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“Some of us have a company to run and want to settle this,” he adds.
Piss off.
“How about instead of continuing to harp on my timing, we get to work?” I turn to the director and producer. “I apologize for keeping you waiting. I’m ready.” I look back at Paxton. “Let’s discuss why we’re here.”
“I’m not working with her,” Brad blurts out, garnering everyone in the room’s attention.
“Brad—” Paxton chides, but it does no good.
“No, Paxton. She’s unprofessional, and I don’t have time for this.”
“I’m unprofessional?” It’s Teagan’s turn to chime in. “You’re a drunk!”
Paxton rubs at his temples, and I swallow a lump forming in my throat. We’ve just gotten started, and it’s already a shit show.
“Do I need to remind you both that you signed contracts?” Jeffery says, leveling them both with a hard stare.
“Which is why we are here,” Paxton interrupts, motioning between himself and me. “No one is walking.” He practically glares at Brad when he says this. “Let’s discuss the grievances like mature adults.”
Brad throws his hands up in the air. “She’s basically a kid.” He bares his teeth like an animal. “A bratty one at that.”
She glowers in his direction but doesn’t say a word. Good girl, Teagan. Show the group that the issue is Brad.
“Her age is irrelevant.” I address the group when I point this out. “I’d like to hear from Teagan about what’s going on.”
I dip my chin, signaling that she has the floor.
“The set is unsafe.” She shrugs. “I refuse to work until it is.”
“Bullshit. It’s an excuse.” Once again, Brad shows his ass, speaking out of turn and seemingly unwilling to act like an adult.
Based on the way Paxton’s jaw works back and forth, he recognizes it, too.
“Brad, is your only issue with my client that she’s not showing up to the set?”
He purses his lips, crossing his arms over his chest like an entitled jackass. “That, and she’s not prepared.”
I look over at Teagan, giving her an opportunity to rebut.
She chews on her cheeks, indicating there might be some truth in what Brad’s saying.
Great.
I’m about to speak when she finally talks. “I know my part.”
Teagan and I used to run lines together. Seeing as she’s my only client, I’ve had the time to cater to her every whim. I think something more is going on here.
Confidence maybe?
I need to talk further with her about this, but not in a room full of men who’ve been at this for far longer than her. I won’t embarrass her.
“Listen, let’s not do this.” I sit up taller. “We all want this picture to be made. The best way for that to happen is for us to shoot here and now. Don’t you agree, Jeffery, Stefan . . .?”
“There’s no question that if I tell the studio that production has halted or if we have to recast”—he looks at Brad as he continues—“the chance the film will be made is next to zero.”
“I’m sure you know what’s at stake if that happens.” My eyes remain locked on Brad, who appears to be mulling over what he’s heard.
It’s no mystery that Brad is hoping for the Oscar. This is his chance. Is he willing to throw it away because of ego? I decide to ride that train of thought and see where it takes me.
“Although you have a long career ahead of you, you won’t have many opportunities like this.”
Brad’s forehead scrunches at my words.
“Knock it off,” Paxton snaps at me, likely catching on to my antics. “If we want to replace Teagan, that’s exactly what will happen.” His sharp voice cuts me deep. “But that doesn’t mean we want to go down that route.” He says this last part to Teagan, much kinder in tone, but the threat is already there.
I know it. He knows it. Now Teagan knows it. Her part in this movie is precarious. Despite what I said, he brought this package to the studio. Her role isn’t guaranteed.
She’s easily replaceable.
With Brad at the helm, the perfect screenplay, and a well-respected, seasoned director, Teagan is the movable piece.
“I agree. No one wants that to be the outcome,” Jeffery says, offering a tight-lipped smile in Teagan’s direction.
This wouldn’t just be a massive loss for Teagan, but for me, too. I’m not typically emotional, but my future rides on her keeping this part. I tamp down the emotion building in my chest because I need to present a strong front for both Teagan and me.
“What can we do in the meantime?” I inguire, proactively. “How do we fix this?”
Jeffery shares a look with Stefan, who’s been oddly quiet this entire meeting. “In corporate America, when problems arise within the work force we do team building,” Jeffery states. “Seeing as Brad and Teagan can’t seem to work together maybe we should try this method, too.”
