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Suzie put a lot of thought into this, and she would rather be in a vast number of places than this meeting.
She’d rather be forced to go to an office Christmas party.
Or maybe a loud sports bar playing an NBA game.
Even the depths of hell would be a better option than listening to this TV director’s pitch.
She felt an elbow to her side, demanding she pay attention. Suzie gave a slight side-eye to her agent (and best friend), Onya.
“Would you be nice? This is a fantastic opportunity for you.” Onya scolded after the director left to get the PA who would be working on this project with her.
“Being a coal miner would be a better opportunity for my career than reality TV,” Suzie rebutted.
Yes, it’s true. Broadway’s upcoming darling was being forced to be the next Violet Bachorette. Suzie would have much rather had her television debut as the live version of Little Shop of Horrors than trash reality TV.
Why was she in this predicament? Oh, Onya loved to remind her of that.
“That’s why we are mindful of not comparing ourselves to Broadway legends,” Onya told her.
“I didn’t; that reporter twisted my words and made a mockery out of me,” Suzie said to defend herself.
Before Onya spoke, the director and the PA returned to the room.
“This is Jewels. She will be Suzie’s production assistant during filming.” Lisa, the director, introduced the young woman.
Jewels was around Suzie’s age, with long brown hair in a tight ponytail. She was pretty, like really pretty. Too pretty to be behind the camera instead of in front of it.
But besides that, Suzie had her focus on another issue.
“So, a babysitter?”
“What Suzie means is that this is probably a normal thing for your show,” Onya said to cover Suzie’s disinterest.
Lisa nodded with a smile, “Yes, ma’am. We use PAs for both the contestants and talent to make them more at home in the studio and comfortable with filming.”
“Exactly! You’ll be a natural in no time with me,” Jewels cheerfully said.
“How about we go down the hall to Legal to go over the contract together?” Lisa offered, and Onya said yes for her.
The four were out of the office and walked down the fluorescently lit hallway. Onya and Lisa chatted in the front, while Suzie tried to ignore Jewel's badgering on and on.
“It’s so great that you are going to be the first queer bachelorette! This is going to be amazing for the viewers at home, seeing a real-life lesbian fall in love!”
Suzie felt ice water run through her veins. She grabbed Jewels by the wrist, stopping her from talking about the growth of lesbian allyship in America.
“Listen,” she said quietly. “I don’t give a shit about falling in love. I’m only forced to be here to save my career. The faster we get through this dumb show, the faster I can get my ass back to New York.”
Jewels only blinked at her in return. Suzie was pretty sure she saw a glimmer of fear in her dark eyes, too.
Good. The last thing she needed was a production given bestie.
“Yes, of course.” Jewels finally said, walking a bit slower.
In the next few weeks, Suzie was busy not only with moving to the on-set condo, but also with the news of her spreading like wildfire. Media outlets on both coasts were begging to interview the newest Bachelorette.
At least someone was excited.
She had promo shots for the show and interviews with the biggest Broadway and entertainment news outlets. This was crazier than any tech week she suffered through.
Suzie was thankful that Onya decided to stay in LA with her. She definitely needed a friend through all this.
“Tomorrow’s the big day,” Onya told her over coffee at The Grove. The two have been exploring Los Angeles during their off days.
“I know, don’t remind me,” Suzie said in response. The thought of her becoming a reality TV star was something she grew more accustomed to. Not that she was looking forward to it, not that at all.
“What, over twenty women throwing themselves at you isn’t what you want?” Onya raised an eyebrow.
“That and cameras following every single move I make. Not unless it’s a live recording of a stage show.” Suzie answered.
Onya gave her a meaningful look across the small table. “You’ll get back to Broadway in no time, I promise.”
“I just have to suffer for a bit, huh?”
“You aren’t going to suffer,” Onya playfully rolled her eyes. “Just relax and enjoy it. And I think you and Jewels can get along well, if you’re nice to her,” she said with a wink.
Suzie pursed her lips as she silently agreed. Over the past two months, she thought about her first interaction with Jewels. Maybe her resentment over the show caused her to unfairly lash out at the PA.
“I’ve only met her once.” Suzie tried to defend herself. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
Onya raised a brow, “Don’t act like I didn’t hear what you said to her. I can talk and listen at the same time, you know.”
Suzie slumped in her seat, guilt washing over her. “Fine, I’ll apologize to her. I guess I shouldn’t have chewed her out.”
“Yes, you should,” Onya told her as she took a sip from her Americano. “You can’t be a diva on both coasts, you know.”
Over a week later, Suzie found herself on the first day of filming The Violet Bachelorette. She was nervous, but the hair and makeup ladies settled her nerves after small talk.
“The contestants are in their places, it’s time to shoot you meeting them.” Jewels appeared at her side with a clipboard and an earpiece under her hair.
Suzie bit her lip, trying not to get the lipstick off. She cleared her throat, getting Jewel’s attention. “Hey, I’m really sorry about how I acted during the meeting. I didn’t mean for us to get off on the wrong foot,” she admitted.
“It’s fine,” Jewels said, looking through her papers. “Make sure you keep yourself at an angle for the camera. The velvet on your dress needs to catch the light,” she informed her.
“I shouldn’t have been so aggressive to you. You were just doing your job and-” Suzie tried to explain, but was cut off.
“Like I’m doing now?” Jewels asked her with slight harshness in her voice. “We can chat later. We’re already behind, and you aren’t helping.”
Suzie felt a sharpness in her heart. Maybe she deserved it for how she spoke to Jewels first.
In her self-pity, Suzie felt a poke on her shoulder. The show’s host (who America and beyond couldn’t get enough of) smiled at her. At least Sasha Colby was as nice as she was on TV.
“Are you ready? The women are very excited to meet you. You certainly are very lucky,” Sasha told her.
Giving one last look at Jewels, Suzie followed Sasha to the set.
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to meeting them all,” Suzie lied, trying to shake out her nerves one last time before the cameras turned on.