Thread: Paragon, Feminist (Vicious and Supple)

Sarah rolled her eyes and fought back the urge to issue an acid retort. She knew that her temper had a tendency to push her into rash action and she forced herself to calm down. He was baiting her and she refused to rise to the bait. She knew that with majority creative control he had unilateral hiring and firing power at CUT, he literally held her job in his hands. But she wasn't without her own barbs. The network's popularity had skyrocketed under his direction, and her own super-stardom was a direct result of that. But she was a star, and that had pull of its own. She ran a hand through the wavy, deep brown locks that fell to midway down her back as a steadying gesture. I'm well aware of the terms of our contract and, while you will certainly hear my very public and very vehement objections at every turn, I am a woman of my word. If you feel the need to peddle cheap thrills and non-representative advertising, well, I suppose that's your prerogative. I'll simply remind you that I still have control over my own show, and none of your low brow advertising can detract from quality educational entertainment. Her tone was icy but her eyes were blazing angrily, green and piercing. She cocked her head and tapped a finger against her chin, considering Austin as he sat across the desk from her. She could see the ghost of her reflection in the window behind him, her heart shaped face growing angrier and angrier, and she forced herself to calm down. Her full lips split in a disingenuous smile and she shrugged her shoulders. At least she could give credit where credit was due. The truth is that I am grateful to you and to the network. I'm glad that my show can reach millions of viewers each week and I know that you're a big part of that. But I'm in this business to enlighten people, to enrich their lives, to give them alternatives to brainless reality television and contrived sitcoms. I don't feel that CUT is living up to its potential in that regard. You are selling sex and cheap thrills just to boost ratings without any regard to the quality of your programming. I am a feminist, and proud of it. But your advertisements don't have to be chaste, socially conscious PSAs. All that I and my viewing public are asking for is a little more respectful representation of women. Her words were passionate but controlled, her back straight and proud as she spoke. Still her eyes blazed angrily but she didn't rail or rant. Her eyes followed him until he returned to his seat and he dismissed her patronizingly. All throughout his demands her anger grew hotter and hotter but she refused to let it boil over. She counted to ten, stood and straightened her gray pencil skirt, then leaned forward to place her hands on Austin's desk. Here's what's going to happen now. I will absolutely not apologize for my statements, they were genuinely meant and on point. I will appear on any talk show that I please and that I have the privilege of being invited to, with the exception of broadcast syndication rights for my show my contract has no exclusivity clause. You will continue to produce the remaining eight episodes of my show that you are contracted for, and I'm certain that you will continue with your smutty false advertising campaign, and despite you I will continue to educate and enlighten my audience until the day that contract expires. Sarah straightened and tapped her comfortable flats against the stone floor, hands on her hips. Oh, and Austin, if you ever mention my wardrobe in that way again I'll sue you for sexual harassment so fast your head will spin. She gave him a beautiful, cheery, infectious smile. Have a pleasant day. She whirled on her heel and stalked out of his office.