a long table set for thirteen. White candles dance in crystal bowls and one half of the table, the side facing the windows, enjoyed a spectacular view of the darkening, post-sunset sky. Roger had dictated seating and had placed Josh and Madison in the middle of the table, with their backs to the windows, next to each other thankfully, facing him. This would be a long dinner, Josh realized. Madison would not even make eye contact with him as he pulled out her chair. Marty sat directly across from Josh, next to Roger. This entire meal, Josh realized, would be devoted to forcing Madison to do a screen test.
“Stunning, just stunning,” Roger said, and Josh nodded as he sat down, assuming the producer was noticing the sunset. But he wasn’t. He was transfixed on Madison, gaping at her as if she were the only woman left on earth; the only person of consequence in the room. Josh realized that to Roger, she was, at least until she agreed to whatever plan he’d concocted.
Two waiters moved along the table offering a choice of red or white wine. Josh asked for red, and then turned to make eye contact with Madison. She was ignoring him, her face buried in the menu, staring at it as if she hadn’t been the one who planned the entire event. Josh touched her leg under the table, and she pulled it away.
Roger raised his wine glass. “A toast. To beautiful Laguna Beach and its locals, and to a productive shoot this week. I’d say we’ve come to the right place. I’m personally excited about the addition of Ms. Alcott to the team,” he said. “Cheers.”
Josh looked at Madison, whose face was flushed, her eyes narrowed. “I’m glad you’re here at the resort. Enjoy your meal. Cheers,” she said, her voice quiet but calm, her anger simmering just below the surface.
As the men at the table began to place their dinner orders, conversations divided into each end of the table, leaving the four of them as if on an island, Marty and Roger circling Madison like sharks.
“I understand your reluctance to do reality TV, dear,” Marty said, his green eyes shining. “But this is scripted. A travel show and you’re a travel industry professional. Roger and I both agree you’d give Josh a certain credibility. I mean, this guy doesn’t know this world.” Marty used his hands to indicate the room, the resort and, Josh supposed, his town.
“Bullshit, Marty, I grew up here, with a silver spoon as you’re often saying,” Josh said. “Can we just eat and let Madison think about this? She has a career, a life she’s happy with and she really doesn’t want to change it,” Josh said, patting Madison’s thigh under the table, hoping to demonstrate solidarity or something like that. His heart sank as her hand pushed his away.
“I won’t be screen testing for this show, or any show. My television days are long behind me. But thank you for asking,” Madison said quietly, her eyes dark, her lips set in a firm line. His heart went out to her, wishing he could hold her, pull her away from these men.
Roger smiled, his orange glasses reflecting the candlelight. “I’m sure you’ll reconsider. Your boss, Bob, and I have been in discussion. I’m not sure you realize but this resort is for sale. They’re very excited to have it showcased on Josh’s Journeys and they’re especially proud to know that you, a former TV actress – a fact unbeknownst to them – will be featured on the first episode. In fact, they’re rather insistent on it,” Roger said. The waiters descended like a symphony, silver platters held high, one server for each guest, placing the elegant entrees in front of each person at the same time. Roger smiled. “Bon appetite.”
Josh looked across the table at Marty, but his manager simply dropped his eyes, pretending to be absorbed in the meal. Beside him, he could feel Madison’s anger pulsing through the air. She was too much of a professional to have a disagreement in front of the restaurant staff and the
“Stunning, just stunning,” Roger said, and Josh nodded as he sat down, assuming the producer was noticing the sunset. But he wasn’t. He was transfixed on Madison, gaping at her as if she were the only woman left on earth; the only person of consequence in the room. Josh realized that to Roger, she was, at least until she agreed to whatever plan he’d concocted.
Two waiters moved along the table offering a choice of red or white wine. Josh asked for red, and then turned to make eye contact with Madison. She was ignoring him, her face buried in the menu, staring at it as if she hadn’t been the one who planned the entire event. Josh touched her leg under the table, and she pulled it away.
Roger raised his wine glass. “A toast. To beautiful Laguna Beach and its locals, and to a productive shoot this week. I’d say we’ve come to the right place. I’m personally excited about the addition of Ms. Alcott to the team,” he said. “Cheers.”
Josh looked at Madison, whose face was flushed, her eyes narrowed. “I’m glad you’re here at the resort. Enjoy your meal. Cheers,” she said, her voice quiet but calm, her anger simmering just below the surface.
As the men at the table began to place their dinner orders, conversations divided into each end of the table, leaving the four of them as if on an island, Marty and Roger circling Madison like sharks.
“I understand your reluctance to do reality TV, dear,” Marty said, his green eyes shining. “But this is scripted. A travel show and you’re a travel industry professional. Roger and I both agree you’d give Josh a certain credibility. I mean, this guy doesn’t know this world.” Marty used his hands to indicate the room, the resort and, Josh supposed, his town.
“Bullshit, Marty, I grew up here, with a silver spoon as you’re often saying,” Josh said. “Can we just eat and let Madison think about this? She has a career, a life she’s happy with and she really doesn’t want to change it,” Josh said, patting Madison’s thigh under the table, hoping to demonstrate solidarity or something like that. His heart sank as her hand pushed his away.
“I won’t be screen testing for this show, or any show. My television days are long behind me. But thank you for asking,” Madison said quietly, her eyes dark, her lips set in a firm line. His heart went out to her, wishing he could hold her, pull her away from these men.
Roger smiled, his orange glasses reflecting the candlelight. “I’m sure you’ll reconsider. Your boss, Bob, and I have been in discussion. I’m not sure you realize but this resort is for sale. They’re very excited to have it showcased on Josh’s Journeys and they’re especially proud to know that you, a former TV actress – a fact unbeknownst to them – will be featured on the first episode. In fact, they’re rather insistent on it,” Roger said. The waiters descended like a symphony, silver platters held high, one server for each guest, placing the elegant entrees in front of each person at the same time. Roger smiled. “Bon appetite.”
Josh looked across the table at Marty, but his manager simply dropped his eyes, pretending to be absorbed in the meal. Beside him, he could feel Madison’s anger pulsing through the air. She was too much of a professional to have a disagreement in front of the restaurant staff and the
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