EXT. Balboa Pier - Newport Beach, CA - Day
Ransom sits at a café table on the boardwalk. He’s reading from the day’s newspaper, sipping at a latté just like every other jackass yuppie in Orange County, California. He folds up the paper and places it on the table before him. He bought the camerawoman her choice of scone.
- “If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.” I too wish Miss Parker’s Vicious Circle were still a part of out of world. But she’s dead. Just like most of the past.
A more southern beach has replaced the hazy scene of day’s pasts. The Fahrenheit rises and the Santa Ana winds wreck havoc. Ransom lifts his gaze from the camera to the stage left. A blonde hair man, some call a hero, a perfect one – Jeffery Drake – enters frame. He’s slightly out of breath, and his sweatshirt shows stains of sweat. He flops down in a seat next to Ransom.
- MOST of the past. Which is what brings us to the point of sharing a video with you find fellow peers today. Dear – Mr. Sable – where’s the red carpet? You’ve had upwards of twenty-four hours to make the appropriate accommodations for your future superstar. Sure – we haven’t filled out an official application – and we haven’t filled out the correct press identification – our lawyers have not yet talked with you about the nature of our appearance bonuses – or about our necessity to make back the eight-hundred thousand dollars in the form of entertainment. As far as we know – you may want Mr. Drake here to borrow a page out of the sorry career of Matt Attict and juggle flaming penguins in front of a sold out crowd for a thousand bucks a night.
The non-juggler looks up sternly at Ransom.
- But that’s not what he wants to do – that’s not what the fans want – and regardless of your true feelings for him and our family – it isn’t what you want either. This is a business opportunity. And you should stop sitting on your ass and do something about it.
Drake stands up from his chair and does some leg stretches.
- So I implore you – make the right choice. Pick an opponent, willing or not, for our perfect hero. Allow Jeffery to remind those of what used to be – that all the past is not dead and there’s no reason to ignore it. Pick someone new and bright who claims they don’t know what’s going on. Just do it. Hold out your hand – we’ll shake it – everything will be copasetic.
Drake jogs off down the boardwalk as Ransom unfolds his newspaper.
- Remember, he won’t be in your hair long – don’t worry. Just need to make back that eight hundred thousand – wait. Sorry, forgot to tally in this morning’s brunch and this drink – we’re billing it to the CWA. Don’t worry. He’ll work it off.
Ransom nods to the camerawoman and the shot fades out.
