Jul.

18

Magnolia Girls: `“power play”`

FADE IN:

EXTERIOR: WASHINGTON, DC–DAY

An aerial view of Washington, DC traveling up the Potomac River passed the 14th Street bridge, Jefferson, Washington, and Lincoln memorials.

MAYLEE (V.O.)

If people move to L.A. for fame, and New York for fortune, why do people move to D.C.? One word: Power. Power is the driving impulse in this town that forces perfectly sane people to form unholy alliances with their enemies. Everyone in D.C. is your friend or at least they describe you that way as they strategically place a knife in your back. As that old R & B song goes smiling faces tell lies and they hide the truth. The thing is everyone in D.C. knows this, but they play the game anyway because success in this town is the ultimate power play.

CUT TO:

ALDEN is at her desk reading the Washington Post article on the Trent Reyes press conference.

MAYLEE (V.O.)
There’s the power of the press to tell the story you want them to tell.

CUT TO:

COLLIN is standing in front of a full-length mirror in her bedroom trying on sexy dresses.

MAYLEE (V.O.)
There is the power of a second chance at a career you thought you had lost.

CUT TO:

JORDAN in his congressional office working at his desk. CLOSE UP of a black and white photo of Jordan with his father.

MAYLEE (V.O.)
There is power in being apart of a political dynasty, but wanting to carve a different path and become your own man.

CUT TO:

MARISA walking through the department store with her ASSISTANT who is taking notes as they check the mannequins on display.

MAYLEE (V.O.)
There is the power of gambling your friendships no matter what the costs.

CUT TO:

The aging FOOTBALL PLAYER is on the the practice field getting tackled, falling down and getting back up rather slowly.

MAYLEE (V.O.)
There is power in knowing when your career in this town is over and knowing when to move on.

INTERIOR: THE MONTROSE HOTEL –DAY

MAYLEE and VERONICA are having breakfast in the restaurant.

MAYLEE (V.O.)
And there is the power of the mother-daughter relationship that’s best solved over a series of complex early morning negotiations.

VERONICA
Your father would be so proud of what you’ve accomplished here.
I know that I am.

MAYLEE
If that’s a sincere complement, mother then thank you.

VERONICA
Maylee, don’t start. Look, I realize that I haven’t been Carol Brady, but I like to think that I’ve been there for you when it mattered.

MAYLEE
I’m not disputing that and I don’t want to re-litigate it either. You’re here now because you want my cooperation with your book, right?

VERONICA
I won’t submit it without your permission. I mean that. And yes, I need your buy-in.
(passing the manuscript across the table)
Please read the draft and include any notes. Can you do that for me?

MAYLEE
(slightly annoyed)
Do I really have a choice, mother?

VERONICA
You’re frustrated with me? Or is your mood this morning more about the fact that you are dating the hottest political candidate in a decade?

MAYLEE
We’re not dating. Well…not officially anyway. But, I wake up every morning expecting to read about us in the Reliable Source and that scares me. I just don’t know what to do. In my heart he has everything that I want in a partner, but my head tells me that I would be miserable in a relationship with him. I am not a politician’s wife by any stretch and you know that.

VERONICA
Well, my dear there are plenty of women in this country who want him and would gladly play the role of doting spouse, so you need to be absolutely certain before you release the hook.

INTERIOR: DEPARTMENT STORE WAREHOUSE–DAY

MARISA is searching a long aisle stacked to the brim with boxes in search of a VIP shipment. OMAR, the Warehouse Manager is assisting her by searching another aisle nearby.

MARISA
(yelling)
Omar, what’s the number again?

OMAR walks up behind MARISA and she is a bit uncomfortable.

OMAR
C762 342 X753.

MARISA mouths the number to herself as she scans the boxes on a shelf.

MARISA
If it were admitted, it would be right here.
I guess I’ll call New York and find out if there was a delay in the shipment date or an inaccurate shipping number.

OMAR
I’ll continue to look and I’ll ask the staff if they remember receiving the boxes. Marisa, I’ve missed you. When can I see you again?

MARISA
I told you, Omar I can’t risk my job.
I think you’re great, but you work for me.

OMAR
What do you think? I’ll file a harassment suit?
Come on, Marisa. You know me better than that.

MARISA
I can’t ever be sure of that, can I?
And, I’m sorry, but I can’t take that chance.

OMAR
Or is this more about me not being suitable to your friends?

MARISA
(shaking her head)
Really, Omar? Really?

MARISA walks away as OMAR throws up his hands in frustration.

INTERIOR: BLUE’S ALLEY GEORGETOWN–NIGHT

MAYLEE, ALDEN, and MARISA are sitting at a table center stage in a room packed to capacity.

MAYLEE
(looking around the room)
I can’t believe this crowd.
And the level of excitement…I’m so happy for Collin.

MARISA
Me too. I’m so nervous for her.

ALDEN
This is what she’s wanted for so long.
Her sacrifice has lead to this night.
She’s so ready for this, don’t you think?

MARISA
Absolutely.
Guys, I have to tell you something.
I ran into Cameron in New York.

MAYLEE
Oh, my God.

ALDEN
And…

MARISA
And…we had drinks…and we talked.

MAYLEE
How is he?

MARISA
Single. He’s no longer with the beauty queen.

ALDEN
So, he and Gabby are…

MARISA
Yep.

MAYLEE
Wow. That’s interesting.
Things may be finally changing for Collin in a huge way.

ALDEN
You may be right.
Tonight truly is a new beginning for her.

JORDAN makes his way through the crowd to the ladies’ table.

JORDAN
Good evening, ladies. Can I join you?

ALDEN
(smiling coyly)
Well, Jordan Lowell.
What brings you to our neck of the woods?

JORDAN
The beautiful Maylee invited me.

MAYLEE blushes.

MARISA
Well, the beautiful Maylee failed to tell us you were coming,
but we’re happy you’re here.
Please, pull up a chair, Congressman.

JORDAN
You’re so quiet Maylee…how are you?

MAYLEE
I’m just taking it all in. How are you?

JORDAN
Happy to be here.
And it appears I am just in time.

JORDAN takes his seat just as JAKE walks onto the stage.

JAKE
Ladies and gentlemen, Blues Alley is proud to present, back by popular demand, the melodic sounds of the one and only, Collin Hayes!

MAYLEE, ALDEN, MARISA and JORDAN cheer and clap as the spotlight swirls around the room and lands center stage where COLLIN is standing looking absolutely breathtaking with her band mates behind her.

COLLIN
Inseparable.
That’s how we’ll always be.
Inseparable.
Just you and me.
It’s so wonderful to know that you’ll always be around.

CLOSE UP on MAYLEE, ALDEN and JORDAN smiling proudly. Then a CLOSE UP of MARISA looking a bit anxious as COLLIN’S voice rises above the applause of the entire audience.

FADE OUT:

Disclosure: Magnolia Girls™ is a work of fiction written by Yolanda, editor of Zavvi Rodaine.com. Any similarities to past or present events or people living or dead is purely coincidental. Magnolia Girls™ may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used without prior written permission of Yolanda, editor of Zavvi Rodaine.com.