Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

No one knows for sure who it was responsible for piecing this story together, although consensus gives the efforts to Ellen Smith.  All that can be said, for certain, is that we owe them our thanks for perserving this piece of internet history.

Before delving into the tale, because of the nature of the format, a little preamble may be of use, to help any readers make the most of the adjustment.

This story is told day-by-day and week-by-week, through twitter posts, local news articles and youtube video transcripts, and just seeing how social media was utilized by some in the day has certainly been revealing about human's nature want for connection at that time.  Or perhaps, it is just a commentary about those within the story.

The Players:

Anne: aka Anne Elliot is 28 years old and an employee at her family's business, called Baronetcy Publishing.  She is the Anne around whom this story revolves.

Mary: aka Mary Elliot, is roughly 4 years younger than Anne.  She also works for Baronetcy Publishing, in a... less vital capactity.

Beth: aka Elizabeth Elliot the second.  She is the eldest Elliot, although her age has never been verified.  Anywhere.  She is evidentially the favourite Elliot sibling and remained living at home long before it was "cool" (aka a necessity for many).

"Father": aka Walter Elliot, CEO of Baronetcy Publishing.  Is often seen out in public, but not in Anne's story, which, is probably telling.  The company he founded with his late wife, which was once one of the pinnacles of the profession has seen better days by the start of the story.

Adelaide: aka Adelaide Russell works in HR at Baronetcy Publishing and is Anne's godmother.  No confirmation on being the godmother for Beth or Mary.  She is never seen, only mentioned.

Shepard: aka John Shepard was the head of Legal at Baronetcy Publishing.  He is never seen.  Only mentioned.

Penny: aka Penelope Clay is Beth's assistant and protégé if not friend (although that relationship dynamic is often called into question)

Bill: aka Bill Eliot was a former employee of Baronetcy Publishing.  Is not related to the Elliot's with two L's.

Grover: aka Charles Musgrove the third.  Anne's childhood best friend.  Works at Baronetcy Publishing.

Rita: aka Rita Musgrove, is Grover's younger sister and a fellow middle child. 

Louisa: aka Louisa Musgrove (and Lou Lou), is the youngest Musgrove sibling.  She is 20 and it shows.  Like all the Musgroves she lives near her family.

Charlie: aka Charlie Hayter, Rita's boyfriend.  Often called Hayter (but is never a 'hater') because of how many Charles' variants there seem to be.

Sophie: aka Sophie Croft, one of the head's of Navy Water's Productions, was a newly formed company in the 2010's that was one of the first to use social media as a fundraising tool.  They had raised over $2 million dollars for various charities before the story begins.

Rick: aka Frederick Wentworth, the brother of Sophie and the creator of Navy Waters with the support of his sister and brother-in-law.  He got the idea eight years prior, in 2006, when he gained a following on Youtube, after a heartbreak inspired him to create a series of videos lamenting women and cautioning people against love.  It allowed him to fund a backpacking trip with one of his best friends.

Harville: aka Harry Harville is Rick's best friend, but doesn't like to be called by his last name.  They met in a frat, which, probably explains a lot.

Benny: aka James Benwick another friend of Rick and Harville's, and former partner of Harville's younger brother, Frank.  He is dealing with his own heart break when the story is joined.  He is younger and shyer than 

Ellen: aka Ellen Smith is Anne's former friend and college roommate.  After losing touch they reconnected when Ellen found her through Anne's videos.  She works as a social media consultant for numerous local companies.

The Setting:

Everything seems to take place in British Columbia, Canada.  And while some happens in Victoria, no one has been able to locate the name of the town in which it begins.

And with that beginning, I can only hope that you enjoy the cobbled-together tale that began unfolding 10 years ago today.  That of Forever Anne!

Chapter Text

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Publishing: The first video newsletter is posted on our revamped website ( video link).

Mary: some things are worth doing, no matter the cost to one's health (link newsletter #1)

Baronetcy Publishing's Newsletter #1 - Baronetcy Publishing takes social media by storm
Anne, Mary
tagline: Happy Thirty-five Years Baronetcy Publishing. Here's to thirty-five more.

INT ALT OFFICE 1 - DAY

The office is stereotypically simple, a place almost uninspired.   The walls are white, and there is a TABLE centre of frame with a PLANT on it, off left of the centre.   While not dead, the plant doesn't seem to be thriving. There is also a rather impressive stack of PAPERWORK on the right of the desk. In the top right of frame there is an oversized plaque in gold.   It says in ornate scrawl ‘BARONETCY PUBLISHING est. 1979 by Walter Elliot and Elizabeth Stevenson-Elliot.’

Sitting in front of the table, centre of the frame, directly facing the camera is ANNE ELLIOT. She appears like the plant - past her bloom. She is warn and faded, nervous but also open and sincere. She is dressed in business-type clothes in dull, neutral colours. Her hair is down, almost lifeless. Her face is pale. It's obvious that while she could be very pretty with a little self-care, her appearance isn't high on her list of priorities. Despite this, there is something about her that draws the audience in – the potential of who she is.

She smiles, looking between the camera lens and someone off screen, to the left of frame.   She nervously waves. She is uncertain about what she's doing, no longer used to putting herself centre stage, more comfortable being in the shadows.

Anne takes a steadying breath and...

ANNE
The world has changed a lot in the past thirty-five years. We've seen the birth of cell phones, email, video games and 3-D animation. At the heart of some of these changes, where old technology meets new, there has been one company that is today celebrating its thirty-fifth anniversary: Baronetcy Publishing, built on the foundation of two separate printing houses and founded by Walter Elliot and his family in this, the historic Kellynch building.
To commemorate this special anniversary, Baronetcy and the Elliot’s are proud to announce that we have entered the exciting new era that is social media and digital publishing to make reading Canadian literature all the more accessible.   I am Anne Elliot, and I am pleased to be able to share this time with you in these newsletters as we discuss what is new and exciting on the company's horizon.
A lot is happening at Baronetcy Publishing and this has been dubbed 'the Year of Change'.   Stepping into digital printing is just the first of many steps that we'll be taking in our efforts to innovate and reinvigorate a company that has long held the potential to help change the way we see and interact with the world.   These newsletters are just one way we will be reaching out to our employees, partners and global community, and we hope that you will share in what we have to offer.

Anne pauses, beginning to relax. Her body language has become more comfortable.   She is a natural before the camera although she lacks confidence in herself.

ANNE (cont.)
(Smiling)
But, before we look forward, today we will take a look back at the beginning of the company and to those who built it.   Baronetcy Publishing was a merger of two industry leaders through the marriage of two great families.   My parents.   Walter Elliot and Elizabeth Stevenson.   My father had dreams of bringing the best books to the world and my mother had the drive and determination to succeed at anything that she put her mind to.   Together they took this publishing house from its humble beginnings of children’s publishing into international markets, making reading accessible around the world in various genres, including non-fiction works and text books that trained the next generation of leaders.
Today, in the ever-changing world that is media, we hope to continue down the path my parents began thirty-five years ago and continue blazing a path into areas few companies have dared to go.   Because, despite the constant shifting nature of the world, the Elliot's are still at Kellynch, and we are still a family.   My father is CEO of what we had joked in youth as being his first born child, and he has a view of the world that is years younger than many men his age.   And, to help him along, he is joined by the next generation of Elliots: Myself, my sister Beth as head of our marketing and Public Relations department who is making strides promoting Baronetcy's place in the world; and my younger sister Mary has recently joined our heritage team with fresh ideas and an outlook on life and art that few can emulate.   Together we are looking to the future with innovative ideas, new products and projects, new working relationships and faith in our success in leading the way.
These video newsletters will demonstrate to the world that we are here, standing tall and that we aren’t going anywhere.   This, Baronetcy Publishing’ thirty-fifth year truly is one of change.   We invite you to share your ideas and thoughts and encouragement along this journey through these newsletters as well as our revamped website and new twitter account which all will be linked in the description below.

JUMP CUT.

Anne is joined with another woman in frame, sitting close to one another.   Behind them, the stack of paperwork is gone.

Anne looks more relaxed now that she is not alone and her smile is more genuine.   The other woman, younger and wearing a vibrant shirt that is not entirely business-wear appropriate, with an air of pride and importance is Anne's younger sister, MARY ELLIOT.

Anne leans into Mary as Mary smiles to the camera, pleased with herself.

ANNE (cont.)
Thank you for sharing your time and being a part of our family and also a part of our journey.   We look forward to to seeing you again along the way.

END.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Twitter

Beth: @Penny thank you again for your continued help at the office. We both know how hard good help is to find.
Penny: @Beth my pleasure, I'm here for as long as you need me. It's always nice to see professionals at work

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2014

Twitter

Navy Water Productions: welcoming a former Asp Films media star as @Navy Water Production 's first webmedia talent!

Penny: @Beth Have you seen this article (link to article discussing Baronetcy's being in debt)
Beth: @Penny Reporters have always been cruel to us, and are prone to exaggerating.

Local News Article 1

Local business failing: Family-based Management to Blame?
Reported by N Rooke

Rumour has it that local publishing house Baronetcy Publishing might be close to financial ruin. Despite CEO's Walter Elliot's assurances that the studio was hit by the economy and the changing nature of technology as much as any other company of its kind, this reporter has heard that overspending, poor money management and lack of insight from the higher management teams, primarily those sporting the name that started the business – Elliot – has exasperated the onset of this crisis. The poor economy just made the situation one that they cannot ignore as the recent drastic actions of cutting off all their charitable contributions within the community illustrate.

Head of marketing, Beth Elliot, went on record saying that they are seeking answers for this “trifling problem”, and will soon be on solid ground again.

Calling an ever-growing debt that could topple the business and put dozens of local employees out of work, a trifle? That seems, at least to this reporter, to be a sign, not only of the uncertain future of Baronetcy studios, but also of how it got into this position in the first place.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Publishing: Behind the scenes with the Elliot sisters for the making of the first newsletter (video link)

Grover: Look ma! I'm on the internet. And not for indecency. (video link)

Baronetcy Publishing Newsletter #1 - Behind the Scenes
Anne, Mary, Beth, Grover, Penny
tagline: An intimate look at the Elliot siblings making the first newsletter.   An Elliot’s work is never done.

INT ALT OFFICE 1 - DAY

This happens the same day as with the previous video. Indeed, it's what happened leading to the video and all the family dynamic stuff that is usually cut out of things meant for viewing audiences. As Grover was the one who edited this, he probably wondered why television should have all the fun with reality programming.

Everything in the office looks exactly the same as in the newsletter video, except that there is no stack of paperwork and the frame is empty as it comes into focus.

There is movement left of frame. A MAN ENTERS frame left, leading a young WOMAN into frame behind him. The tops of both their heads are cut out of the frame. He sits her down, BLOCKING the camera as he does so. He appears from behind to be fixing her appearance and then TURNS AND LEAVES.

The woman is revealed to be MARY ELLIOT. She looks at the camera uncertainly, opens her mouth to say something, before she pauses, not trusting the camera. Mary looks back to where the man left as she stands up and starts to go after him.

JUMP CUT.

Mary and the man are back in frame. Mary is sitting, looking at the camera, confused. She is dressed in overly ornate clothes, complete with a brightly coloured SUIT JACKET, under which is the shirt she was seen wearing in the newsletter video.   Moving to sit next to her, hand on her shoulder, keeping her in place so she doesn't leave, wearing an annoyed expression, faded jeans and a t-shirt that has seen better days sporting a pro-geek saying, is CHARLES 'GROVER' MUSGROVE.

Grover is a calm and easy going person who cares more for the enjoyment of life than its stresses. He lives for his sports television, gadgets, cars and video games. While having the potential for popularity and success, the majority of his friends are either family, those he works with or people he games with online. And while he couldn't tell you what was going on in the world, he could tell you the year, model and amount of horse power in the car that just drove by. He probably owns a suit, though doesn't understand why anyone would wear one if they weren't acting out Reservoir Dogs.

Mary Elliot is a tightly wound, hypochondriac that will probably grow old before her time. She wants to be at the centre of attention without putting any effort in; but worries that when people are laughing, they are doing it at her expense. She's the type that would fret that the car that Grover just identified as it drove by was going to pollute the environment and give her cancer while it's at it.

Mary doesn't take her focus off the camera, her expression akin to someone being led to her execution.

MARY
(to Grover, her focus still on the camera)
What is it that you want me to do?

Not really paying attention to her, and satisfied that she's not going to move, Grover releases his hold on her and LEAVES FRAME to check the angle and lighting through the camera.

CUE MINOR ADJUSTMENT OF THE FOCUS

GROVER (O.S)
IT has been asked to do newsletter videos.   We need an Elliot to do it.   And, kid... I thought of you.  This is just like giving a tour, after all.  Plus, you were the one with the free-est schedule.

Grover ENTERS FRAME LEFT, and, as though she were a mannequin, he brushes her hair from her face and sits her up straighter. He is more focused on getting this done than on her concerns.

Mary shakes her head at his words, shooing his hands away as she tells him...

MARY
Me?   Do a video?   I- I couldn’t.   Can’t.   Shouldn’t.  
(Breathing increases, showing signs of a panic attack)
Nervous.   Can’t breath.   No.
(Takes a calming breath)
My asthma is acting up just thinking about it.   You know I have G.A.D.  And I can't handle being whored out as some public figure, Grover.  Only a bully would make me do this.

This isn't the first time he has heard Mary say something to this effect. He sits beside her, more amused than annoyed.

GROVER
(sighs)
Mary, please.   Don’t be like this.   There's nothing wrong with you.  You're an excellent public speaker.

ENTER ANNE ELLIOT from FRAME LEFT. She is dressed as she was in the last video except her hair is pulled back in a messy ponytail, a PEN shoved through the back. She is CARRYING a STACK OF PAPERWORK, including a THICK MANUSCRIPT that she is making notes in as she walks. She doesn't look up as SHE PAUSES just in frame, her attention on the open file she's browsing.

As she is entering...

MARY
(to Grover)
I know I am.  But how can you think there is nothing wrong with me?
(to Anne)
Anne!   Tell Grover I’m sick.

Anne glances up for the first time since coming in. As with the others, the top of her head can't be seen within frame while standing.

ANNE
(with genuine concern)
What’s wrong?

Grover turns and looks at Anne with an expression that shows her that he is less than impressed with her encouraging her sister in her complaints.

GROVER
Nothing but the usual dramatics.   What brings you here?
(noting the stack of paper)
Besides the tree massacre?

ANNE
I’m looking for Beth. I thought she’d be here.

GROVER
She’s in a meeting with your dad, Mrs. Russell and Sheppard.   I’m surprised you aren’t there. Why aren't you there?

MARY
(Scoffs, her attention not on the pair)
Why would she be there?

Anne and Grover glance at Mary before…

CUT.

There is tension in the air.  Perhaps they were talking about the rumours that the state of the company and the potential for layoffs, etc. Stuff they really shouldn't be talking about and certainly couldn't show on video.

ANNE
(clearing her throat)
Now, how's the newsletter coming?

GROVER
Not good. Beth wants to have it done for the social media launch.   But your sister isn't co-operating.

Grover glances to Mary who feigns innocence.

ANNE
Wait... I thought this was Beth’s pet project.   Why isn’t she doing it?

JUMP CUT TO:

INT ALT OFFICE 1 – SAME DAY

BETH ELLIOT, eldest Elliot sibling, elegant and stylish (what Mary is obviously trying to emulate); is standing opposite Grover, framing the screen. Mary is sitting between them, watching them like a spectator at a tennis match.

The camera angle is set higher, so that all of Beth and Grover's heads can been seen. Mary, who is sitting, seems even smaller, with most of her below the frame.

Beth appears tightly wound and stressed out, and has a short temper. She is used to getting what she wants with little delay and less effort on her own part.  She's the type who would ask to speak the the manager's manager were she to ever do her own shopping.

BETH
What’s so important that you needed me here?
(notices camera for first time)
Are you still working on the first newsletter?  

Grover and Mary nod. Beth looks even more unimpressed.

BETH (cont.)
How long does it take to make a two minute video?

Mary looks to Grover to explain. He looks back at her. Mary shakes her head and LEAVES FRAME.

GROVER
(being thrown under the bus)
Well... knowing how this project is really important for you, Anne thought that perhaps it might be nice if you starred...  

BETH
Anne?   What does Anne have to do with this?

Beth says the name 'Anne' as though it was a punishment to her senses, or an affront to her own authority.

GROVER
She did mention how your father has always says that you have the face of a movie star.

Her vanity having been appealed to, Beth pauses to think over what Grover said, knowing the truth of his words.

BETH
You’re right, and I would do it.   Obviously.   As eldest of this generation of Elliot’s, it is my birthright.   But now is not the time.   I am positively swamped with meetings.   I have. A lot. To. Do.  And this cannot be delayed.  So, until things calm down, Mary can do them.

Beth's tone tells them that she's not about to change her mind. Almost together Beth and Grover turn and face the camera, their focus just above the lens.

MARY (O.S)
What? I can’t.   My blood sugar is low... I’m really not feeling well.

Beth and Grover’s expressions show that this isn’t the first time they’ve heard this.

BETH
(with fake sincerity)
Of course you're not, dear.
(To Grover)
Find someone else.

ENTER ANNE, with a few FILES. Beth moves to the centre of frame to look at her, expectantly.

ANNE
Beth, there you are...
(pause as she notices everyone (even Mary) looking at her)
What?

JUMP CUT.

Anne is alone on screen, sitting, looking at the camera like a deer caught in the headlights. Behind her, on the table is the beginnings of the paperwork pile that is seen in the newsletter video.

The camera angle is again focused lower, so that when standing, the audience can't see all of the cast's faces.

Grover ENTERS FRAME, again focusing on what he's doing. He folds her hands on her lap and pulls the pen from her hair, freeing it from the ponytail.

She self-consciously flattens her hair.

Grover moves her hands back into position.

ANNE
Grover... I...

Grover pauses and sits beside Anne, affected by the fear in her tone more than he was Mary's protests.

ANNE (cont.)
I don’t know if I can do this...

JUMP CUT.

Grover is resetting the scene, alone, glancing into the hallway when ANNE ENTERS, holding her PHONE, her expression contemplative.

GROVER
What did she say?

Anne frowns, arms crossing, feeling self-conscious before looking at the camera.

JUMP CUT TO.

Anne is alone in frame, trying not to make eye contact with the camera. Grover ENTERS and sits beside Anne, his presence calming, putting them both at ease.

GROVER
Relax, you'll do fine. You just sit there and read the script boards. 
(Jokingly)
I won't even mess up the order like I was planning on doing with Mary.

ANNE
(smiling)
Don't be mean to Mary.
(Beat)
So, where do I look?   Directly at the lens?

GROVER
I say if you’re talking to an audience, you should actually look at them.   Otherwise it’s like having...

THERE IS A KNOCK off screen.

ANNE
(to Grover fighting her laughter)
-Don’t be disgusting.  And don't try to deny you were about to make a dirty joke.
(to door)
Come in.

PENNY (O.S.)
Sorry to interrupt Anne...

PENELOPE 'PENNY' CLAY ENTERS FRAME.   She is young and put together and smiling. While not wearing anything as elegant as Beth, she is an affordable interpretation of classy and stylish; like the generic brand version. She is carrying a CLIPBOARD, and has a pleasing, approachable appearance.

PENNY (cont.)
...but Beth said that you’d sign this.

JUMP CUT TO.

BEGIN SEQUENCE of moments of Anne reading the newsletter script during which she is interrupted by Penny coming in on Beth's behalf. As the bulk of the newsletter was filmed in one take, the constant interruptions signal having to restart the entire speech. As the interruptions continue, show Anne's patience fraying.

During each interruption, the pile of paperwork, things that Beth has left for Anne to do, continues to grow until, finally, it's the same as seen in the newsletter video.

ANNE
...A lot is going on here at Baronetcy Publishing and this has been dubbed the year of change.

PENNY
Sorry Anne, this is supposed to be signed off on and Beth went to lunch.

JUMP CUT.

ANNE
...My father had dreams...

There is KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.   Penny ENTERS FRAME looking apologetic. She ducks down so that she fully appears on camera. Her attention is on the lens as...

PENNY
Sorry, Beth’s taking lunch and Adelaide needs this today.

ANNE
(with strained smile)
It’s okay.

JUMP CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
...Together we are looking to the future with innovative ideas, new products and projects...

KNOCKING ON DOOR

ANNE (cont.)
(frustrated)
...and no privacy.

JUMP CUT.

Penny is taking papers and pen from Anne who has just signed them, apologetic smile again on her face.

PENNY EXITS.

Grover ENTERS FRAME, sitting beside Anne, not fighting the good-natured amusement at the situation.

GROVER
You know, I thought Penny was her assistant, not you.  

ANNE
(sighs)
Penny doesn’t have signing authority.  Shall we try again?

GROVER
(teasing)
In a second, first let me barricade the door with the tree you killed.

ANNE
Why don’t you just put up a “do not disturb sign” instead?

Grover pauses as he GETS UP, as though he never thought about that before.  

END SEQUENCE.

JUMP CUT.

Anne is sitting, alone, looking relieved, and more relaxed than we've seen her. Behind her the stack of paperwork is the size that it is in the newsletter, roughly that of Lord of the Rings complete set, including the Silmarillion.

Grover ENTERS FRAME and sits beside her.

GROVER
Good news. I think we’re done.

Smiling, Anne takes the paperwork off the table, holding it close to her as Grover coaxes her into a high five.

ENTER Mary. She stands beside them, the top of her face not visible. She looks at them expectantly, and as though they will be pleased with what she is about to tell them.

MARY
I’ve been thinking it over and Beth is right.   It's important for the family to be represented and I think that I should be in the videos too.

Anne and Grover exchange an amused/annoyed expression.

ANNE
(to Grover)
Well... she is family.

GROVER
(to Anne)
Not my family.
(to Mary)
Fine... but you're losing that jacket.

Anne smiles as Grover stands, it is obvious that he is going to have a fight on his hands with Mary who is looking down at her bright jacket.

MARY
What's wrong with my jacket?

END.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Twitter

Mary: thank god the weekend is here. My head has been pounding all week.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2014

Twitter

Anne: I've finally been persuaded to join the mystical world of twitter by @Grover
Grove: @Anne It's part of the price of being an internet star. People love the behind the scenes video.
Anne: @Grover Too bad legal didn't feel the same way.
Grover: @Anne don't worry. Your fame will come. I have a feeling something's in the works.
Anne: @Grover why am I afraid?
Grover: @Anne because you lack faith. No worries, that's what friends are for.

Chapter Text

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Publishing: Annual Open House Gala coming soon. Subscribe and visit our website for invite info.

Navy Water Productions: Coming soon! After a 5 year absence, the long awaited return of one of the Internet's first vlogers, finally coaxed out of retirement. Want to find out who? Subscribe and stay tuned.

Mary: So hard to enjoy a weekend when one feels so ill.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Twitter

Anne: @Grover HOW did you talk me into this?
Grover: @Anne Easy, Adelaide helped.
Anne: @Grover I dislike you both right now.
Grover: @Anne Which is giving you trouble? Camera or software?
Anne: @Grover Yes.
Grover: @Anne ...right. I'll be over in an hour.

Beth: meetings meetings meetings. Why can't things be settled as quickly as they are in books and movies?
Penny: @Beth While a pain now, success will be so much better it's finally over.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2014

Twitter

Grover: @Anne So, I had a thought! Let's get ol' Russell onto twitter! And your dad!
Anne: @Grover ...
Grover: @Anne Is that a no?
Anne: @Grover ... You have too much time on your hands.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014

Twitter

Rick: @Harville Heading your way. Benny with you?
Harville: @Rick Yeah, neither of us wanted to be alone right now.

Grover: @Anne How is that editing software treating you?
Anne: @Grover Okay, mostly? I think I'm figuring it out. The basics at least.
Grover: @Anne Let me know if I can help.
Anne: @Grover ...Wait, why are you tweeting instead of just texting?
Grover: @Anne My phone is out of reach?
Anne: @Grover Then what are you tweeting on?
Grover: @Anne My xbox. I'm also using it to kill zombies. Who says men can't multi-task?
Anne: @Grover This is going to become a thing, isn't it?
Grover: @Anne … no?

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Only good friends can persuade me to do the things they do @Grover (video link)
Grover: @Anne I'm sure it'll be fun once you get the hang of it.

Penny: @Beth Another long day!
Beth: @Penny I think a spa weekend is in store for us. Especially with the week ahead of us.
Penny: @Beth You're my hero.
Beth: @Penny Least I can do for someone who puts in as much time as you.

Mary: Another V-Day wasted!

Anne Elliot’s Video Blog #1 - Persuaded
Anne, Grover
tagline: Sometimes it's the people closest to us who know what we need. Mine think I needed this.

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

Anne's office is white walled, and lacking inspiration and life.   In frame right there is the edge of an open door.   Screen left there is a filing cabinet.   In the middle of the otherwise bare, back wall there is an oversized, framed, company poster that is blurred out, but similar to the one seen previously.  The camera's frame is set wide and the room appears otherwise empty.

PAUSE on empty room.

ANNE ELLIOT ENTERS through the DOOR. She stops, barely in frame as she notices the camera.   She looks much the same as she did before, dressed in dull, neutral-coloured clothes, more classically designed than trendy, and nothing that overly flatters her figure. She is a reflection of her office - lacking life.

Anne focuses on someone out of frame, to the right of the camera, closest to her. She seems surprised to find she isn’t done.

ANNE
What’s going on?

GROVER ENTERS FRAME. Again he is casually dressed in jeans with a polo shirt, his impression of business casual. He takes Anne by the shoulders and, putting her between him and the camera, walks her towards the seat that he had set out as he says...

GROVER
Surprise!

Anne's body is stiff with fear and shock. Again she looks caught in headlights.

Grover EXITS, moving behind camera.

CUE the CAMERA ZOOMING tighter on Anne as...

ANNE
(still looking at the camera)
Grover, you know I don’t do well with surprises.

GROVER (O.S.)
(not really caring)
I do. Too bad. It actually wasn't my idea. This is a present from Mrs Russell.

At the mention of her Godmother, Anne looks at Grover, away from the camera lens, for the first time. She is amused despite her discomfort.

ANNE
'Mrs Russell'?   You’ve known her since you were 15, I think you can call her Adelaide.

Grover RE-ENTERS frame, and sits beside Anne. It's his turn to look uncomfortable.

GROVER
True, but she’s not my Godmother, and I think she's technically my boss so, to me, she’s Mrs. Russell. Sign of respect and all that.

ANNE
(knowingly)
You’re scared of her.

Grover doesn’t deny it. Taking pity on him, Anne turns her attention back to the matter at hand.

ANNE (cont.)
Okay, so why did she buy me a camera?   And why don’t I believe you had nothing to do with this?

GROVER
Hey, I’m just here to show you how to use it and the editing software that came with it.   For the rest, you’ll have to talk to her.   I mean it, I’m not sure what she was going on about.   She asked me about social media and the people who post video blogs... She seemed to think that this would be good for you.

ANNE
(surprised)
She did?

GROVER
Yeah, something about you spending too much time working, not enough getting out there “connecting with the world”.   She asked me to get you a camera of your own.

ANNE
That’s it?

GROVER
Like I said, you want more, talk to her.   I’m just the messenger.   Now, let me show you how it works.

JUMP CUT TO.

INT ANNE'S OFFICE 1 – LATER THAT DAY

CLOSE UP of Anne's face as she turns on the camera. She pauses, making sure she did it right, before she moves back to sit in front of the camera, alone.   She seems more unsettled than uncomfortable now.

There is a BEAT of silence as she gathers her thoughts before she waves and…

ANNE
Well, hello… future me, I guess.  
(awkward pause as she realizes she has no idea what to do, but figures that since these are for her…)
I-I went and talked to Adelaide, or Mrs. Russell as she's known to those not her Goddaughters, and Grover wasn’t mistaken.   She saw the newsletter and it piqued her interest in the medium enough to talk to him about vlogs and social media; and – for someone who doesn’t understand that Facebook isn’t another name for a directory – she liked the idea of it.   
(pause)
For me…   She said that in the video she saw...
(She sits straighter, her tone growing a touch rougher, more distinguished)
“A glimpse of the girl you once were.   Anne, you’ve yet to regain your zeal and zest for life after...”

Anne stops, her hand moves to the NECKLACE that had been hidden under her shirt.   She looks away, distracted at the memories the conversation has stirred. She can't meet the camera in the eye as...

JUMP CUT.

Anne is re-taking her seat, and she is smiling again, appearing calmer. She's not looking at the camera as...

ANNE (cont.)
I’m going to need to think of some way to show these kinds conversations if I’m going to really do these videos, because...
(laughs uncomfortably. To camera)
Well, that felt really weird and disrespectful.  Potentially misrepresenting people, I mean.  And I am certainly cannot see having actual conversations on camera.
(pause, self conscious and doubtful)
I- I’m not convinced, yet, that I should.   Do videos, I mean.   Adelaide can be pretty persuasive when she wants to be but I’ve learned the hard way what happens when you blindly follow someone’s advice... even someone you trust even more than you sometimes trust yourself.
And, I’ll admit that she did make some good points, after all it’s not like I have many people I can really talk to, anymore.  And, I’ve done therapy.  While useful, it isn’t the same.
I can only imagine trying to actually talk to my family...
(looks afraid. Pause)
I know that she cares about me.   She’s been the closest thing I've had to a mom since mine... And I know that she truly believes that she has my best interests at heart. Maybe I should? I don't know... I just...

Anne stands up, thinking of something.   The top of her head is cut off. Remembering the camera, she sits again, a genuine smile on her face.

ANNE (cont.)
(overwhelmed)
This is to be continued. I think a little research is needed before I decide anything. So... until then...

BEAT OF SILENCE as Anne stalls, not sure what she should do or how she should end the video.

END

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2014

Twitter

Anne: There is a certain peace that comes from being alone at the office.
Grover: @Anne That's because other people have lives... and spines.
Anne: @Grover You're just playing video games, aren't you?
Grover: @Anne Nothing wrong with spending my free time playing them.
Anne: @Grover You could always try going out, or being productive.
Grover: @Anne Both require putting on pants.
Mary: @Grover I think Anne has a point. You should go out. You should take me with you.
Grover: @ Mary @Anne Women = thwarting pantless time yet again.

Louisa: Happy discount candy day!

Chapter Text

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014

Twitter

Beth: wish some people would spend more time helping and less time playing @Anne.
Anne: @Beth I'm on my way to your office right now. I was on break.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Okay so this isn't so bad (video link)

Grover: An increase in rumours and hushed chatter at work #notagoodsign

Grover: Being friends with the family in charge makes everyone think I know more than I do. #damnmyluck

Anne: @Grover #stopoverusinghashtags

Anne Elliot Vlog #2 – I'm back!
Anne, Penny
tagline: Surprised? Yeah, me too, a little bit.  I’m even learning the lingo!

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

Anne is sitting in the office, wearing a suit jacket, her hair quickly pulled back, half pinned with no real effort.   She appears more comfortable sitting in front of the camera, as though she has made peace with her decision. She looks almost excited.  The poster in the background is still there and blurred once more.

ANNE (cont.)
I’m back!  Surprised? I kind of am.
But, I have done the research – a lot of research, which might have snowballed into more than a few hours of watching cat and fail videos on YouTube. They're surprisingly addictive.

CUT.

Anne is smiling at the camera, her focus back on the topic at hand and not the potential cat tangent she might have spiralled into that was cut out.

ANNE (cont.)
I admit that I can now grasp what Adelaide had in mind.   She called these a journal.   And after extensively perusing YouTube I can see the allure of them – of a sort of diary that instead of locking up, you post for the world to see.   It’s a different kind of secret.
I understand how that’s freeing and also healing. I saw it in a vlog series years ago, where someone used it to vent his frustrations and heartache to the world in poignant, witty, often passionate, and surprisingly well-spoken rants.

Anne pauses, her attention falling into memories as her hand once more travels to her neck to a necklace we never fully see. She catches herself, hand balling and falling back to her lap. She notices the camera again.

ANNE (cont.)
Which is not what I’m going to do.   That has never been me.   I don’t rant or rave.   I'm more of a proficient bottler of emotion.
(sarcastic)
Which I know isn’t, exactly, healthy.  But, it does mean I’m good at maintaining a consummate level head.  So I am choosing to view these as a sort of journal, or chronicle - a confessional! - or maybe a record of things I probably wouldn’t say out loud, probably even to myself.   That seems to be the purpose of social media, putting every tiny thought you have online for strangers to see and not care about as much as you hope they would.

CUT.

Anne is staring off into the distance, as though an idea just occurred to her.

ANNE (cont.)
That seems to be how people I know use it, anyway.

CUT.

Smiling, Anne is again focused on the camera.

ANNE (cont.)
So now I’m just waiting for legal to get back to me with what I can and can’t talk about on here, because this is where I’ll be filming more often than not.   Here. At work.   This is kind of my home.   Literally, I grew up in this office building.
There's even a growth chart on the door frame in what used to be my mother’s office.   I had PR edit my papers and the director of design help me with my art projects.   This is my childhood home.
And now that I’m grown up, that hasn’t really changed.   I just switched homework and playing tag with paperwork and chasing down family and department heads.   My waking hours are spent here or thinking about here. I don’t even remember the last vacation I had, not that I’m not content here.   This is home.   More so than my actual childhood home that was sold years ago or my apartment now where the only plant I haven’t managed to starve to death is a cactus, and even that is looking a little dried out.   Who knew plants were so much work?

CUE KNOCKING ON THE OPEN DOOR. PENNY ENTERS burdened with a STACK OF PAPERS and LEGAL-SIZED envelopes.   She pauses when she notices the camera.   She smooths her clothes as best she can with the papers as...

PENNY
More newsletters?

ANNE
Not quite, they’re more personal videos.

PENNY
To make yourself feel more comfortable on camera?

ANNE
Something like that.

There is something about Penny that Anne doesn't quite trust. She's not entirely easy around her. She's oddly suspicious despite Penny's more than civil attitude towards her.

PENNY
I think you did fine on the newsletter, really.   And the way Grover edited it, the behind the scenes was really amusing.

ANNE
Thank you.
(awkward silence)
You're here late for you.  Don’t you normally leave around now?

PENNY
Well, you know work, there is always something to do.

ANNE
What can I do for you?   Does Beth need something?

PENNY
No, she left hours ago and I was just heading out. But I had stopped by legal and they asked me to drop this off to you.

Penny gives her an ENVELOPE from the stack.

ANNE
Thank you, Penny.   I’ll see you later.

PENNY
I'll see you at the restaurant.  Reservation’s at 7.
(Anne looks confused)
The management meeting with Mrs. Russell and Sheppard.   Your father thought it might as well be done over a meal.   Something about what good is an expense account...

Anne glances at the camera as she cuts Penny off.

ANNE
Right, of course.   I remember now.  Thank you again.   I will see you then.

PENNY EXITS with a final look to the camera.   Anne looks at the camera, more than mildly annoyed.

ANNE (cont.)
There is so much I could say in this moment about so many things...
(looks at the envelope in her hand)
I might as well see if I can.

CUT.

Anne is reading the paper, looking confused. She glances at the camera and goes to speak, pauses, then PULLS OUT HER PHONE. Her attention split between the paper and what she's doing, she starts to call someone from her contact list. Putting the phone to her ear she EXITS FRAME going further into her office.

CUT.

Anne is again sitting in frame, phone still in hand. She looks at the phone, not quite believing the conversation she just had.

ANNE
According to the forms that legal sent down, forms I have just verified with John Sheppard himself, our head of legal, as long as I don’t reveal sensitive information about plans or projects not yet announced or mention the company by name, there pretty much isn’t anything off limits.   I have full disclosure.   Which is liberating, and a little worrying.   How is this okay?

The poster on her wall catches her eye.   She glances from it back to the camera. Looking around a moment, Anne starts to stand.  We now understand why it was badly blurred before.

CUT.

Anne is sitting again, uncomfortably, her suit jacket off and hung over the poster's frame.

ANNE (cont.)

That's a temporary solution, although it seems strange considering that anyone who knows me knows where I work and who I’m talking about.   But, I’m sure it’s fine.  I’m just going to go with it.  What’s the worst that can happen?

Anne pauses, looking around, not knowing what else to really say.

ANNE (cont.)
Well, now that I’ve decided that I’m going to do these videos I guess I need to decide what I want to talk about.   And a title.   Maybe an opening...
(growing a little worried)
So tune in next time when I figure out... everything? And make it seem interesting...? What have I gotten myself into?

END.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

Twitter

Sophie: @Rick Business is taking me to one of your old haunts. You should come along for a walk down memory lane.
Rick:@ Sophie Which old haunt is that?
Sophie:@ Rick (link to a gala announcement tweet)
Rick: @Sophie Some walks are best avoided again. Though haunt is an apt description. I'll sit this one out.

Mary: Must be suffering from the mid-week blues

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Twitter

Navy Water Productions: Soon, Thursdays will be your favourite day with the return of a webmedia talent! Subscribe so you don't miss out!

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Twitter

Anne: This is what happens when I start talking (video link)

Grover: @Anne Why did I just get a phone call saying I wasn't needed to help with the newsletter?
Anne: @Grover Why are you tweeting instead of texting?
Grover: @Anne Now that you make your own videos, you don't need me, is that it?
Anne: @Grover No! It's confidentiality. Sorry, but my father is paranoid.
Grover: @Anne That's what I was afraid of. Why am I suddenly worried?
Anne: @Grover There's a disturbance in the force?
Grover: @Anne Monday is going to suck.

The Anne Elliot Chronicles #3 - Therapy
Anne
tagline: Looking back... not a good way to start a video blog.

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

Anne's office appears much the same as it did previously. The company poster that was hanging in the frame's right of centre has been removed. It has been replaced with a gallery wall of smaller black and white photos of tourist places in Europe (Eiffel tower, Big Ben, Tower of Pisa, Stonehenge, etc.).

Sitting in the middle of the frame is ANNE ELLIOT. Her hair is neatly tied back and her appearance looks as though she’s starting to at least think about trying.

ANNE
Although I still haven’t figured out what to call these things, I’m back. Again.
I am nothing if not persistent when I put my mind to things, and I’m determined to give this an actual chance.   After all, it’s kind of like cheap therapy without the having to actually look at someone or have them tell you what's wrong with you.  
(Pause)
Like thinly veiled denial, which, I suppose is the only kind of therapy I can actually see my family getting behind.  

Anne leans forward, as though sharing a secret.

ANNE (cont.)
The Elliots don’t really condone going to therapy.   Although, since we're supposedly related to royalty somehow, we probably have more than our fair share of mental disorders.   And really, who, in this day and age, couldn’t benefit from an outside opinion?

JUMP CUT.

The scene is the same, the cut is there to show that there has been editing and that things have been cut out, or that there is a topic change/tangent.

ANNE (cont.)
Anyone watching these - assuming anyone but my future self actually does - hi me! - might have caught a clip of the potential insanity that is my siblings from a behind the scenes video posted by a certain company that shall not be named.   In the pursuit of fairness I'm going to talk about them, mostly so that people might be able to understand where they come from.   After all, who couldn't use more understanding?

Anne pauses, looking away from the camera, not sure how to broach the topic, then...

ANNE (cont.)
We don’t usually talk about this.   My family doesn’t really talk about anything, but most assuredly not this.   I already mentioned how my parents’ company was more a home to me than my actual house growing up.   Well...
(pause)
...you know how when you know a room or an area or person so well that it becomes second nature to you and you don’t really realize what that something meant to you until it’s missing?   That’s what it’s been like here for the past 13 years.   There’s an unused office down the hall from my dad’s that hasn’t been reassigned or cleaned out in over a decade.   It has an outdated computer, paper files that still need to be sorted and an old growth chart forgotten by the door.
It was my mother’s office and she was the glue that held our family and home together.   And without her...
At least I can say that it was quick and painless.   No one knew that she was sick.   She probably didn’t either.   All we know is that one day she had a headache and the next my father was even more obsessed with defying ageing.
They say that tragedy changes people, and they're not wrong.   I’ve seen first hand what losing my mother has done to us all.
(pauses and prepares to admit a truth)
Beth, my older sister, was always self-reliant and self-righteous and tightly wound.   She always knew what was best and never felt herself capable of being wrong.   Without mom, no one could reason with her.   I guess she’s like our father in that.   Mary- Mary was a kid, barely 10 at the time, doing whatever she could not to be forgotten in the chaos that was picking up the pieces.   And my father, he just stopped as though time was supposed to die with his wife.   
(pause. Ashamed to admit what follows)
He was never a strong man, and mom was the best of him.   Without her, I think he realized just how shallow his existence really was.   He will freely admit that he is vain, but I think part of his fighting against time and not moving on - no matter what it’s doing to the company and those around him - is because he doesn’t want to admit that she’s been gone for so long...

Anne smiles sadly at the camera, before looking away again, fighting to keep herself together, feeling almost as exposed as one does in a therapy session.

ANNE (cont.)
And me?   Well, someone needed to take care of things and make sure that nothing fell apart...   Adelaide always said I was the most like mom.   But all things considered, maybe that wasn’t enough.   I’ve spent a lot of time over the years thinking about how different things might have been if she hadn’t of died.   I keep thinking about how all of us might be different.
I know that things wouldn’t be this bad, and we wouldn’t be having to face these impending  changes that are looming just on that side of denial.   And by now, I might have been...
(hand to necklace, almost unable to breathe)
Sorry...

Having grown more and more upset throughout her speech, Anne finally stands, LEAVING FRAME when...

JUMP CUT.

Anne is again sitting in frame, composed, although her expression is still sad, despite her smile.

ANNE (cont.)
Nothing like pain and regrets to bring down a video!   Sorry about that.   There's a reason I don’t talk about all this.   This is one of the things that is better left in the past.   So, it is time for a new topic!
(raises hand, feigning excitement)
Yay! And, don't worry, next time there will be no more of the weird emo angst baggage. Because that is so not my life.  It is blissfully drama-free.

PHONE RINGS. Anne looks at the call display and winces.

ANNE (cont.)
To be continued.

Anne stands up as she answers her phone.

ANNE (cont.)
Hi Beth...

Frowning, she moves to the camera and...

END

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

Twitter

Grover: @Mary @Anne Are we still on for tonight?
Mary: @Grover You bet! I've been looking forward to this movie for days. I hope the theatre isn't too loud, I just got rid of this headache.
Grover: @Mary I'm sure it'll be fine. Is @Anne joining us?
Anne: @Grover @Mary Sorry guys, I'm going to be at the office late tonight. Enjoy the movie without me.
Grover: @Anne Again? That's what? Three weekends in a row?
Anne: @Grover you know what they say, 'An Elliot's work is never done'.
Grover: @Anne They also said E.T. Go Home. Listen to that for a change. You better make it to @Rita's welcome home party.
Anne: @Grover @Rita I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Grover: @Anne, I'm holding you to that. Now get to work, slacker.
Rita: @Anne @Grover @Mary That's right, I'm more important than my brother.

Chapter Text

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Publishing: Newsletter – Present state (video link)

Mary: I knew I should have called in sick today. Too much stress in the air. #toxicworkplaces

Rita: Maybe now isn't a good time for a homecoming.
Lousia: @Rita Now is the best time to come home! Germany has had you for too long. We miss you!

Baronetcy Publishing Newsletter #2 - Present state
Anne
tagline: Bad news usually has to come before good.

INT ALT OFFICE 1 - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in the office seen in the previous newsletter, nothing having changed in the time since. If anything the plant is even less alive.

Anne looks more comfortable on screen, her own videos helping her confidence.   Her expression is serious and warn.   She is giving the situation the respect it deserves, considering the state of matters within the company, the only thing of her mother's and her family that she really has any connection to and pride in.

ANNE
Hello members of Baronetcy Publishing' extended family, and welcome to our second video newsletter.   Last time we talked about the history of the company.   Before talking about the future - and let me assure you that there is a future - a moment needs to be taken to discuss the present.
We are aware of the rumours and articles that have been circulating as of late, with reports of our unfavourable financial state, stubborn attachments to outdated traditions, and that, due to both factors, that we are now facing extensive layoffs company wide.
(pause)
And, although narrowly focused and exaggerated, there is some truth there that would be insulting to everyone involved to deny.  Due to circumstances that are related to the current economic state of the world, we are facing what many other companies have before us: many difficult decisions.   But, all is not lost, nor is the situation as hopeless as the rumours and external financial reports suggest.
We are currently finalizing a solution that will allow Baronetcy Publishing to regain our financial footing, provide security for the future and gain a competitive edge, all while not compromising the job securities of those in our employment.  
Throughout the week there will be meetings with team leads to discuss how these plans will affect each department, and well as all of your natural concerns over the events of coming weeks.   For more information, please use the email form on the website or twitter.
Stay tuned for another update on the next newsletter.   And remember, that everything will be alright.

Anne pauses, offering the camera a reassuring smile, full of sincerity.

ANNE (cont.)
I promise.

END.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Some things are better out in the open (video link)

Sophie: @Rick Are you still away, gallivanting around the country?
Rick: @Sophie Did you just use the term 'gallivanting'? What century are you from?  The modern term is “networking”.
Sophie: @Rick You know what I mean. I never know where to find you. You need a home base.
Rick: @Sophie Says the woman whose company still lacks suitable office space and staff.
Sophie @Rick This is not about me... and it's your company too.
Rick: @Sophie I'm with Harville and Benny, and probably will be for some time. I'll tell you more when I call you later. And once you give me a place, I will gladly set up a base.
Sophie: @Rick I'm going to hold you to that. I will have news shortly.

The Anne Elliot Vlog #4 - Financial Difficulties
Anne, Grover, Mary
tagline: Finally able to talk about some of what’s been going on at work!

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

ANNE is sitting in her office, the edge of the open door visible in the far right of frame. Again she is dressed in business casual. While she is trying to appear together, there is still no real effort or thought in her wardrobe and still lacks colours.   She looks tired and serious and stressed.

She looks at the camera a moment, thinking about what she's going to say before...

ANNE
Hi me.  So remember how last time I promised less with emo and angst?   Yeah, that's probably not going to happen... sorry about that.
But, in my defence, this?   Not my fault.   At all.
If you’ve seen the latest video from the company that shall not be named, then you already know.   For the rest: Surprise !   Potential financial ruin from a decade of not the best money management!   I guess this is what happens when you allow someone with no head for business and too much reluctance to embrace change, and his favourite daughter with expensive taste and no genuine touch with reality free rein of the expense account.  
(pause)
Sorry, that wasn’t kind.
(thoughtful pause)
This is what we’ve been in countless meetings about lately: finding ways to save a company that really shouldn't need saving...

JUMP CUT.

Anne is visibly upset and angry. She knows that if her mother was alive, then they wouldn't be facing this problem at all. And she knows that left to her and Adelaide, a solution would not only be easily found, but actually acted upon, no matter the inconvenience to them personally. Indeed, she feels that her family should feel the responsibility of getting themselves out of the situation they helped put themselves in.

ANNE (CONT)
The process of helping the company – my mother's company - is proving to be more difficult than I had originally thought it should be.   Not because a solution was hard to think of.   Sheppard, Adelaide and I, all of us have come up with several.   It’s just hard to find something that appeals to everyone .   Especially to those 'everyone's' who helped get us here in the first place.
I keep thinking that mom wouldn’t have let this happen...

Anne pauses, trying to think of things from her family's point of view; trying not to take personally what was going on. It's proving not to be easy.

ANNE (CONT)
I shouldn’t be bitter.  I can’t change what happened.  And, it’s not about blame, not really. After all, there are other factors than just them .   There’s also the economy; and the rapid evolution of technology, it’s changing the industry almost faster than we can keep up, with bookstores going out of business and “indie publishers” making it easier to be represented, which is a benefit to creators.  Almost anyone with a computer now can make content and be recognized.  Just look at 50 Shades of Grey.  It’s no longer the industry that my father first stepped into.
(deep breath)
What’s important now is focusing on a solution, focusing on saving my mother’s legacy.

GROVER (O.S)
So it’s really that bad, huh?

Anne's head snaps to her left as GROVER STEPS into frame, looking more serious than before. He is sullen, and his posture slumped. He comes in and sits beside Anne with a sympathetic expression, casting barely a glance to the camera.

The camera angle is positioned so that the top of his head isn't in frame while standing.

GROVER (cont.)
Sorry, I heard you talking and I saw the newsletter earlier, although our department meeting isn’t scheduled until the end of the week.
(gesturing to camera)
This a bad time?

Always the kind of person to put the needs of others before herself, Anne shakes her head while...

ANNE
No, not at all. You’d be a welcome distraction.   And, I’m sorry about backing out on plans this weekend.   How was the movie?

Grover cracks a smile and rolls his eyes, his expression fond with remembrance. They are both still sombre with the topic they're avoiding like an elephant in the room.

GROVER
It was okay.   There were too many special effects, not enough action, or plot; and Mary spent most of the time complaining about the crick in her neck from us sitting too close to the screen.

ANNE
(knowingly)
She chose the seat?

GROVER
(smiling)
Of course she did. But that isn't important, everything considered...

ANNE
You don’t have to worry.   We're finding a way...

MARY ENTERS near hysterics. She pushes Grover closer to Anne as she sits down as...

MARY
We're all ruined!   How did this happen?

JUMP CUT.

Time lapse.

Anne, Mary and Grover are sitting, in that order, from the frame's left to right. Mary has tissue in hand but seems calmer.   Grover has his arm around Mary, rubbing her back comforting and almost as though it was second nature to him.

They are all focused on the ground in front of them.

BEAT OF SILENCE. Then...

GROVER
(to Anne)
I know that you can’t tell us what’s officially going on... but...

ANNE
What's going to happen... Hypothetically?

Grover nods. Mary watches in silence.

ANNE (cont.)
Nothing that’s not already known.  The company has debts.   Increased costs with decreased revenue, changes in the market…  Apparently it’s been coming on for years.  I didn’t know either until recently.

GROVER
Years?   How...

CUT.

Grover tightens hold on Mary, giving her the comfort and reassurance that he, himself, needs.

GROVER (cont.)
So what are the options?  Layoffs?  Selling?  Investors?

MARY
Sell shares of the company?   Our father would never...

ANNE
(nodding)
Mary’s right.  He would never give up majority control to outside influences, and he’s already sold some shares.  But, another option is to consolidate and rent.

GROVER
Consolidating?

Anne hesitates, knowing that she's getting very close to giving away information on the preferred scenario.

ANNE
Hypothetically speaking, it's one of the better options. We have two offices in different cities that we maintain almost as two completely separate entities, with their own HR, marketing, everything short of presses, really...  Right now, it's set up more as a franchise than an actual extension of the parent company.  If we brought both the offices back under the one business plan, with one central head office and one homogenous staff... But that would mean moving somebody somewhere.

GROVER
You mean closing one of the locations?

ANNE
Hypothetically?
(Grover nods)
We own both buildings so… there’s always leasing space.  And, it’s not uncommon for printing houses like ours to provide that service on demand to other companies without the machines… But with Camdon Place being in a larger city… no option is ideal.  And, nothing has officially been decided yet.

GROVER
But unofficially you think...

He's pushing for more than Anne can/will tell. Anne glances to the camera, considering what she's going to say before...

ANNE
Grover, you know as well as I do that what I think doesn’t mean a lot in the grand scheme of the running of this place.

GROVER
Just hypothetically, tell me, if they consolidate, what are the odds of staying here?

She pauses, looking between Mary and Grover, thinking of her options before offering them the only thing she could: comfort.  She reached out and covered both of their hands with hers.

ANNE
I really can’t say.  I know that this isn't an ideal situation, and no solution is going to be perfect.  But everything is going to be okay.  Things are going to change, but that doesn’t mean that change will be a bad one.  We'll get through this.  

Mary starts breathing rapidly.

ANNE (cont.)
(to Mary)
Don’t worry yourself into a panic attack, Mary.  
(to both)
I know that neither of you are in an easy position, I’m sure that everyone is looking to you for answers you don’t have and aren’t responsible for.  And I’m sorry for that.  Just do your best and know that you aren’t alone.  All you can do is assure everyone that we are working it out.  Because we are. Everything. Will. Be. Fine.
If anyone needs something more, please send them my way. 

JUMP CUT.

Anne is again alone. She takes a deep, steadying breath, allowing some of the stress to drop from her body.

ANNE (cont.)
All we’ve been talking -and not talking- about for weeks is the future.   I'll be so happy when I can finally think of other things... even things like Beth’s Gala next Friday, which is an event that I typically try to avoid, as I do most industry events.  But, I know my father is looking forward to it, there’s going to industry connections from all over the province here, offering sympathy and support, and marvelling at Kellynch's grounds; allowing my family one more night of glory before reality sets in upon them...

Anne pauses, thinking about the state of her family and the reality that they've made for themselves, full of self-importance.  She is worn out in general, and this is just one more thing she’s tired of.  Maybe that’s why she’s harsher than she usually is, and less apologetic.

ANNE (cont.)
Not that reality ever played much of a large part for my family.   They’ve all kind of been in their own little worlds, at least since I’ve started here full time and that’s been...

Anne's PHONE BEEPS. She takes it out and looks at it, frowning.

ANNE (cont.)
Speak of the devil. I have another meeting.  So, I guess until next time, wish me luck.

Anne stands, and pauses and sits back down, remembering something.

ANNE (cont.)
There has to be less drama coming in the future.  Right?

END.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Twitter

Beth: @Penny thank you for staying at the office late. I know Dad appreciated the company!

Local News Article 2

The Future of the Kellynch Building
Reported by N Rooke

Towns like ours are proud of our history, the lasting marks we’ve made that prove that, not only have we been here, but that we’re also going to stay.  No where is that as true for us than in the Kellynch Building.  It is the oldest standing building in the county and a testament to the people who built it and settled the area.  People, descendents of whom, live here still.

Over the years it was a bank, city hall, and refuge for those displaced during the war before it became home to Baroncy Publishing.

It was in 1979 when Walter Elliot married his late wife, Elizabeth, the daughter of the Children’s publishing company Stevenson Press, based out of the Camdon Place building in Victoria.  It was natural in that merger for the newly conglomerated company to take up space in the Kellynch Building, although it maintained it’s childrens book department in Victoria, much unchanged, despite attempts for modernization over the years.  Until now, when change seems thrust upon it.  Latest reports from the company that is one of the largest sources of employment in the area, is promising stability.  But, insider reports are not so optimistic.  There are rumours of outsourcing and the potential for closing one of the offices completely, although, as of yet, nothing has been confirmed.

So, what will come next for the Kellynch building?  The home of so much local history.  Will it serve just as a museum of its former glory, or will it see hope and a fulfilled purpose once more?

Only time will tell for sure.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Twitter

Navy Water Productions: Count down has started. Four weeks today will see launch of @Navy Water Production's old favourite YouTube sensation.

Mary: Wish there was ventilation for toxic air.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Talking about myself – harder than I originally thought it would be (video link)

Baronetcy Publishing: Please join us next friday night for our annual gala, where we celebrate our past and look to the future. See you there.

Anne Elliot Talking About Topics Not Even She is Interested In #5 – About Me
Anne
tagline: So, I probably should have done this before now.

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her office, looking a little more relaxed since the last video. She doesn't waste any time as she jumps right into her topic with her customary wave.

ANNE
Hi me.  Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with the realization that I've done almost half a dozen of these videos and haven't really talked about myself.
I guess I should do that, shouldn’t I?   As someday someone else might stumble across these videos and they are left to wonder who the woman who talks a lot is and why she's even making these.
And I really should have started this better...   I'll make a note to work on my narrative.  I should actually do that now.

Anne takes out her PHONE as...

CUT.

RESET.

ANNE (cont.)
(with a nervous laugh)
So, my name is Anne.   I’m 28 years old, and I guess you can say that I'm the classic, forgotten, middle child, and I’ve only had one job, working here- 
(gestures around her)
-on and off since before I was legally allowed to draw a paycheck.
(pause as she thinks of something)
Is that technically child labour?

JUMP CUT.

Anne is trying to think of something else to say about herself. She's not used to being the centre of attention so nothing else comes readily to mind until...

ANNE (cont.)
(excitedly)
I like cricket and spoken word poetry although I'm not good at doing either.  I like philosophy and classic movies and I briefly dabbled with the idea of getting a fine arts degree.   I went so far as to apply.  I was even accepted, although I never went.

She pauses again, looks around, really trying hard to think of other things about her that might be interesting.

ANNE (cont.)
I speak french? ...   I’m single, not that's something I define myself by or even something that I’m actively looking to change.  I don't do online dating and I've never been to speed dating.
I'm content.
Although, I’m pretty convinced that I’m going to die in my office some day and cause some poor weekend cleaner many years of therapy when I’m finally discovered.   That might be also why I’m glad we don’t have office cats, despite Grover’s yearly budget request.

JUMP CUT.

Anne has accepted the truth of her words and her situation in life. While not a spinster, or old by any means, she's given up on the thoughts of love. She considers herself a Cinderella who's already had her chance at a happy ending, a happy ending that she gave away. She doesn't think she's about to have another chance. And even if she had, she probably wouldn't know what to do with it.

ANNE (cont.)
The majority of my school friends are now settled down in careers with spouses and kids and mortgages... I've lost touch with most of them.  We don't really have the same priorities.
I really don’t have what I would call a best friend.   I guess there’s Adelaide, but she’s been more of a mother to me than anything.   She’s not a peer, and I can’t really think of her as other than someone there to protect my interests.  
(with a burst of energy)
But! There is Grover.   You met him, a few times now, in previous videos.   I probably should have introduced you, although, really, since he ambushed me into this whole thing, I suppose he really should have introduced us both. 
Bad on him.
(pause)
His real name is Charles Musgrove Jr.   He was dubbed Grover in high school because he always wore muppet boxers so that you could see the elastic band over his pants and, of course, because of the obvious bad play on his name.   The name stuck because he hated it and of course his sisters and friends found it really funny to see him that annoyed.   He’s pretty laid back generally, but it took forever before the name stopped causing his face to go red.  
But, he really did need a nickname, and he disliked being called Chuck even more than Gover.  His family have a great affinity for the name Charles.  I think, including Grover, there’s four.  Now, I know that my sister is named for my mother, so I can’t really say much, but there is a limit.

JUMP CUT.

RESET. Anne's focus is no longer being distracted from the tangent that she had begun to go down.

ANNE (cont.)
We’ve known each other for a long time, almost forever it feels. We lost track of one another during college, but then he came to work here at... the company that shall not be named even though we all surely know which company I mean.
He’s in IT and we would be lost without him.  Lately, on top of his own projects and concerns, he’s also taken Mary under his wing, teaching her the ropes, so to speak.  He really has the patience of a saint.  At one time I would have said without reservation that he was my best friend.  At least until... Well, sometimes things happen in a relationship that changes it in a way that you can’t really go back from.   Which is sad because it’s hard missing someone who is right in front of you.
(pause)
I hope that isn’t something that is going to define getting older - the pain of looking backwards I mean.   It’s already hard.   Too hard, I feel, some days.   But that's something that's going to change.   Now.   Because I have a new start and a voice that I didn't realize how little I actually used before starting this.  My face is actually getting tired already.

Anne's PHONE BEEPS. She takes it out and looks at it, frowning.

ANNE (cont.)
(to her phone)
An Elliot's work is never done.

Anne checks her phone before putting it away, remembering something that may be of some interest.

ANNE (cont.)
Lately I've been looking at old reports from over the past twelve years, research for everything that's going on.   And despite the sharp decline right after my mother’s death, there were a couple years where things seemed to actually improve a significant amount, while I was off doing my MBA.  Then, when I started back, everything changed, and no one’s really talking about why.  And while paranoid that I'm the reason, I can't help but wonder what really happened four years ago.

JUMP CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
(with thoughtful determination)
I’m going to do more research, I think.  Nothing like a mystery that needs to be solved!
So that’s it for now and I’m going to go and... Darn!   Sorry.  Bad narrating again.   I should have...   I- I will get the hang of this.   Blogging rule #1, keep to single topics per video as much as possible...
(smiling)
I’m sorry.  I confess that I still don’t know what I’m doing here...

Anne stops and smiles wide. A light bulb going off in her head. She knows how she's going to format her videos.  The world, while not perfect, seems a little better.

END.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014

Twitter

Hayter: One week from now, @Rita will be back in my arms again, where she belongs!

Beth: Today marks the anniversary of Walter Elliot's birth!  Such a great day to remember.
Penny: @Beth Your father is such a great man.  I am lucky to have the chance to learn from him.

Chapter Text

MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2014

Twitter

Sophie: @Rick Any luck with tracking down those lost videos?
Rick: @Sophie No, it seems when I delete things, I do it well.
Sophie: @Rick I'm sure they'll turn up.
Rick: @Sophie I'm really fine if they don't.
Sophie: @Rick Frederick!
Rick: @Sophie Sometimes, Sophie, we're all entitled to a fresh start. That can only happen when we put the past behind.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

Twitter

Anne: And who says I don't have free time? (video link)

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #6 - Research
Anne
tagline: Research party!

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

The title sequence starts with a black screen.

Top right hand corner, a blinking red light, like that of a camera recording.

Slowly blinks six times as four lines of descriptor words in different sized fonts move in different directions across the screen. Among them are 'Persuasion', 'Second Chance', 'Change', 'Love', 'Family', 'Friends', ‘Happiness’, ‘Purpose’, and ‘Regret’.

The words fade to grey as ‘Anne Elliot’s Confessions’ appears and sharpens in view in white font.

Underneath appears ‘Ep. 6 - Research’

The red light blinks once more before it entirely fades.

Entire sequence takes 10 seconds.

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her usual place.   She is wearing a proud and playful smile.  These are the first hints of life returning.

ANNE
(excited)
Hi me!  Did you notice anything different?   Like a title?   And an opening sequence?
I know that it isn’t much and it lacks music and skill.   I’ve never done anything like that before, and I won't tell you how long even doing that took...   But it's something and it says my name so I don’t have to pretend that I’m always going to remember.
Because let’s face it, I’m only human; and one who makes many mistakes and has a lot going on. That being said, I am determined to improve myself.   Both on screen and off with my editing.   And as skeptical as I was at the beginning, I’m starting to really like this.   I haven't talked this much in years. And considering how many secrets I have to keep for work having this outlet... Once again, Adelaide proves herself to be a voice of logic and reason.  
Just like, now, I aim to be a voice of research.

JUMP CUT.

Anne is re-positioned on screen. She is sitting straighter and she is showing genuine excitement and joy with what she has discovered. She loves learning. She loves research and getting to the bottom of a mystery. As a child she probably loved Scooby-Doo.

ANNE (cont.)
Since last time, I’ve done more than just grasp the basics of photoshop and gifs – or jifs.
Between endless meetings, I’ve been looking more into the company’s history and discovered a possible reason for the downward trend that started four years ago.  That was when the two offices split again.  Before that time we had a – I guess I would call him a sort of VP that ran the Camden Place office in Victoria and coaligned the two offices.
His name was Bill Eliot, Eliot with one L and one T – and I confess that I had almost forgotten about him. I never met him because while he was working for the company, I was getting my masters degree or wasn’t really in any managerial position where I would.  But I do remember hearing a lot about him, both then and in the year after he left.
It was quite the scandal at the time, although I don’t know the politics of what happened.
And no, he’s not from the same Elliot’s as my family.   Even with the different spelling, I did look into it.   And Beth must have done so at the time too, because rumour had it that there were hints of a possible romance between them... so, while I don't know the details I can say that looking into possible relative status is a really good thing.  Because dating relations no matter how casually... not cool.
But he isn’t so that’s good.   He is, however, fondly remembered here, for the work he did during his two and a half years here.  Adelaide calls him a shining light with a real head for business, and you can’t really get higher praise than that.
I do recall that he was my father’s favourite, and the closest thing he could imagine to having a son of his own.   He was determined that when he retired, Bill Eliot would succeed him in the company.
(pause)
Then, out of the blue, four years ago, he left.  The reason isn’t really clear.  Some say he went for a higher paying position, while others think that once he put this company on better footing, he went to do the same elsewhere.  Some people think there was a falling out with my father or Beth, which would explain why they never talk about him… 
We're really good at holding grudges, my family.

Anne stops, knowing, as there usually is, something more was going on behind the scenes than people were likely to talk about.

ANNE (cont.)
A part of me wonders, though, if there's more going on than they're telling me. It wouldn't surprise me if there was – we're kind of a family known for keeping secrets from one another.
I can only hope that it's not the kind of secret that will come back and bite us in the proverbial assets.
I guess, only time will tell for sure.

END.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Twitter

Hayter: @Rita I'm counting down the days until I can see you again. I've missed you and I want the world to know.
Rita: @Hayter I miss you too. Two days.
Hayter: @Rita 53 hours and counting.
Rita: @Hayter You are such a goof.

Hayter: @Rita 52

Hayter: @Rita 51

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Publishing: Please join us tomorrow night for our annual gala, where we celebrate our past and look to the future. See you there.

FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Well, this was... surprising. (video link)

Grover: @Anne You best not tire yourself out at the gala tonight. You ARE coming to @Rita' s party tomorrow. No excuses.
Anne: @Grover Not to worry, I'm not going to the Gala.
Grover: @Anne Cinderella's not invited?
Anne: @Grover Too tired after two days of setting up for the event. Beth outdid herself.  I wouldn't be the best guest tonight.

Mary: Family parties are the best kind.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #7 – The Gala
Anne, Beth
tagline: Something old, something new, something totally surprising.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

‘Ep. 7 – The Gala’

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE - DAY

The camera is rolling and ANNE ELLIOT is standing in front of her normal seat, clearing the area of PAPERS so she could begin filming. Prepared, she sits, ready to begin.

ANNE
Hey me!  This is just a quick and hopefully editing free update because I don’t have a lot to talk about and won’t have as much time as these videos deserve to put in the post-filming work, work and effort that I was so determined in the last video to do.  Who knew that putting things on film would come back to bite me so soon?
The true power of the internet!

BETH ELLIOT ENTERS without knocking, FOLDERS in hand.   She is dressed elegantly, probably in only designer labels. She doesn't look at Anne, but does pause as she notices the camera. She's annoyed and impatient.

Anne doesn't seem surprised that Beth didn't knock, but doesn't like that she was caught filming.

BETH
Are you filming another newsletter?   You know that I have to sign off on the scripts.  Especially considering…

ANNE
(sheepishly)
I know, Beth.  These aren't for the company.   They’re mine, for me.   And don’t worry, I only film before work and on breaks.

BETH
Since when did you start taking breaks?

ANNE
Since I realized I don’t get overtime, and when I realized how much overtime I work.

BETH
(sighing)
I’m going to speak with father about your work ethic.  Imagine wasting time on videos.  What could you possibly do with them?

ANNE
I post them.  

Beth pauses and looks at Anne for the first time since entering the office. She doesn't understand why Anne is making personal videos and feels that Anne is lowering herself, and her family by association, through the activity.

BETH
What?   On the internet?

Anne splits her attention between her sister and the camera lens. As she continues her conversation with Beth, she talks slower, as though talking to a wild animal that could strike out at any time. She is more timid around Beth, less animated than she appears to be while she's filming by herself. While not afraid of Beth, she knows that Beth is likely to take things in the wrong way, and not one for seeing things from Anne's point of view.

ANNE
Yes, and as I’m filming right now, you’re sort of on them.   I’ll tag you if you want to watch it later.

BETH
I remember Penelope telling me something about it.   She was here while you were filming...
But really Anne, you surprise me.   An Elliot using the internet in such a base way?   It’s insupportable.   I hear that everyone and their cat has a video blog these days.   Surely Alelaide doesn’t approve?

ANNE
It was actually her idea.

BETH
(taken aback)
Really?   Well, that is all well and good for you, but I will have no part of it.

ANNE
I will edit all this out, then.

Beth doesn't even stop to think about what she is about to say in response. She feels that she's about to do the world a favour and genuinely feels that she's good and charitable for doing so.

BETH
No, don't.   Keep whatever you want in, give your audience, if you have any, the treat of witnessing someone of rank and taste, something that they are probably not used to seeing upon this medium.   But that is all.

ANNE
Alright. Thanks?
(turns to focus on Beth entirely)
So, what can I do for you?

BETH
(hands her a folder)
Here is the final checklist for tomorrow night's gala and the invite list.   I need you to go and make sure everything is getting done in the way I specified.   You know how hourly-paid labourers can be.

Anne closes her eyes in embarrassment at Beth's opinions of 'the lower classes'. But she knows better than to comment on it. Beth probably wouldn't understand the problem.

Anne, in general, isn't one to question those in positions of power, and definitely not her family. So, that she is doing so now is important, and is a step towards standing up for herself. She is growing the backbone that she either lost or never really had. She's not overt about it, however. It's a small step. She knows her sister well, and has learned how to best deal with how high maintenance she can often be.

ANNE
(looking at folder)
Isn't Penny still lending a hand here?  As your assistant?

Free of the folder, Beth has turned her attention to her PHONE, getting ready to leave until hearing Anne's words. She really feels she is too busy to make time for things like questions.

BETH
Penelope?   Of course she is.   I would be lost without her.

ANNE
Well, I thought that this would be something that she would be doing... as she is your assistant.

BETH
She's dealing with more important matters, Anne.   Right now, she is assisting our father.

ANNE
(glancing at the camera with a frown)
She seems to be doing that a lot, lately.

BETH
And?  
(sighs)
She’s being useful.   More than some people. Now enough with your silly video and go help.

ANNE
And you're sure you don’t mind me posting stuff with you?

BETH
Yes.   Now stop playing and do something important for a change. God, good help these days...

Beth EXITS, not looking back or shutting the door that she had opened.

Anne turns back to the camera. Her expression a mix of annoyance, hurt and acceptance. She sets the folder down beside her as...

ANNE
There is some comfort in knowing that your family will never see what you post about them on the internet – and not because you don’t tell them about what you’re posting, but because they don’t really care or are too focused on their own affairs to actually watch YouTube.
My father doesn't even know what YouTube does. And don't ask him about twitter...

Anne looks to the file. Back to the camera. Sighing, she picks up the folder file and opens it.

ANNE (cont.)
An Elliot’s work is never done.   Let’s see who is on the guest list to tomorrow’s gala presentation. Well, actually tonight when I post this...

Anne reads from the file. BEAT. She stops, her mouth falling open in surprise. She looks back at the camera, her breath catching.

ANNE (cont.)
Navy Water? The Croft’s?
(hand goes to necklace)
Will he be with them...

Anne looks clearly upset.   She takes a deep breath before focusing on the camera once more, trying to think of something to say, but failing.   Frowning, she gets up and TURNS OFF the camera with an unsteady hand.

END.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Twitter

Mary: Not enough sleep. Feeling so ill.

Rita: Home sweet home.
Hayter: @Rita It is home now that you're here again.

Rita: @Mary Hope you are feeling well enough to party with me tonight.
Mary: @Rita I will rally. I wouldn't let you down.

Rick: @Sophie How was the gala?
Sophie: @Rick It was good. Met a couple girls who thought they knew you.
Rick: @Sophie You shouldn't believe everything people tell you.
Sophie: @Rick But if I remember correctly, you did know a girl here before, right?

Beth: @Anne Where are you? You're needed here for the Gala tear down.
Anne: @Beth I thought you were overseeing that with Penny.
Beth: @Anne We were, but I insisted we go instead to the spa for the day due to how strenuous the event planning had been.  Hard work, after all, should be rewarded.

Anne: @Grover Why aren't you answering your phone?
Grover: @Anne I saw the tweet from 'the evil step sister'. I'm not answering for bad news.
Anne: @Grover I'm sorry. Give @Rita my love and save me some cake?
Grover: @Anne Love is easy. But you haven't earned cake.

Chapter Text

MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2014

Twitter

Beth: @Anne Reservations are at 6, and Anne, at least TRY and look like you care about your appearance.

Baronetcy Publishing: 'Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.' -Harriet Tubman

Anne: One decided benefit to mealtime meetings: because it’s in public, there's a lot less yelling and a lot more listening.

Louisa: @Anne OMG! You missed it! You'll never guess what happened at the party!

TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Humbled that people think my life is worth watching (video link)

Navy Water Productions: Two weeks and two days until the return of old vlogging hit Frederick Wentworth’s ‘For What It’s Worth’! Please subscribe so you don't miss out.

Mary: @Anne I cannot believe that I wasn't invited to the meeting last night. I feel so overlooked.
Anne: @Mary Remember that it was your decision not to go into management. It really had little to do directly with your department.
Mary: @Anne But I am an Elliot! I have a right to know the goings on. You are taking me out so that I can hear what is happening.

Rita: @Anne So that raincheck on dinner... Thursday? 5?
Anne: @Rita Wonderful. Will our siblings be joining us? It feels like I haven’t seen Louisa in forever either.
Rita: @Anne She’s been working a lot lately. She thinks Dad is pressuring her about a career and school.
Anne: @Rita Is he?
Rita: @Anne No, you've met our Dad. She's just being dramatic. I'll ask her, though.

The Anne Elliot Confessional #8 - Comments
Anne, Rita
tagline: So this is what people on the internet comment about.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

‘Ep. 8 - Comments’

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her usual place.   She is dressed with more care although in the same dull colours and her hair, while neat is far from fashion forward.

Smiling, she waves as...

ANNE
Hello, out there. I can say hello to more than just myself now that I know someone else is actually watching these.  How do I know?  

Anne’s smile brightens.  Knowing that she’s not alone, even with just seeing view counts and names on the screen is more of a connection, one built on her own merrit, than she’s had in a very long time.  Having any sense of community is something that’s she long missed and entirely cherishes.  If she had doubts about doing videos before, that’s now gone.

ANNE (cont.)
I received six comments on my last video.  Thank you!  And considering that none of those comments pertained to topics related to the company that shall not be named, I’m both surprised and gratified.  And also amused at the social commentary that they offer.
Because, all the comments wanted to know who I meant when I referred to a nameless ‘he’ in my last video.  Most thought I was referring to Bill Eliot.  I can see why, I was, after all, just talking about him.   But I wasn’t.
This has been a good lesson about planning content and rewatching videos before posting them instead of relying upon memory of events.
As for who I was talking about... well, that doesn’t matter.  He's no longer in my life and after so long he obviously doesn’t want that to change.  
(with disappointment)
And no, he wasn’t at the Gala, not that I really expected that he would be.   So, let’s just move on.   There is so much more to talk about.

Anne is about to move on and talk about other things when she is struck by a thought.

ANNE (cont.)
(beaming at her community)
But, please keep those comments coming, I enjoyed reading them all.  It’s nice knowing that I’m not just talking to myself.  Thank you again for watching and reaching out.

JUMP CUT.

The frame is a little tighter, so that you can no longer see the door if it were opened within frame.

ANNE (cont.)
The Gala went over well, if the carnage the following day was any indication.   I missed the event and not because of anyone.  I’m just not a Gala kind of girl, I guess.   That's more Beth’s scene, it's where she shines.  Whereas I’ve always been more of a ‘hide out in the corner where people won’t notice that I can’t dance’ kind of girl. Especially as of late.  I actually used to love dancing, even if someone was watching.

There is KNOCKING at the door.

Well used to people barging in, Anne turns and waits for whoever it is to come in immediately after knocking. When no one immediately comes in, she glances between the door and camera, wondering who it could be to actually care enough to wait for a reply.

ANNE (cont.)
(confused)
Come in.

JUMP CUT.

Anne is joined on screen by a young woman who is dressed well, but not for business. She is twenty-two and is intelligent, and optimistic. This is RITA MUSGROVE, middle child of the Musgrove family, who is facing a crossroads in her life and is unsure what she really wants from life and herself. She lacks the confidence of her little sister, no matter how much more she has to offer the world. In many ways she could be a younger version of Anne.

Anne, for her part, seems as pleased to see Rita as Rita seems to see Anne. While not close, they have always been friendly and Rita has grown up looking up to Anne as her brother's friend.

ANNE
(to Rita)
Are you sure you want to appear on here?

RITA
Of course.   I think it’s great you’re doing them.   Grover told me about them.

Anne is uncomfortable with that thought. Especially now that she knows that other people are watching them.

ANNE
Have you seen any of them?

RITA
...Not yet.   I just got back.   But I will, I am sure.   Especially if I’m going to be on them.

Rita smiles brightly, trying to cover up the fact that she probably won't ever follow through with her good intentions. Few people seem to. It's a fact that Anne understands all too well.

ANNE
(to camera)
Well, hello again, we have a visitor.  Internet, this is Rita Musgrove, one of Grover's sisters; Rita, meet the internet.  
Like me, she’s also the middle child.   And, she has just gotten back from a semester in Germany where she was finishing her psychology degree.
(to Rita)
I 'm sorry that I had to miss your welcome home party.

RITA
I understand, you had to work, and I got the flowers you sent.  Thank you.  Really, I was so tired from the flight that it was a pretty early night, so you didn’t miss much.   Anyway, I just stopped by to visit Grover and I had to see you too.

ANNE
I’m glad you did.   And I’m sorry that your party was a bust.

RITA
(teasingly)
Oh, I wouldn’t call it a bust, per se.   More like, 'an early evening of unexpected happenings'.

Her tone is almost coaxing. It's the tone of someone who knows information and wants you to want to ask her more about it.

ANNE
Oh? And what does that mean?

RITA
You’ll have to ask Grover.   Or Mary.   They had a little too much to drink and...

ANNE
(cutting her off)
Ah yes. Louisa has already filled me in on that.   The things you miss by working… and between us and the internet, I’m kind of glad I missed it.  I don’t really want to think of my sister and childhood best friend.

RITA
I guess it is a little morbid, but there are more unlikely pairs out there in the world. Somewhere.  I mean probability theory dictates that somewhere someone is marrying cheese.
(realizing what she said)
Sorry.  Jet lag.  Can we change the topic?

ANNE
You’re in luck because I gouda new topic for you!  Cheese pun.  Sorry.  But speaking of pairs, how’s your other half?  I’ve seen his twitter feed, I’m betting Charlie’s happy you’re back. 
(to the camera)
There! Another Charles! That makes five.
(to Rita)
Okay, what is with your family and that name?

RITA
I don’t know, never really thought of it before, and Charlie’s fine.
(frown)
It’s been hard, spending this semester apart.  I was afraid the time away was going to change us, you know?  Tear us apart.  Long distance is notoriously hard.

ANNE
Time and space can do funny things to the heart, I can understand that.   Did it?

RITA
I don’t know.
(glances to camera)
Too soon to tell.

Anne follows her gaze, concerned at the frown on the woman's face. The Musgrove sisters don't tend to be serious or unhappy, and here Rita is a little bit of both.

ANNE
Is everything alright?

RITA
Yeah, just a lot on my mind.

ANNE
Things with Charlie?

RITA
And the future, yeah.   You know, it’s funny, Louisa and I spent so much time as kids talking about love and the future and all our hopes and dreams for both... It’s just movies and books never tell you what happens after the ‘I love you’.   It’s not as simple as childhood has you believe.

ANNE
(knowingly)
No it’s really not.

Rita studies Anne a moment, perhaps realizing that she doesn't know Anne as well as she had always assumed.

RITA
Have you ever been in love?   Sorry, it’s just I’ve known you so long and yet I don’t really know you at all, except what Grover told me...

ANNE
(uncomfortable)
No... Yes. I was in love. Only once. A long time ago.

RITA
And here I thought that’s all we’re suppose to be love.

ANNE
Depends on who you ask.   Mary seems to fall in love with a different celebrity every week.

RITA
But you’re not Mary.   So, only once.   Can I ask - was it my brother?

ANNE
Wha-? No!   I love Grover, don’t get me wrong, but not in that way.

RITA
(prodding)
So...What was his name?

ANNE
(distantly)
Fred.   His name is Fred.

Rita is a scholar, by nature. She loves to learn and seek the truth, especially about human nature. But she's also not unaware of how people react to the past. And while she wants to know more about Anne, and the side to the woman she just discovered, she also doesn't want to make Anne feel uncomfortable.

She glances between Anne and the camera, as...

RITA
I’m sorry, I shouldn’t pry, especially not on your videos.  I really must still have jet lag.

ANNE
(relieved)
I hear that can be quite perturbing.

RITA
I keep forgetting that you’ve never travelled much.

ANNE
Much?   Try at all.   Beth and my father go to LA and Toronto all the time but...

RITA
You never go with them?

ANNE
Someone has to stay and watch the company.   It’s actually almost a vacation in it's own rights, though. I guess I’ll just have to live through you.

RITA
Why don't you come over for supper and hear all about Germany?   I know mom and dad would love to have you over, you're almost one of the family. 

ANNE
I would if I could.   But I have another meeting tonight.

RITA
Oh right, the future of the company.

ANNE
Actually, no. The future is decided, although I can't talk about it yet. This is more a game plan for implementing the future.

RITA
So, rain check on supper?
(Anne nods)
Great. I should probably go. We'll work out details.   I’ll see you later, Anne.

JUMP CUT.

Anne is sitting, alone, looking confused at the camera.

ANNE
I don’t know how to end this.   What started as a silly video about the gala clean up and what I found that no one should see has turned me a little... morose?   And not because of Rita.  Maybe it’s the trip down memory lane I’ve recently been taking.   Or maybe it’s thoughts of tonight, and of dealing with the same battle all over again.   And although we’ve made a lot of headway, thanks to Sheppard and Adelaide and even Penny Clay, I still feel there is a long ways left to go.
And, on that cheerful note, I should probably go back to work.
Until next time gentle viewers, until next time.

END

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

Twitter

Anne: I really don't understand why no one texts anymore.
Rita: @Anne It's our human desire to communicate to the entire community instead of to one individual.
Grover: @Anne @Rita I thought it's because we're all just attention seekers.
Rita: @Grover @Anne That's pretty much what I said.
Anne: @Grover @Rita Well I would prefer it if we all said it over text.
Grover: @Anne @Rita says the girl who just tweeted her grievances for the entire world to see.
Anne: @Grover Don't you have zombies you should be killing?

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014

Twitter

Rita: @Louisa Do not forget about dinner tonight
Louisa: @Rita I am not a child, I said I would go and I will. I just might be late.
Rita: @Louisa Lou Lou!
Louisa: @Rita I'm just kidding. You need to relax, or is that still the jetleg?

FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Thoughts of one dinner while waiting for another (video link).

Beth: @Anne FYI You aren't needed today for filming the newsletter.
Anne: @Beth Okay?
Beth: @Anne I'm going to do it. It is my birthright, after all. I should be the one to tell the good news.
Anne: @Beth … Okay then.

Anne: @Grover Have fun filming today!
Grover: @Anne I hate you
Anne: @Grover :)

The Anne Elliot Confessional #9 - Dinner
Anne, Rita
tagline: An update while waiting for Rita

INT ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

Anne is once again sitting in her office.   Her wardrobe is a little more relaxed, but still mostly neutrals, and her hair is done more for convenience than style.   She seems comfortable in front of the camera, although she looks like she needs a good night’s rest and lacks peace of mind.

ANNE
Hello, you and me!  It’s official, things are finally finalized on the homefront!  Monday’s newsletter will have all the details that I can’t yet talk about. But we do have a plan.  I really wish I could say more.  There is so much going on, so much to do, so much changing... and I just really could use someone to talk to about it.
And I know that I should just be happy with how things are going, because they could be so much worse, and I am, but this isn’t how it was supposed to be.
(upset)
This would be easier if I could just say anything... but things are changing.  Everything, it feels.  And reminders I thought I lost, those of better days, will actually be close by; luckily - hopefully - it will be after I finally leave it’s hold on me behind.  
And, I confess that even after so long, it’s still really hard to think about that - to think about Fred and everything he reminds me of.  To know that his family and his company...

Not able to find the proper words, Anne looks away, not happy that she has yet to deal with the wounds that are as old as they are.

JUMP CUT TO.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

‘Ep. 9 – Dinner’

RETURN TO SCENE

Anne is looking away from the camera, trying to compose herself. Her hand at the NECKLACE she always seems to wear. Catching herself, she drops her hand, focusing once more on the camera, determined.

ANNE (cont.)
My apologies, this whole process has been harder than I would have thought. Especially this week where memories have been stirred up everywhere: Thoughts of the disappointments and regrets of the past, and the happy memories that this place used to hold for me.   So much has been lost here.   My mother, so many dreams and hopes, love...
(pause)
Maybe Penny is right and a fresh start will help all of us.   I honestly didn’t think I would take this so hard.  I thought I had hardened myself.
But, I don’t think I have ever been more wrong.
I'm sorry for being so cryptic, but I'm not allowed to talk about anything not official and I can’t seem to think about anything else.  And I don’t really have anyone here to talk to about it.  Only Adelaide knows the history that bothers me. She knows who the Crofts are. And at Monday night’s meeting I felt her watching me, even as I watched Penny fawn over my father and Beth turn a blind eye and try to convince him that her wishes were also his own. It seemed to work... so because I can’t talk about the future, I’m settling for talking about the past.
Well, the recent past.   That dinner meeting, while I wait for Rita and Louisa to go to another one.

JUMP CUT.

RESET to bring the audience back to the topic without the emotions of the previous scene.

Anne is back in centre focused on the topic of the moment. Her head is 'back in the game'.

ANNE (cont.)
Dinners with my family, and friends of the family, often remind me of a bad comedy where nothing is sincere and even less is funny.  I think it’s called “cringe humour”.  And, Monday was no different. There was my father at the head of the table, with my sister and her friend sitting on either side of him; John Sheppard and Adelaide being ever the voices of reason. And me. I wonder if they would have realized if I wasn’t there.
I also wonder if the only reason I was there is so there would be an even number at the table. My father is strangely superstitious about that sort of thing.

Anne pauses, thinking over the possible truth of the statement. She is far too used to her family by now to take it personally however, and is soon back to task.

ANNE (cont.)
Anyway, there everyone was and I couldn't help but marvel at the different tactics everyone used to try and convince my father that their way of thinking was best.   Adelaide used my mother’s memory, Sheppard 'tried' logic, Beth used her position as favourite while Penelope flattered and fawned.
I do worry about how close she’s getting to my family - Penny, I mean.  She’s too nice and together and understanding for it to feel genuine.  It's like she's performing.  No one ever says anything that she can find fault in or she tries to make things appear in the best light. I admit that once I got bored, I started taking a tally, and she's good.  She’s really good.  Scary good.

JUMP CUT TO.

SEQUENCE OF CUT SCENES. Anne gives examples of Penelope’s talent with flipping people's words. Each cut has her shifting between two different body angles that aren't straight on to the camera.

First, she is angled to the left.

ANNE (cont.)
My father talks up natural beauty and she responds that not everyone was made to be beautiful and most could use “a little help”.

CUT.

Anne has shifted, facing to the right.

ANNE (cont.)
He says that botox should be mandatory at the age of fifty and she replies with her belief in never seeing him look older than forty five.

CUT.

Anne is back angled left.

ANNE (cont.)
His comments on the preservation of social rank is met with her agreement that it gives the middle class something to aspire to be...

CUT

END SEQUENCE..

Anne is once more facing head on, her attention on something else. She's not looking at the camera until...

ANNE (cont.)
I’m still trying to think of a way to give life to these conversations without making you bare witness to my acting, which is just about par with my singing abilities.   Maybe I should use a picture of my father? There are certainly enough of them around...
(pause. Excited)
Actually that gives me an idea.

Anne reaches to turn off the camera, when there is a KNOCKING at the door. RITA ENTERS without waiting to be asked. She sits down next to Anne with barely a glance to the camera.

RITA
Are you ready?

ANNE
Just about.   I was just talking about dinner the other night.

RITA
With Mary?

Rita asks with a tone Anne recognizes to mean she's fishing for information.

ANNE
No, not that one.  Just another business dinner.

RITA
Grover’s been talking about all that’s been going on.  Feels like everyone is.

ANNE
The perils of smaller towns, I guess.

RITA
And here I thought that only resulted in the fear of accidentally dating a cousin.  The more you know.  Is Mary joining us?

ANNE
Not since finding out that Lousia was coming.  You sister has been hounding her about the party.

RITA
Yeah, she needs to go back to school.  Or a job.  Or a hobby.  Or boyfriend.  I’ll talk to Lou Lou.

ANNE
(pause)
Louisa is still joining us, right?  Is she who we’re still waiting on?

RITA
(realizing)
She’s meeting us there.  We can…

ANNE
(with laughter)
That’s some jetlag!

As Rita gathers her things and gets ready to stand, Anne leans over to turn off the camera. The last thing in the frame is a close up on Anne's laughing face.

END.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014

Twitter

Louisa: @Mary You've been quiet the past few days. I hope you're feeling alright. Or aren't too tired from all that kissing!

Mary: Younger sisters can be such a nuisance. I'm glad I don't have any.

Anne: I could never be a spy. I hate secrets.
Grover: @Anne I didn't know you had any secrets. Maybe you ARE a spy!

Anne: @Beth Why did I just get a call from my landlord??

Chapter Text

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Studio: @Beth shares the good news @NavyWaters (video link)

Baronetcy Studio follows Navy Waters

Beth: Looking forward to spending time in Victoria again (video link)

Sophie: @Rick Have you seen the news about our new office space?
Rick: @Sophie No. Does this mean that you've finally decided on a place?
Sophie: @Rick See for yourself (video link)
Rick: @Sophie When?
Sophie: @Rick Mid month. Will you be joining us?
Rick: @Sophie Then, or soon after.
Sophie: @Rick Good. I'm glad that it's not too 'haunted' for you.

Anne: @Mary I haven't heard from you. How are you doing?
Mary: @Anne I can't believe they're leaving while I have to stay. It isn't fair.
Anne: @Mary I'm staying too.
Mary: @Anne Small consolation considering that you will be going away soon. Then what will there be for me here?
Anne: @Mary There's all the Musgroves. You are their neighbour.
Mary: @Anne They're good people, but not family. I still think I should be allowed to go with you.
Anne: @Mary Well you could always transfer to a department in Camden.
Mary: @Anne But I don't know anybody there! I wouldn't have my friends.

Baronetcy Publishing' Newsletter # 3- Solutions
Beth
tagline: Head of Marketing’s Beth Elliot shares the good news.

INT ALT OFFICE 1 - DAY

BETH ELLIOT is sitting in the office, posture straight and looking like she stepped out of a magazine. She smiles at the camera with an inflated sense of worth, importance and false sincerity. She is pleased with herself at being the one to share the positive outcome in offering the solution to the problems that she had forced upon her sister to share.

BETH
Hello and welcome to the third of Baronetcy Publishing’ video newsletters.  After our last video posted there was a lot of concern, mostly warranted, about the future of this great company.  It is gratifying to see the care that our community had shown us these last few days.  I am pleased to tell you now that all has been finalized and I can share with you the future of Baronetcy Publishing.
(Pause)
In order to cut costs and improve communication and productivity between the two Baronetcy Publishing facets, we have decided to consolidate and create a singular head office located in Victoria.  What does this mean for our office in the historic Kellynch building?   While upper and central management will be relocating to Victoria, along with most of the day-to-day operations, production and the new digital support teams will continue to operate out of Kellynch, under the newly created department of Production and Development.  While we are finalizing the duties for the position and finding a suitable candidate for this new role, Anne Elliot has graciously volunteered to assume the responsibilities of getting the groundwork and working relationships going and rearranging the facilities at our historic site.
(Pause)
For the departments making the move, some of the staff have been given the option to relocate with us.  For the rest, our HR head Adelaide Russell has created a recruiting campaign with local businesses, including Navy Water Productions, who, not only will be moving into the area, but will be taking over the vacant office space in the Kellylynch building alongside our remaining departments.
This will be a chaotic time, and we appreciate everyone’s help and cooperation during the preparations for the move.   I know that everyone not joining us in the move will be very sad to leave us, just as I know that we will miss all of you.   Each in our own way.
Until next time, I am Beth Elliot.   Goodbye.

END.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014

Twitter

Anne: A visit from my big sister brings big plans (video link)

Beth: @Penny I hope you're packing your bags.
Penny: @Beth They've been packed for days just hoping that you'd ask me along!
Beth: @Penny Well, I'll need someone useful during the move. And no one is more useful to me than you.

Sophie: @Rick (link to article three)

Grover: @Anne So, now that you're the head of production and development (or PoD), I guess that technically makes you my boss, doesn't it?  And does that make me a pod person?
Anne: @Grover Only until they find someone to fill it full time.  And you cannot become what you always were.
Grover: @Anne You're not going to let the power go to your head are you?
Anne: @Grover I haven't decided yet. Can I make you text me instead of tweeting everything?
Grover: @Anne Nope.
Anne: @Grover Then power is useless.

Local News Article 3
Local Business Leaving Area
Reported by N Rooke

Local publishing house Baronetcy Publishing is downsizing their Kellynch office in favour of Victoria. For years the publishing house has held offices in two buildings: the Kellynch building which has been in the family since they first settled in the area almost two hundred years ago, and in the Camden Place building, located in central Victoria. The Camden Place building will now serve as their head office, with most key departments and half of the Elliot family (CEO Walter Elliot, and Head of Marketing Beth Elliot) moving there shortly.

When asked about why they would move their head office from its historic home and cut over a dozen jobs from the local economy, representatives offered no response. They did assure me, however, that the staff they were cutting were not without job options. It appears that they are renting out their vacated office building (excepting the space taken up by the production floor and development team being led by Anne Elliot) to new company Navy Waters Productions, and some of Baronetcy’s Kellynch staff are making the jump to the Production company led by the Crofts.  Those not, we are told, were offered a severance pack felt, by the company, to be very generous.

Navy Waters Productions is another family-owned business, being run by Sophie Croft, her husband, dubbed the Admiral, and her younger brother Frederick Wentworth, who will be returning to YouTube in coming weeks with a video blog entitled 'For What It's Worth'. Wentworth first made a place for himself in the format almost eight years ago when he began a rant-based vlog that he created to help ease the pain of a broken heart. The company, celebrating its third year in existence, is dedicated to using the new technology of social media platforms to raise awareness and funds for local and international causes.  Since its inception, they have raised over $2 million for various charities.  In the future, with increased media presence, they hope to help even more.  For the Crofts, this is a labour of love.  Let's hope it's one that will last.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #10- Decision Making Process
Anne, Beth
tagline: Because apparently I can't make any on my own.

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her office.   Her hair is pulled back and fastened into place with a pen, as when we first saw her in the behind the scenes video. She looks tense, and tired, but still OFFERS A WELCOMING SMILE to the camera.

ANNE
Hello!  So, by the time this posts, it will finally be official - the company is moving, well, all but the production elements.  My family - all but Mary - is also leaving, and soon Adelaide and I will follow. Until the move is finished, she and I are facilitating pretty much everything on this end. Transferring all the data and files to Victoria, and condensing the office space here so that the Croft’s can take it over in time. The very little time.  Whoever thought moves should be quick like a band-aid never had a company with this many employees to worry about.
There's so much to do and not really a lot of time to do it. My father and Beth leave this coming Saturday and Sheppard has already gone to Victoria to help find them a place to live that isn’t... well outrageously expensive. And yet, despite the pressure and the stress and the constant headache; I want it to drag out. I don’t want to have to leave.
My confession? I really don't like Victoria.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 10 – Decision Making Process’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
It’s not the city’s fault. Just my experiences there have kind of tainted it. I’ve only been there twice: once after my mother died, her family is from there and that’s where she’s buried. And the other time was after... well a city that is seen through the eyes of a broken heart and crushed spirit is hardly a place anyone might long to live. Even after so much time.

ENTER BETH ELLIOT carrying a STACK of PAPERS. Who said this was the electronic age? She breezes in and starts talking without even looking up.

BETH
There you are. I have a list of all the things you need to do.

Hands Anne the stack. Notices the camera

BETH (cont.)
Filming again? You really do need a hobby.

ANNE
One might call this a hobby.

BETH
Then you shouldn't be doing it on company time.

ANNE
It's Saturday.  What's all this?

BETH
Lists of employees who are making the move, and those still on the fence. Severance package information for those who are leaving, and a welcome kit for those making the change to Navy Waters. All these need to be organized and go to Adelaide. Also, Father wants you to oversee the inventory coming from Victoria, and to make sure that the maintenance teams are all doing the little things that they need to do. Changing key codes and all that.

ANNE
He wants me to?

BETH
Well, somebody. But you must have the time.
Oh, and someone needs to go through the paperwork in the production and creative departments so they can downsize. And, files need to be shipped before we get to the new offices. There is so much to do.  We need to make sure people here are trained on the hardware from Victoria.  Grover said they were different.  I can’t see how that matters.
(as an afterthought)
Also you need to move.

ANNE
(nodding)
They’re digital, so I understand.  I’ve already taken care of it.  Wait, moving?

BETH
(almost flippantly)
There was a miscommunicaton with the housing office.  They thought you would be coming with us to Victoria.  I corrected their false assumption, and assured them that you were staying, but it was unfortunately too late.  So, you need a new apartment.

ANNE
Wait… What?  I thought I was just staying long enough to facilitate the move and would be coming with Adelaide.

BETH
(laughing)
No! Why would we need you to go? Penelope is going to help me and our father on that end. It really is best that you stay here. We've already elected you Head of Production and Development until we hire somebody new.  I was sure we told you.

ANNE
But I don't know anything about production...

BETH
You already know about the printers and ordered the training.  How hard can the rest really be?  Really Anne, we all need to make sacrifices right now.  Think of this as yours.

ANNE
So, Penny is going with you...

BETH
Of course she is. Father and I would be lost without her.

CUT

BETH (cont.)
You know Anne, it is very hard on us. We don't know what we did to deserve this happening. We've done all we could to prevent it, you know. Father feels that the world's out to get him.
(remembering)
Oh, the Crofts are coming this weekend for another tour with their contractor so make sure they see a difference.  And, be sure to remind them that theirs is only a lease and so should limit structural changes.  This is our historic building after all.  
Oh, and since I came in today to film the newsletter, I am taking Monday morning off.  Ad you said, we don’t get overtime, so we must take time when we can.  Now, I really must go and you have work awaiting, after all, with so much to do, there really isn't any time to dally.  

She finishes with a pointed look at the camera.

CUT

Anne is sitting alone, hand on the stack of papers sitting beside her. She's looking at the camera, none-to-impressed.

ANNE
(confused)
So, now I'm not moving, but am moving. Another thing to add to my growing list of things to do. And I have to learn what the departments that will fall under production and development do so that I can merge them efficiently.  Who made that decision?  And why didn't I have a say?
But then again, I never seem to.
(Pause to regroup)
I suppose I should just be glad that decisions were made at all, especially a decision that helps as much as it does with as few ‘inconveniences’ as Beth called them. Says the woman whose idea of budgeting was pulling our funding from non-profit art and local theatre groups and not updating her office furniture even though hers is sporting last year’s colours.

CUT

Anne leans forward, frustration at the situation and her family growing.

ANNE (cont.)
That should be the Elliot's motto: Think of yourself before anyone else...

Anne straightens, thinking of something.

ANNE (cont.)
I wonder how Mary is dealing with this. I should call her.
(looking at the stack)
But first...
(almost as an afterthought)
... at least I'm not going to Victoria.

END

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014

Twitter

Anne: No time to tweet. I'm actually okay with that.

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

Twitter

Mary: @Grover Where are you?
Grover: @Mary Going over paperwork with @Anne
Mary: @Grover Still?

Navy Water Productions: Two weeks until Rick Wentworth's return to YouTube. Subscribe so you don't miss out!

FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014

Twitter

Anne: A quick breather from my lesson in time management (video link)

Mary: What good is working in the same building as your family when they're never around to see you?

Anne: I personally want to induct the Musgrove family as saints!
Grover: @Anne Awww
Anne: @Grover Well, they are my saviours. You're just lucky you're one of them as you wouldn't make it to sainthood on your own.
Grover: @Anne I don't know if I want you as a neighbour now.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #11- Time Management
Anne, Beth
tagline: I need a schedule to get everything done. Or a time machine.

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her office. She looks stressed!

ANNE
So it's just hitting me: everything's changing. And I mean everything. My job description, my apartment, which I can't even think about right now, the office... there is nothing left that isn't shifting. I know that I didn't want to move to Victoria, but this isn't what I had in mind to stay.
But, at least between my workload and the extra bits being given to me by others, I'm too busy to really think about anything else. Which, I confess, is kind of nice.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

‘Ep. 11 – Time Management’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
This is just going to be a quick update. With everything going on, I don't have a lot of time for my 'hobby' as Beth now likes to call it. And all things considered, I don't know why I'm filming right now.

Anne eyes the camera, both knowing that she's lying.

ANNE (cont.)
So that’s not entirely true.
(Pause)
Okay, it’s a downright lie. I know.
I'm filming because I’m coming to rely on these mini therapy sessions. And I know that catharsis isn’t suppose to be an actual thing, but the people who say that obviously haven’t lived with the Elliots. After years of bottling everything up, it’s nice to actually be able to let it all out someplace all my own. Especially where no one I know will see it.
Neither of my sisters watch them; my father still doesn’t want to know how to use YouTube and Grover doesn’t have time; even Adelaide hasn’t seen them, which considering that these were her idea... And I think Rita only watched the one she was in.
The only person who I think might watch is Penelope Clay- Penny. Beth’s assistant – friend – person. I'm not sure about the dynamic between them, actually.

JUMP CUT.

Anne has shifted forward in her seat, having a more honest exchange with the camera.

ANNE (cont.)
I don’t know how I feel about her watching these. Actually, that’s probably because I don’t know how I feel about her in general.
This isn’t very nice, and I’m sorry, but sometimes she reminds me of a Barbie doll. She’s all smiles, and tries to appeal to every demographic, and most of the time, at least to me, she seems entirely fake. And I think that she might be after my father. Or my sister... I’m really not sure. And I’m trying not to judge.

Anne leans back again.

ANNE (cont.)
That was supposed to be one benefit of this move, at least to me and Adelaide. It would get her away from them.   Away from my father. But now, it seems that Beth can’t do without her and so she’s going along. I’m worried because I don’t know what she’s capable of doing.
And it’s not that I don’t want to see my father happy, because I do. And I do wonder at him never marrying again. I know that he loved my mom, and I know that he was hurt when she died. But I also know that it’s not healthy closing yourself off after heartbreak. 
(weighted pause)
Time can only do so much without a person’s conviction behind it… I want him to be happy. I just can’t help thinking that making him happy isn’t what Penny’s ultimately after. And I can't help but think that she’s the type of person who is fully capable of making someone fall in love with her.
Then again, I might be completely wrong about her and her intentions and I’m sorry if that’s the case. I freely admit that I don’t know her very well. She hasn’t done anything to or against me. She’s been really friendly. She’s also a really hard and competent worker which has actually been refreshing considering who else we've dealt with during this entire process.  I really don’t know.
According to Beth, I’m completely crazy and paranoid. And selfish. 
Because I’m not going to be there – not that my presence would have done a lot, I’m sure – I warned her about the possibility of her new favourite friend wanting to become our step-mother.
I cut that bit out of the last video, but, here's her reaction to that suggestion.

JUMP CUT TO...

INT ANNE'S OFFICE 1 - DAY

It is the day of episode 10, and Anne and Beth are sitting in her office as they were before the cut where they were talking about Penny. This conversation picks up just after that cut.

ANNE
Penny seems to be spending a great deal of time helping him, lately.

BETH
She’s very helpful.  And she’s eager to learn.  From whom else here can she learn as much as she can from our father?  
Why?  Whatever are you implying?  

ANNE
Only that one may wonder at her motivations to her dedication.  After all, she does not have any real interest in the industry.

BEAT OF SILENCE. Anne looks concerned and Beth's expression is blank and then...

Beth bursts out laughing.

Anne doesn't look impressed with the reaction.

BETH
Penelope? And our father? Really Anne. What an imagination you have!
I will admit that she obviously finds him attractive, but who doesn’t? He is quite handsome still. But he would never think about her like that. She has a tattoo, and you know how he feels about those. Besides...
(lowering voice)
...she's working class.

CUT

RETURN TO SCENE.

ANNE
I will never understand the relationship that my father and sister have. I’ve been trying. For years. It’s a weird fan club, best friend, doting admirer, father-daughter dynamic that I don’t believe has ever happened before. Or ever will again. One can only hope. The universe might explode.

CUT

RESET CUT. Again, Anne is back on topic.

ANNE (cont.)
Sorry, so Beth doesn’t think that there is any real danger because our father doesn’t think Penny is pretty enough for him.
But in this age of corrective surgery? As if physical beauty was really that important. Even without medical intervention, time and proximity has been known to ease away faults in the eye of the beholder.
Besides Penny, not pretty? In what reality?  But I did what I could, I guess. Like I said, I could be completely wrong. I... just don’t think I am.
I guess time will tell. And I guess if she is watching these, I probably shouldn't call her a Barbie... Right... next time.
Sorry, everyone.  And Penny.  Sorry.
And with that, I'm out of time. Back to work.

END.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014

Twitter

Mary: Life loses meaning without people around to make you forget your problems.

Anne: Everything is set! This time next week, my apartment will be moved. I guess that means I should start packing.

Chapter Text

MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Studio: “There is nothing permanent except change.” -Heraclitus

Grover: @Anne If I promise to always text instead of tweet, will you please let me no longer be in charge?
Anne: @Grover You aren't in charge, you’re a team lead, as you always were. And you're tweeting now.
Grover: @Anne If I'm not in charge, then why am I doing so much extra work?
Anne: @Grover I'm delegating. Sometimes, it's good to be the boss.

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Sisters, there to look out for one another. @Mary (video link)

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #12 – Left Behind
Anne, Mary
tagline: Mary is being more ‘Mary’ ... I try to explain why.

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

The office looks like a tornado ran through it. There are PAPERS and FOLDERS everywhere, and BOXES filling the background. Sitting amidst this chaos is ANNE ELLIOT. She is looking more sleep deprived and stressed than in the last episode.

She looks at the camera with the expression 'I know, right?'

ANNE
Hello from the past and welcome to my own personal circle of hell, also known as moving week. Beth and my father and Penny leave this weekend, taking everything they can with them to get the Victoria office ready for the staffing changes. That'll leave a handful of people here not with the production department, and only Adelaide and myself in management to take care of getting the place ready for the Crofts who move in mid month.

Anne pauses, taking a steadying breath, looking at the mountain of things around her.

ANNE (cont.)
There is still so much to do. And I haven't really been able to see my family much, and probably won't before they go. Not that it would make much difference if I could. Except if I did, I might not be getting so many reminder emails of things that Beth is “too busy” to do.
(Picks up PHONE. While looking...)
Four since I started filming.
(to Camera)
There should be a law against abusing email.
I know that with everything, I should be focusing, especially since I haven't even touched my apartment… But I can't. I confess that I'm worried about Mary. And while I know she's an adult, she's also my little sister. It's my job to worry.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

‘Ep. 12 – Left Behind’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
It's been the one consolation in all this: I get to stay closer to Mary during the change. I can only imagine how badly she's taking everything. I've been trying to call her when I can but I've been busy and she's been... Mary.
I’m surprised she hasn’t called or texted or tweeted to complain more of how forgotten she is. But my phone's been unnervingly quiet. Which isn’t like her.  I guess it’s serious this time.

Anne pauses a moment, thinking over if she should go into what she knows she wants to. Evidently, the side wanting to speak wins.

ANNE (cont.)
Another thing that I should have probably explained earlier about Mary: is why she is how she is. My father calls her spoiled and frumpy. Beth has dubbed her needy and a hypochondriac and Grover thinks she’s high maintenance.
Me – while not debating the maintenance and the heightened worry for her health – I say she’s still that 10 year old child who doesn’t understand why her mother isn’t coming home, or why no one is talking about it, or why work has suddenly become all-encompassing. Or why she doesn’t seem to fit into the world that most of her family now feel so important.
After mom died, everyone focused on picking up the pieces. And I think that more often than I would like to admit, Mary was overlooked. The only time she got attention from our father was when she was sick. For Beth it was when she followed in her footsteps, little sister looking up to big.
For all people can say about Mary, she’s smart. She knows how to read people. Now it’s become a crutch, doing the only things she knows how to do to ensure she isn’t forgotten. It doesn’t make her particularly easy to deal with at times but, I guess part of it was my fault. I didn’t stop it from happening. I wasn’t our mother, and I was missing her too.
So, when you see Mary on these videos, just please keep in mind that when you get right down to it, she’s still that little girl trying not to be forgotten any way she can.
(Pause)
That's not an excuse, just an explanation. I’m still hoping that she can find whatever it is that she’s been looking for.

MARY ELLIOT ENTERS as though she's read her sister's thoughts.

MARY
Did you say my name?

JUMP CUT

Mary is sitting beside Anne, looking nervous and not at ease. Anne, as always, tries to make her feel better.

ANNE
I've been worried about you.

MARY
You have a funny way of showing it.

ANNE
I'm sorry that I haven't had time to spend with you, lately. I've been really busy with everything I've had to do.

MARY
What could you have possibly had to do?

ANNE
Quite a lot, actually. But I'll be at Uppercross soon, so we'll have time to spend together. Promise.

MARY
Right. Whatever. It's not like I care.

ANNE
Mary...

MARY
Everyone is leaving.

ANNE
Not everyone. I'm here. Grover...
(Mary tenses)
What's going on? Are you and Grover not getting along?

MARY
No. We are. I just thought you were going to tease me about... you know... what happened at the party.

ANNE
Why would I do that?

Mary shrugs.  Anne is looking more concerned than she was at the beginning.

MARY
Lou Lou did.

Mary pauses again, almost as though she’s waiting for Anne to ask about it.  When she doesn’t…

MARY (cont.)
(with a sigh)
I should probably go back to work.

ANNE
Okay.

Mary stands, moving to the door. She pauses, just in frame, turning back to Anne.

MARY
You really are coming to Uppercross?

ANNE
I am.  Cross my heart.

Anne watches Mary, seemingly content with Anne's response, EXIT with a fond smile on her face. One can see in her the affection she has for the younger woman and the kind of caring person and friend she is.

Alone, she looks back to the camera.

ANNE (cont.)
See, she just doesn't want to be left behind.

PHONE BEEPS. Anne picks it up. She frowns, exasperated.

ANNE (cont.)
(to phone)
Three more? Seriously?

END.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Twitter

Anne: How did I get so much stuff?
Grover: @Anne Came with the second x chromosome.
Anne: @Grover So how do you account for all your game consoles?
Grover: @Anne That is not 'stuff'. That is the precious nectar of the entertainment gods.

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Twitter

Navy Water Productions: One week today marks the return of an old YouTube favourite, Rick Wentworth’s ‘For What It’s Worth’. Subscribe so you don't miss out!

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Here's the update everyone's been asking about. The “down low” about my impending move. (video link)

Beth: So hard to say good-bye to such a large part of my life.

Louisa: @Anne What time should I be at your place to help with the move tomorrow?
Anne: @Louisa I'm all packed, movers are doing the actual work and most of the stuff is for storage or charity. There's nothing left to do.
Louisa: @Anne I know. I just figured that I could come and watch the movers work. With their muscles.
Anne: @Louisa ...9.

Beth: Victoria, here I come!

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #13- Moving Day
Anne
tagline: Change comes to everyone. But why does so much have to come so soon?

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her usual place, looking beyond tired. There is a STACK OF BOXES to the left of frame behind her, open and empty.  She gives a half-hearted wave.

ANNE
Hello!  So, I know that I've been bad with the narrative again, but in my defense: a) I'm not used to thinking about my life as a story and 2) There are only two days left until I move!
(beat)
Actually, really one by the time this is posted. And there is still so much left to do. I think my blood is mostly coffee at this point. And all I want to do is sleep.
I’m still being bombarded with emails from my father and Beth with an ever lengthening list of things that they “didn’t have time to do”. I checked just for kicks to see how many things on it were repeats. None . How their memory is so good at picking up on the things that they forgot or overlooked doing... I don’t know. They have a skill set that I will never be able to fully appreciate.

JUMP CUT

RESET CUT from the tangent that Anne was starting to go down. Refocusing on the topic at hand, her breathing calming.

ANNE (cont.)
For anyone just joining us, or those who picked up on the fact that I haven't really talked about this yet – I have to move. On Saturday. And I’m still not done packing and sorting my own apartment and office, let alone dealing with the reminder emails. And then there is all the stuff for the production teams and the new position that I’m supposedly doing until they hire somebody permanent while still having to juggle the workload of my existing job…
And no, this isn’t an early April Fool’s day joke, as much as I wish it were because, I haven’t really done any of it, yet.  Not for slacking, either.  I feel like I’m barely treading water when I’m just triaging my work.  Mostly I’m dealing with the existing stuff and for the new: I'm information gathering. I have everyone telling me what they do so that I know.  Because right now, I don’t, and I’m not really sure I have the time to really learn everything as I would like.
(deep breath)
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, not really. Honest. I blame lack of sleep for it coming off like that.  I usually like being busy and learning more about the industry.  
Being busy is also easier - less time to think about things.  Like about how my life is changing in every capacity and I really didn’t have any control over any of it.  I mean, I suppose I could have resigned... it would probably be a lot easier...

CUT.

This is a TANGENT CUT. Anne leans towards the camera, her eyes lighting up as she shares information.

ANNE (cont.)
Did you know that stress affects your health long term? It cuts off five – ten! – years. It’s true. There’s been research about it.
Science!

CUT.

RESET CUT. She is back looking at the camera as before.

ANNE (cont.)
As much as I might be tempted, I can’t leave. This is my family. And this place is really all I have left. I mean, what else can I do?

CUT

Quick shot of Anne rolling her neck, eyes closed, taking a deep breath and trying to relax before...

JUMP CUT TO.

PREVIOUS scene.

ANNE (cont.)
I guess just struggle, work, try and find time to sleep and get everything finished on time. I'm going to confess that even though I know I shouldn't, I'm going to tell you all about why I have to move.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

‘Ep. 13 – Moving’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
I grew up in a house that was huge and had been owned by some movie star or some president's brother or mistress at one point. Despite being a lot of house, too much for just the four of us, my father held on to it until Mary went away to university.
By then, I had my own apartment. There was something about coming back to live with my family after graduating that just didn’t agree with me. It was just him and Beth there. I don’t know why she’s never moved. Maybe she just doesn’t want him to live alone?
My apartment is-was a condo in one of those buildings where as you go up on floors you go up in costs.
They never set foot on my floor, let alone in my apartment, but Beth liked the location so they bought the finest condo in the building. I’m talking top floor, roof-top pool, 360 degree views and conveniently, only three bedrooms, not including the servant’s room.  So, when they put that place on the market, they told the building manager that I would be leaving also, and of course the housing office assumed it was at the same time.
Apparently there's a rather long wait list to get into that building. Which means that I had two weeks to find a new, be it temporary, place and pack. I also had to pay a penalty for not giving proper notice.
The joys of renting.
(Smiles)
Luckily, I know the Musgroves.
Grover’s parents own a bunch of properties they rent; both commercial, and, most relevant, residential. They live at Uppercross Estates, which is this really nice community of buildings, both centrally located and affordable. They have their own house on the grounds, really old school, stone and brick. Something out of a Gothic novel.
All three of their kids live on the grounds, Lou Lou in the family house, and Rita and Grover in one of the apartment complexes; as does Mary who found her way there when she moved back after school.  Because that third bedroom at my family’s new place?  It’s a guest room.  And since I only had a one bedroom, she came here.
After finding out what happened with my place, Grover and his sisters insisted that I stay at Uppercross as they had the room.  One five minute call to their mother later, and I was set to stay as long as I needed.
It’s good to know good people.
It’s also good to not be homeless. So now I’m packing up my apartment, deciding what I want to keep with me, donate, or put into storage. All of a sudden I have more stuff than I remembered ever having. Four years living there, and I had no idea how much I was bringing in. I think gremlins are sneaking in and unpacking things while I sleep. Only explanation.

JUMP CUT.

Anne is sitting closer to the camera, her expression sombre.

ANNE (cont.)
Oh, and some bad news. There’s been a casualty. My cactus didn’t make it. I broke it last night while moving boxes. I had a moment of silence.

JUMP CUT.

Back on task, Anne glances away from the camera.

She is silent a moment, basking in the stillness around her. Relaxing for the first time in days.

ANNE (cont.)
It’s strange, packing up one’s life. The furniture, the pictures, the clothing, the things that have become synonymous with you... and it’s kind of freeing, sorting through everything, deciding what to let go of and what to hang onto. If only we could do it that easily with other things, then the parts of our past that we choose to keep would mean a lot more than those we can’t forget.
(meeting the camera's eye)
Maybe moving isn't as bad as I've always thought. Maybe it's just the packing that sucks.

She pauses a moment, looking at the camera and...

END

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2014

Twitter

Beth: I hate early morning travel, so bad for the complexion.

Mary: I'm going to miss having my family nearby. It's hard being needed here. #resiliant

Chapter Text

MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Studio: “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” - Robert Frost

Beth: The fashion! The parties! How I have missed civilization.

Anne: I forgot how much I used to love drawing, I just wish I were better at it.

TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Conversations while packing (video link)

Mary: @Anne I was just in your apartment, why haven't you unpacked yet?
Anne: @Mary I've been staying at Adelaide's to combat the late nights. I'm unpacking tonight.
Mary: @Anne I should hope so. You don't want to seem ungrateful after all we've done for you. Going out of our way to give you a place to stay.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #14 - Adelaide
Anne
tagline: Spending time with Adelaide has always been a great consolation.

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - NIGHT

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her office. Her hair is tied back, and she's not wearing work clothes.  Her casual style has more colour, but is outdated.  It has obviously been a long time since she thought of herself and style in that way.  The LIGHTS ARE DIM and it's eerily quiet. The chaos that had cluttered the place is still there, only more neatly organized. Anne is looking worn out but accepting and at peace.

She looks around a moment before...

ANNE
This place is different at night. It's even more different now that almost everyone I’ve worked with, practically since I was a kid, is gone – in one way or another. A few of our employees are being brought into the Croft’s company. I'm glad we're leaving them in good hands.
There's only two weeks left to get the remaining offices cleared and cleaned and moved before they come in. We're getting there.  Everyone staying has been moving down near the production floor.  Everyone going west or finishing are leaving this week, and only mine and my mother’s office have yet to be touched.  Maintenance has been in and out for the past few days fixing and moving and doing all those things that have been neglected lately. Once we're gone, it'll be like we were never even here.
Overall, with the support of Mary and Grover - mostly Grover - we’re doing well; although Mary is feeling like her world is misaligned and Grover asks me every day when I’m done here so I can focus entirely on Production and Development.  So, here I am at the office, late, yet again. I haven’t even been to Uppercross since I moved.
But, I confess that I’m actually enjoying myself more than I thought I would.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

‘Ep. 14 – Adelaide’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
Now that everything is out in the open and we’re actually moving forward, everyone’s more relaxed. The air quality feels better. Though, that might have something to do with maintenance cleaning out the A/C vents.

CUT.

Anne shifts position, becoming more relaxed.

ANNE (cont.)
I’ve been lucky, the past few days I’ve gotten to spend a lot more time with Adelaide. Because I haven’t had the time to go to Uppercross, let alone unpack, I’ve spent the last couple nights with her. It was nice. She and I talked about things that... well, that we normally don’t talk about. Which I’m sure you are aware by now, is rather a lot.
I even asked her if she wanted to be in my videos.  Not surprisingly, she declined. She also said that she wasn’t going to watch them. She said she respected my privacy enough not to want to violate it. I don’t think she really understands how the internet works...
(long pause)
Then again, after our conversation this morning, she might understand more than I have given her credit for...

Anne smiles proudly at the camera, as though she is up to something.

INSERT
white screen with the handwritten words “Anne’s conversation aid - In pictures”

INT ANNES OFFICE - NIGHT cont.

Anne is still smiling, but a little guiltily. She knows she probably should explain things better to her audience before just jumping in.

ANNE
Remember how I said that I was trying to think of some way to portray conversations that happen off screen? Well this is what I came up with. Just remember that... while I used to dabble in drawing, I’m no artist. Nor have I had a lot of time to dedicate to this renewed venture as of late. I can only hope to improve.
Anyway, here it is. My conversation with Adelaide. In pictures.

INSERT

rough drawing (1) of two women sitting in an office, in black in white. One is sitting at a desk, the other on the floor near a box. There is no facial details on either. One is wearing the same style clothing as Anne is wearing in the video. The other, looks older and is sitting straighter. It is ADELAIDE RUSSELL

INSERT

drawing (2) a close up of Adelaide, with Anne, smaller in the distance, packing.

ANNE (V.O. as Adelaide)
You need your own space. A place to work through your feelings without the prying eyes of those whose opinions mean so much to you.

INSERT

drawing (3) close up of Anne, an eyebrow raised on an otherwise empty face.

ANNE (V.O.)
What feelings?

INSERT

drawing (2)

ANNE (V.O. as Adelaide)
You know what feelings I'm talking about. It isn’t also missing your mother or recent events to blame for your ‘low spirits’.  It’s also him. The directionless wanderer.
I saw how you reacted to his name, dear.  Eight years, I believe, should be long enough to have gained the perspective to be indifferent.

INSERT

drawing (4) which is the same as (3) only that instead of a raised eyebrow there is a frown.

ANNE (V.O)
It hasn’t felt that long. Besides, you lost Jess longer ago than that, and you haven’t dated since.

INSERT

drawing (2)

ANNE (V.O. as Adelaide)
That is different, Anne. I’m in my 50’s now and I was married...

INSERT

drawing (1)

Silence. INSERT CRICKET NOISE.

INSERT

drawing (2)

ANNE (V.O. as Adelaide)
I think it will be good for you to go to Victoria. You haven’t had a real social life since you started working here. You’re still young. You should go out and meet people.
(pause)
And Anne, I hope you know that I only ever did what I thought your mother would do in the same situation.

RETURN TO SCENE

Anne is looking away from the camera lens, thoughtful.

ANNE
Maybe she has a point, it was a long time ago, and I know that she meant well. But I hope she's wrong about what my mother would do. I’d like to think that she wanted me to be happy. Knowing what I know now about how my life is, where it's going, where I could have been... I wonder if I made the right choice... I have so many regrets...

Anne pauses, shrugging, perhaps knowing that dwelling on what she can't change won't help her. She looks back at the camera as...

END.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014

Twitter

Sophie: @Rick Will you be in town for your big premiere?
Rick: @Sophie Afraid not.  I still have things to finish up here. But soon.
Sophie: @Rick Just remember we're having a celebration when you arrive.
Rick: @Sophie Why am I picturing cocktails instead of keg stands? Growing up has changed you.
Sophie: @Rick Too bad it hasn't changed you more in kind. Perhaps you need to settle down first.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

Twitter

Rick: It feels good to be back! (video link)
NavyWaters: @Rick It's good to have you back!

NavyWaters: Now posted: 'For What it's Worth' and moving on (video link)

Harville: @Rick Just like falling off a (insert item of choice). Eh? The camera likes you.
Rick: @Harville At least something does.
Harville: @Rick Hey, it's not my fault that you're dog ugly in real life.
Rick: @Harville That's not what your mom says.
Harville: @Rick My mom’s favourite dog is a pug, she's not any judge of looks.

For What it’s Worth #1 - Moving on
Rick
tagline: First video in five years.   It feels good to be back!

INT WALL - DAY

RICK WENTWORTH is standing in front of a BRICK WALL. He is confident and just a little rough around the edges and at ease in front of the camera that he is looking directly at. He is dressed well, but nothing pretentious or overly fine. He is a man in the prime of his life and knows it. He has the passion and momentum of speaking similar to Rick Mercer’s rants, or a preacher giving a sermon. He is charismatic, and with a smile that is all charm, he says...

RICK
My first car was this old beater, holes in the floor, a gear that wouldn’t take, wind up windows, AM radios, broken AC and a muffler that was held up with duct tape. She wasn’t pretty but she was loyal. And she wouldn’t die. I had her for years, and it pained me when she didn’t pass her last inspection. I was twenty years old parting from my first love after four years.
We did everything together. My first date, took her in that car. First time getting to first base, and second... my first time, all there. Not all on that first date though I’m a gentleman.
(wink)
I left high school in that car. I started college in it. I spent more than one drunken night sleeping it off in the back seat.
That’s the thing about cars, they’re there for you. They support your decisions and they never let you down as long as you care for them. That’s where I learned about love and relationships. I think that’s where a lot of men learn about caring for something that in turn cares about you. We aren’t given dolls as children the way girls are.
We don’t babysit. We aren’t expected to look after younger siblings or cousins in the same way. We're just expected to not drown or lose them. I've never changed a diaper. I was never taught to cook. But, I was taught to look after my car.
The day I sold that car for scrap was a sad day. It was like having a funeral for a dear friend, and I still have the hood emblem as a key chain. I had to move on, as we all do, but I carry that piece of her around with me, forever. And every car that's come after? Was always compared to her. My first.
It’s the way of things. It happens for everyone. And not just with cars. But with houses, friends, sex, love...
It’s been five years since I’ve made a video. I’ve checked and the old ones are long gone, deleted in a drunken rage. That being said, if anyone has copies or links, please send them my way, I’d like to see with clear eyes the pain I carried around back then.
I started those vlogs as a way to deal with growing up - to deal with not having a career or a direction, with having a broken heart. For three years I updated every week until it got to be too much. Until I had to let go because I couldn’t carry it all around with me any more.
I had forgotten the lesson I learned with that first car. Instead of carrying just the emblem of the past, I was trying to lug around the whole damn thing.
Now that I've remembered, I’m back. I’ve let go. I’ve moved on. I’m ready to start back at one of the things I love. Talking to people about things that are important to me. Like friendship and love and women and ambition and moving on and letting go. Because, for what it’s worth, sometimes you have to let go and move on in order to get back to those things you love and left behind.

JUMP TO BLACK.
END.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Hindsight... better in books. (video link)

Hayter: @Rita when do I get to see you next?
Rita: @Hayter You JUST saw me. You are such a softy.
Hayter: @Rita I'm just a man catching up on lost time with the woman he loves.
Louisa: @Rita @Hayter GET A ROOM! You are making the internet sick with your mutual adorableness.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #15 - Hindsight
Anne
tagline: You know what they say about hindsight... it’s a bitch (or 20).

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE - NIGHT

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her office. Her hair is down, and she is again not wearing work clothes. The LIGHTS ARE DIM. She is tired and upset.

ANNE
After my last video, despite all the other things deserving of my time, I've given a lot of thought to what Adelaide and I talked about. And I think it’s all about hindsight. In the case of... certain events the advice offered, as all advice given in such cases, can only be thought good or bad based upon its outcome. I know that she meant well. But I can’t help but confess - I think my mother would have wanted more for me than that.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 15 – Hindsight’
RETURN TO SCENE

Anne is opening up about a topic that she had historically never really discussed before. She has trouble making eye contact with the camera lens and finding the right words. She consciously takes a moment, making sure she's picking the proper words. The cuts here are used to ground the original emotion and to reset it. They're ways for Anne to get her point across without worrying about the rest of the topic overwhelming her.

ANNE (cont.)
Today I had to do one of the most difficult things I think I’ve ever had to do.
I cleaned out my mother’s office. It was hard, harder than I think I expected after all this time.  I’ve spent a lot of time there since she died, mostly alone. Whenever the world got to be too much, I would go in and just pretend I was waiting for her to finish in a meeting, or to come back from talking my father down from some new idea.  It was my safe space.
She used to have me pencilled in for an appointment everyday after school for us to talk about both of our days and plans for the weekend or holidays. Those are the moments I think about when I think of family: sitting at a desk talking about now and the future. Without that connection, I’ve felt like there’s been something missing in my life. I suppose in some way, no matter how old we get, we all still need our mothers sometimes.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
And while I have visited her office before, just sitting and remembering and waiting, today was the first time touching and looking and reading. And the woman I knew? Was just seen through the eyes of a hero-worshipping kid. The woman it seems she really was? Was someone a lot more real and like myself than I ever imagined possible.

CUT.

Anne is looking down, not able to look at the camera as she makes this confession. Her hands are gripping the edges of her seat. This is hard for her to admit. But if you can't be honest and open to your own blog, where can you?

ANNE (cont.)
My mother was depressed. And although now a-days it’s something more okay to talk about and admit to, back then? For her?
She hid it. Probably from all of us, even my father. There were receipts for antidepressants, appointments at “specialists” and more than one journal where she confessed all her darkest feelings and moments. So the mother I knew? She was only skin deep.

CUT.

Anne is sitting, silent, face calm but sad, looking down.  She wipes her cheek and take a shaky breath.

CUT.

Anne is looking frame left. Inhales deeply and looks back at the camera with an expression that shows her very soul.

ANNE (cont.)
I can see myself in that future. Already, I think I understand what Adelaide meant when she said I was like my mom. And while I admit that I’m not the only one in my family not happy or well adjusted, I think I am the one who's most likely to do what she did – suffer alone. Get help alone.
But... already, I think I’m doing something that she never did.

Anne shifts, trying to put a positive spin on what she's learned about her mother, and what that means for her.

ANNE (cont.)
I’m aware. And I’ve made at least one decision in my life to control where it’s going. Even if it wasn’t an epic decision to make, I still made it, and I know that I’m better off for not letting my family tell me that it was something that I should settle for...
That being said? I should probably do that more. I love my mom and it breaks my heart to think that she might be hurting because she’s watching me make the same mistakes she did.

CUT.

She is more relaxed, smiling as she thinks of other things.

ANNE (cont.)
That’s not all I found, though. I found a box of old keepsakes that Beth was surprised to not find in the house when it was sold. Nothing expensive or valuable, but mementos of our childhood, including one of the only family portraits that has all five of us in it. I think I’m going to make copies and give it to everyone, as remembrance – not of what we lost, but of what we had. We were lucky to have mom.
More and more I see all the things that she did for us without bringing attention to it. I see all the things that she was good at without flaunting or showing off. To us, she was perfect. Maybe it was the trying to be perfect that killed her?

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
I’ve been looking at her day-planner, and every moment is filled with something. I don’t think she had a vacation in her last two years. We had a couple long weekends but those were when my father had to travel for work. Mom went with him and brought us along. So, not only did she have to deal with three children, but also keep my father in check and on task in a way where he didn’t realize what she was doing.
It must of have been exhausting.
My mother was a strong woman that I’ve always looked up to and tried to emulate any way I could; by taking care of Mary, by trying to coax Beth into having some sense, by doing whatever I could to keep my father trying and the company succeeding all without stepping in the limelight that she hated... because I hated it, too.
(pause)
But I can’t be like her. It killed her, and made her life not as fulfilled or happy as she deserved. And for the first time in my life I don’t want to end up like her. And I’m not sure what to do to stop it.

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
Hindsight is a truly masochistic tendency that causes us to look back at the things that are finished and can’t change and wonder how we might have affected the present by doing things differently. Like watching a movie over and over while hoping for an alternate ending.
But, if I could have done something differently, it would have been to tell her that it was okay. That she didn’t need to try so hard. That she wasn’t alone.

CUT.

Anne is looking off, not focusing on the camera.

ANNE (cont.)
I guess the only good thing about hindsight is that it’s not just about looking back. Done right, hindsight makes you recognize the mistakes of the past, the pains that it caused your present, and can actually give hope that, for the future, you won’t make those same mistakes again.
(pause)
I owe that to mom. To try not to make her mistakes. I guess I also owe it to myself as well.

Anne finally smiling at the camera, perhaps feeling like things will be alright. Standing, she REACHES to turn the camera off.

END.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2014

Twitter

Mary: Bored and abandoned by both family and friends.
Anne: @Mary One more week, Mary, and then we can spend quality time together.
Grover: @Mary You know that you could always ask us to hang out instead of just complain.
Mary: @Grover People should WANT to see ME
Grover: @Mary I'll be over once I finish this level.
Mary: @Grover :)
Mary: All is right with the world.

Beth: @Anne You're taking care of the newsletter for Monday, right?
Anne: @Beth … sure? I thought you wanted to do them.
Beth: @Anne I have been too busy with settling into the new office and condo... wait until you see the condo.
Anne: @Beth Can't wait!  But, I'm a little busy right now for the newsletter.
Beth: @Anne Multi-task. I'm sending you the script now.

Beth: @Penny Ready for the gallery tonight?
Penny: @Beth Looking forward to it. Are you 'dragging' your father out to it?
Beth: @Penny Of course I am! We both agreed that he needs to get out more.

Chapter Text

MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Studio: Looking to the future, one posting at a time (video link)

Rick: @Sophie : You missed our call yesterday. Found a new business partner already?
Sophie: @Rick : My apologies. We got distracted while touring Kellynch Building.
Rick: @Sophie : Admiring the architecture?
Sophie: @Rick : No, we met the nicest young woman. Sort of classically pretty, too.
Rick: @Sophie : Sophie... you don't have any match making plans, I hope.
Sophie: @Rick : No, I promise. She's probably not your type.

Baronetcy Publishing Newsletter # 4- Job Openings
Anne
tagline: Looking to the future, one job opening at a time.

INT ALT OFFICE 1 - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in the office that is mostly packed up.   All that remains is a now EMPTY PLANT POT ON A STACK OF BOXES and the plaque.   She smiles at the camera welcoming.

ANNE
Hello everyone, and welcome to this, Baronetcy Publishing' fourth virtual newsletter updating you about the goings on of the company.
The move is nearing its completion. I have heard that the new central office is unpacked and the staff is starting to find their groove again after the chaos that is introducing two well oiled machines into one hybrid. We thank you for your diligence and patience during this time.
Here in the historic Kellynch building we are undergoing still more changes as we welcome new neighbours into our doors. We look forward to a long and eager working relationship alongside Navy Water Productions.
Finally, there are yet more changes awaiting on the horizon. As my sister mentioned in the last newsletter, we have created a new department: Production and Development.  Once the department’s director position details are ironed out, we will be opening it up to internal and external applicants.
The position will be upper-management and will require working closely with HR, Marketing, Accounting and the CEO, himself. As it will include the management of multiple divisions and liaising across both sites, it will require travel, time management skills, and of course, an understanding and interest in the development of new projects from the conception phase through to completion.
This is just one of the new career opportunities that Baronetcy Publishing will be offering to employees. So, if you have any interest in this position or others, please contact your supervisor, HR or our website for more information, application dates and position descriptions.
Thank you and until next time, create happy.

END.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Twitter

Anne: A time out for a good love story. (video link)

Mary: What are the symptoms for scurvy?
Grover: @Mary You do not have scurvy.
Mary: @Grover How do you know? Have you ever had scurvy?
Grover: @Mary No. Because I am NOT a pirate. Nor are you. That's how I know. Go to a movie. Read a book. Build a boat.
Mary: @Grover You are so mean.  It is really uncalled for.  I don't know why I put up with it.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #16 - Love Story
Anne
tagline: Because who doesn't love a good love story?

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her office. The chaos of papers have been put into BOXES behind her and she is looking better rested than in the previous videos. Her personal touches to the office remain.

ANNE
Hey everyone, I’m really sorry about the last couple videos. I think it was caused by a combination of stress, high emotions, caffeine and late night filming. Obviously, never a good cocktail.
Luckily, I have something a little different for you today. No real angst or drama or depressing looking back at things I can't change…
(surprised)
I know! Like I said, something different, although to be fair, before two months ago, there was very little drama in my life. Maybe drama is attracted to the camera?
(shrugging)
Anyway, this weekend something happened and I might have actually made a new friend... well someone whom I met that I hope would consider me a friend at some point in the future. And it is someone – two someones – whom I had honestly been trying to avoid meeting. Sophie and George Croft, the owners of Navy Water Productions, the company that is renting office space here, in the same building which houses... the company that still shall not be named.

CUT.

An aside. Anne is looking to FRAME LEFT. This is more of a personal memo for herself that she left in during the editing process.

ANNE (cont.)
I really have to talk to legal again, about not being able to mention the company by name, even though I can say the building name and talk about things. It feels ridiculous and I’m starting to feel like I’m in Harry Potter.
(pause. To camera)
And I don’t even really like Harry Potter. Grover always said it's because I’d end up in Hufflepuff. He's probably not wrong.  Although I never really got into Harry Potter.

CUT.

RESET CUT. Anne is back on task once more, looking the camera in the eye.

ANNE (cont.)
So, this weekend the Crofts were here for an inspection. They start moving in next Monday and wanted to make sure maintenance was complete before they brought the staff in. So, they were here looking around and as I was also here, working on the newsletter and catching up on stuff...
(pause, realizing no one would really want the details)
…that no one watching really cares about. I'm starting to understand that people like watching the angst and the drama and the possible love connections over work-related topics…
To each their own, I guess.

CUT.

TANGENT CUT. Anne is really having trouble staying on task. It's like she's an excited puppy.

ANNE (cont.)
I guess no one really likes the details. Like when Grover tweets about what he had for breakfast.
(reminded of something)
I've had a few people ask me about Grover. Which I find a little strange. I mean, it's Grover. He's like the family I actually want to hang out with.

CUT.

RESETTING! Again Anne is trying to get back to the point of her story. She's still working on being a good narrator. She’s a work in progress.

ANNE (cont.)
(to camera)
Anyway, our paths crossed and we were all surprised to find anyone else here on a Sunday.  After an awkward greeting and realizing they had very little idea of who I am, thankfully, talking to them became easy. They stayed for an hour and we all wished that they didn't have to leave when they did. We even made tentative plans to do lunch sometime.
And, I will confess, that as guilty as it makes me feel, I really like Sophie Croft.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 16 – Love Story’
RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
(with a far off expression)
I was always told that I would. Get along with Sophie, I mean.

Anne pauses, knowing that she will have to touch on potentially sensitive topics, before she begins again.

ANNE (cont.)
I used to know her brother, a really time ago. He spent a summer here just after university, and we... met then. He was his sister's biggest fan.
(with fond remembrance)
The way he would talk about her made me want to love her too. And meeting her, even after so much time, I can’t think of many people who wouldn’t like her. She’s so full of life and ambition and bravery and so many stories of adventures that I would long to have. She has lived in a way that I am truly jealous of. And despite the age difference and only being half siblings, I can see a lot of her brother in her...
(clears throat)
While we were talking, I brought up my curiosity about how they came up with the name for the company – Navy Waters. She said it was a tribute to her former career as a part of the military, and where she met the ‘Admiral’ - as she calls her husband, even though he was only ever a Captain's rank. They were in the navy at the same time but never met until she was visiting the boat - or ship? - that he was stationed on... I don’t really understand the difference.

CUT

Anne is smiling fondly while telling the story.   Maybe with a tinge of envy and regret.

ANNE (cont.)
It was love at first sight. She was assigned to his ship for a war game, something about monitoring something. He was the first officer and she said that as soon as she saw him checking out her rank, she knew. She knew that this was the man that she was going to spend her life with. Every moment they could spend together they would and when they completed the assignment, a whole three weeks after meeting, they pulled into port at some out of the way region of the south pacific and they got married. Just like that.
And even now, fifteen years later, they still seem as in love as they were on their wedding day. I've hardly seen two people with a better understanding of each others characters and thoughts and ideas and minds... They even finish each others sentences in a way that is completely not annoying. It's a testament of true love. And they were married after only three weeks.
(thoughtful, envious pause)
Sophie says that this is the way everyone should do it. Follow your heart and your gut and leave your head out of it. Heads are the reasons divorce happens, you think too much before jumping. She says that if you thought about the river too much before diving in, no one would ever go swimming.
She says that her friends and most of her family were against it. They tried to talk her out of it, tell her to wait because she had all the time in the world. She says that only her brother was behind her; and I don't doubt it. He was as willing to dive into situations as she was when I knew him. But she held fast against their arguments and attempts of persuasion and she says that it was the best decision that she ever made, no matter the choppy seas that awaited her.
(smiling)
She says that women like weathering storms... especially when you have someone weathering them with you. Why wait to start living the life you know in your soul is the one you're meant to live?
I asked her if she'd been afraid. She said that she'd been terrified. But that was how she knew it was right. Because it wasn't a fear of doing it, it was the fear of missing out.
A few years ago the Admiral retired. Sophie, wanting to be closer to him, resigned also and they decided to try something new. How they decided to come into this industry is beyond me. I think it's also beyond them as well. But when I asked, she just laughed, waved it off and said that it's all a part of the greatest adventure.

Anne looks wistfully at the camera. It is the look of someone who knew first hand the love that she saw in the other couple, but let it get away instead of holding strong against the arguments of those around her.

CUT.

RESET. Anne is again all business, her own feelings set aside as she pushes on with her topic.

ANNE (cont.)
Navy Waters is a production company, of sorts. From what I understand that they support charitable organizations, those who try to better the world but have to rely on generous donations to do it.  They do good work, and after meeting them, I can see why they would.  
Sophie says that since their own dreams have come true, it was their job to make sure they came true for others as well.

The smile Anne wore falls away into contemplation.

ANNE (cont.)
This meeting was nice, but I feel equal parts guilty and bittersweet about it. I knew her brother what seems a lifetime ago.  But I haven't seen or heard from him in a long time. To meet her now after so long estranged and knowing that he probably wouldn't want me meeting her now... especially since, had things been different, she and I could have... I could have... stop!
(shakes head)
Sorry. I guess it’s just easier to look backwards when that is where the best parts of your life lie.
(pause)
I really do like Sophie. And I wish I were a little more like her. Her’s is truly a love story worth sharing. I suppose that those with a happy ending always are.
It's too bad there aren't more.

END.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Twitter

Louisa: @Rita Hey, there is a german-looking envelope here for you.
Rita: @Louisa How does an envelope look German?
Louisa: @Rita Well, the germany postage stamp kind of gave it away.
Rita: @Louisa You're a regular Sherlock.
Louisa: @Rita Just because you have an university education doesn't make you smarter than me!

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Twitter

Anne now follows NavyWaters

Anne: In the past two weeks I've moved my entire life. Last box today.
Grover: @Anne At least until you return to the central office in a few months.
Anne: @Grover Well thank you for that reminder.
Grover: @Anne It's what friends are for.
Anne: @Grover Killjoy.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Yet another surprise! (video link)

NavyWaters: New offices are ready. Now all we need is Monday, new staff and vacant partners for the real work to begin.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #17 – End of a Chapter
Anne, Mary, Grover
tagline: Have I mentioned that I don't do well with surprises?

INT. ANNE’S OFFICE 1 - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her office, the walls are blank and the FILING CABINET DRAWERS ARE OPEN and empty. The BOXES behind her are packed and labelled. She is dressed in black. She looks conflicted with emotions.

ANNE
Well, this is it. Everything is finished being moved. Everything but me and this office which will be done in a matter of minutes - as soon as Grover and Mary come by to help me with the last of the boxes. I have a temporary office on the production floor, which is probably the noisiest floor in the building... there is a reason Mary says it’s where all the action is. So, needless to say, I haven’t figured out what I’m doing with these videos and where I'm going to shoot them now.
(pause)
I guess there's always a storage closet?

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
The roof?

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
Or the locker room? … Probably have the least amount of people considering the number of employees who didn’t even know that the building has a gym...

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
You know what? I’ll figure it out.

CUT

RESET. Anne is having a moment of silence, as she looks around the room with a sad expression.

ANNE (cont.)
I feel like I should be better prepared for this, to say goodbye to everything. But I’ve never dealt well with endings, they never quite live up to expectations. And the times they do, never seems to be in the good way.
(Pause)
Well, gentle viewers, I have to confess that this video is pretty much just going to be just filler.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 17 – End of a Chapter’
RETURN TO SCENE

CUE KNOCK ON THE DOOR. ENTER GROVER and MARY ELLIOT.

Grover's mood reflects Anne's. He appears sombre, more for her sake, than probably his own. Mary, on the other hand, seems preoccupied with her own emotional state as she sits beside Anne.

GROVER
One last video before the move?

ANNE
More like wasting time until you two showed up. I’ll turn it off and help with the boxes.

Anne moves to stand, but Grover eagerly encourages her to remain where she is.

GROVER
Don't worry about it! There aren’t many. You two just sit and stay here... filming, talking about sister stuff, important sister stuff, and I’ll take care of it.

Grover exchanges a loaded, prodding, look with Mary who seems reluctant to comply with whatever request Grover made of her before they came into Anne's office.

Anne looks between them, knowing something is going on, as she says...

ANNE
You sure?

GROVER
(picking up box)
Yeah. Mom’s always saying I don’t get enough exercise.

He gives Mary a final look as he EXITS the room.

Anne watches him go, fighting between confusion and amusement, before focusing on Mary who sits with an uncomfortable expression.

ANNE
(glancing at the camera)
Mary, is everything alright?

MARY
(rushed)
Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t it be?

ANNE
No reason. It’s just, right now, you’re giving me flashbacks to when you were a kid and knew you were about to get into trouble for something.

MARY
Well, I didn’t do anything wrong.

ANNE
Well... that’s good. So... what's new?

Mary’s expression brightens.

MARY
We’ve been invited to a party.

ANNE
'We' as in?

MARY
The new Production department, and my heritage department, of course. Haven’t you checked your email?

CUT

Anne has her PHONE out, searching for said email.

Mary has an expression of surprised embarrassment. She shakes her head as...

MARY
Really, I don’t understand your priorities sometimes.

ANNE
Ah, here it is.
(paraphrasing the email)
Navy waters is having a welcome back celebration in the honour of their media partner...
(falters)
Frederick Wentworth on the... oh.

Anne’s phone sags and she stares into the distance. Mary doesn’t seem to notice. Or care.

MARY
I haven’t seen anything of him, but I’ve heard a lot from the girls in the office. Apparently he used to have a friend who worked for us years ago, but I know nothing of it.

ANNE
(trying to regain composure, still looking at her phone)
It was an internship, I think.  Y-you were at summer camp.

MARY
(surprised)
So you met him?

Anne takes a deep breath and, finally setting her phone aside, nods. She is still distracted by the knowledge that 'he' would really be there. In the same place as she was, after so much time.

ANNE
Yes.
(shakes head)
It was years ago. But yes...
(to camera)
... we’ve met.

MARY
What’s he like? Why haven’t you ever told me?

ANNE
About someone that you’ve never heard of before? Who didn't even work here? Someone that I didn’t believe would ever come back here again...

ENTER Grover

MARY
(to Grover)
Anne’s met Rick Wentworth!

Grover sits beside Mary, curious to hear more about the other man.

GROVER
She has? What's he like?

ANNE
(embarrassed)
It was a long time ago. It’s not... It’s not worth mentioning.

GROVER
You know, I'm really looking forward to meeting him. I’ve seen his video.

ANNE
(uncomfortable, she’s totally watched all his old videos)
Yes, I believe he used to have a video blog years ago, before they became popular.

GROVER
Those seem to have disappeared, surprising considering the nature of the internet. He has a new blog now. First video posted last week. Seems an interesting guy.
(looks between them)
So, is that all you two have been talking about?

MARY
Yes, what else would we have to talk about?

Grover nudges Mary who shoots him a look telling him to stop. Anne is not looking at them, she's lost in her own little world.

GROVER
(noticing her expression)
Anne? Are you alright?

ANNE
(distracted)
Wha..? Oh, yes, I’m fine.

MARY
Probably just the move. I know that it makes me sad to think about leaving this place, even if I’ve just moved one floor down.
I think there’s less light down there.
I’ve been meaning to ask, Anne, do you mind if we switch offices? The one given to you has a better Southern exposure than mine does and you know how sensitive I am to the lack of vitamin D.

Grover, marvelling at how Mary's mind works, stands. His movement finally catches Anne's attention.

GROVER
I’m going to take another box now, and leave you two...

Anne quickly stands, almost as though she's been burnt. She needs to be doing something. Something that isn't thinking.

ANNE
(eager)
I’ll help.

GROVER
(exchanging worried look with Mary)
You sure you’re alright?

Jaw tight, Anne reaches for the camera, CLOSE UP on her face as...

ANNE
Of course. Like Mary said, it’s just the move.

END.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014

Twitter

Anne: First day off in weeks. Oh, to read a book again.

Hayter: @Rita Hey, you ok? I haven't heard from you in a couple days
Rita: @Hayter Yeah, sorry; I just have things on my mind, I guess.

Chapter Text

MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Publishing: Remember to 'Create Happy' in all that you do.

Penny: @Beth I see that you're on the VIP list for the launch of the new, exclusive, gallery opening.
Beth: @Penny As I have said before, 'One is not important until one is important in Victoria.'
Penny: @Beth Well, then let me just say that I can think of few people who are more important than the Elliots!

Anne: Now on Tumblr. There is so much more in the world than I had previously thought possible.
Louisa: @Anne You are welcome ;)
Grover: @Anne Welcome to time wasting 101 – the true meaning of the Internet.
Anne: @Grover It's no longer just for porn?
Grover: @Anne No, because people need something to do at work. And I.T. dislikes when you try to view porn on the servers.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Working at home... attempts: 1. Failure: 1. Lessons learned: 0 @Louisa (video link)

Mary: @Grover Why aren't you answering your phone?
Mary: @Grover Or your door? I know you're home. I can hear you playing games.
Mary: @Grover ...Why are you ignoring me?
Grover: @Mary You know why.
Mary: @Grover Why do I have to do it?
Grover: @Mary You know that too.
Mary: @Grover You are so cruel. 
Mary: @Grover You know that I'm not good with stress.
Mary: @Grover ...Grover?
Mary: @Grover :(

Mary: @Grover Alright, I'll do it. Soon.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #18 - Uppercross
Anne
tagline: Who said working from home was easy? They lied.

INT - ANNE’S APT - DAY

The apartment is clean and crisp, just needing to feel more lived in to be cozy.   The walls have generic art work on them, almost something out of a magazine.   In the audience's back right of the frame, appearing from a small hall or entrance way, there is a door leading out into the apartment building’s hall.

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in frame, looking relaxed in casual attire.

ANNE
Hello from Uppercross! To those of you who thought I lived at the office... not anymore! At least for now, which is nice. I was right and the Production floor is far too busy for filming. So, I decided to actually take a weekend off and get my life here in order, while catching up on a few things that I don't have to be in the office for.
And, as this is the weekend, I actually tried to sleep in this morning, which never happens. Granted sleeping in meant waking up at eight. To Grover raiding my fridge. Then at 8:12 to Mary going through my closet for a sweater because none of hers were warm enough to fight the chill she felt.
(pause)
I never realized before now much time I spent by myself until there were people constantly around. Always. I also didn’t realize how little privacy I've gotten used to having until I found Louisa and Rita going through my hair and skin-care products with judgement faces and it didn't really phase me.
I think that's a warning sign of... something. Like, needing better locks.  Or friends without access to a master key.

CUT.

TANGENT CUT. Anne is getting caught up in the train her thoughts are speeding off on.

ANNE (cont.)
And according to the sisters Musgrove, as they are that helpful, I’m going to look forty before I hit thirty-five. Which reminds me of my father, who, on my last birthday, gave me a coupon for botox and called me haggard.
This is probably why I dislike birthdays.
I’d say I’m sure he meant it in a good way, but I really don’t know how that’s possible.
(pause, thinking and hoping)
But, maybe the girls were just trying to help?

CUT.

RESET CUT. Anne is again on task, her posture similar to that of before her tangent.

ANNE (cont.)
So, as I mentioned, I'm filming this on a Sunday, my first actual Sunday away from the office in months. And although I can’t do something crazy like take the entire weekend off, I decided to try something new – and work from home.
(sigh)
I miss my old office. My new one is small and not very well lit...

Anne pauses, glances guiltily at the camera as though she knows that it knows what she didn't want to admit to.

BEAT.

She gives in and...

ANNE (cont.)
Yes I did switch with Mary. Don't judge me. It was easier than fighting... Which is usually how she gets her own way...
(with realization)
Wow, I really am part of the problem.

CUT.

RESET. Come on, Anne, stay focused. She is discovering that it really isn't easy working from home.

ANNE (cont.)
...so with the office and now being the only management really left on site and therefore constantly having people coming in, I don’t think it would be very conducive to filming. Also? Navy Waters has been in and out of the building constantly with the moving and unpacking. And Adelaide left on Friday, so she's now in Victoria with the rest of pretty much everyone else.
(pause, frowning)
And all of this is really just an excuse to stay away from there because I confess that I'm a coward and I am avoiding any unnecessary chance of running into 'him'.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 18 – Uppercross’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
Now, before you start with the frowns and the judging, because I really am getting enough of it in the mirror - it's not for my benefit alone that I'm doing this. 
(pause)
I've seen his new video and despite his words of moving on, there isn't forgiveness in his tone, not that I blame him. Some things aren't meant to be forgiven. And after seeing his twitter... to which, in this instance at least, I might actually be thankful for people putting private conversations in the public eye as it allowed me to see that this place - that building - is just as haunted for him as it is for me...

CUT.

TANGENT CUT. Anne points at the camera, taking her own self-judgement out on the audience.

ANNE (cont.)
And no! I'm not stalking his twitter. I just... did some research. I had to know what I was going to come face to face with if I saw him again. I needed to know...
(growing more and more panicked)
Is he married?
Does he have kids?
Is he happy?
Has he been horribly disfigured in a freak accident?
Has he started to go bald?

CUT.

RESET. Anne is breathing slowly, calming herself.

BEAT, and then...

ANNE (cont.)
To the last two I can answer no. The first two however... his family and social media hasn't provided me many answers. And I refuse to cross that creepy social media stalker line that I'm already dangerously close to crossing.
(getting an idea)
Maybe I should ask Mary? She likes doing those creepy internet things.

CUE KNOCKING on DOOR.

Anne turns towards it as...

ANNE (cont.)
It’s open.

ENTER LOUISA MUSGROVE, youngest Musgrove sibling and ‘free spirit’. She is young and comparatively care free. She looks as though she has never faced a real problem in her life. She is dressed in basics, a white button-up blouse and black pants, standard wait staff uniform at any restaurant, but it looks out of place on her. She lives in a world of colour.

Without being invited, she comes in and sits beside Anne. As she does this she says...

LOUISA
Hey, am I interrupting?

ANNE
No, come on in, as long as you don’t mind being on my videos...
(pause, glancing between Louisa and the camera)
...or is that why you came?

Louisa is almost posing before the camera, but is trying to appear natural as she does so.

LOUISA
Mom always said I should go into movies.

ANNE
(in a 'big sister' tone)
Well, at least I know that you aren’t here to go through more of my things.

LOUISA
(smiling)
Sorry about that. But we were bored and we worry about you. You deserve the best of everything, and you are never going to get laid dressed like you died in the 1800’s. We've talked about it and it's agreed: Rita and I are going to give you a make over.

ANNE
(uncomfortable, looking for an out)
I don’t see how you’re going to have the time with how much you work.

LOUISA
Oh don’t worry about that, I have loads of free time now.
(looking around)
I just quit. I mean, come on, you didn’t expect me to be a waitress forever did you?

ANNE
Lou Lou, you need to be serious, just a little bit. You can’t frivol away your life between jobs forever.

Louisa notices a SKETCHBOOK out of frame and picks it up, trying to distract herself from the seriousness of the conversation. She doesn't like serious topics.

LOUISA
I know that. I just don’t know what I want to excel at, yet. Did you know at twenty what you wanted with your life?

Louisa opens the sketchbook and starts flipping through it.

ANNE
(casting a glance to the camera)
I suppose I didn’t really have a choice. Family business, and all that.

LOUISA
(glancing up from the sketchbook)
Hey these are pretty good. I didn’t know you could draw.

The praise makes Anne uncomfortable. She takes the sketchbook from Louisa, setting it out of frame again as...

ANNE
It's something that I used to enjoy and just started again. I'm pretty rusty.

LOUISA
You should post them on Tumblr.

ANNE
(looking back to Louisa)
What’s tumblr?

Louisa can't believe what she's heard. How could somebody this day and age, not know what tumblr was?

Anne looks between Louisa and the camera, not understanding.

LOUISA
Seriously?

BEAT.

When Anne doesn't deny it, Louisa stands, pulling Anne to her feet as she says...

LOUISA (cont.)
Oh, this is so wrong. See, this is why you need me.
(reaching for the camera)
You are so getting educated.

END.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

Twitter

Louisa: Job hunt #17 commences. What haven't I tried yet?
Grover: @Louisa A career?
Rita: @Louisa Rodeo clown?
Hayter: @Louisa @Rita mime?
Rita: @Louisa @Hayter Nope, she already tried street performing, remember?
Grover: @Louia @Hayter @Rita Plus she's never been good at shutting up.
Louisa: @Grover Sorry, not all of us has mastered the silent treatment.

Anne: Wow, sat down to check tumblr for an hour and the next thing I know it's almost midnight. This is worse than cat and fail videos combined.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

Twitter

Rick: Love and marriage. It's one or the other these days. (video link)

NavyWaters: He's back and still bitter: Rick Wentworth's looking for a Foolish Match in For What It's Worth (video link)

Sophie: @Rick Was that really necessary?
Rick: @Sophie What?
Sophie: @Rick Even across the internet I can feel you trying to give me the innocent act.
Rick: @Sophie Are you buying it?
Sophie: @Rick Among other things? Not at all. I know you want more than what that video shows.
Rick: @Sophie There is a difference between want and expect. Not everyone can expect to be as lucky in love as you were.
Sophie: @Rick You could at least try.

Anne: Wow... just... wow. New video tomorrow...

For What it’s Worth #2 – Foolish Match
Rick
tagline: When it comes to women, is there really any other kind?

INT WALL - DAY

RICK WENTWORTH is again standing in front of a brick wall. He is dressed casually but well. He thrives before an audience. He could have been a cult leader in another life. As soon as the camera turns on, he jumps right into his topic of the day, growing more and more bitter and impassioned as the rant goes on. For someone who claims to be over the hurt of the past, he does a good job of acting like someone who still has a broken heart.

RICK
I have an older sister. And she is happily married. And like all happily married women, she wants to see all the single people in her life equally happy in love and life. And I'm sure that it’s likewise true that most married men want to see their single friends married too, but I have always supposed it was to share in their misery.
Not that I think that marriage has to equal misery, in fact at one point in time I thought that I would do quite well in marriage and be quite happy at it as well. But that was in my idealistic youth, and time, with help from women and circumstance, has shown me that I was a fool.
Anyone who remembers my old videos know that I spent enough time lamenting that fact. I probably spent more time than most men in their twenties thinking about the pros and cons of the wedding noose.
And yet here I am, older, wiser, less shackled to the ideals of those days, and I’m finally ready to give it another go. I’m ready to make a foolish match. I really don’t think I’m going to find any other kind.
(ticking things off on his fingers)
I didn’t come from money.
I didn’t come from society.
I’m a poor, former frat boy, who built himself up from nothing.
Who am I to expect anything of substance in a woman?
A few compliments to boost the ego - for my videos and charitable causes of course; some smiles and beauty, smarts wouldn’t hurt... but no wisdom, because who am I kidding? Most women aren’t wise. At least no woman who would love a guy like me.
No, the only thing I require, the only thing that is a must, is a strong sense of self. None of that people-pleasing shit that women still seem to be puffed up about. She has to know her mind. She has to be firm. A people-pleaser switches her mind so often that it’s hard to know where she stands or what she wants or what she actually thinks.
Do women like that have thoughts of her own? Would she have opinions of her own that aren’t put there by other people who just want her there for their own egos to be stroked? 
I don't know, I'm just a guy. All I do know is that you can’t trust a woman like that.
She might say she loves you and ‘til death do you part’ and then the next week you find her throwing your things out of the apartment window yelling how she wants a divorce all because her friends tell her that you must not love her - you spent a Friday night with the boys instead of her.
So guys, although they might put up more of a fight, and not put up with your smelly socks, find a girl with a mind of her own. A mind that can stay made. A mind that isn’t prone to change. Women are said to be work horses after all, you might as well find one as stubborn as a mule.
And ladies, if this sounds like you, I’m here. Yours for the asking.... For what it’s worth.

JUMP TO BLACK.
END.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014

Twitter

Anne: And the world doesn't understand that I don't do well with surprises @Grover @Rita @Louisa @Mary (video link)

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #19 – Surprise...
Anne, Louisa, Rita, Mary, Grover
tagline: Things I was expecting? Not that.

INT - ANNE’S APT - DAY

The apartment is still clean and crisp, but also starting to feel lived in. The generic art has been removed and there is A COUPLE PIECES OF ART that could be Anne’s, framed drawings in black and white.

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in frame, looking relaxed in casual attire, her hair done in a way that is bordering on stylish.

ANNE
Hello everyone and welcome back to Uppercross. Things have been going smoothly at the company that shall not be named. And yes, I still can't say the name. I should say that it's going as smoothly as they can be anyway. I think we’re starting to find our pacing and I’m finally figuring out what everyone does so that I can figure out what I'm supposed to do. Which has been an okay kind of stressful.
And it’s been nice, coming here, to Uppercross. Even though everyone has their own apartments and space, it’s surprising how little front doors mean to anyone. It’s the price of family, I guess. My own rarely knocked and never listened so that doesn’t really bother me... but this is different. It’s- it’s closer to what I’ve realized I’ve been missing. It’s the family feeling that I haven’t known in a very long time. And I confess, despite how annoying it is at times having them come and go and tell me too much information... I feel jealous of the Musgroves.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 19 – Surprise!’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
So after Louisa introduced me to Tumblr I've pretty much became addicted and haven’t really paid much attention to anything outside of it and work. There is so much creativity going on in such a tiny corner of the internet. I feel inspired every time I stumble upon a new page. I feel alive in a way that I had forgotten about being possible.
So, as a thank you to her...

MARY ELLIOT ENTERS without knocking. She doesn't say anything. Instead she just comes and sits beside Anne, who is watching her, slack jawed, but not overly surprised. Almost as one, they both look at the camera.

MARY
(frowning)
Aren't you afraid you're going to be a narcissist?

ANNE
(between camera and Mary)
No, actually, I'm not. Did you want me to turn it...

Mary huffs, and we can almost picture her as a spoiled child far too used to getting her own way with a single tantrum.

MARY
I want you to please speak to the Musgroves!

ANNE
The Musgro- Speak to them about what?

MARY
(pouting)
They treat me like an outsider. Not at all how they treat LouLou and Rita and Grover.

ANNE
Well, you technically are, Mary. You aren't their child. And they treat you the same as they treat me. Like a friend...
(to herself and camera. Said lovingly)
...or puppet for their amusement depending on which Musgrove.

MARY
Just talk to them... please?

CUT.

Anne is alone in frame. The door in the background shutting as Mary leaves. Anne looks relieved and amused as she turns from the door back to the camera.

ANNE
What was I saying about family and being annoying?

ENTER LOUISA, wearing bright, flowing clothing. She smiles at the camera and sits.

LOUISA
Oh good, I was hoping to talk to you. I just saw Mary leaving so I figured now would be fine.

ANNE
(gesturing to the camera)
Should I...?

LOUISA
No, not at all. I just wanted to talk to you about Mary.
(feigning lowering her voice)
You really need to do something about her.

ANNE
Do I?

Louisa looks at Anne as though she should already know why Louisa wants her to speak to her sister.

LOUISA
Yes! She’s constantly complaining about every little thing in her apartment. She has maintenance in and out of there every single week. Either it’s a window or the air flow or mold - we do not have mold, it was dust because she doesn’t clean!
(deep breath)
You know how patient my parents are, and you know that they wouldn’t say anything but... it’s starting to take its toll. My father isn’t as young as he used to be and he can’t be having building superintendents quit because of Mary’s demands. You know you two are like family to us...

CUT.

Anne is once more alone, facing the camera. She is smiling, finding amusement in the situation. Before she can say anything her PHONE RINGS. With a quick look at the screen she answers...

ANNE
Hello Rita.
(pause, to the camera)
No, I’m free. Come right on down.

CUT.

RITA MUSGROVE is sitting down beside Anne, who doesn’t even acknowledge the camera or offer to shut it off.

ANNE
You wanted to talk?

RITA
Yes. It’s about Charlie.

ANNE
Which Charlie?

RITA
(with an annoyed expression)
You know which Charlie. Hayter. My Charlie.

ANNE
Right. Go on.

RITA
I know that things between us haven’t been the greatest since I got back, but I wish you would talk to Mary and tell her that she shouldn’t flirt with him right in front of me!

ANNE
She doesn’t mean to flirt. I don't even think she knows she's doing it.

RITA
I know, but it still isn’t right. How would she like it if someone showed interest in her man?

ANNE
She doesn't have a... Have you tried telling her how you feel?

RITA
As though she would listen! You’re the only one that ever seems to get through to her. And I know that she’s important to you and you’re important to us but... She should have more respect.

CUT.

Anne is walking back to her seat from shutting the door. Before she can even sit down, GROVER MUSGROVE enters, looking agitated. Anne's patience is growing thin at the constant interruptions. Her shoulders slump as she sits and gestures for him to sit beside her, but he's already coming to sit down without having waited for her permission. He seems distracted and ready to boil over with frustration.

ANNE
(exasperated)
Mary?

GROVER
How did you know?

ANNE
Seems to be the working theme of the day.
(with genuine concern)
What’s wrong?

He almost looks like he would rather throttle her than speak about her.  It’s a look that Anne recognizes well.

GROVER
She is. She's wrong. Ho- How do you deal with her? With the constant... Mary-ness of her?

ANNE
After twenty-odd years, you kind of get used to it.

GROVER
Don’t get me wrong, she’s usually really sweet and means well and is really talented but there are times when she’s just...

ANNE
Too much?

GROVER
Exactly.

ANNE
I wish I knew what to tell you. She’s actually improved the last few months. I think coming to work at... with us has been good for her. Most of that has been you.

GROVER
(looking caught)
M-me? What did I do?

ANNE
You’re a calming force that doesn’t put up with her tactics. You’re good for her.

GROVER
You- You really think so?

ANNE
Yeah. I’ve always said that she needs a big brother-type in her life.

Grover straightens, feeling a long buried insult at her words.

GROVER
Big brother?

Anne nods, confused at his voice rising. That view of him has been so long set in her mind that she sometimes forgets that he might not see himself the same way. It seems like an old, forgotten argument between them and perhaps the reason they aren't as close as they used to be.

Grover shakes his head and stands, the camera angle is again set so that the top of his head is cut from frame.

ANNE
Grover? What is it? What did I say?

GROVER
Nothing.
(he moves to the door)
Nothing at all.

Anne stands to go after him as he reaches the door. As he goes to OPEN it, MARY ENTERS, looking between them as though she caught them in the act.

MARY
What is going on?

Mary moves into the room. Grover follows, standing near the door, but facing the sisters. Mary sits to the far left of frame while Anne is standing between them.

ANNE
Nothing.

Anne looks between them, realizing that she might be wrong in her assumption.

ANNE (cont.)
(to Grover)
Actually, what is going on?

GROVER
Nothing.

The tone of Grover's voice catches Mary's attention and she straightens, almost afraid.

MARY
(to Grover)
You were going to tell her?
(voice raising)
Why would you...

GROVER
(voice raising to match Mary's)
Because you can’t seem to want to. Ashamed to be slumming it?

Anne, is almost trapped between them. Used to standing between strong willed people in opposition, she tries to be the peacekeeper.

ANNE
Whoa- Tell me? Tell me what?

GROVER
That I’m not the big-brother type for everyone!

ANNE
(growing defensive)
I didn’t mean...

GROVER
You never do.
(to Mary)
Go ahead, tell her. She’s your sister.

Mary shakes her head, her body language closing up.

GROVER
Mary...

Anne is looking between them when...

ANNE
Will someone tell me what is going-
(pause, realizing what’s going on)
There’s something going on... between you two.

MARY
(timid)
We’re dating. Yes.

Anne sits, surprised.

ANNE
Oh.

GROVER
We have been for a few months.

ANNE
What? Months? Seriously? What the f...!

END.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

Twitter

Grover: @Mary Will you answer your phone?
Mary: @Grover After how cruel you've been? Letting her air our relationship like that all over the internet?
Grover: @Mary At least it's out. No more hiding. And Mary, thank you for telling her.
Mary: @Grover … :)

Louisa: When did my family decide to pair off like it was Noah's ark? I guess it's my turn, next.  Hmm… I wonder who I’ll choose…

Chapter Text

MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

Twitter

Anne: @Mary Hey, I'm sorry for the other day. You know that I love you. Can we please go to dinner and talk about it? I'll even take you to that weird restaurant you like...

Sophie: @Rick Please tell me that you're going to be back in time for your own party.
Rick: @Sophie Flying in next Monday. Shrewd move, btw, setting the date without checking with me first.
Sophie: @Rick Had to make sure I got you here soon. By any means possible. Left to you, I would still be waiting.
Rick: @Sophie What can I say? I like seeing the world while I can.
Sophie: @Rick I'm not tying a noose to you, you know. You just need a home base is all.
Rick: @Sophie And next week, I will have one. Although I still haven't made arrangements for an apartment.
Sophie: @Rick I'm hardly surprised. One of these days your luck will run out. There are wonderful buildings near the office
Rick: @Sophie I will check them out. But until then, is my luck holding enough for me to call su casa me casa?
Sophie: @Rick You are very lucky indeed.
Rick: @Sophie You are the best! See you next week.

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Twitter

Anne: One of these days, I'm going to surprise the world right back. Until then, the aftermath of the last surprise. @Grover @Mary (video link)

Anne: @Mary You are making me resort to twitter. Again. Please answer my calls.

Rita: @Hayter I'm so sorry about tonight.
Hayter: @Rita I understand, you're busy. But as soon as you graduate... no more cancelling dates for studying.

Anne: @Mary Did you really just complain to the Musgroves that I'm harassing you? I knocked on your door. Once. Fine, I'll take the hint.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #20 – … Followed by Shock
Anne
tagline: I guess it turned out alright... more-or-less.

INT - ANNE’S APT - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in frame, looking relaxed in casual attire, her hair is again done in a way that is bordering on stylish and is showing progress towards this becoming the norm.  She offers the camera an apologetic smile as...

ANNE
Hey, so last video? It seems that no matter my thoughts about drama it apparently wants to be a part of my life after so long without it. 
(pause)
I don’t know how I feel about that.
Anyway, things with Mary and Grover are... improving. And I wasn’t going to post what happened after I ended the last video, because I didn’t want to air more of those private moments, no matter what my audience wanted and how it turned out... but anything else I might have been able to talk about seems equally drama-filled: like the return of a certain someone which, I really can't bring myself to dwell on, no matter the comments that keep coming in.

Anne pauses, uncomfortable, once more, looking regretful that she mentioned anything about it at all.

ANNE (cont.)
So, being the lesser of two personal evils, I talked to Grover and he’s alright with showing the rest. He prescribes to the adage that if no one is around to hear it fall, then the tree didn’t make a sound - well that’s my rendition. He says ‘Pics or it didn’t happen’. Which is why he never goes anywhere without a camera. But it gave me hope that he and I can move forward and finally regain what we lost in our friendship. It's been a really long time... too long.
(pause)
When I asked Mary she said she didn’t care, and, despite knowing her better, I wasn’t in the mood to read between the lines and so I took her at her word. We'll see how that turns out.
I'm reminded of when she had a pregnancy scare in high school, even though she hadn’t so much as kissed a boy.  When I brought that fact up, she replied 'it happened to the other Mary'.
Anyway, here it is. What happened after I found out that my former best friend has been hiding his relationship with my little sister. And I confess, that it could have gone better, and it also could have gone worse.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

‘Ep. 20 – Shock’

INT ANNE’S APT - DAY

The scene picks up where the last episode left off. MARY is sitting while Anne and GROVER are standing; he is annoyed while Anne looks like she's been slapped in the face.

MARY
(timid)
We’re dating.   Yes.

Anne sits, surprised.

ANNE
Oh.

GROVER
We have been for a few months.

ANNE
What? Months? Seriously? What the f...!

GROVER
(interrupting)
Wait, why are you mad about this?

Anne is probably feeling more hurt at being lied to than angry at the relationship. But considering how much information both Grover and Mary tell Anne without her wanting to know, having either of them hide something from her is not only rare, but a really big deal. That being said, she probably could have taken it better. Her bad for being on the defensive.

ANNE
Shouldn’t I be? I mean you come in here and make a big production out of telling me - or not telling me as neither of you seemed to want to say the words. You hid it. Why? I don't understand. Are you ashamed or do you actually think that I wouldn’t be supportive of you?
Do you really think that little of me?

SILENCE.

Anne focuses on the floor in front of her, upset. The anger and agitation visibly drains from Grover and Mary seems as upset as Anne, but not for the same reasons.

Grover site beside Anne. Starts to say something, then thinks better of it.

Mary looks at Grover and with real fear...

MARY
Are you ashamed of me?

GROVER
What? No, Mary, I’m not...

MARY
(starting on the path to hysterics)
Then what is it?   It was your idea not to tell anyone!

GROVER
Only at first! With your family I thought they wouldn‘t approve and think I‘m not good enough and…
(looking between them)
How am I now the bad guy?

Anne's attention turns to Grover.

ANNE
So, I was supposed to be the bad guy?

Grover's voice matches Anne's. Years of politeness and not talking about what had happened between them – what had ruined their relationship years before – finally seem to be coming to a head. They both have had their opinion on the events of the past. Neither of them thought to check with the other to see if they viewed it the same way. After years, the elephant in the room is finally being brought out of the shadows.

GROVER
Hey! You’re the one who ruined everything...

MARY
Wait a minute...

Mary is looking between Anne and Grover. Between her guilt and his hurt expressions Mary knows. Mary really is smarter than anyone gives her credit for. She just doesn't know how to use those smarts to help herself.

MARY
...This isn’t about me. This is about you two.
(to Grover)
After all this time you still...

Unable to finish, Mary stands and EXITS as...

GROVER
(standing)
Mary...
(door SLAMS)
Damnit.

Grover sits, defeated.

SILENCE.

Anne pauses to settle herself before looking at Grover and then the door. They are bathed in awkwardness and half-truths. But they've known each other for a long time, and it's easy to fall back into the familiar, especially when the truth has been danced around for so very long. As the conversation continues, they grow more and more at ease. The conversation is more in how they talk between their words.

They sit side-by-side, but they don't turn to look at one another.

ANNE
You should probably go after her.

GROVER
Do you think it will help?

ANNE
(fights a smile)
Maybe if you grovel a little.
She’s always been a fan of grovelling, at least when other people are doing it.
(pause)
You do know that she’s going to take all of this out on me, right?

GROVER
(knowingly)
Yeah, sorry about that. This has turning into a...

ANNE
Yup.

GROVER
...Shit. Show.

ANNE
With a standing ovation.

Anne fights against herself for a moment before she half-turns to look at him as she gives in.

ANNE (cont.)
Okay, I just have to ask, what you were thinking? Were you thinking?

GROVER
At this point? That’s debatable. I should...
(motions to the door)

ANNE
Yeah, you probably should.

Grover stands and starts to move to the door. When he is halfway there...

ANNE
Hey, Charles?

He stops and looks at her. He is confused and also suspicious. He can count on one hand the number of times she chose to call him Charles instead of Grover. He can probably count on one finger the amount of times she hasn't used it with bad news. You can probably guess which finger.

GROVER
‘Charles’? Am I being punished by no longer being called Grover? Because I don't think you understand punishments if that's the case.

ANNE
(fighting a smile)
I wanted to be serious.

Nodding, still not fully trusting her, he slowly sits down beside her again.

GROVER
Okay. Serious. I can give that a try.

Anne takes a moment to consider her words.

ANNE
You are with Mary because... you’re with her for her, right?

GROVER
Wow, this really is serious.
(pause)
I thought that you would know me better than to have to ask.

This is the first time that they’ve talked about anything close to their relationship and how it has changed.  It's the first time they've even hinted at being able to be honest about things. And after years of making believe everything's fine, some times the hardest thing a person can do is finally admit that they're not.

Again they aren't looking at one another.

ANNE
I used to, better than almost anyone. But a lot has happened since those days and we’ve both changed. A lot. And she’s my sister. I have to look out for her and make sure that you’re serious and not messing with her.

GROVER
I know and, Anne, I’m not.
(beat)
Scouts honour.

ANNE
You were never a scout.

GROVER
I am on World of Worldcraft.

They both fight smiles. They are both losing.

ANNE
Serious, remember.

GROVER
Right. Sorry. Go on.

ANNE
So, you really do like her?

GROVER
Yeah, I really do.

SILENCE.

Anne, giving into her own curiosity, smiles and turns towards him.

ANNE
Why?

The tension has broken. Grover relaxes and turns towards her as well.

GROVER
I have no idea! It doesn’t make sense!  But… I just do.

ANNE
I mean, she’s my sister, I have to love her. But you... what’s your excuse?

GROVER
I’ve always had questionable taste in women?

Anne’s expression tells him that she is both amused and mildly offended. Smiling, he tries to regain some semblance of seriousness.

GROVER (cont.)
I don’t know. I can’t explain it. I just... it feels nice being able to look out for her and just be with her.  And when it's just the two of us, without the audience of her family expectations… She's almost a different person.  Almost.  But enough.

Anne looks sad a moment, perhaps remembering when she had that, before coming back into the moment.

ANNE
Just make sure you’re getting something out of the relationship too.

GROVER
(with typical male perversion)
Oh, I am.

ANNE
Ew! Grover! That’s my sister, you pig!

GROVER
(laughing)
You love it.

They fall silent again in companionable silence.

ANNE
You should...

(motions towards the door)

GROVER
(standing)
I know. A boyfriend’s work is never done.

He turns to leave before pausing and looking back at Anne.

GROVER (cont.)
You and me, we’re going to be alright? Aren’t we?

ANNE
Yeah, we are. Better than ever.

GROVER
Good, because I missed this. I missed us.

ANNE
Me too. Now go. You have grovelling to do.

Grover EXITS. Anne watches him go with a sad, but content expression. Alone, she looks at the camera.

ANNE
Mary and Grover a couple? I so did not see that one coming.

END.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

Twitter

Grover: @Anne Still with the silent treatment?
Anne: @Grover Yes. But we both knew that she was high maintenance.
Grover: @Anne Yes, I suppose we did.
Anne: @Grover Oh, but that being said, you two aren't allowed to break up.
Grover: @Anne … oh kay?
Anne: @Grover If she's like this over finding out that you're in a relationship, god knows how the relationship ending would go.
Grover: @Anne I bet she would start talking to you again.
Anne: @Grover … remember what I said. Not. Allowed. You made your bed. Now you have to live with it.
Grover: @Anne I'm confused if you want this for her sake, or your own.
Anne: @Grover Why can't I be looking out for everyone's interests?
Grover: @Anne Even mine?
Anne: @Grover … sure?
Grover: @Anne And here I thought you were supposed to be the nice one.

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

Twitter

Beth: @Anne Where are you staying next week?
Anne: @Beth I was thinking a hotel.
Beth: @Anne Good, because Penelope is currently staying with us and we simply have no room for you as well.
Anne: @Beth She is? Doesn't she have an apartment?
Beth: @Anne Of course! It is undergoing renovations and she needed someplace to stay.
Penny: @Anne @Beth has been too generous to me during this time of need. I don't know how to repay her.
Beth: @Penny What else are friends for?
Anne: @Beth ... right. A hotel is just fine.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2014

Twitter

Anne: A real update from Uppercross (video link)

Anne: @Beth Please tell me that you have the newsletter covered.
Beth: @Anne Yes, Anne. I have it all under control. Someone has to work on these things.

Grover: @Mary You've been strangely quiet, is everything alright?
Mary: @Grover Social media hates me.
Grover: @Mary I'm sure it doesn't.
Mary: @Grover It's siding with Anne.
Grover: @Mary She's trying, Mary. And she's your sister. Please talk to her?
Mary: @Grover I can't. She's going away.
Grover: @Mary . She's coming back. It's only a week. Please? For me?

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #21 - Care to be Right
Anne
tagline: Update on life the past few days.

INT - ANNE’S APT - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in frame, looking relaxed in casual attire. She appears like the weight that had been lifted off her shoulders in the last video was still gone.

ANNE
Hi everyone!  I hope you’re all doing well.
So, I realized as I was sitting down to film this, that it’s been over a week since my last real update that wasn’t dealing with Grover and Mary drama. As an improvement in my storytelling abilities, I’m going to remedy that. This video is going to be all about what’s going on! Yay! Even though, I freely confess it’s not entirely exciting.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.

‘Ep. 21 – Care to be Right’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
So, first and foremost, as usual... work. Just the footnotes, promise. While I’ve been managing to figure out what my job is on this end, I'm realizing that I have some loose ends that I need to tie up that’s best done at the Victoria office.  And, while some think I could easily do it via distance, at least until the permanent department head is in place...

CUT.

TANGENT CUT. Because she could have cut this part out, but it's a legitimate fear for her. This is her second chance. That means figuring out what happened wrong during her first time around.

ANNE (cont.)
I’m starting to feel like a consultant more than... whatever my job used to be. But I honestly don’t even know what that was. It doesn't fit any job description I can think of. Did I even have a job title?
(pause)
Besides doing ‘bitch’ work?
(pause)
I should really find that out. The joys of working at a family company.

CUT.

RESET CUT. The next cuts that happen show changes in topics rather than tangents or filler that she decided to leave in.

ANNE (cont.)
Anyway, so all this means that I have to go to Victoria in the very near future. Like, next week, near future.  Because I might as well get it out of the way. Right?

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
And don’t worry, I’m still going to continue doing these videos while I’m gone. It’s surprising how quickly this whole creative process has gotten under my skin.
I can see why so many people do video blogs.
And not just for the ego stroking therapy.
I used to love creating. I used to love photography and drawing and I felt alive and fulfilled in a way that I forgot about being possible. Now that I’m rediscovering art, I feel like I’m beginning to rediscover a part of myself that I had forgotten to miss along the way.
It’s scary but also nice to meet this part of me again.
It’s like going back in time, but only without companions or a blue box, and only myself to rediscover.

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
Speaking of geekdoms, Grover and Mary are still together. They survived their first real trial. Although, for most people, the admitting that you’re in a relationship traditionally isn’t much of a trial...
(with her hand on her necklace)
And yet, I know how it can be one. Especially in my family. And maybe Grover's right, and that if you don’t really admit to it - to love - if you don’t talk about it to someone, it’s not really real? If the world doesn’t acknowledge heartbreak, should it hurt any less? Should it end earlier? Or does it hold on because it has no where else to go...

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
Mary is... still not talking to me. Although, I’m not really sure why she’s not talking to me. Is it because of the video being posted? Because of Grover not going to her right away? Because of what she thinks he still feels?
If she would only talk to me, or even watch these damned videos, she would know! I would know! And we could get over this. I could apologize for posting if she really hadn’t wanted me to. She could see why he talked to me first before going to her... she could see and also hear it from me that I just want her to be happy. That I just want them to be happy. And if they can be happy together, then that is great. So much the better.
(pause)
There are too few happy endings in this world for me to try to prevent one.
(pause)
I’ve already done that once...

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
As for everyone else at Uppercross? Rita is distracted with school stuff and Louisa is on another job hunt. She wants me to hire her as a temp assistant, especially since she discovered that I needed to go to Victoria, and she really wants to go along. I’m glad someone has fond associations with it and actually wants to go there.
My most recent memories of the place consisted of drunkenly crawling to a graveyard. 
(to herself)
I’m still not sure how I got home that night.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
Yeah, free lesson. Never drown pain and sorrow into a pint of tequila, especially if you’re as much of a lightweight as I am - and was at the time. I honestly thought that twenty year olds naturally came with a higher tolerance for alcohol. Maybe that was just the other college kids I knew? While I was studying they were practising.
So, moral of the story, never over indulge on emotions and alcohol in a city already filled with sad reminders. Because you will be visited by what friends used to call the blackout fairy and wake up with clothes ruined with grass and dirt stains and forty dollars poorer.
Granted, it could have ended a lot worse.

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
Blacking out drunk - not as cool as on TV.  0 out of 5 stars.

CUT.

RESET CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
Anyway, I'm fairly convinced that LouLou's wanting to come with me to Victoria was less about assisting and more about free travel into a city that has more art and bars and boys than she can currently find here. Because when I told her when I was planning to go she quickly declined.
She can't believe that I’ll be missing the party of the year, aka. Rick Wentworth’s welcome home party. Apparently it is next Friday. And why is this important to someone who really isn't connected with him, at all?
Because the world is smaller than even I believed.

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
I found out that Rick Wentworth knew one of Grover’s cousins. Dick. That’s the cousin's name... and, I’m afraid, also a fairly apt description of his character. And I’m not trying to be mean, it’s just- I’m really not going to defend the guy.  When I knew him, he was... a dick.
(pause)
He’s now in prison, I think. Or Cuba, escaping prison? I don’t really know. All I know for sure is that Mrs. Musgrove calls him “poor Richard” and all the faults that he had as a child has magically disappeared. It’s like with dead people and thinking them saints when they were really sinners.
I’m not sure of the connection, or how Rick Wentworth is suppose to have known Dick Musgrove... but it’s made the entire family want to seek him out and know him, so much so that Louisa and Rita are crashing his welcome party.
As if the possibility of running into him at the office wasn’t bad enough. Now, I have to wonder if he’s going to pop up behind any number of Musgrove doors here at Uppercross.
(growing shocked)
Oh God, what if he moves here? Surely there are plenty of other apartment complexes in the area... and surely the Musgroves wouldn’t insist on him staying here as they did me when they found out I didn’t have a place to stay...

CUT.

Anne looking panicked.

CUT.

RESET.

Anne is trying to look calm, and to rally her strength. As she speaks, it's clear even she doesn't believe her words.

ANNE (cont.)
I’m sure it’s going to be fine. Really. The world isn’t that small. Right?
(pause)
Besides, it’s not like I have to see him. At work, I can take the stairs. I’m already an early riser, and I always go into the office before he would ever...

Anne takes a deep breath, fighting an oncoming panic, and we can see at least one way in which she and Mary are related.  She eyes the camera as though it's talking about her.

ANNE (cont.)
I know what you’re thinking and no. I’m not going to Victoria just to avoid seeing him. I dislike Victoria. I wouldn’t put that as a more favourable option than seeing my worse enemy... not that I think that he’s an enemy. Not that I really have any enemies. I don’t think.
Does he think I’m his enemy?

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
Okay, I’m freaking out a little, and I shouldn’t. I’m a mature, level-headed woman who can handle anything. I’m strong and resourceful. I am not prone to freaking out. I’m the one who stays calm in a crisis.
(Pause to regroup)
I just know that he doesn’t want to see me. And to be honest, I don’t really want to see him either. And yes, I know that I’ve technically already saw him on his videos... but it’s not the same. When you’ve wronged somebody, even years ago; when you hold regrets around that somebody, it’s not easy looking them in the eyes again. Because no matter what you see, you’re not going to like it.
Because either they’ve forgotten about the thing that you haven’t and they've moved on, which means that you - and it - didn’t mean as much to them as it did to you...
Or... they haven’t forgotten or forgiven and they are still carrying that pain which you caused them and, because of how long it’s been, there is nothing you can do to offer them the relief that you, yourself, have never been able to find.

CUT.

Anne is no longer at risk of freaking out. She knows the score. She understands the situation and she knows that no matter what, she can't possibly win. And she knows just how much that sucks.

ANNE (cont.)
An ultimate catch 22.

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
So what if I want to put that off a little bit? Like until I move to Victoria and never have to worry about seeing him back here, where it all started?
Can you blame me?
And really, is that so wrong? Because if it is... I don’t think I’d care to be right.

END.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2014

Twitter

Mary: @Anne Dinner Sun @7. And the restaurant is not weird. It's unique.
Anne: @Mary It's a date.
Mary: @Anne It's also your treat.
Anne: @Mary I'll be sure not to forget my wallet.

Ellen follows Anne.

Ellen: Social media for the win! New discoveries of old friends!

Anne: @Ellen IS it really you?!
Ellen: @Anne I wasn't sure you would remember me.
Anne: @Ellen How could I ever forget you? Where are you? We have to catch up!
Ellen: @Anne Funny you should mention that. You're actually coming to my neck of the woods next week.
Anne: @Ellen Finally! A reason to enjoy my visit to Victoria!

Chapter Text

MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014

Twitter

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

Twitter

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

Twitter

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

Twitter

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

Twitter

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

Twitter

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

Twitter

Grover: May the 4th be with all of you!

Chapter Text

MONDAY, MAY 5, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Publishing: “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” – Sylvia Plath

Louisa likes For What it's Worth #2

Grover follows Rick.

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014

Twitter

Anne: As @Rita and @Louisa would say – here are the deets from the party. (video link)

Ellen: @Anne So... are you going to do it?
Anne: @Ellen Do you really think I should?
Ellen: @Anne You already know what I think.
Anne: @Ellen Fine. I'll try one. Send me the questions and I'll do it.
Ellen: @Anne Sending them even as I type.
Anne: @Ellen That confidant that I was going to give in?
Ellen: @Anne More like confidant that you really wanted to do this too.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #24 - Party Play-by-Play
Anne, Louisa, Rita
tagline: The girls give me the details on the party I missed.

INT ANNE’S APT - DAY

The camera turns on to find RITA and LOUISA MUSGROVE sitting in Anne's apartment. They are talking quietly between each other as...

ANNE (OS)
Okay, we're all set.

ANNE ELLIOT ENTERS frame and sits to the left of the sisters, Rita in the middle. Anne is a little more shy, not really used to starting with an audience as she looks at the camera.

ANNE (cont.)
Hello. As you can see, I made it back, alive and well, to Uppercross. I survived both the week and the drive back. I'm joined today by Louisa and Rita, who are here for you, my humble and wonderful audience, who have asked how the party I missed went. Again, thank you for the comments, please keep them coming,
(to them)
So... how was the party?

Louisa brightens while Rita seems to have mixed feelings about being there.

LOUISA
You will have wished you were there once you hear how awesome and… attractive it was.

RITA
(to Louisa, trying to rein her back)
Well... that depends on what parts you tell her...

Rita stops when Louisa makes a painful expression, comprehending what Rita is saying. Louisa looks guilty and some of the excitement leaves her.

ANNE
(looking between them)
You know you can tell me anything.

LOUISA
Well...

Ever a big sister, Rita covers Louisa's hand, and offers Anne an apologetic smile

RITA
I know, but... Let’s just talk about the party.

Anne knows that she’s obviously missing something, but not wanting to push the topic, perhaps hoping it’s none of her business, she lets it go.  

ANNE
(back to camera)
All right, party details. Although, I confess, I probably won’t be too jealous not having been there.

SILENCE.

Louisa is looking at Anne, confused.

LOUISA
What’s with the confession?

ANNE
It’s kind of what I do with my videos. Each one has a... 
(frowning, disappointed)
You've never watched any of my videos, have you?

Louisa is silent a moment, knowing she's been caught.

LOUISA
I- I will. I'm sure. It’s on my list of internet things to do.

RITA
(teasingly)
Yeah, somewhere between job hunting and stalking Rick Wentworth.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 24 – Party Play-by-Play’

RETURN TO SCENE

LOUISA
I don't stalk him.

Rita snorts with suppressed laughter.

ANNE
(tense, to camera)
So, did a lot of people show up?

RITA
Yeah, there really were. I was surprised to see so many old employees of...

Anne stops her.

ANNE
(while looking at the camera)
We cannot say the name of a certain company owned by my family which employs your brother.

Louisa and Rita exchanges a curious look, proving that neither have seen her videos.

LOUISA
Why?

ANNE
It’s... I don’t... Legal reasons.

Both girls nod, accepting this, because who wouldn’t?

In the brief moment of potential awkwardness that follows...

RITA
(hurriedly)
We met the Crofts.

LOUISA
They were so nice! You know, for old, married people.

RITA
(ignoring Louisa)
Such a beautiful love story.  They seem so happy.

Louisa leans across Rita, motioning to her sibling as...

LOUISA
And someone sounds jealous!

RITA
(as she makes Louisa sit up)
Oh shut up.

Anne fights a laugh as she tries to keep the pair on task. Louisa and Rita's relationship is that of friends first. They tease one another and torment each other, but they are best friends who have had the privilege of knowing one another for a lifetime. There are no secrets and they've already seen each other at their worst.

ANNE
Was it a catered event?

RITA
(shrugging)
I guess.  The food was great!

LOUISA
Nothing up to Beth’s standards, but it was a lot more fun.

Rita's smile turns playful.

RITA
Besides, once the guest of honour arrived, most of the rest of the evening kind of fell away for many guests. He is quite...
(flirty)
...dashing.

Louisa sighs in agreement. Anne merely nods, not entirely comfortable with their sentiment.

LOUISA
I was dying to meet him, after hearing so much about him. Luckily our chance came when his sister introduced him to Mary.

ANNE
(surprised)
To Mary?

RITA
Yes. I guess Sophie heard that he knew the Elliot family last time he was in the area and thought it would have been Mary he knew. Turns out it wasn’t...

LOUISA
Yeah, why didn’t you tell us that you knew him?

Anne eyes the camera, her discomfort growing.

ANNE
I did mention knowing him, briefly, in previous videos. And to Mary.

LOUISA
Yes, I know that now . And Mary told Sophie that it was you and not her who had ‘heard of him’ before.

Anne’s eyes close despite her best attempts to remain neutral.  Because while Mary didn’t know any better, her downplaying what Anne already downplayed surely didn’t help.

RITA
(watching Anne's reaction)
He seemed surprised when Mary said that.

ANNE
(embarrassed)
I’m sure.

LOUISA
But, he did ask about you.
Slightly.

Rita shoots Louisa a warning look, one that Louisa doesn't seem to notice.

LOUISA (cont.)
Grover told him that you were still around, at least for now. Then Mary showed him one of your videos.

ANNE
She...
(blushing)
She did? Which one?

LOUISA
The Ke... the newsletter, I think. The first one. He seemed surprised about that too.

Anne is looking to the ground, fighting to remain calm despite however much she might want the floor to swallow her up and rescue her from this moment of awkwardness.

ANNE
I bet.

RITA
(watching Anne)
Louisa, maybe we should talk about other things now.

LOUISA
Why?

RITA
Because of what. he. said.

ANNE
Oh?  It’s okay.  Really.

RITA
(reluctantly)
Well, I asked him if you had changed much since he last saw you; because he did look so surprised.

LOUISA
It’s not so much what he said , but what he implied by it.  He said that you looked completely different in the way that means he probably thinks you let yourself go.

RITA
LouLou!

LOUISA
I’m sorry!  I’m actually surprised Mary didn’t tell you already.  She seemed affronted on your behalf, not that she defended you.

Anne’s eye meets the camera. Her expression is distant and lost in the past.

ANNE
I haven't seen Mary since I came back.

LOUISA
(Not paying attention to Anne or Rita)
But he was beyond nice to the rest of us. I think he and Grover are already bros.

RITA
(to Anne)
Are you okay? I’m sorry, we really shouldn’t have told you...

ANNE
No, it’s fine. And he probably isn’t wrong. Even though he appeared the same in his video, I’ve definitely… changed.

Anne says changed as though she’s implying that she had let herself go.  Louisa THROWS HER ARMS around Anne.

LOUISA
See, I told you that you needed that make over.

RITA
Louisa Jane Musgrove!

LOUISA
What?

RITA
We should go.

Rita stands, pulling Louisa to her feet with her. Rita drags Louisa to the door as...

LOUISA
Ow! What did I say?

CUT.

Anne is alone, unmoved from when Rita and Louisa left. She is staring off into space.

BEAT.

She looks directly at the camera.

Deep breath and...

END.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014

Twitter

Grover: @Rick still on for the car show?
Rick: @Grover I'm finishing here in ten.
Grover: @Rick Meet here on the production floor? I'll be a few minutes more.
Rick: @Grover I wouldn't want to disturb you. I know you guys have deadlines coming up.
Grover: @Rick It's no trouble, really.
Rick: @Grover I'll just meet you at the car.
Grover: @Rick Ok, if you're sure.

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

Twitter

Grover: Deadlines = bane of my existence.
Louisa: @Grover Have fun working late! I slept in, went out for a manicure and am now entering my second hour of farmville.
Rick: @Grover @Louisa Deadlines =/= as bad as sisters.
Louisa: @Rick :p

FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Three days have never felt this long. (video link)

Ellen: @Anne Filmed yet?
Anne: @Ellen Editing now.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #25 - Three days
Anne
tagline: It’s been a long three days.

INT ANNE’S APT - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her apartment, the frame wide. She is dressed casually, her hair is down. She appears calm and yet not quite alright. In slow movements, she leans forwards, catching the camera's eye without so much as a wave of greeting, she begins.

ANNE
So, it's been three days. Three days of working in the same building as “him”. Three days trying to focus on the mountain of work that built up while I was away and the further mountain that I soon anticipate due to the new budget proposals whose deadline is fast approaching. Three days utterly failing on focusing on said mountains when he’s there, mere floors above me, breathing in the same, heavily recycled, air. Probably the same air that was here eight years ago. Three days knowing that he’s there, being charming and nice – being him – to everyone. Everyone not me.

She leans back, inhaling deeply.

ANNE (cont.)
Yet another thing I would have thought myself hardened to. After so long, I should be used to him hating me. And maybe I was, at least somewhat, when he was somewhere - anywhere - else. But here... I confess that I’m not as over this as I really should be.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 25 – Three Days’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
I've never taken well to the thought of anyone not liking me. Personality flaw, I’m sure, but... and I know what some of you're thinking. Why am I wasting my time dwelling on the ass-hole who said I had let myself go? Well, that’s what Ellen is asking, at any rate. 
Hi Ellen.  Everyone, hello.
But he’s not... he didn’t say it to be an ass-hole. Not completely anyway.
It was his way of telling the world – telling me – that he hasn't forgiven me. Which, I kind of figured out before that.  It’s his way of reassuring himself that I'm not the girl he knew. Everything about me that he once...

Anne pauses, looking around, debating telling more about the two of them than she already had.

ANNE (cont.)
Okay, so back when I knew him, something happened and I hurt him. I didn't want to but... anyway, he can’t forgive that. I showed him that I was all the things that he disliked about human nature. Fickle, doubtful, changing... He comes from a military family.
And I'm not defending him. I'm just- I understand his reasoning for why he said...
(remembering)
It’s also been four days since I heard what he said. Four days of not being able to forget those words. And while I know that time is never kind and it only took watching those two minutes of scripted dialogue for him to make up his mind that the Anne Elliot he knew was gone, I can’t help but think about those words, and the probable truth behind them.

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
Have I really given up? Have I changed so entirely since I was that girl? That girl I was actually happy being?
Eight years is a long time. It's almost a third of my life. Add in the time mourning my mother and that’s... that’s a long time not being happy. Not being someone I recognize when I look in the mirror. The past couple of months, I’ve come the closest, I think. I’m remembering things that I forgot I once knew. Like how to actually do things with my hair. I used to know. I once was pretty good at it, then for a long time I didn’t care to put in the effort. Then I forgot how.
Now? Now I’m remembering little by little the things she once knew.
It’s weird to feel that you have to go back in time to be able to move forward...
I could really use that TARDIS now...

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
While I freely admit that I’ve allowed myself to change with time, less than favourably, and while it makes me a little bitter to know that time has been more kind to him – karma some would say – I can’t readily accept that I’m as altered as he supposes me to be. Maybe he actually has forgotten who I was. Or, maybe it’s just vanity but...

Anne falls silent, thoughtful for a moment. An idea comes to her and her expression brightens as...

ANNE (cont.)
I know! I might not have a time lord but I do have people who've known me for a long time. People who know me now. They should be able to shed some light on the difference, right?
(takes out PHONE)
Nothing like a little research to get down to the root of the problem... I'll be right back.

Getting carried away with her idea, Anne stands and rushes past the camera, OUT OF FRAME. Cursing, she RE-ENTERS frame enough to tell that she's shutting off the camera.

CUT.

Anne is moving to sit down. She has PAPERS in her grip and a PENCIL behind her ear. She is genuinely excited.

ANNE (cont.)
Okay, so I've completed the research outline to determine how best to proceed.
(remembering something)
I should probably say before getting into this that I really like research and learning as much as I can about things. It’s kind of a hobby. Or obsession, but… healthy? And it’s made me really good at trivia... so... I think it's probably a good thing.
Anyway, subjects for this research project will be those close at hand: Mary, Grover, Rita and Louisa. I thought about asking Adelaide and Ellen but Ellen and I are still getting to know each other again so she might not have the best basis for observations and I can see Adelaide trying to spare my feelings, which isn't the point of research. The truth is.

CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
Subjects will be asked the following questions in the same order.
What was I like ten years ago?
How would you characterize me as a teenager?
How have I changed in the time since?
And, how would you characterize me now?
They will be asked these questions separately to ensure that the opinions of one will not bleed over and influence the opinions of others.

CUT.

For the first time, Anne doesn't seem to be apologetic about the geekiness and quirks that are evident. She is proud of this part of her, and is enjoying being able to involve herself in it. She was one of those kids who were good at too many things to be able to choose her direction in life easily. It's probably a good thing that her career path wasn't really up to her.

ANNE (cont.)
And yes, I know what you're probably thinking, but research not carried out properly isn't valid and thereby cannot be used to support or disprove a hypothesis. That's science. And I'm a willing slave to the method.
So next time I will have my results of the study...
(pause. Excited)
I could present it as a montage.

END.

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Bonus video. With @Ellen 's help, I've answered some of your questions. (video link)

Hayter: @Rita Why do I feel like I'm never going to see you again?
Rita: @Hayter Because you have a knack for over-reacting. It's only six weeks.
Hayter: @Rita You won't forget me while I'm gone.
Rita: @Hayter With how much I'm sure you're going to call me? How can I?

The Anne Elliot Confessionals – QandA: #1
Anne
tagline: Because, obviously, I don’t talk about myself nearly enough.

INT - ANNE’S APT - EVENING

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in frame, dressed like she had just come from work. Being in front of the camera is now second nature to her, but here she seems a little less at ease than the last few videos. For the first time since the beginning of the endeavour, the topic of a video isn't her idea.

ANNE
Thanks to the wonder that is social media I have begun reconnecting with an old friend of mine, Ellen Hamilton. She and I met while we were doing our undergraduate degrees, where we were roommates that grew into being really close friends. After school, we lost touch, but luckily she's a social media ninja and found me and we've been catching up.
She's been watching all my videos and she was very quick to point out that even though these are my videos, I don’t spend a lot of actual time talking about myself, and my very patient and wonderful viewers have asked questions. She suggested that I might dedicate a video or two to answering some of them before people got tired of listening to my mellow-dramas. Those were her words.
(pause)
I don't have mellow-dramas. Do I?

CUT

RESET CUT.

ANNE (cont.)
So I told her that if she picked out the questions, I would answer them.
(holds up cue cards)
I probably should have read them while I was printing them out. Oh well, here we go. Answering questions, because I love talking about myself.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Q & A – #1’

RETURN TO SCENE

ANNE (cont.)
(reading)
First question is from potterhead via twitter: I know you said you don’t like Harry Potter, but considering your relationship with your sister, don’t you ever feel like you have Harry Potter syndrome?

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(to camera)
I've never had a room in a closet under the stairs, although my office now kind of feels like it at times.
Grover likes to call it more of a Cinderella complex. Either way, I definitely could see how, if I were a child when I read those books, I would eagerly wish for my owl-mail acceptance letter to arrive.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(reading)
Next from takemefreely24 via youtube: How can you think that Adelaide’s advice about your future wasn’t bad considering how things have turned out?

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(to camera)
Well, takemefreely24, I assume by how things turned out, you’re referring to me being less than my former self. And, while not all roses and puppies, gone the other way it might have been worse
(she doesn’t really believe it)
You don’t know how things are going to turn out one way or another. And while I would never think to give someone the same advice, I can’t ignore that the advice she gave, was given with love. She thought she was doing the right thing.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(reading)
TinaThom from Twitter says: Grover called you a geek, I somehow find that hard to believe.

Anne pauses, looking up from the card she's reading, eyeing the camera, not liking that her “geek cred” is in question.

ANNE (cont.)
(to camera)
I’m closeted. And to be fair, my glory geek days were a few years ago. But thanks to Tumblr I’m catching up. I used to be strictly comics and manga because of the art, but I dabbled in other forms over the years. Cartoons. Tabletop games. Except Risk. I hate Risk.
And of course, the cult classic shows that defined geeks from many generations. I think everyone is a little bit of a geek. Well, maybe not Beth.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(reading)
Which do you think is more important? Forgiving or forgetting? from lovetheworldforever on Twitter.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(to camera. Thoughtful)
Well, lovetheworldforever, I don’t think you can really have one without the other and really be over something or someone. You can’t trust if you haven’t forgiven the past; nor can you move on if you haven’t forgotten it. They’re kind of 50/50.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(reading)
joansmith8375309 from Tumblr says: I see you more as a Ravenclaw than Hufflepuff. What houses do you think your sisters would be in?
(looking up. Without pause)
Slytherin. At least Beth would be. Mary reminds me of that kid in Gryffindor, the one that makes you wonder why he’s there until the last book. That’s Mary, she’d probably annoy the sorting hat into submission.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(reading)
TheAmericanRepublic from YouTube: I thought you were in Canada, but I haven’t heard you say ‘eh’ once.

Anne drops the card in annoyance. You can almost hear her expression ask “Seriously?”

ANNE (cont.)
(to camera)
Thanks for perpetuating the stereotype TheAmericanRepublic. But, just so you know, it doesn’t always snow; I don’t drink beer, and, most importantly, I’ve never played hockey. Oh, and I don’t have a pet polar bear. Although that would be pretty cool.
Next!

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(reading)
AnnetheRomantic from YouTube writes: How cool would it be if you and Bill Eliot got married? Then you wouldn’t have to change your name.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(to camera)
To be honest, I’m not really attached to my name... don’t tell my family that. And I hope that if I ever did get married and thereby bypassing the whole dying at work and get eaten by cats scenario, it’d be for a better reason than a last name. It could explain Beth's motivations though.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(reading)
From anonymous on youtube: You mentioned being related to royalty. How?
(looking up)
You know, I really don’t know. I’ve kind of been afraid to ask. But my father has it traced on one of those pedigree charts that you normally see with horses and dogs. It’s framed in his room. He’s very proud of it. I think he knows it off by heart. It’s a little strange, but to each their own.

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(reading)
ShirleyHolmes on Twitter asks: There seems to be more to your “history” with Rick Wentworth than you’re letting on. Is there? And will you tell us about it?

CUT

ANNE (cont.)
(to camera)
Um... yes, I suppose there is, I think there always more to every situation than people ever think to tell people. And no, I will not be talking about it.

Anne glances through the remaining cards with a frown before putting them aside with a professional smile.

ANNE (cont.)
(with a clap of her hands)
Oh-Kay! That was super fun and informative. So, thank you for your questions and keep them coming. I’m sure Ellen is happy to continue to compile them until we have enough for another one of these. Yay! Because this wasn't awkward at all.
Yeah… Bye!

END

SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Thinking of you, Mom.  Miss you!

Chapter Text

MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014

Twitter

Baronetcy Publishing: New projects on the horizon for next year! Reminder: Department budget proposals due next week.

Rick: @Grover Online?
Grover: @Rick Of course. Co-op?
Rick: @Grover Know it.
Grover: @Rick Sign on, I'll send you what you need to know.

Rick: @Grover Why'd you sign off the chat?
Grover: @Rick You can't understand. You don't have little sisters.
Rick: @Grover And once again, I am glad for that.
Grover: @Rick It wouldn't be so bad but they keep asking about you. You apparently need to visit again.
Rick: @Grover Tell them I am humbly at their disposal this weekend. That good enough?
Grover: @Rick If you don't see me at the office tomorrow you'll know it wasn't.
Rick: @Grover I'll be sure to have a moment of silence.

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Twitter

Anne: Montages are hard. @Grover @Mary @Rita @Louisa (video link)

Louisa: @Rick You do know that my brother isn't the only one at Uppercross who is looking forward to seeing you again.

Mary: Nothing like being in a relationship to make you look upon the days of the chase with fond memories.

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #26 – Research Montage
Anne, Grover, Mary, Rita, Louisa
tagline: Doing the research – easier than making a montage.

INT ANNE’S APT - DAY

ANNE ELLIOT is sitting in her apartment, the frame wide, and not quite as polished as it could be. She still has a lot to learn about the art of making videos.

ANNE
Hello and welcome to the continuation of my last video – well, last scheduled video – where I will show the observations of my research subjects.
As a refresher, the subjects were asked a number of questions, in separate sessions, about how they remembered me in the past and their opinions of how I've changed over time.
So, here it is, my first montage – comprised of research.
(remembering)
I confess, that even though making a montage is harder than I thought, this was a lot of fun... and very eye opening.

INSERT. TITLE SEQUENCE.
‘Ep. 26 – Research Montage’

BEGIN MONTAGE SEQUENCE

Each 'subject' is filmed in Anne's apartment, alone in frame, sitting down in the usual spot, 'the Office' style. They were each asked the four questions mentioned in the last video and their answers were cut together and grouped under the question topics.

INSERT

White screen with typerwriter font:
‘Question one:
What was Anne Elliot like ten years ago?’

INT. ANNE'S APT 1 – DAY

GROVER is relaxed and supportive. He has no reason not to be honest with Anne, now that some things between them is out in the open and they're beginning to rebuild their previous friendship again.

GROVER
(to camera)
Fun, but a little too reserved; supportive, quiet and down to earth. A solid 8.

CUT TO...

LOUISA is smiling at the camera, showing off a little, with posture that is open and shows off her figure. She looks off screen, where Anne is standing, asking the questions. She laughs.

LOUISA
I was a kid ten years ago.

ANNE (O.S)
Best you can remember. And to the camera, please.

LOUISA
(to camera)
I thought you were the big sister that I always wanted to have looking out for me.

CUT TO...

MARY'S posture is closed off, and she doesn't look entirely like she wants to be there.

MARY
(to Anne)
What did you want?

ANNE (O.S)
I want to know what you thought I was like ten years ago.

MARY
Someone I could trust.

CUT TO...

RITA is thoughtful, taking this process more seriously than her sister had.

RITA
Betty Cooper. From the Archie comics. I thought you were Betty. Girl next door - kind of perfect. I wanted to be like you.

CUT.

INSERT

White page saying
‘Question two:
How would you characterize Anne as a teenager?’

RETURN TO SCENE

LOUISA
Artsy-prep-geek-chic.

CUT TO...

GROVER
Not like your older sister. What was she? Cheerleader?

ANNE (O.S)
Pep-squad leader. And homecoming queen. 

GROVER
(knowingly)
And you were what again?

BEAT OF SILENCE

ANNE (O.S)
Editor of the paper and yearbook.

CUT TO...

RITA
You made it okay to not be strictly popular. I think everyone liked you.

CUT TO...

Mary sits in silence a moment, before she looks at the camera and...

MARY
Bossy.

CUT.

INSERT

White page saying
‘Question three:
How has Anne changed in the time since?’

RETURN TO SCENE

MARY
Well, you’re kind of more of a bitch...

ANNE (O.S.)
Okay... seriously?

CUT TO...

RITA
Depression. Middle child syndrome... did you want me go over the list...?

CUT TO...

GROVER
You used to laugh, all the time. Out loud. When things were really funny, you used to snort a little. I haven’t heard you do that in...

CUT TO...

LOUISA
You went from colour to black and white.

CUT TO...

GROVER
...Well, a long time.

CUT.

INSERT

White page saying
‘Question four:
How would you characterize Anne now?’

RETURN TO SCENE

RITA
Not Big Ethel per se, but... maybe Nancy? No one really pays attention to Nancy.

CUT TO...

MARY
... jealous bitch?

CAMERA SHAKES slightly as Anne ENTERS FRAME and sits beside Mary, annoyed.

ANNE
Are you still being like this?

MARY
Still?

ANNE
(trying to ignore the camera)
I thought we talked about this. I thought we were okay.

MARY
(frowning)
One dinner doesn’t make everything magically okay. Especially when you keep Grover cooped up in your office half the day.

ANNE
That was a business meeting, Mary! Budget deadlines are due Monday, and he’s a team lead, remember?

MARY
Oh. Right... Still!

ANNE
(annoyed)
So high maintenance...

Anne moves back OUT OF FRAME.

CUT TO...

LOUISA
In need of a makeover. At least a good haircut. And a facial...

ANNE (O.S)
(tersely)
And how is that job search coming along?

CUT TO...

GROVER
A flower in the shadows. One you know is beautiful while in bloom, but can’t until it steps out into the sunshine.

ANNE (O.S.)
Grover...

GROVER
Just saying it how I see it. Although, it's getting better. You're starting to shine again.

Anne STEPS INTO FRAME as Grover stands. Their heads are cut off from the top of the frame. They hug as...

ANNE
Thank you.

BEAT.

They continue to hug and...

END.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014

Twitter

Anne: @Grover How are everyone's proposals coming?
Grover: @Anne Have I ever mentioned that I hate being in charge?

Beth: It's so hard to maintain various social mediums when one is busy enjoying the social scene
Penny: @Beth And yet you manage to do both.

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

Twitter

NavyWaters: Carpe Diem(video link)

Rick: The age old battle against time (video link)

For What it’s Worth #4 – Fighting Time
Rick
tagline: Fight it before you fade away

INT  WALL - DAY

RICK WENTWORTH is WALKING INTO FRAME to stand in front of a brick wall, his attention on an APPLE he is toying with. Smirking, knowing something that the camera and audience doesn't, he focuses on the camera and TAKES A BITE of the apple.

RICK
Today, kids, I have a lesson for you. Keep fit, both mentally and physically. Eat your fruits and vegetables. Exercise your body as often as you do your mind. Because, if you don’t, you'll die.

Rick tosses the apple out of frame and continues without breaking contact with the camera. He starts out slowly, easing into this topic that is evident that he feels strongly about. Maybe he's talking from personal experience and has seen what happens to people who let their dreams die and allow time to beat them. He almost pities them, or even still cares about their welfare, but is too blinded by his own resentment to realize it.

RICK (cont.)
Chase your dreams. Because if you don't, you won’t even live before you die.
Don’t wait for time to give you things. Because it doesn’t.
Time is one of those gold-digging bitches that you want to meet when you’re old enough to really appreciate a young woman. Sure it will give you promises and whisper sweet nothings in your ear, but in the end, it will rob you blind and make you wonder if the sex was really worth it because it’s now just a memory.
I’m not saying that you should be a money-grabbing scrooge either. There is no joy in being old with wealth if you don’t have anyone to share it with. And swimming in coins hurt more than Ducktails would have you believe.
No, what I’m saying is that time isn’t kind. And it doesn’t owe you a damn thing. It leaves you older, frailer, and a mere reflection of who you once thought you could be back when you had dreams and goals and love and determination and a reason to live... Back before you gave it all up to the demands of others – the demands of growing up.
And what do you have to show for it, now? Wrinkles and grey hairs? A family and company who doesn't recognize your worth and that you didn't even want to be stuck at? No. So fight time. Fight growing up. Fight for what you believe in. Fight for yourself.
Time doesn’t owe you anything, but it will still take you for everything you’re worth. Once you forget why you’re alive – once you forget what keeps you wanting to fight – you let it win. You die from the inside out.
The good news is that it’s never too late to dream, to take back what has been stolen. It’s never too late to remember how to fight for what you believe in and to believe in yourself. 
For what that’s worth.

JUMP TO BLACK.
END.

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Twitter

Anne: @Grover drops by with a dinner invitation and a history of gentlemen (video link)

The Anne Elliot Confessionals #27 - The Story of Dick and Rick
Anne, Grover
tagline: Oh the unintended rhyme.

INT ANNE’S APT 1 – EARLY MORNING