Sadie slung her spoon on to the counter with unnecessary vigor. “So. You’re the chick who RJ thinks can turn his script around,” she said as if Ralf wasn’t talking. Her voice was surprisingly deep for someone so short, with a thick Texan accent.
“Hi, y-yes, Lucie,” I stammered. “Looking forward to getting stuck in.”
“Not sure I am,” Sadie said. “I just don’t know what business someone like you has coming in on a project this late. I mean, who are you?”
“Hey,” Ralf said gently. “Let’s give her a break.”
I gave him a grateful smile.
Sadie raised defensive hands. “I’m not being difficult. But you know what it took to get this meeting.”
“I do, I do,” he placated Sadie then turned to me. “What Sadie means is, we’re just curious about your experience?”
Sadie muttered mutinously behind him, and I gulped. This was starting to feel like an interrogation. “Well, I’m an assistant to—”
Ralf shook his head. “Oh, we know what youdo, what I mean is how many scripts have you written or edited?”
“Outside of university projects, this is my first,” I replied honestly.
Ralf’s smile stretched. “As in … but you … I mean, surely you trained under another writer, or … ?”
“Not so much,” I said.
“Huh. RJ has brought in a total newbie to write his debut script.” His laugh was cryptic. “I’ll give it to him, the guy’s a maverick, no one was expecting that kind of stunt.”
“Wh-what do you mean?” Stunt? I wasn’t some kind of meaningless joke; I’d earned my way here.
“Hey, I mean nothing by it,” Ralf assured me softly. “I’m sure you’re super talented, but I – all of us – are confused by someone like yourself taking such a prominent position in RJ’s organization.”
Was Ralf annoyed I’d got a seat at the table closer to RJ than he had? I wasn’t sure as he was being so nice about it, unlike his boss. I hadn’t factored justifying my presence at RJF to anyone, I’d assumed that surely RJ’s validation was enough. “I’m hardly a newbie,” I defended myself. “Right, so yeah, maybe I don’t have lots of actual professional experience when it comes to script editing, but I’ve worked in the industry for years. I know movies! I write press releases and trade articles all the time and—”
“Oh, you’re clearly the next Nora Ephron then!” Sadie passed a hand over her eyes. “What the fuck is RJ thinking?”
I took a breath. My big break was not starting the wayI’d hoped. I hadn’t exactly expected an overtly gushing welcome parade, but I hadn’t anticipated such open hostility. It was deeply unfair; Sadie didn’t know me. But I knew enough about her to know she was influential. I had to try and not piss her off any more than she already was; she just needed to gain confidence in me. So, I bit back the snarky reply that was bubbling up from inside my jetlagged self and replied calmly, “Perhaps you should ask him.”
“Oh, I have done, believe me. If you knew what it had taken me to get RJ’s script to be considered, the kind of financing I’ve had to pull in just for the studio to consider meeting us, you’d understand my reaction,” Sadie said. “Quite frankly, sweetheart, I told RJ this and I’ll tell you, I don’t think you should be within a hundred miles of this script.”
Her words landed so hard it was like I could feel them physically, crushing my determination. What on earth could I say to that without destroying any chance of gaining their respect? They didn’t know what it had taken to get to this point, what I’d sacrificed. Thankfully, Juno edged to my side and saved me from having to respond.
“Okay, so, Lucie, how about we see if we can find RJ?” she said brightly.
I didn’t trust my voice; I merely nodded gratefully at Juno and moved out of the laser beam of Sadie’s eyes.
“Is she always like that?” I muttered to Juno once out of earshot.
“That is her on a good day,” Juno said. “Honestly, I don’t think that woman exists on the same plane as the rest of us. She certainly doesn’t sleep and I’m pretty sure she drinks baby tears for breakfast.” Just then the office phone rang, and Juno sighed. “I gotta get that.”
“I can take over for you?” Ralf offered, appearing from behind.
“Um …” Juno looked doubtful.
“It’s what, a few intros and then to RJ’s office, right?” Ralf laughed. “I can manage that.”
“No, I know you can, but—” Juno hesitated. However the phone kept on ringing, and she huffed. “Fine. I’ll be right back.” I watched in desperation as what seemed like my only ally walked away. Ralf had been somewhat civil to me, but then again, he hadn’t exactly disagreed with Sadie’s sentiment. He’d acted scornful of RJ’s decision, but here he was being helpful. I wasn’t sure what to expect from him.
Ralf beamed down at me, showing even white teeth. “Listen, I’m sorry about Sadie,” he said. “She’s super anxious about this project, you know? It’s a big deal for RJF, our biggest yet.”
I appreciated his explanation, even as I batted away the screaming imposter voice in my head telling me I had no business here. “I’m here to help,” I said weakly.
