STEFANIE:But I’ve been taking with Harmony’s PR team and they’ve been thinking maybe we could create a NEW pairing for fans to get behind.
BRADEN…
BRADEN:There’s only one reason you’d be involving ME in your little scheme. I don’t think I like where this conversation is headed.
STEFANIE:I know. It’s a wild idea. Hear me out though.
BRADEN:Okay…
STEFANIE:Right now it’s Harmony versus Riff. It’s been fun, I have to admit, to follow the narrative. Even more fun watching the numbers go up. But what if it’s Harmony AND Riff, versus the WORLD? Imagine how fans would react if the “enemies become lovers.”
BRADEN…
BRADEN:There’s just one problem, though. Riff and Harmony hate each other, and that’s not going to change.
STEFANIE:You clearly haven’t read any romance novels.
BRADEN:Correct.
STEFANIE:There’s a thin line between love and hate. You’ve heard that phrase before, at least, haven’t you?
BRADEN:I have. I’m sure that’s an idea perpetuated by the romance novels whose words you likely live by.
STEFANIE:Yes. Anyway, PR was just showing me statistics on how engagement with celebrity content increases significantly when two celebs are dating. Then I realized that the demographic of Harmony’s fanbase is VERY familiar with the hate-to-love trope and I’m sure they’ll eat it up wherever theycan get it. So if we can orchestrate a real-life hate-to-love story, Harmony and Riff’s careers will soar to unprecedented heights.
BRADEN:Pretty sure “orchestrate real-life” is an oxymoron.
STEFANIE:No one has to know that. If we can persuade Harm and Riff to pretend for just a few months until their albums release, I bet we can DOUBLE record sales for the label AND we can probably release a shared EP with all the diss tracks.
BRADEN:I don’t know …
STEFANIE:What if I told you I already ran this idea by Charles?
BRADEN:You didn’t …
STEFANIE:I did. And guess what? HE LOVED IT. In fact, he said if we can pull this off and indeed double the projected record sales for both albums, you and I will each receive a $20k bonus on top of commission.
BRADEN:No way.
STEFANIE:Way.
BRADEN…
BRADEN:You’re not messing with me?
STEFANIE:Would I mess with you?
BRADEN:I have no idea. I’ve only barely talked to you a handful of times. WOULD you?
STEFANIE:I wouldn’t.
BRADEN…
BRADEN:What do you need from me?
She Lit a Fire and Now She’s in My Every Thought
RIFF
