Page 47 of Off Script
Putting the car in drive, I hustle to the meeting I requested with Becky and Jada so that I can tell them about Carlisle.
“Ben, good work on the first round of press coverage,” Becky says as she shuffles some papers around the conference room table. “YourGood Morning, USAinterview impressed the studio heads and confirmed the results from studio’s test screenings ofCaptain Commander. Audiences love you and Willa together.”
Sensing that there’s more that Becky wants to say, I remain quiet.
The awkward pause stretches until Becky finally cracks. “Specifically, everyone loves your onscreen chemistry with Willa. Given your successful interview with Samantha McGriffin and her insinuation that you and Willa have an offscreen romance, the studio would like you and Willa to go all in.”
“All in?” I repeat, my eyebrows shoot toward my hairline. Prickles of apprehension skirt across my skin with a growing sense of dread.
“Studio 67 wants you and Willa to go public with a romance to generate more hype and publicity for the movie.”
Showmances, Hollywood’s nickname for fake romances that are orchestrated as part of a publicity plan, happen more often than you’d think, but the participants’ silence is always ensured with legal contracts. I’ve never been involved in one before. From time to time, I’ve been told to accompany an actress to a premiere or a party, but it was always a one-time thing. A single date is easy to fake, but falsifying an entire relationship? That takes a lot more time and effort to make it believable.
Time and effort that I’d like to dedicate to someone else.
When I came here today, I planned on talking to Becky about how to best take my budding relationship with Carlisle public. I anticipated that the movie studio may want me to keep my relationship quiet until after my movies premiere, but I never expected that I’d be asked to be involved in a showmance with Willa.
That sure as shit wasn't on this year's bingo card.
How will I explain this to Carlisle? Will she understand it’s part of my job? Will she be okay with it?
If our roles were reversed, I wouldn’t be alright with her parading around pretending to date another dude. How can I ask that of her?
“I take your silence for hesitation. What’s up, Ben? You and Willa get along great. This shouldn’t be a big ask. She’s already agreed to it.”
Fuck. If Willa’s already agreed, then it becomes that much more difficult for me to say no. I sigh heavily. “What’s the proposed timeline?”
“The studio PR team proposed the backstory that you and Willa started dating while you were shootingCaptain Commander,and you’ve continued quietly dating since filming wrapped last year. To legitimize your relationship, they’ll plant stories from anonymous sources confirming the duration of your romance. Since you both keep rather low profiles and haven’t been linked with anyone else during that time –”
“Willa dated that professional baseball player,” I interject, hoping to throw a wrench into the plan.
“Only a few photos surfaced of them together and none of them looked overtly romantic. As far as the public is concerned, Willa and Baron are old friends," Becky explains with a patient smile. "Anyway, you and Willa will continue with the relationship through the promotional tours in December, and then you can go your separate ways. We’ll issue a joint statement confirming the split in January.”
“Only six or seven weeks then.” I rub my jaw, contemplating the situation. “What exactly will the studio want us to do?”
“They’re drawing up a schedule now. Once it’s finalized, I’ll get it to you. Obviously, you’ll be each other’s dates for all of the promotional events forCaptain Commanderand she’ll accompany you whenever possible for yourTruly, Madly, Deeplyevents as well. A little PDA here and there for the paparazzi. A few dates in LA and while you’re traveling for the promotional tour.”
Jada cocks her head and narrows her eyes at me. “Look, I know you’re normally a private person, but is there more to it than that? As you said, it’s only a few weeks.”
Ah, the moment of truth.
Sitting forward, I meet her stare and decide that I need to be honest if there’s any chance to avoid participating in the showmance. “I just started seeing someone and I don’t want to screw it up with her because I have to pretend to be dating Willa. I actually scheduled this meeting to discuss Carlisle. Not this…" I trail off, leaning back in my chair. With a sigh, I scrape my hands down my face in frustration. “Does this really need to happen? Can I say no?”
Becky glances sharply at Jada before she replies. “Jada and I can give the studio some pushback, but—”
Interrupting Becky, Jada snaps, “It wasn't long ago that you sat in my office, assuring me that you were committed to doing whatever it takes to land the role inLosing Love. Those were your exact words, Ben. Whatever it takes. Do you remember that?"
Reluctantly, I nod.
"Captain Commanderis an action movie. The director who’s attached toLosing Loveis known for independent films. Period pieces. Serious dramas. He's not going to be impressed by an action movie; however, Lyonsfilms Studio will be ifCaptain Commanderblows its competition out of the water on opening weekend. Because all the studios care about is making money.
"You have the acting talent to tackle the role inLosing Love, but the commercial successes of your prior films have been mixed. Some have been huge hits, but you've had a few flops. Exceptionally strong box office showings next month will improve your chances at winning the role." Jada steeples her fingers together over the top of the ebony lacquered table and leans towards me, pinning me down with a glare of disappointment. "And a romance with one of America’s leading ladies will cause ticket sales to skyrocket.”
Becky trades a look with Jada and then adds, “It’s our professional recommendation that you agree to the showmance, but we can discuss other options that might pacify the studio.”
"I appreciate that."
"But Ben, if the studio wants it badly enough, they'll force your hand," Becky warns. "The publicity contracts are intentionally vague for a reason."
