Scared Scriptless

by Alison Sweeney

  “That’s as far as we’ve gotten. What do you think so far?”

  “It seems like it’s coming together,” I say honestly. “I’m glad you found some footage to add of snow and avalanches because the visual really does enhance how dangerous their jobs are. It makes it look really cool. I wonder if you’re going a little too far, though, selling the nightlife in Wolf? It’s not Girls Gone Wild in the Snow.”

  Craig barks laughter between bites of the food I brought up. “It is hardly Girls Gone Wild, Maddy. Don’t be such a prude. You’ve got to make it a little sexy, right?” Paul chortles a bit, too, which is annoying to me. I don’t even know this guy.

  “No, I get what you’re going for. And we talked about playing up the singles scene. But it’s still… I don’t know… Are you thinking this is a ten p.m. show? I saw Never Cry Wolf”—I love saying it aloud—“as a show you could watch with your parents.”

  “We need to keep our options open. We’re not creating a sizzle reel for a specific network, so it’s a good idea to show what we’re capable of. If a family network is the highest bidder, they can reel us in. If Nat Geo buys it, they’ll want to focus on the guy stuff—the blasting, the technology, the dangerous outdoors stuff. Who knows, Bravo might want to do a Real Housewives of Wolf County. We might want to have more of that angle ready to play up.”

  Listening to Craig rattle off all these different approaches, I again am reminded how out of my element I am.

  “We’ve made great progress,” Craig says, taking a sip of cold coffee. “Let’s call it quits, huh? Pick up again tomorrow?”

  “Sure, Craig.” Paul starts saving the files on his computer. “I have a deadline tomorrow for Janine. We have to get the rough cut of episode one done. So I can’t really get to this until after probably four.”

  “Sure. Great. We all do still have our day jobs to deal with. Right?” Craig laughs casually. As he gathers up his briefcase and iPad and starts making his way to the door, I catch on. I definitely do not want to be left to make small talk with Paul, so I grab my stuff and follow him out. The elevator doors ding open the second Craig presses the down button.

  “Craig, we’re going to be shooting till eight p.m. at the best tomorrow.” I hate not being there for this part, but there’s no way I can replace myself on The Wrong Doctor set. I wouldn’t even ask. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Paul, but I’m really concerned about the direction of the presentation. I want to make sure that we represent ourselves accurately. Right?” I hesitate, unsure of how to say this. “I mean, I know this is your specialty, but what’s the point of selling the show under false pretenses?”

  “It’s not a problem, Maddy. We’re on the same track here.”

  “I don’t know if we are.” I take a deep breath. “Did you even look at the version I started with Janine? It wasn’t polished or anything, but it was definitely on the right track…”

  Craig looks at me for a second, saying nothing. He takes a deep breath and sighs. “Okay. I get it. You obviously have a vision for the reel. Go with it. Do you want to work with Paul?”

  “I think Janine really understood the show. She was pulling it together exactly as I had pictured it.”

  The elevator dings and the doors slide open, and we both walk off together. “Then you set it up with Janine. We’ll screen it together on Friday so we can make any final adjustments and have it ready to go on Saturday, okay? You’ve obviously got a strong feeling about this. I think you should go with it.”

  Craig leans in confidently, aiming for a gentle kiss on the lips. I should have been expecting it, but I jerk my head away. I take the time to gather my thoughts as I pull out my key card to unlock the door. With my hands full, I go to shove my shoulder into the door when Craig reaches past me and holds it open.

  I mutter a “thanks” automatically as I go through, and he follows right behind me. I stop outside the building and turn back to face Craig with a deep breath. “Listen, Craig. I think we need to put any sort of personal relationship on hold for now. This project is already pretty intense, and I just don’t think it’s going to work for me to try to balance everything all at once.” I’m pretty proud of that line actually. I nicely dodged all the bullshit he’s pulled, knowing that I still have to work for him.

  Craig looks away and sighs. “Maddy, I don’t think we need to make any big decisions right now. We’re both busy with work and doing this on the side; I understand that. But that’s not going to last forever. In fact, once we sell the show, we can step back and let the show runner do all the work.”

  My spine straightens at his automatic assumption that I will allow myself to fade into the background, even if I don’t get to be in charge. But Craig keeps going. “We’re really good together. Let’s put a—”

  “No. No pins. I’m not comfortable leaving this up in the air. We are working together on a project that is very important to me. And I have to report to you at HCP, so the waters are already muddied enough. Let’s please not make this more awkward than it already is. Okay?”

  “I think you’re making a big mistake.” For a second, looking into his eyes, he seems really angry. This conversation could get ugly quick. But when he looks back at me, he has contained whatever that was. “Okay, but don’t worry. I’ll be waiting when you change your mind.” And then he steps off the curb and into his car, parked right in front.

  Keys in hand, I start heading toward my car several rows back. Maybe I was wrong about the anger I thought I saw in his eyes. He seemed pretty calm as he walked away. This really could all be fine now. I can’t help feeling like I dodged a bullet.

  As the engine roars to life, I have one mission to focus on—making the best sizzle reel ever, to prove I’m right about Never Cry Wolf. Things can still get dicey dealing with Craig on this, but at least the personal thing is resolved. Breaking up with your boss is not easy. I’m thinking I need a new rule #1: No bosses.

  Scene 006

  Ext. The Wrong Doctor set—morning

  Friday morning I wake up from what could only be termed a long nap. Janine has been such an amazing friend and has burned the midnight oil by my side all week, unflinchingly going again and again over the footage, until finally we have at least five minutes of a perfected sizzle reel. I head to work with my iPad loaded with a final version that is fun, exciting, and dangerous—all of the elements we wanted. I mentioned to her the way the boys had pumped up the action/danger element of the blasters, and we added that into it. A good idea is a good idea. But we definitely kept to the heart of what I think Never Cry Wolf is really all about: the people and their stories.

  Even though I haven’t slept more than four hours at a time for the last three nights, I am revitalized. I’m not on set more than ten minutes before both Billy and Adam are teasing me about how giddy am I.

  “Hmmmm, someone must have had a good night last night. Did you get lucky? Or were they playing Can’t Buy Me Love on TBS again?” Billy teases.

  “Ha-ha, Billy. If you must know, it’s work related.”

  “You got the reel done for the conference tomorrow?” Adam asks, and I am touched he remembered.

  “Yep! I finished it!” I guess it’s redundant based on the look on my face, but I can’t help but add, “I’m really happy with how it turned out.” It takes everything in me to refrain from begging them to watch it. I am clutching my iPad like a proud parent. Luckily Adam beats me to the punch.

  “Well, when are we watching?” Adam asks eagerly with Billy chiming in, “Let’s do this.”

  I am suddenly consumed with excitement and nerves at my first real objective viewing.

  “Yes! I would love for you to see it.” Deep breaths, Maddy. Be cool. “Maybe during a break or lunch, but you have to be honest. Don’t tell me it’s awesome if it isn’t, okay?”

  “Of course, Maddy. I would never lie to you. Romeo over here, I can’t vouch for him.”

  “Shut up, Fox.” Adam hits his arm, which must really have
hurt, because even though Billy doesn’t flinch from the contact, he does reach up to rub the spot a minute later. “I’ll definitely tell you what I really think. I can’t wait.”

  We finally get a break in the action of The Wrong Doctor around noon. Billy said they’d be in his trailer, so I head over when I’m done reviewing the next setup with Frank and the director. I was trying not to rush them, but Frank finally looked at me funny and asked if I had to go to the bathroom or something. I sheepishly said no and simmered down until they wrapped things up.

  Knocking on Billy’s trailer door, the butterflies in my stomach are so strong I feel like I might explode. The door opens at the same time I hear Billy shout, “Come in!” Adam answers the door, holding it open for me from the inside, so I have to brush past him to climb into the Honey Wagon, the fancy RV actors get on location.

  “Nice digs, huh?” Adam comments, seeing that it’s clearly my first time inside Billy’s trailer.

  “Is that a stove?” I am momentarily distracted by the fact that there is an actual full-sized stove in Billy’s trailer. When would that ever be necessary?

  “Billy insists on warm milk before bed. And a microwave just won’t cut it,” Adam says. “I’m surprised he doesn’t have a towel warmer too. Aren’t you?”

  I don’t have time for their ribbing. “Do you guys want to see this or finish your pissing contest?” I don’t wait for an answer. I sit down on the sofa and find the video file Janine saved last night, or was it this morning? I turn the volume all the way up as both guys sit, one on either side of me. Adam braces one hand on the sofa behind me and leans in over my shoulder as I hit PLAY. We watch the whole thing like that. I try to see it with a fresh perspective, imagining how they must be looking at it as objective viewers.

  When it fades out at the end, I can’t stand the silence. I jump up and turn around to look at them both. “I should’ve given you guys an introduction or something. Do I need to explain it at all?”

  “Maddy. It’s fantastic.” Adam is the first one to speak. “Really. It’s clear and compelling and tells the story of Wolf County. I think it really sells your show.”

  “The people are awesome,” Billy adds. “That moment with Mrs. What’s-Her-Name? The older woman.”

  “Gordon,” I say, at the same time as Adam does. I look at him, surprised. He just taps his head above his ear and smiles. Ah yes, that soap star memory.

  “Right, Mrs. Gordon is perfect. She’s exactly the moment that sells the heart of your show. I really liked that part.” Billy finishes his thought and they both mention a few other moments in the video that they really liked. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. They both point out all the same things Janine and I did as their favorites.

  “Thank you both. So much. Seriously. It means a lot to me that you liked it. I’m so excited.” They take turns hugging me, and I know I am not imagining it when Adam’s hug lingers a beat longer. As good as I felt this morning about what we had done, I am twice as excited and, maybe more importantly, confident sharing the reel with Craig. I know I’m going to have to sell it to him; this isn’t exactly what he pictured. But after Billy and Adam both had such a positive response, I know I’m right. I know this is the show. I leave the trailer on cloud nine.

  Scene 007

  Ext. Wrong Doctor location—evening

  It’s been two hours, fourteen minutes, and eleven seconds (not that I am counting) since I sent the sizzle reel to Craig, and it’s been complete radio silence.

  We’re supposed to meet after production wraps tonight to go over the plan for tomorrow. Reality Buzz starts at 10:00 a.m. We need to be in Manhattan Beach, with everything set up and our pitch ready to go by then. I have no idea what happens at these conferences and maybe that is fueling my stress, but it feels like we’re really down to the wire here. That said, I have faith in Craig’s experience in this. He knows how to sell shows; his résumé speaks for itself. Even if he hasn’t sold a show since coming to Hogan’s company, he obviously has the skill sets. Also, based on the way he convinced everyone in Wolf to go along with the program, he can be persuasive and passionate. So we just need to put some finishing touches on the plan, practice the presentation a few times, and everything should be fine. I repeat that in my mind and take a deep breath.

  At least the afternoon flies by. Frank had been working with Tanya, the director this week, on a fancy camera setup for the romantic reunion between Dr. Lucas and Vivian, the woman who’s been fighting to get him freed from the insurgents. The simplicity of their performances had even some of the toughest on the crew tearing up. After seeing it all laid out, Tanya decided to eliminate the big tricky camera angle, determining that the straightforward close-ups would be more intimate and thus more effective, which means, as I glance at my watch for the thousandth time in the last ten minutes, that I’m done a lot earlier than I thought I would be. I can barely concentrate on getting all my paperwork turned in to the production office before forcing myself to walk, not run, across the crew parking lot to my car. Still having not heard a peep from Craig, I’m on a mission.

  The setting sun is blinding as I drive up the hill to Craig’s home. It isn’t until I’ve pulled up to his driveway that I start to ask myself if this is even a good idea, just dropping by unannounced. Maybe he has a perfectly logical explanation for not replying to my texts. Maybe he had to go to a meeting or something. Maybe it’s something personal; he could even be sick.

  Well, it’s too late now; I’m here. I walk up to the front door, with those big bay windows looking into the living room, and just as I am about to knock, I realize the lights are dim, as in “mood lighting.” Does he have a woman over?

  With everything going on with The Wrong Doctor and the big Wolf deadline, I’m so glad I ended things with Craig. Being diplomatic about it because we have to work together on this project made me want to swallow my tongue, but I did it. I know I don’t want to be with him, but I really don’t want to walk in on Craig and another woman right now.

  Lying snake. I mean, where are his priorities? We have work to do tonight. How can wining and dining some chick be more important than texting me back about Wolf County? I am really working myself into a frenzy standing on his porch, and then I look up and see his security camera and realize my little reverie has been caught on tape, or worse, is being watched by someone right now. Pure pride fuels me to knock on the door instead of skulking away.

  “Coming!” Craig sounds annoyed. I’m determined to be adult and mature about this, whatever awaits on the other side of the door. Either way, we still have work to do, and I can get through this. I have to, for the sake of Wolf County. There is too much at stake for me to wimp out now.

  The door swings open.

  “Hi, Craig. I’ve been trying to reach you all day.” I notice immediately that he has moved to stand in front of the open door so I can’t see into his house.

  “Maddy. What are you doing here?” he asks, trying to sound casual.

  “I’ve been trying to reach you since lunch.” I step right up to him. Either he’s going to let me in or embarrass himself coming up with some lame excuse for why he can’t. He relents and steps aside slightly. “I sent you the final cut of the Wolf County sizzle reel,” I continue in a cheerful voice. “I’m so excited about it. I was waiting for your reaction all day. I mean, I’m assuming you got it. The Dropbox file shows it had been downloaded.”

  “Um, yeah, Maddy. I got it,” he starts, and then his eyes dart slightly over to the study door, partially ajar. I give up all pretense and march to the door, determined to catch him in the act. I barely beat him to the door, and I manage to swing it open, completely ignoring whatever nonsense he is uttering.

  It takes me a minute to digest what I see. I guess I really had been expecting to catch some sort of intimate scene. My eyes travel over to the girl who is indeed hidden away in his house, but she’s fully dressed in mismatched denim on denim, and not even paying attention to me standing over her
shoulder. She probably hasn’t even heard us, due to the headphones she has on. Her eyes are glued to the three huge computer screens on Craig’s desk. On all three monitors are different scenes from the footage of Wolf County. She’s replaying the same section of dialogue between my brother and one of the blasters in that mock meeting I’d staged just for the sizzle. But as I watch, feeling Craig over my shoulder, now not even trying to get me out of there, this woman literally puts words in my brother’s mouth. Or rather takes words out. She deftly types out a few commands, drags the mouse, and presto, my brother’s innocuous instruction comes across like an accusation. She rewinds it, and with this new edit, and whatever else she’s done before I got there, I don’t even recognize the conversation playing on the monitor. It now seems as though Mike and this guy Sam are exchanging confrontational verbal jabs. If I hadn’t filmed this interaction myself, I would never have believed it happened completely differently.

  POP! The twentysomething editor loudly snaps her gum, pulling me out of my stupor. I turn to Craig with every accusation in my mind clearly spelled out on my face.

  “Maddy.” He has the nerve to heave a huge sigh. But I stay silent, waiting. “You have to know that your reel won’t sell. It’s too… happy. Simple.” I force myself to breathe evenly. “There wasn’t any conflict. We need drama to sell this thing.” I stare into Craig’s face, searching for some sign of remorse.

  “So, let’s see your version.” I want to see what he’s done, but I also am giving myself time to figure out what to say, how to handle this. I am in shock that he is sitting here editing a new reel behind my back. When was he going to tell me about this?