“Here you go,” she says, holding out her hand toward the table.
I walk around the corner. Andy stands up and holds out his hand, which I shake. Blythe reaches over the table extending her hand next.
“Please,” she adds, motioning to a chair.
I sit down.
Blythe reaches across the table and pats my hand. “Breathe, sweetheart. Andy and I are here because we love your documentary concept. We want to help you. But first, we need to see what you have put together. Did you bring us anything to look at?”
I nod. I pull out my laptop from my oversized purse and set it on the table. For the next hour, through a light lunch of salad and some fancy tea, I go through every aspect of my film. Every detail, every scene that I want, my wish list, and what I currently have done. Blythe and Andy listen and periodically ask questions or interject thoughts. I take notes each time they speak. When I finish, Andy sits back in his chair and crosses one leg over the other.
“I think you have something here. I really do. I’m going to put you in touch with a few people that I think will gladly participate in this project. I’d love to get a bigger studio involved, but I’m not sure that will happen. I’ll call in some favors though. I’ll reach out to Dr. Stevens and tell her Blythe and I would love to partner as your advisors on this project. I’ve known Carla for years and I’m sure she will be amicable to my proposal. Here’s my assistant’s card. Let’s set up some weekly calls and another meeting for the near future. I think we still have another few weeks of planning before we get down to the filming. The documentary may end up being longer than you anticipate, is that a problem for you?”
I shake my head and swallow. “No, not at all.”
“Wonderful, I look forward to working with you, Emma,” he says with a grin and my heart skips a beat. My smile is so wide I feel like my face might split in two. I can’t believe it. I know how unheard of this is, how insanely lucky I am, and how much work I have to do to prove myself to these two Hollywood legends sitting across from me.
“Thank you, both, so much! Really, I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.”
Blythe bats my insecurities away with a wave of her hand. “Darling, this concept is great, and we are excited to be able to help a young talent like yourself.”
We all stand, and Blythe pulls me into a hug. “Oh, and how’s your date, Will? I heard he cut his hand at my house. I’m sorry I missed you both the other night.”
“Oh, he’s fine. Grady was nice enough to drive us to the ER so he could get stitches.” I pause, suddenly feeling awkward. “I hope he didn’t break anything important. I can replace the wineglass.”
Blythe holds up her hand and laughs. “Don’t be silly. I’ll never even miss it. I’m just glad he’s alright.”
I nod, feeling relieved.
“Take care and we’ll be in touch,” Andy says.
I nod and leave the restaurant in total shock. I make it to my car before I call my mom.
“Hey! How’d it go?” she asks.
“Great. They want to team up as my advisors. They are calling in some favors for interviews, and they had all these great ideas. I’m so excited!” I squeal as the reality of it all finally starts to sink in.
“Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you! You’ve worked so hard!”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll text Dad and Carrie. I just had to talk to someone, and I knew you wouldn’t be with any patients.”
“I’m glad you called. How’s everything else?” My parents, sister, and I talk about once a week. I’m close to them, but all of us are super busy.
I launch into some basics about my classes and friends. Twenty minutes later, Mom has to go, so we hang up and I sit there in my car. I take a deep breath. I know a few other students who have had some help from major Hollywood players, as USC’s film school is well known and respected, but I also know it’s not the norm and it’s certainly unusual to get two people interested in advising you on a film project. I decide to text Kate, because I know she’s always waiting to hear.
Me: IT WAS AMAZING!! (smiling emoji)
Kate: I need the details!! Call me!!
I press call and she picks up before it even rings.
“Tell me everything!”
I giggle and launch into the story once more. When I finish, Kate squeals with excitement.
“OMG! I’m so excited for you!” she yells as I pull the phone back from my ear.
“Calm down, woman. You almost blew out my eardrum.”
“Whatever! You have to keep me posted. I need a total play-by-play of everything that happens. I’m so bummed that I can’t be there to see you film some of it.”
“I know,” I reply with a sigh. “It’d be fun to have you here.”
“OK, don’t get sappy, I can’t ruin my makeup. Now, what about the Grady situation.”
I laugh. “Situation? Really?”
“Don’t be coy. I need to know what’s happening. It’s imperative for me to fulfill my best friend duties.”
“You’re crazy, you know that?”
“Whatever, on with the boy talk.”
I fill her in on the fact that I have a second date with Grady this weekend.
“Do people bump uglies on the second date? Like, what’s the current rule on that?” she asks.
“If the other royals could hear you now…” I chastise. She giggles. “I don’t even know if I really like him yet, so NO!”
“OK, well, then. I hope you get some lip action or something.”
“I’ll let you know, Dr. Ruth.”
“I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later,” she says as I hear voices in the background. I’m about to put my phone away and finally pull out of the parking garage when a text pops up on my screen.
Grady: I hear you have new advisors.
Me: Wow, word travels fast in Hollywood.
Grady: Yeah, well, it’s trending on Twitter.
Me: What?
I start to pull up my Twitter app when I see another text from Grady.
Grady: I’m just KIDDING. Don’t panic.
Me: TG. I almost died.
Grady: (laughing emoji)
Me: (middle-finger emoji)
Grady: Chillax. So, what time should I pick you up on Saturday?
Me: Any time after 11 am.
Grady: Be ready at 11:01 am
Me: LOL. OK.
I place my phone down and drive home, replaying the lunch over and over in my head. When I get home, I see I have a missed text from Will.
Will: Hey! We should get together soon.
I contemplate what to say. I like Will, but I don’t know if there’s any chemistry there. But then again, he’s a nice guy. I sigh. I should give him another chance, one where he’s not having to hang with celebrities.
Me: Sure. Let me know when you are free.
Will: I have a draft paper due this week, how about next Tuesday?
Me: Works for me.
Will: Cool. Maybe we can grab pizza?
Me: Perfect.
I put my phone down and stare at the wall, cursing at myself. I had promised myself that I would stay single for the rest of grad school and now I had two dates set up in the course of a few days. Ugh! I throw myself onto my bed. What am I doing?
Grady