Jessica reads over the script again. She remembered her chance in high school. Her old friend, he was the director of the original "Checkered Houses" movie and wanted Jessica to play the lead role. Jessica was tempted. It was her big break. Unfortunately, it meant she would have lost Sam, her high school sweetheart, due to movie and school commitments. She never regretted her decision, but wondered what her life would have been. That movie went on to win major awards, creating stars like the lead actress who was in hot demand in Hollywood.

But now, reading the script, she realized it was her second chance. Jessica wasn't ready in high school, but after dropping out of college, realized acting was what she was meant to do. She loved her job as an actress. Her job was fun, she got paid well, and was well liked by almost everyone. But as much as she loved her job, Jessica realized she wanted more. Being Britney was fun, but she wanted more challenging roles. Reading the part of Diane, the troubled sister of Katrina, Jessica knew this would be a brand new challenge. Jessica will have to change herself. She called Maria in New York for some tips.

Later that night, she and Elizabeth went to a local restaurant in Malibu to talk about Jessica's future.

"So you are thinking about leaving?" Elizabeth asked. She knew Jessica was wrestling with that decision for years.

"My contract is done in eight months. The timing is awful, Britney is finally getting a major storyline. But I really want to do something new." Jessica flagged down a passing waitress for another Cosmo.

"Oh Jess. But couldn't you take a leave of absence while you make that movie?"

"I could, but I need to be on set, I have a ton of scenes to film. Brooke says Checkered Houses is about to go under production." Jessica thanked the waitress after her drink was delivered. "She said her father already has a leading man, but he wants to audition actresses, see if any will have chemistry with her costar." Jessica takes a sip of her drink. "I really want this role."

Elizabeth didn't say anything. She loved the original, Checkered Houses was a classic. But looking at her sister's face, she wondered. Hmm. They switched places before.

"Jess?"

"Hmm?"

"When I was working with you, can anyone tell who was who?" Both sisters wore identical costumes for the scene at the grand ball for Victoria's cotillion. Elizabeth had to speak in a southern accent, luckily Elizabeth knew how to change her voice. Her and Jessica played countless pranks over the years, every April Fools they either switched places or pretend to be new students at SVMS. Since the characters of Victoria and Britney were estranged sisters, the writers wrote Victoria as a southern belle from Georgia. Elizabeth felt funny speaking with a accent, but did it flawlessly. Jessica looked up.

"Are you saying what I think you are thinking?"

"I have nothing to do at the moment. Other than the screenplays I'm writing, I have lots of free time on my hands." Elizabeth smiles at her sister's expression.

"I have to talk to my producers, and my agent, but if they agree..." Jessica didn't finish her sentence, she saw her costar Stella having dinner with talk show host Shawn Broakaway. "I hope Stella knows what she's getting in to." Both twins worked with the former child actress years ago, Shawn was a major child star back then, and like Connie Bryant, she was notoriously hard to work with. She had a successful talk show now, but was rumored to be very tough with her guests, as well as a nightmare to work for. She was also a tough journalist, she pushed her guests so uncomfortably, the ones who were getting interviewed were very nervous on television. The last guest, the twin's former classmate, Abbie Richardson was getting grilled hard about her new series for Marvel Comics. Poor Abbie was almost pushed to tears.

"She grew up in Hollywood, I'm pretty sure she can handle Shawn." Elizabeth puts down her spoon. "So, do you think your bosses will mind?"

"Are you kidding? Soaps tend to rehire new actresses whenever they go for maternity leave, or leave once their contracts are up. You taking over won't deter the audience a bit." She smiled at Elizabeth. "I have the best twin in the world." Both twins were interrupted by Stella.

"Twins! I didn't expect to see you here!" She smiled a fake smile at Jessica.

Jessica and Elizabeth smile back. They both worked with Stella, she was miffed her character was on the back burner. No one expected Britney's storyline to blow up, ratings were high.

"We were hungry. Besides, my sister never dined here before." Jessica was suspicious, what was Stella up to?

"The food here is excellent. Elizabeth, order any dessert you want, it's on me."

Elizabeth immediately went on guard. She worked with Stella, she reminded Elizabeth of her old enemy Celine. Her answer was answered a minute later when Shawn walked up.

"Why hello again. Wow. Both of you sure grew up since that movie all those years ago. Just to let you know, no hard feelings about that birthday cake."

Both twins remembered that incident. Shawn was being a huge brat on set, and was pushing everyone's buttons. When she insulted Jessica for no good reason, Jessica snapped and threw the cake in the actress' face. It was caught on film, especially when everyone decided to have a massive food fight. The director used the footage to her advantage, she threatened to release it to the public if Shawn ever acted up again. At the time Jessica felt justified, but now seeing her tight smile, realized how humiliated she must have felt.

"Shawn, I am so sorry about that."

"Same here."

"We were just kids. Water under the bridge. Anyways, I would like to invite you both to my show."

"Really?!" Jessica was shocked. "Is it about the show? The producers will be thrilled." Soap actors rarely are invited to talk shows.

Shawn shook her head.

"Actually, it's about the trail. Your friend, Cara Walker? Is that her name? I would like you both to invite Cara and all three of you can talk about Nelson Karl's trail. Plus tell the audience about both your relationships with his estranged son, John Marin."

Is she kidding? Jessica glared at Stella. So that's her game. She found out she stole the script, there was no one else in that dressing room. She wanted Jessica out of the way, so she can take her role. She invited Shawn to dinner so she can intimidate Jessica. Jessica's reputation will be tainted. No one will hire her if her past was exposed. John Marin was a serial killer.

"I'm afraid we are both busy. Elizabeth, flag down the waiter for me?" She pulls out her wallet. Once the bill was paid, both twins shake Shawn's hand and nod at Stella. "We would love to stay, but it is pretty late. Have a good night."

Once they were safety in Jessica's Porsche, both twins were talking angrily about Stella and Shawn.

"That bitch!" Elizabeth was furious. "Who does she think she is!" Jessica wasn't kidding about Stella. She wasn't worried about Shawn, she worked as a investigation reporter for a few years and knew how to handle herself.

"Someone we shouldn't underestimate." She knew how ambitious Stella was, plus how powerful. Her family was considered Hollywood royalty. Her grandfather was a huge movie exec, her grandmother a winning Hollywood actress. Brooke's dad was a small fish compared to her father. She clenched the Porsche's wheel.

"Don't let her throw you. You deserve this role."

Jessica knew she did. But she wondered, how did Stella find that out? It was a huge story back then, but John Marin's relationship with the twins was never mentioned due to their father Ned's gag order. Plus him being Nelson Karl's son? Steven said that info was never released. Something told Jessica this was just the tip of a huge iceberg.