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I get it now.
Even I’m not too dumb to understand what the Hollywood star is asking of me.
“And how is this going to help you, exactly?” I ask, my words – and my mind - returning. Words are starting to form. “Why would my participation in this crazy scheme help you?”
“Good question, Josie,” Victor replies with a charming smile. “And I can answer it. The judging panel for these awards is old, infirm, and only give a shit about respectable actors they consider prestige enough. It has become pretty damn clear to me that I am not one of those prestige actors in their eyes, and therefore, I need a respectable girlfriend to help shape my image and to get that award.”
“But why me, though?”
I’m stuttering.
Victor shrugs. “Why not you?”
“Why not some Hollywood starlet?” I ask. “An international model? Like, honestly, I’m just a small town broke barista. I have nothing to do with your... life. I’m as far away removed as it can be possible.”
Victor leans back.
“You’re perfect for this, Josie.”
“But... how?”
“It’s cynical to say, so please hear me out,” he retorts. “Being in this industry is all about the right moves. It’s all so very cynical. The thing is, you have got a good story, Josie, and that’s what I’m after.”
“I’ve got a good story?”
“We have a good story,” the actor rebuts. “Listen to this. We both come from the same small town. You’re my barista who serves me coffee one day and who I instantly fall in love with. Me – the bigshot actor who sleeps around with models... I fall for the normal American girl-next-door and not some fake influencer in Los Angeles. That’s the story I’m after, and it’s the story the world is after. And, most importantly, it’s the story the awards judging panel is after.”
“All I am is a story?” I ask. “Something to make other people feel good about? The bigshot actor who gets with the normal girl?”
“I’m an actor,” he replies. “I deal in stories.”
“So that’s all I am? Simply a story? Nothing more?”
“You’re more than a story, Josie,” Victor says softly. “But your story is something I can use. And, like I said, I will reimburse you with the best divorce lawyer you could ever ask for. It’s a trade. You help me and I’ll help you. You’ll finally get that divorce you’ve wanted. How about that?”
I don’t know what to say.
I really, really don’t know what to say to all of that... tsunami of words.
“Oh,” Victor continues. “I am also filming a movie in Italy. Do you want to come to Italy?”
“Italy?”
“Be my fake girlfriend in Italy, Josie.”
I take in another deep breath, just as I saw once in a video instructing how to react in a crisis or a moment of panic.
And this is very much a moment of panic.
“Can you repeat that all again,” I whisper, “all of it, but a little slower this time?”
15
JOSIE
Yet again, I find myself standing in frozen shock behind the counter of The Oak.
Think about it.
