Karen had been with Derek when Eileen explained what she demanded Tom to do and she knew the deadline for his decision was only an hour away. The unanswered question was what would happen if the composer refused.
Julia knew sooner or later the looming deadline would have to be addressed and she was fairly certain Eileen had informed Derek of her demand "I'm not sure there will be a Bombshell if Tom doesn't comply with Eileen's demand." The writer said honestly.
"Is it because of Bobby and the protests," Karen inquired. "I can issue a statement asking my fans to reconsider and I'll talk to Bobby." She offered. "I never meant to cause all this." She said, her voice full of despair.
"Karen, whatever happens to Bombshell, please understand you are not to blame." Julia assured. "What Tom said to you was extremely inappropriate and the scrutiny the show is receiving is justified." She added. "What you should know, is that Bombshell had issues before last night, the video, Tom's outburst, those were just the last straw."
"I don't understand," the singer said still unsure of her whole role in Bombshell's possible demise.
"You see Love before last night, Bombshell was already having difficulty raising funds. For some reason investors were liking some but not all of the project and so, they weren't willing to risk money. Add to that scenario a messy divorce between Eileen and husband and you get the picture." Karen nodded.
"Now, if Tom refuses to do what Eileen demanded there is a bigger problem, a split between the creative team." Julia continued wanting Karen to know the truth. "Eileen can't let Tom get away without paying some consequence. The consequence she threatened him was the termination of his contract as Bombshell's composer. Starting over, the negative publicity it's not something we could overcome right now."
"But Bombshell would eventually make it to Broadway wouldn't it?" Karen asked.
"If I have to fund it myself," Derek stated much to the surprise of Julia.
Silence occupied the room for what seemed to be hours but in reality was only a few minutes as each individual took a moment to let the reality of what was just spoken set in. With determination Karen came up with a plan. Not sure if it was possible she decided to toss the idea out there.
"I know you said you couldn't afford to start Bombshell over again but what about Kyle's show?" She asked. "I mean I have no idea about timelines or anything like that but I know of certain record label and producer that I'm pretty sure would be more than willing to provide all the funding needed, just to get to Tom Levitt." Karen couldn't help but grin. "And even if he didn't fund it all, I can think of a few other friends who would make up anything lacking.
Derek and Julia looked at the singer in shock. When they had discussed Kyle's musical it was with the thought of it being a future project. But if it was true and Karen was able to secure funding a run at making Broadway this season was going to prove ambitious but not impossible.
"What about your album?" Derek asked. "A project like this would take up a great deal of time."
"Aside from a few special appearances, I don't have a tour planned in the near future and my second album isn't set to drop until March of next year. Bobby still has a few singles he wants to release before then." She stated. "So, if Kyle is willing to work with me, I'm yours."
"What do you think Julia? Derek asked. "Conceptually how long do you think it would take to get the book up to speed?"
"Solely concentrating on this project, maybe a few weeks to get us a book we could start workshop with."
"What about scores?" he asked Karen.
"When I get inspired I'm actually pretty fast," she answered "In fact, I have one more song already done I think would be perfect for when Jesse hears Amanda singing his song on the radio and he realizes that despite the fact she stole his music he still loves her. Would you like to hear it?" She asked her voice full of anticipation.
Nodding their head yes director and writer waited for her to pull up the song they waited a few minutes before a song equally as impressive as the one earlier filled the air. Derek looked to Julia and knew just by the ear to hear smile she wore that they were both thinking the same thing. Karen's music was light years ahead of anything on Broadway right now. "Okay are you sure you've never written for Broadway before?" Julia couldn't help but asked.
"I guess that song was for Broadway in a sense. One of my best friends was auditioning and he needed an original piece to use. It didn't have to be something he wrote so he asked me."
"Is that him singing on the demo?" Derek asked. He was impressed with the richness and tone of the young man's voice. There was also a soulfulness to it. He would definitely want to audition him for the lead.
"Yeah, that's Sam why?"
"Because I think Sam should audition for the role of Jesse. Without seeing him, based only on voice he is who I'd want for the role." Derek informed.
"I agree; he has a great voice." Julia added.
But before the three could say any more, their discussion was interrupted by Dr. Beck, the physician who had originally seen Derek in the ER. Much to the director's delight, after a brief examination, the doctor informed of his release. A follow up visit was scheduled for Friday but otherwise Derek was good to return to work as tolerated. While the three waited for paperwork to be processed, arrangements were made to have everyone involved meet at Derek's apartment at 4pm. He and Julia would call Eileen, Julia would call Kyle and Karen would call Bobby Raskin.
An hour later, the three were finally making their way out of the hospital and to say they were exhausted both emotionally and physical on the part of Derek, was an understatement. The hardest of the three conversations had been the first one they made. Hearing Eileen's voice crack with emotion as she came to the realization that Bombshell would not be making its Broadway debut tore at Julia's heart and she could tell Derek was equally shaken. But, both writer and director vowed that the show would not die. Eventually, when the time was right, Marylyn would get her due. For now, however, if they aspired to get a show to Broadway this season, a fresh start was needed. Asking the producer to place her trust in them, they told her of the meeting at Derek's. Kyle just as Julia had suspected was over the moon with excitement and swore to put in whatever work was needed. He also asked for Julia to co-write. He needed her as more than just a dramaturg. Bobby Raskin as they done with Eileen was put on speaker and upon hearing the shows concept and the fact his star would get credit and his label the rights to the music he was sold. The fact he got to screw Tom Levitt was an added bonus. Now, with everyone's presence secured, the three headed to the apartment. Karen had made arrangements for Ana and Sam to meet there to help organize. She could see the toll the day's events were taking on Julia and Derek and every once in a while, she had caught Derek pressing his temple. She knew he was hurting but didn't want to say. She hoped together she and Julia could convince him to take a nap.
It was 3 o'clock in the afternoon when Eileen entered Bombshell's studio. She had not heard nor received anything from Tom and after speaking with Julia and Derek she agreed a fresh start was needed. Entering the room, she made her way over to Linda and Josh. She knew Derek had already relayed her news to them so her presence came as no surprise. Nodding her understanding Linda called a stop to the scene they had been rehearsing and asked for everyone's attention. "What do you think this is about?" Bobby asked moving to sit near Jessica and Ivy.
"I don't know but don't you think it was odd that no one from the creative team was here all day?" Jessica remarked.
"As many of you already know last night at an event that was supposed to be the stepping stone to Bombshell's future on Broadway, comments were made by Tom Levitt towards RCI recording artist, Karen Cartwright." The producer stated. "As a result of those remarks Bombshell suffered a significant blow as various groups have called upon the public to boycott not only our show but any business related to those who invest its future. This very real threat has forced many of those individuals who had previously committed to the show to renege on their commitment. "She continued. "Many of those groups calling for a boycott had requested Tom Levitt issue a public apology for his remarks and it was a request I also personally made of Mr. Levitt as the show's producers. The deadline to issue said apology was noon today. As of now, I have not heard from nor has an apology been forwarded to my attention by Tom Levitt and his lack of accountability forced the remaining investors to pull out." She said. "Therefore, without funding to continue, it is with a heavy heart that I have to announce Bombshell will be stopping its workshop. Everyone will get compensated for your work up until today and when Bombshell ready to return, you will be the first to be contacted. You should know however, that upon its return, Tom Levitt will longer be a member of its creative team." Immediate chaos erupted as ensemble members buzzed among themselves trying to confirm they had understood correctly.
"Oh my God," Bobby exclaimed. "We have just fired."
"Ivy what the hell happen with Tom," Jessica asked. "Why didn't he just give a damn apology."
Ivy stood there frozen trying to wrap her mind around what had just happened. In a matter of 24 hours he had lost the lead of a life time. "I don't know," she finally stuttered but I want to know why Derek wasn't here to relay this news."
"He was hurt," Bobby reasoned. "What are we going to do now though, any show worth anything is already cast."
"Did you notice though how calm Eileen was," Ivy said, still focused on the where about of the director. "For being that she just lost her baby she didn't seem that distraught, something is going on?"
"Who cares, unless it's going to help me get another role I don't want to know." Jessica said.
"I wonder if Tom even knows he's been fired, he hasn't text you has he?" Dennis who had just made his way over asked.
"No," Ivy answered and with that she took out her phone. Dialing his number, it took only three rings before the composer answered.
"Hey Ivy," Tom greeted much too cheerful. "How was rehearsal today?" he asked not knowing he was speaker. The question alone letting the four know he had no clue.
"Tom," Ivy said. "Have you spoken with Eileen today?"
"Yeah and do you know what she wanted me to do?" he asked but not waiting for a response continued "She wanted me to issue an apology and explain myself to the public. I'm told her I wasn't doing it."
"Tom listen to me," Ivy said taking him off speaker. "Tom Eileen was just here." This last comment getting her friend's attention.
"What do you mean she was just there?"
"Tom she said production was being stopped on Bombshell," Ivy informed him. "We are all fired Tom, including you."
"What are you talking about Ivy, Eileen would never stop production on this show and she can't fire me."
"Well she did Tom, she told everyone you had refused to issue an apology and that the investors pulled out."
"Was Julia and Derek with her?" he asked.
"No, which I find extremely odd. Not only that Eileen was too calm." Ivy stated her opinion. "Something tells me there's more to this."
"What was Linda's reaction?" Tom asked. He knew if Eileen's discussion had previously been discussed with his colleagues, Derek would have informed his staff.
"They didn't seem surprised that she showed up but I didn't see after, they left right away."
"They knew," Tom said without hesitation. "Where are you?" he asked.
"I'm still at the studio with Bobby, Jessica and Dennis."
"Meet me at Derek's." Tom said. "I think you're right, something is going on and I can tell you they are not going to get away with it."
"What did he say," the other three asked as the blonde ended the call.
"I'm supposed to meet him at Derek's, he thinks there is something going on. I'll keep you posted." She told them.