When Jake sees me frozen on the spot…
He walks around to stand in front of me.
Jake
The grand prize is all yours.
Jake
I’m just trying to jump-start my career.
My brain still stuck on his offer.
His arms cross over his well-defined chest.
Jake
I’m an acting major.
Jake
I’m just looking for publicity here.
Jake
To boost my following, so to speak.
I sit back down on the bench.
That would pay for my last 2 semesters.
Maggie
But…we don’t know a thing about each other.
He’s smiling from ear-to-ear.
Because he knows he’s got me.
Jake
Then we better get started.
I walk up the stairs to Jake’s apartment…
Marveling at the opulence of the building.
A chandelier in the foyer…
Jake definitely lives the good life.
No wonder he doesn’t care about the money.
I knock when I reach his door…
Then adjust the packet under my arm.
Still wearing a big grin.
Jake
Punctuality is sexy.
I can barely hide my grimace.
I step into his apartment…
And I’m surprised to find it isn’t as lavish as I thought it would be.
All the appliances are still top-of-the-line…
But the decor is almost…cozy.
Is that a knit blanket on his couch?
Jake
Make yourself comfortable.
Jake
I’m just finishing up dinner.
My eyebrows fly into my hairline.
Jake
But how hard can homemade pizza be?
When I just blink in response…
He turns to head back to the kitchen.
I look around his place a bit more…
And notice he has a lot of photographs.
There’s a sweet one of him as a child with an old couple.
I also see one of him and very cute dog.
There’s an old leash wrapped around the frame.
But then I hear him holler for me from the kitchen.
Jake
Get it while it’s hot, blondie.
I scowl and make my way into his dining room.
Maggie
Okay, first thing you need to know about me?
Maggie
I don’t like being called blondie.
He snickers and puts down a huge bowl of cheese.
Jake
Might be hard to break that habit.
Jake
I’ve been calling you that in my head since freshman year.
But my eyes get stuck on the bowl in his hand.
Maggie
Is that grated parmesan?
Jake
Better than the stuff that comes in that plastic shaker.
I take a look around the table.
It’s covered in bowls filled with every topping imaginable.
Garlic and pepper flakes…
And there’s a large plate with pies that look pretty decent.
I’m reluctantly impressed.
Maggie
Wow. You went all out.
He motions for me to sit.
Jake
Didn’t know what you liked.
Jake
Speaking of, let’s get down to business.
I take the packet out from under my arm…
And slide it across the table.
He peruses it as I make my pizza.
But when Jake suddenly yawns incredibly loudly…
Maggie
Did you just yawn on purpose?
Jake
This thing is cute and all…
Jake
With all the highlights and chapter markings…
Jake
But really, blondie?
Jake
Your favorite color?
Maggie
That’s basic relationship 101.
Maggie
You need to know my favorite color.
Jake
And why do I need to know your GPA?
Jake
Do you think the host — or anyone for that matter — is going to care?
Maggie
I was being thorough!
Maggie
There’s a lot of good stuff in there.
He slides the packet back across the table.
Jake
But I need to know the gritty stuff.
Jake
The things that motivate you.
Jake
The things that make you the person you are.
I lean back and cross my arms.
Maggie
Well please, enlighten me as to what that means.
Maggie
Where’s your packet?
He grins in that annoying way.
He reaches beside him and presses a button on a remote.
And I nearly jump out of my seat…
When a projector screen comes down on the far side of the room.
An image pops up on the screen.
It’s a picture of a young Jake on stage with his hands thrown in the air.
The words overlaying it read: My humble roots.
Jake
This is me during my first major role.
Jake
I played Oliver Twist.
Jake
I’ve always been a physical actor.
Jake
The talent just came naturally.
I make a gagging motion behind his back.
Jake
These are my first headshots.
Jake
You’ll notice my hair wasn’t always as dark as it is today.
He laughs, clearly enjoying himself.
Jake
I was almost as blonde as you!
My lip curls with disgust.
Maggie
I’m sorry, but are you serious right now?
I motion to the slideshow.
Maggie
This is just a bunch of old photos of you.
Maggie
How is this supposed to help me actually get to know you?
Jake turns to face me fully.
Jake
It shows you how hard I’ve worked to get to where I am today.
I throw my own hands in the air.
Maggie
Want to show me hard work?
Maggie
Then tell me how scared you were the first time you were on stage.
Maggie
And how you overcame it.
Maggie
Don’t go on about your hair color.
I can see the offense on his face.
Jake
Oh yeah. Awesome idea, blondie.
Jake
I should talk about my stage fright on the show.
Jake
That will realllyyy get directors knocking at my door.
His sarcasm grates on my already frayed nerves.
Maggie
At least it’s something real!
Jake
And you liking green is something “real”?!
Maggie
I told you I was being thorough!
He leans over and snatches the packet back.
Then clears his throat obnoxiously.
Jake
This is my girlfriend, Maggie Collins.
Jake
She’s been to 32 states but hopes to go to more.
Jake
She’s also really good at Monopoly.
The fake excitement in his voice has me rising to my feet.
I point to the slideshow.
Maggie
This is Jake Pearson!
Maggie
He once did an orange juice commercial…
Maggie
But regrets wearing a red shirt instead of a blue one!
Jake
At least I’m not boring!
Maggie
At least I’m not shallow!
Silence follows our statements…
And I realize we’re both breathing heavily.
The fight drops out of me.
And I have a sudden and desperate urge to leave.
Maggie
This was a mistake.
After one more look at him…
