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

by Edwin Betancourt

  That Sweet Swan Song

  December 19th, 2017:

  A blonde woman stared angrily into the camera as the caption ‘Taura’s Talk Time!’ slid across the screen under her image. The woman was known as Taura Lohini, a no nonsense Republican that spoke her mind never caring about the consequences it may have on her image. As long as the public knew her name and as long as she was making headlines with her absurd statements, that’s all that mattered to her. Sadly.

  “I’m sure now that the Presidential Election has winded down, Liberals are still being big crybabies about the results. They are causing mayhem on the streets by protesting and stopping traffic as well as destroying their own communities. Leave it to Libtards to mess up the economy and blame it on Republicans.” She shook her head in disgust and she continued speaking.

  “One Libtard is Korean-turned English Pop Singer Geo Kion. He spent a majority of the campaign bashing Presidential Elect Reber at every chance he got. Well his act took a comical turn when he performed on another Liberal show ‘Comedy Sketch Laugh Live’ last night and he suffered technical difficulties and instead of him performing like a true artist, he ended up cursing the producers, cast and crew, his fans and even the Presidential Elect. What I don’t get about these Hollywood Show Ponies is who gives them a right to talk politics? Who are they to even share their opinion on the happenings of this amazing nation? They don’t even work hard! Instead they go the studio, read lines off of a page and get paid to be the face of whatever pathetic cosmetic line hires them!

  My problem with Hollywood Libtards is long believe me, but my real issue is here with Geo Kion. This is a man who spent a majority of his career singing Korean Pop songs, he was made a United States citizen two years ago and he thinks he knows what is “good” for this Nation? His rant once again proved why the Presidential Elect needs to focus his energy on withdrawing any ties with the Asian Nation! He’s a disgrace to Korea and most importantly a disgraceful American that needs to have his visa revoked ASAP!”

  Laurel Quinn muted the television screen in her office and she swiveled in her chair to face Geo Kion. He was seated on the chair across from her desk and he couldn’t believe what he just heard come out of the woman’s mouth.

  “Is she serious?” He asked nervously.

  “I wouldn’t entertain her opinion. She’s a fake Republican that has a husband who she believes was cured from being Gay, but the boys in West Hollywood beg to differ.” Laurel stated.

  “But what now? That video went viral and every social media blog has dubbed me ‘difficult to work with’. I’m far from that. I didn’t say anything offensive. I just had a crazy night. The microphone wasn’t working and none of the stage hands were helping me. Clearly, they were setting me up for ratings. Which they now got because that video of me cursing everyone out, has gotten over two million views.”

  He wasn’t lying about that. If he thought the views were extreme he should read the comment’s section. That was ten times worst.

  Laurel grabbed a Tablet device off of her desk and she swiped the screen trying to find the video that Geo was referring to. After a few searches she was able to find it on the media app Me-Tube. She turned the tablet device over so the screen faced Geo and she pressed the play button. The twenty eight year old Korean Pop Singer combed his fingers through his neon colored green hair and watched the video as it played.

  In the video Geo strums a few strings of his neon green acoustic guitar as he does a few adlibs into the microphone. He closes his eyes as he continues strumming each string and he finally opens his eyes and he gazes into the camera as the audience of women were screaming his name at the top of their lungs.

  “Ooooh, where did you spend the night, my love?

  Ooooh, I gave my heart, was that enough?

  Noooow, I lay here bl-ing f- while you- st-“

  Geo stops singing but continues to play the guitar hoping someone behind the scenes heard the microphone disrupting his vocals. He clears his throat and continues singing realizing no one was coming to help him.

  “But you! You lied to me with the same lips that kissed me!

  The same lips that- made- i- S- Fine- mi- loaded-“

  Finally having enough, Geo stops playing the guitar and slams it onto the floor of the stage breaking it into pieces as the crowd stops cheering and looks at him in shock at his actions.

  “I am tired of this {Bleeping} Country! Thinking you can just {Bleep} me over and that’s okay? {Bleep} CNB! {Bleep} America! And {Bleep} Reber!”

  Without saying another word Geo storms off the stage leaving his fans shocked at this and hurt.

  Laurel stopped the video and placed the Tablet device back on her desk as Geo buried his face in his hands in embarrassment.

  “I-I don’t know what to say. I look like a total Jack Ass! My fans hate me.”

  “Actually they don’t. According to the hashtag they created called ‘#WeStandWithGeo’, they haven’t left your side.”

  Geo felt at ease to know his fans didn’t fully abandon him but it didn’t give him one hundred percent hope as many of the gigs he was booked for cancelled on him. They feared he would flip out on them as well if technical difficulties arose.

  “I love my fans Ms.Quinn I truly do. I get that I screwed up badly. But I need this. I need you to fix this. Make all of this go away! I came to America to extend my music, not to be destroyed by this scandal.” Laurel could see the sadness in Geo’s eyes and the passion in the tone of his voice. She opened the drawer to her desk and she took out a flier and handed it to the man.

  He took the flier and read the contents. “What’s a ‘Flango Mango’?”

  “That’s the new café which opened on Eighth Avenue last year. The café has an open mic and a culturally diverse clientele. I’m talking about Hippies, Hipsters, LGBTQ individuals and Potheads. These people go there to enjoy the scenery and music and I believe you performing there will give you a redo in all of this.”

  Geo couldn’t help but notice the flier had his face on it with the specific time and place that he was performing. None of this was run by him or his team and this woman managed to take it upon herself to schedule all of this. He shook his head and placed the flier on her desk.

  “I didn’t approve any of this.”

  Laurel nodded her head slowly. “I know you didn’t. I did. You see, you are going to perform here because this is a gig. Something you and I both know isn’t really being presented to you since your little Christian Bale melt down. Now, the show starts at 8pm sharp. You will focus the rest of your morning writing and recording a brand new song that will have everyone talking tomorrow.”

  “A new song?” Geo scuffed. “You must be crazy! I cannot write and record a song in twelve hours. That’s crazy. Especially for me.”

  “I wasn’t asking you. I’m telling you what you will be doing. You will write a new song-preferably about being cheated on- because you are going to apologize to your fans for your behavior last night. You will tell them that you found your girlfriend having sex with your best friend. You thought that you could handle it, but the technical issues you suffered caused every emotion you had to come flooding back at once. This excuse will paint you as the victim and you will win the hearts of every woman, child, baby and man. No one enjoys a love story gone wrong than half of anyone’s fan base.”

  Geo had to admit the idea was genius. It gave him an excuse for his behavior although he was angry at the station, but overall it helped ease his scandal. He thought the meeting was over but Laurel had something else to add.

  “I have a Private Investigator looking into the tapes from yesterday to see if there was any sabotages that the studio took part in to screw your performance over.”

  Geo smiled. “So you do believe me? You believe that the studio screwed me over?”

  “Right now it’s too early to say anything, but if that is proven correct, then I must leak this in
formation to the public, which will ultimately sever all ties with the studio and your record label.”

  Geo didn’t care about whether or not his label would approve of this decision if the truth was exposed. The only thing he cared about was his reputation and his career, nothing more and nothing less.

  “Okay that sounds good. I’ll call my manager to book a studio for me. My label would definitely be happy to hear I’m working on a new song.”

  Laurel smiled once again nodding her head. “Sounds great. I’ll be there tonight and you don’t need to worry about your fans, they’ll be there. Remember if any technical issues do happen, you are to continue with your performance. Fans love nothing more than when an artist continues singing while suffering tech issues, remember that.”

  Geo gave the Crisis Manager a nod and he got up from the seat and walked out of the office feeling so much better than when he came in.

  Laurel watched as he left her office as well the office of Publicity! and she took out the manila envelope Jace gave her the other day from her drawer. She placed it on her desk and picked up her cellphone dialing Tony’s number.

  She placed the phone on her right ear and waited patiently as the other line began to ring, after a few seconds Tony answered with a groggy and slow, “Hello?”

  “Good morning Tony. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

  “Oh Quinn! Not at all I was just…um…cooking breakfast.”

  Laurel smirked into the phone, “You’re not a very good liar. Which is ironic considering everything. But I’m calling because I’m going out of town for a few hours and I won’t be taking any calls.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Oh yes everything is fine. I just have a client who is in great need of my services and she isn’t really keen on travelling to San New.” She lied with so much ease that it even scared herself.

  “Okay, do you need me to drive you? Or pick you up? Maybe meet you half way?”

  “Nonsense. It’s your day off you need the rest more than I do. Just spend your day relaxing, catching up with old friends…or whatever your idea of fun is.”

  “Are you sure? I can definitely meet you-“

  “No.” Laurel stated quickly. “I need this road trip to get my mind focused and I could use a get away from the city. But I’ll be back before Eight tonight. Geo Kion is performing an intimate show at the Flango Mango.”

  Tony let out a gasp. “Seriously? I love that man’s music!”

  “Well then, I guess I’ll see you at the café.”

  “You most certainly will!”

  Laurel’s smile shrunk into a mere smirk. “Tony…Thank you for everything. I know you and I have a confusing history. But, I know no matter what happens you will always be there for me.” Her tone was filled with a quiet sadness.

  “Quinn, I know you well enough to know something is wrong.”

  Laurel rolled her eyes smiling. “Seriously? A woman tells you how much she appreciates you and you’re worried something is wrong? All you men are paranoid, Geez.”

  “I’m just making sure you’re okay.”

  “And I am. So let me get going before traffic gets crazy. I’ll call you when I’m coming back. Goodbye Tony.”

  “See you Quinn.”

  Laurel hung up the cellphone and got up from her chair grabbing the manila envelope, her purse and her black trench coat. She walked out of her office and through the waiting area making her way toward the main door of Publicity!. Her mind was made up already, she wasn’t going to have another sleepless night thinking about that tragic Christmas Eve again, she was going to confront the man responsible for it. The man she spent six years of her life married to, the man she loved endlessly. The man that betrayed her trust and the man that was soon going to discover; just how dangerous Laurel Quinn really is.