A young woman tries to sell her story to an akward book publisher.
(Voice talents: Patty Fay. Pamela Castillo)
A young woman tries to sell her story to an akward book publisher.
(Voice talents: Patty Fay. Pamela Castillo)
FADE IN:
INT. OFFICE - DAY
A woman paces back and forth as she reads a script this is DONNA WALLBERG. Another young woman sits in a seat, patiently and nervously waiting for her to finish, this is KARINA KITCOW. Donna doesn't smile as she finishes the final page.
DONNA
That was okay.
KARINA
Just okay?
DONNA
Yeah, it was readable, but barely.
Karina stands up ready to leave.
KARINA
I'm sorry you didn't like my book, but I appreciate you taking the time to read it, Mrs. Wallberg. Well, I have a few more publishers that I'm scheduled to meet so I guess I'll just--
DONNA
Wait-wait-wait. Sit down Ms. Kitcow, please. Have a seat. Right there.
Karina sits down.
DONNA
Now don't move, because I actually loved it.
KARINA
You did? Then why did you say it was barely readable?
DONNA
I'm a book publisher, of course I'm going say it stinks, but that's only so we can low-ball you later.
KARINA
What's low-ball?
DONNA
It's a bonus, we'll talk about that later. Let's talk about your story first.
KARINA
Okay.
DONNA
I must admit, I was touched.
KARINA
Thank you.
DONNA
I loved the way you vividly painted each and every scene, the way your multi-layered characters jumped off the pages and into my lap. Your villains were so cunning, so... dastardly.
KARINA
Dastardly?
DONNA
That means I hated them, and that's why I loved them, and this story! Damn it's good.
KARINA
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DONNA
How... What gave you the inspiration to write something like this?
KARINA
Well I--
DONNA
Was it a reoccurring dream that wouldn't let you sleep until you solidified it on paper?
KARINA
Not really, it actually was--
DONNA
Your own personal experience, a festering memory that had to escape out of the darkness and into the light?
KARINA
No, this was something that--
DONNA
Never mind shh-shh-shh, I don't want to know. I don't need to know, might turn this marvelous moment into something horribly horrible. There is one thing I hate about your book though, the dog's name. I absolutely hate it.
KARINA
Bella was my aunt's name.
DONNA
Still hate it. How about something simple yet colorful, like Jack?
KARINA
It's a girl dog.
DONNA
Okay, Jackie.
KARINA
I'm afraid the dog's name is Bella.
DONNA
Let's be reasonable, books, movies, TV, it's all about coolness, it's always been about coolness, and Bella does not ring cool, it doesn't scream hip or modern for that matter. To me when I hear the name Bella, it rings old south, horse-drawn carriages and big ugly bonnets.
KARINA
It's not about cool or hip or modern, it's about love, the kind of love only a warm dog can give.
DONNA
I don't know, for some reason I just can't get the image of a dog wearing spats out of my mind.
KARINA
The story is not about a dog, the dog is the story. When Bella lost her chew toy it devastated her emotions and transformed her life.
DONNA
(over-dramatic)
So the chew toy was a part of her?
KARINA
Why else would she suddenly stop drinking toilet water?
DONNA
I thought it was because of those pesky field ticks.
KARINA
No no no. How can you not know the ticks were just a figment of her imagination? No offense, but how did you get this job?
DONNA
First of all, I am a little offended, second of all... it's pure genius! The ticks, the toilet, the tantrums, no wonder she started lifting her leg when she peed.
KARINA
Yes. Sure, she could have ran off with the handsome hound next door, but she chose to stay with her human mother who raised her from a pup.
Donna shakes her head.
DONNA
(crying tears of joy)
Wow. Wow wow wow. It all makes perfectly good sense. Now I understand why you're fighting so hard to keep the dog's name. I feel like a complete... clown, because I couldn't see it. It's done, the dog's name should be, and must remain, Bella.
KARINA
Thank you for understanding.
DONNA
This book is not just readable, it's beautiful, a beautiful American story that resonates throughout this country in a time when we need it the most.
KARINA
Thank you, it means a lot to me, and Bella.
DONNA
So, do you have an agent, a lawyer, lit manager of some sort?
KARINA
No. Do I need one because--
DONNA
Absolutely not, I hate them, they only get in the way and slow the whole process down. Besides, this is your first book, so let's just keep this wonderful relationship between the two of us.
KARINA
Okay. So what's next Ms. Wallberg?
DONNA
Call me Donna.
KARINA
Okay Donna, now what?
DONNA
Well Karina, may I continue to call you Karina?
KARINA
Sure.
DONNA
Great. Now I know you have some outstanding student loans. You're staying with some relatives and your crippled cat is in the hospital.
KARINA
How'd you know all that?
DONNA
I'm a book publisher it's my job to know these things. But I'm not bringing this up to make you feel worthless or remind you how desperate your situation is. I'm saying all that to congratulate you on your fortitude. Not everybody can continue to maintain their focus in the face of adversity, and that's why I'm willing to make you an offer and buy your manuscript today, right here, right now.
Donna writes out a check and hands it to Karina.
DONNA
Here you go, your first check.
KARINA
Wow that's great, I wasn't expecting an offer, at least not today.
DONNA
(whispering)
Well don't mention this to payroll but you've got one, and it's right on the table. Eight-thousand right-out.
KARINA
(not excited)
Eight thousand dollars?
DONNA
That's correct.
KARINA
Um... I don't want to sound ungrateful, but it sounds kind of low.
DONNA
It sounds low because you have to prove your worth first. The real money rolls in after the success of your first book, not before. Lucky for you, you have the right-out option.
KARINA
What's the right-out option.
DONNA
It means you can pick up that check and walk right-out that door and cash it today. Then you can head right-out to the mall and pick up something special for yourself, you've earned it, am I right?
KARINA
I suppose I--
DONNA
Of course you did. How do you feel about your first sale?
KARINA
Pretty good.
DONNA
Pretty good? How many people do you know published a book of any kind?
Short silence.
DONNA
That's exactly what I thought, none. Zero. Now you can walk into any room with your head up. But, with new success comes new friends and new enemies, but in this business, you can't have one without the other.
Donna laughs.
KARINA
Okay. So what is that low-ball bonus?
DONNA
(whispering)
First of all let's not repeat that out loud... to anyone, okay?
KARINA
(whispering)
Okay. Why?
DONNA
HR, Payroll and a few other higher-ups would be all over me like a rash on a hooker if they knew I was giving you this...
(whispering)
low-ball bonus. It's a bonus we usually reserve for our seasoned veterans. But I have a really good feeling about you. You do good work, and you deserve it.
KARINA
Thanks Donna. I finally feel... like a writer!
DONNA
You should, Karina, because you are. So do we have a deal?
KARINA
We sure do, Donna. We sure do.
DONNA
Great. Sign here.
KARINA
My pleasure.
Katrina signs the contract.
DONNA
Now go cash that beautiful check. Shop, get your cat out the hospital and move out your grandparent's house.
KARINA
I think I will. Thank you Donna. Thank you.
DONNA
By the way, do you have any other completed stories?
KARINA
As a matter of fact I do. One is about a mountain goat and her quest for uncontaminated spring water. I call it Billie's thirst.
DONNA
Beautiful. Beautiful.
FADE OUT.