Chapter 1
Summary:
Marcus tries to deal with his breakup, Deborah's revelations at her last show and his frustration at Ava coming back into the fold.
(Set in between Deborah and Ava's fight in 1.10 and the funeral)
Chapter Text
INT. PALMETTO CASINO - THEATER - NIGHT
Marcus is sitting in the middle aisle closest to backstage at Deborah’s 2500th show. He’s transfixed on the stage, his brow furrowed. What is Deborah doing?
DEBORAH (O.S.)
And on every one of those nights, I told a lot of the same jokes. But tonight, I'm not gonna tell you those same ones. Instead... I'm gonna tell you why... I told those jokes.
His eyes widen and his body looks like it almost wants to bolt out of the chair, but at the same time doesn’t want to miss a single second.
CUT TO:
INT. PALMETTO CASINO - DEBORAH’S DRESSING ROOM - LATER
Outside of Deborah’s dressing room. It’s after the show. There’s an awkward quiet backstage.
Marcus tentatively knocks on the door, prepared for the worst. That was brutal.
DEBORAH (O.S.)
Come in!
Marcus takes a deep breath and goes in. He finds her in her usual post-show routine in front of the mirror, gathering her stuff.
Marcus stands behind her, visible through her mirror, not sure what to do with his hands. He puts them in his pockets and then takes them out and smooths down his jacket then tries to put them on his side.
Her expression is neutral, it’s not clear how to make a call on her feelings. But at least there’s no yelling.
He clears his throat sensing Deborah won’t break the silence.
MARCUS
(tentatively)
Deborah that was…revelatory.
Clears his throat again, trying to find the words.
MARCUS (cont.)
Yeah, that was…a lot. It was different. So much…new. New to me.
He says the last part more quietly, trying to gauge her reaction. Finally, she looks at him through the reflection. A small smile spreads across her face.
DEBORAH
I know.
She stands up and gathers her purse. Faces him full-on. She’s standing up straighter. She seems lighter somehow. Her smile gets bigger and yet still retains that softness. Quietly pleased, almost as if by a joke only she knows.
DEBORAH (cont.)
Let’s go home.
She walks towards the door leaving Marcus stunned in her wake. No blowing up, not even frustration or sadness at how badly she bombed. He shook his head and went after her, as he always does.
She was in a state, in the 20 years of knowing her, he had never seen on her before: peace.
PLAYING: Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
INT. DEBORAH’S MANSION - MARCUS’S OFFICE - A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER
Marcus is working at his desk on his computer.
CUT TO:
Marcus’s screen where we can see he’s editing his email signature. He erases ‘COO’ to ‘CEO’.
CUT TO:
Marcus pauses before he accepts the changes to his signature. His brow furrows and he sighs deeply, not completely sure how to feel about it. Before he can contemplate further, Deborah comes in looking at her phone. Worry creasing her face, a little out of breath, as though she had hustled her way over from the other side of the house.
DEBORAH
Marcus, please ask Damien to book me a place in Waltham for the next couple of days for Tuesday. Av-Ava’s father…
He only slightly raises his eyebrow at the woman they’d dare not mention the past few days. He hadn’t filed any paperwork waiting for Deborah to break her silence on what had ultimately happened between them. The assumption: nothing good.
Jimmy briefly mentioned at the afterparty that Ava’s dad had taken a turn and that he and Kayla walked into some kind of confrontation between Deborah and Ava. He knew prying got him nowhere with Deborah, but it was still annoying to be in the dark. It was literally his business to know! But still, he bit his tongue.
DEBORAH (cont.)
He passed away.
Marcus’s eyes softened, for the first time in sympathy for the young woman. Her shoulders slumped at that, a hair falling out of place at the heavy breath she let out. Sadness and worry were all over her face. She points to her phone, one hand on her forehead.
DEBORAH (cont.)
Kiki just told me. His funeral is on Tuesday. I want to be there. I need to be there.
Marcus stiffened at that. His face going a little colder, more distant. His mind went back to a few years ago when his father passed away. Deborah had sent orchids. His mother had commented how beautiful they were. Marcus had gone all by himself. At the time, still estranged from his mother so walking into a grief-laden situation more complicated by family estrangement and anger was even harder to deal with. Deborah had never offered to go with him. Not a single indication she had even been thinking about it. At the time, he didn’t take it too personally even though he telepathically wanted to communicate he wanted her there. He knew it was pointless to ask. That was her rule.
…Or at least it was. Until Ava. He clenched his jaw and didn’t look directly at Deborah.
MARCUS
(quietly)
Yeah, yeah, I’ll tell him.
Oblivious to his inner turmoil, Deborah nodded, went back to her phone, and walked out of the room.
The only sound Deborah’s heels echoing across the hall as Marcus remained frozen. His jaw still clenched. For once, not hopping immediately at Deborah’s request.
EXT. GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT - A COUPLE OF MORE DAYS LATER
Marcus is loading grocery bags into his car when his phone rings. It’s Damien.
He holds the phone to the side of his face as he loads the last of the bags.
MARCUS
What’s the damage?
DAMIEN (V.O.)
(a little high-pitched)
Ummm, not as bad as it could be. The responses from fans so far are a mix of ‘yaas girl tell your truth’ to confusion to ‘I knew it’. Some think it’s just a fluke, something new Deborah is just trying out, and they hope and I quote “hope she goes back to being a-“ Am I allowed to say the c-word? I’m a guy so I don’t think I can reclaim that so I won’t. “Hope she goes back to being a c-word because that’s what I like about her”.
(a beat)
…So you know, overall the reactions are super mixed.
Marcus sighs. Slamming the car door a little harder than necessary when he gets in.
MARCUS
When Deborah gets back from Boston, we’ll reconvene and plan our next steps. Continuing to build out our empire while planning for the longer-term goal of getting Deborah another residency is my thinking.
DAMIEN
You’re the boss. Congrats, by the way, forgot to say that, my bad.
Marcus is not sure how happy he is about his promotion, but he tries not to show it.
MARCUS
Thank you. Talk to you later.
INT. MARCUS’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NEXT AFTERNOON
A wrestling match is playing on his TV which he’s barely paying attention to as he’s busy organizing some papers.
His phone rings and he pauses the match. Finally, hearing from Deborah after silence since she left.
MARCUS
Hey.
CUT TO:
INT. WALTHAM HOTEL ROOM
Deborah sits out on the balcony. A light breeze.
DEBORAH
Hey.
Marcus’s face softens in sympathy.
MARCUS
How’s Ava doing?
DEBORAH
(sighs)
Oh…you know.
Marcus nods, he does know.
DEBORAH (cont.)
She’ll be alright. Eventually. However, what I called you for was to tell you that I want to take this new show out on the road and Ava has agreed to come back and help me with it. I was thinking we’d start in Ariz-
Marcus’s brow furrows, completely confused by the turn, and this new plan she didn’t discuss with him beforehand.
MARCUS
Deb-
DEBORAH
(interrupts)
I know you’ve had your reservations, but Ava and I will polish things and we’ll make it really shine. I just know it.
MARCUS
Deborah.
He says this more sharply, grabbing her attention and causing her to pause. He takes a pause, trying to be calmer.
MARCUS (cont.)
Deborah…I know there’s a lot of unknowns right now.
Her face saddens a little at that. There’s no denying it. Life post-residency was full of unknowns.
MARCUS
And you know I’m going to do everything in my power to set you up right. To set you up sustainably. You and I can work together to come up with a long-term plan of what to do next. And we’ll do it based on what’s worked. We have some classic tried and tested ways-
DEBORAH
I appreciate that, but I really want to go ahead with this tour. We’ll work out the kinks on the road. I think this is going to be really good, Marcus. For me but for the business too.
He gritted his teeth at that. Shaking his head. He tries a different tactic.
MARCUS
What about Ava? Maybe she needs some time off.
DEBORAH
I talked to her. She admitted being busy would help her. You and I are like that too.
He winced at being compared to Ava at all.
DEBORAH (cont.)
Like I said, she’ll be alright. I want you to call everyone so we can have a meeting sketch out all the details. We’ll be heading back to Vegas tomorrow.
MARCUS
We’ll talk in the next couple of days.
Deborah nods content feeling he conceded. She hangs up.
Marcus shakes his head throwing his phone further down the couch. He unmutes the TV to drown out all his thoughts with the wrestling match.
EXT. MARCUS’S HOUSE - PATIO - LATER THAT EVENING
PLAYING: Mildred Bailey’s "I’ll Close My Eyes"
Marcus is lying on his lawn chair staring at the stars. He takes a sip of the scotch he’s sitting on his chest, wincing as he does. He actually doesn’t like scotch but it’s a hard liquor kind of night.
A couple of beats. He drums his fingers on the glass. He looks up wistfully.
MARCUS
I wonder what the night sky looks like at Zion right now.
A beat.
MARCUS (cont.)
The bugs would’ve also been fucking huge so…
He sniffs and holds back the tears. His throat bobs up in emotion. Takes another sip, winces again.
A long day tomorrow and no use dwelling on what could’ve beens. He takes one last look at the sky and goes back into the house to go to sleep.
Chapter 2
Summary:
Ava tries, and fails, to dig herself out of the hole she's put herself in with the email as her and Deborah prepare for the tour.
Notes:
Fic playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5yMkNfEs9XRVWf28stdym1?si=99ae4a9bb6844d66&pt=821ce09f28614507d9880eef64baf035
Chapter Text
INT. PRIVATE JET - AFTERNOON
CLOSE ON: Ava’s legs are shaking and she’s vigorously rubbing her hands together. All that can be heard is the humming of the jet engine and Ava’s legs bouncing up and down. Ava is so fucked and she knows it. She feels like she’s going to vomit up all her guts.
OFF SCREEN, a small snore. Ava looks over at her and jumps a bit at the sound. Anything likely to set off Ava’s nerves at this point. It’s just Deborah having dozed off. She tries to relax once she sees there’s no danger. At least not yet.
She closes her eyes and bangs her head against her headrest.
AVA:
(quietly)
Fuck.
Still, a few more hours until they land.
Ava looks over again at Deborah making sure she’s asleep and quietly removes herself from her chair, eyes still on her. She backs up slowly still keeping her eyes on Deborah’s sleeping form. Once she feels she’s in the clear, she turns and tries to silently book it to the bathroom.
INT. PRIVATE JET - BATHROOM
CUT TO: Looking at Ava from above in the bathroom. She closes the door with a sharp click.
CLOSE ON her face as she presses against the door, breathing heavily with her eyes closed. Her body trembling, trying to stave off a panic attack. Suddenly, she moves to the toilet just in time to vomit. It’s mostly bile and spit as she hasn’t eaten much the past few days. She coughs out a couple more times, nothing more coming up. Her hand mindlessly goes off to the side for tissue paper. Wipes her mouth and throws it into the toilet. Flushes. She slumps down on her side in the fetal position staring at the wall. She wants to stay forever, but knows she can’t. She shakily gets back up, rinses out her mouth, and heads back out.
INT. PRIVATE JET
Ava walks back to her seat, seeing Deborah still softly snoring. A pained look at her and quickly looks away. She sits back down. Looks at her phone and sees a couple of text messages from Jimmy sent shortly after their call.
ANGLE ON: Ava’s phone.
Jimmy: Do not say anything and once you land, CALL ME. DON’T TOUCH YOUR EMAIL.
She puts down her phone at that. Her eyes are slightly wet but also blank. As if on autopilot, she puts her earbuds in.
ANGLE ON: Ava’s phone. She selects her “Songs to get fucked up to” playlist.
CUT TO: Her eyes close, her finger hitting the up volume button until it’s clear it will give her hearing damage. She begins to bob her head as if in a trance. If she’s going to hell of her own making, might as well, right?
A while passes. Notifications pop up on Ava’s phone knocking her out of her trance. Deborah is also startled awake, sits up sleepily, and tries to covertly wipe some drool off her lip. Notifications ding onto Deborah’s phone, one after the other. Ava takes out her earbuds, her anxiety increasing looking over at Deborah’s phone.
AVA
Wow…your phone is really blowing up. What’s happening?
Deborah squints down at her phone. She doesn’t have her glasses. Ava frantically looks down at her phone looking for any news.
DEBORAH (O.S.)
Oh my god. What did you do?
AVA
(winces and closes eyes)
Okay, okay, I can explain.
DEBORAH
Drop it! Drop it! Barry, drop it. You know grapes can kill you.
(commands to Ava)
Reach into his mouth. Reach into his mouth!
Ava, at first, looks confusedly at the command then complies and unbuckles her seatbelt.
DEBORAH (con’t)
Barry, look at Mommy. Look at Mommy. Spit it out.
EXT. LAS VEGAS - TARMAC - LATE AFTERNOON
PLAYING: Diana Ross' "That's How You Start Over"
Ava and Deborah carry Barry and Cara off the plane.
DEBORAH
(laughing)
I love that smell!
AVA
(sarcastically)
Jet fuel and melting rubber?
DEBORAH
Yup. Vegas, baby.
Deborah and Ava hand off Barry and Cara to Deborah’s driver.
DRIVER
Welcome home.
DEBORAH
Thank you.
DRIVER
Are you headed to the Shops At Crystals?
DEBORAH
No, no, straight to the house.
The driver nods and walks away with the dogs.
Deborah breathes in with a big smile, happy to be back in her home turf. She turns to Ava with a smile.
DEBORAH
I’ve already talked to Marcus, we’re going to get the whole team together and get this tour going.
(claps hands together)
But, first, there are a few things we need to do before we leave. I don’t think it’ll take any longer than two weeks cause we are not wasting any time.
Deborah enters the car bouncing. Ava is left outside looking bewildered and filled with dread. She’s frozen.
DEBORAH (O.S.)
Ava, get your ass moving! We’ve got things to do!
Ava complies and gets in the car, letting out only a small whimper before she does.
EXT. VEGAS SKYLINE
CUT TO:
EXT. PALMETTO CASINO
Deborah’s billboard is being painted over.
CUT TO:
INT. DEBORAH’S CAR
Deborah frowns at seeing her billboard being removed. 30 years just like that…gone. Vegas wasted no time trying to erase her.
Ava leans over to see.
AVA
That was fast.
DEBORAH
(tries to shake it off)
No, no, it's good. It's good. That was the old show. I'm done with that. We're gonna work this new one out on the road and it's gonna get me a bigger and better residency. And the Palmetto can kiss my ass.
AVA
Totally.
DEBORAH
You know, I haven't been this excited about my material in years. It's invigorating when you bomb and you have to start from scratch. It's like when you clean out your closet and you buy a whole new wardrobe.
AVA
Can't relate. I still wear my bras from the eighth grade.
DEBORAH
Now those bras you should burn.
Ava laughs.
Ava’s phone rings, it’s Jimmy. Deborah clocks this before she can shut it off.
DEBORAH
Oh, put him on speaker. I need to talk to him.
Ava swallows nervously and answers.
AVA
Jimmy.
CUT TO: INT. LATITUDE - JIMMY’S OFFICE
JIMMY (V.O.)
Are you trying to put me in the ground?!
Cuts back and forth between them.
AVA
(quickly)
Uh, you're here... it's me and Deborah in the car.
JIMMY
Oh, hey, Deborah. I'm on speaker. What are you guys doing?
(silently)
Fuck.
DEBORAH
Jimmy, I know my last show didn’t go as well as I-we hoped, but I don’t want you to worry.
CUT TO:
Jimmy has his head down sitting at his desk, his phone pressed to his ear. His hands shield his eyes. A defeated man.
DEBORAH (O.S.)
Because Ava and I have got this.
CUT TO:
Deborah winks at Ava. Ava gives her a strangled smile back, but she’s already turned her attention back to Jimmy.
DEBORAH (cont.)
We’re going to whip this new material into shape and Deborah Vance is going to be back and better than ever. I’ve talked to Marcus, we’re going to set up a meeting to talk tour logistics ASAP so he’ll contact you so you can call in. Listen, we’re heading back, we’ll catch up with you later.
JIMMY
(quickly)
Great and Ava, maybe afterward you can just give me a quick call, you can just catch...
Deborah hangs up. Ava’s face is ashen.
DEBORAH
(to the driver)
Hey, Ben, turn that up.
Deborah bounces around in her seat. Ava shudders out a breath and puts the phone away. She looks out of her window. Deborah turns to look at her and frowns slightly. She reaches for her hand and pats it. Ava whips around startled at the touch. Looking at their hands like she doesn’t understand.
DEBORAH
I know it’s hard right now, but you know what? There’s a lot to look forward to.
Moisture gathers in Ava’s eyes, she gives a small nod. Deborah pats her hand one more time and then removes it looking out the window again. Ava is trying hard not to lose it looking outside her window. She can’t break down, not right now.
INT. DEBORAH’S MANSION - FOYER - LATER
Deborah and Ava enter the house carrying Barry and Cara.
DEBORAH
We’re home!
They let down the dogs and they scurry off.
AVA
Um, I gotta make a quick call.
DEBORAH
(waves hand)
Do whatever you need to do. Meet me in my office when you’re done though.
AVA
(mumbles, walking away)
Okay.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - CHRISTMAS ROOM
Ava enters dialing for Jimmy. It rings. Only voicemail.
JIMMY’s VOICEMAIL
Hey, this is Jimmy Lusaque Jr. Leave a message. (Beep)
Ava hangs up and thinks for a beat. Dials another number hoping against all hope to fix this mess she’s gotten herself into. The line rings.
CUT TO:
EXT. SOMEWHERE IN LOS ANGELES
DAISY
Hello?
Cuts back and forth between them.
AVA
Hi, Daisy. It's Ava from that horrible meeting. I mean, it started good.
DAISY
(furrows her brow)
Yeah, I recall.
AVA
Okay, so look, I really shouldn't have sent you that email. I mean, my bad. My bad 10,000, you know? Anyway, I'm calling as a friend to say you really shouldn't use anything from the email. I mean, for your own sake. Deborah can be very litigious, and I think she'll come after you is all. And I just don't think you want that kind of a headache in the first season of a show.
Daisy smells blood in the water.
DAISY
Oh, well that's very kind of you, but we actually just forwarded your email to the studio. And since you very specifically ended your note with: "I officially release my permission over these stories," we're sorted.
AVA
(exasperated, done with the pretense)
Okay, I shouldn't have sent that. I was way out of line. I was just upset and Deborah had just slapped me and...
Daisy stops walking, shocked and gleeful at this information.
DAISY
Wait, she slapped you?
Ava realizes she fucked up…again.
AVA
Was that not in the email?
DAISY
No.
She closes her eyes in a desperate plea for mercy, at this point. She whimpers and turns around only to hit a dancing Santa Claus and set it off.
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪
AVA
Ah, shit.
Frantically, she tries to cut it off.
♪ Jingle all the way ♪
DAISY
Is that "Jingle Bells?"
AVA
Yeah, I'm in Deborah's Christmas room.
(realizes her mistake)
Don't use that.
DAISY
You know, I'm gonna do you a favor and just hang up, yeah?
AVA
(defeated)
Thank you.
She hangs up in dejection. What a shit show.
♪ Jingle all the way ♪ ♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride ♪ ♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪ ♪ Dashing through the snow ♪
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - OFFICE
Ava returns in front of Deborah’s office defeated. She takes a small breath before she enters, whimpering a little. Ava had yet to find a hole she had gotten herself into that she couldn’t find a way to dig herself deeper. She couldn’t help but think it would be hilarious if this was happening to someone else.
She walks into Deborah’s office finding her making notes. Glasses on. Despite her truly pathetic state, Deborah in glasses still made her a little hot. Great, pathetic and horny. The Ava Daniels specialty.
Ava sits down waiting to be acknowledged. Deborah puts up one finger to wait a minute. She finishes with a flourish then looks up, takes off her glasses, and then smiles. Goddamit, her smile was arousing too. Ava flushes.
Deborah folds her hands together on the desk.
DEBORAH
As I said, we don’t want to take much longer. We want to get on the road as soon as possible, just got a few things to do first. Luna’s 4th birthday party is happening here in a few days.
Ava melts. A teasing grin grows on her face.
AVA
You…delayed your tour for a toddler’s birthday?
Deborah flushes a little but then shakes her head.
DEBORAH
(sternly)
We were already going to be here. Besides now’s the time to do it because she’s going to kindergarten soon and then parties will be chaos cause you have to invite the whole class.
AVA
(sardonically)
Tell any of my classes that.
She tries to laugh a little but it ends in a cough, her looking away and she rubs her hands nervously against her thighs. Deborah mercifully just keeps going without acknowledging that.
DEBORAH
Kiki assured me there will be less than 10 children, it’s mostly family.
AVA
(shakes her head and holds out her hand)
Wait, you’re going to allow people to come into your house?
DEBORAH
(frowns)
Absolutely not. Staff will direct them to the back and everything else will be closed off. Josefina and I will bring out the food and refreshments to the pool area.
Yeah, that sounds more like Deborah.
AVA
Bathroom?
DEBORAH
Pool house, dum dum.
Ava nods, conceding she’s thought this through.
DEBORAH (con’t)
Plus, for extra insurance, Kiki assured me there’s blackmail material on all of the guests, so no worries they’ll take pictures of my place. Some of them are illegal immigrants so you know…
AVA
(frowns)
Deborah!
DEBORAH
It’s not racist because Kiki told me that. Her family has snuck in Chinese immigrants for decades. I don’t care, she knows I don’t respect law enforcement. Plus, you’re actually racist for assuming that was the only dirt Kiki gave me. So there.
Ava rolls her eyes.
DEBORAH (con’t)
Plus, we need to go visit my psychic before we leave. That’s an absolute must. I do it before every new venture. Don’t give me that look. I sold 10,000 units in one day of a golden face mask and she predicted it.
Ava’s eyebrow had been rising as she’s been talking. It never fails to amaze her that Deborah believes wholeheartedly in psychics.
AVA
(sarcastic, holds her hand to her heart)
Wow, you’re saying that she predicted people would…want shit they don’t need if a pretty face told them to buy it? She is the prophet that was spoken of.
Deborah rolls her eyes, only blushing lightly at ‘pretty face’.
DEBORAH
Fuck off. I’m not having bad energy follow us when we’re within 5 feet of each other all over the country. Think of it as for your safety more than my peace of mind.
A bright sarcastic smile lit up her face. Ava shakes her head but is still grinning.
AVA
Anything else?
DEBORAH
Nope. We’re going to relax tonight and start prepping tomorrow. We’ll order takeout in a bit. Since your dad died, you get to pick. Next time I’m fighting you for it.
CUT TO:
INT. AVA’S BEDROOM - A FEW MINUTES LATER
PLAYING: Art Garfunkel’s "Waters of March"
Ava enters her bedroom and plops down her luggage. She sighs, sits on the bed, and tries to soothe her nerves by rubbing the heel of her hands against her thighs. She feels like she’s not been able to stay in one place in forever. This is the only consistent place she’s been in in a couple of months. She’s happier to be here than in Waltham. Waltham always felt like hell. She dropped out of college, took a chance and moved to the other side of the country, and even that sometimes didn’t feel far enough to escape how her hometown made her feel.
Even though she knows Deborah is likely going to eviscerate her when she finds out about the email, she’d still rather be here. Then again, she’s likely going to pass away from sheer anxiety if she has to be in such close proximity to Deborah with this secret. Every time she’s in a room with her the thoughts just reach the middle of her throat before she stuffs them back down. Jimmy said he would take care of it, he said to be patient. Maybe he could make it go away and Deb would be none the wiser.
But…is that what she wants to happen? Even if Deborah never finds out, she would know. And on top of everything, Deborah is being so kind. A word she’d never thought she’d describe what seemed to her as the boss from hell just two months ago. But it seemed when Deborah let you in (and how privileged you were to even get that far), she could be sweet. Ugh, which made everything so much worse.
After everything, after the way she showed up at her father’s funeral like the light Ava didn’t know she needed, doesn’t Ava owe her the truth? Isn’t that what Ava had been pushing Deborah to do this whole time? Tell the truth? And she did and Ava missed it. What she would’ve given to see Deb on that stage, even in the awkward silence of the auditorium at least Deb would know she could look at Ava.
Ava would be the biggest hypocrite in the world if she decided honesty only mattered as long as it wasn’t her. Okay, so very recent Ava wouldn’t mind, but she liked to think she’s tried to grow. I mean she said no to dunking on Deborah to the British writers…at first. Progress is progress, okay?
She shook her head.
AVA
No, she deserves the truth.
Ava’s phone beeps. A text comes through.
CUT TO:
AVA’S PHONE
Deborah: What do you want for takeout? We can do sushi again
CUT TO:
Ava’s face looking at the text, frowning. A beat.
AVA
I’ll tell her after the party. Yeah. Eat some cake then get murdered. Yeah, yeah, good plan.
Chapter 3
Summary:
Ava gets a strange package from her mother. Deborah starts to have doubts as the reviews of her last show come in.
Notes:
Fic playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5yMkNfEs9XRVWf28stdym1?si=99ae4a9bb6844d66&pt=821ce09f28614507d9880eef64baf035
Chapter Text
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - KITCHEN
Josefina is preparing Deborah and Ava’s breakfast when Marcus sneaks in. He waves to not startle her. She raises her eyebrow but continues to chop vegetables.
JOSEFINA
You’re early. Very early.
MARCUS
(lowers his voice)
I know. Did the paper come?
She nods to where it’s sitting on the other side of the counter. It’s the same every morning except on holidays. Deborah gets her coffee, her breakfast, and her papers. The Washington Post, USA Today, The New Yorker, and Las Vegas Sun. Deborah was still working out. Ava wasn’t up yet.
Marcus goes through to find the Arts section in the Sun. He folds it and puts in his messenger bag. Josefina pauses at that.
MARCUS (con’t)
Deborah can’t see the reviews, not yet. I’ll deal with it.
JOSEFINA
That bad, huh?
Marcus ignores giving a real answer. He just sighs.
JOSEFINA
Well, what am I supposed to tell her? She’s going to notice a whole section is missing. You know what? Never mind, I’ll think of something.
She goes back to preparing the food.
MARCUS
Thanks. Sorry. I was never here, okay?
Josefina nods.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - AVA’S BEDROOM
PLAYING: Bitter with the Sweet by Carol King
Ava is sprawled on the queen-sized bed on her stomach. She went to bed late, only passing out when her anxiety made her too tired. A little drool is falling onto the pillow.
DEBORAH (O.S.)
Ava?
Ava’s lip twitches in her sleep but behind she doesn’t awaken. A beat.
DEBORAH (con’t) (O.S.)
AVA! WAKE UP!
She jolts up.
AVA
(sleepily)
Jingle bells!
A beat. Ava confusedly looks around only to not see Deborah at her door. What the fuck?
DEBORAH (con’t) (O.S.)
Kelly Ripa has already started a new business, Ava. Get your ass up.
She swings her legs over the bed looking horrified.
AVA
Am I in hell and this is the morning announcements?
DEBORAH (O.S.)
I’m on the wall, dumbass. Beside the door.
Deborah is coming from the intercom. She had told Ava when she stayed here before that the whole house was set up with intercoms but that when everybody started carrying cellphones, it just didn’t make as much sense to keep up.
Ava trips a little on the bedding that fell down on the ground. Finally, she reaches the intercom and pushes the button to talk.
AVA
I am up. The fuck, Deborah. You said these didn’t work.
DEBORAH (O.S.)
I had them fixed. Obviously. You weren’t answering your phone and I’m not running back up for you. Come on, I waited. We’re eating breakfast on the patio.
AVA
(yawns)
Okay, okay. I’ll be down in 20.
DEBORAH (O.S.)
Okay.
She drops her hand down from the intercom and huffs.
INT. MARCUS’S CAR
His car announces he has an incoming call from Deborah. He accepts.
DEBORAH
Good morning.
MARCUS
Morning.
DEBORAH
You already out and about?
MARCUS
(lies)
Running some errands.
DEBORAH
Hmm. Did you talk to everyone so we can discuss the tour today? We’ll need to conference Jimmy in. You didn’t confirm with me.
Which Deborah admitted was unusual of him, but she didn’t have time to think about it too much.
MARCUS
(hesitates)
I…can do that but I still think it may be a good idea to mull over this tour idea for a bit before we jump the gun.
DEBORAH
(frustrated)
Marcus, this tour is happening and I need your cooperation. So if you could-
MARCUS
(interrupts)
The reception wasn’t great. Of your last show.
She winced. She figured but it still stung to hear it out loud.
MARCUS (con’t)
You and I can meet this afternoon alone in your office and figure out next steps. I’m not saying forget the tour entirely, but maybe we try to be a little cautious.
(pauses)
Everything is going to be alright.
Neither were totally sure if they believed that, but they wanted to so there was no counter to that.
DEBORAH
(nods)
Okay. I’ll talk to you later today.
MARCUS
Bye.
Marcus blows out a breath after the call cuts off. Deborah looks down at the phone, unsure of what to do.
EXT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - PATIO
Deborah and Ava eat breakfast on the patio together. Deborah is reading the paper.
AVA
Have you ever tried a regular meditation practice? Apparently, it can really help if you have emotional irregularity.
DEBORAH
(flatly)
I don't have emotional irregularity.
AVA
Sure, but I mean, look, you never know what could trigger you at any moment.
DEBORAH
Uh-huh. Josefina! Yeah, I'm missing all the local papers.
JOSEFINA
Oh, they're not there?
DEBORAH
No.
JOSEFINA
Weird. Weird stuff. I'll check.
AVA
Also, there's this book by Michael Pollan about how psilocybin, uh, mushrooms, can actually rewire your brain to create new neural pathways. I mean, it's the biggest advancement in altering mood since Prozac.
DEBORAH
(looks up at her)
You know, I've never said this to anyone in my life, but I think you need to read less.
JOSEFINA
Okay, I found them.
DEBORAH
Thank you. No arts section.
JOSEFINA
Maybe they skipped a week. They do that sometimes.
DEBORAH
Josefina, I know I bombed my show. I don't read reviews. I don't need to see all the nasty things people have written about me.
JOSEFINA
Okay. There's a very good "Garfield" today.
DEBORAH
(a beat, then a grimace)
Sure, I'll check it out.
Ava’s phone rings. She stands up to take it out of her pocket and looks down at her brows furrowed.
AVA
The Palmetto?
Deborah looks up surprisingly from her paper.
AVA
Hello?
RAY (O.S.)
Is this Ms. Ava Daniels? This is Ray from Palmetto Casino & Resort.
AVA
(smiles brightly)
Ray, my dude!
CUT TO:
INT. PALMETTO - LOBBY FRONT DESK
Ray closes his eyes and sighs deeply.
CUT TO:
Back to Ava. Ray is still sighing. Ava is waiting for him to respond. Blinks a couple of times.
RAY (O.S.)
Yes, this is Ray from the front desk. A package was delivered for you from a Ms. Nina Daniels.
AVA
(surprised)
Mom?
RAY
Ms. Daniels, if you could please retrieve your package at your earliest convenience. Preferably today, we’d appreciate that.
Ava hadn’t told her mom she was living with her boss because…that was kind of a weird thing to have to tell your mother so she’d rather not so she’s not surprised it ended up there. But she is surprised her mom sent her anything at all. They literally just left Boston.
AVA
Yeah, I’ll make my way there right now. Thanks, bye.
She hangs up and looks at Deborah who can’t help but be curious.
AVA (con’t)
My mom sent me something and it’s at the Palmetto. So I’m gonna go get it and I’ll be back in a bit, okay?
DEBORAH
(nods)
Okay, just take one of the cars in the garage.
Ava hesitates and bites her lip. Dammit, why does Deborah have to keep being nice?
AVA
(nervously)
I can just grab an Uber. You don’t have to-
DEBORAH
(confused)
Why do that when you could just take one of the cars sitting in the garage? I trust you.
Ava winces at that. Deborah thankfully doesn’t notice already returning to her paper.
DEBORAH (con’t)
Don’t take the Lexus obviously. I don’t trust you that much.
Ava stutters out a laugh.
AVA
Thank you. Like I said, I’ll be back in a bit.
Deborah nods and goes back to reading.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - DEBORAH’S OFFICE - A LITTLE BIT LATER
Deborah brings her coffee to her desk. There were a few emails she needed to answer.
She opened up her laptop and waited a minute for it to boot up. Josefina still tried to pretend the Arts section of all the newspapers had disappeared. She knew she had done badly, but if Josefina was outright lying to her so badly about it, it must be bad. She logically knew the rule was never read the comments about you.
And yet…as her computer started up and she went to her email, she couldn’t help but be tempted. But no, she said she didn’t read reviews. It was bullshit but that is what she just said in front of Ava and Josefina.
Still, her fingers automatically typed in the URL for the Review Journal. She was just going to browse for a minute. She’s a comedian, so she’s going to keep up with current events. And maybe, just maybe she also typed in the Palmetto website and she started to go down a rabbit hole of finding out the person who replaced her was unfortunately named MC Ludwig.
She got lost in an internet spiral for the next hour, her heart breaking with every word.
INT. THE PALMETTO - STORAGE ROOM
PLAYING: Blanket of Calm by Healing Potpourri
Ray and Ava walk down the hallway in the storage room searching for her package.
RAY
We store the packages here. Well, we store the lower priority stuff here.
AVA
(flatly)
Gee, thanks.
Ray shrugged. She didn’t stay here anymore nor was she a customer. She was a lower priority.
AVA
Hey when they cleaned out my room, I had a Cadbury Crème Egg that I hadn't eaten, and they're seasonal, so they're kinda hard to get now. Do you remember it?
He turns back towards her.
RAY
Are you serious?
AVA
(chuckles awkwardly)
No.
He hands her the package and she begins to open it. She finds a Wilson tennis ball canister inside the box. Ray looks around annoyed and frustrated wishing to be anywhere else.
RAY
(incredulous)
Yo, are those ashes?
AVA
(horrified)
Oh, my God. Can you give me a sec?
CUT TO:
INT. DANIELS’ HOUSE - AVA’S CHILDHOOD BEDROOM
The phone rings. Nina is working out on a bike machine. She answers the phone slightly breathless, still biking. Cuts back and forth during the conversation.
NINA
Ava, did you get your dad? I mean, half of him?
AVA
Mom, why the hell did you send me half of dad's ashes?
NINA
Because I'm keeping the other half.
AVA
Okay, and why did you mail him in a tennis ball tube?
NINA
First of all, I overnighted him. It was $44 and I'm not going to pick out an urn for you. I don't want you calling me screaming that the urn doesn't match your décor.
AVA
(frustrated)
Since when have I called you screaming about anything?
NINA
(frustrated)
Never because you barely call.
AVA
Oh, my God. I gotta go.
She closes her eyes and sighs. On top of the grief that was exhausting, talking to her mother always managed to tire her out. She turns back to Ray.
AVA (con’t)
Yup, ashes. Sorry, my dad just died, so...
He softens at that.
RAY
I'm sorry for your loss. My dad passed away a few years ago and we cremated him, too. Although we did put him in, like, a proper vessel.
AVA
Uh, I'm sorry.
RAY
Thanks. If you ever need to talk or whatever, I'm always here except Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Overcome, she hugs him.
AVA
Thanks, Ray.
RAY
Sure.
He doesn’t know what to do but he pats her back awkwardly. Still kinda wishing he was somewhere else.
She lets him go, visibly brightening.
AVA
Man, all this time we could've been friends maybe.
RAY
Maybe.
(chuckles)
I mean, you've always been pretty entitled and annoying.
AVA
(snaps her fingers and laughs)
I hear that, brother.
(pauses, more embarrassed)
A lot, so-
RAY
Yeah, cool. Um, well...
AVA
(finger guns at him)
Let me know about that egg.
EXT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - PATIO
Deborah looked defeated and haggard as she walks to the kitchen. She needs fresh air. She might need a drink later or six. She leans against the counter for a second. She turns away only to startle slightly when she sees DJ on the patio.
She straightens up some, trying to put the mask back up. Tentatively, she approaches her sensing DJ is in a bad mood. DJ is sitting on the patio wolfing down a chicken pot pie.
DEBORAH
Hi, honey. You're eating Josefina's chicken pot pie and it's 10 a.m. What's wrong?
DJ
(shaking her head, frustrated)
No, don't, don't. Don't psychoanalyze my pot pie, all right?
DEBORAH
(cautiously)
Okay, okay. I just meant that, you know, the last time you did this was when Carrot Top ghosted you.
DJ
Well, if he didn't wanna date, then he should've had an adult conversation.
DEBORAH
(exasperated)
I told you to never date a comedian and you're way out of his league.
DJ
Yeah, I'm out of Carrot Top's league. That's what made the whole thing so fսckеd up. Oh, God, Mom. You know what?
(puts down her fork)
Look, I didn't wanna tell you like this, but I've been doing IVF because Aidan and I wanna start a family.
DEBORAH
(surprised)
Oh.
Deborah sits down.
DJ
It was the second round, and it didn't, it didn't take, and I just... I didn't want Aidan to see me upset 'cause he's training for tomorrow's fight.
Deborah tries to cheer her up, taking her hand.
DEBORAH
Okay. Well, you know, maybe it's for the best. I mean, you did just meet this guy.
DJ
This guy? Aidan is my husband, Mom. He's a part of our family.
Deborah tries to explain herself, realizing she was treading on dangerous ground.
DEBORAH
I... I just meant that in case it didn't work out, that it would probably be good not to rush into having a child in the unlikely event of a divorce.
DJ
You are unbelievable. You know what?
(abandons her food)
Forget it. I'm leaving anyway. Josefina forgot the fucking peas so this pot pie tastes like shit.
Deborah sadly watches her leave.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - SITTING ROOM
PLAYING: Broken Finger Blues by Richard Swift
Deborah is sitting down with a martini. This is her second one. She’s taken her shoes off and put her feet up on the table. Just proves how fucking done she is with this day. Her eyes are closed and she’s leaning her head on the back of the sofa and leaning her glass on the arm of the sofa. Her eyes twitch a bit when she hears the front door open. She hears Barry and Cara scurry over to greet them.
AVA (O.S.)
Yes, I know it’s been like forever. Oh, or do you like the canister? Think we’re going to play fetch? You don’t want to play fetch with this, trust me, my dudes.
Ava walks down the hall.
AVA
Deborah?
DEBORAH
(yells)
In here.
Deborah yells with her eyes still closed.
Ava walks into the office. She sees Deborah laid out on the couch. She senses she’s not in a good mood. Something must have happened while she was gone.
AVA
Hey.
DEBORAH
(croaks)
Hey. Everything okay?
AVA
Uhhh yeah. Sort of. The typical Nina-weirdness but yeah it’s fine.
Deborah opens her eyes at that.
Ava shows her the tennis canister. Deborah scrunches her face up in confusion.
DEBORAH
What’s that?
AVA
(deadpan)
My dad.
DEBORAH
…Huh?
AVA
It’s half of my dad. My dad was cremated, which I knew about, but then my mom sends half of his ashes through the mail…in this tennis tube.
Deborah pauses, takes her feet down, finishes off her drink, and stands up. She stands next to Ava and motions for her to hand it over. She takes a closer look at it.
DEBORAH
Holy shit.
She shakes her head in amusement and hands it back to Ava.
AVA
I didn’t even know she was going to do that. I thought he was going to, like, stay on our mantle, which is weird but whatever. Or she was going to go scatter them somewhere. I thought it was a weird question to ask like “Gee, Mom, what are you going to do with dad?” But now she like cuts it in half like the baby from the Bible.
DEBORAH
(interrupts)
That isn’t even close to the story but go on.
AVA
Now I’m looking like I’m going to the country club and really I’m just carrying my dead dad.
Deborah looks her up and down.
DEBORAH
No one would ever mistake you for being a part of an elite club. Although you do bring your own rackets wherever you go.
(pauses)
Are you going to get a real urn?
AVA
(sighs)
I don’t know. Now, we’re going on tour and so it feels kind of pointless.
Deborah nods conceding that.
Ava shakes her head and lets out a shuddery breath.
AVA (con’t)
It’s another tiny way it hits you, you know?
Deborah’s eyes soften and she pats her arm in support.
AVA (con’t)
He’s really gone. I’m a person without a dad now. You know, he really wanted to come to see me before? And I just…I told him I was too busy. That’s the last thing I told my dad was I couldn’t see him. I should’ve just let him come. Everything that could’ve been between us is sealed now. Good, bad, whatever. No going back.
Ava sniffles. Ava and Deborah hug. Deborah doesn’t know what to say. There was nothing anyone could’ve said to her after losing her parents. No matter how much they tried. Her eyes look far away, but she doesn’t let go of her. Her life was forever separated in before she lost her parents and after. Ava would probably feel that in some way.
She was right. There was no going back. She got lost in thought as she still held Ava.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - DEBORAH’S BEDROOM - A LITTLE LATER
Deborah is sitting on her couch watching TV, some infomercial that she’s muted. Today was just a day she needed to desperately turn off her brain. Marcus still wanted to talk later.
She thought back to everything she had read. She had told the truth in her set and it felt so freeing and so amazing…but only she and Ava were excited about it. Everyone else was clearly underwhelmed. Well, she figured the show needed workshopping. That was the point of the tour, but it’s still devastating to see it in black and white that her final show was a failure. At least in terms of a comedy set.
Then she saw the inevitably she had always feared. She had been pushed out for some younger punk. She was considered irrelevant even for Vegas. A literal hotbed for the irrelevant and thrown away.
There was no choice but to start over. She suspected what Marcus would say. He would tell her he could get her a new residency and the old material would probably be just fine to reach that goal.
But then she thought of what Ava said about how she was a different person now that her dad was gone. There was no going back, no changing it. Maybe nobody but Ava could sense it, but she did feel like a different person now. Marcus and everyone else would think it would just be so easy to go back, but she knew that wasn’t true. It didn’t fit anymore and she’s not sure she would want it to anyway.
It was only a few bad reviews. The show needed work. So what? She wasn’t afraid of hard work. It’s all she’s ever done. Comedy was her passion. Nobody could understand how serious she was about comedy. Well, almost nobody. She was very serious about being funny. Nothing mattered more to her. She knew she was good. Her best days weren’t behind her, despite what some may think.
Her face tightened in determination.
She pulled out her phone to text Marcus.
Deborah: Skip today’s meeting. Get everyone together tomorrow to talk about the tour. Full speed ahead.
She finished writing with a small smile.
Chapter 4
Summary:
DJ's plans for the future make Deborah grapple with her new family situation and the future of her career at Aidan's boxing match.
Notes:
Fic playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5yMkNfEs9XRVWf28stdym1?si=99ae4a9bb6844d66&pt=821ce09f28614507d9880eef64baf035
Chapter Text
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - SITTING ROOM
Everyone is gathered to discuss tour details: Marcus, Damien, Josefina, Jimmy (on the phone), Ava, and Deborah. Deborah is walking around sipping on a Diet Coke.
Everyone seems rather neutral in this meeting except Marcus and Ava. Marcus is tense, not looking at anyone, simply trying to take notes. Ava is, as usual, these days, nervous.
DEBORAH
Okay, so on this tour I wanna do 35 dates before Christmas. That means I think we should start in the San Francisco Orpheum and move our way east.
JIMMY
Love that idea, but I do think a lot of the larger venues are likely already booked.
DEBORAH
That's fine. I'll do drop-ins. I'll do whatever it takes. I mean, I don't expect this to be a money maker. It's all about back to basics. And we need a really good tour manager, Vinny DeMoan.
MARCUS
Oh, uh, he... died.
DEBORAH
(taken aback)
Oh. Did we send flowers?
DAMIEN
Yeah.
MARCUS
Yes.
DEBORAH
Well, we gotta get somebody really good.
JIMMY
Okay, yup. I'll have Kayla check some avails.
DEBORAH
Love it. Oh, by the way, put Helen and Marcel on retainer so that they're available when I get the new residency.
Marcus and Damien look at each other nervously.
MARCUS
So they've already put in their two weeks' notice. They're doing makeup for the Blue Man Group.
DEBORAH
Oh. Well, they probably need less time in the chair than I do.
Deborah tries to laugh it off. Others try to laugh as well. Josefina, meanwhile, was very amused and keeps laughing. Deborah frowns at that.
DEBORAH (con’t)
Damien, did you check into that tour bus I sent you?
DAMIEN
I did. Unfortunately, it's currently in use by Lil Uzi Vert.
DEBORAH
(confused)
Lil...
DAMIEN
(slower)
Uzi Vert.
DEBORAH
(nervously)
Okay, look, does anybody have anything positive to add?
JOSEFINA
I think this could be a great time to repaint the moldings in the sitting rooms.
A beat.
DEBORAH
Yes. Thank you, Josefina. Thank you. This is good, this is good. Everybody's busy. We got lots to do.
She claps her hands together.
JOSEFINA
Let's circle back to the moldings. I have a connection at Valspar.
DEBORAH
Ooh.
JOSEFINA
And I'm thinking maybe eggshell or satin?
DEBORAH
(shakes her head)
Mm, satin, satin.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - CHRISTMAS ROOM
Ava enters Deborah’s Christmas room to call Jimmy.
JIMMY
Ava, I'm on a razor's edge. Are you alone?
AVA
(looking around)
Yeah, I'm hiding out in Deborah's Christmas room. Somehow it feels racist in here, but I can't explain why. Anyway, look, I've been thinking and I think I should just own up to it and tell Deborah about the email.
JIMMY
(anxiously)
Highly, highly disagree. She will kill you if she finds out and me, all right? Do me a favor, do not do anything.
AVA
(nods her head and winces)
Okay. Okay, I won't do anything further. But I... I should tell you, I did call Daisy, and I made it worse.
Jimmy closes his eyes, exasperated.
JIMMY
Ava, I need you to take your phone and I need you to throw it into the ocean.
AVA
Mm-hmm, yeah. Good note, good note.
JIMMY
Listen, I'm trying to get in touch with Janet Stone, okay? She represents Daisy and Jesse. I'm gonna try and reason with her.
AVA
Uh, isn't that the manager who beat her assistant with a stapler?
JIMMY
No, three-hole punch. Much heavier.
AVA
Oh, wow.
JIMMY
Yeah, she gives good, decent reps like me a bad name.
Barbara from HR knocks on the glass and gestures to Jimmy to meet her in her office.
JIMMY (con’t)
Anyway, I gotta go make a sеxual harassment situation go away.
AVA
Wow, um, okay. Okay, bye.
INT. DEBORAH’S CAR
PLAYING: Nobody Knows by Pastor T.L. Barnett and the Youth for Christ Choir
Deborah looks up while driving and sees the billboard that replaced hers: MC Ludwig. She’s not happy about it and grips the steering wheel harder.
INT. DJ AND AIDAN’S APARTMENT
Deborah and DJ walk through the entrance into the living room. Still a lot of tension due to how badly the last conversation went.
DJ
I would just ask that you remember my boundary please and don't open any cabinets.
DEBORAH
(says at the same time)
Don't open any cabinets.
She knows the drill. Bad habits die hard. Seeing your daughter almost die several times with what could be in cabinets gives you a bit of a complex about them.
DEBORAH (con’t)
Look, honey, I just wanted to come by and say that I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. And I think that you should try the IVF thing again.
DJ
Thank you, but I don't know if I can handle the disappointment.
DEBORAH
I understand. My God. Jesus, this place is a mess. What is all this stuff?
DJ
I know. It's a little cramped, but that's married life, right? I mean, it's only until we find a bigger place.
DJ continues to fold laundry. Deborah awkwardly tries to move stuff and relax on the sofa.
DJ
So your last show…
Deborah looks up in surprise as if it had almost just occurred to her that DJ was there.
DJ (con’t)
That was…
(pauses, still not looking at Deborah)
A lot of new information.
Deborah softens at that. Doesn’t know what to say.
DJ (con’t)
I mean I always figured there was a lot of stuff about you and dad that you hid from me, but I didn’t expect it to be, like, most of it. And I found out with like 3,000 other people.
(sarcastic)
What a treat for me.
Deborah’s face deepens in regret. She opens and closes her mouth. Before she can answer, a door opens and Aidan walks in.
AIDAN
Mom! Hey!
DEBORAH
Hey.
AIDAN
Come here. Come on.
DEBORAH
Hi, Aidan.
Aidan envelopes her in a big hug. Deborah awkwardly embraces him back.
AIDAN
Oh, I had no idea that you were coming over.
DJ sniffles and tries to smile, knowing the moment to talk to her mom is lost, but always happy to see her husband.
DEBORAH
Yeah, surprise.
AIDAN
I gotta head to the gym. I still got ten pounds to cut for tomorrow's weigh-in.
DEBORAH
(taken aback)
Ten? Yeah. You gotta show me your technique.
Aidan laughs, Deborah still taken aback by his easy affection. DJ smiles.
AIDAN
All right, babe. Muah, I love you.
DJ
Love you.
AIDAN
Mom, I'll see you soon.
DEBORAH
Okay.
(a beat, waits until he leaves)
I want the "Mom" thing to stop.
DJ
I know but he's from Ohio, so...
DJ folds another shirt and looks at Deborah’s discomfort in slight bemusement.
DJ (con’t)
You know, something I love about Aidan is that his heart is so open. He met me and I’d never met someone who wanted so badly to get to know me. And he’s not afraid to show how much he loves me and, I get it, at first I was a little put-off.
Deborah’s shoulders drop. Aidan gave out affection so freely. She can’t imagine that. Deborah always has to play defense just to not get crushed.
DJ (con’t)
I’m just saying, I know he comes on kinda strong but just try to be open to it. Cause (shrugs)
He’s one of the good ones. He’s one in a million. Just give him a chance, yeah?
Deborah doesn’t know what to say to that either. The “Mom” thing was a lot but she admits DJ had a point.
DJ interrupts her train of thought and she is snapped out of her moment of emotional honesty.
DJ (con’t)
And you better be coming to his fight.
DEBORAH
Oh, I...
DJ
(whines)
Mom, come on. You love boxing. It's not that different.
DEBORAH
Yes, it is. It's a lot more violent and I don't like seeing men's bare feet.
She scrunches up her nose.
DJ
Listen, he's finally in UFC proper. It's a huge night for him.
DEBORAH
Exactly, exactly. That's why the night should be all about him. You know what it's like when I go to one of these events. They put me up on the jumbotron and make a big to-do. I don't want to steal his thunder.
She swallows a bit, also nervous about facing the public after her bomb.
DJ
It's fine. He doesn't care. He really wants you there. It's weird. He's, like, desperate for your approval or something.
DEBORAH
Okay, fine. I'll come.
DJ
Really?
DEBORAH
Yes, but he better win.
DJ
(laughs)
Oh, no, he's not gonna win. No, the other guy is a monster. Do you know what his nickname is? The Maim Train.
DEBORAH
Oh, well that's not scary. That's just juvenile.
DJ
Well, he's terrifying. Aidan not getting paralyzed, that's the win.
DEBORAH
Jesus.
DJ
I know. People have no idea what we go through.
DEBORAH
We?
DJ
Yeah, wives of MMA fighters. His job is combat. I mean, I'm basically a military wife. Every morning he gets up and goes to work. And when I wake up a few hours later, I don't know if I'm ever gonna see him again.
Deborah doesn’t know what to say to that.
EXT. PALMETTO - OUTSIDE THE ARENA
Ava and Deborah are walking up the entrance of the arena.
AVA
And what I don't get is why all the cheerleaders for WNBA games aren't all men.
DEBORAH
Oh, I've never really thought about it.
DEBORAH
Hey, Tony.
TONY
(stops her)
Hey, Ms. Vance. Oh, sorry. Employees only.
DEBORAH
Tony, my car already pulled out. You're gonna make me walk all the way around the casino in this heat?
TONY
They get on me about this shit. I'm sorry.
AVA
Really. Tony.
DEBORAH
Ava!
AVA
What the fսck?
INT. PALMETTO - ARENA
PLAYING: Stomp! by The Brothers Johnson
DEBORAH
I can't believe that guy.
(sighs)
It's a little better in here.
People populate the arena, chatting before the match starts.
Deborah spots Wayne Newton, smiles, and heads toward him.
DEBORAH
(gasps)
Mr. Las Vegas!
WAYNE NEWTON
Mrs. Las Vegas!
DEBORAH
Ms.
WAYNE NEWTON
You got odds on this fight?
DEBORAH
Oh, yeah, yeah. Odds are I'm gonna wanna leave in about 20 minutes.
He laughs.
Deborah says hello to Wayne’s companion.
WAYNE
Just promise me that I'm going to see you at my New Year's party.
DEBORAH
Oh, God, honey, with bells on. Of course.
WAYNE
Great.
DEBORAH
Nice to see you, baby.
WAYNE
Great, great, great. Nice to see you.
DEBORAH
Bye.
Deborah and Ava walk away. Wayne turns to his companion.
WAYNE
(whispers)
I'm getting a massive ice luge.
CUT TO:
Seating area, DJ and Kiki talking.
KIKI
I would love a ring like that.
DJ
Oh, thank you. Yeah, you can't clap with it 'cause it'll bruise you, but it's worth it.
Kiki and DJ spot Ava and Deborah.
KIKI
Ah!
DJ
Hi, hi, hi, hi!
Ava and Kiki hug. Ava bounds towards her, not having realized how much she’s missed her friend until now.
DEBORAH
Hi, sweetie.
DJ
Oh. Oh, wow, you're sweaty.
DEBORAH
I am?
DJ
Oh, Mom, you're nervous, too. Calm down, okay? Because he's gonna be okay. He's gotta be okay.
KIKI
You want some popcorn?
AVA
(amused)
Uh, why is it in your purse?
KIKI
It's my popcorn purse.
Ava laughs.
KIKI (con’t)
I pop it at home and I sneak it in.
AVA
Holy shit, this is, like, the best popcorn I've ever eaten.
KIKI
Yeah, no shit. It has nutritional yeast and Flavacol. I got the recipe from my favorite vegan beauty podcast.
AVA
Is this a Starbucks gift card?
KIKI
Ooh! I've been looking for that. I also use this purse as a purse.
Deborah’s face tightens as she spots someone. Her eyebrow raises in a challenge.
DEBORAH
(to DJ)
Oh, excuse me. I'll be right back.
Deborah leaves her seat.
DJ
Okay.
(turns towards Kiki and Ava)
Popcorn?
KIKI
(stirs popcorn and hands it over towards her)
Yes.
DJ
I can't eat corn on an empty stomach. It's a disaster.
CUT TO:
Mayor Jo and Marty are talking to each other when Deborah walks up to them.
MAYOR JO
You look like a bull, that's what you look like.
DEBORAH
Hey, hey, hey.
MAYOR JO
Ah, look what the cat dragged in. Look at you.
MARTY
(surprised)
Deb, I didn't think you'd be here. I know how you don't like seeing men's bare feet.
He chuckles. She grimly smiles at him, still fuming at him.
DEBORAH
This is actually my son-in-law's first UFC fight.
MARTY
Ah, right, of course.
DEBORAH
So no date? Oh, no, don't tell me she already got carded and had to go home.
MARTY
(chuckles dryly)
I know how much you were looking forward to having a son-in-law. I’m sure you being here has nothing to do with getting on the jumbotron.
She flushes at that. Okay, so she liked attention? She was a stand-up comedian, it would be weirder if she wasn’t like that.
DEBORAH
It’s interesting that MC Ludwig kid you got there. I was doing some interesting reading lately about a group of 20-something who broke into a pharmacy and go so high they fell asleep in the storage room and the police found them the next day. One of their mugshots seemed familiar…
MARTY
(strained chuckle)
He was cleared of those charges.
DEBORAH
He’s an embarrassment.
MARTY
Well, from what I’ve heard of your last show, you must know what that’s like.
Deborah frowned deeply. She wanted to slit his throat open.
He pulls his jacket tighter around him in a huff.
MARTY (con’t)
Besides he’s the hot new thing. This town-
He stares directly into her eyes, ready to stab.
MARTY (con’t)
Well, it’s his for the taking.
Her jaw clenches at that. Even at her lowest, losing her residency and having bombed her last show, she refused to let him have the last word about her.
DEBORAH
Do you go to boxing matches to feel like you aren’t a man who got the shit beat out of him in 12th grade and cried and pissed his pants in front of his classmates?
He told her that once dead-ass drunk. She laughed then and it’s still funny now. He deserved it. What did he expect after he called the kid a slur?
JO
Whoa, the temperature here is hot. I know we live in a desert, but let’s cool down here. Keep the fight in the ring, am I right?
(aside to Marty, whispers, nothing but admiration in her eyes)
I’m sure you fought valiantly before you went down.
Marty looks uncomfortable again.
JO
(breathy)
I recently got my hands on a 20-year-old bottle of scotch. You can come over and partake anytime you’d like. You know, open it and let it breathe? Have one of our tête-à-têtes?
She moves a bit closer to him. He coughs nervously and leans away. Deborah bites her lip trying not to laugh.
MARTY
(flustered)
Uh, well, Mayor…Oh darling, over here!
Marty’s girlfriend walks over and immediately grabs Marty’s arm with a big smile. She looks in her mid-20s (big surprise) and she’s gorgeous (also not surprising). Deborah rolls her eyes. Jo frowns.
MARTY
This is Virginia. Virginia, Deborah Vance and Mayor Jo Pezzimenti.
GINNY
Call me Ginny, nice to meet you.
(holds out her hand and winces slightly)
Sorry, I know you probably get this all the time but my mom and I love you.
Deborah gives a strained smile. She sends Marty a dry look. He shrugs.
DEBORAH
Well, Marty has always called himself my biggest fan so I’m sure that’s one of many things he and your mom have in common.
Marty purses his lips and Ginny chuckles.
MARTY
We have to get to our seats. If you will excuse us.
GINNY
It was nice meeting you both.
DEBORAH
Nice to meet you.
JO
Yeah nice to me-
Mayor Jo barely lets outs the lie, just mumbles out the rest. Watches them walk away and shakes off her frustration.
JO (con’t)
(staring at the back of Marty)
I can be patient. In love as in politics, I always say the same thing: I didn’t come here to make friends.
Deborah pinches her face at that absurd statement. Jo then turns to Deborah and puts an arm around her while they walk towards their seats.
JO (con’t)
Oh, Deborah, I just wanted to say, I forgot to tell you, I loved your last show.
Deborah blinks surprised but pleased. She smiles.
JO (con’t)
Yeah, I thought your experimental comedy was really interesting. I mean I didn’t laugh-
Deborah’s smile quickly drops. She nervously runs her hair behind her ear.
JO (con’t)
But I was amused on the inside which is probably good because my pelvic floor ain’t what it used to be.
Jo cackles and nudges her in camaraderie. Deborah doesn’t laugh. They walk off-screen.
CUT TO:
Back to DJ, Ava, and Kiki.
DJ
(holds out her arm to Ava)
Can you tickle my arm?
AVA
What's that?
DJ
Do, like, a baby tickle. It just helps calm me down.
AVA
Uh, sure.
She runs her nails across her arm tentatively, weirded out by the request. DJ closes her eyes.
DJ
I mean, get your... You gotta get your nails a little bit involved. There we go.
AVA
Sorry, they're short.
Deborah sits back down. The show is starting.
ANNOUNCER
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest here tonight.
A woman with a microphone walks down the side of the arena.
Deborah combs her hair back, anticipating being seen by the crowd. She’s delighted by the attention.
ANNOUNCER
You know them from their residency here at the Palmetto: Give it up for MC Ludwig!
Cheers and applause ring out. Deborah frowns. The woman sits next to Ludwig and puts the microphone on him.
WOMAN
MC Ludwig! Who are you rooting for tonight?
They show up on the jumbotron.
MC LUDWIG
My boy, the Maim Train. Predicting a K-O. Choo!
ALL
Choo!
Deborah shakes her leg in agitation. Deborah leaves her seat. Ava watches her go worriedly and immediately follows her.
ANNOUNCER
And now, everyone please stand for our special guest, Wendy Mae Waters, treating us to her rendition of the National Anthem.
DJ salutes proudly.
A young girl walks to the middle of the arena and begins to sing.
SINGER
♪ Oh, say can you see ♪ ♪ By the... ♪
Mayor Jo looks around and puts her hand up to her heart to match everyone else.
INT. THE PALMETTO - ARENA BATHROOM
For the past few days, it’s been like one small cut after another and now she feels like she’s bleeding out. She moves from sink to sink trying to find some damn soap.
DEBORAH
Oh, shit. Oh, Jesus.
Ava enters. Deborah sighs.
AVA
You okay?
DEBORAH
You know, I did read those reviews. And I knew I bombed, but...
She chuckles humorlessly.
AVA
I thought you don't read reviews 'cause you don't care.
DEBORAH
I don't read reviews because I do care. You'd think at some point I'd stop, but...
AVA
It's just a local paper.
DEBORAH
It's my hometown paper and this city's full of criminals and hοοkers and magicians for God's sakes. No one cares. This is the one place nobody judges you.
AVA
Well, a dude did just call me a socialist bitch when I walked out on the National Anthem, so...
Deborah cracks a smile and a laugh.
DEBORAH
You know, they never gave a shit about me in L.A. or New York, but at least they wanted me here. And now the Review Journal says that... it's... it's not my town anymore.
AVA
Well, I know it’s not the same but I believe in you. I believe in this work.
Deborah softens a little at that but is still agitated.
AVA (con’t)
I think you'll feel better when you're on the road.
DEBORAH
(somber)
I don't know. I'm not so sure this tour is a good idea.
AVA
Deborah.
Deborah walks out. Ava leans against the counter then leaves too.
INT. THE PALMETTO - ARENA
Cheers and whistles as the match is in progress.
AVA
How's it going?
KIKI
Bad.
Aidan and the Maim Train are facing off and it is not going well for Aidan. He’s getting his ass beat. DJ looks on incredibly frightened.
DJ
Uh! Oh, God. Oh! No, no, no!
(yells)
Hey, watch the balls! Oh, God! No! Ooh!
MC LUDWIG
Yeah, bro, beat his ass! Whoo!
Everyone is wincing, it’s so hard to watch. At Ludwig’s words, Deborah looks up determinedly. She sees Marty cuddled up with his young girlfriend. She looks at the young man who’s replaced her, him cheering on Aidan’s defeat.
DJ
No, no, no, no! Get up! Get up!
She thinks about the reviews saying she wasn’t relevant anymore, that she’d lost her touch. She thinks about Frank and Kathy in the late-night pilot. Every which way, people have put her down. She looks around at the arena everyone wishing for her son-in-law’s downfall. It reminds her of an auditorium.
She glances over at Ava seeing her wince at each punch. 99 people in a room might not believe in you but all you need is one who does. She turns back to the fight with renewed vigor.
DEBORAH
Come on, Aidan, get up.
The bell dings and the horn blares. The referee calls the round. DJ looks down in distress. Deborah tries to soothe her.
MAIM TRAIN
Choo!
ALL
Choo!
GUYS SITTING BEHIND THEM
Yo, yo, this dude is an idiot, bro. He should just tap out. Give up, man!
Deborah Vance doesn’t give up easily. She gets up out of her seat and heads toward Aidan.
DJ
(surprised)
Mom! What... oh, my God. What are you doing?
Deborah walks up to the arena, pushing away everything in her path. Single-minded in her objective now.
DEBORAH
Excuse me. Move, move, move. Aidan, Aidan.
AIDAN
Mom?
EMPLOYEE
Hey, lady, you can't...
AIDAN
(puts a hand up)
It's cool.
DEBORAH
(grabs onto the fence)
Aidan, listen to me. Look at me. Everybody thinks you're done. No one believes in you, okay? They want to see you get knocked down and they want you to stay down. But guess what? You're gonna get back up and you're gonna find his weakness. And you're gonna hit it hard. And you're gonna hit it again and again and again. In fact, you're gonna hit him so hard, he doesn't get angry, he gets scared. You're the underdog, but you're gonna get back up because you're a Vance now. So go kill him.
AIDAN
(smiles)
Okay.
DEBORAH
Okay. Okay. Go!
Aidan returns to the fight with a renewed spirit. His face is battered and bloody but he’s ready.
DEBORAH
Go, Aidan! Come on!
REFEREE
Fighter, you ready? Fighter, you ready? Let's fight! Go, Aidan!
Aidan lands a punch.
DJ
Oh!
And lands another one and another.
DEBORAH
(shakes the fence)
Go! That's it, that's it, that's it, that's...
EMPLOYEE
Hey, you can't be up...
DEBORAH
(exasperated but lets go)
Oh, please.
MC LUDWIG
Yo!
He’s surprised by Aidan’s strong comeback just as everyone else is. He lands more punches.
DJ
Oh, my God! Yes, yes!
DEBORAH
Get him, get him, get him!
Aidan lands the final blow, blood spraying across Deborah’s face.
The horn blares and the bell dings. Aidan has won.
DEBORAH
(cheers)
Yes!
Cheers and applause from the audience. Ava, Kiki, and DJ can’t believe it.
DEBORAH
Yeah! Whoo!
AIDAN
(yells)
I fucking love you, babe!
DJ
(yells)
I fucking love you, babe!
DEBORAH
(to Ludwig)
This is our fuckin' city!
He’s very confused by this.
DEBORAH
(laughs)
Whoo!
KIKI
(emphatically)
Do not fuck with Deborah Vance.
DJ
(to guys behind them)
Fuck you!
Ava swallows nervously at Kiki’s statement.
KIKI
Whoo! Yeah!
EXT. THE PALMETTO - ARENA ENTRANCE
Ava is on the phone with Jimmy.
AVA
(anxiously)
Jimmy, I was wrong. You were right. Deborah's absolutely capable of killing me. She cannot find out about that email.
JIMMY (O.S.)
Okay, okay. Calm down. I'm working on it. But for the time being, just stay away from her.
DEBORAH
Ava.
AVA
(hangs up)
Oh, gotta go.
DEBORAH
Ava, you were right. I'm gonna feel a lot better once I'm on the road. That's why after the party, you and I are going to make one quick trip the next day, and then we’re heading out on the road. It doesn’t matter if we don’t have everything together. We can meet up with the bus later. It’ll just be you and me for a bit.
Deborah walks off. Ava whimpers at that.
EXT. DJ’S APARTMENT DOOR
PLAYING: Pass the Hours by MorMor
Deborah knocks on DJ’s front door. A pause and then DJ opens the door.
DEBORAH
Oh, thank God you're up.
DJ
Yeah, yeah, I got to monitor Aidan. Make sure he doesn't fall asleep. He could slip into a coma. I'm just reading him "Harry Potter."
DEBORAH
Oh.
DJ
Hey, you know, I wanted to thank you again for tonight.
DEBORAH
Oh.
DJ (con’t)
For showing up and being so supportive of Aidan. All I wanted was for him to be okay, but you helped really bring out his A-game. So thank you.
DEBORAH
Sure. Listen I…
DJ waits patiently for Deborah to start her thought.
DEBORAH
I just wanted to let you know that Ava and I will be leaving in a couple of days to go on tour. So while I'm gone, I would like you and Aidan to stay at my house.
DJ
No, Mom, I don't wanna stay...
DEBORAH
Honey, listen, on a lot of my tours you should've had a home that wasn't a bus. So, please, take it. Just until you get a bigger place.
DJ acquiesces seeing it for the peace offering it is.
DJ
Thank you.
Deborah hands her the key.
DEBORAH (con’t)
Also, I’ve been thinking about what you and Aidan are trying to do with the IVF stuff and I just…Take it from me, I know how scary trying something new can be. Because, you know, there’s always a chance of disappointment. That it won’t work out.
DJ sombers now, sniffling a little at the reminder of her and Aidan’s disappointment.
DEBORAH (con’t)
But there’s always a chance that finally…finally it will work out. And you just got hold out for that sometimes.
Deborah’s eyes sheen a little.
DEBORAH (con’t)
And when you’re trying something new with someone else well that can be even scarier but it can also be…amazing. Nothing like it.
Deborah looks at DJ intently.
DEBORAH (con’t)
I-I see that sometimes the best things we make are made with someone else. And you’ve found someone kind and trustworthy to do that with. Your father and I made 2 things together…and only one of them was truly special.
DJ’s eyes well up. She can’t look at her mother as she wipes her eye.
DJ
(sniffs)
Please don’t say the sitcom.
DEBORAH
(dryly)
Well, maybe if it ever made it to syndication.
DJ cracks a smile at that and Deborah chuckles. DJ shakes her head at her mother. She can’t ever be serious for too long.
DJ
I think Aidan and I are going to try again. We’ll keep you updated.
DEBORAH
(quietly)
Okay.
DJ
I know you’ll be busy but, you know, feel free to call me, tell me how the tour is going.
Deborah nods. Deborah snaps her fingers remembering something.
DEBORAH
Oh, also, Luna’s birthday party is happening the day after tomorrow at 3 pm at my house, so if you want to come. There will be cake and lots of hyped-up toddlers around. Could help you seal your decision either way so…
DJ rolls her eyes.
DJ
Is there anything you want me to do for you around the house while you're gone?
DEBORAH
Oh, no. I'd prefer you'd not touch anything.
DJ looks at her blankly.
Chapter 5
Summary:
The pressure rises for Jimmy and Ava to solve the email problem. Ava and DJ bond at the House of Ax. At Luna's birthday party, Ava and Marcus interact for the first time since Ava came back.
Notes:
Fic playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5yMkNfEs9XRVWf28stdym1?si=99ae4a9bb6844d66&pt=821ce09f28614507d9880eef64baf035
Chapter Text
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - AVA’S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
Ava paces up and down waiting for Jimmy to pick up. She scratches near her right hip. She whimpers hearing the third ring. Jimmy finally picks up.
AVA
Jimmy! Jimmy, buddy, I’m dying here. Please tell me something good.
JIMMY
You think I’m doing great? I’ve already had to change shirts, I sweated through the first one.
(sighs)
Okay, so I scored a meeting with Janet Stone. She is very, very difficult to get in touch but she agreed to have lunch with me the day after tomorrow.
AVA
Yeah, yeah, so what’s going to happen?!
JIMMY
Just hang tight in the next couple of days and I’m going to try to persuade Janet not to use the stuff in the email. Just a calm, rational conversation.
Ava is scratching like crazy, her breath getting heavy.
AVA
(shaking)
My dude, I don’t think I’ll last. I have been around Deborah for days and she’s being nice.
JIMMY
Nice? Jesus, that is fucking terrifying.
AVA
Plus, like, I think my body knows how garbage I am because I have this huge rash on my stomach.
JIMMY
(groans and closes eyes)
Ava, please…
AVA
It’s literally peeling, it oozes and-
JIMMY
(gags)
Ava, please stop-
AVA
(poking at her rash)
It’s weirdly satisfying to peel off though.
JIMMY
(gags more)
Skin stuff freaks me out, STOP!!!
He bends over his desk, looking sick. A chair can be heard banging against the wall offscreen in the office.
KAYLA (O.S.)
(yells)
I GOT YOU, JIMS! I LEARNED THE HEIMLICH!
Further commotion.
JIMMY (O.S.)
No no no no-
The call cuts off. Ava furrows her brow and continues to scratch herself. She grumbles and hangs up.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - DEBORAH’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON
PLAYING: You Don’t Have to Be Lonely by The Undercover Dream Lovers
DEBORAH
Doing the food poisoning joke after the infected tooth might be too much. I don’t want them to run away in revulsion.
AVA
It makes you relatable. Everyone’s gotta body and a lot of the time it’s kinda gross.
DEBORAH
Oh, I’m sorry were you under the impression I wanted to be relatable?
AVA
It’s not like you talk about a time you farted during a set.
(sardonically)
Which I’m sure you don’t even fart, so…
Deborah and Ava smirk at that.
They startle at hear a door slam and the clacking of heels heading towards them. DJ comes into the office.
Deborah shakes her head and goes back to her notes.
DEBORAH
Not right now, DJ, I’m busy.
DJ
I’m not here for you.
That startles Deborah to look up questioningly. DJ turns to Ava.
DJ (con’t)
(waves her hand to come on)
Come on. We’re going to House of Axe, my treat, and we gotta book it because half price off all drinks until 2.
It’s 12:45.
Ava splutters looking back and forth between DJ and Deborah, not sure what to do.
DJ
(frowns at Deborah)
Someone only just now told me your dad died.
Deborah shrugs, unrepentant. How she was supposed to know DJ would want to know?
DJ (con’t)
(turns back to Ava)
I texted you.
Ava pulls her phone out of her pocket. She frowns and looks up at DJ.
AVA
You texted me 15 minutes ago, so…?
DJ
I’m not a long-term planner okay? I’ve accepted this about myself. Besides, aren’t GenZers supposed to be attached to their phones?
Ava turns to Deborah, laughs nervously, and then looks her solemnly in the eye as she babbles.
AVA
I am resolved to make only good decisions with my phone. I want to be a responsible phone user, moving beyond the stereotype. Not hurting anyone with technology and poor boundaries.
If there’s a deeper meaning Ava is trying to convey to Deborah, it’s lost, as she’s put off by her strange seriousness. Deborah shakes her head in frustration.
DEBORAH
Just go. There’s still some last-minute party details I need to figure out.
DJ
(already heading out the door)
Whoo!
Ava scrambles to grab her stuff. She tries to catch up.
DJ
Heads up!
DJ throws the car keys behind her and miraculously Ava catches them.
AVA
(blows out a breath)
Yeah…I got the drill this time. I’m learning.
(to DJ)
I just need to grab my-
DJ is already out the door.
AVA (con’t)
…Yeah.
CUT TO:
INT. HOUSE OF AXE - LATER
DJ and Ava are sitting at the bar ordering.
DJ
I want the house salad, everything on it, with light ranch and don’t skimp on the croûtons, please. If I’m going to get through a salad, I need my croûtons. And an iced tea, no alcohol.
AVA
(stammers)
Oh, I thought we were-
DJ
I can’t right now but I want you to order something truly abominable in my honor. Like I said, my treat.
(points to something on the menu)
Ooh, pick that one!
Ava’s eyebrows rise but she’s too tired to argue or care. Making her own decisions has done her no good lately.
AVA
Uh, okay, I will have the
(hesitates, purses her lips)
Heaven’s Gate and the barbecue burger with fries.
They give back the menus to the bartender.
AVA
(turns to DJ)
Well, if you can’t name a drink after a death cult, I mean, are you even in America?
A beat. Ava furrows her brow in concern.
AVA
Everything okay?
(a beat)
If it’s about my bad timing skills, I can work on that.
DJ waves her hand away, but can’t meet Ava’s eye. Nervously scratches at the bar surface. She shrugs.
DJ
Aidan and I are, uh
(sniffs)
trying IVF. I mean it hasn’t worked yet but you’re supposed to like watch what you eat and not drink alcohol and stuff.
Ava’s eyes widen. She doesn’t know what to say.
AVA
Oh wow, that’s really cool. I mean, you know…children. Children are…
A beat. Ava puffs out her cheeks trying to think of an adjective.
DJ looks up at her bemusedly.
The waiter brings their drinks, thank god. Ava immediately sips it and winces. Abominable indeed and in poor taste. The Vegas way.
DJ holds up her glass to Ava.
DJ
Welcome to the Dead Dads Club! Your dad sounded way cooler than mine-mine was an asshole so not saying much but still-so I’m sorry he’s gone. To… (pauses, looking at Ava)
AVA
(tears up a little)
Dennis.
DJ
To Dennis!
Their glasses clinked. DJ took a large gulp. Ava shakily took a sip of her drink. Just like Deborah said, it hits over and over again in small ways. It hurtles to the front of her mind that she doesn’t have a dad anymore. She’d prefer not to cry in a place where you throw axes at the wall though.
DJ winces after she chugs practically half her glass. She puts her glass down with a thud, frustrated. She starts picking at the peanuts, ripping off the shells.
DJ
The things I do for family.
DJ turns back to Ava. Chews a couple of peanuts and licks the salt off her finger. She wipes her hands off with a napkin. She points to Ava’s neck.
DJ
I’ve been meaning to ask you about your necklaces. What’s the story behind those? You wear them, like, all the time.
Ava touched her necklaces, startled by being reminded of their existence. They felt like part of her skin, at this point, she had worn them for so long.
DJ
(standing up and stepping closer to Ava)
Can I take a look?
AVA
Well, I-
Too late, DJ is already up near her face picking up her necklaces. She’s studying them intently.
Ava awkwardly holds up her head letting DJ invade her space. The waiter comes back with the salad and looks confusedly at them. Ava gives a strained smile at him.
AVA
Hey, how’s it going?
The waiter just shakes his head and moves on.
DJ
The top looks like 14 karats. It looks older, a little unusual for a young woman. Circa
(bobs her head side to side)
1950s?
Still straining due to DJ’s proximity.
AVA
It was my grandmother’s so…
DJ
Yup, makes sense. The second probably around 12 or 14 karats too.
AVA
I basically never take them off.
DJ
Yup, real gold alright if you do that. Gold doesn’t rust.
(puts down the necklaces)
They’re pretty.
DJ sits back down and takes another sip of her tea. She dives into her salad.
AVA
My dad gave me the other one for my 15th birthday.
DJ nods vigorously as if in approval of his choice. Ava touches her wristwatch, another accessory just added.
DJ
Plain for my taste but they suit you.
She’s not sure if she should be offended.
AVA
Thank you?
How’s Aidan doing?
DJ
It was touch and go there for a while, but he pulled through and is super stoked about his win. And when he was good to go, I congratulated him well if you know what I’m saying?
Wiggles her eyebrows, innuendo obvious.
Ava screws up her face at that.
AVA
You said congratulations…to his dick?
DJ
(points fork at her)
Exactly! Like the supportive wife I am. My hubby did good so he deserves it.
AVA
(wanting this conversation to be over)
Okay.
The waiter comes out with Ava’s food.
DJ
Anyway, I heard you and mom are heading on the road soon.
AVA
(eating a fry)
Yup.
DJ looks contemplatively over at her, Ava obliviously eating her burger, getting barbecue sauce on her chin.
DJ
You’re the reason she’s doing all this new stuff now, aren’t you?
Ava caught off guard by the question, coughs and tries to finish chewing while wiping the last bit of sauce off her face. DJ points to where she’s missed.
AVA
Uh, I don’t know what-what do you mean?
DJ
I mean Deborah’s being all honest and stuff and she said a bunch of stuff in front of thousands of people that I’ve never heard before and I was there!!
(beat)
She’s different. And I have a suspicion it’s because of you.
Ava doesn’t feel hungry anymore. She blushes a little at the thought she played such a role in Deborah’s life.
AVA
(shrugs)
I just thought that Deborah owed it to herself. After all this time, you know? After…everything.
DJ just nods. She sniffs.
DJ
Anyway, like I said, I want to give you a pick me up after everything. Plus, you’re about to be on a tour bus, and uh I know that sucks a bag of dicks so I also got you something.
DJ rifles through her purse and brings out a stone. Ava takes it curiously. It’s a small rock with pink stripes in it. It’s cool…but she has no idea what it is.
DJ rubs her hands up and down her thighs.
DJ
It’s pink tourmaline. The one thing I looked forward to on the road is that sometimes I would find gemstones at the gift shops. Been collecting them ever since. It’s supposed to like help with grief and calm nerves and help you get over shit and promote wisdom and understanding and blah blah blah. I don’t know.
(waves off)
I carried it with me in my last rehab stint, the one that finally stuck. I think it gave me the energy I needed, at least a little bit, to do what I needed to do.
(sniffs and shrugs)
Plus, I like pink so…
Ava’s eyes moisten as DJ talks. It’s such a thoughtful gift. Perhaps one of the most thoughtful she’s ever been given. This clearly meant a lot to DJ.
DJ (con’t)
Maybe it will help you.
AVA
DJ, thank you so much.
Once again, Ava is struck with how awful of a person she is. Her stomach starts to itch again and she can’t resist scratching it a bit. She doesn’t deserve this kindness, but she’s too weak to turn it down.
Ava grips the stone and cries silently. Thinking the grief over her father has hit her, DJ doesn’t comment. She gets up and hugs her. Ava rests on her shoulder for a couple of beats. She’s had more platonic human touch in the past week than she’s had in almost any year of her life.
Not super comfortable, DJ lets go and shakes her head, wiping a stray tear from her eye.
DJ
Hey, how about we throw some axes? Throwing weapons is always fun no matter what mood I’m in. Plus, when I’m preggo I might not be able to. I mean I think? I don’t know, I’ll ask the doctor.
Ava nods, trying to stave off more tears. She puts the gemstone in her pocket.
EXT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - POOL - THE NEXT DAY
PLAYING: Star Child by B.T. Express
Luna’s party is in full swing. There’s loud music playing, kids playing in the pool, a few kids playing with water guns, and family sitting around talking and eating. Deborah is playing a great hostess helping Josefina get all the food and refreshments outside.
Luna is wearing a cute pink flotation suit. She hesitates a little at the side, then yells and jumps in.
Ava is over in a corner sitting by herself, just watching Deborah. She’s not in a bathing suit because well obviously, can’t swim, but also it would even be embarrassing in the shallow end because some of those kids can swim better than she can. She’d rather pass out from heat exhaustion. She smiles a little seeing Deborah fuss over the details. She helped set up the tables but Deborah quickly dismissed her not wanting much of anyone to help with food. Fair.
She also happened to notice Deborah looked very nice today. Deborah looked nice every day, so maybe she was just seeing it more. Goddammit, absolutely the worst time in the world to develop a full-blown crush on your boss. I mean…there was never a perfect time for that but especially not now.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Kiki.
KIKI
Hey, girl, hey!
AVA
Hello.
Kiki sits down next to her. She looks toward Ava’s view of Deborah at the table and raises an eyebrow. Ava flushes. Caught. She takes a sip of lemonade, not meeting her eyes.
KIKI
Ah, so that’s why you’re baking in the heat all by yourself in a corner. Making heart eyes at Deborah.
AVA
No, it’s because I’m socially awkward.
KIKI
Let me guess. You also swooned before the party didn’t you?
Okay, now that was scary. Change subjects, please.
AVA
I got the exact toy you suggested. Pretty sure this is the…only time I’ve bought a gift for a kid so thanks for accommodating my lack of imagination.
KIKI
No problemo. How you hanging in there? Real sorry about your dad.
AVA
I think…I just really like being busy right now. If I just think about it all the time…
(shakes her head)
KIKI
Yeah.
AVA
Um, non-sequitur , but also the lifeguard Deborah hired is hot.
They both look over at the blond young woman sitting on the side of the pool watching over the kids. Did Deb hire an Olympian? Because she’s very toned and Ava didn’t think she was an arm girl but damn gotta appreciate. They were mesmerized for a beat.
KIKI
Wow, we’re those weirdos who are getting horny at a kids’ party.
AVA
Yeah.
Despite Kiki’s statement, they didn’t take their eyes off the lifeguard, only letting out little gasps when she stretched her arms above her head.
CUT TO:
Deborah fidgeted with the glassware on the table. She then turns to head back to the house only to come face to face with a kid with a water gun pointed right at her.
He looks blankly at her, finger-ready on the trigger.
She raises an eyebrow.
DEBORAH
(growls)
Don’t you dare.
That shakes the kid up whose face flashes in fear and then runs away. Deborah smiles demurely to herself.
CUT TO:
Kiki helps Luna wade around the pool asking her to “Kick! Kick! Kick!” and cheering when they made it to the other side of the pool.
CUT TO:
DJ at a corner table by herself, her plate filled with every food on offer. Her eyes are fixed on Luna and Kiki. She’s transfixed by the mother/daughter affection. She smiles when she sees them start a small splash fight.
AVA
Hey, DJ, I didn’t know you’d be here.
DJ pulls her eyes away and nods at Ava as she takes a bite of potato salad. Ava sits across from her.
DJ
Mom invited me. Not gonna say no to free food and cake.
Ava noticed DJ turn her attention immediately back to Kiki and Luna.
DJ
I really want it.
Luna is now playing a game with her cousins and Kiki is grabbing a beer and chilling on the side with the parents still watching her kid. Kiki was a good mom, Ava thought if she had any sense for that kind of thing. She loves her but she doesn’t hover.
DJ (con’t)
I’ve always kinda wanted it but…
She shrugs.
DJ (con’t)
I had a lot of shit to wade through. And then it just seemed too late. And then I met Aidan and now it’s stupid it’s like all I can think about most days. I just really want it.
A beat. Ava doesn’t know what to say.
DJ (con’t)
I mean not the screaming swarm of toddlers. That’s my worst nightmare.
Ava laughs.
AVA
I feel that down to the half of my DNA I don’t share with another sibling. …Or any younger cousins.
DJ quickly turns towards her.
DJ
Do you think Aidan and I are moving too fast? Be honest.
CUT TO:
Deborah carries a cake with burning candles on it, moving her way to the center table.
DEBORAH
(yells)
Let’s sing for the birthday girl! ♪Happy birthday to you! ♪
Everyone starts singing along. Luna giggles uncontrollably as Kiki plucks her out of the pool and goes with her to the table.
Ava shakes it off to answer DJ’s question. DJ’s eyes flicker back to her as she speaks again.
AVA
(flustered)
I-I mean I’m not an expert on relationships but, in the little amount of time, I’ve known you guys, I know you genuinely care about each other.
DJ
Don’t ever tell her this but I can sort of see Deborah’s point. Aidan and I haven’t known each other that long.
AVA
Yeah, but you can also “know” a person for a long time and not really know them. And sometimes you can know a person for a short period and you know so much about them.
They finish singing and Luna has to try a few times before she blows the candles out. Everyone cheers and claps.
DJ
(snaps her fingers)
That’s how I feel about Aidan. He felt like home. I had never felt that way before.
AVA
DJ, you and Aidan are going to be fine.
DJ
I hope so and I hope I don’t screw it up.
DEBORAH (O.S.)
Ava, grab the napkins on the counter!!!
Like her body was wired to respond to Deborah’s yelling, she jolted a little out of her seat. Ava checked quickly with DJ that she was okay.
DJ
You go. I’m gonna get some cake. Want me to grab you one?
AVA
Yes, please.
She jogs into the kitchen.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - KITCHEN
Marcus is sitting on the kitchen counter working on his laptop. His brows furrowed in concentration.
AVA (O.S.)
Napkins, napkins, napkins.
His eyes shifted towards the hallway where he heard her coming from. He glared then moved back to his screen.
She entered the kitchen and then took a step back when she saw Marcus. This is the first time they’ve been alone since she returned and it’s clear he still doesn’t like her. Cool, cool, cool.
AVA
Hey, dude. Sorry to bother you. Just getting some napkins. There’s cake outside. You know, if you want…cake.
She ended that last word awkwardly.
He doesn’t look up from his computer.
MARCUS
(flatly)
Busy. Lots to do for the tour.
She remembers him telling her that Deborah’s new show was “very off-brand”. She’s kind of thought of Marcus as a business robot. Beep boop beep boop. It was mostly clear that he had contempt for her which was a little uncalled for (maybe not once she thought of the email, shit he’ll definitely kill her then and she’ll deserve it) but he was scary efficient and she couldn’t help but respect that a little. Those who can’t do, respect the hell out of it.
AVA
Right, yeah, of course. But yeah have some cake…maybe join the water gun fight.
She laughs a little. He continues to ignore her. She grabs the napkins and decides to book it.
AVA (con’t)
So I’ll see you later, yeah. Deb probably thinks I got lost in the pantry by now or something.
She walks out of the kitchen. Marcus rolls his eyes.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - AVA’S BEDROOM - EVENING
Today was a hell of a day, Ava thought, as she slumped onto the bed on her back. Tomorrow was more workshopping and planning the tour. Then, the next day they had to head a little outside Vegas to visit Deborah’s psychic. Jimmy was going to meet with Janet then. She just had to hang on a little longer.
She sat up and grabbed the tennis canister of her dad’s ashes.
AVA
What should I do, half dad?
She wondered, not for the first time since he passed if her dad would be proud of her. It’s hard to imagine that he would be, but then again his faith in her had never wavered. Maybe it was just because she hid so much for him, she thought glumly. Her chest ached, another small wave of grief.
She put the canister back on the nightstand next to the gem DJ gave her and gets ready for bed.
Chapter 6
Summary:
The tower falls down.
Notes:
Fic playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5yMkNfEs9XRVWf28stdym1?si=0a093aabd8554b88&pt=6bbbeba4bd373465efdb1f0e30cc7f81
Chapter Text
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - FOYER
Ava is waiting for Deborah to meet her so they can head out to see her psychic. Her psychic is a little outside of Vegas so this is their last to-do before they head out on the road. Her phone chimes and she takes it out of her back pocket.
CUT TO:
Ava’s phone.
Jimmy: I’m meeting with Janet Stone for lunch today. Stay away from Deborah as much as you can. I’ll get back to you soon.
She sighs, agitated, scratching some more at her side.
Another notification.
Jimmy: DON’T. DO. ANYTHING. STUPID.
Okay, well now he just jinxed it. The problem with stupid things Ava did is that they seemed like good ideas to her at the time. She had no gage, apparently, of what was and wasn’t stupid. Or worse, maybe she did know, and she didn’t care. Either way, they were fucked.
DEBORAH
Ready?
Ava scrambles to put her phone away and nods.
They leave the house.
EXT. DESERT
PLAYING: You're No Good by Linda Ronstadt
INT. DEBORAH’S CAR
Deborah is driving and singing. Ava looks like she’s about to throw up. Her body is tense. She smiles tightly at Deborah.
DEBORAH
♪ I broke apart ♪
(mumbles)
♪ I'm tellin' you true ♪
Is that the lyric?
♪ Someone like you ♪
AVA
(nervously)
I think so. Or it should be. Whatever you said, I loved.
DEBORAH
You know, I actually have always thought I'd be an excellent songwriter.
AVA
You would. You really would. I mean...
Guilt is written all over Ava’s face.
EXT. REST STOP
DEBORAH (O.S.)
Oh, I love these big rest stops. It's my favorite part of being on the road. Well, we’re not technically on the road yet.
INT. DEBORAH’S CAR
DEBORAH (con’t)
But we will be.
She smiles brightly at Ava. Ava tries to contort a smile back.
INT. REST STOP
Deborah and Ava walk through the door. An electronic bell dings. Deborah sniffs excitedly. She walks through the front door excitedly admiring the place.
DEBORAH
Yes. Oh, this is great!
She moves to a shelf.
DEBORAH (con’t)
Ooh, ooh, you want some unsalted sunflower seeds?
AVA
(surprised)
No. Do you?
DEBORAH
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. These are high in protein, rich in vitamin B1, and the only thing in these kinds of places that isn't lard or sugar.
Ava laughs.
AVA
No. I'm cool... I'm cool, yeah. I'm just gonna go to... I'm gonna head... I'm gonna find the, um... You know, I'm gonna... Yeah, I'll be back.
Deborah rolls her eyes as she retreats.
INT. REST STOP - BATHROOM STALL
Ava sits on the toilet just praying not to have a panic attack in a rest stop bathroom. Having one is humiliating enough.
AVA
(to herself)
You’re going to be fine. It’s okay. Just calm yourself. Just hang on a little longer.
She looks up only to see a kid staring back at her through a gap in the stall door. She freezes, taken aback. He just keeps staring.
KID
Hi. I'm Daniel.
AVA
Hi, Daniel.
DANIEL
Hello.
(a beat)
I had trouble pooping yesterday too.
Ava grimaces and hangs her head.
INT. REST STOP
Deborah goes to get a Diet Coke from the fountain and spots a shelf of reusable cups. She shrugs and smiles and figures ‘why the hell not?’. She puts away the disposable cup and grabs the reusable one instead.
Later, we see her near a sunglasses stand trying on a pair. Ava walks over to her looking on in amusement.
AVA
Gas station sunglasses?
DEBORAH
(frowns and puts down the glasses)
Don't be a snob. It's not about the label. It's about the fit.
(gestures at her face)
See, now, like, I have a classic heart-shaped face. Perfect. So I want to mimic that with glasses that are kind of wider at the top and a little bit narrower at the bottom, like...
(picks out a pair)
Mm, these. Look.
Deborah puts on the pair. A beat and then Ava concedes.
AVA
Okay, wow, yeah.
DEBORAH
Right? Now, you, on the other hand, have a more oval face.
(gestures at Ava’s face)
Kind of like a Jordan almond.
Ava blinks at that for a second but doesn’t comment.
DEBORAH
So you need to contrast that with something more angular. Like, um...
(picks out a pair)
Oh, here, try these.
Ava puts them on and looks at herself in the mirror.
AVA
Wow.
DEBORAH
Huh? Very cute. Keep 'em. They're yours. My treat.
AVA
Oh, that's nice... You don't have to do that.
DEBORAH
(deadpans)
They're $4.99.
AVA
Okay, thank you.
DEBORAH
You're welcome.
Ava stares into the mirror. Deborah moves in front of her to stare herself in the mirror and smile.
DEBORAH
(pleased with herself)
Classic.
EXT. REST STOP EXIT
They head back to the car.
AVA
You bought a reusable cup?
DEBORAH
Yeah, well, you know, it offsets my private jet.
INT. DEBORAH’S CAR
PLAYING: My Stove’s On Fire by Robert Lester Folsom
AVA
So your psychic…this isn’t the one who stole from you, is it?
DEBORAH
Oh, Zephyr? No. God no, that son of a bitch. Joke's on him, though. He drowned.
AVA
How is that a joke?
DEBORAH
(shrugs)
I'm laughing.
INT. DIANA’S (DEBORAH’S PSYCHIC) OFFICE
Deborah knocks on the open door. Diana looks up from her computer.
DIANA
(gapes)
Oh, my God. I cannot believe you walked in here today.
(taps on her phone)
Look at this. Look at this. Look.
(shows Deborah the phone)
I just sold my Cisco stock today, and now you're here? Is that wild, or is that wild? By the way, my return? 258%.
DEBORAH
(cheers)
Yes.
DIANA
(grasps her wrist)
Thank God you told me to buy it.
DEBORAH
I'm psychic.
DIANA
Me too.
Deborah laughs.
DIANA
So what do you think of crypto?
DEBORAH
No, I like to stay fad-free in my portfolio. Are you into renewables?
DIANA
Renewables. Look, I gotta write this shit down.
(gestures them back)
Here. Come on, come on. Come in. Uh, don't trip over the extension cords.
They walk to the back. Ava clearly not sure about this but going along anyway.
INT. DIANA’S PLACE
Diana sits across from Deborah and Ava at a table. Diana is doing a reading for Deborah with tarot cards.
DIANA
Fascinating. Ah, Death card.
AVA
(horrified)
My God.
DIANA
Oh, it could mean death, but it doesn't literally just mean death. It could mean rebirth. A transformation for the better.
DEBORAH
That makes sense... I mean, the show's totally new to me.
DIANA
Whoomp, there it is.
(puts out a card)
Ah, the Ace of Pentacles. Financial prosperity, baby.
Diana chuckles. She closes her eyes and presses her hand to her head.
DIANA
I see... a new success on the QVC.
DEBORAH
Mm, I doubt it. I mean, I'm kind of pulling back from that. I'm not launching anything new this year.
DIANA
(opens her eyes and shrugs)
I'm just telling you what I see.
She pulls out another card. She gasps, takes her glasses off, and stares down at the card looking horrified.
DIANA (con’t)
The Tower.
Deborah also looks concerned and scared. Ava looks confusedly between them.
AVA
What, this one is worse than the Death card?
DIANA
(solemnly)
It's a cosmic wrecking ball. Deborah... a truth is about to be revealed to you.
Ava looks nervous.
DIANA (con’t)
And it is disastrous.
AVA
(insistent)
Well, you could be wrong, though, right? 'Cause, you know, you were wrong about the QVC thing, so...
DIANA
Cards don't lie.
AVA
Seems like, how could you know, though?
(sternly)
Did you shuffle good?
DEBORAH
(taken aback by Ava’s insistence)
Would you stop it? It's fine. It's better to know. This way, I can, you know, be on the lookout.
Diana clicks her tongue and points at Deborah.
DIANA
Okay, red. You ready for a reading?
AVA
Me? No. Me? No. Me? No. No, I'm good. I'm a science girl, so I'm cool.
DIANA
Come on, at least let me snap a pic of your aura real quick. On the house?
AVA
Thank you. Not interested.
DEBORAH
(pokes at her)
Oh, come on. Have a little fun, would ya?
AVA
All right.
INT. DIANA’S OFFICE
Ava is wearing a lead vest on her chest. Diana pulls down a black screen behind her. It snaps up, startling Ava who is already nervously pulling at the vest.
DIANA
(pulls it back down)
Ah. Don't worry. Here we go.
Diana moves to take the picture. Deborah looks on, smiling.
The shutter clicks. Ava takes off the vest and sits down. Diana moves to her computer to process the photo.
DIANA
Gotcha. Now I do, do-do, do-do, do-do this and I do this and we put this in here.
The computer whirs and beeps.
DIANA
Wow. Pure blue. Means you're honest and have clarity in communication.
DEBORAH
That's true. This girl's honest to a fault.
(gestures towards her)
She's always trying to get me to be more honest, which, honestly, is exhausting. This morning, she told me that she was a four on the Bristol Stool Chart. And trust me, I didn't ask.
DIANA
Ugh, I'd kill to be a four. I have trouble. Enjoy it while you're young. Mm. Here you go, Little Miss Honesty.
She hands Ava the photo.
DEBORAH
(looks at photo)
Let me see. Wow.
DIANA
It's a good aura.
Ava looks down at the photo sadly. Deborah pats her on the back as she gets up. Ava looks conflicted and resigned. She knows she has to do the right thing.
DIANA
So if you're in renewables...
DEBORAH
Mm-hmm?
DIANA
Does that mean you're out on oil?
DEBORAH
Oh, God no. I'm always in oil.
Deborah and Diana leave.
INT. MYSTIC SHOP
Ava and Deborah are perusing a mystic gift shop.
DEBORAH
Mm, these are pretty. Good stocking stuffers.
While Deborah is looking, Ava is transfixed by a rock that says “Love = Trust”. Next to it, a rock that says “Beauty is Truth”. Ava looks up at Deborah.
DEOBRAH (con’t)
Oh. It says, "Give to a loving friend".
(jokingly to Ava)
Gonna get me one?
Deborah chuckles. Ava prepares herself for what she needs to say. She can’t hold it in any longer. Deborah deserves the truth. She sighs and goes up to Deborah.
AVA
Um, Deborah, I have to tell you something.
DEBORAH
Oh, please, if it's more about the Bristol Stool Chart, I've heard enough.
AVA
What I'm about to say might upset you, but I think it's better for our relationship if I tell you.
DEBORAH
(sighs and turns to her)
Okay, what is it?
AVA
(sighs)
After our fight, I got drunk and took Xanax and I sent a very stupid email to those show runners that I met with in LA. I said some... unkind things about you that I don't even believe because I was hurt and angry, and I'm sorry.
Deborah is shocked, trying to take all this in.
DEBORAH
You did what?
AVA
I said some pretty revealing stuff about you that you probably wouldn't want made public, and I'm trying to get them to not use it in their show, but I think that they are because they... They told me they are. But it might not even go to series.
I’m so, so sorry. It’s been eating me alive. I know I should’ve told you sooner. I even have this rash which I think is a manifestation of my guilt or something…
DEBORAH
Who's starring in it?
AVA
(hesitates)
Um... Helen Mirren.
DEBORAH
(yells)
Of course it's going to series! You ungrateful bitch!
Throws crystals and a vase. Ava ducking to avoid them.
AVA
Oh! Deborah, I'm so sorry!
DEBORAH
(yelling)
Oh, too late!
AVA
Hey, calm down!
DEBORAH
Don't tell me to calm down!
AVA
(yelping)
You said you wouldn't hit people!
DEBORAH
I won't if you move fast enough!
STORE EMPLOYEE
Not the agate!
DEBORAH
I'll buy what I break! You...
She hits a gong and it rings out. Ava manages to successfully duck.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE MYSTIC SHOP
Ava crouched down behind the desk, only coming out when she saw Deborah exit the shop. She doesn’t know what to say to the store employee so she says nothing and leaves.
Deborah’s car is gone. She’s been stranded in the desert…again. Not that it wasn’t well deserved, this time. She pulls her out her phone, only one option she can think of, her head hanging low.
AVA
Hey Kiks? Uh, I fucked up and is it okay if I stay at your place for a bit? And could you please pick me up?
INT. KIKI’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - LATER
Ava sits alone on Kiki’s couch. Jimmy calls and she takes a deep breath before she picks up.
AVA
Hey.
JIMMY
(pleased)
Finally. So I am officially the manager of the century. I took one for the team, and the email's taken care of. She's never gonna find out.
AVA
(guilty)
I just told her.
JIMMY
I'm sorry.
(chuckles )
It sounded like you said you just told her.
AVA
(grimacing)
I did.
Jimmy in frustration wants to throw his phone at the wall. He manages to stop himself.
JIMMY
Oh, my God, Ava. Why? Why?
AVA
I know, but even if I had known, I had to be honest. I hope you didn't go through too much trouble.
KAYLA
Jimmy! Can I go? I gotta go buy towels. 'Cause I need a new set.
JIMMY
(blood boiling)
I definitely did.
AVA
And I know she's gonna fire me, and you'll have to drop me and...
A knock at the door.
AVA (con’t)
I'm really sorry, for this and everything I put you through.
She looks through the peephole and sees Deborah with her arms crossed, waiting.
JIMMY (O.S.)
Oh, God. Well, listen, you know, I just gotta say...
AVA
(interrupts)
Um, Jimmy, I gotta call you back.
Ava answers the door.
DEBORAH
Hungry?
INT. DINER NEAR KIKI’S HOUSE
They’re sitting opposite at a table. They’ve eaten their dinner in a tense silence.
AVA
(cautiously)
I have good news, actually. That, uh, email, it's not gonna be used in their new show. Jimmy took care of it.
Deborah nods blankly.
WAITRESS
Can I get you gals anything else?
DEBORAH
Just the bill, please. Separate checks.
WAITRESS
Sure.
Deborah gently puts her silverware onto her plate and pushes it back.
DEBORAH
(clears throat)
Okay. Read it to me.
AVA
Oh, no, no. Please don't...
DEBORAH
(sternly)
I'm telling you to read it to me.
Ava looks at her sadly but concedes. She picks up her phone to find the email.
DEBORAH
(emotionless)
The entire thing.
Ava looks up briefly at that and starts to read.
AVA
"Hey, y'all. Parentheses, trying not to use the gendered term 'you guys' anymore even though it honestly sounds neutral to me,-“
Deborah rolls her eyes.
AVA (con’t)
“-End parentheses. First of all, I'm so sorry about how our meeting ended the other day. I fucking suck at first impressions. LOL."
Ava looks up hoping for any sense of camaraderie about that. Her first impression on Deborah truly was awful. All she finds is coldness on Deb’s face.
AVA (con’t)
"I just wanted to follow up on our convo. I actually think Deborah Vance is the perfect comp for your horrible boss character in 'bitch PM.'"
(aside to Deborah)
Their show is about a prime minister. Who is a bitch.
DEBORAH
Yeah, got that.
AVA (con’t)
"Anyway, here are some stories you could probably use about someone who treats people like shit and has no remorse about it at all.”
She sadly looks up, but she knows she has to continue.
AVA (con’t)
“She once asked me to perjure myself for her in traffic court. Most days, the first words out of her mouth when she sees me are, 'Not flattering.' On my first day of work, she asked if I was a lesbian which I’m pretty sure is illegal but I kept forgetting to look it up. She once refused an employee maternity leave because she thought the baby was ugly and said, 'Why would she want to be at home with that thing?'”
Deborah smiles at that one, finding that one kind of funny. What’s to come is less funny.
AVA (con’t)
“She has a terrible relationship with her junkie daughter who sells photos of Deborah to the tabloids looking like shit because they sell better if she looks like she's dying. What's even sicker is that Deborah knows about it and lets it happen. Their relationship could be repaired if Deborah would just tell her she's proud of her, but she won't even do that. Even though she's clearly the reason she's so fuckеd up in the first place."
(pained)
Please don't make me keep reading this.
Deborah looks at her threateningly to continue. Ava sighs and miserably looks back down at the phone.
AVA (con’t)
"The truth is, Deborah Vance is a bully. And the worst kind. One who thinks she's the victim. Every person in her life is on her payroll and would never be around her if their livelihoods didn't depend on it.”
Ava’s eyes sink with sadness.
AVA (con’t)
(hesitates)
“Myself included. It's her own fault she's so lonely.”
Deborah feels her heart tearing to pieces at every word.
AVA (con’t)
“Though she's too selfish to ever admit it, I think that's why she needs her adoring fans, because no one in her life actually loves her."
Tears well up in Ava’s eyes.
AVA (con’t)
(looks up and pleads)
Deborah, that's not true. I don't believe...
WAITRESS
(interrupts)
Thanks, ladies. Have a great night.
DEBORAH
You can pay for mine.
Deborah leaves. Ava is by herself at the table now.
INT. GAY BAR IN LAS VEGAS
PLAYING: Loveless by Wild Ones
Marcus is sitting at the bar with a drink watching a Golden Girls re-run. He preferred more low-key nights like this. There would be some karaoke soon and he was going to get all up on that. He had some stress to sing out.
In his back pocket, his phone vibrated. He pulled out only to frown as he saw it was Jimmy calling him.
MARCUS
Hello?
JIMMY
(frantic)
Marcus! Oh, thank god! I can’t get Deborah to pick up. Which I completely understand why she’s upset but I promise that everything’s going to be fine.
Marcus’s brows furrow at that.
JIMMY (con’t)
You know how important of a client Deborah is to me and this agency. The email won’t be used and I will personally deal with the fallout-
MARCUS
(interrupts, severe now)
What email?
CUT TO:
It’s dark outside. Jimmy being the only one still left in the office him staring out at the L.A. night. He pinches his eyes closed in pain and gulps.
JIMMY
Um, you don’t-you don’t know about the email? Deborah hasn’t…?
He sighs, just knowing he’s fucked up further.
JIMMY (con’t)
Before she left for Boston, Ava got drunk and sent a rather revealing email to the L.A. writers she interviewed with.
Marcus’s eyes darken and his fist tightens at the mention of Ava. Of fucking course.
MARCUS
(interrupts)
So she broke her NDA?
JIMMY
Well…yes.
MARCUS
Send me the email. I’ll deal with Deborah.
JIMMY
Um, okay, but will you keep me looped in?! Tell Deborah to call me!
MARCUS
I’ll tell her. Forward it now.
He hangs up. Any kind of stress relief had been blown to pieces tonight. And yet as he finished off his cocktail, he felt surprisingly solid now. Ava had fucked up predictably and now Marcus had to clean up the mess, as usual.
He texts her trying to let her know he knows and he’s here. She doesn’t respond but he didn’t really expect her to.
He suspected she was going to isolate herself for a bit. Deborah Vance was not made of stone, that much he knew. But he also knew when wounded, it was best to give her space.
She’d resurface. She always does. The last time something like this happened, Deborah found out Marty and Rina were going to have Ali. Less than a year before, Marty had drunkenly proposed to her in Monaco and she said no. After the pregnancy announcement, her eyes were glazed and she asked for a long weekend. Monday morning, she came back never mentioning it again and seemed as normal as ever.
She’ll get back up. They’ll deal with Ava, together. He’ll be there for her. Just as he’s always been.
Chapter 7
Summary:
Deborah reels from the email revelation, thinks about the past and makes a final decision about the tour. Ava vows to become a better person.
Notes:
Fic playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5yMkNfEs9XRVWf28stdym1?si=0a093aabd8554b88&pt=6bbbeba4bd373465efdb1f0e30cc7f81
Chapter Text
INT. DEBORAH’S CAR
PLAYING: Black Out Days - Future Islands Remix by Phantogram, Future Islands
For the next couple of hours after leaving the diner, Deborah just drives. She goes up and down the Strip, visiting the boroughs she’s known for 30 years. All in a daze.
When she had to think of where she and DJ should settle down, she immediately dismissed California. Too many memories. But she didn’t want to be in the East either. For better or worse, she was a West Coast girl and East Coast sensibilities didn’t make sense to her. Plus, she hated the cold. Even though she had been all over the country and to many parts of the world, there was still something about the American West that screamed possibilities to her. Oh god, she could literally hear Ava in her mind telling her she’s been brainwashed by the American manifest destiny propaganda. And the worst part is, she’d probably agree with her at least a little. Didn’t make her feel differently though.
Vegas seemed like a no brainer. She had always loved performing there. She likes the excess, glamor and vulgarity that Vegas embodies wholeheartedly. All of those things that made her strange in other places or “too much” were desirable here or just not at all noteworthy. But the biggest thing was that she could still perform and she could finally give DJ a somewhat stable life. Of course, it was several years too late but she tried not to dwell on that for now. She could pour over regrets about her relationship with her daughter later.
No, now she had regrets about a more recent relationship. A connection she had simultaneously fought so hard against and yet also fell forward into. Her body tensed at the reminder that she had allowed an entitled 25-year old little shit to affect her this much. Ava Daniels was the human embodiment of a wrecking ball and, what do you know, she did what she did best.
Maybe that’s what hurt the most. The naive hope she had that she had let someone in who was actually worth the risk. Only to be proven right once again that nobody could be trusted. Deborah had spilled her guts to her. And with that email, once again her narrative was being taken from her. The red head was a goddamn hypocrite but she already knew that.
She parked in her driveway. Her exhaustion is bone deep. She texted Josefina to give the house staff a couple of days off.
INT. DEBORAH’S BEDROOM - BATHROOM
She numbly turns on the bath. Makes it almost scalding.
INT. DEBORAH’S BEDROOM
While the bath runs, she goes to her vanity and tries to take off her face. She pulls pins out of her hair, scattering them around the floor not bothering to pick them up. Puts her wig up. Wipes off her makeup, but she’s pretty sure she’s missed some. She’s also pretty sure she doesn’t care.
The dogs follow her whenever she takes a step because they sense something is wrong. Feeling looked after, she allows it.
INT. DEBORAH’S BATHROOM
PLAYING: Young Deb When She Was Happy by Carols Rafael Riveras
Deborah sits in the bath, cupping water and splashing it onto her face. She wades her hands through the steaming water. She pulls her hands out of it, looking at them. Every now and again she’s struck with the thought that she’s been alive for twice as long as her parents. It hits her whenever she looks at her hands.
A strangled yell forces its way out of her throat. She covers her mouth in surprise but then reminds herself she’s totally alone. A wail of despair pierces the air. She grips the side of the bathtub as she shakes and sobs. Her heartbreak reverberated against the tiled walls.
She thinks of all the people she’s lost whether through death or betrayal. She felt she had collected so much pain in her lifetime, if she ever let it out, everything around her would crumble. But water had always been her refuge. After her parents passed, she would come to the Bay constantly. A few times her relatives had feared she’d gone missing. She was gone so long, not wanting to leave the soothing sounds of the ocean. The water and looking at her sister were the only things that made her feel stable then. She stopped once Kathy cried thinking she had disappeared for good.
Her head started to swirl and she felt sick. Dammit, the water was too hot. She leaned over the lip of the tub trying to bring her blood pressure back up. She gagged a little.
DEBORAH
(groans)
I will not be an old lady that passed out in the tub.
She took a breath and pulled herself up out of the tub. She walked shakily to the sink and splashed cold water on her face. Once she felt a little more balanced, she looked up to the mirror. Makeup smeared mostly around her eyes. Her skin flushed and a little splotchy.
INT. DEBORAH’S BEDROOM
Now clad in silk pajamas and fully cleaned up. She rubbed lotion onto her hands. She smiled when she saw Barry and Cara watching her.
DEBORAH
You want to sleep in my bed tonight? Hmm?
They didn’t know what she was saying, but they got excited nonetheless.
DEBORAH
(softly)
Mommy would like that too. Just for tonight.
She puts them up on the bed and they immediately snuggle in, appreciating this rare treat.
Deborah stares blankly out the window for a moment, sighs and then hits the remote to close the blinds. Her body aches. She doesn’t bother to set the alarm, not giving a damn about when she wakes. She falls into a restless sleep.
INT. KIKI’S APARTMENT - PATIO
PLAYING: It’s Time by Foliage
Ava and Kiki were sitting on the patio in a comfortable silence. Kiki sipping a glass of iced tea.
Ava looks despondently down at the ground.
AVA
(softly)
Do you think I’m a bad person, Kiks?
She doesn’t look over at Kiki as she asks.
Kiki pauses for a moment.
KIKI
Not gonna lie, girl, what you did wasn’t good.
Ava closes her eyes in pain.
KIKI (con’t)
I don’t think people are really good or bad. They just do good or bad things, you know? And most people do both. I guess there’s like some exceptions for just the worst people ever but…
(shrugs)
I like to think most people act badly because they’re hurting. And, babe, you were in a lot of pain. Doesn’t excuse it, but I get it.
Tears well up in Ava’s eyes.
KIKI (con’t)
(nudges Ava’s arm)
Did I ever tell you about the time I was a crazy monster as a teenager?
Ava shakes her head. She still knew so little about her friend, but all her stories were always fascinating and usually weird.
KIKI (con’t)
A good friend of mine died of a drug overdose when I was like
(squints trying to remember)
17, I think.
Oh, girl, I lost it. I lied to my parents all the time, we got in huge fights, I snuck out, partied too hard, stopped caring about school. I even took my parents’ car once without asking and took my friends to L.A.
Ava is shocked by this because she knew Kiki was really close with her parents.
KIKI (con’t)
I have a feeling karma is going to come for me in Luna’s teenage years. But anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that I did some bad stuff but I don’t think I’m a bad person. I think it kind of even happened for a reason, in a weird way. I wasn’t going to be the same after my friend died and my relationship with my parents survived it. In fact, it even got kind of better. I know it’s weird and it’s like 20/20, right?
But basically, no I don’t think you’re a bad person. You feel bad about what you did, right?
Ava nods vigorously.
KIKI (con’t)
Then you gotta make it right. I had to make it right and I know you can do it too. I believe in you.
Ava just took that in silently.
KIKI
And you know what I always find therapeutic? Dancing. You want to go out tonight?
Ava didn’t even hesitate to say yes.
INT. DEBORAH’S BEDROOM - NEXT MORNING
Deborah wakes around 9:30 AM. She’s laying on her side. The room is dark, she can barely see. She stares at the empty spot beside her on the bed. Her eyes are empty and tired, as if she hadn’t actually slept.
EXT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - POOL
A close up of Deborah’s phone. It rings indicating Jimmy is calling. We hear splashing sounds off screen. It goes to voicemail and indicates the call was missed. We also see she has unread messages from Marcus and Jimmy.
Deborah is doing laps in the pool. Barry is laying on one of the pool chairs. Cara is laying down next to the side of the pool watching Deborah.
She pushes herself to swim faster trying to outpace her spiraling thoughts. Wondering what that PM show would’ve been like, copying her likeness. A version of herself to be gawked and laughed at. Come see, the crazy bitchy woman who’s all alone and it’s her fault. As if people didn’t already think that about her.
She’s pushing herself hard in the pool. Too hard.
She gasps for air and hangs onto the side of the pool. She takes a couple of deep breaths trying to calm her heart rate.
Leans her head sideways and closes her eyes. She was just so tired of being a joke.
INT. KIKI’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM
Ava blearily wakes up on the couch. Luna is quietly coloring on the table in front of the couch. Unbeknownst to Kiki, she had snorted some Xanax before they left for the club. She knew that was terribly ironic, but she just needed to take the edge off. Besides, she left her phone at home so, progress.
AVA
(croaks)
Hey, munchkin.
LUNA
(doesn’t look up or stop coloring)
Hi.
She runs her hand across her face. Her mouth feels like sandpaper. She probably should move, but she has no energy. Luna holds up a sticker sheet.
LUNA
Want a sticker?
AVA
I would absolutely love one.
Luna takes her sticker sheet over to Ava and lets her pick.
AVA (con’t)
I’d like this one, please. And can you put it here?
She points to her right cheek. Luna giggles at that and does as she asks.
AVA
Thank you.
Luna heads back to her coloring.
LUNA
Welcome.
As her mind is becoming more coherent, she starts to think about what to do now. Deborah just left, leaving her no idea of what was going to happen next. Was she fired? That would seem obvious, but that’s the thing about working for Deborah Vance, it’s unpredictable. Was the tour not happening? Or was the tour happening but she’s not a part of it? Should she go back to L.A.?
She’s surprised that the last thought makes her a little sad. It’s probably just because she hated to leave the work behind. They worked really fucking hard and she would hate for her stupid mistake to ruin it all. If Deborah wants her gone, she needs to tell her to fuck off to her face. Until then, she wants to stick it out if Kiki will let her stay. Maybe it’s a stupid move (any sane person would just cut their losses) but clearly recent events have proved her stupidity runs deep.
Deborah’s face from last night is permanently burned into her retinas as a reminder of what an asshole she is. She doesn’t understand why she does this. Why does she blow things up so much? She needed to figure out how not to be a total garbage person. Prove to Deborah that she didn’t make a huge mistake trusting her. But that’s exactly why she did it, even in her drug addled mind, isn’t it? She knew Deborah had trusted her and she felt hurt, so she struck back.
No more of that, she resolved. From now on, she was going to think more before she acted. Drugs probably weren’t going to help with that goal. She’d need to get rid of what she had. Luckily, she had used her last Xannie last night and she just had a little cocaine. She could do this. She didn’t need them. They were just for fun, but if Deborah still wants her as her writing partner, she will be all about the work.
She’ll start eating well and start meditation (she downloaded an app she’s never used). She’ll be a whole new Ava.
Kiki enters the room.
KIKI
Good morning!!!
Ava winces, head starting to hurt. Kiki runs her fingers through Luna’s hair.
KIKI (con’t)
You were knocked out. You didn’t even wake up when Luna got here or when I made breakfast. You want some?
Ava shakes her head. Food sounded very unappealing right now.
AVA
Um, Kiks? Is it okay if I stay a little longer? I just want to maybe see how things shake out with-
LUNA
(interrupts)
I’m bored now. I’m going to go play in my room.
Ava startles at that. Luna walks off.
KIKI
(calls out for her)
Eh! Don’t be rude, Luna. If you’re bored, just quietly walk out of the room. Did you hear me?
LUNA
(mumbles barely audible before the she enters her room)
Sorry.
Kiki rolls her eyes.
AVA
(taken aback)
I thought we were cool.
KIKI
She does that with me too. Right in the middle of me talking. She’s even done it while we were in the car. Real awkward. Sorry about that. We’re working on manners. She does like you though. I mean, she gave you a sticker. That’s, like, currency for toddlers. She just has a short attention span.
Ava touched the sticker on her cheek.
AVA
(pushes back her hair)
It’s fine. Um, yeah I was just wondering if I could stay and see how things work out with Deborah? Whatever I can help with, I’ll do it.
KIKI
(shrugs)
That’s fine with me, if you could just help me with a couple of chores.
AVA
Sure.
(winces)
Also, I’m sorry to ask but all my stuff is at Deborah’s. Should’ve brought my bag with me before I royally fucked up.
(laughs humorlessly)
She hides her face with her hands.
AVA (con’t)
Oh my god, I’m not even, like, a homeless bag lady. I got no bag.
She begins to cry at the last sentence. Kiki frowns in sympathy.
AVA (con’t)
(hiccups)
Can I borrow a toothbrush?
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - EVENING
PLAYING: Omens by Lola Kirke
Deborah digs into the back of the freezer for her secret stash of Butter Pecan ice cream.
This house was primarily bereft of processed sugar unless it was the soda fountain, as per her orders. She was allowed to have one vice.
But the ice cream was more of her secret guilty pleasure. Josefina knew everything that was in this kitchen, so she knew about it but she never commented. Bless her.
Deborah justified it to herself by only allowing herself to eat it when she’s alone, only once per month and only one scoop. She never lets Josefina buy it. Instead she pretends to go to the pharmacy for something else and buys it as though it was an afterthought.
A little bit later she looks down at her empty bowl in frustration. Her fist clenches as she thinks about how badly she wants another scoop and yet the anxiety of doing so keeps her in her seat. Her fist hits the counter in frustration.
Deborah wasn’t completely un self-aware. She knew she was a control freak. What was less obvious is how sometimes she just…hated it. It felt more like a compulsion at times, not a choice. The only way to rein in the chaos. Of her mind, of the world.
Flashes of memories hit her of her younger self. Much more free, open to possibilities. So excited for the career she thought she had ahead of her, of where her and her family were going.
Her gut churns at the fact that she got so excited about what felt like this new phase of not only her career but her life. And it had all started with Ava…
At that thought, she decides to give up the fight and put away the ice cream.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - BEDROOM
She listens and reads the messages from both Marcus and Jimmy but makes no moves to respond. Jimmy sounds like he’s about to shit himself. She has a sadistic note to keep him sweating as revenge for trying to keep the secret from her. What a little shit. She liked the kid most of the time, but goddamn. She’d deal with him later.
In Marcus’s message, it’s clear he knows. He tries to reassure her that they’ll figure it out. That he’ll start preparing Ava’s termination papers.
She sighs. She knows she’s a colossal idiot in that she’s already decided not to fire Ava. Rather, it wasn’t a decision at all. She just knew she couldn’t do it, so there was no point in thinking about it. Besides, in some ways, she could feel it would just be an exercise in futility. Like trying to go backwards. There were only 2 things she knew at this point: the new show was her best path forward and she can’t do it without Ava.
The thought that she needed that girl for anything at this point was infuriating. Deborah had been just fine on her own for 40 years. And yeah she would be fine again on her own, but dammit for the first time in a long time she got to be a part of a pair again and it was fucking nice.
Fuck Ava for dropping a bomb as soon as Deborah let down her guard.
Fuck her for giving Deborah hope, the most dangerous of all emotions.
Before she could even question why, she picked up her tablet and her fingers searched for Who’s Making Dinner? By and large, for obvious reasons, she avoided watching the show that first made her a household name. Watching a few clips though, she could definitely say that a lot of it still held up well. The show was like a typical sitcom of that time period. In retrospect, they weren’t exactly breaking new ground as they fit well into the television landscape of the time. So maybe the show resonating had less to do with her and Frank’s words than it did hitting at the right place at the right time, she thought.
She found a clip of one of her secretly favorite episodes, “Deborah vs. The Neighborhood”.
This was at the beginning of season 2, season 1 having been an unexpected hit. Once her and Frank’s pitch had been greenlit, the Hollywood machine took over and they fought against having a lot of interference by two vaguely unknown performers/writers despite being the creators. She used to improvise a lot on set which mostly gave the showrunners a headache, until it was clear the audience loved it. One thing she didn’t miss about television was primarily saying other people’s words.
This was the first episode Deborah had played a major role in writing it. The popularity of her character had grown so much that she could feel her opportunity to get more involved in the behind the scenes stuff was ripe for the taking. It may not have been Deborah’s idea to create the show, but once she was on board, she was ready to give it her all and take advantage of every opportunity.
Frank had wisely (she begrudgingly admits) suggested they use their actual first names. “If it gets big, what name do you want people to shout at you on the street?”
As she pulls up the episode, she feels transported back to the set. She remembers the thrill of excitement of seeing her name on screen, being given a writing credit. She also remembers, in hindsight, this was the start of Frank’s jealousy. The audience clapped harder for her. Most interviewers primarily wanted to talk to her.
The episode focused on the neighborhood losing their shit because a single mother moves in and seems standoffish and unfriendly. Deborah is the only person who doesn’t seem suspicious of her and even defends her. Even Frank sides with the neighbors until they hear that the mother fled an abusive relationship. They didn’t understand her, so they judged her immediately. She snorts at the irony.
Unlike in the sitcom, Frank never did come around to Deborah’s side. Ava said he seemed like a good husband. The character Frank played wasn’t a lie. At least, not at first. But he changed. He changed to be unrecognizable. Or maybe she couldn’t see it through her love for him. Her deep desire to make their marriage work.
Despite the painful irony, she still liked this episode. For most of it, she stands by herself. Little did she know she’d get used to that in the next several decades.
She throws her tablet on the couch.
She needed Ava for the show. That was just a fact. And she wants to do the tour. Nobody, not even Ava is going to stop her. Those writers, the press, her fans or Ava can say what they want about her, but she’s going to tell her story. And she was going to tell it her way. She was tired of other people trying to define her.
She got ready for bed, determined to do what she needed to do tomorrow. She gave herself some time to fall apart and with her heart still cracked, she’ll get to work.
EXT. OUTSIDE OF KIKI’S APARTMENT - NEXT MORNING
PLAYING: Arrow Through Me by Wings
Deborah knocks on the door. Ava answers the door, her eyes widening as she sees her. She doesn’t know what to say, so she waits for Deborah.
Deborah looks Ava up and down, an eyebrow raised in judgment. Ava is wearing a pair of denim short shorts and a tye-dyed tank top. Ava self-consciously pulls at the short shorts.
AVA
(stutters)
I-I don’t have my bag-which isn’t your fault!-but I had to borrow Kiki’s stuff and she hasn’t done laundry so…
Deborah rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
DEBORAH
I’ve decided not to fire you.
Ava almost can’t believe it. She had hoped, but she didn’t know what to expect. Well, she was expecting that maybe she would try to hit Ava with her car but beyond that…
DEBORAH (con’t)
You’re good at writing for me. I thought maybe it was because you understood me. But maybe it’s because you’re just as big an asshole as me.
Ava frowns and looks down in shame.
DEBORAH (con’t)
(shrugs)
I need you on this tour, so I’m going to move on. We’re going to do our jobs.
On the one hand, Ava is happy she’s not fired. On the other hand, she’s saddened by Deborah’s coldness even though she knows it’s well deserved. Whatever cracks of vulnerability she saw in the diner are gone.
AVA
Um, yeah, yeah, okay. Deborah, I just want you to know I’m going to stop doing shit that makes me impulsive, like drinking and taking pills, and I'm gonna get a dumb phone so I can't even use social media or email anyone. And no more secrets, no more lies. I’m in this 100%.
She’s going to fulfill that promise of no drugs tomorrow as she did snort the last of her coke stash earlier. But starting tomorrow, she’s a new person.
DEBORAH
(emotionless)
Just be ready to leave at 8 AM sharp tomorrow.
AVA
(frowns)
Okay. Um, could I get some of my stuff today or…?
Deborah puts her sunglasses on and walks away without answering.
She was going to make this show work. Whatever it took. Even if she had to work with someone she sort of hated. Ava worked for her, that was it.
Once the show is ready, she’ll tell Ava to fuck off for good.
Chapter 8
Summary:
Marcus is left stunned at Deborah's choice. The tour begins.
Notes:
Fic playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5yMkNfEs9XRVWf28stdym1?si=0a093aabd8554b88&pt=6bbbeba4bd373465efdb1f0e30cc7f81
Finally, we are here folks! The tour begins after this chapter! From now on, there will be a lot less canon and more original stuff, so stay tuned for that :)
Chapter Text
INT. MARCUS’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - SAME DAY
PLAYING: Runner by Tennis
Marcus was getting his bag together. Getting his coffee ready, we see a close up of papers on the counter. They read “Employee Termination Letter”. “Name of Terminated Employee: Ava Daniels” is in Marcus’s handwriting.
He puts the paper in his bag and walks out of his house with a slight spring in his step.
INT. DEBORAH’S HOUSE - DEBORAH’S BEDROOM
He arrives at Deborah’s house, more alert and ready for work than he has been in a minute. He makes his way up to her room.
Her back is to him. He knocks on the side of the door. He steps in and hesitates once he sees she’s packing.
MARCUS
Hey.
She turns around. Her eyes are sunken in, looking tired and sad.
DEBORAH
Hi.
MARCUS
What’s going on?
DEBORAH
(braces herself)
Ava and I are leaving tomorrow. Damien said he found us a tour manager and a bus, so we’ll meet up with them in Arizona.
He did know Damien had finished that, but he also told him to pause because there might be a snag in the works. He could feel his blood pressure start to rise once again feeling like Deborah was just plunging forward recklessly without consulting him.
MARCUS
(aghast)
What the fuck. Why?!
Deborah flinches. But she puts her hands on her hips, standing her ground.
DEBORAH
(loudly)
Because I want to do this show. I know you’re nervous about it, but this is the path I’m taking.
MARCUS
But why does she have to be a part of this? She’s destroying all the work we’ve done. She’s proven herself not trustworthy.
DEBORAH
I didn’t say I trusted her.
MARCUS
You’re not firing her. You’re going to work with someone you don’t trust? Why are you giving this girl so many chances?
She purses her lips in anger but can’t think of how to respond.
DEBORAH
I’m going to sue her for breaking her NDA. She will be punished. I won’t accept that behavior.
Marcus scoffs incredulously.
MARCUS
(sharply)
If I had done that, you would’ve never talked to me again.
Deborah can’t refute it. Indeed, if he had done this a few years ago, she wouldn’t have hesitated to sue him and shut him out. Years of friendship down the drain, another person lost. She has no words for why she needs Ava (no words he’d understand either) and she’s frustrated at herself for that.
All the words unsaid, the words he only ever expressed to Wilson feel like they’ve finally broken up.
MARCUS
(angrily)
But I guess my feelings don’t matter, right? You and I have just been working together for 20 years.
(sarcastically)
But yeah, yeah, I guess it makes sense to put your faith in the girl you’ve known for not even 3 months.
DEBORAH
That’s enough.
(her eyes soften a little)
I am going to do this show my way. It’s not about Ava and, I’m sorry, but it’s also not about you either. I really want your support on this, but I can do it even if I don’t have it.
Marcus walks off fuming, walking away before he can say anything he might regret.
INT. MARCUS’S OFFICE - NEXT DAY
PLAYING: How Long Has It Been by Damon Danielson
Marcus is at his computer working when he hears someone storm through the front door.
AVA (O.S.)
Ahhh-sorry, so sorry Josefina! I-I just need to-
He can hear her running up the stairs, babbling incoherently. He rolls his eyes.
DEBORAH (O.S.)
Ava, move your ass, we’re leaving in 15!
Deborah comes through the door tapping on her phone. She looks up, sees Marcus won’t look at her even though she knows he knows she’s there, and lugs her purse tighter to her with a sigh. Honestly, she half expected him to not even be here this morning. For the first time, she thought there was a real chance of him leaving. She breathed an internal sigh of relief when she felt his presence, even as angry as he was.
DEBORAH
We’re heading out soon.
Marcus nods absently. He has no idea what she expects him to say.
DEBORAH
I-I just want to let you know that I’ve started legal proceedings. We’re gonna take her for everything she owns. Once the show feels complete, I’ll tell her to fuck off.
He doesn’t respond, still staring at the screen. He doesn’t have the focus to work on anything.
She gets more hesitant. Marcus and her so rarely argue and there isn’t a person she hates arguing with more, except maybe DJ but she was also used to that. The worst part is she completely understood why he was upset and she still didn’t want to do what it would take to make him feel better. She couldn’t is what it felt more like. He wanted her to get rid of Ava. She couldn’t, not yet. He wanted her to hold off on the new show. She couldn’t. They were in a kind of purgatory now, completely of their own volition.
DEBORAH
The business does matter to me, so any work I can do on the road, just let Damien and I know.
Oh, he will.
But he sees this for what it is: a consolation prize. A way to appease him without her actually addressing any of the things he’s angry about. Last night, he thought so hard about just quitting. Just being fucking done. If his opinion didn’t matter, if his feelings didn’t matter, then why not just have someone else do his job? Apparently Ava was irreplaceable but maybe he wasn’t.
There was a dark, bitter part of him that wanted to test Deborah’s statement that she would do it with or without him. Do you think you could, Deborah? But the truth was he didn’t want to see her flail. That was exactly why he wanted Ava out of here. She is bringing Deborah down and somehow she can’t see it.
But after that, there was a sadder part that wondered what he would even do if he quit. He had no real life outside of work, not a lot of friends, no boyfriend. A pang hit him at the last part. Losing Wilson would’ve really been for nothing. Would he say ‘I told you so’ if he found out? No because Wilson was too nice to do that which was even worse.
He couldn’t imagine waking up the next day all of a sudden not going to work. So he couldn’t do it. But he didn’t have to be happy about it. He still had to deal but he wasn’t going to hide his displeasure anymore.
MARCUS
(looks up and meets her eyes)
That girl is a ticking time bomb, and she already went off twice. And you’re strapping her to your chest. I just hope the third time doesn’t destroy you and everything we’ve worked for.
Deborah purses her lips at that and doesn’t know how to respond.
DEBORAH
(swallows)
We’ll be in touch about any venue updates.
MARCUS
(deadpan)
Yes, ma’am. That is my job.
He goes back to his computer.
She opens her mouth but shakes her head. Gives one last sad glance to him and leaves. Maybe space would be good for them. Help them both calm down.
Marcus had never been so happy to hear her leave. He let out a breath and stopped pretending that he was working. Grunts could be heard in the foyer, presumably Ava lugging her stuff then finally the front door shut.
He couldn’t save Deborah from this course of action. All he could do at this point is watch. But whatever Deborah needed to get out of her system, he’ll be here. And when Ava inevitably screws up again and leaves, he’ll be here. They’ll get through this, and things will go back to normal.
jennamacaroni on Chapter 5 Mon 03 Oct 2022 02:47PM UTC
Last Edited Mon 03 Oct 2022 02:47PM UTC
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