Just keep writing

As John crosses Ocean Boulevard, a gentle sea breeze blows the sea oats on the sand dunes. He looks both ways, and begins to cross the quiet  street carrying his surfboard.  His cell phone rings.

Call from David

‘Hey What up?

John

‘Well, just coming from surfing. And…as I look ahead of me...well there’s smoke coming from my Aunt’s kitchen window. So either she’s cooking…or she’s moving on from dating Officer Mike and is trying to attract the Seaside Park Volunteer Fire Department.’

David

‘Ooo. Officer Mike. A new daddy for you.’

John

‘He thinks I lack direction. I say...I live at the beach…when I walk into the Atlantic…I’m facing East.’

David

‘So you are being a jerk to him.’

John

‘Not always. Sometimes I’m too tired to be a jerk. Speaking of jerks…how’s Bernie’

David

‘Actually…I’m calling to talk about the other Bernie.’

John

‘Really….I don’t even know him.’

David

‘You might. The Uber Creative Director is secretly meeting with him as we speak.’

John

‘That’s some secret meeting.’

David

‘Well, you can’t count me. I know everything.’

John

‘Well, what do I know…I’m just a writer.’

David

‘Not if Keith pulls the account you aren’t.’

John

‘So what do I do?’

David

‘Keep making Keith look like he’s a genius. Then he’ll pull you to the other Bernie’s or keep you here to work on the account. It’s a tale of two Bernies…we have nothing to say about our lives. Unless we want to be a Bernie.’

John

‘Pass. Too complicated. Annoying wife. …VP of Shopping. Annoying grown-ass sons. ..getting chocolate massages…vacationing on Bora Bora…and being hot and bored. ‘

David

‘Well, just keep doing what you do. Keith already tried another freelance writer on the account. ‘

John

‘Why? The client likes my junk.’

David

‘The idea was to show the client that Keith is the thing….we have lot’s of writers.’

John

‘Idea? Lie!’

David

‘It bombed. Don’t worry.’

John

‘Well if Keith isn’t loyal to me… maybe I’ll stay with Bernie and keep the account with him. He signs my pay check after-all.’

David

‘Bernie was also behind the we have lot’s of writers idea. He wants lot’s of strings on the account.’

John

‘So he’s not on my side.’

David

“you aren’t making enough with him to earn his trust. Keith does make enough…of course Bernie only trusts Bernie.’

John

‘So what about loyalty…honesty.’

David

‘In Advertising? How old are you?’

John

‘Well, the smoke has stopped pouring out of the kitchen window…and here pulls up Officer Mike to save the day.’

Officer Mike running towards the back door. To John:

“Do you think you should put the cell phone down and see if your house is burning down?’

Aunt Margaret comes onto back porch.

“It’s ok. Did you know olive oil can catch fire?’

John

‘Yes, I knew that. Saw it on the History Channel.’

Officer Mike looks at John

John

‘What?  The History Channel was on my way to turning to the Sci Fi Channel.’

John into cell phone

‘So David. I’m on the account yet right?’

David

‘More than ever. The other writer and Keith bombed. Now they want sure things for a while.’

John

‘What if Keith pulls the account.’

David

‘He’ll pull you with him. Remember, you’ve done a lot of the ideas.’

John

‘I’d feel guilty about pulling the account from our Bernie.’

David

‘Get over it. Bernie is loyal to Bernie…you aren’t quick on the pick up…are you?’

John

‘You know David…this is all too much…I’m just gonna keep writing.’

David

‘That’s what I’m saying. Talent is like a shield. It’ll protect you.’

John

“I’m writing. Not fighting.’

David

‘You’re doing both…and you are in the middle of two wealthy guys who hate each other.’