I know these last chapters haven't been the most exciting but I needed some background laid so the changes that are coming to Bombshell will make sense. I promise more Cartwill in the next chapter.
It was 7:30 in the morning and Julia was working on just 4 ½ hours' sleep. Before leaving the hospital, Eileen had made sure that both she and Tom were aware she expected them at her office by 8:30 to address the events of the prior night. They hoped nothing would have been leaked but did consider the possibility that news of Derek and Tom's argument would have gotten out. They're hope however would be short lived as Julia's son, Leo, came racing down the stair into the kitchen.
"Mom, I think you should see this but don't freak out okay," the teenage boy cautioned.
"What do you mean, Leo?" she asked not yet fully awake. "What do I have to see and why would I freak out."
"Your trending mom, well not you necessarily but what happened last night at the party," he remarked. "You need to see this video," he handed over his phone prior to pressing play.
Much to the writer's horror, there in full color was her rant towards Tom. For the world to see was confirmation of the fact that Tom had in fact called Karen Cartwright a high priced escort and what was worse was the fact that also captured were the singer's stinging words to the composer along with her assessment that investors would be hard press to risk money on Bombshell.
"Where did this come from?" Julia asked in a panic.
"I don't know," Leo replied. "TMZ claims to have received it last night. But mom, the video isn't the worst of it. You have to read the reactions." He went on to explain. "Feminine groups, fellow popstars and Karen's fans, are all calling for a boycott of Bombshell."
"What do you mean, what do Tom's comments have to do with Bombshell?" She voiced. "Let me see" she handed the phone back to her son asking him to pull up an example of what he saw. Taking the phone back she read: While the creative team for Bombshell, want potential investors to believe their portrayal of Marylyn shows that beauty doesn't always equal sex; the sentiment in real life doesn't appear to be one Tom Levitt agrees with. The video below shows Julia Houston, Levitt's creative partner laying into the composer for comments he directed at popstar sensation and sweetheart, Karen Cartwright. The comments came after Levitt saw the singer with Bombshell director, Derek Wills. The singer had attended the private event on behalf of record producer Bobby Raskin and had been seen talking with Wills out on his balcony. Levitt's comments resulted in the British Director punching him and quickly escalated. An ambulance was called but it is unclear who suffered injuries.
Julia's husband who had joined the conversation late tried to calm his wife, "Jules, it will be alright. Tom can issue an apology and you'll see things will blow over." He assured.
"Your right," she nodded. "I better get going," she remarked, grabbing a muffin as she kissed her family goodbye.
"Good morning sweet cheeks," Anna greeted her roommate as she walked into their apartment kitchen. "I'd ask how your evening went but the video of it is all over the internet." She informed.
Still half asleep, her best friend's comment instantly put Karen on alert "What!" she inquired with eyes wide in surprise.
"Yup; and girl let me tell you, I never knew you had it you to go off like that," her friend laughed.
"Ana, it's not funny," Karen said almost wanting to cry. "I was upset but I never intended for what I said to go viral."
"Well then you're really not going to like the fact that people are calling for a boycott of Bombshell," her friend remarked.
"No, no, no," the brunette whined. "I need to go, I have to explain to Derek and the others it wasn't me."
"Wait, there is no way in hell I'm letting you even think of apologizing to Tom Levitt." Anna warned. "He deserved what he got." Wiggling her eyebrows and with a grin from ear to hear she continued "but do tell me about Derek, we are on a first name basis now Wills," she teased.
Not helping but to smile at the mentioned of the director's name, the singer replied "first, you could have warned me what he looked like," she laughed. "I had a Cartwrightism moment but that is a story for another day. Derek is extremely good looking which I'm sure you already know but he was nothing but a gentleman towards me. I was out on the balcony when he asked if he could join me and we started talking. We laughed and talked and…" She giggled "he asked me out to dinner later this week." She squealed before remember the video. "God but now with the video he probably wants nothing to do with me." She sighed. "I told him I would keep him company at the hospital, Ana you should see his face."
"I thought Levitt was the one who got punched?" her friend asked.
"He was but then when Derek's back was turned to me Tom rushed him and he ended up hitting his face on the corner of a metal chair. I was at the hospital until 2a.m. this morning."
"Wow, look I'm sure he isn't going to hold the video against you." Ana assured. "Go keep him company and just see where things go. Don't stress." Heeding the advice Karen poured herself a cup of coffee and returned to her room to change.
Tom arrived at Eileen's office a little before their scheduled meeting and was immediately accosted by reports waiting for a statement. Ignoring them all he made his way into the building's lobby where he spotted his partner waiting for the elevator. Neither saying a word the composer finally broke the silence by asking "who do you think leaked the video?"
"Does it matter?" the red head answered. "The question now is how do we fix it. Have you seen the video and read the comments Tom? People are calling for a boycott, what were you thinking last night?"
"You can't believe this is my fault," was his quick and angered retort. "I was the one Derek punched first." He continued.
"You are joking right," Julia rhetorically asked. "He punched you after you called Karen Cartwright a high priced escort and basically implied they had been doing something inappropriate out on his balcony. We are not having this discussion again. Own up to the fact you made a mistake." She hissed just as the elevator door opened and the two stepped into the waiting area of their producer's office. Seeing the non-presence of an assistant and the open office door they made their way into the older woman's office where she was in mid conversation with one very angry Bobby Raskin.
"I don't care who Tom Levitt was angry at," the producer seethed "his remarks were aimed at my singer. A singer who right now is considered sweeter than Taylor Swift and is the hottest artist on the charts. I want a public apology and full explanation as to why he said what he did."
"I agree it was an unfortunate incident and I'm sure Tom will have no problem issuing an apology but come on, an explanation, is that really necessary?" Eileen asked.
"Is it necessary? Have you not ready some of the speculation being tossed around as to what Karen and Derek were doing out on the balcony for Levitt to make those remarks. They aren't very pure to say the least and I will not have her reputation tarnished because some school boy jealousy your composer has towards Derek. I was warned by other investors that Tom Levitt could be trouble and to be careful because of a history with Wills; but, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Well, that benefit ends at noon today. If I don't get what I asked for, losing my money will be the least of your concern." The record producer threatened before the click of a deadline was heard.
"You've heard how my morning has gone and he was the third of such calls I've received so far." Eileen stated. "I want to know aside from issuing a public apology, what you intend to do to fix this Tom."
"I can tell you what I have no intention of doing" he began. "I have no intention of explaining myself to anyone. I will issue an apology for what I said but I will not let anyone think my assumptions of Derek Wills were baseless. The man has a history of being a known womanizer and yet once again he is being painted as the great British director while I take the fall. It is not going to happen."
"I'm going to let you in on a secrete Tom, something Derek would never tell you but I think it's important because it will make you fully aware of where my loyalty lies. Three months ago, when Jerry discovered I had sold a painting he was listed the owner of, I was served with an injunction. A hearing was held I was ordered by the court to either payback the $250,000 dollars I sold the painting for or Bombshell would be frozen. Jerry of course wore the smuggest smiled and walking over to me he gloated about the offer he had extended to Derek the night before. He apparently told Derek of what his attorney's predicated the outcome of the hearing to be and then proceeded to offer him 2 million dollars to return to My Fair Lady." Julia's mouth fell open at the revelation.
Not in the least fazed by the reaction, the producer continued with her story. "Hearing Jerry's offer I was sure Derek would leave. He had invested three years in the musical before our divorce turned ugly and even if I could somehow come up with another $250,000; I would never be able to pay him what my ex-husband could. So later that evening when the call I had been expecting came, I braced myself for the worst. But instead, when Derek came to my office, he acted as if nothing had changed. We talked about Bombshell and possible investors and timelines and it wasn't until he was ready to leave that he mentioned he had something to tell me. His face was serious and he said he wanted me to hear this from him and no one else; my heart sank. He told me Jerry had extended an offer leaving out the amount of course and when I began to tell him I understood, he stopped me. He told me he turned the offer down and then he handed me a check for $500,000. Enough to pay back the estate like the court ordered and enough to keep Bombshell afloat." The producer choked with emotion at the memory.
Unable to wrap her head around the information being shared Julia asked "Why, why didn't you tell us; why didn't Derek?"
Eileen laughed "he was worried it would give Tom one more reason to scrutinize him. He was concerned Tom would view it as Derek's way of trying to take creative control over Bombshell." She informed. "After seeing what happened last night I can't say his predication would have been off point," she added looking directly at Tom.
"Then why are you telling us this now?" the composer inquired.
"As a warning Tom; do what is needed to fix the mess you created, even if it means you come across as petty or there will be consequences."
Rage boiling over him, Tom laughed "a warning Eileen, need I remind you that it's my music that makes Bombshell. Every single investor loved the songs so don't try to play games with me," he stated. "Hell will have to freeze over before I let Derek Wills win."
"Oh but that is where you are wrong, Tom. Or do I need to remind you about a clause you specifically asked me to put in your contract." At woman's comment Julia could see the blood drain from her partner's face. She tried desperately to think of what Eileen was talking about but nothing came to mind. Reading the writer's unasked question, the producer continued. "I don't believe you would know what I'm referring to Julia. You see this was an addendum Tom asked for after our meeting. The clause allows me, as the producer the option should I feel the need, to treat the book and score separately. He made sure both of you would still get paid what the original contract called for but if I wanted only to use the score, I could."
Julia looked at Tom who at least had the decency to look ashamed. "Is that true?"
"Jules, you had a lot going on with the adoption and the book needed a lot of work. I wanted to make sure we both still got paid if you couldn't pull it together." He tried to reason. "I did it for you."
"No Tom you did it for yourself."
"I'm sorry Julia, this wasn't how I wanted this to come out but as I was saying; do not make me choose between you and Derek Tom. Because you will lose."
"You won't get away with this."
"I think everything that needs to be said has; I expect your apology and explanation on my desk by noon." She instructed Tom before making it clear the meeting was over.