Bob Rafelson usually loved his job, no matter how crazy it got. But if he had to pick one day to hate it to the bone, today would be it.
"You know I don't want this, you know I tried to talk Kirshner out of it. Hell, I never thought he'd actually remember! But..."
"It's okay, Bob. You're right, it was more important to get rid of him when you did. I don't blame you, I blame that sawed off excuse for a music mogul."
It was hard enough for him to look her in the eye, but the look on her face killed him. He'd expected an argument, a raging hell-storm, even. Their disagreements could be intense, but they always played by certain rules, and right now Bonnie Morris was breaking them. Oh, he expected her to grasp the logic of it, that it had just been a throwaway included in the consolation/coercion prize that also included telling the press that Kirshner had left of his own accord to "pursue bigger projects". Even the P.R. about his contract expiring had been a lie... the jerk had a self-renewal clause that would continue until the show folded or until Kirshner decided it was time to go. Looking back Bob could hardly believe he'd ever believed that what they were doing was so dependent on one guy, no matter who he was. But he was becoming more trouble than he was worth, what with the conflicts with the guys (who had admittedly begun to prove themselves musically) and his picking fights with Nesmith, who could be counted on to blast into orbit at the push of any button. Then there was Kirshner's baiting of other staff, Chip, and even Genie, who he knew didn't respect him "enough". And of course Bonnie, who up until Paris had managed to keep her anger under wraps. But even a valuable asset can get too expensive, and Kirshner had lost most of his value anyway.
As Bob told her all of this, Bonnie nodded, shrugged, displayed her understanding of what they called the "bummer side of the business". Still,he expected more fight from her, and none was forthcoming.
Jesus that look... like a kid who's just been told Christmas has been canceled. Well why not? She'd sweated blood along with the rest of them, plus having to juggle her thing with Nesmith, and her job, which God knows were at odds more often than not. She deserved to be there on Emmy night as much as any of them. But the fact was, she wasn't associate producer during the nominated season. The Fairy Tale epi, yeah, she as on board for that, but it only just made the deadline for the writing nomination. Neither was Kirshner of course, but... shit. Bonnie had sat out the Grammy's when they won best pop album of the year, for the same reason Kirshner should be sitting out the Emmys. And she did it of her own free will. Okay, she didn't want to be in Kirshner's company any more than absolutely necessary, but still...
"Bob... Bob? It's not your fault. We had to get rid of him or it would have screwed up everything. It was a good trade."
"But not a fair one."
"Yeah, well... do the guys know?"
Bob sucked in his breath. Reason number two to hate his job, coming right up. "Of course not. I had to talk to you first." He paused, wanting to hand her control of something. "Do you want to tell them?"
"Ah, look if you don't mind... would you do it? I got some stuff to do before we head home, review shooting schedules, you know..." She was already halfway to the office door but Bob called her back.
"Bonnie... I'm sorry, I mean it. If there was a way I could get around this, you know I'd bribe God himself..." Lame, lamer. lamest.
She didn't answer, just nodded with a forced half smile. Then that look returned. She closed the door more quietly than usual, just as Bob had been wishing mightily for a wall-rattling slam. He got up and headed for the dressing rooms where the guys would still be getting out of costume and makeup, to give them the shitty news.
As he walked, Bob reminded himself Bonnie was as sensible as anyone in the business, and didn't doubt for a minute that she understood every why and wherefore, no matter how badly they sucked. But he felt like he'd just gut-punched Bambi, and couldn't stop wondering if there might be some way out of this particular bummer side of the business.