Remember When...
Page 34
Bunyan clasped his hands together and took on a learned air that was probably supposed to patronize her. “It started with this petition, about a month ago, remember, with the suicide kid?”
A teenager who’d been featured on one of Prem’s reality shows had overdosed after taking part in the show. It didn’t matter that the coroner found a verdict of accidental death; the public had launched a campaign against the channel. Someone had written a powerful letter blaming the media for his death, tearing into executives for using the desperate public as puppets who were taken advantage of by the money-hungry media simply because they were naive and believed fame and recognition would solve all life’s problems.
“Yes, Sir, but I—”
“We were accused of liability in his death.”
Everybody knew that, there were articles in all the papers and spread across online media about the case and the responsibility of entertainment providers. “Yes, Sir.”
Bunyan’s attitude wasn’t one of remorse or even reflection; this whole thing seemed to be little more than an inconvenience. “It’s ridiculous of course, but we decided we could not ignore the accusations in the letter attached to the petition.” With the civil case being brought by the kid’s parents, the channel needed to do some damage control. “So for our next project, we have to use our own people, to prove that we don’t only take needless risks with the schmucks out there in the world, but that our shows are so safe and fair, that we would use our own people, even those we value most.”
That explained why Nairn would be involved in this project, he was the face of the channel… after ten PM anyway. “I understand, Sir,” Lyla said. “But why would you choose me to—”
“Interviews were conducted, covertly. We studied personnel records, spoke to staff, and the aim was to find a bride who was the most opposite to him. We still want to make great television. It’ll be called Opposites Marry. You know, as opposed to Opposites Attract.”
Yeah, she got it. Lyla’s mouth opened in an ‘oh’ as the woman at the end of the table spoke up. “We couldn’t allow the premise of the show to seem too obvious or easy. The point is to put a real challenge to our people, make it as difficult and as fraught as possible. So,” she said and smiled. “We chose you… There isn’t a person on the premises who’s more different to Trick than you.”
Ok, so Lyla had to marry a man, not just any man, but a famous one, and it had just been confirmed that they had zero in common. “Forgive me, but… I’m not a celebrity… I’ve never been on TV, and I have no interest—”
“But you’re still one of us,” Bunyan spoke again. “You’ve worked for the company for five years.”
Yes, she had, in her quiet, little anonymous corner where she was quite happy. “Yes, but I’m a researcher, I’m not—”
“Your role is perfect,” Bunyan said. “We won’t have to worry about conflicts with Trick’s schedule, you can work around him. If you were another personality from the channel, it would seem gimmicky, no one would believe it. We want everyone to believe it.”
“Believe it,” Lyla said, still struggling to incorporate the reality of this conversation into her psyche. “Believe that Mr. Strickland and I are… getting married?”
“The public will know it’s a setup, but over time, we’ll decide how the relationship should progress. We will sell it as a real marriage; you guys have to appear to be in this to make it work. The premise of the show is simple,” Bunyan said. “We’ll keep both of you apart until the actual wedding. You’ll be given discretion over your dress and that stuff, but the details of the day will be at Prem’s discretion, you won’t have to organize anything. We’ll send a designer around to fit you for the dress you want. Hair, makeup, everything will be taken care of. You will meet Trick at the ceremony.”
Lyla would meet the man she was supposed to marry on her wedding day. If she was inclined to swear, she’d probably try it now. “I… I can’t marry a man I’ve never met.”
Everyone on the panel laughed, she didn’t get the joke. Bunyan threw up his hands. “That’s the whole idea! Marrying a stranger, it’s always a hit concept.” Not a new one, but still, he was right, it was popular. “You’re living a dream, marrying a popular celebrity who millions of women would love to be tied to.”
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Getting Tricky
THE BRANDED SERIES
BRANDED
SCARRED
MARKED
THE KINDRED SERIES
RAVEN
SWALLOW
CUCKOO
SWIFT
FALCON
FINCH
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HARROW DUET
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FIGHTING BACK
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MISTAKE ME NOT
SLEIGHT MISTAKE
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