Page 74 of Professional Consult
“And since I’m America’s Sweetheart, I won’t fuck up my role,” I add.
Milton nods slowly.
Clint frowns. “Of course, this all depends on Alicia being game, and I’m not entirely sure she will be.”
“Like I said, I’ll shoot my role for free. She’s already alluded to the fact that she’s been approached, so we know she’s interested, and why wouldn’t she be? She’s desperate. If you give her what you promised me, I think she’ll sign whatever you put in front of her.”
“This…might…work…out…” Milton says slowly. His confused face shifts, revealing a wide grin. “But I’m going to want more from you.”
I touch my chest. “More from me?”
“Maybe we keep you around for the first season. We’ll offer Alicia less so we can afford you.”
My gut twists in a knot. I hadn’t expected this.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say.
“Why the hell not? You get what you want, and we get a new lead.”
“I’d rather explore other opportunities than get tied down to a show that doesn’t work well for me.”
“Then you’ll have to deal with your tarnished legacy.”
Milton is not a dumb man. He knows that having me and Alicia act on screen together will keep people interested, so he wants me for the entire season.
“What if I take on another role?”
“You want to play someone other than Clint’s fiancé?”
“How about I write for the show? Just a few episodes. It’s a role I haven’t done, so people will be interested. I’ll do it for free.”
For the first time during our meeting, Milton looks downright joyful as his gut vibrates with laughter. “You, a writer?”
My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach.
“Wow!” Clint says, acting surprised. “I never knew you had such ambitions.”
Because I am one of the best actresses on the planet, I’m able to invoke confidence. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to pursue. It doesn’t have to mean there’s no oversight. I can star in the pilot, then write a few episodes throughout the first season and have someone come behind me to clean them up. It’ll make headlines and drive interest.”
Milton shakes his head from side to side. “It sounds too risky.”
I throw my hands in the air in dramatic fashion. “Where’s the risk? You’re getting Alicia Davies starring alongside me in the pilot. You’re getting my name credited as a writer. The biggest risk on the table right now is proceeding as planned.”
Milton cocks his head to the side. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re not at all upset by this?”
“Because I’m not. It’s the best solution for everyone involved, and it’s a way I can make up for what happened to Alicia. It was my people that cost her so much. For my benefit and theirs. I want to make this right. And I think she’ll be best for this show.”
“I don’t know. There’s too much money tied up to let you go.”
“As I said, I’ll forfeit my salary, and I’ll invest a cool ten million dollars to help make it a success as long as I’m given producer credits and tasks to boot.”
“Wait, what?” Clint says, because that was pretty far off-script.
But I have the money, and I’m willing to use every weapon in my arsenal to get back to the man I love.
“You’re willing to invest ten mill?” Milton says with a raised brow.
“Provided the return is acceptable.” I try to sound nonchalant, so he doesn’t play hardball because of how badly I want this.
