50
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
We’re continuing on now with the conversation
between Charlotte and that Jake guy from page 48.
I could’ve just continued on to page 49, but I couldn’t
wait to throw in that spicy stuff from the previous page.
CHARLOTTE
And I’ll tell you something
else, Mister. I’ve got some
big plans for some of the
amenities around that
place, as well.
One in particular.
JAKE
Okay, I’m intrigued.. Are
you going to let me in
on your little secret?
CHARLOTTE
(animated)
Okay.. How ’bout this…
I want to build the biggest,
most stupendous water park
in the entire world… I always
loved water parks when I
was a kid… Whether it’s indoors
or outdoors, I’m not sure yet..
but I wanna build it…
If it’s outdoors— maybe
we could have the guests slide
down the slide at the end of the
hallway from the third floor…
Something like that…
What do you think?
JAKE
(somewhat stunned)
Well… It’s certainly ambitious..
I’ll give you that! … You have
a wonderfully, creative mind,
Charlotte… How do you find
the time to think of all of this
stuff and still produce and star
in a T.V. show?
CHARLOTTE
Well, to be honest with you,
I resigned from my
producer’s position.
JAKE
Really?
CHARLOTTE
Oh, yeah, I couldn’t take
it anymore. It was brutal.
They just pile so much
stuff on you if they think
you can handle it..
It was too much.
JAKE
Weren’t you under contract?
CHARLOTTE
I was… But I took some
advice from my ingenious
bandmate and went to one
of the executives and pleaded
my case… It was
easier than I thought.
JAKE
Well, I’m glad you got
that resolved… I’m happy for
you if that’s what you wanted.
CHARLOTTE
Oh, definitely so.
JAKE
And I think your water
park idea is a hit.
CHARLOTTE
(excited)
You think so?!!
JAKE
Yes, I do.
CHARLOTTE
(shrieks)
Ohhh!! I feel so alive when
I talk about this stuff!! …
And I’ll tell you something
else, too… With my connections,
I can draw some of the top acts
in showbusiness as well. Especially
rock bands. We’ll have three stages…
maybe four.. and I’ll have the
biggest acts in each one of them!
Aahh!!! It’ll be incredible!! I’m so
excited! Someday, they’re going
to make a documentary about
me… Just me.
JAKE
(trying to curb her enthusiasm)
Charlotte…
CHARLOTTE
Oh, I know, I know,
stop getting ahead of
yourself.. I know.. but it’s
just gotta’ work.. It has to. I’ve
been dreaming of something
like this for a long time.
This will really put my stamp
on the business world.. Don’t
ya’ see? Women in the business
world are just so few and far
between… It has to come true…
It just has to.
JAKE
Charlotte, I’m the biggest fan
in your camp on this one..
Really, I am.. You’ve got
to know that.. I just don’t
want to be one of the ones
you blame if… you know?
CHARLOTTE
Oh, God, Jake, no!
I would never think that in
a million years! Are you
kidding me?! You’ve
been an absolute angel
up to this point. Don’t
even think of such a thing!
JAKE
(relieved)
Okay… Thank you…
But, I wanna be the first
one to see the look on
your face when they give
you the approval to go ahead..
Can you do that for me?
CHARLOTTE
You’ll be the first
to know, darling.
JAKE
Thank you. (pauses) So…
I guess you’re almost through
with the filming for this
year. Am I right about that?
CHARLOTTE
You are! Very astute observation.
Today and tomorrow, and that’s it!
Barring any unforeseen circumstances,
that should be it. Well.. maybe a little
bit on Saturday, but, yeah, we
are done, baby… We’d better be.
Jane has plane tickets to Hawaii
on Monday. Can’t screw that up.
JAKE
Any big plans for you?
CHARLOTTE
Me? Nah.. just the usual
stuff.. Post production
meetings and stuff like
that… Then it’s back to the
grindstone for me.
JAKE
That’s too bad… Sounds
like you could use a break.
Ya’ know?… Let off a
little steam?
CHARLOTTE
I like my steam right
where it is, thank you…
But.. thank you for your
concern.. I appreciate that.
JAKE
Any time.
CHARLOTTE
Besides, someone has to
hold down the fort… Jane’s
off to Hawaii, Belinda’s
off to Australia, Gina’s going
home to Baltimore to
see her family.. and Kathy…
Well.. Kathy always has
me a little worried.
JAKE
Oh?.. Sounds personal.
CHARLOTTE
It is… Let’s just say..
she likes to stick her nose
in places where
it doesn’t belong.
JAKE
Hmm, okay… I guess I’ll
leave it at that… Look, I’d
love to stick around and chat
forever, Charlotte, but I really
do have to get going.. (hugging)
Good luck with your casino
plans… If anyone can make
this happen, it’s you, Charlotte.
You’ve really got everything
going for you.
CHARLOTTE
Ohh, thank you so much, Jake…
Thank you, thank you…
I couldn’t have made it
this far without your help.
I can’t thank you enough.
JAKE
Well, you just did with
that hug… I’ll make sure
your application gets
submitted, okay, and
then I’ll be in touch.
CHARLOTTE
Thank you so much, Jake.
Take care.
JAKE
And good luck with
that whole… Kathy thing.
CHARLOTTE
(closing the door and chuckling)
Thanks…
I know what to do.
JAKE
Ba- bye.
CHARLOTTE
Bye.
Charlotte closes
the door and
whispers to
herself…
CHARLOTTE
Yeah, I know what to do…
I know how to take care
of Kathy… and her
little friend, too.