INT. UBER/LYFT - DAY
DRIVER, 20-something and ERIC, 40ish, high-end suit, tie, in the back seat of the car in traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard between Beverly Hills and Century City. Pen in hand he taps on the briefcase in his lap as he listens. Finally:
ERIC: She's going to want a big up front, back end points, editorial input, perks that would embarrass Cleofuckingpatra and, the shit in the sandwich, that douche bag boyfriend of hers on set, which we know damn well Carl will not abide. Unless, to state the obvious, he can fuck her, which history shows is entirely possible if not probable. Which gets back to the editorial input that he'll listen to, nod his head at, then shoot whatever the hell he wants. I heard, by the way, she wanted a writing credit for a line change and threatened to quit if she didn't get it.
That Howard thing, I can't think of the name of it, Buffalo something-or other, and no she did not when her attorney reminded her of her contract and the cost of changing terms.
Listen, it's not my money and if it were, to be honest, I don't know. China fucking loves her tits, which, by way, per a photo I saw in The Reporter, are getting younger.
The Maine coon. I like that. Yeah, I called his agent, got voicemail, asked her to call.
Soledad Garcia, Chicago. Area code, anyway. You'll remember I told you the word is he wants nothing to do with movies, which may well be the case given that he doesn't do interviews, but it's worth the conversation, if we get that, and who knows, the right director and a shitload of cash might sway. I'll get back to you with further development.
On the way to Santa Monica for lunch with Duane and Deirdre.
I will.
Ciao.
(He pockets pen and phone, sits up nearer driver, eyes in the rearview)
Maybe left at Overland, right on Pico to the ten?
DRIVER: Will do.
Driver signals, makes lane change to the left. Eric opens briefcase, takes a hit off vape. FAINT SIREN. Eric takes another hit, puts vape back in briefcase, sighs, looks out window at HOMELESS MAN WITH DOG pushing a grocery cart loaded with aluminum cans along sidewalk.