Laurie closes the office door behind her. She digs into takeout containers, stabbing her food with flimsy plastic silverware.
“You're doing great,” she says. “I can tell you're putting in a lot of work. I'm glad we went with you.”
“Were you doubtful?” I ask.
“Of course not.”
“You're lying,” I say. “You're not a good liar.”
“Okay, okay,” she says. “I had heard the rumors, and I was worried. I am worried. I can't have my lead actress pulling out for any reason, even her health.”
“I understand,” I say. “It won't be a problem.”
“But that's all stern showrunner Laurie. Friend Laurie wants to know how you're feeling about your first week back in the saddle.”
“You sure that isn't showrunner Laurie also?” I ask.
“Let's say 50/50.”
“It was exhausting,” I say. “But amazing.”
“Have you managed to have any semblance of a life?”
“A little.”
“Hobbies are the first thing to go during production. Then it's friends, then working out, sleep, calling your parents. Eventually your boyfriend leaves you and you're a zombie all weekend, unable to focus on anything but the TV.”
I smile. She's worse than I am.
“Ugh, what is that smile? Am I that pathetic?”
“No, it's cute.”
She finishes her glass and tops us off. “I don't want to hit this
point again, but…Well, you don't need to lose weight. Absolutely don't. But the network wouldn't even consider making Marie Jane a former plus-size model, so…”
“You don't have to tip-toe around it,” I say. “I get it. Stay hot.”
“Basically.”
“My agent tries to call me a 'luscious blonde.'”
“Oh, luscious, I like it,” she says. “But I'm going to stop now. Be healthy. Be sane enough to make it through the next three months.”
“Is that working for you?”
“I'm rambling to—are we friends or colleagues or what?”
“Friends,” I say.
“I'm rambling to my friend and I've only drank…” she looks into her empty cup. “Okay, I've drunk a lot of melon liquor. Jesus, you must think I'm crazy.”
I shake my head. “I don't exactly have a lot of friends,” I say.
“Yeah, but you've got the rich boyfriend.”
“He's not rich, and he's a lawyer. Busier than I am.”