Episode 133
“Alright,” Elizabeth responded, ready to tackle the task ahead. With Ruby out of sight, Elizabeth shifted her energy toward creating the sample script. The narrative was set against a backdrop of contemporary romance, a genre not particularly arduous for her; yet, the protagonist bore a striking resemblance to Sandra—a woman who exuded innocence and purity on the surface but harbored a manipulative streak beneath. Elizabeth found herself puzzled by the recent popularity of such characters among her clients. Had she still been writing under Katrina’s pseudonym, she would have declined the project without a second thought, even for a staggering sum of a hundred million. But currently, constrained by financial urgencies, she felt compelled to deliver the work in line with the client’s demands.
The script company reviewed the sample script with enthusiasm and without any quibbles over the cost, stating plainly, “This is excellently written. We are prepared to pay a million for this script, although our company does not impose a hefty commission.” Elizabeth responded without hesitation, “That price works for me, but I insist on a sixty percent advance payment. I find myself in a tight spot financially, and if that isn’t feasible, I’ll need to explore other options.”
Elsewhere, at the script company, the owner sat at his desk, deep in thought over Elizabeth’s proposal when he was startled by an inquiry. “Are you ready to leave for the day?” He glanced up to find Sandra at the doorway, her arms laden with opulent shopping bags. Oversized sunglasses masked most of her features, yet the slight dip of her lips hinted at her discontent.
“You showing up feels like my workday never ends,” the owner remarked briskly as he approached, his eagerness palpable as he relieved her of her bags. “What brings you here today?”
Sandra strolled over to his desk, gracefully seated herself, and, with a flourish, removed her sunglasses, her fingers drumming lightly on the tabletop. “I was running some errands nearby and decided to swing by. Have you located the script I inquired about? It’s been a week and I’ve heard nothing.” Her online reputation was nosediving, pushing her to secure a top-notch script swiftly to reclaim her standing. The script not only had to be enthralling, but it also needed a protagonist whose traits mirrored her own, easing her performance burden considerably.
Well-known screenwriters, protective of their own reputations, often shied away from such projects, prompting Sandra to turn to this particular company. Still fledgling and desperate for stable clients, this company held her in high regard. “Your request has been our top priority,” the owner assured her with a reassuring smile, serving Sandra a glass of water and pulling up a file on his laptop. “Take a look. I’ve stumbled upon a rather promising new talent. Her craft rivals that of Katrina’s. Give her some time, and she’s bound to make waves.”
Sandra cast a skeptical gaze his way but leaned in closer to scrutinize the script on the screen. Once she finished reading, her initial doubts seemed to evaporate, replaced by a nod of approval. “Wow, this is actually good, way better than that ‘Blazing Sun’ debacle I’m stuck in. Let’s get her on board, fast! Nowadays, the script quality has been plummeting, and I desperately need solid work like this for my career shift.”
