Stage 2-3

**Stage 2-3** is a story stage of Chapter 2: The Meet-Cute Conspiracy.

MC returns to the company office , expressing a lack of ideas concerning the development plan - a feeling of desperation settles in; the monitor screen remains empty and MC questions the existence of such a plan in the first place. Anna approaches MC and announces that the company's film maker's license has been issued. MC feebly replies, unsure of what the purpose of the license is or was for, causing Anna to explain that the license was requested half a year ago due to MC's intrigue in contacting young directors for short films. MC disregards this, crippled under the sheer demand of the plan's strict time frame and by worries of not being able to make payroll next month. Anna adds to her anxieties, noting that other investors have also caught wind of the drama between the company and LFG, and therefore has stunted any interest in support. With MC blaming herself for digging them into a seemingly inescapable hole, Anna suggests for MC to go to a show meeting to take her mind off things - providing encouragement in the process. Quickly finding an alternative to a meeting as she feels as if MC does not have the time, Anna then goes onto explain that in the morning, they had received a special assignment which requested MC specifically for its production. MC is shocked that someone had presented a new project at such a time of distress - with the request being a special report from City News, a flagship show of Loveland TV, nonetheless. The call was placed by the Chief Director, Yuan, himself and as MC states, it is *"a valuable assignment."*

Through the acceptance of this request, Loveland TV may ask MC's company to complete other long-term assignments for them in the future - and thus, with this idea in mind, MC has found her miracle: *"A plan that will make Victor regret."* Anna questions if it will work - MC herself isn't sure, but is convinced that they should at least give it a try. City News had asked if the production could start on the same day as the call - also providing a contact at the police station in the process. Receiving the memo from Anna, MC reads a name, location, and telephone number. The name, in particular, sounds familiar to her - Gavin.

Finally, in a swift response to MC's nervousness, Anna reassures her that *"he's a cop, not a criminal."*

## Script

*Expand for script.*

* (MC Company)
* **MC**: It's easy to bluff, but what on earth is a plan that will make Victor regret...
* Facing the empty screen, I feel desperate.
* **MC**: Does such a thing... even really exist...
* I let my body fall onto the desk, hopelessly.
* **Anna**: MC, our film maker's license has finally been issued!
* **MC**: Why did we apply for that...
* **Anna**: You forgot? It was half a year ago! You were trying to contact some young directors to do short films!
* **MC**: Oh...
* **MC**: One week... What can we do with that? We're not gonna make payroll next month... \*sob\*
* **Anna**: And now, the other investors know all about the drama between us and LFG. Nobody will back us now.
* I looked up at her with a pathetic look on my face.
* **MC**: Anna... It's all my fault...
* **Anna**: Okay, okay. Go to the show meeting. Think about something else. It's not the end of the world!
* **MC**: Yeah... What show do we still have to make?
* **Anna**: Ah! Sorry, dear. You probably don't have time for meetings.
* **Anna**: This morning, we received a special assignment, and they specifically wanted you to be the producer.
* **MC**: Now of all times? A new project? No kidding?
* **Anna**: And it's a special report from City News!
* **MC**: The City News? The flagship show of Loveland TV? They always do their own segments.
* **Anna**: I don't know the details, but the call came from Chief Director Yuan. You weren't in yet, so I accepted it for you.
* **MC**: A call from the Chief Director himself? What a valuable assignment.
* Holding the file for the piece, I suddenly thought of something.
* **MC**: Oh! If we do this, then we might get assignments long-term for Loveland TV?
* **Anna**: Hmm... Maybe?
* **MC**: Isn't this what I have been looking for?! A plan that will make Victor regret!
* **Anna**: Will it really work?
* **MC**: No idea... but we can have a try!
* **MC**: Gosh, this couldn't have come at a better time. How great!
* **Anna**: I hope it works! They asked that you start today. Here, this is your contact at the police station.
* Anna handed over a memo.
* On the memo was written: Gavin, police officer, Loveland Police Department, tel: 18xxxxxxxx
* **MC**: Gavin... The name sounds a little familiar...
* **MC**: I don't know why but I suddenly feel a little scared...
* **Anna**: Relax. He's a cop, not a criminal.