," said Penny, still in shock, "What did they say?"

Jeanie continued, "Jim wanted to know if we had proof, but of course I told him we didn't, just a pattern of things that happened with other women."

"See," said Penny, "I told you no one would believe me."

"Someone did," said Jeanie, "Kelli spoke up and reminded Jim about all the problems she's had over the years with various men in the business and some things she has heard about Brent. So now, while they both agree there isn't really anything they can do to Brent, legally, they also both agree that it happened and are trying to come up with some ideas, to solve the problem. We left it there, for now, but, I need to tell you some big news. We have been renewed for a second season."

A large smile spread over Penny's face, "Really?"

"Yes, really," said Jeanie. "You're smiling, are you happy about it?"

"Sure I'm happy," said Penny, "why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, your comments about quitting the show, for one and quitting the business," said Jeanie, "that doesn't sound as if you'd be happy for the show to continue."

Penny hung her head, "Well, with what happened with Brent, and breaking up, and pissing off my friends, just all of that, how badly I fucked up, it has me down. I was drunk and feeling frustrated this morning, and I really don't know how to fix any of it. So, yes, I am happy for everyone else, but with all this on my mind, I think it might be better for me to go home and not bother anyone with it."

Jeanie was nodding as Penny mentioned everything. "Look, I can't help you with what happened with Brent, or your breakup, or the other things. I can try to help you from drinking too much, and help you at work. So, we're going to start trying to fix that now."

"What do you mean?"

"After talking to Jim and Kelli, they have concerns. They are worried your mental health, and how much you've been drinking. So, we came up with the beginning of a plan to try to keep you here."

"A plan? What? What do you mean?"

Jeanie looked at Penny for a few seconds and said flatly, "You are going to move into my apartment, into the second bedroom."

"What?"

"I told you, you're moving in," said Jeanie. "You are also going with me everywhere I go, or I go where you go, until I'm satisfied you can be trusted alone, without drinking. We are going to cut down on your drinking, and I am going to set you up with an appointment to see my psychologist. After the first one, if you want to see someone else, that's fine, but you will see someone."

"I don't need to see no shrink," said Penny, sounding a bit angry. "I'm fine."

Jeanie looked sad, "Penny, no you're not. You've been through a lot in the last couple of months. You are drinking too much, and to me you look and act depressed. Now, I'm not a therapist, so I can't say you're depressed. So, it won't hurt you to talk to someone who is a professional. Someone that can recognize what's wrong, and help you with it. I'll tell you that Kelli and Jim both want you to see one, even if you quit the show, because they care about you, and think it will help you."

"But, I talk to you." said Penny.

"I'm not a professional," said Jeanie. "Go see my shrink, talk to her, if you don't feel comfortable, find someone else, but dammit, find someone."

"I don't know," said Penny, "let me talk to Kelli, then think about it who I want to see."

Jeanie thought about that for a few seconds. She didn't think it would help to push her just now, but she wanted to give her a dead-line, so she said, "OK, I'll give you until next week to pick someone. But, for now, start grabbing your things. I'll help and we'll get everything up to my…er, our place now."

Penny nodded at that, thinking, I'm probably better off, with Jeanie. I think I'll enjoy having someone to share things with. I have my own TV I can put in the bedroom. We can eat together, and if I'm feeling down, I'll have someone to talk to without drinking… Hmmmmmm, maybe I should go to her shrink.

Penny said, "Ok, we'll start with the bedroom, and we should be able to get everything up there early enough for me to have a place to sleep, and to go over and enter everything in my script."

Jeanie came up and hugged Penny and said, "So, we still have you with the show."

Penny smiled, "For now. I'll see after talking to Jim and Kelli, or after I see a therapist, if I decide to go."

"OK," said Jeanie, "let's get you moved."

Raj's apartment, 8:15 PM Thursday January 3rd 2013.

Raj was back at his apartment. He had gone to Howard and Bernadette's apartment, but there was no answer when he had knocked several times. He called Howard and found that they were out at dinner, and then they were going to a movie. He had then attempted to go to Apartment 4A, but again there was no one home, and upon calling Sheldon, found that it was he and Amy's date night, and they wouldn't be home until after the movie they were seeing. I'm going to have to learn to call before going over to either place anymore.

He turned on the TV, but there wasn't anything he really wanted to watch, so he shut it off. He looked over his video games, but none of them appealed to him either, so he sat with his beer thinking. Is this going to be the next few years here? Howard and Bernadette together, but too busy to find time to be with me. Or, Sheldon and Amy together, but they are also too busy? I guess I could try to find some other friends. It seems like I don't have any friends here anymore and I can't talk to women, to date them. Maybe I should just call Daddy and find out if he and Mummy could set up an arranged marriage, for me.

He continued thinking about this for a few minutes, then sighed and turned on the TV again, hoping to find something to watch.

Kettell Hall, 3:00 PM Friday January 4th 2013

Leonard was in his room, hanging the two new suits he had brought home. Both of these had been close enough to his size that the alterations were not extensive, and could be done while he was picking out the rest of his items. So, he was able to take them along, when he left the shop. He had also bought six dress shirts, some dress socks, a few ties, a couple of belts and two pairs of shoes. He had also picked out the two different gowns to wear during those occasions, such as dinner in the dining hall, that required them. The four other suits would be ready by next Tuesday,

He was shocked at how much he had spent, over 3000 pounds, and after converting it, he found it had been just over 5000 dollars. Although, he had to admit, he looked rather good in them, the cut of these suits looked much better on him than his other suits. He thought, I could get to like this. Leonard had asked Geoff to help him pick out his clothes, and while they were doing it, Geoff explained that a well-dressed faculty was something of a tradition here, and that it was considered important. Geoff had also recommended getting a tux for those formal occasions, but Leonard had put it off for now.

Leonard was getting nervous about Monday. He would start to meet all the physics faculty, the lab group, and most importantly, his boss. He had talked to Alain, on the phone, but meeting him was a different thing altogether. Geoff tried to calm him, by telling him all the faculty was happy Leonard had decided to come to Oxford. That the lab group, and faculty, was well aware of both his experimental and theoretical work, and were impressed by it, so he shouldn't worry.

He had finished hanging up everything, and now was just waiting for Geoff to return. He had told Leonard he had a few errands to run, in town, so he would do that while Leonard put away his clothes. He would pick him up on the way back to his house, as he had invited Leonard to dinner. Now that Leonard was done, there wasn't anything to do except to wait. He took a bottle of water out of the fridge, turned on the TV, and sat down to wait for Geoff to return.

Studio 44, 1:30 PM Friday January 4th 2013.

Penny was in her dressing room. She was eating the salad she had gotten from craft services, while she pretended to go over her script. What she was really doing was thinking about everything that had happened this morning. Her and Jeanie had gotten up at 8:30 AM. Jeanie getting her shower, while Penny put on the coffee. When the coffee was ready, she got herself a cup and sat at the table, thinking that moving in here was probably a good thing, it will help her keep from drinking so much. She was also thinking, but wasn't sure, about going to see Jeanie's shrink. Penny then considered that her things were still a bit scattered, between the two apartments, but she would have all that done this weekend.

Jeanie came out, and Penny took her shower, then got dressed. By the time she was done, Jeanie was ready and they both left the apartment, headeding to work. After they arrived, Jeanie walked Penny up to her dressing room, and then left. Penny unpacked her things, went over her script for a bit, then heard three quick knocks. She gathered up her things and opened the door. She had known it was Jeanie from the knocks, she had told her to knock three times, and they went down to the set.

Just after 10 AM, Jim and Kelli came out to give their morning talk. Afterward, Penny asked if she could say something, and Penny apologized to the cast and crew for missing the previous day and thanked Jeanie for taking care of her, while she had been ill. Penny noticed Jim and Kelli both looking at her. She was a bit nervous about that, but she remembered that while they knew everything that was happening, Jeanie had told everyone else that Penny had been ill. They had done a run-through, and then started working on the scenes. At 1 PM, they had called lunch and Penny had gotten her food, and taken it to her dressing room, with Jeanie walking with her.

Suddenly, she heard a single knock on her door. She cracked the door, and looking out saw it was Tina. She asked, "What's up, Tina?"

"Jim and Kelli want to see you in their office," said Tina. "Be there at 2:00 PM, and they said they will hold up the afternoon run-through, until they were finished talking to you."

"Did I do something?" asked Penny.

"I don't know, they didn't tell me anything, except to tell you to be there," said Tina, and she walked off.

Studio 44, 2:00 PM Friday January 4th 2013

Penny knocked on the door, with some trepidation. After a few seconds, she heard Kelli say, "Come in," so she opened the door and walked into the office.

"Close the door and sit down, Penny," said Kelli.

Penny followed Kelli's instructions, then looked at both of them. "How much trouble am I in?"

Jim shook his head, "You're not in any trouble Penny, we just want to talk to you, try to find some things out and then help you get through some of the things Jeanie told us about."

"Jeanie said she told you, everything," said Penny.

Jim said, "She told us that you slept with Brent, but she thinks Brent raped you, but, you don't have any kind of proof of a rape. She also said that you thought it was just a case of getting drunk and having sex. Additionally, she told us you broke up with your boyfriend, and that you have been drinking pretty heavy, and were drunk yesterday morning. Is that about it?"

Penny felt ill as Jim ran down the list, but she nodded, "Yeah, that's it. I just felt so…so… slutty for cheating on my boyfriend and kept thinking I don't deserve him. So after I broke up with him, I started drinking to try to forget my problems. It really didn't work, but I was starting to get a handle on it, until Jeanie explained how she though I was raped, and now I feel so dirty and worthless. I guess I hit another low and started back drinking. I'm sorry, I missed yesterday."

Kelli looked at her, "Penny, you don't have to apologize again, you did that earlier. And this is really minor, as far as problems go, that we've seen, with actors. As for the rest, there isn't anything we can do about what happened with Brent, a couple of months ago. Nor, can we do anything about what happened between you and your boyfriend. All we can do now is try to come up with a plan, to help you get through this. Jeanie told us she was going to try to move you into her apartment, have you thought about that?"

"Actually, I moved most of my stuff there last night," said Penny. "I'll get the rest of it tonight, then spend the weekend cleaning the place up. I can turn it back over next week."

"That's good," said Jim, "just call Tammy, the woman who took you to your place when you first got here? Give her a call and she'll take care of it. There will also be a pay adjustment, with you living with Jeanie, as far as what we take out of your pay, you should get a bit more, well Jeanie will too. But, that's all minor stuff. We are more concerned about you, the reasons why you are moving into Jeanie's. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really," said Penny, "Jeanie seems to have told you everything. She's taking me in, to help control how much I drink. She's asked me to see her psychologist, and I'm wondering if you know anyone."

"No, I don't, but I can find one for you, if you want me to. I really think you should see someone," said Kelli softly. "Penny, if what Jeanie suspects is true, then you were raped, and you are going to need help to get through that. Then, you broke up with your boyfriend, so it's been a rough time for you, from what Jeanie told us. Just those two things by themselves are enough to mess you up, but with both of them? I really think seeing a professional can help you deal with it. There's also something else you should think about. While we think that Brent did something horrible to you, without any kind of corroboration or other evidence, we have nothing, legally, to get rid of him. That means, if you decide to stay in the business, you will have to continue to work with him. Do you really understand what that means?"

"What do you mean," asked Penny, "if I decide to stay in the business?"

Jim looked at her kindly, "Jeanie says you're thinking about leaving us, going back to Nebraska."

"I won't lie to you," said Penny. "I've been thinking about it. Between the the paparazzi, Brent, and being alone, I'm not sure I even want to be in the business anymore."

"Well," said Jim, "we'll cross that bridge when and if we come to it. We are here to get you through your current problems. If it takes you leaving the business, for you to feel better, then so be it. We don't think you should, but it's going to be up to you, and we won't pressure you to stay."

"Yeah, Jeanie told me that."

Kelli said, "Did she tell you we found out who was passing information to the paparazzi?"

"No, she didn't."

"We figured it out, and they were fired," said Jim. "So, that's one less problem for you. But, as I said, our concern right now is you. I'll say it again, if you getting healthy means you have to quit, we're OK with that. But, the question remains, do you really understand how much of a struggle it will be to work with Brent?"

"Yes, I do," said Penny. "that may be the most difficult thing of all, for me."

Kelli nodded, "Talking to a psychologist, may also help you with that."

She looked at Kelli and said, "What you say makes a lot of sense, I'm leaning toward going to see one, but having everything straight in my head, before I do, would be a big help."

"OK," said Kelli, "while we think getting everything straight, in your mind, is a good idea. We also strongly recommend that you see a therapist."

Penny rose, "Well, for now I'll stay and do the show. And, I'll think more on it, if I talk to a therapist. OK, is that it?"

Jim waved her to sit down. "There's one other thing, Brent and his friends harassing you."