Transcript for Chapter 13A
Opens with security personnel controlling the traffic flow into an area. The area is mostly blocked off by construction-type barricades. One man is holding out his hand to stop a car from pulling into the only gap as he places a folding barricade in front of it. Another man is holding his phone, which is buzzing to indicate that it has received a message. The message is from Justice.
Phone: [Let the taxi in. 0621.]
The security guard looks down a long line of cars trying to move through the area amidst a crowd of paparazzi. He sees a taxi pulling around a corner and getting in line.
In the taxi, Jade and the driver are marveling at the crowd. Jade is leaning to one side so she can see through the front windshield.
Driver: Sheesh, wouldja look at all those paparazzi?
Jade's phone buzzes. She also has a message from Justice.
Phone: [Duck.]
Suddenly, the paparazzi all start encroaching on the taxi.
Driver: Uh-oh, here they come.
Paparazzi #1: Look, there's one.
Paparazzi #2: Come on, babydoll, show us your face.
Jade ducks down in her seat with her knees against the back of the passenger-side chair. She puts her open sketchbook over her head to try and hide from the cameras.
The taxi passes through the barricades and drives onto the studio property. It pulls in front of the studio and gets in line behind a couple other cars. Jade thinks to herself.
Jade: [Okay, this is it.]
Jade looks out the window at the building as the car rolls by. The Harrison Group sign reflects off the window and is projected in reverse across Jade's face.
Jade: [I can win this thing for Amber, but I'm going to have to own it.]
The taxi pulls up in front of the studio. There's one Mercedes in front of and one Mercedes behind the taxi. Curtains have been set up to keep any unofficial onlookers or paparazzi from being able to see which girls get out of the cars. People walk up to the taxi to meet Jade as it comes to a stop.
Jade: [No pride allowed.]
The taxi driver looks askance at Jade and smiles.
Driver: Good luck, Sister.
Jade grips her sketchbook to her chest as she prepares to open the door. Her Sharpie has been clipped into the wire spiral of the sketchbook.
Jade: [No being myself.]
A bald man in a suit opens the car door for Jade and she begins to step out. Several photographers and videographers are filming her and taking pictures. One of the videogrpahers, a man wearing a hoodie and a backwards baseball cap, asks her questions as she makes her way toward the studio doors.
Videographer: Jade, good morning!
Jade: [I can be myself in my twenties.]
Jade smiles and raises a hand in greeting.
Jade: Morning!
We see the photographers from Jade's point of view. They're crowded right in front of her.
Videographer: How did you sleep last night?
Jade grins.
Jade: I didn't.
The photographers laugh a bit.
Jade walks among the phtographers and other people. In the foreground we can see one of the other girls also talking to a cameraman.
Videographer: So, today is a big day. Are you excited?
Jade's grin is already starting to falter. This isn't easy for her. But she remembers what Justice said to her right before she left him.
Flashback
Justice: The sillier and cuter you are, the more power it will have. Don't hold back.
End flashback.
Jade gives the photographers a big, cheesy grin.
Jade: Yeah, I'm starting to think that triple-shot frappaccino I had for breakfast was a bad idea, ha ha.
The photographers laugh again, but this time it's more genuine.
Videographer: Ha ha, thanks, Jade!
A photographer points back toward where the cars have been pulling in.
Photographer: Alright, here comes Lexie.
Jade pushes her way through a revolving door, still smiling. But there's a stern woman on the other side, waiting for her. Jade stops dead, surprised.
Woman: Follow me.