CHapter 42
Tommy: Come on, Manny! I know you got more in you
Manny: Tommy, I'm drawing a damn blank!
Tommy: Ok, you've got enough sappy love songs, you need something with edge.
Danny: What about your ex?
Tommy & Manny: What?!
Manny: What about his pathetic ass?
Danny: Let's face it, we all know without even knowing the whole story that he fucked you up royally in the emotions department
Tommy: Danny's got a point there, Santos
Manny: I try not to think about that memory, thanks for headache guys, that's real helpful!
Tommy: OK, ok, what about something like "I see nothing in your eyes, and the more I saw the less I liked, can you believe the outcome?"
Danny: "The things we wish to perceive aren't always what we want to believe. You took the breath right out of me"
Manny: "You left a whole where my heart was supposed to be. You can crucify me with blame, but only If you shared the pain"
Tommy: "You always changed right behind my back, when we were face to face, I was always the one who cracks"
Manny begins to laugh
Manny: Ok, I can see something working here
The receptionist walks into the doorway of the studio and knocks on the glass door
Sarah: Sorry to interrupt but Manny, there's some one here to see you
Manny's facial expression turns cold and nervous as she turns to Tommy and Danny
Manny(nervously to Sarah): Who is it?
Sarah: He didn't say who he is, but he has flowers
Tommy: Ok, thanks Sarah. Can you tell him, Manny will be out in a minute?
Sarah (smiles): Sure thing, Tommy
Sarah exits the room, closing the doors behind her
Tommy (to Manny): Relax, just breathe. Danny and I are going to be right here, just leave the door cracked open so we can hear you.
Danny: Tommy's right and if anything goes wrong, we'll be out there in a flash.
Manny begins pacing nervously
Manny: I- I don't know guys, what if he's a psycho like the last one.
Tommy gets up and places his hands on Manny's shoulders
Tommy (softly): Manny, look at me
Manny looks in Tommy's eyes
Tommy (softly): Danny and I are not going to let anything happen to you, I promise. If you start to feel uncomfortable, ask about the weather
Danny (placing his hand on the back of Manny's shoulder): And we will be right out there to protect you. We're not going to let the same thing happen twice.
Manny (smiles): Thank you guys, really.
Manny smiles as she collects herself and sweeps her hair behind her ears
Manny: I think I'm ok now.
Tommy: Just remember we're right here
Danny: And remember the safe word
Manny smiles as she nods
Manny: I will, I promise
Manny turns as she exits the room, leaving the doors ajar, walking to the lobby
Manny: Can I help-
Before Manny can finish her sentence, the person turns around and smiles
Jay: Hey beautiful
Manny: Jay?! Are you fucking kidding me?
Jay: I came here to get you back
Manny: No, I don't want anything to do with you, why can't you get that through your stupid head?!
Jay approaches Manny with Flowers as Manny backs away
Jay: I'm sorry for what I did in the past, can we just put that behind us and get back to us? The way we used to be. I promise I've changed
Manny laughs
Manny: You've always been a cheater and a liar Jay! Who are you trying to fool?!
Jay: I swear I've changed Manny
Manny: I'm happy with who I have now, at least he loves me enough to be patient with me
Jay: That's where you're wrong Manny, he doesn't love you. He could never love you, the way I do.
Manny: No Jay, that's where you're wrong
Manny said loudly
Manny: You see, unlike you, he truly understand me. He's showed me what love is really about
Jay: Manny, trust me. I've seen him out around town, he's been with some other woman when you're not around
Manny backs away and begins yelling
Manny: No Jay, you're wrong. Now get the fuck out of my studio before I call the police for harassment. I want you gone and out of my life!
Jay: Manny, Please. I need you
Manny: No Jay, I'm done
Jay: Manny, please. I'm begging you, take me back. Let me prove to you I've changed
Manny: Screw you Jay!
Jay: No, screw you, bitch. You don't know what you're missing out on. I told you I changed, and I meant it.
Tommy comes out from the studio
Tommy: Hey man! What the hell is your issue?!
Jay: Mind your business fruit cake
Manny: Tommy, It's fine, I can handle this.
Tommy: He don't need to be calling you a bitch!
Manny: Tommy, go back in the studio! I got this
Tommy walks back into the studio as Manny continues fighting with Jay in the lobby
Manny: What part of I want nothing to do with you do you not understand?!
Jay: I miss you; I love you
Manny: Fuck off, I never want to hear from you again
Jay: Come on Manny, you know you miss me
Manny: No, I hate you. I wish I never loved you
Jay: You don't mean that
Manny: Oh, but I do, I mean every single word. It's no wonder Sean stopped hanging out with you. Tell me Jay, how's dear old Alex doing?
Jay: I don't know Manny, why don't you tell me how Damien is!
Manny: How original Jay! I haven't seen him since High School!
Jay: And I haven't seen Alex in like 2 years!
Manny begins backing away from Jay
Manny: I cannot stand you Jay, every night I spent with you, in high school and college, I regret so much.
Jay: Manny-
Manny: No Jay, you listen here and you listen good, cause I'm only going to say this once, If you ever come around my studio, my house or even Emma's house for that matter, I will call the cops and have you arrested for harassment so fast, your head will spin.
Jay: Manny-
Manny: No, you know what, I am happily married to someone I love, truly and deeply, if you had anyone in your life you would know that, wouldn't you?
Jay: Dollface-
Manny puts her hand up to Jay
Manny: But you don't have anyone so of course you wouldn't know. We don't belong together Jay! We never did! But I do, want to thank you, for showing me everything I want out of a relationship, everything I deserve and everything I don't want and certainly don't deserve. I'm finally happy and you constantly trying to win me back, isn't going to work. Now get the hell out! Now!
Jay begins to leave as he takes one look at Manny as she glares at him
Manny: Leave Jay!
Jay exits the building as Manny looks at Sarah
Manny (to Sarah): If he ever comes back here again, call the police
Sarah nods as Manny walks back to her studio and slams the door shut as she lets out a loud scream
Tommy: What the hell was that for?
Danny: And who the hell was that?
Manny: That asshole out there? Yea that's my ex
Tommy: Clearly Someone didn't get the memo that you're happy without him?
Danny: The same ex that you told me about before?
Manny: The infamous Jay!
Tommy: What the hell did he want?
Manny: Oh, you know, his usual bullshit, trying to win me back
Manny looks at Tommy upset
Tommy: What else did he say?
Danny: I'll give you guys a minute
Manny: No, Danny it's ok.
Tommy: What else did he say?
Manny: He told me, Chester doesn't love me, and he's saw Chester out with another woman when I'm not around
Manny said trying not to cry
Danny (scoffs): I'm sorry, what?!
Tommy: Manny that's crazy. Chester is madly in love with you
Danny: He's trying to get in your head Manny, and if you start to cry, like I know you want to, then you're letting him win
Tommy: Danny's right. Forget him, he's a piece of shit. What you need, is to get some of that anger and aggression you have toward him and write yourself a killer song
Manny: Yea, your right.
Danny: Trust me, Some of the best songs come from a long standing I hate you to your ex
Tommy: How do you think Haley Joy got her first big break?
Manny: I guess I never thought of it like that
Tommy: This is the perfect edge for your album
Danny: I know you got enough in you for a song. You got this
Manny grabs her notebook and heads over to the empty booth next to hers and begins to think of lyrics. She puts out her phone and looks at the photo of her and Chester with his arm around her neck with her hands on his arm smiling with laughter. After a couple hours she goes back to her studio
Tommy: Well?
Manny: Where's Danny?
Tommy: I told him to go home. I could take it from here.
Manny places the notebook on the production board for Tommy to view. Tommy takes the notebook and thumbs through a couple pages
Tommy: Told you, it'd come to you
Manny: I'm going in the booth, give me a track
Manny walks out of the production booth and into the recording booth, she hears the music play within her headset
Manny: Now that it's all said and done, I can't believe you were the one to build me up and then tear me down. Like an old, abandoned house. I guess you heard I've finally moved on. You can take all the games that you played and leave them where you came. You changed, started turning into a monster, a different person. I hear you saying that you still adore me, but we both know it was all just a mistake.
Manny: Through it all you changed me, I'm not the same me, through it all you changed me forever, I'm finally better, picked up the pieces and put my heart back together. You call me at night, when you start to wonder if you made the wrong choice, let it ring, let it ring all night long. With all we'd been through, I don't miss you anymore. You're not who I remember.
Tommy begins to clap as Manny takes off her headset
Tommy: Manny, that was great. Seriously.
Manny: Well, I'm done with his shit. I'm over it, I'm happily married.
Tommy: I'm proud of you for the way you handled yourself with him. I know it took a lot but I'm proud of you
Manny smiles
Manny: Thanks Tommy
Tommy: I know you got 1 more song left to record, do you want to record it tonight or wait until you come back from your honeymoon, Mrs. Johnson?
Manny smiles as she laughs
Tommy: You know, I may be a hard ass with you sometimes, that's only cause I want what's best for you, career wise. But, happiness, happiness looks good on you Manny. I haven't seen you this happy since we started working together
Manny: I really am happy, Tommy. For once in my life, I can honestly say that I am truly, incredibly happy.
Tommy: He screws up, I get to beat him, you know that right?
Tommy laughs
Manny: Yes, you can beat him
Tommy: Come on, Santos, let's get that last song done so you can get out of here
Manny goes back in the recording booth and begins to hear the music in her headset
Tommy: Alright Manny, ready when you are
Manny nods at Tommy as she listens to the music as she begins singing
Manny: Were you aware of how you used to make me feel? You used to love me, you used to hug me, but that wasn't the case. I was left to cry there waiting outside, grinning with a lost stare. That's when I decided, Don't act so innocent, this was no accident, you planned this in the end. Just face it, we didn't make it. You threw it all way. After all's said and done, I knew I'd get through this, rebuild the bridges that you burned down. And I found the light in the darkness.
Tommy nods at Manny
Manny: You should've known better than to hurt someone like me. Should've treated me right, I gave you one chance, you don't get it twice. You can't say I didn't try. If I'm honest, I probably gave a little too much. You could say I wasn't good enough, but you know that doesn't changed what happened here. I don't need you to tell me who I am or what I'm meant to be.
Manny finishes the song and takes off her headset
Tommy: You did incredible work today, seriously.
Manny: I guess telling him off, paid off
Tommy smirks
Tommy: Go on, get out of here. I'll see you this weekend at the wedding
Manny smiles
Manny: Thanks for the advice today, Tommy. I'll see you this weekend. I'll be the one in White
Manny laughs and grabs her bag leaves and heads home. She arrives home a few minutes later
Chester: Hey babydoll
Manny: Hey honey
Manny said as she kisses Chester
Chester: How was the studio, sweetheart
Manny groans
Manny: Jay came by the studio, starting his shit
Chester: He's just mad because you're mine now
Chester said softly as he chuckled while pulling Manny onto his lap
Manny: He also called me a bitch
Chester: He did what?!
Manny: Relax! I handled it!
Chester: Let me find the son of bitch
Manny: Baby! Relax! I handled him! He's not going to be a bother anymore
Chester: Who the hell is he to call you a bitch, like you're just some female dog
Manny: I made it clear to him I want absolutely nothing to do with him, If he ever came around us, or Emma and her family again, I'd call the police for harassment, and that I was perfectly happy with the man I love.
Manny said as she softly rubs Chester's arm
Chester: It just pisses me off that he thinks he can talk to you like that
Manny: Oh, Tommy wanted to kill his ass
Chester begins to chuckle
Chester: Honestly, I'm kinda glad I wasn't there. I probably would've rang his neck.
Manny: Chester, Look at me.
Chester looks at Manny
Manny: Jay can say whatever he wants, I don't give a damn. It's not going to change a thing. I made it clear, my heart belongs to you, and only you. No matter what.
Chester kisses Manny
Chester: I love you, you know that
Manny smiles
Manny: I know, I love you too
Chester: Couple more days and I'll get to see you in that beautiful white dress.
They relax on the couch and watch a movie together as Chester enjoys having Manny curled up in his arms