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(An attractive 30 year old woman walks into a very nice restaurant/bar. She is holding her purse in both hands in front of her, playing nervously with the handles. She looks around then notices a man sitting at a small table in the middle of the room, reading a newspaper and wearing a bright orange tie. She hurriedly walks over to him.)

WOMAN

Are you Mr. Jonathan Lake?

LAKE

(looks up)

Yes. Have a seat. What will you have to drink?

WOMAN

(sits)

Maybe just a gin and tonic.

(Jonathan Lake signals to a passing waitress to get them two drinks.)

WOMAN

You look different from your picture. (she pauses) In a good way. (and laughs).

LAKE

I seem to get that a lot. It's an old picture. I've hardly met any of my clients or even employees, it's such a big company. So, you can probably imagine the confusion when I show up at one of the offices or close a deal in person. I really am a private person, though. I like the solitude. It's peaceful.

WOMAN

Well, I'm glad you decided to meet with me. I very much enjoy doing advertising for your company, but I've been more curious about you, Mr. Lake. The man behind the curtain.

LAKE

You do good work. If it weren't for you, I would have nothing, let's just put it that way.

(They smile at each other and the waitress sets their drinks down. They share a moment of silence as they each take a sip, then continue on.)

LAKE

So, I've been meaning to ask you. What brought you to contact me? Other than your curiosity, of course. It's just that I never usually hear from business partners directly.

WOMAN

(Takes another sip, her hands shaking a bit.)

Well, truthfully, neither I, nor anyone else for that matter, knew if you were really still out there. I figured contacting you would be the only way to find out if Lake Media was still being run by... well, you. And... (she shakes her head, dismissing the thought that she was about to voice.)

LAKE

What. What is it?

WOMAN

What is what?

LAKE

What were you about to say? It seemed like you had something to add. I have many curiosities, much like yourself. Care to enlighten me?

WOMAN

Well... I don't know about you, but... I guess I thought of this as somewhat of a blind date. (more hurriedly) But, it was really mostly my curiosity. I guess I needed to see you. To see if you were still around. What you were like.

LAKE

A date.

WOMAN

(sighs, a little embarrassed)

Yes, a date.

LAKE

I'm glad to hear you say that. By the way, you are prettier than I pictured you.

WOMAN

(blushing)

Oh... Well, I try to keep up my physique. Not a lot of time, though. Mostly I just eat healthy. For breakfast some toast and jam, something light, you know? Then for lunch, I'll pack myself a yogurt and some carrot sticks, and if that isn't enough, I take a walk down to the market a few blocks down and get a piece of sourdough and –

LAKE

I'm sorry, will you excuse me for a minute?

WOMAN

(starting to fiddle with her purse again)

Of course.

(Jonathan Lake leaves the room and the woman starts to look at the newspaper that he had been reading before she arrived. Soon, a young man comes to her table and taps her on the shoulder.)

MAN

Excuse me, miss? I'm sorry to bother you, but are you here with Craig Shields?

WOMAN

No. I'm here with Mr. Jonathan Lake. Of Lake Media? He just went to the bathroom, I'm sure he'll be back in a minute or two if you want to talk to him. Do you know him?

MAN

No. Not Mr. Lake. I know the man you are with, though. He's my old coworker, Craig. We used to work together at a used car dealership. Mr. Lake's here as well? (he looks around eagerly)

WOMAN

I'm sorry I can't help you. I don't know any Craig. I think you're getting him confused with my date, Mr. Lake.

MAN

The man sitting here just a minute ago? No, that was no Mr. Lake. You should ask him. I don't know what Craig's cooking up now, but he owes me a lot of money. He jipped a lot of us during this deal he was promoting back in '06. I really need to talk to him. So when Mr. Lake get's back, will you tell him Chuck is over in the corner?

WOMAN

(confused now)

Ok... I'll try.

MAN

Thanks, miss.

(The woman picks the newspaper up again and adjusts her body to a stiffer, more ready posture. Her polished fingers are shaking a bit and she seems to be seeing right through the page. In a moment, Mr. Lake walks back in the room.)

LAKE

Sorry, there was a line. (to waitress offstage) Can I get another scotch?

WOMAN

(in a harsher tone than before)

So, where were we, Mr. Lake? You were telling me about your customers or employees or something?

LAKE

I believe you were talking about your diet. Either conversation interests me. But, what interests me more is you. How could we have been working side by side all these years and never even met?

WOMAN

Maybe it wasn't meant to be.

LAKE

But we're here now.

WOMAN

I guess we are. You did say you would be wearing an orange tie.

LAKE

And you would find me. And you did.

WOMAN

I found the man with the orange tie. The man behind the curtain.

LAKE

(smiles greedily)

That's me.

WOMAN

Maybe. How would I ever be able to tell?

LAKE

What's troubling you? You seem like you have something on your mind. Spit it out.

WOMAN

(gestures with a head movement to Chuck)

A man named Chuck is in the corner. Needs to speak with you. Or some Mr. Craig Shields.

LAKE

Mmm.

(Lake looks suspiciously at her, then his eyes glance at the newspaper on the table. He quickly snatches it and places it on his lap under the table.)

WOMAN

What? Give me that.

(She grabs it and reads aloud.)

WOMAN

“...And a Mr. Jonathan Lake has been reported missing by a concerned family member. His brother, Ron Lake, has not heard from him in over three months and has suspicions of foul play. No evidence or body has been found, but the case remains open....” (she trails off)

LAKE

(annoyed)

Now, as you can see, I'm right here. I'll clear this nonsense up tomorrow. (mumbles) They can't print stuff like this about me.

WOMAN

(as if it's a word she does not recognize, not a name)

Craig...

LAKE

(notices the desperate wave of Chuck from across the room and his shoulders slouch.)

Now listen to me right now. And don't you dare say a fuckin' word. I see people I want to be, and I be them. I find a way... any way to accomplish what I need to. I'm going to clear this newspaper business up tomorrow and everything will be okay. I don't know anyone named Chuck and I don't know who Craig is. I am Jonathan Lake and I own Lake Media and its affiliates. I live in a huge mansion by the water and I am filthy, filthy rich. I am on a date with a beautiful woman who is obsessed with my very existence, and we are going to go to my place tonight after a few more drinks and look at the stars through my sun roof. Then maybe we'll fuck, but maybe we won't. But we will eventually. And I'll call my brother. He won't have to worry. Am I being clear?

WOMAN

(suddenly chipper)

Hmm? Now did you want to get something to eat here, or somewhere else? I don't know about the quality of the seafood here. Maybe we could try York's over on McKenzie street?

LAKE

(incredulous)

I've heard their salmon is delicious.

WOMAN

Well, finish your drink and we'll get going then.

LAKE

I have another drink coming.

WOMAN

Then finish that one and then we can go. I've got all night!

LAKE

You know what? Fuck it. Let's go.

(They both stand up. The woman grabs his hand on the way out.)

WOMAN

I'm looking forward to a fantastic night, Mr. Jonathan Lake.

She smiles and prances offstage, holding his hand the whole time. The newspaper still sits on the table and Chuck can be seen watching them walk out, looking quite confused.