The Cutting Floor ~ Scene Two

       

           Blake Nathan.

           He was actually Blake Nathan Fournier, the leading actor of Grading. He was the reckless and math-challenged popular kid of the show's fictitious school; when in real life, Blake had skipped sixth grade.

           “Sit up straight.” Kevin Fournier told him as he unfolded the many pages of his son’s contract across the table. Yes, he was Blake's father, as well as his agent. And a strong reminder to all of why family shouldn’t work together.

           Like his character Tony, Blake had the charisma and looks to cause girls between the ages of eleven and fifteen to swoon over their flat screens. And Kevin wouldn’t shut up about the fact that his son was what made the show its ratings. But, in-between the brags and the boasts, Roxy had caught glimpses of Blake drinking Pepsi and watching nature documentaries. Two of the things that Kevin swore he never did.

           Roxy watched Blake now from across the shiny oak table that took up the length of the conference room. He looked closer to six then sixteen, slacked back in his chair and watching his knee jump up and down with anxiety. Kevin didn’t look anxious at all; rather furious and impatient. Roxy’s eyes traced her eyes down the table to Jordan and Ian Cooper, the brother creators/writers team of the show. They looked more anxious then Blake, and sweated more then Glennette and Mrs. Davis, on either side of Roxy.

           Ian and Jordan were joining Jeff and Micah, the show’s directors and Mr. Torres, the network’s representative rounded out the group. Mr. Davis’ job prevented him from being here, which Roxy thought was best. He’d expressed himself quite vividly to Mr. Fournier over the phone last night.

           And then, there was Roxy, wondering how she had fallen headfirst into this.

           “I want you there.” Glennette had pleaded with her only two days before. “Please? I need a friend.”

           Roxy didn’t realize she’d made it to that status. Well, whatever she’d done, Glennette had latched onto it.

           You’ve pulled me into this. Roxy thought with God, a nervous glance at the hard-pressed suits surrounding her. Well, Mr. Torres and Micah were in suits. Kevin wore that ridiculous tan leather jacket that failed at making him look hip and Jeff… looked like he was just at another golf game. Roxy rubbed at her own jeans. Don’t let me disappoint You.

           “Can we start?” Kevin Fournier squared his shoulders, unhooking his Bluetooth. A rarity to behold. Mr. Torres cleared his thick throat from beneath his starched collar. “I’m happy that you all were able to meet-“

           “I agreed to this for my son.” Kevin nodded, tapping his thumb on the red folder that housed Blake’s contract. “We can at least make sure that this doesn’t interfere with my other appointments.”

           “Also for your son, I’m sure.” Glennette mumbled; getting a glare from her mother. And a flicker of a snicker from Blake. Glennette had always stuck out with her sarcasm… it was the reason she’d been cast as ‘Wendy’.

           “Well,” Mr. Torres folded his hands on the table, giving himself the floor. “Obviously, we’re here to discuss the future of the show, Grading. I have with me the board’s remarks on the situation- the good and the bad.”

           His voice made it clear which of those mattered the most.

           “The first option, of course, is re-casting,” Mr. Torres withdrew a paper from his own folder- he had brought three. “You would exceed your budget, with the cost of finding someone on such short notice, but should the show continue in its ratings, that expense could wind-up paying for itself.”

           “Not without Glennette, it couldn’t.” Ian spoke up, Jordan agreeing with a shake of his head.

           “Shut up and let the adults talk.” Kevin sniped, turning to the middle of Blake’s contract. “Mr. Torres-“

           “This show can’t work without her.” Ian broke in. Kevin didn’t miss a beat. “That’s your opinion.”

           “Gentlemen.” Mr. Torres cut off Ian’s reply. “Let’s all act like adults for the time-being. It was a lack of maturity that got us into this mess.”

           That silenced everyone. Roxy glanced into her lap to hide the amusement in her eyes.

           “Mr. Torres,” Kevin was the first to speak, naturally. “The network is invested in this, same as all of us are. But I think you’ll find it’s very simple.” His eyes pierced Glennette. “And Micah agrees with me. Either she gets rid of it, or she’s fired.”

           Mrs. Davis leaned into the table, her own eyes afire. “That’s not happening, Mr. Fournier.”

          “Why?” Kevin narrowed his eyes on her. “Because the meat might have monkey hairs now?”

          “That’s uncalled for, Kevin.” Jeff pointed a harsh finger at him. “Under the Constitution, Glennette’s decision about the baby is hers.”

          “Yet,” Micah held both hands out, as though to push their warring auras back into their corners. “Under her contract, her options are limited in affect of the show. We all stand to lose a lot of money- not to mention public face- if this goes south.” He looked desperately at Glennette and her mother. “The Davis’ included.”

          Roxy thought it interesting that while they came in with poker faces latched firmly over their skin, motives were spilling all over the table, clear as day. It was the loss of money that was driving Micah to side with Kevin, whose only concern was how Blake’s career could finance him. Mr. Torres wanted to find a solution that kept everyone happy, ultimately reaching a profitable conclusion. Jeff wanted a solution that left everybody in the right so nobody would sue later on. And Ian and Jordan; okay, their motives were pretty pure. Grading was their baby and they didn’t want to lose it.

          What about me? Roxy had been asking herself since the night before. You want this to work out or not? Tech crews can find work anywhere; but…

          “It’s the smart solution,” Kevin gestured to all in the room. “Our only break is that this happened while we’re on hiatus. But what about what we start shooting in four months? You don’t think the pre-pubesent youth of America is going to notice the extra 20 pounds.”

          Glennette shot an anxious look at Roxy that read, That much?!

          “The public’s another matter in itself.” Mr. Torres brought himself to center stage again. “Keeping the show clean is easy enough. Keeping the reality of its stars secret is unrealistic. It’s the number one reason that the network thinks we should cut our losses now and be done with it.”

          Glennette, Jordan, Blake, and Ian all sucked in their breath, in fear of that idea. And that’s where Roxy felt the prodding to open her mouth.

          “Seeing as how the third season’s been ordered, Mr. Torres,” Roxy met his stressed face, keeping her countenance cool. “And the enthusiastic reception that this show’s been getting, abandoning it might be unwise. For more reasons then the network’s third quarter.”

          Mr. Torres held her eyes, puzzled. “Yes… I was going to point that out, um… I’m sorry, you are?”

          “Roxana Colt.” Roxy projected her full name. “And I’d like to emphasize that, where the season’s been ordered, the order of episodes hasn’t.” she turned her head. “Jordan, you and Ian had planned to bring the medical arch to the forefront of the story, correct?”

          Jordan, looking as blindsided as Mr. Torres, nodded. “We planned on ‘Wendy’ telling ‘Tony’ about her condition in the winter finale.”

          “We read over their first drafts this week.” Jeff mentioned, straightening curiously in his chair. “But nothing’s concrete.”

          Now was Roxy’s turn to point at the brothers. “Here’s what I recommend; after 'Wendy’s' reveal, we show Glennette in a hospital bed, on the phone, behind a desk, etc. In the nine episodes before that, you keep the plotlines, but rework Wendy’s scenes. Keep her movements short, lengthen the face time, but don’t cheapen the character. Maybe work her growing absence to the element of mystery for the viewers…” Roxy had to remember to breathe. “Is that doable before the table reading?”

          Ian and Jordan shared looks. They held a silent line of communication, but their faces rose with hope. Jordan eyed Roxy. “She’s a main character, but… it’s doable. We’re willing to put in the hours-”
          “Excuse me.” Kevin broke in, his shark eyes sizing Roxy up. “This is all very melo-dramatic, but… who are you again?”

          Roxy gave the politest smile she could afford for him. “I’m the best camera director to have the honor of working on the floor of this show. I live to angle, focus, and color-balance because that’s what helps tell an amazing story.” She motioned to Glennette. “A story Glennette still wants to tell. And if that means hiding a gigantic belly, I can do that.”

          Didn’t know you could sound this confident. She laughed to herself.

          “What about editing?” Micah asked while everyone else comprehended.

          “I can approve it during post-production.” Roxy announced, her confidence bombarding everyone. “Frame-by-frame.”

          Micah gave a dry laugh. “At what extra cost?!”

          “Did I mention cost?” Roxy said.

          “And,” Kevin snorted. “We need your approval, why?”

          Roxy wasn’t daunted by the condescending tone. “This show has been in the top two for this network since its pilot.”

          “And I want to keep it there.” Glennette jumped in, like a perfect cue. Blake’s face showed the first signs of registering what was happening. “Me. Me too.”

         This was quickly overshadowed by his father’s darkened expression. “Do you have any idea of the damage control this whole station will be forced into, once this news leaves the lot? Our ratings will plummet once parents hear that Glennette Davis got herself pregnant!”

         “Kevin.” Jeff warned, but there was no stopping Kevin now. “There won’t be a show left to help! And what about Blake’s reputation?” He stabbed his eyes back at Glennette. “I hope you know this’ll ruin his career, not just yours.”

         Mr. Torres bridged his fingers. Jordan and Ian looked robbed of the hope they held a minute ago. Roxy couldn’t hold it back anymore and snorted. “I’m sorry, but are they the first underage actors to have sex?”

         The room deadened, even Kevin. Maybe this wouldn’t win her points, but it was so painstakingly obvious Roxy could not say something.

         “It doesn’t matter if they are or they aren’t.” Micah said, betraying his appall. “Nobody’s going to want to acknowledge that fact.”

         “So it’s alright for ordinary people to shake the bed, but not the famous ones.” Roxy kept piling up her classy one-liners. And Micah’s eyes kept getting bigger. “It’s…”

         “Too risky?” Roxy finished for him. “Micah, this whole show has been a risk. It’s a risk because it shows the truth about what kids are dealing with right now. Even if it is convoluted with slapstick and some of that random Nickelodeon weirdness.”

         Ian looked at her like Hey!

         “You’ve got a character battling leukemia,” Roxy ticked off the subplots with her fingers. “A minor character paying consequences through community service, and parents that won’t engage with their son, effecting his self-esteem. It has teachers displaying responsibility, teenagers learning the meaning of integrity-“

         “What’s your point, Ms. Tech Advisor?” Kevin yawned loudly.

         “Camera director.” Glennette corrected him. “And she’s being more of a help then you are right now.”

         “You shut up, slut.”

         “Dad!” Blake’s face flushed and Mrs. Davis rose from her chair. “You don't talk to my child like that!”

         “Mrs. Davis.” Mr. Torres raised his voice, dissatisfied with the turn of the meeting. “Mr. Fournier, please. We’re not here to trade tempers. Do that on your own time.”

         “Fine then.” Kevin pushed out of his chair, raising himself above everyone else. “Here’s my deal. Either she fixes it, or Blake’s gone.”

         Kevin grabbed Blake by the elbow and they were up and walking, Kevin leaving the door wide open in true Hollywood fashion. Jeff and Micah shared an exhausted look, as Mr. Torres pinched the bridge of his nose. Roxy gave them all a moment to breathe, eyeing Glennette, who was watching after Blake. She wanted to go after him, talk to him, maybe.

         There’s more at stake here then just a show. Roxy was starting to realize. She cleared her throat. “Gentlemen.”

         All eyes went back to her; yeah, she wasn’t going to get used to that. Roxy met Jordan and Ian’s gazes. “What I was trying to conclude is that your show has always gone with the truth. Kids face hard things in the real world and you don’t shield them from that. So far, that formula’s been working.”

         Ian gave a lopsided grin, pleased.

         “Whether the network agreed on it or not.” Roxy nodded respectively toward Mr. Torres. “They have earned a reputation in broadcasting it. I believe the key to keeping this show in the ratings is to stick with this pattern of keeping things honest and real. Tell the truth, be forthcoming with the press, and show our confidence in our actions.”

         The room was quiet again. Micah’s eyes trailed Roxy’s face a moment. “Which camera director are you again?”

         “The best.” Glennette answered for Roxy.

         The group gave a dry laugh before Mr. Torres stacked his folders in front of him. “Miss- um- Colt. I’m touched by your faith in this show. It’s good material…” he nodded to Jordan and Ian. “Brought to life by solid acting.” He nodded at Glennette. “But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in this industry, it’s that everyone’s waiting for you to mess up. Honesty’s all well and good, but people aren’t interested in the truth unless they can work it to their advantage. Especially the media.”

         Roxy heard what he was saying. She’d lived in this crazed maze of lights, booms, and soundboards for eight years. “Mr. Torres, I’m not guaranteeing it’ll work-“

         Jordan suddenly spoke up. “But what guarantee did we have that our show would work? That it would take off like it has…” he blew out his breath. “If this thing has to end, Ian and I’d like to finish it the way we began it. Risking the truth.”

         “Great line,” Ian snickered. “Same for me. We’re on board if you are. I mean, sounds like it could tank either way.”

         Jordan smacked his shoulder.

         “Someone’s going to have to do a real number on Kevin, though.” Jeff mentioned with methodical taps of his pen against the surface of the table. No one moved to volunteer, not even Roxy.

         “It’s Blake’s signature on the contracts.” Glennette pointed out.

         “But Blake is still a minor, thus a dependent.” Micah looked at his watch with the wariness of a seventy-year-old. “And Kevin could sue us any number of ways if we try making Blake stay on.”

         “Who said we’d be making him.” Glennette insisted. “Blake wants to keep doing the show, just like I do.”

         Micah shook a hand through his classic receding hairline. “You think that matters to Kevin? Glennette, if you’ll just think about what’s good for the show, for the people involved.” He gestured between Roxy, Ian, and Jordan. “Getting rid of it, quick and easy, would get us back on track. Everybody wins.”

         “Except the baby.” Mrs. Davis interjected like an ice knife. Her frosted chin dared Micah to argue with her.

         “Another argument for another time.” Roxy halted that train of thought.

         “Agreed.” Jeff placed a hand on Micah’s shoulder and stood. “Mr. Torres, you’ll be taking Mr. Fournier’s ultimatum back to the network, I imagine.”

         Mr. Torres nodded, his folders under his arm. “They want this wrapped up before the week’s out. And, if you’re wanting to move ahead with the third season… it’s up to me to convince them.”

         Try and sound a little more dejected why don’t cha. Roxy sighed, looking from Glennette to her mother.

         “Why would I talk to Kevin!?” Micah cried, standing alongside Jeff, his partner and now executioner. “Why me?”

         “Because you decided to agree with him in the first place.” Jeff smacked the square of his back. “Meanwhile, we’re still on hiatus, so… everyone, go and enjoy your breaks. Jordan, Ian, work on those revisions. We’ll talk in, say a month?”

         The brothers assured him of that and Roxy took the cue from them to stand up and exit the conference room. She hoped she was doing a good job of hiding her wobbly knees as she collected her shoulder pack and walking behind Mrs. Davis and Glennette.

         “Who’s hungry?” she piped up after several feet down the hall. “High-tension stress does it to my stomach every time.”

         “Not me.” Glennette said, her fingers searching the surface of her stomach again. They went there so often, Roxy wondered if there was a magnet somewhere beneath the skin.

         Mrs. Davis eyed her daughter, then shrugged at Roxy. “Me neither, I guess.”

         Roxy nodded. “I’ll swing through Chik-Fil-A and see what you say then.”

         “Miss Colt.”

         The women turned to find Mr. Torres eating up the steps behind them. He re-straightened his suit with one hand. “You spoke very strongly back there Miss Colt. However, I hope you realize I’m but one on a board of your superiors.”

         He extended out an off-white card with his straightening hand. Roxy noted the card, but remained studying his face. “I imagined as much. It must be heavy work, bearing the demands and opinions of different people.”

         His face spoke more then enough on the truth of that. He motioned with the card. “I’ll be in Chicago through the weekend. The board will be meeting to make a final decision on Grading the day I fly back in. I would find it beneficial if you were there. Call my secretary and she can give you the time and place.”

         Roxy took the card and like that, Mr. Torres resumed his walk down the hall. She turned, holding the card out where Glennette and Mrs. Davis could see. He wants to put me in front of the board? WHY?

Glennette blew out her breath. “We might as well burn everything in your closet.”

[CUT TO NEXT SCENE]