“Thank you for coming out here,” RJ said, settling himself against his desk. “I suppose you’re wondering why I brought you over to New York in a world where Zoom calls and email exist.”
I was uncomfortably aware of Elliot’s antagonized stare. “I did wonder, yes.”
“I’m sure.” RJ gestured around the room. “What do you see?”
Oh God. I hadn’t been expecting a test. The office was a statement in quiet luxury, with the plush modular sofa and glossy black and white prints on the wall. I began to quietly panic; what he did expect me to say? “I see … someone with exquisite taste?”
“Look harder.” He seemed to be nodding towards the long wooden shelves adorning one side of the room, which were laden with multiple trophies and certificates. I saw the Palme d’Or from his second movie,All the Brides, as well as several Spirit Awards and, of course, his Golden Globe.
“You’ve got an impressive collection of awards,” I said.
“Yes,” he preened. “But … what isn’t there?”
I noticed a foot-long gap in the center of the shelf, directly behind his desk. It was clearly earmarked for something significant, but what? I took a punt. “Um, no Oscar?”
“No Oscar!” he repeated savagely, his cheeks reddening. “You and I are about to change that.”
“You and … me?” I gulped.
“We’re going to make the perfect script.” RJ beamed. “Your savvy, Elliot’s poetry, and my vision? We’re going to create magic. It’s not only going to be my biggest film yet, but it’s also going to get me that statue.”
I felt all the blood rush to my head, like I was going to float away. “You … brought me in to edit a potential Oscar script?”
“If ever there’s time for a Hail Mary.” RJ’s expression turned foreboding and he walked towards the window. “I gotta beat Rian.”
“Rian?” I asked. “As in … Rian Johnson? The director Rian Johnson?”
Behind RJ’s back, Elliot subtly rolled his eyes. “RJ, you need to get past the Rian Johnson thing.” He turned to me. “They went to USC together and RJ sees him as something of a rival. That and they have the same initials.” He shrugged. “It’s personal beef, I wouldn’t pull at this thread.”
“Knives Out?” RJ spat the movie title out as if it were poison. “More like knives in myback!”
“Okay, message received,” I told RJ. “We’re on an Oscar hunt.”
RJ leaned against the window and sipped his bubble tea pensively. “I think this script could be what clinches it.” He looked at me and snickered. “You think I’m crazy,” he said. “Elliot sure does.”
“I’ve never said that,” Elliot retorted.
“Not to my face,” RJ said.
“Of course not to your face, I kept it to myself like a true professional,” Elliot said.
“Ah, you’re not far wrong,” RJ said with a sigh, ambling back over to us. “Look, Lucie, when I saw your report, it felt like a sign. Like, I didn’t care who this person from Londonwas or wasn’t, as the case may be. That was the voice I needed to hear, the type of voice I’ve not been hearing so far.”
“I thought you just wanted me to do some polishing, an edit here, an apostrophe there.” Damp patches of anxiety sweat were already forming. “Lin didn’t mention that this is your shot at an Oscar.” I might as well return home to Lin now and beg her not to fire me.
“Sadie worked night and day to get me a chance to pitch,” RJ went on, seemingly unaware of my minor breakdown. “We’ve got just over a month to go and I’m not happy.”
“It’s close enough,” Elliot said. “Janice is a huge fan of yours, she’ll buy it as is.”
“You’re talking about Janice Kittredge,” I realized. Janice Kittredge was an iconic studio head, famed for her ability to nurture new talent while keeping a tight hand on the purse strings. She’d overseen some of my favorite movies.
“Yes,” RJ said. “Her studio is distributing my movieAll Kinds of Killing, which premieres in a matter of weeks. She’s been a rock. Which is why I want to blow her away.” RJ came up behind Elliot and slapped him on the back. “You’re in good hands. This kid. Saw his film at Tribeca and knew he was on track to be something special.”
“And a mere ten years later …” Elliot rumbled.
“Ha! He’s also really funny,” RJ said, slapping Elliot’s back again, but this time so hard Elliot skidded forward in his seat. “So you and El are about to become best buddies, because you are going to be joined at the hip for the next few weeks.”
I looked at Elliot expectantly, only to see his face darken with irritation. I cleared my throat. “Best buddies? Really?”
