Page 58 of Fan Favorite

TAKE 5 PRODUCTIONS

THE KEY

OTF INTERVIEW: BENNETT CHARLES PROM

TAPE #382

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00:00:00 PRODUCER 1: He should go out with Bailey next.

PRODUCER 2: Bailey?

PRODUCER 1: Yeah. Bailey.

PRODUCER 2: But that doesn’t make sense. We’re already set with Zo for tomorrow. Why would we give him Bailey? He’s rated Bailey #1 every single week.

PRODUCER 1: Last time I checked this was still my show.

PRODUCER 2: Oh Jesus Christ, Peter, you’re starting that again? I don’t even get to have an opinion?

PRODUCER 1: Sure, you do. But you’re wrong. And I know that’s a bummer, but it’s Bailey next.

00:00:30 PRODUCER 2: But that doesn’t make sense! We’ve got him right where we want him—falling in love with Edie. Why would we risk that by bringing in the girl he’s been obsessed with for weeks? We need to keep Bailey away from him for as long as possible so when they do finally go out, it’s too late. Have you forgotten the plan? It’s Bennett gets engaged to Edie.

PRODUCER 1: Bench Zo. Here he comes.

BENNETT: Hoooooooleeeeeeeee shit.

PRODUCER 1: A good night, huh?

PRODUCER 2: Are we rolling?

BENNETT: The best fucking night, you guys. Wow.

PRODUCER 2: OK, B., you know the drill—straight to the camera.

BENNETT: I mean, I admit it, I doubted you—I thought you were fucking with me—but I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong—

PRODUCER 2: Ok, to the camera though—

BENNETT: Peter, I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I just had, it’s hard to describe… I had a spiritual experience. Like, I broke through some real emotional barriers. And I just—I just want to thank you, alright? You’re not a bad guy. I get it now. Wow.

PRODUCER 2: Oh my god.

BENNETT: Can we fast-forward to the end? I think this is it! I think Edie’s The One!

PRODUCER 1: That’s the byte. Let’s wrap.

21

It was almost one a.m. by the time Edie Pepper descended the long staircase in her gown and heels and tottered over to the limo where Peter Kennedy was waiting. Most of production had already packed up and gone—Bennett Charles had been shoved into a van and ferried back to the mansion fifteen minutes ago—and it was just the two of them now, Peter and Edie, facing off under the streetlight. Peter held back a smile as she evaluated the black blazer he’d shrugged on over his oxford and the livery cap he’d placed at a jaunty angle on his head. He had his line all ready to go.

“Budget cuts,” he said with a grin.

It took her a second, but then she laughed.

Peter swept open the door to the back seat with a chivalrous bow. “M’lady.”

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