Maria looked up as the mailroom clerk barged into the room blathering about real history. Oh gods. Another one of those.

Bob perked up immediately. "Real history?" He rose and walked over to the newcomer. "You’re interested in history? In accuracy?" He took her hand, looked deeply into her eyes and asked, "What did Romans eat for breakfast?"

The newcomer blinked. "Um… in what year?"

"Late Republic."

"Uh… watered wine. A slice of bread. And maybe a piece of fruit but probably not."

Bob nodded slowly. "What did they make corsets out of during the Civil War?"

"American or British?"

Angela smiled. "Bob's in love."

"Indeed." Maria nodded. "What's your name, kid?"

"Colleen MacNamara."

Angela looked the young woman up and down. "Nice get up. I like the hair too. I hope you don't have plans for the afternoon, because I'd like you to accompany me and Oherra here on a little frolic and detour."

"Excuse me?" Colleen clearly was confused. "What do you mean?"

"I'm pitching to C. Lou Le Sexec in about an hour. Maria's done the précis. But she can't accompany us." Angela looked over at the older woman apologetically.

"Why not?" asked the newcomer.

"Oh, I have FAR too much experience and too many credits to be taken seriously as a writer anymore." Maria smiled somewhat bitterly. "It's how the system works, dear. All pitches must be made by people under age thirty. Even better if you're under twenty-two. If the trend keeps going in this direction, I suppose we'll be recruiting pitch artists from middle schools soon."

Angela nudged Bob. "Wake up! You can't keep staring at New Girl here. It's not polite, even if she IS attractive."

Bob's sidelong look was definitely annoyed. "Be nice. It wouldn't hurt to include her as part of the team. You people are not in tune with history. We'll need somebody like Colleen here to assist with Sword of Vengeance."

"Well, it would be more to the point if YOU were in tune with REALITY. However, I already SAID I want to take her to do the pitch for Le Sexec. She looks just right for the old goat." Angela turned to Colleen. "Okay, honey, here's the drill. You sit in the back of the limo with me and Oherra here. You carry a leather portfolio with a tablet in it and a Mont Blanc pen. Once we get to the BAD-TV studios, you don't talk. Not to anybody. No matter who says what to you. You don't get introduced to Le Sexec and you don’t open your mouth. However, if Le Sexec demands to be introduced, then you smile, look at him adoringly and say something sweet and sappy. You got that?"

Colleen nodded apprehensively, "But what if--"

"Oherra, listen up." Angela waited until she was sure the young man was paying attention. "You sit in the back of the limo with Colleen and me. You carry nothing. You smile at Le Sexec's personal assistant. If he wants to chat, you chat. You got that?"

Oherra nodded. "But what about--"

Angela sighed. "Why do they always want to argue?"

Colleen opened her mouth to speak, "Because--"

"That was a rhetorical question," Maria interrupted. "Don't interrupt Angela. She'll get all riled."

"Yes, ma'am." Colleen was looking slightly bewildered.

"And don’t call me ma'am!" Maria was looking more than slightly annoyed. "In THIS town you must never imply that any female is old enough to be called 'ma'am'!"

Angela waved her hand. "You two get powdered and primped. Colleen, put on some more make up. C. Lou likes that in a woman. Lots and lots of eye make up." She turned to Oherra, "You don't need any make up. But you do need to be prepared to play nice and do small talk with Tim, if he's in the mood for it."


Maria shook her head. "Colleen, don't be put off by Angela's manner. She's already got her game face on. And don't worry, she'll protect you from Louie. Anyhow, the first time, he'll want to look and not touch."

Angela cleared her throat. "Any more questions?" However, before either Oherra or Colleen could open their mouths, Angela nodded decisively and added, "Meet me at the front entrance in fifteen minutes. The limo will pick us up there."