This should be fun. We need fun. I'm sorry the last chapter wasn't as polished. I was writing with two TVs on.
Chapter Two:
Macy posted Reid's mug shots next to the candid Faye took.
Shawna leaned forward. "How much of your soul did you have to sell to get him?"
"None," she said. "But I would have sold it all to do so."
Sam shook his head. "This guy has so much baggage but that only seems to make him even more appealing."
"So, what does Spencer want in a woman?" Macy asked.
"Intelligence," Shawna said.
"Let's see how much intelligence he really wants when we throw a few blond bombshells at him," Macy said. "We have a few of those on hand, right?"
"I have some in mind," Faye said.
"Seriously though," Sam said. "We need to prep him for his first press conference. Get photos, schedule interviews. This is a long process and we're running low on time for this one."
"He's coming in tomorrow," Macy said. "He wanted to tell his friends first and enjoy another day of privacy."
"Who did he tell?" Cass asked. "Do we have a contract on him?"
"Don't worry, I had him sign a contract saying he'd be on the show," Faye said. "Secondly, I have a feeling who he tells isn't on Instagram given the fact that all his friends are FBI agents."
"Will they block access to him?" Shawna said.
"They can try, but we have hackers too," Macy said.
"Nothing illegal please," Cass said.
"Yes, mom," she said.
"So, what skeletons are we looking at?" Sam asked. "Literal ones too?"
"We'll ask him how many he's killed while being a hero," Faye said. "If there is one skeleton to worry about it is a drug addiction due to an abduction he told me about that he has under control. He never takes narcotics."
"So, no lines of coke when the cameras are turned off?" Shawna said.
Cass glared at her and Faye didn't look amused.
Sam turned to his tablet. "I'll have a list made up. It's going to be a long one."
…
Faye was waiting for him when he arrived at LAX on Wednesday.
"Remind me why I'm doing this?" he said nervously.
"Because you're looking for a way to build a life that isn't completely gloom and doom," she said as they walked to baggage claim. "No autopsy photos to look at. No shives. Just beautiful woman here to compete for your heart."
"And fame," he said. "I know this is a game."
"So how much TV do you watch?" she asked.
"Almost none," he said.
"You're practically Amish," she said.
"I don't believe I need the TV on constantly to keep me informed," he snapped.
"Fair, enough," she said.
He picked up his luggage.
"We're going directly to the office," she said.
"Are you guys going to look at my things?" he said.
"It would be a good way to get to know you." she said.
"Only if I'm in the room," he said.
"Deal," she said.
"This is going to be fun," Faye said. "I promise."
"I hope you're right."
…
A woman with dark hair tied up in an elaborate bun appeared.
"I'm Macy Tomlin," she said holding out her hand. "I'm the executive producer."
He shook it lightly and was guided to a seat.
"Let me run you through whose who here," she said. "This Sam Johnson our network representative. Shawna Pierce, the head of production, Cass Farrington our legal advisor, and you might recognize Drake Roland as the host of the show and a producer."
There was an awkward pause as he settled in.
Shawna pulled out a stylus and tapped it against the table.
"So, Spencer, why don't you tell us a little bit about what brings you here?"
"I guess I honestly want to find love," he said. "As a profiler, I can tell who is being fake and who isn't. I really want to see if it is possible to find love on TV."
She took a note and looked up. "Why would a woman pick you?" she asked.
"I'm highly intelligent and believe I am a kind person."
"Music?" Macy asked.
"I only know Beethoven really well."
"Food?" Sam asked.
"I really love Indian food."
"Are you a virgin?" Cass asked.
Reid turned red and everyone looked to her.
"The question was going to come up," she said with shrug.
"No," Reid said.
Drake turned to him.
"Describe the perfect date for you," he said.
"Dinner and then a show at the observatory," he said.
"When was the last time you went on a date?"
"A coffee date three years ago."
"Can we cut your hair a little?" Shawna asked.
"A little," he said.
"How do you feel shirtless?" Shawna said.
"I'd only do it if I was swimming."
She smiled. "I can work with that."
"Okay," Macy said. "I think we've poked you enough for now. Here is what is going to happen next. We're going to let you eat lunch in peace and then in the afternoon we're going to have try on some clothes, touch up your hair, take a few photos and Faye is going to keep asking the same questions over and over until they sound natural out of your mouth at the press conference. Around five o'clock Cass is going to come over to with paperwork for you to sign. The press conference will be tomorrow nine o'clock. They cannot reveal your identity until we formally announce during our Lonely Hearts reunion special that night."
"That sounds good," he said.
Macy pressed a button.
"Adrian will take you to your room to get settled," she said as the man appeared.
"It was nice meeting you," he said and got up.
"See you in a little while," Faye said and closed the door behind him.
"Thoughts?" she said.
"Shy, sweet, and secretive," Shawna.
"Guarded," Sam said. "He's know what he's getting into better than he lets on.
"Thoughtful," Cass said.
"Different," Drake said. "How are you going to construct a narrative around this guy, Macy?"
"It's called breaking some of the rules," she said. "He is going to be our special Heart of Gold Lonely Heart."
"I like it," Faye said. "Because it is definitely true."