Chapter Text
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014
Baronetcy Publishing: Just a quick update as to the recent move. (video link)
Rick: @Sophie Plane takes off in an hour.
Sophie: @Rick Are you sure you don't want us to meet you?
Rick: @Sophie I'm sure, this is something I'd rather do alone.
Sophie: @Rick It's just a drive, Frederick, you're not coming home from a war, you know.
Grover: @Anne How is Victoria's social scene treating you?
Anne: @Grover I really don't know. I've yet to leave the office.
Grover: @Anne You need to work on that. Maybe LouLou should have gone with you.
Anne: @Grover No worries, got it covered. Tomorrow dinner with Adelaide, Wed seeing @Ellen , Thurs dinner with the fam.
Grover: @Anne And Friday you'll be back in time for the party?
Anne: @Grover Nice try. Friday I'm going to sleep so I don't die driving back on Sat.
Grover: @Anne You need to work on your priorities.
Baronetcy Publishing Newsletter # 5 - New Offices
Beth
tagline: a short update from our new offices.
INT ALT OFFICE 2 - DAY
BETH ELLIOT is standing at a PODIUM with the Baronetcy Publishing name; behind her is a white wall with the COMPANY PLAQUE. She is dressed immaculately and addresses the camera without any of the warmth that her sister almost oozes.
BETH
Hello and welcome to the fifth video newsletter of Baronetcy Publishing' thirty-fifth year. We have just concluded the move into the new offices, both at the Kellynch building and the new central offices here, at Camden Place, which is in one of the most prestigious and fashionable parts of the city.
The new facilities, which are currently undergoing certain upgrades, will benefit employees, current and future, and will reflect, even more, the goals of the family and the company alike.
Now that we are settled in, and the kinks of combining two working units into a single united front are being worked, we are entering into the new phase of our future.
Please stay tuned to future videos, website and twitter announcements because there is much on the horizon.
New projects.
New innovations.
New career opportunities.
And new recruiting campaigns.
The future of the company is once again bright and we are embracing it with the zeal and ambition that naturally comes with the Elliot name.
Until next time, I am Beth Elliot.
END
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014
Anne: Talking the future with Rita, filmed before I left. @Rita (video link)
Harville: @Rick How's the first day?
Rick: @Harville Strange.
Harville: @Rick Haunted?
Rick: @Harville Very.
Harville: @Rick See any old ghosts?
Rick: @Harville No, and hopefully won't any time soon.
Sophie: @Rick What did you think of your office? I picked it especially for you.
Rick: @Sophie Thank you, but I’m actually switching to a different one. I found this one a little too grand for my tastes.
Sophie: @Rick Of course. I just thought you'd like the view. No one's appreciated it for a long time from what I understand.
The Anne Elliot Confessionals #22 - Advice
Anne, Rita
tagline: Talking about the future with Rita
INT - ANNE’S APT - DAY
ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in frame, in her 'weekend' clothes.
The camera angle is set so that when someone stands, only one's torso is visible. In the distance you can still see the door.
ANNE
Hello, and welcome to Uppercross on a Sunday. I’m filming this today, for more than just one reason. The first, and most obvious is because I’m going to be driving into Victoria soon. And if the past couple weeks here have been any indication of what awaits me, then I’m sure I’m going to be really busy this week, which I’m okay with. Because besides meeting up with an old friend - Hi Ellen - and dinner with the family and Adelaide, all I have is work.
The second reason is because I haven’t had the chance to do this before now, like yesterday, when I originally planned to. I had wanted to have two videos filmed to make things easier for when I'm away, but between Grover’s panic attacks at the thought of me not being here, trying to make things better with Mary, and the constant interruptions about a certain someone coming back into the area... time hasn’t really been on my side.
So, here we are and I confess, I’m worried that I’m not going to get everything done on time. I haven’t really even packed yet.
INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 22 – Advice’
RETURN TO SCENE
ANNE (cont.)
Not that I really need to put too much thought into packing. I don’t really own anything that fits other than officey-type clothes these days.
(pause)
Wow, that makes me sound kind of dull now that I think about it. Maybe I should...
Anne is interrupted by the sound of her DOOR TRYING TO OPEN and someone THUMPING into it.
RITA (O.S.)
Oww!
Anne looks between the door and the camera, smiling guiltily. She lowers her voice and leans towards the camera as...
ANNE
After recent events, I decided it was best to lock my door while filming. Though now they’ll probably just use their parents’ master keys. Or pretend to be superheroes and come in the windows.
RITA
(knocking)
Anne?
CUT.
RITA MUSGROVE is sitting beside Anne, frowning and rubbing her arm.
RITA
Was that really necessary?
ANNE
If you had of knocked at the start I could have warned you.
Rita gives her an unimpressed look.
ANNE (cont.)
So, what brings you to my door?
RITA
I had wanted to see if you were free to go shopping with me for a new dress. I have nothing to wear to the party Friday. But now I think I might need a drive to the hospital.
She holds her arm. Anne gently pokes it. They share a look that is amused/threatening on Rita's side and amused/caring on Anne's.
ANNE
You don’t need to go to the hospital.
RITA
How do you know? You’re not a doctor.
ANNE
Trust me, I know. And thank you for the offer, but I don’t need a dress. I’m not going to be at the party.
RITA
You’re not?
(remembering)
Right! You’re going away this week. Right, sorry, I forgot.
ANNE
(with concern)
Are you okay? You've seemed kind of off lately.
RITA
Yeah, just distracted. I could have really used the retail therapy.
ANNE
Did you want to talk about it? I might not have a psychology degree but I do have sisters.
RITA
(casting a glance to the camera)
It’s kind of silly.
ANNE
There is no such thing.
(points at camera)
I can turn this off if you’d...
RITA
No. Don’t bother, really. It’s not worth the effort of pretending it doesn’t exist. I’m already doing that enough, I think.
(pause)
I got accepting into a graduate program.
ANNE
(overjoyed)
That’s great!...
Anne pauses, noticing that Rita doesn’t seem to be as happy about this news as Anne thinks she would be and concern immediately takes the place of joy.
ANNE (cont.)
Wait, you’re not happy. This is good news, isn’t it? I thought you wanted to go to grad school. Help people and all that good stuff.
RITA
I do. It is. It’s a really great opportunity. It’s just...the school. It's in Germany.
ANNE
Oh. How many years...
RITA
Two. Or Five if I do an accelerated PhD. Or seven because no one ever does their PhD in five years, let’s be honest.
ANNE
What does your family think?
RITA
They’re thrilled. They’ll miss me, but they’re happy for me. It's one of the finest schools in the field.
ANNE
Then what’s wrong?
RITA
Charlie. Hayter.
ANNE
(understanding)
Oh.
RITA
If I go then it’s that many years away from him. And if I thought one semester was going to do us in then what about seven years?
ANNE
What does he say?
RITA
I don’t know, I haven’t told him yet. I just... this decision is mine, you know? It shouldn’t have anything to do with him.
ANNE
But it does. When you’re with someone you have to consider their future as well as your own. At least if you want to stay with them.
RITA
That doesn’t help.
ANNE
No, I don't think it's meant to. Sorry.
RITA
I just wish I had a magic eight ball. You know? To see if everything is going to work out, no matter what I decide. I'd love to know what'll happen in eight years.
ANNE
I think we all wish for one at times. But if we had it, it would make things a hell of a lot less interesting.
RITA
(on the cusp of a good panic or cry)
Trust me, interesting is overrated. I just don’t know what to do. Do I go? And if I go: do we break up, do I ask him to come with me even though he can’t, or do we try the long, long distance thing even though he has his own life here and long distance never seems to work.
(pause)
Or do I stay? And if I stay can I get into another program that is comparable here or am I staying just for him even though we might still break up and I don’t really want to be known as the girl who gave up this amazing opportunity for a guy. How last century is that?
I just... I don’t know what to do.
Rita leans into Anne. Anne wraps her arms around Rita in a sisterly fashion, easily comforting her friend.
SILENCE. Finally...
ANNE
Can I give you some advice?
RITA
(sitting straight w/ sincere relief)
Yes, please! At this point I would even take you telling me to joining the circus.
ANNE
Talk to Hayter.
BEAT. BLINK.
RITA
How is that advice?
I can't do that, Anne. I don’t want him to worry him over nothing.
ANNE
If you’re worried, then it’s not nothing. Besides, I’m sure he already suspects something. If he loves you as much as I think he does, he knows that something is bothering you. He knows that you’ve been distracted. Even Mary's noticed that and we know how observant she can be when she's worried about herself. And, I’m sure he wants to help.
RITA
I just...
ANNE
I know. Trust me, I get it. But if I know anything, it’s that when you’re with someone, it isn’t fair for you to decide both of your futures without their input. I learned that the hard way. Even if you end it, they deserve to know why and know that the decision wasn’t easy and that they were important to you… that it wasn't all selfish. That they are important enough to you to share your breaking heart with them.
Anne takes a deep breath, as though remembering that this is about Rita and not her own regrets.
ANNE (cont.)
Look, there’s no working magic 8 ball here, and no way to know how things will turn out. No guarantee that you two won’t end up hating each other or that someday you’ll find each other again. All I know for certain is that by not giving him a chance to tell you what he thinks and feels and wants... it will make for a lot more hurt feelings in the future and a lot more pain for you each to overcome no matter what you decide.
RITA
(leaning into Anne)
I don’t want to hurt him.
ANNE
I know. Decisions like these are never easy. Trust me. Look, you don’t have to decide anything now. Just, promise me that you’ll think about it?
Rita nods.
Anne comforts her for a moment before she sighs.
ANNE (cont.)
Now, what do you say we go for some retail therapy?
RITA
Are you sure? Don’t you have to get ready to go?
ANNE
I can do that later. And I’m driving so it’s pretty flexible when I leave. And besides, I’ve heard that my wardrobe could use some life.
RITA
(hopeful)
If you’re sure...
ANNE
I am more than sure.
RITA
I’ll get my purse. Be back in 5. Um… don’t lock your door this time, please.
Rita EXITS. Anne eyes the camera.
CUT.
Anne is alone once more, waiting for Rita.
ANNE
I know what you’re thinking, and I can’t help it. I really can drive in later and what is a few hours lost sleep? She needs me. And I do I understand more than most what she’s going through. After all, when you love someone, it’s easy to get wrapped up in wanting to do what’s best for them and forget to ask them what they think.
And when you’re twenty or twenty-two, it’s not always easy to know what you’ll regret in eight years time. That’s what friends are for. I just hope I do a better job than mine did eight years ago.
I guess, there, only time will tell.
Anne leans forward and TURNS off the camera.
END.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014
Harville: @Rick When you have time/the itch to travel, come visit, I'm not that far from where you are.
Rick: @Harville I'll be sure to visit soon. I could use the distraction.
Harville: @Rick It can't be that bad. I hear the girls are very pretty.
Harville: @Rick See... I can see they're distracting you already, so much you can't even answer your old friend.
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014
Rick: A benefit of being an adult is knowing your nightmares are just that and not a dream in disguise. (video link)
NavyWaters: Because everyone has childhood nightmares (video link)
Sophie: @Rick Sometimes I forget that we had the same upbringing.
Rick: @Sophie Maybe you need to take off your rose-tinted glasses, sister.
For What it’s Worth #3 – Of Nightmares and Buttons
Rick
tagline: Because no one said going back would ever be easy.
INT WALL - DAY
RICK WENTWORTH is standing in front of a brick wall. He appears a little rougher around the edges and a little tense, but his confidence is still there, as is his growing ease as he looks at the camera and dives right in.
RICK
I remember the first time I saw the movie Coraline, which is not a kids movie, I don’t care what anyone says. When she goes into that other world, where everything is the same, her family, house, friends, life… only not and with button eyes. It reminded me of a recurring nightmare I had as a kid, coming home from school and while everything was the same and still seemingly my own, it wasn’t.
As I got older it felt akin to visiting your childhood home after you leave for university: coming back to something that you know you should recognize, and think you can under the layers of time and inevitable change. Like reconnecting with your one time best friend who now looks at you through the face of a stranger. The familiar, but with button eyes.
Perhaps that’s why I don’t like looking backwards, it stops you from moving ahead.
It makes you pause and wonder what might have been.
What could have been if only your world had been different - maybe kinder, maybe not. But, different.
And it’s not just in dreams and with faces. But places as well.
Like that dream, that other world, it too, can be like seeing something you knew so well as a child through the jaded eyes of an adult.
The magic of things, the nightmares, are gone. And only the haunting reality remains. And you’re left wondering if it had been that happy place you believed it was then, after all: were the wall colours always this faded, did this office change hands, and was this window always here? Or are the rose coloured glasses of remembrances just another kind of button, another way to make yourself blind?
If they are, I’m glad they’re gone, because, for what it’s worth, I prefer my eyes wide open.
JUMP TO BLACK.
END.
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014
Anne: too much work and late night filming... not really a good combination(video link)
Sophie: @Rick I hope you aren't planning on being late to your own party.
Sophie: @Rick There are a large number of people who want to meet you.
Rick: @Sophie I thought being late was fashionable.
Sophie: @Rick Not the way you've been known to do it. So please be on time. There is someone coming tonight that I hear you once knew, so the Admiral tells me.
Rick: @Sophie Who is that?
Sophie: @Rick One of the Elliot girls. He can't remember what her name is, you know how he is with names. She's dating one of Baronetcy Publishing's production leads.
Rick: @Sophie A girl in a relationship isn't going to get me there any faster, Sophie.
Sophie: @Rick Perhaps not, but the number of single ones coming tonight just might.
Louisa: @Anne since you aren't here, I'm giving you party highlights! #louloutotherescue
Louisa: @Anne Met the Crofts, they are so cute! I think @Rita is jealous of their relationship #louloutotherescue
Louisa: @Anne Rick Wentworth FINALLY is here. O.M.G. He is so yummy! #louloutotherescue
Louisa: @Anne @Mary just left because of a migraine. They aren't even playing loud music. I think she's just feeling ignored with Rick and Grover getting along so well.
Louisa: @Anne talking to Rick… I want one. #louloutotherescue
The Anne Elliot Confessionals #23 - forgive and forget
Anne
tagline: sometimes both are hard to do
INT ALT OFFICE 2 - NIGHT
ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in front of a white wall. The PODIUM from the newsletters is pushed against the wall, in front of the plaque, and both are covered, not overly well, with a BLAZER and SCARF. Anne is dressed in a pale shade of a coloured blouse that would look good with said blazer and scarf. She looks uncomfortable and tired.
The LIGHTS are DIM.
ANNE
Hi. Do you ever have those moments when you have so many thoughts and feelings and emotions swirling around in your head that they mush together? Or those moments when there are so many things that you want or need to say, so many things to get off your chest, but when you sit down to actually, finally, say them you can’t? Those moments when you can’t express the silent chaos pounding inside your head?
Yeah, that’s pretty much how I feel right now. And I can't only blame work for this moment, even though I've already put in sixty-five hours this week and it's technically still Thursday... well early Friday but who is looking at the clock?
Anne shifts. She is full of nervous energy even though she appears tired and calm. She's finding it hard to talk about this, although it's probably not what she really needs to talk about at all.
ANNE (cont.)
I couldn't sleep. Usually when I can't sleep, I work, because there's always work to do and it's relatively easy to lose myself in it. Usually.
(looking around)
Maybe it's the city, or the offices here, or... my thoughts keep drifting back to home. To my childhood home, because only I could get homesick for an office building that I still see every day. But I do miss it. And I can't help but think about the new people living there. In my office. And in the office in the corner with the view that always caught the sunrise and where you could see the stars spread over the night sky. My mother's office... Which is also the office that Grover told me was given to Rick Wentworth.
Anne looks away, her expression pensive.
CUT.
Anne meets the cameras eye, determined to push through and finish filming. It's late and she does have to edit before posting in the morning.
ANNE (cont.)
Someone who watches both of our channels sent me his latest video. And, needing something to talk about, I watched it. Probably not wise considering I was already a little sombre.
But, watching it, I understood. I understand exactly what he means. I've felt that way a lot over the years. Places with as much history as Kellylynch, tend to feel haunted. And, while not proud of this, I'm going to confess to liking not being the only one feeling that way.
INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 23 – Forgive and Forget’
RETURN TO SCENE
Anne looks like she's in mourning. Like all the pain and heartache that she thought she had left behind her all those years ago is back, just as sharp and real as if feeling it for the first time.
ANNE (cont.)
I've lost track of the number of friends that I've lost touch with over the years. Time and lifestyle and geography... people change. It happens, we take different paths in life. Usually it's fine. You remember the good and important bits, take the lessons with you and put the rest behind you. You forgive any wrongdoings on either part and that's it. They're in the past.
Done. Gone. Easy.
Usually.
Most of the time they're strangers when I run into them again. Pleasant greetings, a quick catch up sentence or two that neither of us really care about. If something about them catches our interest, we'll seek more. We'll remember. Usually, we don't. And that's okay. That's what time does.
It makes strangers of former friends so that there is the possibility of someday becoming friends again.
Usually.
Maybe that's what makes this so different – why I'm not as okay with this situation as I know I should otherwise be.
Because we're not strangers. And because we can never be friends. Because he hasn’t forgiven me in the same way that I haven’t forgotten him.
To forgive and forget. I guess I always did wonder what happens when neither of those things happen... I guess I finally found out.
Taking a deep breath, Anne glances at the camera, debating if she can continue.
PAUSE.
She quickly stands and MOVES out of frame.
CUT
The camera has just been TURNED on and Anne is moving backwards and sitting down. She is quiet, and pensive but determined.
She starts to speak, has trouble knowing where to begin before...
ANNE (cont.)
This week, besides working, and too much thinking, I've been able to catch up with people who at one time were my entire life. Which is strange, because when you’re around these people all the time you kind of forget to really look at them, and they you.
(pause)
Beth and my father are well and...
(not happy about this fact)
...Penny is still as much a part of their lives as she was before they moved. Probably even more since they kind of had to start from scratch with social circles. Our dinner together, tonight, comprised of five minutes of their asking after me and Mary and the company at home; and then two hours of nothing but talk of here. Of Victoria, and all of the wonderful and important people they’ve met and who seek them out.
I swear, “high society” reminds me of those dog shows that you see on TV when nothing else is on, where everyone is dressed up and overly groomed and prancing around showing off, without anything deep or meaningful being expressed.
Adelaide thinks I just haven’t allowed myself to belong in that social scene enough to truly enjoy it. Maybe she’s right... but to me that just shows another reason why I probably shouldn’t move here, another example of how I don't fit in.
CUT
ANNE (cont.)
I was hoping, while I was here, I could catch up with an old friend of mine from school. Ellen Hamilton. We had plans to meet up but she had an appointment with a specialist and then I had to work late... next time. Something to look forward to for my inevitable return to this city.
(pause)
I did take the time to visit my mother, though. Which was nice. I left her favourite flowers, Forget-me-not. Which I find really ironic. Not that I'm in danger of forgetting her, but that... other things where not forgetting seems to be the problem.
CUT.
ANNE (cont.)
I can't think of any good way to finish this.
Okay, in summation: I'm driving back to Uppercross Saturday morning because there is no way I'm going to be up for it tomorrow night. The offices here are running smoothly. My family is still my family, whatever that means. Adelaide is fine. And I still really dislike the city.
Oh, and me and last minute, night-time filming? Never a good mix. Lesson learned.
Anne begins to stand, pauses and sits down again.
ANNE (cont.)
At least for now.
END.
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014
Grover posts pictures of the party – his meeting Rick; his sisters and Mary meeting Rick; his sisters fawning over Rick.
Louisa follows Rick
Rita follows Rick.
Rick follows Grover, Louisa and Rita
Anne: So happy to be back!
Louisa: @Anne You missed quite the party.
Anne: I'm sure there will be others.
Louisa: @Anne Well, once you set up your camera I will come by and give you (and your fan club) a blow by blow so you won't have entirely missed out.
Rick: Thank you to everyone who attended last night for the warm welcome.
Harville: @Rick so... how are the girls?
Rick: @Harville Same as most places.
Harville: @Rick That good? Lucky dog. You have too much charm for everyone's good.
Harville: @Rick One of these days you will find a girl who says no to you. On that day, I will be here. Gloating.
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014
Grover: May the 4th be with all of you!