Page 33 of Off Script
A homebody, huh?
I am. I have to travel so much for work that when I’m off, I prefer being home.
CARLISLE
Same. Not the traveling part, but the staying home part.
Also – good to know that you’re not unemployed. Eventually, I’ll figure you out, Ben.
You will. But in the meantime, thanks for being patient with me.
CARLISLE
I forgot to mention it, but I also love to cook. Another thing we have in common.
What’s your favorite dish to make?
CARLISLE
That’s like asking a mother who her favorite child is…
Eureka! I have an idea for our date. I lay my cell phone down on my desk and click the house intercom system. “Jo, I’m in the study. Come find me.”
The intercom crackles as Jo’s tinny voice floats through the room. “Yes, Your Royal Highness.On my way.”
Joanna offices out of my pool house, which works out well for us both. She’s close by so that we can easily meet when needed, but far enough away that we both have our own space.
I hear my back door slam. She enters my office a minute later and leans against the edge of my desk with her notebook in hand, ready to take notes.
“What’s up, Benji?”
“How many times do I have to tell you to never call me that?”
“But you let Willa call you Benji all the time!” Jo pouts.
“Yeah, but she looks up at me with those huge Disney princess eyes of hers and I can’t bring myself to tell her how much I hate that moniker.”
“It’s not fair, but whatever.” Jo rolls her eyes at me, unfazed at giving her boss attitude. “And BTW, nobody’s said the word moniker since Sherlock Holmes was alive.”
“You know Sherlock Holmes was never alive, right?” I laugh. “He’s a character.”
“Dead ass?” She huffs when I nod. “Anyway, why’d you summon me into your lair?”
“I’m taking a girl on a date next Sunday.”
Jo shoots me a mischievous grin. “That’s why you blocked off your schedule!”
I hold up my hand to stop the intense line of questioning that I know will commence. “It’s a first date so I want to impress her, but I don’t want to show off too much. Nothing too flashy or ostentatious. Get my drift?”
“Oh-kay…” Jo draws out the word. “I’m guessing she’s not famous then. Otherwise, it wouldn’t matter.”
“Exactly. I don’t want to freak her out. Plus, it just seems like a douchebag move.”
“Got it.” Jo chews on the end of her pen and scrunches up her eyes as she thinks. “The studio sent over an advance copy ofCaptain Commander. You could do a private screening with her?”
“How the hell is that not douchey?”
“Well, do you have any ideas, Benjamin?”
