Publicity!: Six Scandalous Adventures of Hollywood's Crisis Manager Laurel Quinn

by Edwin Betancourt

  #DALA

  December 3rd, 2017:

  The front entrance of the Golden Hotel was filled with Paparazzi and fans, all eager to snap a picture of the newest ‘It’ couple currently taking over San New; model Lola Ferrari and Hunky Pop Star Damien Marx.

  An anonymous tip on Twitter reported that both the Twenty something year olds checked into the Presidential Suite of the hotel, for their first sit down interview with the Queen of Entertainment, Darlene Hart.

  San New may be full of celebrities who are rich and famous, but the city was known for the vultures who inhabited the streets watching from afar and waiting for that one slip up. Those Vultures in question would be the Paparazzi. A group of people who would take pictures of celebrities in the most embarrassing situations and not even care enough to find out the real story behind it. While many of the San New elites found them to be very problematic and immoral, they weren’t breaking any laws. After all it was their job to take the pictures and sell it to whatever magazine paid them the highest amount of money.

  A black Mercedes Benz pulled up to the front of the hotel grabbing the attention of some of the fans who weren’t really sure if another celebrity was about to make their grand entrance. The back door opened and a woman wearing red stiletto shoes and a black designer dress stepped out. Her shoulder length Auburn hair was in a neat ponytail, and she held a black Designer handbag; which was a gift from the Canadian Prime Minister a few years ago. She thanked the driver and closed the car door behind her.

  She looked at the crowd of hungry photographers and emotional fans all eagerly waiting, reminding her of pigeons flocking around the little old woman who throws bread at them in the local park. She rolled her eyes and walked through them making her way to the Hotel door. As she approached, a doorman opened the door for her and smiled wide welcoming her in. “Thank you” She replied stepping foot in the hotel.

  The floors, walls, sofa legs, chandeliers and even concierge desk were all colored Gold to match the name of the hotel. “This is what nightmares are made out of.” She told herself walking toward the elevators.

  The lobby was very spacious and it even connected with the designer Dulce Amore’s new pop up shop which had an entrance on the other side of the lobby, but Laurel Quinn wasn’t there to shop or sight see; she was there to work.

  The staff of the hotel watched as the Crisis Manager made her way toward the Golden elevators, the sound of her stiletto shoes echoing throughout the lobby as she kept her eyes on the doors of the elevator. It was currently on the second floor and as soon as she was four feet away the elevator doors opened and inside was Tony Vincetti holding a cup of coffee in his hands.

  “Hello Beautiful” Laurel sighed in relief. The reason for her sigh wasn’t because of the handsome 6’1, Brit or his casual outfit that consisted of a tight white dress shirt, black slacks and a black/white tie, but because of the coffee he had in his hand.

  “Good morning Quinn. How is your day so far?” Tony asked as Laurel entered the elevator and took the cup from him. She took a long sip and swallowed it slowly enjoying the bitter sugarless coffee that was currently going down her throat.

  Tony pressed the ‘36th’ button on the elevator panel and the doors closed. The elevator began to ascend and Laurel finished swallowing her coffee and looked at her assistant.

  “Sorry, you know how I get without any coffee in my system.” She stated and she cleared her throat finally answering his question. “So far so good.”

  Tony nodded slowly and he decided to tell her what he originally wanted to say. “After you left the office yesterday Meryl Hopkins called again. She’s been calling for a month now. Why haven’t you taken the job?”

  If this was anyone else she would use some very colorful words to tell him to mind his business but this was Tony Vincetti and while their history isn’t really clear to outsiders looking in, Laurel always treated him with respect; even though she signed his checks.

  She sighed softly and turned to him. “I have no interest in being associated with the mess she got herself into. Especially as a mother.”

  The word shocked Tony and a small gasp escaped his mouth. He had never once heard about a child or even seen her with a man. “A mother? When in the bloody Hell did you have a child?”

  Laurel didn’t answer the question, she took another sip of the coffee and kept her focus on the job she was hired to do.

  The elevator passed the twentieth floor, and she swallowed the coffee, “There are many things about me you don’t know and I intend on keeping it that way. Now, what can you tell me about the new “Hollywood Royalty?” “

  He figured she would change the subject. This was something that peeked his interest but he knew the timing wasn’t right to even pursue the situation any further. “Sure. Well Lola Ferrari is Twenty two years old-“

  “Please tell me that isn’t her real name.” Laurel stated.

  Tony shrugged his shoulders. “Your guess is as good as mine. She is supposedly in a relationship with Pop Sensation Damian Marx. To the media they were outed as being in a relationship last week because they were spotted together leaving a restaurant. In reality, Damian and Lola are not dating at all but Jordan has decided to create the illusion as if they are dating because he manages them both.”

  Laurel rolled her hazel eyes at the mention of the man’s name. “Where is that sleazeball?”

  “He called and said he’s running late due to traffic. But anyway-“. The elevator took a small bump causing the duo to look up at the digital screen and they saw they were now passing the ‘30th’ floor.

  “ – Your job is to prep them for the interview with Darlene Hart. You of all people know she can sniff a lie from a mile away.”

  “Which is ironic since she had no idea for the past eighteen years, her husband was playing ‘Hide the Pogo Stick’ with their maid.” She held the coffee cup in her right hand and adjusted her handbag on her left shoulder as the elevator made its way toward the ‘35th´floor.

  “This sounds like a piece of cake. I don’t know why Jordan hired me. This is amateur work.”

  The elevator came to a slow stop and the doors opened. “Okay Tony, let’s go fake a Hollywood relationship.”

  Laurel walked out of the elevator as if the long golden and silver tiled hallway was a catwalk. Tony followed quickly behind his boss admiring her confident walk and attitude. He understood now why she had many enemies and no friends.

  “They’re in the VIP Room which is the last door.”

  Laurel kept her eyes on the Golden VIP door as she made her way down the very long hallway. Her heels echoed throughout, causing anyone who was nosy to look through their peek holes to find out what all the ruckus was.

  She finally made it to the door in what felt like a lifetime and she knocked on it lightly. The scent of lavender bombarded her nostrils causing her to rub her nose in disgust. “Oh God I could smell Darlene’s knock off perfume. She’s not too far.”

  The door opened and a handsome man smiled revealing his pearly white teeth. “Hello, you must be Laurel Quinn. Welcome and please come in.”

  Laurel wasn’t sure if this was currently part of a prank being played on her or this Metrosexual young man was actually this sweet and nice. Either way it made her nervous and a bit sick to her stomach. She took the invitation and entered the spacious and beautiful suite. The details would make the other hotel occupants jealous, but Laurel wasn’t there to bask in the beauty and she didn’t care for the details.

  “We don’t have enough time to prep before Darlene and her group of wannabe reporters make their way up here. Should we go over anything specific?” Laurel asked turning around to face Damian who closed the suite’s door after Tony entered.

  “Not that I know of. What about you Lola?” Damian called out.

  Laurel was born in the late seventies and she remembered growing up with male Pop Stars who had distinguished looks that differed from each other. From Micha
el Jackson’s one glove to Prince’s ass less chaps, each artist stood out from the rest. But for some reason this new generation had male Pop Stars who looked almost identical. Thinly arched eyebrows, lip gloss, restless hair, foundation and skinny jeans. Not to mention the fact that Damian had a man bun on his head.

  When the hell did man buns become a style? She found herself questioning this every time she went to MoonBucks to get her coffee every morning.

  Her concentration on the male was cut short when a young woman came out of the bathroom with a smile on her face. “What happen babe?”

  Lola Ferrari looked exactly like her modelling pictures. She didn’t have any pores, moles, birthmarks or even blemish on her porcelain like face. Her baby blue eyes were round, as if she was an anime character. Her hair was multicolored. The right side was a lavender and the left was a light pink. She too had her hair up in a bun. She also wore a floral green dress which flowed with every move she would make. Her teeth were brighter than Damian’s- hell it was brighter than Laurel’s or even Tony’s teeth.

  Damian passed the Crisis Manager and made his way toward Lola, “This is Laurel Quinn she was hired by Jordan to prep us for the interview. Do you have any questions for her?”

  Lola shook her head smiling widely at the Pop singer and she turned her attention to Laurel. “Not at all. You see, when you are in love like myself, you don’t need silly things to be prepped. Every and any word that comes from my mouth actually comes straight from my heart.” She turned over to Damian and ran her fingers through his hair.

  Laurel and Tony exchanged looks with each other as if they could telepathically send messages to one another. It didn’t take a genius to see how uncomfortable Damian was with Lola touching him.

  “Um, Tony. Can you please take Damian out in the hall for a few minutes while us girls talk?” Laurel asked him her tone sounding as innocent as a child wanting an expensive toy from her parents. Tony knew there was a motive behind this and he didn’t bother to ask.

  “Of course. Come on mate.” Laurel’s assistant opened the door and as if a fire broke out in the bathroom, Damian zoomed out leaving just Laurel and Lola in the suite. The Crisis Manager waited until Tony closed the door and she turned on her heels to face the oblivious love struck girl.

  “What did Jordan tell you about this plan?” She asked.

  The young model looked as if she was asked a question in a whole different language. “What plan?”

  “The plan involving you and Damian. The plan where you two pretend you have been dating for a long time to fool the public into thinking you’re some kind of Hollywood royalty. Thus, getting endorsement deals, make up lines, bookings at whatever sad sap decides to keep garbage bags as couture.”

  Lola shook her head at the words uttered by the woman as if she was lying. “That isn’t true. You’re just saying that to get me mad. I know how all you Publicists work.”

  “Apparently a Deity spent more time on her looks rather than her brain.” Laurel thought to herself as her face was plastered with a sinister smirk. “You are clearly mistaken here. Or delusional- eh either way, I blame all that on the countless bleach you put in your hair.” Laurel placed the coffee cup on a dresser that was also colored with a Golden coating. “You and Damian aren’t really a couple. Whenever there are cameras present you two have to get all lovey dovey for the public. But once you are both in private you and Damian are just mere pawns in this sad, yet cliché, scheme.”

  The words that came out of Laurel’s mouth caused Lola to clench her teeth together. Her sweet girl demeanor somehow disappeared and she stormed over to the Crisis Manager stopping a few feet away from her. “Listen to me you sad pathetic old woman-”

  Laurel raised her eyebrows at the young girl as if she had just lost her mind but she didn’t feel the need to defend herself against the porcelain young model. She just crossed her arms across her chest and listened to every word, clearly entertained by the tough façade Lola was putting on.

  “-I don’t know what sad or twisted things are going through your mind, but Damian is my man! My man! He and I are not acting nor are we pretending. So I’d advise you to stop trying to break him and I up because you have a crush on him. Because if you even lay one of your ugly manicured fingers on him, I will kill you and get away with it. Do you understand me?” The fire in Lola’s eyes grew stronger as did her state of insanity. You would think her threat would make Laurel silent or even understanding…you would be wrong.

  “Are you done?” Laurel asked impatiently as if the idea of Lola attacking her bored her to death. The young model was baffled by Laurel’s reaction. “Now understand me sweety. I am not interested in your “man” because you don’t have one. Damian isn’t interested in you either on an emotional level, just a financial level because apparently to his manager, Jordan, dating you could open many doors to his future. But if you’d ask me, I would’ve rather fake him being Gay and dating that Pro Golfer who just came out the closet.

  While we’re also at it. I have no interest in dating your “man” because I date men not boys. And I also don’t date men who have man buns and wax their eyebrows. And lastly, you may want to watch your tone with me wannabe Jylie Kenner, because I will not only destroy you and watch your career burn down in flames. I will destroy you and make you relive the horror every single day of your life! Do I make myself clear?”

  Throughout this speech-or threat- Laurel’s tone was calm and collective. She had anger yes, but she did one hell of a job not letting that anger show in her tone. It was then that Lola realized Laurel wasn’t like most women she came across. It was also then that she realized just how scary this woman could truly be.

  Before Lola could respond or take another gulp, the suite’s door opened and Tony stood in the doorway looking in and catching Laurel’s attention. “I don’t mean to interrupt but Darlene is exactly five floors down.”

  “Great!” Laurel said changing her tone to a sweet and innocent one. “Now Damian I need you and Lola to hold hands but not too tightly. Whenever one of you speaks it is imperative that the other person takes a lingering glance, it shows just how in love you two truly are. Also do not forget to mention that you guys have been in a six month relationship.”

  Damian entered the room and lowered his perfectly arched eyebrows, “Why six months?”

  She turned to the Pop singer and addressed him. “A week romance makes this obvious to the public that this relationship is nothing but a publicity stunt. In order to make the public accept this, we have to go with six months. It makes it sound forbidden, raw and those scavengers will get even hungrier to know why you two have chosen to keep it a secret for this long.”

  Damian understood what she meant and he was happy Jordan called Laurel. If it wasn’t for her Damian didn’t think he would be able to pull this off.

  “Now any questions before the Wicked Witch of Late Night comes?”

  Damian shook his head and he glanced over at Lola who had a look of sadness and regret on her face. She didn’t bother making eye contact with the Auburn haired woman. She just shook her head slowly looking down at the floor.

  Tony saw Lola’s reaction and he knew that something took place in the room. He had hoped it had to do with Laurel putting the model in her place because based on what Damian told him outside, Lola is as crazy as they come. A girl unstable as her could ruin the entire plan, Tony prayed that wasn’t the case here.

  “Okay!” Laurel clapped her hands together causing all three people in the room to flinch. “It’s show time!”

  {The next section is the interview conducted by host of ‘Hart2Hollywood Star’ Darlene Hart.}:

  (DARLENE HART mid 30s- early 40’s is seated on a chair smiling as she gazes into the camera)

  Darlene: “Hello and good morning San New! I am your host Darlene Hart and I am beyond thrilled to be interviewing the couple that has taken the world by storm since last week. Damian Marx and Lola Ferrari.”

  (We
watch as DAMIAN and LOLA wave at the camera smiling. LOLA is holding DAMIAN’s right hand. They looked like a couple smitten with each other.)

  Darlene: “First off, Thank you so much for coming onto my show. It is such an honor to be in the same presence as Hollywood Royalty.”

  Damian: (smiling shaking his head) “I wouldn’t necessarily say we are on that caliber. We are just two amazing people. Two creative people who- (he looks at LOLA)- were lucky enough to find each other.”

  Darlene: (nods still smiling) “Let me ask the question that has everyone going crazy-wait before I ask. Did you guys know your fans are calling you ‘DALA’? ”

  (Both LOLA and DAMIAN shake their heads clearly having no idea they had a ship name on social media.)

  Lola: “Not at all. That is so amazing! Our fans have been very supportive of us since…well the tabloids leaked that picture of us yesterday having dinner at the Grove.”

  Darlene: “Yes, that was my question. Everyone wanted to know how you two met each other since, Damian is a huge Pop Star that sold more than 20 million records in his three year career span and Lola is a model from Mexico.”

  Damian: “That is a great question Darlene. I was playing a show in Athens when my security received a letter from a young woman who wanted to meet me. I had no idea who this girl was. But her hand writing was beautiful. She wrote poetry that would make the strongest man cry-“

  (Just as DAMIAN continued speaking, LOLA was staring at him listening and falling more in love with him with every word he said.)

  Damian: “-Anyway, I told security I had to see who wrote me such a beautiful letter.”

  Darlene: “And it was Lola?”

  Damian: “Not at all. It was her younger sister.”

  (DARLENE lets out a fake laugh that she has been famous for)

  Damian: “But as it turned out Lola helped her write it.”

  Darlene: “And when was this exactly?”

  Lola: “Six months ago. We’ve been dating for six months.”

  Darlene: (nods in shock) “That is amazing! Six months in this industry is like a decade. So make sure you cherish each other.” (She looks into the camera) “We’re going to take a quick break and when we return, Damian will tell us all about his upcoming album.”

  Director: “And cut!”

  Laurel let out a sigh of relief in shock these two were able to pull off such an act. Darlene got up from her seat and walked over to the director and they began discussing whether or not she looked amazing in the shots they just took.

  Laurel walked over to the young couple who were chatting amongst themselves.

  “How did we do?” Damian asked nervously.

  “You did exceptionally well. I am so proud of both of you. Now your fans will know the truth and why you two chose to hide your love for so long.”

  Damian lowered his eyebrows confused at her words. Just an hour ago she was yelling at him to act as if he could tolerate Lola and now she’s acting as if they were really a couple. He initially thought it was because Darlene was in the room but she wasn’t within earshot.

  “I-I don’t understand-“

  Laurel pointed to her own chest and Damian and Lola looked at it in confusion. It wasn’t until Lola looked at her own chest she realized they still had the body mic on. She nudged Damian and pointed to his mic and he gave her a nod finally understanding why she said those words.

  Hollywood is a tricky industry. People will smile at your face and wish you well but when you’ve turn your back they’re secretly looking for ways to destroy you. With interviews and microphones it’s practically the same thing except as long as you have that microphone on your chest, anything you say is on the record. Whether it was said on air or off. A Hot Mic-is when a microphone is turned on and it records everything that is said in private- can hurt even the brightest of stars in this industry.

  Laurel smiled widely. “It seems my job here is done. I want to thank you both for such an amazing job. I would hug you but...I just don’t want to.” She turned on her heels and walked out of the suite closing the door behind her.

  Lola turned to Damian who was excited the interview was going exactly how he planned, “I can’t believe the fans already have a ship name for us. DALA…I mean it’s weird.”

  “Eh, it’s better than Damola or Lamian. Plus this really means our fans are-“

  “Hey Damian.” Darlene interrupted causing the young couple to look at her nervously. “I’m sorry to interrupt, I just have to say it is an honor to get to speak with you. I have been a fan of yours and I know it’s awkward because of my age but-“. She placed her right hand on the young man’s left shoulder and rubbed it smiling. “-I see a lot of talent in you and I know you will get far in this industry.”

  Lola clenched her jaws together watching the scene unfold before her. The rage she had from before was slowly creeping right back in, like fire ants in an apartment.