Writers and Gods

An exchange between a writer and a producer

It’s so nice to see you again, Ms. Johnson

Have you read my script yet?

Why yes I have

So, what do you think?

It’s good, but I have a few questions

She looks at him through her dark sunglasses

Oh? What do you mean?

Well, for starters, what is the whole plot of the story? I don’t get it.

It’s simple really; it’s all about internal suffering of the human spirit

But why a rich, popular, and beautiful model

Because, beautiful people have problems to, why not show it?

But why?

The public has been blinded by this illusion that you have to be beautiful to live the so-called “perfect life.” I’m here to break that stereotype

I see

A waitress comes by their table. She orders a Pina Colada and he orders a Diet Coke

I noticed that everything is pretty dark in your script

Yes

But why not something light and happy?

Life isn’t light and happy all of the time. We all have are dark times

But your protagonist has one train wreck after another

I’m showing how the hard life and the negatives factors can break someone

Don’t tell me this is an after-school special!

*Laughs* Oh don’t worry! I avoided that at all costs

Whew! Thank God!

The waitress returns with their drinks. Both thank her and the waitress gives them menus and leaves

There is a lot of drug use and sex in your script

Yes. Is that a problem?

No, but…

She takes a sip of her Pina Colada

But?

Aren’t you worried about being attacked?

No!

Why?

A little controversy never hurts anyone. But be careful not to overkill it

Why?

Then, you look like you’re desperate for attention

Okay. But the transitions between past and present are confusing

Not if you don’t try to analyze the movie to death

What is the point of the nightmares?

She lightly played with her hair

To add to the point of losing one’s mind

I did like the flowers dream

Thank you

It does seem a little raw

In what places?

Just with your protagonist’s friends talking. You just went on the blunt end there

Let me see

He hands her the script and she reads where he marked

I was telling the truth through their eyes

Can you clean it up some?

She raises an eyebrow at him

How so?

Just try to piece it together so that they don’t sound like they are just rambling on

Hm, I’ll see what I can do

The waitress returns. She orders the shrimp pasta in Alfredo sauce and he orders the chicken club sandwich

Anything else?

Yes

What is it?

The ending

What about it?

He pauses for a moment before speaking

It’s not finished. Do you intend to finish it?

No

He is puzzled

Why not?

She stretches her neck from side to side

Because, I wanted the audience to interpret for themselves what happens to the protagonist

Your spirit seems to be like other movies in this genre. Aren’t worried about being accused of being clichéd?

No idea is really original. It’s depends on how you present it. If you present it in a way that everyone’s seen before, they aren’t going to buy it. But if you present your idea in a new and barely used way, people will say, “Hey, I want to check that out!”

Aren’t you worried about what the critics well think? Some fans rely on them to know what to watch and what not to watch

I don’t care what the critics think! I care are what the fans are going to think. If they rely on the critics, then they need to learn how to think for themselves

He smiles at her broadly

Well then, consider yourself a film deal!

Thank you, sir!

Both shake hands. The waitress returns with their lunches and they eat

All while the waves crash against the beach shore