The door slams behind Neil as he races into the street after Kim.
Neil
Come back - I know you don’t want to go back to work right now.
Kim
Yeah, well I also don’t want you to give me a ring.
Kim
But apparently, I don’t get a say in that, Neil.
Kim
This is supposed to be a Kiss Contract.
Kim
That means no promises, no expectations.
Kim
And you’re giving me a ring?
Neil
Kim, relax. It’s not one of THOSE rings.
Kim
You gave me a ring on our first date.
Kim
And YES - now I know this really WAS a date.
Neil
Is this really so different from your expectations?
Neil
Because I’ll tell you what I was expecting.
Neil
I thought we could hang out at lunch.
Neil
I thought I could give you a few gifts.
Kim
Well you thought wrong.
Kim
You don’t just give a girl a ring, Neil.
Kim
Rings mean something.
Kim
They’re kind of a big deal.
Neil
So? Is it such a big deal that I like you?
Kim
I can’t… I can’t do this.
Kim
You’re missing the point entirely.
Kim
This Kiss Contract was never gonna work.
Kim
I should’ve seen that from a mile away.
Neil
Don’t say that, Kim.
Neil
Wasn’t the whole purpose of the Kiss Contract to have fun?
Neil
Weren’t you having fun today?
Neil
I mean before this whole thing with the ring happened.
Kim pauses for a second, considering Neil’s words.
Neil
Kim, you got to tease me about the food I was eating.
Neil
That alone puts this day in your top ten.
Kim reaches out her hand with a small smile on her lips,
Stretching for Neil’s hand.
She wraps her fingers around each of his,
Toying with his digits one by one.
Kim
You know I like teasing you.
Neil
Now you’re teasing me in a different way.
Kim
Yes - but I always give in when I tease you this way…
Neil cuts her off, capturing her mouth with his.
He plants his hands on her hips - with just enough force to take control.
The kiss is passionate and consuming,
And a soft moan escapes from Kim’s mouth.
When he pulls away, it takes Kim a moment to find her voice.
Neil
You don’t want me to stop doing that all because of a silly ring - do you?
Kim
But that ring made me feel uncomfortable
Kim
And I don’t like feeling that way around you.
Neil
I know. I don’t like it either.
Neil
I got you that ring because I wanted to show you that I appreciate you.
Neil
I went to Chanel because my sister likes that store - she said girls like it.
Neil
And when I got there…
Neil
I picked out the most non-romantic looking piece of jewelry I could find.
Neil
A NAIL shaped ring, Kim.
Neil
This ring looks like a nail you’d hammer into a wall.
Neil
But there’s something artistic about it, so I thought you might like it.
Neil
And I thought it might at least make you laugh.
Neil
Because that’s all I wanted to do -
Neil
I wanted to make you smile.
Neil
So now, tell me the truth -
Neil
Because that’s rule #2, after all.
Neil
If there are no promises, no expectations…
Kim watches Neil slide the ring on her finger,
And it fits perfectly, like it was made for her hand.
Neil
Do you like it, Kim?
Neil
Does it make you smile?
Kim looks up from the ring and into Neil’s eyes.
Kim
Yes - I like it very much.
Neil
Then let’s get some lunch.
Neil
That bone marrow was NOT very filling.
A few hours later, Kim is back at work
And happily drawing in her new sketchpad,
When she gets interrupted by a strange call.
She opens her IB, as she always does after strange calls, and IB’s Neil.
Kim
You’ll NEVER guess what just happened.
Neil
Is it good or because it’s bad?
Kim
IDK - it’s just weird.
Kim
BRAD called me down to his office.
Kim
Isn’t that so bizarre?
Kim
I was planning to just co-exist with him and avoid him at all costs
Neil
Yeah, well I’m sure he wasn’t going to follow that plan, Kim.
Neil
I mean that he’s a guy who wanted to be with you.
Neil
He’s probably going to try to find a way to win you back.
Kim
What?! Don’t be ridiculous.
Kim
He hates my guts. Remember what a jerk he was this morning?
Neil
He was a jerk because he can’t be with you.
Neil
God, I hate this guy.
Neil
He’s seriously is calling you into his office?
Neil
That’s a total dick move.
Neil
He’s just trying to put himself in a position of authority.
Neil
I’m serious, Kim. Be careful.
Neil
Don’t let him abuse his position.
Kim
Weren’t you the one who said that HR people can’t possibly get “hot and heavy?”
Neil
That was before you and I had the Kiss Contract.
Neil
He wants to get with you.
Kim
But it’s not like I’m going to let him.
Kim
Kiss Contract Rule #1, remember?
Kim
No kissing anyone who isn’t on the list.
Kim
Haha, you don’t have to thank me.
Kim
Anyway, I better go - I want to get this over with.
Neil
Let me know what happens.
Kim walks down the hall. After she turns the corner,
She can immediately see into Brad’s glass office.
And sitting in the chairs are two of the brokers -
The one from the Apple deal, and the one from this morning’s Microsoft deal.
Kim tentatively knocks on the door and Brad raises his hand, beckoning her in.
Brad
Ms. Blake! Have a seat.
Kim
Oh, it’s no trouble, I can stand.
Brad
No, please. I’d like you to sit for this.
Kim lowers herself into the seat slowly,
Looking back and forth between the brokers,
And finally, back to Brad.
He straightens his tie and clears his throat.
Brad
Ms. Blake, we’re going to have to let you go.
