Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2018 0:20:10 GMT -5
Silk blue tie hanging loose about the collar of his Navy blue dress shirt he wore under the tailor made black suit was a clear indication that Joshua Samson, Esquire had had a rough day at the office. He stood in the driveway of his shared beach house home with Astrid Sedin in Dana Point, California savoring the taste of the cigar he smoked from while watching the Cadillac Escalade SUV that served as his mode of transportation to and from Los Angeles for the day drive into the distance.
“This shit just won’t die…”
The near forty year old shook his head in dismay as he mutters to himself. A gray bellow of cigar smoke begins to collect and hover above his head but he pays it no attention. His fiancee Astrid Sedin was sitting out on the patio behind the house and she knew that he was out front smoking a cigar cause she had heard the vehicle pull away. A book lay in her lap as her sister Hanna laid across the ground on a beach towel, reading what appears to be a school book.
Astrid Sedin: What is taking him so long?
Back out front, Joshua pulls his cell phone from his the inside of his suit coat pocket. He taps the face of the phone several times with his thumb indicating he is composing a text. Finishing, he slides it back into the pocket.
PING, PING
Astrid looked down at her phone to see the notification. Reading the text message from Josh, she put her book down.
Astrid Sedin: Hanna, I have to go talk to Josh. So stay right here. If you want you can grab a soda from the fridge.
Astrid headed for the front of the house and saw Joshua standing in the driveway. He didn’t look to happy and she knew he wasn’t judging by his tweets. She cautiously approached him and kissed him on the cheek.
Astrid Sedin: OK… so what happened?
Joshua Samson: Well, hello to you too, baby.
He pulls from the cigar again.
Astrid Sedin: Hello there hot stuff.
She winked and smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
Joshua Samson: I found out that Kelli is still contracted to I.S.M.
Astrid Sedin: OK… I’m sorry but I don’t get how that’s a problem. I don’t understand business aspect of things. Is she not paying?
Not looking at his fiancee, Joshua slightly chuckles. He puffs the cigar again.
Joshua Samson: No, the firm is getting it’s fifteen percent now since she’s working again. The issue is that once Kelli was admitted to rehab years ago, her contract with me was supposed have been voided. She was supposed have been dropped from I.S.M.’s books.
Astrid Sedin: Why can’t they void it now? Who’s fault was it that the contract wasn’t terminated. Sounds to me like someone screwed up BIG TIME.
Joshua Samson: You goddamn right someone screwed up but that’s not even the kicker. Now that Kelli is bringing in revenue and interest, the firm doesn’t want to terminate our representation with her.
Astrid Sedin: You have got to be fuckin’ kidding me! Do they not understand that she poses a threat to you and I? She has threatened me and all they see is dollar signs! This is BULL SHIT!
Another chuckle and another puff.
Joshua Samson: That’s Dominique Powers for you. People think I’m a money chaser! Hell, my business partner is money hungry. Of course I tried to reason with him but he just wasn’t hearing it. From a business aspect I can see what he sees but from a personal side….
He allows the thought to trail off much like the smoke that flowed from his cigar. Astrid snatches the cigar out of his hand and takes a draw, letting it linger a little before exhaling and handing it back to him. Joshua, stunned expression on his face, glances down at the cigar then to Astrid and back to the cigar.
Astrid Sedin: I don’t know what I’m surprised about… him being a money hungry fuck face or the fact that his parents named a boy Dominique.
She runs her hands through her hair.
Joshua Samson: I’m not blaming Nique...well not entirely. No, I have to blame myself on this. I should have followed up on her file but there was so much going on at that time and I.S.M. was really in its early days of operation. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kelli wasn’t aware of all of this the entire time.
Astrid Sedin: Neither would I cause she’s a scheming bitch. She wants to make our lives hell and to her this is just another way. Though… you are technically making money off of her. Wait… she only pays 15%? Why do I feel like I’m paying more?
Joshua Samson: Focus, Astrid. Besides I’m off the clock as your Executive Representative right now.
Astrid Sedin: I can’t focus when it comes to that bitch spawn. Honestly, I just want her out of our lives… for good. It’s driving me insane!
Joshua Samson: I don’t foresee her leaving EHWF anytime soon at least not voluntarily. Now that I know I.S.M. is still repping her, there is no way we’re going to let her lose that job.
Astrid Sedin: Well you have power… so fire her! This is getting ridiculous because it’s starting to look like someone doesn’t give a flying fuck about me and my well being. It’s pissing me off… along with everything else that’s going to hell in a handbasket.
Groaning, she put her head against Joshua’s chest.
Astrid Sedin: I want her to go away! The longer she’s around the longer I have to wait to wear that poofy dress.
He wraps his arms around her petite body being careful with the cigar near her hair.
Joshua Samson: I wish I could fire her, Astrid, but I have no legal recourse to fire her. I wish all this would go away too because I can’t wait to see you in that wedding dress and make you Mrs. Samson.
Astrid Sedin: Do I need to get her on tape physically threatening me for them to drop her sorry ass on the curb like the piece of trash she is? Because if so… I will do it. Who’s to say she won’t come after me with Hanna around. She’ll know I’ll have my guard down.
With his empty hand, he strokes her blonde hair.
Joshua Samson: You don’t have to worry about that, baby. Like I told you before Kelli won’t go that far. She’s was just trying to get into your head, our head. It’ll be alright. I promise you.
Astrid Sedin: Until that thing is either in jail or some psych ward in a hugger jacket… I will worry. And with Hanna here… that’s been increased tenfold. Because honestly, it seems that everyone’s enabling her and letting her do whatever the fuck she wants. Yet… I’m on a diet… all the time.
He gently pushes her away from his body in order to look down into her eyes.
Joshua Samson: How about we bring in Daveena full time? Where ever you go, she goes. That way it’ll add an extra layer of protection for you and Hanna.
Astrid Sedin: I don’t know. Her performance at the last show was piss poor. I’ll have to see if she’s worthy in Chicago.
She puts her head into her hand allowing him the space to pull from the cigar.
Astrid Sedin: What is taking that damn attorney so long to get those papers ready? If they were filed… I’d have some semblance of a piece of mind.
Joshua Samson: The divorce papers?
Astrid Sedin: Duh… it’s just racking my brain. Like I said… I’m not sleeping to well that’s why I’ve been drinking more wine than usual cause it helps me calm down.
Joshua Samson: You think you should see a doctor? Get a sleeping prescription?
Astrid Sedin: It’s from stress and anxiety. So I don’t know if that would work… or just heighten what’s going on in my brain. To be honest, I do only fall asleep when you be all protective cuddle bear and wrap me up in your arms. I feel safe then.
Joshua Samson: Well I suppose that I’ll have to be more of a “cuddle bear” then. But you have got to de-stress, Astrid. If you’re shooting for the top, you’re going to have to have laser like focus.
Astrid Sedin: You try having to worry about… that thing. She’s the biggest threat to my aspirations because she’s so unpredictable.
Joshua Samson: Just focus is all I’m saying. The sooner you carry that Heavyweight title, the sooner I can get my Maserati.
He jokingly smiles at her.
Astrid Sedin: You don’t even have a license and you want to buy a car like that? Why not buy a boat?
Joshua Samson: It’s not like I’m going to get a license for a boat either. Come on and let’s get inside before Hanna thinks we abandoned her..
Astrid Sedin: Fine… what’s for dinner?
The two turn and walk toward the front door of the house.
Joshua Samson: I cooked a culinary treat last night. It’s not my turn.
Astrid Sedin: Well… turkey burgers is something Hanna requested while she’s here. So I don’t see why not tonight. Sound good to you?
Joshua Samson: Works for me.
Reaching the front door, the couple walk in and close the door behind them.
“This shit just won’t die…”
The near forty year old shook his head in dismay as he mutters to himself. A gray bellow of cigar smoke begins to collect and hover above his head but he pays it no attention. His fiancee Astrid Sedin was sitting out on the patio behind the house and she knew that he was out front smoking a cigar cause she had heard the vehicle pull away. A book lay in her lap as her sister Hanna laid across the ground on a beach towel, reading what appears to be a school book.
Astrid Sedin: What is taking him so long?
Back out front, Joshua pulls his cell phone from his the inside of his suit coat pocket. He taps the face of the phone several times with his thumb indicating he is composing a text. Finishing, he slides it back into the pocket.
PING, PING
Astrid looked down at her phone to see the notification. Reading the text message from Josh, she put her book down.
Astrid Sedin: Hanna, I have to go talk to Josh. So stay right here. If you want you can grab a soda from the fridge.
Astrid headed for the front of the house and saw Joshua standing in the driveway. He didn’t look to happy and she knew he wasn’t judging by his tweets. She cautiously approached him and kissed him on the cheek.
Astrid Sedin: OK… so what happened?
Joshua Samson: Well, hello to you too, baby.
He pulls from the cigar again.
Astrid Sedin: Hello there hot stuff.
She winked and smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
Joshua Samson: I found out that Kelli is still contracted to I.S.M.
Astrid Sedin: OK… I’m sorry but I don’t get how that’s a problem. I don’t understand business aspect of things. Is she not paying?
Not looking at his fiancee, Joshua slightly chuckles. He puffs the cigar again.
Joshua Samson: No, the firm is getting it’s fifteen percent now since she’s working again. The issue is that once Kelli was admitted to rehab years ago, her contract with me was supposed have been voided. She was supposed have been dropped from I.S.M.’s books.
Astrid Sedin: Why can’t they void it now? Who’s fault was it that the contract wasn’t terminated. Sounds to me like someone screwed up BIG TIME.
Joshua Samson: You goddamn right someone screwed up but that’s not even the kicker. Now that Kelli is bringing in revenue and interest, the firm doesn’t want to terminate our representation with her.
Astrid Sedin: You have got to be fuckin’ kidding me! Do they not understand that she poses a threat to you and I? She has threatened me and all they see is dollar signs! This is BULL SHIT!
Another chuckle and another puff.
Joshua Samson: That’s Dominique Powers for you. People think I’m a money chaser! Hell, my business partner is money hungry. Of course I tried to reason with him but he just wasn’t hearing it. From a business aspect I can see what he sees but from a personal side….
He allows the thought to trail off much like the smoke that flowed from his cigar. Astrid snatches the cigar out of his hand and takes a draw, letting it linger a little before exhaling and handing it back to him. Joshua, stunned expression on his face, glances down at the cigar then to Astrid and back to the cigar.
Astrid Sedin: I don’t know what I’m surprised about… him being a money hungry fuck face or the fact that his parents named a boy Dominique.
She runs her hands through her hair.
Joshua Samson: I’m not blaming Nique...well not entirely. No, I have to blame myself on this. I should have followed up on her file but there was so much going on at that time and I.S.M. was really in its early days of operation. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kelli wasn’t aware of all of this the entire time.
Astrid Sedin: Neither would I cause she’s a scheming bitch. She wants to make our lives hell and to her this is just another way. Though… you are technically making money off of her. Wait… she only pays 15%? Why do I feel like I’m paying more?
Joshua Samson: Focus, Astrid. Besides I’m off the clock as your Executive Representative right now.
Astrid Sedin: I can’t focus when it comes to that bitch spawn. Honestly, I just want her out of our lives… for good. It’s driving me insane!
Joshua Samson: I don’t foresee her leaving EHWF anytime soon at least not voluntarily. Now that I know I.S.M. is still repping her, there is no way we’re going to let her lose that job.
Astrid Sedin: Well you have power… so fire her! This is getting ridiculous because it’s starting to look like someone doesn’t give a flying fuck about me and my well being. It’s pissing me off… along with everything else that’s going to hell in a handbasket.
Groaning, she put her head against Joshua’s chest.
Astrid Sedin: I want her to go away! The longer she’s around the longer I have to wait to wear that poofy dress.
He wraps his arms around her petite body being careful with the cigar near her hair.
Joshua Samson: I wish I could fire her, Astrid, but I have no legal recourse to fire her. I wish all this would go away too because I can’t wait to see you in that wedding dress and make you Mrs. Samson.
Astrid Sedin: Do I need to get her on tape physically threatening me for them to drop her sorry ass on the curb like the piece of trash she is? Because if so… I will do it. Who’s to say she won’t come after me with Hanna around. She’ll know I’ll have my guard down.
With his empty hand, he strokes her blonde hair.
Joshua Samson: You don’t have to worry about that, baby. Like I told you before Kelli won’t go that far. She’s was just trying to get into your head, our head. It’ll be alright. I promise you.
Astrid Sedin: Until that thing is either in jail or some psych ward in a hugger jacket… I will worry. And with Hanna here… that’s been increased tenfold. Because honestly, it seems that everyone’s enabling her and letting her do whatever the fuck she wants. Yet… I’m on a diet… all the time.
He gently pushes her away from his body in order to look down into her eyes.
Joshua Samson: How about we bring in Daveena full time? Where ever you go, she goes. That way it’ll add an extra layer of protection for you and Hanna.
Astrid Sedin: I don’t know. Her performance at the last show was piss poor. I’ll have to see if she’s worthy in Chicago.
She puts her head into her hand allowing him the space to pull from the cigar.
Astrid Sedin: What is taking that damn attorney so long to get those papers ready? If they were filed… I’d have some semblance of a piece of mind.
Joshua Samson: The divorce papers?
Astrid Sedin: Duh… it’s just racking my brain. Like I said… I’m not sleeping to well that’s why I’ve been drinking more wine than usual cause it helps me calm down.
Joshua Samson: You think you should see a doctor? Get a sleeping prescription?
Astrid Sedin: It’s from stress and anxiety. So I don’t know if that would work… or just heighten what’s going on in my brain. To be honest, I do only fall asleep when you be all protective cuddle bear and wrap me up in your arms. I feel safe then.
Joshua Samson: Well I suppose that I’ll have to be more of a “cuddle bear” then. But you have got to de-stress, Astrid. If you’re shooting for the top, you’re going to have to have laser like focus.
Astrid Sedin: You try having to worry about… that thing. She’s the biggest threat to my aspirations because she’s so unpredictable.
Joshua Samson: Just focus is all I’m saying. The sooner you carry that Heavyweight title, the sooner I can get my Maserati.
He jokingly smiles at her.
Astrid Sedin: You don’t even have a license and you want to buy a car like that? Why not buy a boat?
Joshua Samson: It’s not like I’m going to get a license for a boat either. Come on and let’s get inside before Hanna thinks we abandoned her..
Astrid Sedin: Fine… what’s for dinner?
The two turn and walk toward the front door of the house.
Joshua Samson: I cooked a culinary treat last night. It’s not my turn.
Astrid Sedin: Well… turkey burgers is something Hanna requested while she’s here. So I don’t see why not tonight. Sound good to you?
Joshua Samson: Works for me.
Reaching the front door, the couple walk in and close the door behind them.