Page 64 of Professional Consult

I hit ANSWER:

Lexi:Hello?

Unknown:Lexi Dash?

A familiar voicestreams from the receiver.

Alicia Davies.

Lexi:I didn’t expect you to call so soon.

Alicia:I didn’t expect to call at all.

Lexi:I was hoping we could talk about—

Alicia:I don’t want to play your games. We’re not kids anymore, and I’ve grown up.

Lexi:I can respect that.

Alicia:Can you? You don’t seem familiar with the word.

Lexi:I realize we have a history. One that me and my people perpetuated.

Alicia:I’m glad you ‘realize’that.

Lexi:I’d like to make it up to you.

Alicia:Let me guess—it’s for your own benefit.

Alicia is way toosmart to fall for anything less than the truth. So I give it to her straight.

Lexi:I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t, but it’s for your benefit too.

Alicia:No thanks.

Lexi:Please, hear me out.

Alicia:I’ll give you a hot minute.

Words pour out of me.My childhood. My climb towards fame. My dominance. Tears fall, and the whole time I don’t know what she’s thinking. She’s quiet.

I tell her my dreams and how I’ve fallen in love, with not just a man, but a small town. How I hate acting. How I hate my golden life.

I clarify that it was my team that decides to engage in the underhanded tactics against her, but I take full responsibility and acknowledge that by not speaking out against it, I was complicit. I promise to help make it right.

I say so many things, hoping that even if she won’t help me, she’ll forgive me. That she’ll move on without the burden of our past.

Alicia:I must admit, when Clint contacted me, I thought it was a trick. Now, I’m not so sure.

Lexi:It’s not a trick.

Alicia:And you want to put out gossip that I have your role? You know that could backfire, right?

Lexi:The truth is, I don’t care. If my reputation suffers, I’ll deal with it. I just can’t let a chance at happiness pass me by, and if I can right the wrong that’s been done to you, then that’s a double win.

Alicia:You have no idea the pain our rivalry has caused me. I couldn’t get auditions. No one would return my calls. I’ve been stuck doing commercials for ten years.

Lexi:I know, and I’m so sorry. Like I said, even if you say no, I’ll try to fix it. I’ll do anything.