 
BlueBalance

by

Phil Wohl

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2016 Phil Wohl

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INT. BlueWorld corporation headquarters - Executive boardroom

LOU GRAVES

I've called you all here today because we've run into a bit of a roadblock.

Graves had assembled his team of vice presidents together after he got the news about the company's first quarter earnings. He realize that BlueWorld Corporation would have to undergo some changes. There was only a week until BlueWorld was scheduled to announce its quarterly results to the public and the investment community, all of which had come to expect only sparkling outcomes from the company.

LOU GRAVES

(Looks around the huge recycled glass blue table) Our first quarter earnings aren't quite what we expected. In fact they're a few cents off most of our projections.

A faint grumbling could be heard in the room. Bonuses were tied to corporate performance and this was not the start to the year that must of us had anticipated. There was a calm strain in his face like any good leader. Lou Graves had gotten to his position in life by coolly reacting to adversity. He had started a multi-billion dollar company from his garage, with only the courage of his conviction and about a thousand dollars in his pocket.

LOU GRAVES

(Takes a deep breath) All of you have had a hand in lifting this company to its current heights. I need you to put your heads together and guide us through this bump in the road.

The VP's weren't sure whether they'd spend the week meeting at the home office in BlueTown, Michigan, or if Graves had something else up his sleeve. It seemed he always had something different bouncing around his brilliant mind. Starting a line of exclusively blue products didn't seem like such a risk in University of Michigan country, where the chant "GO BLUE!" can be heard at the 'Big House' and around the world courtesy of the school's loyal fan base.

LOU GRAVES

(Strokes his goatee) I've given this some thought and come to the conclusion that it would be more effective if you all got out of here. That is why the task force is headed to my house in Mackinac Island for the week. A couple of helicopters will be here tomorrow morning to pick you up.

The room got a little noisy from the immediate reaction to the news, and then Graves waved his hands and yelled.

LOU GRAVES

When you come up with your brilliant solution in time for next Friday's first quarter conference call—and the stock goes up on that day—next weekend is on me for you and your families at The Grand Hotel!

The other VP's stood up and started talking as we follow one of the VP's out of the room.

BRANDON SOUL

(Talking to us) My name is Brandon Soul and I am the Senior Vice President of Discovery for BlueWorld. There is no written text on file that describes my job, because words would merely serve to limit my contribution. (Walking down a set of stairs) I've seen Graves utilize focus groups quite often to gauge the effectiveness of a product, but this is the first time in a few years that he has roped the entire third floor into an isolated group focused on one goal. It was also unique that he was sending us to his house without being on-site himself. Although Graves is known as an innovative and hands-off leader, he nonetheless has his guiding hand in just about everything we do. 9He walks outside) My life's pursuit has become the breakdown. I'm not talking about the losing control of your faculty's kind of breakdown - it's just my way of figuring out people and situations in an orderly fashion. The funny thing is that I'm not sure everyone else is fully aware of my role in the company. I guess you can say that I'm the spark that ignites the flame. Just about every product line and development project has started with me - I have no clue how to manufacturer, or fully develop, these products - it's a hunch, a gut feeling, that leads me from observation, to brain flash, to blue ignition. It should be an interested week.

INT. BRANDON'S OFFICE, FRIDAY AFTERNOON

There is a faint knock on Brandon's office archway, since none of the doors in the building actually have windows.

BRANDON SOUL

(Motions to the diminutive Asian woman) C'mon in.

KEIKO

Please wait for instructions.

A flat screen television emerged from Brandon's desktop, an experience that was also shared by the other SVPs in their offices. They had our own floor, which was the third of a three-story building, and it had all of the creature comforts of home. (Tour of the campus)

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates)BlueWorld International's 4,000 employees were housed in three connected buildings on a 200-acre campus.The three massive buildings that comprised BlueHeaven were the manufacturing facility, the distribution center and the corporate headquarters. A common area, called the Aqua Dome, which was enclosed entirely with blue-tinted glass, joined the three buildings. It was quite a sight to behold from either the ground or the sky. The initial plans for the buildings called for a transportation system that would be the common thread between the buildings, but that was squashed when we realized that people would become lazy and disconnected from their work environment. There are no set hours of operation in the BlueWorld Complex, except for the somewhat rigid manufacturing schedule. People are free to come and go all day and night as long as their work gets done. Although some people initially gravitated toward working during traditional business hours, because they have families and were trained to think that way, within a few months their perception of work was permanently altered. BlueWorld also has one of the lowest turnover rates of any public company in the U.S. Your every need and want can be satisfied on the 200-acre site: there are BlueSchools for the children in the education corridor, which also includes a corporate training and adult education center; the BlueWellness building houses a small hospital, a medical facility, a few dentists, an optometrist, two psychiatrists, a physical therapist, and a veterinarian; the BlueClubhouse is one of the busiest facilities at BlueWorld - this building, which is shaped like a huge ball, is a game-playing and active lifestyle dream. A health club and Namaste center - for more spiritual pursuits - complement gymnasiums, an ice rink, and a video/game center. BlueHome is probably the most ambitious section of Lou Graves's vision. Graves knew that much of his sizable piece of land would be wasted if he didn't fully utilize it. A few months after I started at Blue Products, Graves called me into his crowded office for a little chat. My former bosses would always close the door when they had something important to discuss with me, but Graves made everyone around him feel so at ease and he didn't even have a door to his office. I'll never forget a conversation we had when I first started with the company years earlier.

LOU GRAVES

I hired you because I needed someone close to me that could expand my thoughts. Well, the truth is that I didn't exactly hire you...

BRANDON SOUL

(Nodding in understanding) I hired myself. My father worked for your father when they were at Nabisco. They were the ones who came up with the idea for the Oreo cookie.

LOU GRAVES

And Chips Ahoy. You know those were your dad's ideas. My dad told me that if I ever amounted to anything, I should look up Mark Soul's boy. It took Oprah and a little digging but I finally found you. (Pause) I saw this property today that I want to buy for the company. I'd like to take you to see it.

They jumped into his Lou's Ford Bronco and drove down the road to a farm. They emerged from the vehicle and walked some, then drove some, and then sat on the porch of the old farmhouse.

LOU GRAVES

So, what do you think?

BRANDON SOUL

You're thinking that you have all of this land but no real connection to your employees. What if you built everything from A to Z to accommodate your employees and their families? In turn, this would return an unprecedented level of employee loyalty, satisfaction and productivity.

LOU GRAVES

(Eyebrows raise) Like a Blue Village?

BRANDON SOUL

(Nods in agreement) If you branded everything and attached a Blue name to it, then it would become ingrained in people's consciousness. We want our Blue world to be a state of mind for employees and customers alike.

LOU GRAVES

(Smiles and then laughs) You know, my dad told me that he thought your dad was crazy when he suggested putting a cream filling between two chocolate cookies. This is the kind of dialogue I've been looking for... I must have been going crazy the past few years making all of these heavy decisions myself.

BRANDON SOUL

You have a great concept and you're a dynamic leader. As long as we keep it light, tight, and upbeat anything can happen.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates as the open field morphs into a developed campus) What was most extraordinary about the BlueCampus grounds was that there was never a reason to leave. Underground walkways that were open to the sky linked BlueHeaven to BlueHome, the residential community. This 50-acre developed stretch of land was set on an area named BlueTown, which also had its own post office and zip code. All of the employees working at BlueHeaven lived in housing provided by the company. The company maintained the exterior of these homes, but the employees paid the subsidized mortgages and rents. BlueHome was a combination of apartments, town houses and single-family housing; no building was more than two stories above the ground, which ensured unobstructed views and helped to fully leverage the solar energy technology utilized by the entire BluePower system. Not only is Lou Graves ambitious, he is also a visionary. A friend of his, Arnie Jamison, was a scientist that specialized in Solar Energy research at the University of Michigan. Jamison's research grant had expired a few years before the BlueWorld campus was built, and he was struggling with his own company called Solar Energy Resources. The three of us went out for drinks at a local bar one late Friday afternoon. Graves and I had just spoken about the BlueCampus concepts and we were starting to look for contractors and ideas for building materials.

ARNIE JAMISON

I tell you, people are blind to the future.

LOU GRAVES

I hope not! If that's the case, then we're about to step into a huge blue hole. (They all laugh) So, what are you working on, Arnie?

ARNIE JAMISON

I have developed this glass with built-in solar panels. It's sort of like a car windshield with the antenna built in.

BRANDON SOUL

Have you tested it on a bigger scale?

LOU GRAVES

(Looks excitedly at Brandon) Yeah, you should see this.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) I had seen Jamison's house as I drove by it a week earlier. The two-story, 3,000 square-foot house was surrounded by all glass. It was one of the coolest and imaginative things I had ever seen. I threw a $20 bill on the bar and we piled into Arnie's truck and drove five minutes to his house. Lou and I stood in front of the house with our mouths open.

ARNIE JAMISON

I just finished it last month and I'm very pleased with the results. (The two men follow him into the house) I have never had a power loss in all of the years I've been doing this. Since I am the power company, my heating, cooling, and power expenses have gone away. I even power the barbecue through the solar panels. Solar energy is the cleanest and most efficient power source known to man. Even if it's cloudy for an extended time, I have developed a stored power reserve so none of that golden sunshine is wasted. We stare up at the sky, but people never connect the dots with that most potent force.

BRANDON SOUL

(Looks at Lou and then at Jamison) Can you make the glass in blue?

The diminutive Asian woman was still standing in Brandon's office as he waited for the message on the screen to play. He sat back in his comfy chair, smiled at the woman, and then turned his attention to the screen. Graves came through from a live feed in his office.

LOU GRAVES

You all have a demanding week ahead of you, so I thought I would help you relax and clear your minds. (Closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He then smiles and opens his eyes) I know you all will make me proud.

The screen went blue and the BlueWorld logo flashed before the console disappeared back into the desk. The lights dimmed on the entire third floor and Keiko offered me a choice of music as she set up her long blue table.

KEIKO

You extra-long. I open extra panel.

Brandon turned the blue privacy glass on in his office and stripped down to only the most essential elements, a towel and his birthday suit. Before he stretched out on the massage table, they squared off and Keiko and Brandon bowed at each other.

KEIKO

My name is Keiko. Please tell me if you need anything, Mr. Soul.

BRANDON SOUL

As long as I have peace and quiet, Keiko, everything will be all right. (Narrates as Keiko starts her massage) I selected a Japanese Ocean Sampler, and within the first few strokes of Keiko's magical fingers I was elsewhere. Being somewhere between semi-conscious thought and deep sleep is a floating existence that acts like a stress eraser. Although the life at BlueWorld cut most of life's stress, most of us still had been unsuccessful at clearing away the erosion of our past. Our great company took care of most of life's pressure, including money, housing, bad bosses, annoying co-workers, crime, and many other daily annoyances you can think of. The only thing I heard during the 45-minute session was Keiko gently saying, "Front, please" when she wanted me to turn over. I had this half-daydream, half-sleeping dream that I had gotten hard when she was rubbing me down. The only twist was that Nina had taken over and was working her sexy magic on me. The next thing I heard was the gentle sound of a small gong. I slowly opened my eyes and immediately looked down, expecting to see a tent forming from my towel.

KEIKO

(Smiling) You smaller now. Having good dream?

BRANDON SOUL

Yes, I had a good dream. Smaller now. (Narrates) She handed me a navy blue robe and I watched her fold up the massage table. Keiko did everything with such grace and skill - she took pride in every movement, every breath - I could identify with her sense of purpose. After all, my life over the past 12 years had changed radically from the previous 28. (Scenes of New York City) I was 28 years old and living in New York when my 'life earthquake' occurred. I was working in Midtown Manhattan for a well-known publisher and was experiencing some success in my career despite yearning to venture out on my own. I had read so many books that it left me feeling empty and wondering if I could put words and stories together to fill that void.

INT. BRANDON'S PUBLISHING OFFICE

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) I was in the office late one night when I saw a sticky note message I had avoided stuck on the corner of my desk. I sat back in my chair and dialed the number to set up a time to meet after I had time to read the person's book.

NINA BRADLEY

Hello.

BRANDON SOUL

Is this Nina Bradley?

NINA BRADLEY

Yes, this is Nina.

BRANDON SOUL

(In a playful mood) The same Nina Bradley that wrote the book, *Heart Strong?*

NINA BRADLEY

Yes, that's me. Who is this?

BRANDON SOUL

I'm sorry. My name is Brandon Soul and I work for Freedom Publishing. I was calling to set up a schedule for you to drop your book off and for us to meet.

NINA BRADLEY

Look, we could go through the motions and you can pretend to read my book - then we could meet and you can give me a short speech about how the book was good, but it wasn't a fit with your company's style - or you could just come clean now and save me some unneeded heartache.

BRANDON SOUL

(Puts the phone down and talks to the audience) While it was almost customary to hear people protest and question our book rejections, this was the first time I had ever encountered an author that was willing to cut to the chase. (He raises the phone and lowers his guard a bit) Why don't you tell me what your book is about?

NINA BRADLEY

I can't do that over the phone.

BRANDON SOUL

Why not?

NINA BRADLEY

You'll understand it when you read the book.

BRANDON SOUL

I don't usually do this but... do you want to meet me now?

NINA BRADLEY

(Awkward) Ugh, what time is it anyway?

BRANDON SOUL

It's 7:30. I'm at the office but I could meet you by 8:00.

NINA BRADLEY

(Takes him to task) What are you doing in your office at this hour? Don't you have anyone to go home to?

BRANDON SOUL

No, I'm not married.

NINA BRADLEY

No, I meant like a dog or some goldfish?

BRANDON SOUL

(Tries to ignore the dig) Let see, you live on the West Side and I live on the East Side.

NINA BRADLEY

You live on the East Side? I thought only old people live on the East Side.

BRANDON SOUL

(Sticks to business) Why don't we meet at the Starbucks on the corner of 79th and Broadway?

NINA BRADLEY

I don't drink coffee.

BRANDON SOUL

Then I'll get you some hot chocolate and a few chocolate covered graham crackers.

NINA BRADLEY

I'll see you at eight.

BRANDON SOUL

(We follow him out of his building and into a taxi cab. He then talks to the audience) I was initially intrigued, because someone had actually had the guts to take a legitimate stand; that, and the fact that I couldn't stand spending time in my tiny apartment and was looking for just about anything else to do. While the title *Heart Strong* really didn't give me much of a clue what I was up against, it was obvious that the night would prove interesting.

He hands the can driver, Mr. Anwaari, $15.

BRANDON SOUL

Keep the change.

INT. STARBUCKS

Walking into a place like Starbucks, where the undead hooked tubes of caffeine into their veins was a much different experience at night than in the morning. Morning drinkers needed their initial fix in order to function until the next cup cleared their lips and began to erode the inner lining of their stomachs. The night customers were much more laid back and introspective. The urgency of the day had melted away like a windshield defogger finally melting the ice in its path.

Brandon was obviously looking for a woman with a handful of papers. After doing a quick lap around the dimly lit place he decided to get a cup of coffee, a hot chocolate and a few chocolate-covered graham crackers. He found a few comfortable chairs in a remote area and sat down in one chair facing the door. Ten minutes later, a woman looking like she had just run five blocks, walked in carrying a large envelope. It was a chilly October night, so the woman had a long coat on and a pair of mittens. She looked around for a few seconds and then spotted Brandon waving, so she walked toward him.

NINA BRADLEY

(Hands Brandon the tan envelope) Sorry I'm late. I just wanted to make sure everything was in there.

BRANDON SOUL

You must be Nina. Hi, I'm Brandon Soul. (He extends his arm and offers his hand in greeting)

NINA BRADLEY

She unbuttoned her long overcoat to reveal what looked like pajamas. She sat down ignoring his corporate gesture and focused on the hot chocolate and graham crackers) Oh, is this for me? Thank you!

BRANDON SOUL

(Thinks about opening the envelope, but has an important question to ask first) Are you wearing pajamas?

NINA BRADLEY

That depends on how you look at it. I knew I couldn't change and put make-up on in the time that you gave me, so I opted for the face paint instead.

BRANDON SOUL

(Brandon opens envelope and then narrates) I didn't know what to make of this woman besides the fact that she was a little off-center and extremely cute in a pajama-wearing way. If her objective was to bring my guard down and walk me out of the doors of corporate America, then she had succeeded. I was now relaxed and ready to read her book. (Picks up his head and looks at her) This will take me a couple of hours, so I hope you brought something to do.

NINA BRADLEY

(Smirks and then pulls a small notebook and pen out of her jacket pocket) Buckle up, Brando.

BRANDON SOUL

(Starts reading the manuscript and narrates) I honestly had no idea what to expect when I opened that envelope, but the experience instantly changed my life. I read the first page and could feel the layers of my New York City armor peeling off my body. This woman was undressing my mind with her words and I wasn't sure how to react. I usually prefer to read the book in its entirety before making comments, but I had to ask. (To Nina) Is this fiction?

NINA BRADLEY

(Stops writing and lets the question wash over her like a waterfall) Why? What does it read like?

BRANDON SOUL

Pain. Excruciating pain.

He puts the book down, excuses himself, and then walks into the bathroom.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates as he splashes cold water on his face while looking in the mirror) Who the hell are you? Have I become that distant from my past? Was it possible that some of these things could have happened to another human being besides me? Had this woman crawled into my head and scribbled down every last thought she could suck from my memories? (He grabs a piece of paper towel and dries his face before heading back to the book)

He sat back in his chair, picked up her manuscript, and locked eyes with her. She really didn't give a crap if he liked her book. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was looking to see if he was a human being, or just another corporate robot.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) An hour later, I was about halfway through the book and an hour after that I hit a big bump in the road. When I read, "Every time I was with a man, thoughts of my father's hairy, thick hands would permeate my soul and cloud my thoughts."

Tears started streaming down the sides of his face and he buried my head into his left hand.

BRANDON SOUL

I had never been impacted by words to that extent in my life - at least not since Turk Grazier, the neighborhood bully, told me that I was "worthless" every time he made me touch him. But that was when I was a kid, when my world seemed to bind me to a dark cave. I never told anyone about Turk and the two years of abuse I suffered through when I was eight years old and he was 12.

Nina was deep in thought and hadn't bothered to pick up her head until she heard Brandon sobbing. Without hesitation she crawled over to him on her knees and took him in her arms. His emotional dam had finally given way to a woman that knew what his pain felt like.

BRANDON SOUL

I was so taken by Nina and her book that I gave everything of myself to her after that night. Within a month we were living together at her apartment on the West Side and I had endured many battles with my company to publish her book.

INT. BRANDON'S PUBLISHING OFFICE

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates as he sits at his desk) Six months after we met, I decided that spending the rest of my life with someone as wonderful as Nina could not wait any longer. I planned on inviting her up to my office, so I could present her with a copy of her published book and also ask her to marry me. It would be a day that neither of us would ever forget. I planned on taking Nina to lunch at a quiet, romantic restaurant down the block from my office. She was supposed to come up and get the book first, and then we would walk to the restaurant for the proposal. I looked at the clock on my desk and when it struck twelve my heart started pumping a little faster. About ten minutes later I expected Nina to walk through the door. She was always at least 10 minutes late to every appointment, which was her way of not being restricted by time. When 12:30 came and went I started to get a little worried; 20 minutes was usually Nina's outer boundary for lateness. I couldn't call her on a cell phone because she refused to get one. She would always say something about the cell waves giving you brain cancer. It became completely uncomfortable as 12:30 melted into 1:00 p.m. My big day was apparently unraveling before I even had a chance to get the party started. I figured that my nervous energy would be better served if I left my office and hit the streets to search for my Nina. I put my suit jacket on and got one foot out of the door when my phone rang on my desk.

BRANDON SOUL

(He races to pick up the phone) Brandon Soul.

DR. NESBITH

Mr. Soul? Are you Nina Bradley's boyfriend?

BRANDON SOUL

(Starts feeling numb) Yes, who is this?

DR. NESBITH

My name is Dr. Nesbith. You're girlfriend had been in an accident. You better get to the Saint Vincent's Emergency Room.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates as he drops the phone and stood motionless for a few seconds) Within minutes I was in the emergency room of Saint Vincent's Hospital. I alerted the nurse that I was there and she told me that I would be able to see Nina in recovery in a few minutes. I saw two EMT's walking out of the emergency with blood on their shirts, so I followed them onto the street.

BRANDON SOUL

Excuse me. Were you the guys that brought in Nina Bradley?

They turn around and he keeps talking.

BRANDON SOUL

What happened to her?

EMT #1

Are you her boyfriend?

Brandon nods.

EMT #2

Those bike messengers are more dangerous than the taxi drivers!

BRANDON SOUL

(Scared) Is she going to be all right?

EMT #1

Guy, she was hit pretty hard and lost a lot of blood. We'll be praying for her.

Brandon walked back inside and his surreal journey began. He saw the doctor coming at him, but I really didn't hear what he said.

BRANDON SOUL

I could tell by the look in his eyes that my life would soon be turning. He patted me on the back and pointed me toward the recovery room. I was informed later that Nina had just had emergency surgery, but the doctors couldn't stop the internal bleeding. Before I walked into see Nina, I made one quick call and then hustled to her side. She was still pretty groggy from the anesthetic but when I held her hand she squeezed my fingers. I sat there for an hour, stroking her hair, arm and face. She finally awoke and I was happy to have the opportunity to be with her.

BRANDON SOUL

There's my girl.

NINA BRADLEY

I'm sorry I was late.

BRANDON SOUL

I had a special day planned for you. First I was going to give you your finished book...

NINA BRADLEY

(Her eyes lit up) And then?

Brandon got down on one knee, reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a jewelry ring box. They both started crying.

JUDGE MELVIN CARTER

Am I in time?

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) I called Judge Melvin Carter before heading into the recovery room. Judge Carter had written a book that I had backed and subsequently published and he told me that "If I can ever repay the favor, give me a call."

Brandon slipped the ring on Nina's finger and she nodded "Yes" and within minutes they were married. Judge Carter had also brought a notary and a clerk with him so they could both legally and spiritually complete the task.

BRANDON SOUL

They left the room and wished us "God's speed." My last few minutes with Nina were as memorable as the first time we met. Only I count those moments as a bad versus a good dream. She was having trouble breathing, so I had to put my left ear right next to her lips in order to hear her.

NINA BRADLEY

You made my life worth living. I had never known true love until I met you. You have made me the happiest person in the world. I have been blessed to have known you.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) I could sense the end was near.

NINA BRADLEY

It's not so bad.

BRANDON SOUL

What's not so bad, love?

NINA BRADLEY

Dying. It's like walking in a store and all of your favorite things are free. I'll get us a cart.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) Before I could say another word my Nina was gone. What was supposed to be the greatest day of my life turned into one of my sweatiest nightmares. We had taken a vacation a few months earlier in the Hampton's, and Nina told me that when she died she wanted her ashes spread across the Atlantic Ocean. Since she was estranged from her family because of her sick dad and a mother in denial, holding a funeral would only have been a symbolic gesture without meaning. I rented a car a few days later and took my Nina dust to the Atlantic Ocean's Jones Beach and tossed it into the breeze, effectively carrying my life out to sea. I stared blankly into the rolling waves for hours until the sound of my cell phone brought me back down to earth. That night I was on a plane to Chicago and the next day I was taken by limo to the Oprah Winfrey Show. I didn't see or hear anyone talking to me until I was sitting across from Oprah and the cameras were tuned on. Watching the playback of the show years later is a difficult task. There wasn't a dry eye in the audience, and even Oprah had to take a commercial break to compose herself. I recounted my life with Nina and our impromptu ceremony at the hospital. Near the end of the 30-minute segment, Oprah pulled out Nina's book and I started crying. When I got myself back together, I had an incredible moment of clarity.

INT. OPRAH WINFREY SHOW

BRANDON SOUL

Oprah, I am going to donate all of Nina's proceeds from this book to K.A.S.A., which stands for Kids Against Sexual Abuse. We had become active in this organization, because we both were the victims of abuse when we were younger.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) It was a good thing that the show was over because Oprah hugged me for a few minutes and then walked off the stage holding a box of Kleenex. I stayed in Chicago for a week and my boss came to visit me at my hotel. He told me that Nina's book had gone to the top of the New York Times Bestseller List in just two days. I, in turn, replied, "Thanks for the news. I'm sorry, but I will not be coming back." After my appearance on "Oprah," my hotel room phone was literally ringing off the hook. Not only was I getting requests to appear on other talk shows, but calls were also pouring in from women offering to help ease my pain. By the end of my week in Chicago, I was receiving telegrams, letters and packages from people from all walks of life.

I looked through all of my messages, but didn't call anyone back. One voicemail message did latch on to my ear, though.

LOU GRAVES

Hello, Brandon. I'm sure that your life has taken turns that you never would have imagined. My dad often told me that your dad was always there when he needed him. I would like to return the favor. Why don't you hit the open road and come see me in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I faxed directions to the front desk, and have reserved a car for you at the Hertz counter in the lobby. Hope to see you soon.

BRANDON SOUL

I picked up the fax the next morning and saw the following letterhead: Blue Products, Inc.,

Lou Graves, President. The last name sounded familiar, but my brain was still pretty melted down. I ate some breakfast at the hotel restaurant and then checked out at the front desk, leaving all of the junk I had received from strangers behind in my room.

INT. HOTEL LOBBY

Brandon walks over to the Hertz counter.

HERTZ ATTENDANT

Is this one way or round trip to Ann Arbor?

BRANDON SOUL

(Thinks for a moment) One way.

The attendant hands Brandon the keys to his car and then he walks over to a quiet spot and dials his parents phone in Portland, Oregon, back when his dad was still alive.

MARK SOUL

(Upbeat) Hello.

BRANDON SOUL

Dad, it's Brandon.

MARK SOUL

How do I know you're really my son?" (He yells into the next room) "Honey! There's a young man on the phone that claims he's our son!

HARRIETT SOUL

Doesn't our son live in Hollywood?

BRANDON SOUL

(Smiles for the first time in weeks) Okay! Okay! I give up!

MARK SOUL

(Becomes more serious) How are you doing, kiddo?

BRANDON SOUL

I'm getting through it, dad.

MARK SOUL

You heading back to New York?

BRANDON SOUL

That's why I'm calling you. I got a call from a Lou Graves in Michigan.

MARK SOUL

Hey, that's Bill Graves' boy! You guys used to help us test cookies in the tasting lab!

BRANDON SOUL

(The light finally comes on in his head, even though he had committed to going by picking up the car) Oh, 'Blue' Lou! Remember when he accidentally used blue dye on his hair instead of shampoo?

MARK SOUL

His mom was making tied-dye shirts in the shower and she forgot to take the bottle of dye when she was done.

BRANDON SOUL

He liked the color and wanted to keep his hair that way, but they wouldn't let him back in school.

MARK SOUL

He cried the whole time the barber buzzed it off.

HARRIETT SOUL

(Picks up the phone) How are you doing, Brando?

BRANDON SOUL

I have to say that I've been better, mom.

HARRIETT SOUL

We've watched that Oprah show a few times and still can't believe how proud of you we are. (She starts crying)

MARK SOUL

We are so sad, Brandon. Here we thought all these years that you had a normal upbringing.

BRANDON SOUL

It was Turk Grazier, the neighborhood bully. (Tears stream down his cheeks)

Harriett gasped as Brandon's dad dropped the phone to run and comfort her. Brandon found some tissues in his jacket pocket and used them to dry the flood coming from his eyes and nose.

HARRIETT SOUL

(Finally calms down) I feel so bad that I made you go out and play all of those times. You kept telling me that you would rather stay inside, but I wouldn't listen to you!

BRANDON SOUL

Mom, listen to me. You did absolutely nothing wrong! You two were the best parents anyone could ever have. Please don't beat yourself up over this - what's done is done. (They all calm down and Brandon continues) I'm getting in the car and driving to Michigan to see Lou Graves.

MARK SOUL

Tell him we said hello. Son, we love you and are here if you need us.

EXT. DRIVING THE RENTAL CAR

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) The land between Chicago and Michigan was about as flat as a slice of New York Pizza. Chicago pizza, on the other hand, was as cushiony and dense as a firm mattress, and made me quite sleepy from its sheer weight. I arrived in Ann Arbor at about 4:00 pm after making a few stops along the way to eat and stretch my long legs. It was a quiet Friday afternoon and fall was working its colorful magic on the sturdy Michigan landscape. I parked my rented Ford Taurus in a space right in front of a blue building with a basic sign that read, "Blue Products, Inc." I walked in the front door and the security system loudly beeped, signaling my arrival. I then strolled through a carpeted corridor and looked in the five or six offices to each side of me - I peeked into a few empty offices and said, "Hello," but nobody was home. A steel door in front of me led me to the warehouse and manufacturing part of the facility. There were a few guys on high-low trucks pulling boxes from the huge metal shelves, amidst this one familiar voice giving directions.

LOU GRAVES

Pull one and three and ready them for shipping. The address is on the computer.

Lou walked a few steps away from the action and toward the offices until he saw Brandon standing there. He was about to say, "Can I help you," but he already knew the answer to that question.

LOU GRAVES

Brandon Soul! I'm so glad you made it!

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) We shook hands and hugged like two lost friends. Graves was about 6'1" but had an aura that stretch far beyond my 6'5" frame. He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it.

LOU GRAVES

I'm sorry what happened to you my friend. (Brandon nodded his head in thanks and then continued) We were just finishing up here. I usually give my staff the afternoon off most Friday's, but we received a big order and my guys wanted to get it out.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) A half-hour later he locked the place up, and we got into his Bronco and drove into town. I was surprised how cool Ann Arbor was and how much action emanated from the University of Michigan. We ate dinner at an upscale Italian restaurant where they knew Lou by name, and then we strolled around the quaint city as the sun set.

EXT. ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN

LOU GRAVES

You know, Brandon, I always sensed a sadness and distance in you that I could never put my finger on until I saw you on *Oprah.* You weren't the only one that went through some abuse as a kid.

BRANDON SOUL

It wasn't one of your parents, was it?

LOU GRAVES

No, it was my babysitter. I was seven or eight years old when she started working on me.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) I probably should have been more serious, but all bets were off at this point. (To Graves) My nightmare was administered by a gay neighborhood bully.

They both start laughing until we stopped walking and he looked me straight in the eye.

LOU GRAVES

Life isn't worth living if you can't turn clouds into sunshine.

BRANDON SOUL

The difficult part for me is that I was finally just starting to live before Nina's accident.

LOU GRAVES

The minute I saw you on TV I knew that I had to contact you. My wife died two years ago from an aneurism.

BRANDON SOUL

(Shakes his head in disbelief) I'm sorry to hear that, Lou.

LOU GRAVES

(They start walking again) Observation is one of the gifts we are given we come into this world. It's one of the activities where we can utilize all of our senses in order to come to a conclusion, or a discovery. I would love for you to be my right hand man and be my senses for me.

BRANDON SOUL

(They stop at Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream shop) Buy me a cone with chocolate fudge brownie ice cream and you have a deal.

They shook hands, hugged, and then walked into the store, proving there's nothing like ice cream when it comes to sealing a deal.

INT. BLUEWORLD HEADQUARTERS

LOU GRAVES

This will be the lowest pressure, but most demanding job you will ever have in your life. That being said, the way you look at things from this point will never be the same. (He picks up a blue locomotive train) When I show you this, what do you think about?

BRANDON SOUL

(Replies quickly) A cute blue train. (Looks at Lou) Why? What do you see?

LOU GRAVES

I see mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. I see adults trying to recapture their youth. I see Santa Claus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, anniversaries and birthdays. I see interaction, not the product. The product is the end result of the relationships.

BRANDON SOUL

(Sits for a moment and thinks about what Lou has just said) Then everything has a balance.

LOU GRAVES

(Smiles and nods) Exactly!

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) After a month of hanging around the office and becoming more familiar with the product line, it was time for me to get out and sharpen my people senses. Graves wanted me to be completely in tune with the consumer, which meant that I had to be in tune with myself. Lou suggested a combination of therapy/meditation/tai chi, as this was the "health cocktail" that he lived by. I learned early on that if something was good enough for Lou Graves, it was good enough for me. Since both Lou and I were the only children in our families, he naturally became like an older brother to me. He was my mentor, my best friend and he was family. We even spent the holidays together, and often gathered our parents when they were able. The major part of my BlueEducation was picking Lou's mind in order to strengthen my own. It seemed that he always had a head start on me when dealing with major events in life. This forward thinking gave me a view into what I'd be facing, as I tried to put the pieces back together after Nina's tragic death.

INT. BLUEWORLD HEADQUARTERS

BRANDON SOUL

You ever think of your wife?

LOU GRAVES

Her name was Shari and, yes, I do think of her often.

BRANDON SOUL

Do you flash back to happier times or more painful things?

LOU GRAVES

Well, there are days when I bask in the love, there are days when I wallow in the pity, and there are more days than not that I just miss her.

BRANDON SOUL

How long has it been since the accident?

LOU GRAVES

It will be two years in a couple of months, but who's counting?

BRANDON SOUL

Has it gotten any easier?

LOU GRAVES

A little.

BRANDON SOUL

Have you gone on any dates yet?

LOU GRAVES

Well, if you call a few weekends at The Bunny Ranch a date, then yes, I've been on a few dates.

BRANDON SOUL

(Shocked) You paid for it?

LOU GRAVES

(Looks Brandon over) You be surprised what you'll do when the pain gets real bad. I went twice within the first six months, and then I woke up and took a few thousand showers. You have the advantage of being able to talk to me - I had no one to guide me - I was pissed off, so I acted out a little. (Looks down) Still hasn't fallen off.

BRANDON SOUL

(Feels bad) Sorry, I didn't mean to judge you.

LOU GRAVES

That's all right. Just be aware that the pain will get worse before it gets better.

BRANDON SOUL

Do you think you'll ever get remarried?

LOU GRAVES

(Takes a deep breath) I'd like to think that it's a possibility, but I've put all of my eggs in the Blue basket right now. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

BRANDON SOUL

The only thing I know for certain is that there will be a lot of Blue in our future.

LOU GRAVES

Just make sure you keep a good balance between the blues and the Blue.

BRANDON SOUL

So, what you're saying is that it's all about the BlueBalance. (The two men nod in understanding)

EXT. PRESENT DAY, HELICOPTER LAUNCH AREA

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) To acquire a better understand of my other five senior vice president counterparts, the following are bio's that I stored in my mental database.

The people are posing in funny ways as the information is listed on the screen.

Arthur Bradley – Chief Financial Officer

Age: 47

Social Status: Married with two kids

Strengths: Financial vision, structure, attention to detail, tennis backhand

Weaknesses: Tennis forehand, lack of emotion, unwillingness to let go

Likes: Predictability, missionary position, vanilla ice cream

Dislikes: Pornography, change, dirt, tiebreakers

Favorite Food: Chicken

Picking My Brain: Arthur, not Artie or Art, is a throwback to a day gone by, but he has been able to adapt to our radical culture. He is probably one of the most competent and accurate people I have ever met; this being said, the man needs to find his groove and shake things up a bit.

Dalia Breston – Chief Accounting Officer

Age: 35

Social Status: Heat-seeking missile

Strengths: Balance, looks, personality, memory, liberation

Weaknesses: She's an accountant

Likes: Variety, debits, credits, shopping, walking around without a bra

Dislikes: Boundaries, imbalance, bras, conformity

Favorite Food: Lobster

Picking My Brain: Dalia once walked in my office and saw I was a little down. She said, "Would it help if I gave you a blow job?" and I replied, "Yes, but that's okay." She is great at sensing the needs of both people and being in sync with the flow of the numbers; she is very in tune with herself and what she wants to accomplish.

Natalie Evans – Marketing/Sales

Age: 37

Social Status: Divorced

Strengths: Bubbly personality, gets her point across, great memory

Weaknesses: Never forgets a thing; most emotional of the SVPs

Likes: People that listen, open-toed shoes, hot chocolate

Dislikes: New Jersey, cheesecake with fruit, sauerkraut

Favorite Food: Anything green

Picking My Brain: Natalie's got some deep, dark shit floating around in her head. You can tell by looking at her that her bright, cheery exterior must be hiding the haunted house that's inside. One of the best salespeople I have ever seen, because she offers genuine knowledge, not sales gimmicks.

Jorge Manza – Technology

Age: 42

Social Status: Married; no children

Strengths: Creativity, passion, great hair, incredible dancer

Weaknesses: Temper, ability to work in groups, not a great listener

Likes: Hot summer nights, golf, being in control

Dislikes: Authority figures, ice, baseball, waiting

Favorite Food: Pizza

Picking My Brain: Jorge and I have clashed on a few occasions. His upbringing in Spain has done little to discourage his hot Latin temper. Despite this, I consider him a good friend and often spend time with him and his wife, Carmen.

Zoe Schiller – General Counsel

Age: 33

Social Status: Single

Strengths: Social consciousness, blue eyes, good listener

Weaknesses: She is a lawyer

Likes: Getting her own popcorn at the movies, wearing pajamas to work, sleeping until 11 on Sunday

Dislikes: High heels, abuse of any kind, burnt popcorn, cell phones

Favorite Food: Anything chocolate

Picking My Brain: Zoe is one of those people that have a special quality about her (despite the fact she is a lawyer!). She has always been the one person I can talk to about my problems, despite the fact that she rarely ever endorses my ideas professionally.

Brandon Soul – Discovery

Age: 40

Social Status: Widowed

Strengths: Open mind, clear vision, team player

Weaknesses: Broken heart, social blindness, watches instead of participates

Likes: Peace and quiet, flowers, games with balls, bread, the beach

Dislikes: Phony people, vegetables, traffic, German Shepherds, bullies

Favorite Food: Spaghetti with Meatballs

Picking My Own Brain: I am about as closed off as a nun at a bachelorette party. Love is the thing that set me free in life, but it also the thing that I am the most afraid of.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates over SVPs walking from the headquarters to the helicopters) The more I dug into the SVPs backgrounds, the more I started to believe that we had more of a common thread than just our good looks and impressive work credentials. While I thought the chain of abuse had begun with Graves and ended with me, my gut told me that my other colleagues had similar experiences. My gut feelings are usually right, at least most of the time. If it were true that the other SVPs had also suffered from child abuse, then I would consider using that as the tie that bound us in case trouble arose on the trip.

INT./EXT. HELICOPTERS

Here is the listing of the helicopter assignments for the senior vice presidents that was split into two groups:

BlueCopter 1: BlueCopter 2:

Arthur Bradley Zoe Schiller

Dalia Breston Brandon Soul

Natalie Evans Chef Michael Young

Jorge Manza

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) The helicopter ride from BlueTown to Mackinac Island was noisy but smooth. We were all wearing headsets and communicating like we were truck drivers on CB radios in my copter. The other copter was much more subdued with Dalia and Natalie talking most of the way, Arthur was his usual quiet self, and Jorge went to sleep a few minutes after takeoff. Nobody was sleeping in our domed cruiser. My initial feeling was that Zoe was going to get lost amidst us boys, but she handled herself surprisingly well. Chef Michael was giving us a crash course on some of his favorite recipes and we made plans to cook with him once we got to the house. It was as if the Food Network had come to BlueWorld.

INT. BRANDON'S MACKINAC HOUSE

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) My plan was to sleep in my house, because I was more comfortable there. My house had four bedrooms and Lou's house had six, so there was plenty of room for everyone to have their own space. Both houses overlooked the water but my house was more of a modern contemporary, and Lou's palace was more of a traditional monstrosity. Solar panels were utilized throughout the houses, as well as the latest voice recognition technology. All you had to do was say a word and the associated object would react. You could walk through the garage and say "Garage door, kitchen light, kitchen TV" and before you knew it the garage door would close and the lights and TV would turn on in the kitchen. I spent most weekends of the year at that house, except during the months of January and February when I usually stayed home and gave into the snow and cold. I worked out a lot of problems in that weekend house, when I was initially trying to get comfortable in my life without Nina. A few months after we purchased the Mackinac houses, there was a faint knock on my door. Normally I wouldn't respond to a knock on my door at 11:00 pm, but I must have been in an adventurous mood that night. I was in the den watching some TV and I said, "Front door video," on the way through the kitchen. A picture of two scantily clad women flashed across my kitchen TV, so I pressed on.

(He walks towards the front door)

BRANDON SOUL

Who is it?

KIM DELANCEY

Special delivery from Lou Graves!

The two ladies giggled as Brandon opened the door, and one of them held a rather large box in her hands.

BRANDON SOUL

Here, let me take that box from you. Come on in, wouldn't want you to catch a cold out there. (They followed Brandon into the kitchen) So, are you ladies from around here?

KATHY DELANCEY

(Put out her hand in greeting) Yes, we live down the road on the other side of Lou.

BRANDON SOUL

(Looks at them with a now-familiar glance) You must be the Delancey sisters. Lou has told me all about you. I'm Brandon... Brandon Soul.

Kim was about 5'4" and was built like a get of dynamite; her sister Kathy was at least 5'10" and had the brightest red hair and bluest eyes you have ever seen. They were both wearing bikinis, sheer covering over their bottom, and flip-flops on their feet. They opened the box and removed a covered chocolate cake, a bottle of tequila, and two canisters of whipped cream.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) Lou told me that he looked out of his bedroom window one day when he heard a couple of women talking and giggling next door. He peered out of the window and saw two beautiful topless women having a water fight with a few huge squirt guns. He then pulled a Lou Graves by walking straight outside and onto the deck to talk to them. They came firing at him with all guns ablaze and chased Lou into his garage. A few moments later, he came out with a vengeance with his hose spraying all over their retreating bodies. Then he came over with a few towels and beers and they walked over to Lou's deck and sat down facing the water. The girls still hadn't put their tops back on and Lou felt as comfortable as they did. Why wouldn't he? It's not every day you get to talk to a couple of pretty women without their tops on. Lou first thought he'd make a move for a ménage, but he quickly switched gears when he remembered that their parents were major supporters of his company. When they said "Kathy and Kim Delancey," Graves quickly replied, "Are you Barb and Fred's daughters?" They quickly went from sexual prey to friend's daughters in a few seconds. Lou immediately thought of me when the target moved out of reach. He showed them around his house and they stopped at the bedroom. The girls acted like they had been in that situation a few times, and Graves knew he was running out of time. He said, "Brandon on Oprah," and the big screen television in his bedroom turned on. Kim and Kathy simultaneously said, "Cool," but their rosy mood was quickly dampened by what they saw and heard. Once the segment finished playing Graves said, "TV off" and the TV went dark. He let the Oprah appearance set in for a few seconds and then he said, "Y'know he lives a few houses down from here." The girls said, "No way!" and then Kathy said "We have to go over there!"

Kim was busy making a huge batch of marguerites. We ate some of the chocolate cake and drank enough to bring all barriers down below the curb.

KIM DELANCEY

(Ruined the mood) We were sorry to hear about your loss.

Brandon's broad smile quickly turned into a frown as Kathy gave Kim a dirty look. After a few moments of awkward silence, she interjected.

KATHY DELANCEY

But we were so touched by the way you handled yourself on Oprah.

BRANDON SOUL

(Back to a better mood) So, what's with the whipped cream?

KATHY DELANCEY

We thought you'd never ask.

These girls obviously loved to have fights with all sorts of shooting liquids. They went after Brandon when he was completely unarmed and he had to think fast, so he thought of the one edible thing I could use and then lick off, icing. Chef Michael and he talked often and he had given me about a dozen tubes of icing in all different flavors. Instead of running, Brandon held his ground and took a beating until he could get the frosting uncorked. An all-out food fight then ensued in the kitchen and they all wound up on the floor in a complete mess. Kathy and Brandon started kissing, as Kim said she was going to take a shower. The girls seemed to be very territorial with their men and it seemed that the taller Kathy wanted first crack at chopping down the big tree. After about 20 minutes of heated floor action, Kathy and Brandon were both naked and heading for the shower.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates the action) By that time, Kim was already cleaned up and lying on my bed watching TV. She smiled at us as we slid into the bathroom for a mind-blowing shower. I've never been so clean inside and out in my life. After the shower we all climbed into bed and Kim instantly picked up the mood by saying "Spice Channel." Two sets of hands were all over my body before I even knew what was happening. I have to be honest, it felt good to be bad again.

INT. LOU's house in BLUEWORLD

The morning before the SVPs left for the retreat, Brandon and Lou had the following conversation.

BRANDON SOUL

So, what are you really doing this weekend?

LOU GRAVES

Why? Do you think I'm staying behind for a reason?

BRANDON SOUL

No, I don't think you're staying behind for a reason, I know you're staying behind for a reason.

LOU GRAVES

Oh, you do. Is that right? What are you basing this deduction on?

BRANDON SOUL

First of all, it's my job to see things that other people miss. Secondly, I've known you over 10 years and this is the first time I've even smelled a hint of cologne on you. So, I figure that you've either become a cologne tester on the side, or you have finally found someone you really like.

LOU GRAVES

(Nods and smiles) You are good.

BRANDON SOUL

So, who's the woman?

Graves had been sitting in a comfortable chair across from Brandon, but then got up and started pacing nervously. Not only did he look nervous, he was also beginning to sweat. Brandon had seen Lou speak in front of thousands of people and not even break stride, but his question seemed to be causing him some angst.

LOU GRAVES

(Stops pacing) Her name is Margaret.

BRANDON SOUL

(Sarcastic) Is her name Ann Margaret, or does she have a last name?

LOU GRAVES

Margaret Davis.

BRANDON SOUL

(Hesitates because he didn't want to put more pressure on his friend) She must be someone special because I've never seen you act this way.

LOU GRAVES

(Picks up his head and looks Brandon in the eye) She's the one, B.

BRANDON SOUL

Are we talking about the same 'one' here? So, how long have you been dating her?

LOU GRAVES

Do you remember that woman we met at the tailgate party at the Michigan-Ohio State game last year?

BRANDON SOUL

We met a lot of people. Can you narrow it down a bit for me?

LOU GRAVES

We were eating hot dogs and this woman came over to us and introduced herself.

BRANDON SOUL

(Thinks back to the tailgate party and starts to form a mental image) Yeah, I got a picture. Was she a redhead wearing a big M on her sweatshirt?

LOU GRAVES

Yes, that was Margaret's sister.

BRANDON SOUL

Her name was Denise, right?

LOU GRAVES

Yes! She walked up to us and said...

BRANDON SOUL

(Completes a sentence in typical New York fashion) Would you guys ever consider making products in pink or red?

LOU GRAVES

And then we went back and forth with witty banter until she said 'I'm married but you would love my sister.'

BRANDON SOUL

Did you meet her that day? That was, what, five months ago?

LOU GRAVES

She gave me her sister's number but I never called her. Do you know how many women give me their number or the number of someone they know?

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, about as many people following the Oprah appearance. You're like the Brad Pitt of corporate America.

LOU GRAVES

Okay, okay. Settle down now!

BRANDON SOUL

So, how did you meet her?

LOU GRAVES

You're going to like this story. Better get comfortable.

They sat down in a couple of tub chairs.

LOU GRAVES

I was driving home from Chicago last month and it was late... it must have been about 1:00 am by the time I crossed the Michigan border. My eyes were starting to cross, so I turned off into a rest stop that had gas and a Dunkin' Donuts. I was on line to get a cup of coffee and a donut when this woman walked through the door looking pretty upset. The woman was about 5'7", had a medium build, and was wearing a pair of jeans, a University of Michigan fleece sweatshirt, and a Detroit Tigers baseball hat. She came up close to me and whispered, "I'll buy you a chocolate glazed donut if you take a look at my car." I turned and looked at her and replied, "Make it a cruller and you have a deal. We walked out to her car she told me that she was coming home from the Cubs-Tigers pre-season game, and navy blue Ford Mustang convertible started making noise so she pulled over.

MARGARET DAVIS

Everybody must be sleeping at AAA because the phone kept ringing.

LOU GRAVES

That's what you get for buying an American car. (She is about to respond in a feisty Detroit muscle retort, but Lou heads her off at the pass) That's my car next to

yours.

BRANDON SOUL

Don't tell me it was the same car!

LOU GRAVES

It was not only the same car but they were successive serial numbers. I opened the hood of the car and it seemed to be a computer problem more than anything. When I tried to turn the engine on the dashboard went a little haywire. I offered her a ride home and she replied, "Thank you, but after we eat some donuts." We talked for an hour at the Dunkin' Donuts and then another hour on the way home. She lives in Ann Arbor.

BRANDON SOUL

If you tell me that she's a Professor of Psychology at U of M I'm probably going to wet myself.

LOU GRAVES

No, Sociology.

BRANDON SOUL

Even better!

LOU GRAVES

The truth was that I saw her at the game at the concession stand. She was talking to a Cubs fan and holding her own while applying mustard to her hot dog. I wanted to approach her, but someone recognized me and stopped to ask me if we made Cubs items. So I told him that we had a license with all of the blue Major League Baseball teams and that he should check out the concession stand, or our web site, for a more varied selection. By the time I refocused my attention on the woman she was gone.

BRANDON SOUL

Does she have red hair like her sister?

LOU GRAVES

No, strawberry blonde.

BRANDON SOUL

How old is she?

LOU GRAVES

Old enough to know the difference between love and like, I hope. She's 41.

BRANDON SOUL

Divorced? Never married? What? (Lou becomes somber, so Brandon assumed) Widowed.

LOU GRAVES

She lost her husband five years ago to Lou Gehrig's disease.

BRANDON SOUL

(Bows his head in sympathy) That's a tough one. Any kids?

LOU GRAVES

(Smirks) She has a son that is graduating from the U of M business school in May. I think you know him better than anyone.

BRANDON SOUL

(Slightly stunned, but excited) It's not T-Rex, my intern last summer?

LOU GRAVES

Yes, Terrence Rexwell is Margaret Davis Rexwell's son.

BRANDON SOUL

That's weird!

LOU GRAVES

Yeah, tell me about it.

BRANDON SOUL

The kid absolutely adores you! That was the reason he took the internship in the first place.

LOU GRAVES

Linda said I'm the first man since his father that he's given a chance. He usually very protective of her. (Closes his eyes to relax)

BRANDON SOUL

(Has another gut feeling) You're going to ask this woman to marry you, aren't you?

LOU GRAVES

(Blushes) You know what I get like when I feel sure about something...

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, we really don't waste time when our minds are set. Do you think the boy will have a problem with it?

LOU GRAVES

(Smiles) He's the one that gave me the green light.

BRANDON SOUL

What do you mean?

LOU GRAVES

Well, we went out to dinner one night, just the three of us, and Linda excused herself and went to the bathroom. I tried to make some small talk but he came out and said, "Are you going to marry my mother?" I thought about giving him a vague answer, but I came right out with it, "Yes, as long as you're all right with it." He cocked his head to the side and said, "As long as I'm all right with it? This might be one of the best days of my life!"

BRANDON SOUL

So T-Rex is going to be my permanent assistant?

LOU GRAVES

Do you think that's the best thing?

BRANDON SOUL

To be honest, I think the kid has a real head for numbers. He would be best utilized under either Bradley or Breston. If you want him to learn put him with Bradley, but if you want him to stare at Dalia's breasts and daydream all day, then by all means send him to accounting.

LOU GRAVES

Okay, finance it is. Thanks for listening, B.

They stand up and hug.

BRANDON SOUL

I'm just glad that you're happy, big guy. Does this mean that I should be walking down that road pretty soon?

LOU GRAVES

Yeah, now that Kathy Delancey is married, it could be time to get serious.

EXT. MAckinac island

(Brandon's words are accompanies by action)

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) I sat on the back deck of my house overlooking the water and work was the farthest thing from my mind. My head turned toward Lou's house as I heard some loud talking coming from his deck. The other SVPs were already as loose as a spaghetti noose, and all of the potential for ideas had literally floated out to sea. They motioned for me to come over as I said to myself, "Welcome to Block Island." We planned to meet at two o'clock that Saturday afternoon, but the BlueCopter 2 group went into town to go food shopping with Chef Michael. Then the meeting was bumped back to 5:00 and then after dinner at 7:00 pm. We were usually a pretty diligent group, but a feeling of complacency had swept over us like a cool breeze off the water. Our meeting that night was somewhat productive, as we decided to split up into smaller groups, or teams, and then come back together to report on our findings Sunday night. Before I even had a chance to talk, Arthur and Dalia, the two financial gurus, paired off and took over the den at Lou's house. Natalie and Jorge decided to work together on the back deck. With everyone paired off, I was left to work with Zoe. (Looks over at Zoe) Let's go over to my house. (Narrates as they walk from Lou's house to his house) The one thing I learned from spending the day with a lawyer is that we spoke completely different languages. Zoe liked to explain everything from about ten different angles, and I preferred a more visual approach and to simply show people. I was the listener of the duo and attempted to take it all in before offering my own input. Zoe's idea was that the company should think about introducing new colors.

ZOE SCHILLER

Could you take some of our existing products and see what they would look like in different colors?

BRANDON SOUL

(Nodded "Yes") Have you ever been in my house?

ZOE SCHILLER

No, you never asked me over.

BRANDON SOUL

Well, let me take you on the nickel tour then. (Narrates as they walk around the house) We went from room to room and I didn't get the feeling she was too impressed. Zoe was a tough New York girl, and she had so many layers of armor around her that it was tough to see through her most of the time. (Talking to Zoe as they enter the attic, the water room) This is my favorite room in the house.

ZOE SCHILLER

Wow! I can see why you like it so much here!

The water room was painted blue and the wall facing the water and the ceiling was totally exposed. Thanks to an excess of blue solar panels, Brandon was able to line the ceiling and also use some clear solar panels on the wall facing the water. He lined the floor with recycled rubber, which gave it a soft cushy feel like sand. The ceiling was also not a traditional, sloped attic ceiling. When he bought the house he had the roof raised three feet and angled it so he wouldn't bang his head on the corners. They took a seat on the two white, cushioned Adirondack chairs that faced the window and put their feet up on the ottomans.

ZOE SCHILLER

This isn't half bad, Soul.

BRANDON SOUL

You mean you actually like something that has to do with me?

ZOE SCHILLER

(Surprised) What do you mean? Are you saying that I always shoot down your ideas?

BRANDON SOUL

The words 'shoot down' may be a little harsh, but you are one of the SVPs that is always lukewarm to my concept introductions.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Astonished) I don't do that!

BRANDON SOUL

Then name me one thing that's come out of my mouth that you've liked!

ZOE SCHILLER

(Thinks) I agreed when you said this was your favorite room in the house.

BRANDON SOUL

Why do you give me such a hard time at work?

ZOE SCHILLER

(Put her head down in a rare retreat) I don't know?

BRANDON SOUL

I do.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Confused) You do?

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, and it's been weighing on my mind for some time.

Just then the phone rang and Brandon got up to answer it. It was Lou on the line sounding all excited.

BRANDON SOUL

(To Lou) Let me call you right back. (Hangs up and then turns to Zoe) I'm sorry, Zoe, we'll have to finish this later.

He walks out of the attic and calls Lou back.

BRANDON SOUL

Hey big guy, what's going on?

LOU GRAVES

I just picked up the ring and I'm getting a bit nervous. I wish you were here.

BRANDON SOUL

You want me to come home? When are you going to ask her?

LOU GRAVES

Yeah, could you? I'm going to ask her tonight. I'll have a helicopter there in 20 minutes.

BRANDON SOUL

Why don't you have them pick me up at the Mackinac Airfield just outside of town? I don't want the others seeing me leave.

LOU GRAVES

Okay, will do.

BRANDON SOUL

All right, I'll see you in a few minutes.

He walked back into the hallway and Zoe was coming down the stairs.

ZOE SCHILLER

Do you want to finish that conversation now?

BRANDON SOUL

No can do. As much as I'd love to do that, I have to cut out for a few hours. I'll be back in time for the meeting. See you later.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Looking puzzled and mumbled) I can't pin that man down.

INT. BLUEWORLD HEADQUARTERS

Brandon's copter touched down at BlueWorld and Lou was waiting for him in the lobby.

LOU GRAVES

(Shakes Brandon's hand) Walk with me back to my house.

The usual cool Graves had sweaty palms; Brandon wiped the excess liquid off on his shorts and saw sweat dripping off Lou's body.

BRANDON SOUL

I hope you just worked out, or else you're a mess.

LOU GRAVES

Yeah, of course I just worked out. I had to take all of this nervous energy and convert it to positive energy.

BRANDON SOUL

(Smiles) You do have a thing about waste.

LOU GRAVES

Don't you?

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, I'm starting to wonder if I'm a two-headed coin.

LOU GRAVES

You mean your BlueWorld head and your weekend head?

They approached the house.

LOU GRAVES

Being professional has nothing to do with being in love.

BRANDON SOUL

But being in love has a lot do with being professional.

LOU GRAVES

(Smiles) I wanted to ask your opinion on something.

BRANDON SOUL

(Talks to the audience as the walk up the stairs inside the house) I was expecting him to ask me something that required a thoughtful answer, but instead he coyly asked as we walked into his closet.

LOU GRAVES

I'm deciding between the blue or the white shirt, and I have no idea what tie I'm going to wear.

BRANDON SOUL

(Puzzled) You wanted me to come all the way back here so you could ask me about your wardrobe for tonight?

LOU GRAVES

(Answers like a big brother) You're trying to feel secure in your personal life and I'm trying to settle into putting a ring on someone's finger. (Brandon looks down, momentarily slowing his roll) This is a special moment in our lives and I wanted to share it with my best friend.

BRANDON SOUL

(Picks up his head and smiles as they meet in a thunderous hug) I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

LOU GRAVES

(They break the hug) It's funny how things worked out.

BRANDON SOUL

What do you mean?

LOU GRAVES

One day I was content being a bachelor and the next moment I was staring at my present and future at a baseball game.

BRANDON SOUL

It must be that destiny thing rearing its multicolored head again.

LOU GRAVES

(Jabs his finger into Brandon's chest) Keep your head up, B. Your future could be staring you in the face and you might not even realize it.

Brandon thought about the statement for a few seconds.

LOU GRAVES

(Yells as he walks toward the bathroom) Could you get me a towel from the linen closet, please. I'm going to take a quick shower.

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, I'll be right there.

Brandon walked down the hallway, opened the door to the linen closet, and pulled out one of the large Carolina blue towels. Just about as he was going to head back into the Lou's bedroom, he saw a huge map of the world spread on a wall in one of the bedrooms. He walked into the room and stood directly in front the huge map, with blue circles around Argentina, Israel, Sweden, New Zealand and Greece. He had seen this map before when Lou was planning to buy properties in these locations about seven years earlier. He thought they both had figuratively put away these inexpensively-purchased properties, which had blossomed into multi-billion holdings over the years. He carries the towel back into the bedroom and tossed it near the shower in the bathroom.

BRANDON SOUL

I forgot about all of those properties. Thanks for showing them to me.

LOU GRAVES

(Steps out of the shower) I wasn't talking about the map.

Brandon took his leave shortly after and wished Lou good luck.

LOU GRAVES

Luck doesn't have anything to do with it!

INT./EXT. BLUECOPTER AND CAR

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) Once I stepped back in the helicopter, my mind literally went on autopilot. I was thinking less about the map of the world and more about the map of my brain. I thought to myself, "What did Lou mean about my future staring me in the face and I might night even realize it?" I was so blocked up by the time I got back, that the island seemed to be spinning. Driving quickly back to the house and stepping inside with a few minutes to spare before the meeting was a nice bonus. Too bad I went back to my house and everyone else was at Lou's house. I sat in my den in my favorite chair facing the water and just stared into space until I saw a body in front of me on the deck blocking the sun.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Through the glass of the patio door) What are you doing?

Brandon breaks his daze and let's her in the house.

ZOE SCHILLER

We're about to start the meeting. (He is unresponsive so she continues) Where did you go and why are you acting so weird?

BRANDON SOUL

(Shakes his head back and forth in an attempt to shale the cob webs) Wow. I don't know where I just was?

ZOE SCHILLER

(Usual abrupt tone) What the hell happened to you?

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) Just then, the strangest thing happened, I started crying. I have no explanation why this occurred. I fully realize that there is no crying in business, so it must have purely been an emotional release at my emotional release location. Zoe stood there watching me bury my head in my hands and bawl my eyes out like a kid that just skinned his knee on the concrete. She didn't know what to do at first because her position with me had always been so standoffish. Never seeing the "human" side of me left Zoe protecting the tender side of her.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Bends over to comfort him) Hey, hey, it's going to be alright Brandon.

BRANDON SOUL

(Picks up his head and looks at Zoe through tear-filled eyes) I just can't move on.

ZOE SCHILLER

Are you still pained by the loss of your wife?

BRANDON SOUL

(Nods his head in agreement) That's not all. There is something else that never seems to leave me.

ZOE SCHILLER

Everybody has things that pain them.

He wiped away the tears with the back of his right hand and then she reached and got him a few tissues from her pocket. He looked at her wondering why she would carry so many tissues in the pocket of her shorts.

ZOE SCHILLER

I have allergies, so I carry them around.

BRANDON SOUL

What kind of pain do you have?

ZOE SCHILLER

You have to tell me your deep, dark secret first.

BRANDON SOUL

You know my story. Didn't you watch the Oprah show?

ZOE SCHILLER

Yeah, I watch Oprah. What are you talking about?

BRANDON SOUL

You never saw me on Oprah?

ZOE SCHILLER

Get the hell out of here! **You** were on Oprah?

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, I was on Oprah. Why don't you go back to Lou's house and walk into his bedroom and say, "Brandon on Oprah. Let's go to the meeting and we'll talk later.

Brandon washed his face and wondered for a split-second why Zoe came to get him? They walked back to Lou's house and the other SVPs were waiting for them in the dining room around a huge oval table. Brandon could sense before he even sat down that the ideas would be as off-key as a middle school orchestra.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) It didn't take long for Arthur Bradley to jump into the deep end of the waterless pool.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

I think Dalia and I have come up with a conservative, yet effective solution.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) The numbers group must have been crunching all day, but the only crunching I had done was eating a bowl of Sugar Pops for breakfast. Dalia quickly took over, but honestly I didn't hear a single word that she said as her bikini top was a impenetrable distraction.

DALIA BRESTON

We see a quick solution to our earnings shortfall to be a 5% reduction in staff.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) As long as those (points) aren't being reduced. There were rolling eyes and deep breaths all around the table. BlueWorld is a growth company, not an organization that fires people. Graves never believed in retreat, and he would always go on the offensive at the hint of trouble. Thankfully, the financial group's contribution was a complete bust. Sales and marketing was up next, which always was more colorful than it was substantive.

JORGE MANZA

We think there is room at the top and the bottom of the market.

NATALIE EVANS

Our idea is to introduce a premium and discount line of products.

She then whipped out some boards and she and Jorge explained the different product line variations.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) At least it was an offensive step in the right direction, but we were already doing some variations on our product lines. It may be narrow-minded to think that I come with every idea at BlueWorld - and no, I am not an accolade hog, I'm a direction person. The individual ideas and decisions come from the separate departments. If BlueWorld were a ship, I would be the guy that charted the course and reported to the captain. My group was the last to present and once Jorge hooked our laptop up to a projector, Zoe took the lead in explaining our vision. We had flirted with mixing other colors into our blue scheme in the past, but never actually released products into the wild. I had not seen any of the work that Zoe produced and was just as eager as the other people to see what she came up with. Her three-dimensional presentation was entertaining and started with a twist.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Proud) We decided to explore other colors, so we came up with a line of products with a twist.

All of the blue products had a burst of color running through the middle, or a "twist" as she called it.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) She seemed to strike a balance between completely abandoning our blue way of life and revolutionizing our cozy niche. Not bad for a lawyer. Since I was basically the second in command, the group usually looked to me for some clarity.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Elbows Brandon in the ribs) So Brandon, what do you think?

Brandon stands up and looks at all of the ideas again, giving the illusion that he is actually mulling the future direction of the company from these suggestions.

BRANDON SOUL

These are all great ideas, and I really appreciate all of the work that went into them, but I think we are still lacking a single idea that Lou is looking to have a significant impact. Don't get me wrong. These are all ideas we will use in the future, except, hopefully, cutting staff. (Looks at Dalia and Arthur) Sorry guys. It does make perfect sense financially, but I don't think Lou ever wants to back up. (To the group) What we need is an idea that makes shareholders and analysts immediately take their eyes off of the earnings shortfall. Any ideas?

NATALIE EVANS

We could paste a picture of Dalia in that bikini on attach it to the release.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) I had a similar thought, but expected one of the guys to come up with it. We were shooting blanks and only had a few days to come up with something before our Tuesday at noon videoconference with Lou.

INT. BRANDON'S MACKINAC HOUSE

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) We agreed to do some thinking on our own for the afternoon and then meet up at a local bar and dance club at night. I went home to brainstorm and possibly take a little nap in my hammock. Since I hate bugs, the hammock was stretched across the attic just under the dolphin-shaped ceiling fan. About 45 seconds after I nestled into the hammock and it started to sway back and forth, my eyes shut and I was fast asleep. It didn't hurt that I slipped an ocean waves CD into the player before I got comfortable. The nap was one of the most peaceful rests I can remember, except the dream I had near the end about walking down the aisle with resident bully, Turk Grazier. It was wrong on so many levels, and I was still having the nightmare when I felt someone sitting on my lap.

DALIA BRESTON

What are you dreaming about?

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) I slowly opened my eyes thinking that I might still be dreaming. It's not every day that a vivacious woman in a bikini goes spread eagle on your lap. (To Dalia) Dalia, am I still dreaming?

DALIA BRESTON

Well, that depends on your next move, B.

BRANDON SOUL

I was having a bad dream. (Narrates) Dalia finally calmed her libido down to normal levels so we could talk. She dismounted off of my lap and put her head next to my feet and her feet next to my head. We were literally two people facing in different directions... or so I thought.

DALIA BRESTON

What's troubling you, B? You know that bad dreams come from bad experiences.

BRANDON SOUL

You ever have any bad dreams, Double D?

DALIA BRESTON

(Laughs) I always did like that nickname. How come you never let me have my way with you?

BRANDON SOUL

Do you always talk about sex to avoid talking about painful things?

DALIA BRESTON

(Runs her hand up his leg) You know sometimes I don't even talk about it, I just do it.

BRANDON SOUL

You would never have it so good.

DALIA BRESTON

(Sits up) Does this body look like I haven't had it good? (She reached her arm to her neck and untied the top of her bikini. She then threw the skimpy bikini top on the floor and let her incredible 36DD breasts do the talking.

Brandon sits up to take a look and she started rubbing the bulge that was growing in his pants. Then someone else came bouncing up the stairs.

ZOE SCHILLER

Brandon, are you up here? I watched the Oprah show. Do you want to finish that talk?

Zoe stopped in her tracks upon entering the room. Her mouth opened wide at the sight of a topless Dalia and the bulge in Brandon's pants.

DALIA BRESTON

(Looks back at Zoe) See Zoe, I told you he had a big dick.

Zoe turned red and then abruptly left the room without saying a word. Brandon was about to get up but decided to let the wind blow out my sails first.

DALIA BRESTON

Now, where were we? (Starts rubbing him)

BRANDON SOUL

(Puts his hand over Dalia's hand despite the fact that all the blood in his body had rushed to the center of his universe) Now that you proved that you can get me excited, and simultaneously embarrass Zoe, let's get back to the pain.

She removes her hand.

DALIA BRESTON

You're no fun, Brandon. If you show me yours, I'll show you mine.

BRANDON SOUL

We're talking about pain, not body parts right?

DALIA BRESTON

Yes, Boy Wonder.

BRANDON SOUL

Well you know the story about my wife.

DALIA BRESTON

Yeah, who doesn't. (Rests her head down near his feet)

BRANDON SOUL

Right, so I was molested repeatedly when I was a kid by the homosexual neighborhood bully.

DALIA BRESTON

(Sits up quickly) Are you gay?

Just then, Zoe walked back up the stairs.

ZOE SCHILLER

You're gay?

BRANDON SOUL

(Mumbles to himself) This is not my day. (Out loud) Holy crap! Zoe, do you ever knock?

ZOE SCHILLER

There's no door to this room.

BRANDON SOUL

Zoe, I'm in the middle of talking to Dalia. I'd be happy to continue our conversation later when my erection subsides and I'm not thinking gay thoughts.

Zoe blushes and is somewhat relieved, but confused, as she walks back downstairs.

DALIA BRESTON

(Smiles) She likes you, B.

BRANDON SOUL

Stop changing the subject, Miss Thang!

DALIA BRESTON

First answer my question.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) I prefer visual learning. (To Dalia) Do me a favor and rub me again.

She started rubbing him again and he got instantly hard.

BRANDON SOUL

Would a gay man get hard that fast if a beautiful woman was rubbing him?

DALIA BRESTON

(She thinks for a moment) So you're not gay. How come you've never slept with me or any other woman at BlueWorld?

BRANDON SOUL

Because I have respect for each and every one of you, and I try to keep business and pleasure separate. You don't think that I've sat in meetings with you and fantasized about making sweet monkey love to you?

DALIA BRESTON

Oh, that's good to know! (Sits up and straddles him again) You're not my type anyway. You're much too sweet.

BRANDON SOUL

So, tell me about your experience.

She still had no top on and continued to grind him.

DALIA BRESTON

First it was one football player, and then two, and then the entire offense took turns on me against my will.

She stopped grinding and his erection subsided like a turtle ducking into its shell and away from danger.

DALIA BRESTON

I was 14 and pretty developed back then. The team's quarterback kept flirting with me, and what freshman wouldn't want to be with the star of the football team? (She starts to cry and collapses on his chest as he holds her) My mother nearly passed out when she saw me walk through the door that afternoon. It took her a good two hours to get the truth out of me, and then she sped me to the doctor so I could get an exam to make sure I was all right. I think I was in shock that night and then the next few weeks, because I don't remember much more than the football coach and team pleading with me to keep it quiet. Once my parents went to the principal, it wasn't long before they were all expelled and sent to military school. (Pauses and slows her crying) Sp, what did your parents do when you told them about the gay bully?

BRANDON SOUL

(Takes a deep breath) I never told them. They found out when they watched Oprah, like the rest of the country.

DALIA BRESTON

Wow! Your poor parents. (She sits back up and then dismounted from hammock) I have to pee. I'll see you later, B.

Dalia reached down and picked up her bathing suit top and put it on. She then bent down and kissed Brandon on the lips and walked out of the room.

Brandon rocked back-and-forth in the hammock for a few minutes before dozing off. His house was finally empty and he needed a little emotional rest. It was exhausting for him to have to deal with all of the personalities in such a tight space.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates as he wakes up) I must have been sleeping for at least an hour when the smell of Chef Michael's barbeque invaded my senses. I awoke to see a plate of chicken and ribs staring me in the face on a table across the room. I initially thought the smell was so strong that it wafted all the way from Lou's house to my house, but was happy to discover that the food had made its way to me.

The sun was setting and Brandon's co-workers had started drinking before leaving for the nightclub. He took a long shower to try to wake up a bit, and stepped onto a light blue bath mat. Jorge walked into the bathroom and handed him a towel.

JORGE MANZA

Dude, you better get over there. The drinking games have gotten out of hand.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) Jorge left and then I took my sweet-ass-time getting dressed. If there's one thing I know about people getting drunk, it is that they never go anywhere fast.

The last streaks of day were fading fast as Brandon walked down the beach and up onto Lou's back deck.

NATALIE EVANS

(Sloshed) Where have you been Brando?

Brandon walked through the back door and into the kitchen, where Jorge was adding to the fray by pressing buttons on the blender to create the perfect margarita. Zoe and Dalia were doing shots of tequila.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) The problem is that Zoe isn't much of a drinker, and Dalia looks like a college senior messing with a freshman. (To the group) Why don't we have a little talk before we go out.

And then Dalia handed him a shot of tequila and he powered it down.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Slurring her words) Okay everybody, let's do this thing!

Brandon escorted Zoe over to a chair and Jorge handed him a tall glass filled with slushy poison piled to the top. Dalia and Natalie found their seats and then Jorge sat down next to Brandon.

JORGE MANZA

(Whispers to Brandon) Just on the nick of time, bro.

BRANDON SOUL

(Looks around the room) Where is Arthur?

Jorge shook his head like Brandon was about to walk over a land mine. Dalia and Natalie started giggling.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Blurts) He's watching a porno!

Brandon starts laughing, never thinking that she might have spoken the truth.

JORGE MANZA

(Pours the rest of the margarita blend into Brandon's glass) It's true my friend. Arturo has been the life of the party.

Brandon shook his head in disbelief and stood up from his chair. He looked around and everyone pointed toward the direction of the den.

BRANDON SOUL

Den it is. (Narrates as he walks) What I saw next might have damaged me for life. Arthur Bradley, CFO and straight shooter, standing a few feet away from the big screen in his boxer shorts gyrating and yelling at two people having sex on the TV.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Give it to her! Yeah, that's right. Take all of it!

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) I didn't bother to say a word, because that would have generated another five years of intensive therapy if I saw him flopping out of his boxer shorts.

Brandon walks back into the kitchen and poured himself a shot of tequila and poured it down his throat.

BRANDON SOUL

That was both unexpected and quite disturbing. Let me just throw this out there. Is there anyone here that has been sexually abused?

He raised his hand and then everyone else in the room raised their hands.

BRANDON SOUL

Gay bully.

DALIA BRESTON

Football team.

JORGE MANZA

Fourth-grade teacher.

NATALIE EVANS

Brother.

ZOE SCHILLER

Girls at camp.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Runs through the room in just his boxer shorts) Priest!

BRANDON SOUL

Did any of you know that we had this in common?

GROUP

No!

DALIA BRESTON

(Walks over to Brandon) How could you not know? It seems you know everything before the rest of us.

Before Brandon could respond, Zoe interjected.

ZOE SCHILLER

That's not true! He doesn't know that I love him!

Brandon gazed at the wonderment of Zoe and then everyone looked at him for a response. Instead, he nodded at Jorge to hit him again with another shot. Zoe's rested her head on the table.

BRANDON SOUL

Why don't you guys go ahead to dinner. I'll bring Zoe back from the dead and I'll meet you at the club later.

Brandon got a bunch of pats on the back as he picked up Zoe and carried her to the couch. Arthur came running through again.

DALIA BRESTON

(Yells at Arthur) Hey, Art! We're going out! Get dressed!

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Can I see those Double-D's later?

DALIA BRESTON

Yeah, if you get dressed in the next 30 seconds.

Twenty-eight seconds later Arthur Bradley was standing at the front door like a kid waiting for the bus on the first day of school. Jorge came over to Brandon and handed him a blue bucket so he would be prepared in the likely scenario that Zoe's lunch came back up.

BRANDON SOUL

(Says to Jorge) I think I'm going to take her out to the deck. It will be a lot easier to hose it down then trying to clean this carpet.

JORGE MANZA

Good idea. We'll see you later.

They all left the house, including Chef Michael.

CHEF MICHAEL

(To the audience before he gets into the limo) My Aunt Patty.

Zoe and Brandon were sitting on the deck.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) My old college roommate, Ralph Wojowski, always said that you had to wait for the clean-out before you could resurrect the alcoholically impaired.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Her head was moving like a bobble-head doll) Brandon, is that you?

BRANDON SOUL

Yes Zoe, it's me.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Eyes barely open as she smiles) I knew you would take care of me.

Before he even had a chance to respond she bowed her head and threw up in the wastebasket. He grabbed the back of her t-shirt, which read BlueJew, so she wouldn't fall forward. When she was finished, he sat her back in the chair and went inside to get a washcloth. Once he found the washcloth in the linen closet, he wet it with so cool water and walked back outside.

ZOE SCHILLER

I think I drank too much.

As he was about to respond she started spewing her guts into the bucket again. That ended any speculation in his mind about washing the bucket out and using it again. With all of her meals in return-to-sender mode, Zoe appeared to be finished throwing up. Brandon got a big garbage bag and then disposed of the contents of the bucket down the backyard sink. He then sprayed down everything with disinfectant and hosed it down with water before depositing the blue garbage bag.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) She looks a little green, but I think her best bet would be to clean up.

She was wearing flip-flops, which also went into the garbage. He decided to put her right into the shower so that she would feel even better. So, in they went him with his shorts on and Zoe apparently feeling better as each minute went by. While she was still weak, he could see that light returning as he scrubbed her down with liquid soap.

Lou had a large seat built into his glass shower so he could sit down when the steam was on. Brandon took the liberty of putting the steam on after a few minutes so Zoe could sweat some more of the alcohol out of her system. As the steam filled the shower we were only able to see vague images of each other.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Faint) You can take the rest of my clothes off.

BRANDON SOUL

Are you sure?

ZOE SCHILLER

Yes, thanks for being such a gentleman.

He removed her clothing and then plopped it in the sink just outside the shower.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Smiling) Before you come back in here take off your clothes, too.

Brandon removed his wet clothes and then joined Zoe in the shower, their bodies melting together as the steam in the shower engulfed their forms. After a few minutes of muted but intense action, Brandon carried Zoe's depleted body out of the shower and then dried her off. He carried her into the bedroom and she opened her eyes before dozing off.

ZOE SCHILLER

Thanks for taking care of me.

He put the covers over her and turned out the lamp on the night table.

BRANDON SOUL

(Kisses her on the forehead) You don't have to thank me.

They hugged and he walked out of the dark room.

BRANDON SOUL

(Walking through the house, talking to the audience) As much as I want to stay with Zoe, I can't help but see what's going on at the club.

It took him a few minutes to get dressed and then another 10 minutes to be driven to the club. It would have been stupid for any of them to try to drive, so they had a hybrid limo waiting to shuttle them to and from the club at their request. It was about 11:15 pm when the bouncer checked Brandon's name off, unhinged the red rope, and opened the door to the club. There was a line around "The Bar," but pseudo-celebrity obviously had its privileges. The music was thumping as Brandon walked through the main room and to a private room that was reserved for the group.

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) What I saw next changed the way I thought of my fellow SVPs forever.

He turned the corner and saw Arthur dancing on a table with his overexposed boxer shorts still on. He had a tie knotted around his head as a headband, and his moves were surprisingly rhythmical for a rigid white man. Brandon's eyes panned over the other side of the room where Dalia, Natalie, and Chef Mike were intertwined in a ball of hands, lips and tongues.

BRANDON SOUL

Yello!

Jorge was salsa dancing with one of the waitresses and simultaneously giving her a lesson when Brandon walked over to talk to him.

JORGE MANZA

How is Zoe feeling?

BRANDON SOUL

Much better. She's cleaned up and sleeping. What the hell is going on here?

JORGE MANZA

It's nature taking its course my friend.

BRANDON SOUL

(To himself) Yeah, nature.

JORGE MANZA

So, do you feel the same way about Zoe that she feels about you?

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) I must admit that the combination of the erotic and disturbing behavior going on around me was clouding my judgment a bit. That, and the fact that I wasn't used to talking about my personal life with co-workers, was throwing me off a bit. (To Jorge) What do you mean, do I love her?

JORGE MANZA

(Looks me in the eyes) You've been in love with her for years now.

BRANDON SOUL

(Starts laughing because he thinks Jorge os kidding, then he realizes he's serious) What?

JORGE MANZA

Are you serious? It was obvious to all of us that you two would be together one day. Hey, you're not the only one that sees things.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) Looking at Arthur dance the whole night, I couldn't help but think that we all had been set free from our burdens. That we were finally being released from years of torment. It was so much easier sharing your pain with others with similar aching. When trust is destroyed like smashing a sledgehammer into a pain of glass, moving on with your life and putting the pieces back together becomes an impossible task. It takes a strong person to stand up and move on, but it takes a village to ease the pain.

After three hours of dancing, a sweaty Arthur stepped down from the table. Brandon handed him a bottle of water and a towel and he took a deep, long breath.

BRANDON SOUL

You were really getting your freak on, Art.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Thanks. I haven't danced like that in years.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) It was obvious that had sweated out the majority of the alcohol he consumed. For the most part, the Arthur I knew was back but with a slight twist.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Wipes his sweaty face with the towel) I never told anyone about that priest before tonight.

BRANDON SOUL

Wow! Don't feel so bad... when I came out, about a billion people new about it. How old were you when it happened?

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Well, I was an altar boy from the time I was nine until my early teens.

BRANDON SOUL

It must have been difficult to carry that around all of these years.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Damn near ruined my marriage. (Starts crying) How am I going to tell my wife?

BRANDON SOUL

(Pats Arthur on the back) The same way you did tonight, but I would probably wait to put the porno's on until after you have told her.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Smirks through the tears) How come none of us ever knew that we all had suffered through abuse?

BRANDON SOUL

You know Lou. He likes to let us figure things out. He also went through some things as a kid.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Light goes on in his head) Everything happens for a reason.

BRANDON SOUL

(Points) Yeah, even you gyrating like you're mixing chocolate milk up in there.

Brandon said his goodbyes as he left the club and climbed into the hybrid limo waiting for him at the curb. Lou's house was eerily quiet and dark when he arrived. Brandon walked in and said, "Front hall lights," so I could see where I was going. He walked into the room that Zoe was sleeping in, and got under the covers and slid behind her. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and rested his head on the pillow nest to hers.

ZOE SCHILLER

Is that you, Brandon?

BRANDON SOUL

Were you expecting someone else?

ZOE SCHILLER

Thanks for coming back.

BRANDON SOUL

I needed to be with you.

He hugged her tight and she snuggled into him.

BRANDON SOUL

Get some rest. I love you too, Zoe. (Narrates) I wasn't sure at first if she heard what I said. She was so tired that I felt that there was a good chance that she faded off to sleep before my words came out. I waited a few minutes before I went to sleep so I could unwind the day's events in my mind: Zoe and I almost had "the big talk" early in the day when she was inside my house for the first time; Dalia rode me until we had a sincere talk about our difficult pasts; Lou was going to propose to his girlfriend, Linda; Arthur watched his first porno and apparently liked it; we discovered that all of us were sexually abused; Zoe told me that she loved me; Jorge is still the best dancer in the company; I wasn't sure why I didn't sleep with both Natalie and Dalia; and I told Zoe that I loved her, too, but I wasn't sure if she heard me. That's what I call a full day.

Brandon closes his eyes and goes to sleep.

The next morning, after some wake-up sex with Zoe, Brandon's phone started buzzing on the night table.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Walks toward the bathroom) Get that and then join me in the shower.

BRANDON SOUL

Hey big guy, what's up?

LOU GRAVES

(Upbeat) Brandon! Brandamundo! Good morning! Is it a good morning for you?

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah! It's been a real breakthrough weekend! How was your night?

LOU GRAVES

(Beaming) She said yes!

BRANDON SOUL

Congratulations, Lou! You deserve to be happy! Tell Linda I said congratulations!

LOU GRAVES

(To Linda) Brandon said congratulations.

LINDA REXWELL

(Takes the phone from Lou) Hey, Brandon. I bet you were as surprised as I was?

BRANDON SOUL

Hi, Linda! Yeah, I just found out yesterday, too. I look forward to meeting you when I get back.

LINDA REXWELL

Same here. Nice talking to you! (Hands the phone back to Lou and talks to him) Meet me in the shower when you're done.

LOU GRAVES

(Waits for Linda to clear the room) Did you hear that?

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, and I have somebody waiting for me in the shower, too.

LOU GRAVES

What? You sly dog! You finally hooked up with Zoe, didn't you?

BRANDON SOUL

(Miffed) How the hell did you know?

LOU GRAVES

Everyone in the company could see it but the two of you. What pushed it over the edge?

BRANDON SOUL

You never told me that we all were abused.

LOU GRAVES

Yet another thing you all had to figure out on your own.

BRANDON SOUL

It was some night. I'll have to fill you in on the details when I see you.

LOU GRAVES

So, everything is going all right?

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, we've come up with a few ideas but I know I have the answer to our little snag.

LOU GRAVES

Great! Call me with the gang tomorrow at noon and we'll iron out the details. Congratulations, Brandon. I'm happy you're in love again!

BRANDON SOUL

Thanks, chief. I couldn't have done it without you! Congratulations to you, too, and let's hang up and get really clean.

The screen is split as both guys run into the bathroom into steamy showers.

By the time Brandon and Zoe got dressed and left the room it was about 10:30 am, and only Jorge and Arthur were in the kitchen. Arthur was reading the paper and Jorge was assisting Chef Michael in making pancakes and omelets.

JORGE MANZA

(Flips a pancake) Aren't you two a sight for sore eyes!

ZOE SCHILLER

(Relaxed) Good morning guys!

Mike nodded at Brandon and he returned the knowing look with a smile.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Picks his head up from the paper and peers over his reading glasses) Morning.

BRANDON SOUL

(Looks at the gloomy Arthur and realizes that he has to do something) Hey Arthur, you want to help me hose down the back deck? (He gives Zoe a kiss)

CHEF MICHAEL

Bacon and cheese omelet for you, B?

BRANDON SOUL

That sounds great, Mike! We should be done in a few minutes.

Arthur followed Brandon out to the patio and the chill of the morning air filled their lungs.

BRANDON SOUL

I love this time of year out here, because the air can really clear your mind. (Arthur hands him the hose)

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Did I embarrass myself last night?

BRANDON SOUL

Are you serious? If anything, I have a new found respect for you.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Beams) Really?

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, you had to let all of that out at some point! It must have been hell on you keeping that inside all of these years.

Arthur starts to cry.

BRANDON SOUL

Let's sit down for a minute. (They sit facing the beach) Things happen in life that we have no control over. The fact is that you have a wonderful, supportive wife, and two great kids. What else really matters?

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Picks up his head and smiles through the tears) You're right. I'm going to call my wife right now.

BRANDON SOUL

Are you sure? Don't want to do that in person? She's going to want to be with you.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Thought about it) You're right. I'll just call her and tell her how much I love her.

BRANDON SOUL

That's a great idea!

Brandon pats Arthur on his back and then walks back inside of the house. Arthur grabs Brandon's arm in solidarity as he passes by.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Hello, Tricia...

A few minutes later, Arthur came back inside with a smile on his face.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

You guys are good friends. Thank you.

They took their breakfasts and headed out to the deck to eat. There was a big chair on the side of the deck that had Zoe and Brandon's name all over it. He sat down with his legs open and Zoe quickly filled the space, and his world, as she sat down on him. Jorge came outside with them and was drinking some coffee.

JORGE MANZA

How have you two stayed apart for so long?

BRANDON SOUL

(Looks at Zoe) I was in another world. What's most important is that we're together now.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Snuggles) My big teddy bear.

Dalia squinted while looking through the glass from inside of the house. She opens the back door.

DALIA BRESTON

Well I guess you love her too, Brandon.

Natalia was stretching and yawning, wearing a half-shirt and a pair of panties.

NATALIE EVANS

Are we going to meet today?

BRANDON SOUL

Only if you promise to wear that all day.

(Everyone laughs)

JORGE MANZA

Would 12:30 be good for everyone?

They finished eating and Zoe and Brandon were sitting alone on the deck. It was obviously too cool outside for Natalie and Dalia, the barely clothed, to expose themselves to the elements. Brandon put his arms around Zoe as she leaned on him.

ZOE SCHILLER

(They gaze on the surf) You already know what we're going to do, don't you?

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, I have a pretty good idea.

ZOE SCHILLER

When did you know?

BRANDON SOUL

I wasn't sure until I went back to BlueWorld the other day.

ZOE SCHILLER

That's where you were. I was wondering where you went off to.

BRANDON SOUL

I was there in support of a friend.

ZOE SCHILLER

What was Lou up to?

BRANDON SOUL

He was nervous because he was about to propose.

ZOE SCHILLER

(Confused) Propose what?

BRANDON SOUL

(Laughs) It wasn't really a 'what' as much as it was a 'who'.

ZOE SCHILLER

Are you saying that he asked someone to marry him?

BRANDON SOUL

He not only asked the question, he also got the answer he was looking for.

ZOE SCHILLER

Wow! I never knew Lou when he was a married man. Of course, it's not like that will make much of a difference. He always been such a gentleman.

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, I came along shortly after his wife died. We've really helped each other get through some difficult waves in our lives.

ZOE SCHILLER

It was obvious from the first time I saw you guys together that there was something special between you.

BRANDON SOUL

Did you know that our fathers worked together?

ZOE SCHILLER

I think I heard Lou mention a few times that your dad was the one that came up with the concept for the Oreo.

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, he always did have a thing for mixing chocolate and vanilla frosting. (Lowers his head) I wish you could have met him.

ZOE SCHILLER

Ah, you big lug! You can meet both of my parents if you're feeling too good about yourself. They are as much fun as walking into a pack of skunks.

BRANDON SOUL

That's okay, let's just go smell-free for a while.

ZOE SCHILLER

You got it, B.S.!

BRANDON SOUL

I could see how that nickname will come back to kick me in the ass from time to time.

They stood up a few minutes later and took a walk on the beach. They held hands until the stopped for a break while sitting on the sand.

ZOE SCHILLER

You're not going to believe this, but... (She tosses her dirty blonde hair back) I once got so deep into a daydream at work that I actually came.

BRANDON SOUL

(Stutters) C-C-Came? As in showed up, or released?

ZOE SCHILLER

Oh, I released all right!

BRANDON SOUL

When the hell did that happen, and how did I miss that?

ZOE SCHILLER

Believe it, or not, it was the first day I met you. Do you remember that?

BRANDON SOUL

Like it was yesterday.

ZOE SCHILLER

Do you remember what I was wearing?

BRANDON SOUL

(Looks up at the clear blue sky hoping to find the answer) Holy crap! I got hard when I saw your nipples pop under that green sweater you wore.

ZOE SCHILLER

You kept rubbing your leg against mine and it was driving me crazy.

BRANDON SOUL

That was your leg? I thought it was the table!

ZOE SCHILLER

You were bouncing your leg up and down and the vibration was making me wet.

BRANDON SOUL

I thought you were just being enthusiastic when you pounded your fist on the table and said, 'Yes!'

ZOE SCHILLER

Man, you are in another world most of the time aren't you? So how come you never made the moves on me?

BRANDON SOUL

I always drew such a heavy line between my work life and my personal life that I was able to resist all temptation in BlueWorld. (To the audience) The fact was that I was the one who recruited Zoe to BlueWorld after Graves showed me her resume. She must have passed his initial "abuse screen," and must have had a hunch that we would be compatible. I can remember walking through the BlueWorld lobby on the day we met. She was wearing a white collared shirt under a light green sweater that seemed to highlight all of her upper body curves. I was instantly fixed on her bright blue-green eyes, as I have been since that time. No matter how much of a hard time she gave me, I would always focus on her eyes and what I saw in them. Zoe's eyes always told me to see beyond her words of displeasure, so I rarely got upset at what she said because I knew that she always liked me. There must have been a subconscious level inside her brain that knew how much I cared about her, too.

ZOE SCHILLER

Focus! (Yells as she's on top riding him)

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) All of the years of confusion and piecing together my shattered heart had come to a logical conclusion: the solution was right in front of me the whole time. We caught our breath for a few minutes and then gingerly walked back to my house with wet clothes. It was noon, so we had time for a quick shower and then we had to head over to Lou's house for the big pow-wow.

Lunch is being consumed as the meeting begins around a large oval table in the dining room of Lou's house.

BRANDON SOUL

(Looks around the table) These past few days have been some of the most important moments in my life, and I have all of you to thank for that.

Everyone agreed.

BRANDON SOUL

With that being the said, I am hoping that our personal and collective breakthroughs will be the springboard for this BlueWorld vision. Has anyone ever thought about our corporate name, BlueWorld? Lou's concept for a world where blue is the norm - where the soothing and powerful color that we all know and love would have a prominent place in all of our lives. When I came aboard, the name BlueWorld meant so much more to me than just people identifying with a color. The vision we had was not just focused on North America, it was for the entire world of blue.

The people around the table start to get his point.

BRANDON SOUL

It has been about seven years since Lou and I had a talk about preparing for global expansion. You know how he is... after our talk he went out and purchased five properties strategically located throughout the world. The straight shot is that we own sizable properties in Argentina, Israel, Sweden, New Zealand, and Greece that have appreciated in value and have had a positive impact with their appreciating valuation on our books.

Arthur and Dalia give him a thumbs up.

BRANDON SOUL

Correct me if I'm wrong, but our results have leveled off a bit because our growth in the U.S. has reached its peak.

JORGE MANZA

Right on, Brando.

BRANDON SOUL

It's not like our company is going down the toilet. We need something to not only supplement our current growth, but give us a real opportunity to spread our wings. It took a little research to find countries with predominantly blue flags. Otherwise, why would there be a need to sell products in an area that wasn't blue crazy? So, this is what we need to do... we have a conference call with Graves tomorrow at noon to outline our plan. Let's break up into groups. Dalia and Arthur, do your magic with potential sales and earnings growth potential; Jorge and Natalie, work on product positioning and technology demographics for our presentation; Zoe, we need the quick and dirty on the legal ramifications; and last, but definitively not least, Chef Michael, would you like to go into town with me to shop for dinner? And do you have any more of those chicken egg rolls?

There was an audible buzz in the room after the waves of applause and high-fives. Brandon gave Zoe a kiss goodbye and headed out into town with Chef Michael.

INT. FOOD MARKET IN TOWN

BRANDON SOUL

(To the audience) Mike had a way of walking through a market and letting the ingredients jump in his basket. (To Mike as they walk down an aisle) Dude, do you come into a store with an idea of what you're going to make?

CHEF MICHAEL

(Looks at Brandon with his typical,'I'm Mike and these are my big brown eyes look) What are you in the mood for, Brando?

BRANDON SOUL

I'm sorta' feeling like pasta.

CHEF MICHAEL

(Grins) That's funny, you sure don't look like it. (Sarcastic) I learned that one in cooking school.

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah, that's a good one, but what do you do if everyone isn't in the mood for pasta?

CHEF MICHAEL

See, that's the beauty of it. Ingredients at the root level can be divided into a number of different dishes.

BRANDON SOUL

What do you mean?

CHEF MICHAEL

Okay, you ready for this junior? (Brandon nods his head) Since you have pasta on the brain, let's start with that. I'm thinking about a pasta bar with about five different choices. For an appetizer we could go with cold sesame noodles because I'm not afraid to cross the streams of taste. The dinner selection could range from dishes prepared with lobster, vegetables, veal, chicken and your favorite, meatballs.

BRANDON SOUL

(Dancing) Oh yeah! Mikey's gonna' make me meatballs! (People are staring at Brandon dancing) C'mon Mikey, don't you want to dance with me?

CHEF MICHAEL

(They are holding hands and slow dancing) I don't know what the cross-dressing bully taught you, but my lunch lady was strictly meat and potatoes.

BRANDON SOUL

Yeah and you probably can't sleep with a woman since then without having them wear a hair net.

CHEF MICHAEL

(Laughs) It does keep hair from getting in my mouth.

They stopped dancing long enough to gather all of the ingredients and went to the check-out counter. The girl at the cash register couldn't have been more than 20 years old, but she instantly beamed when she picked up her head.

CHECKOUT GIRL

Hey, aren't' you Chef Michael? The guy on the cover of this magazine?

She snatched a copy of Michigan Gourmet from the magazine rack and flopped it in his face.

CHECKOUT GIRL

I've never had a person on my line that was on a magazine cover before! Can you sign this copy for me?

CHECKOUT GIRL

(Embarrassed) Sure! I'd be glad to sign an autograph for my only fan.

BRANDON SOUL

(Couldn't resist) Oh, Chef Mikey! Can I have your autograph, too?

CHEF MICHAEL

Two fans.

Here is what everyone ate that night for dinner"

Dish Eater

Spaghetti and Meatballs Me

Tortellini ala Pesto Zoe

Angel Hair Pomodoro Dalia

Lasagna With Spicy Sausage Jorge

Fettuccini Alfredo Natalie

Macaroni and Cheese Arthur

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) The house smelled like home, and we all knew that this would be closest thing to home that any of us could ever duplicate. There was fresh baked bread, grated cheese, and olive oil as far as the eye could see. If anyone was under the impression that they would get work done that night, all hopes were abandoned by the second bite. The food was as heavy as it was colorful; the green pesto blended with the white Alfredo, which mixed well with the red sauce and the pink lobster cream sauce, and orange three cheeses melted on top of the elbow macaroni.

BRANDON SOUL

(Walks around the table and fills people's glasses with red or white whine. He then raises his glass) I want to make a toast to seven of the people I hold most dear in my life. It's good to be out of the shadows.

Glasses clanked and they all enjoyed the meal before diving back into work.

INT. BLUEWORLD CORPORATION HEADQUARTERS - EXECUTIVE BOARDROOM

All of the executive are sitting around the conference room table.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) Our quarterly press release solicited the following response by an on-line business news service: Blue World Falls Short of Estimate; Announces Radical Global Expansion Plan. For Wall Street analysts that's like saying Astronaut Crashes During Test Run; Operation Makes Him Six Million-Dollar Man. Yes, there is even a balance that must be struck on Wall Street. Too much good news pushes analysts to look for specks of dirt that will stop the roll; conversely, bad news must be accompanied by good news if a company's stock plans on making its investors happy. Lou finely crafted our detailed plans with all of us by his side on Thursday morning. Our 10:00 am conference call gave us plenty of time to gauge the direction of the BlueWorld stock. If investors reacted favorably to our global expansion plans, then we would head back to Mackinac Island for a raucous celebration; however, if the stock headed south then we would be staying put. While we were still at Mackinac, the seven of us discussed the idea of scrapping The Grand Hotel idea for our more familiar surroundings that we were housed over the past few days. After all, it would save the company money and would definitely be more fun than being in a stuffy resort hotel. A year, six months, heck even one month ago, we would have seen the hotel option as a way to go somewhere together, yet maintain our individuality. Today, however, we were all comfortable trusting each other both personally and professionally. We watched the BLUE shares rise more than 2% by lunchtime. By the end of the day, the stock had risen more than 5% and we were back in the helicopters by the market close, and it took a few hours for the others to gather up their spouses and families, so a few of us decided to take the first shift and go on ahead. The first copter was loaded with me and Zoe, and Graves and his fiancée Linda. It was a truly a fun, champagne-filled flight.

Arthur sat on his porch and followed the flight of the copter as it went airborne and then got swallowed up into the night. He sat looking calmly into the starry sky, realizing that his relationship with his wife was about to change again. Patricia Bradley was searching throughout the house for her husband and then turned on the porch light to reveal her sobbing man.

PATRICIA BRADLEY

(Concerned) What's wrong, Arthur?

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Starts to cry) Nothing.

PATRICIA BRADLEY

What could make you so sad?

She pulled a few Kleenex from her right sleeve and handed it to Arthur. He wiped his eyes and then blew his nose with the force of a jet engine.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Takes a deep breath) Believe it or not, I am happy. This week was quite eye-opening.

PATRICIA BRADLEY

How so?

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Let me explain. (He motioned for her to walk with her as he stood up) The truth is that I've been carrying a secret for many years now. (He held her hand, but she could feel that he was trembling, causing her to be concerned) It all started when my parents pushed for me to become an altar boy at Saint Catherine's Church back in Rockville Center, New York. I was nine years old and felt so safe inside of that church. (Keeps talking through the tears) I was only nine. Do you remember how weird I was on our wedding day and the months leading up to it?

PATRICIA BRADLEY

(Paralyzed, as they stop walking) Yes. I thought you were just having second thoughts about marrying me.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

I never, for one moment, had second thoughts about marrying you. You are the one thing in my life that I know for sure, besides BlueWorld. My love for you has never waned since the moment we met at church.

PATRICIA BRADLEY

(Smiles behind her own tears) Come to think of it, you were a little jittery that day. I thought you were just feeling good after Father Michael's sermon.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Do you remember what his sermon focused on that day?

She shakes her head "No."

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Truthfulness and how it's god's way to life an honest, clean life. I was always amazed that a man with such devious thoughts and actions could preach like Mr. Clean.

PATRICIA BRADLEY

(The truth hits her like a tidal wave. She gasps) No! Father Michael? Did he...?

And before she could finish her sentence, Arthur was catching her as her legs gave out. Patricia must have fainted for a few moments because the next thing she remembered was lying on the couch with a cool washcloth on her forehead. She sat up slowly and the horrible revelation she had resurfaced again. Arthur was sitting on a chair right next to her.

PATRICIA BRADLEY

And I insisted that we use Father Michael after you said you wanted to use someone else.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

(Holds his wife in his arms and then breaks the hug) Please don't beat yourself up over this. He had control over me for a few years before I was able to escape. The confessional has never been the same for me since then.

They talked the whole night and got a few hours of sleep before they were scheduled to take a copter back to Mackinac Island. They gathered their baggage, including teenagers Kim and James, and walked to the BluePort. The kids looked at their parents and wondered what all of the crying and talking was about. Patricia could sense that some sort of explanation was in order.

PATRICIA BRADLEY

Your father and I have had a breakthrough.

Arthur sensed that the kids might be even more confused than before.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Kids, you are my witnesses! (He got down on one knee) Since most of us were somewhere else the first time, I wanted to make this part of the public record. (He gazed up at Patricia) Patricia Marie O'Connell, will you marry me, again?

PATRICIA BRADLEY

(Looks at the kids and then Arthur) Yes! It would an honor to be your wife!

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) And, a few weeks later, they were married again under a shady elm tree in their backyard by a friend who was a Justice of the Peace.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) The living arrangements, once everyone had arrived at Mackinac Island, were pretty simple in my mind, but a delicate balance had to be struck between the two houses. Here is the original list that was given to every SVP when they entered the copter:

Lou's House Brandon's House

Bedroom #1 Chef Michael The Bradley's

Bedroom #2 The Manza's Bradley children

Bedroom #3 Natalie Dalia

BRANDON SOUL

Of course, Zoe and I were sharing my master bedroom and Arthur and his fiancée Linda would be in his master. Chef Mike had his own quarters off of Arthur's kitchen, so Natalie and Dalia moved in with him. Good thing Mike had a king-sized bed and fresh supply of spirulina to give him energy to keep up. We filled in the rooms by inviting Linda's 20 year-old daughter, Stephanie, and her boyfriend Kirk, who Arthur had flown in from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He also picked up Linda's mom, Gina, who happened to be with Terrence in Bloomfield Hills. Once everyone settled in, Arthur sent Linda's mother and kids, as well as the Bradley kids into town with a limo, so he could spend some time with his BlueFamily.

It was a sunny, 60-degree day so he invited everyone out on the deck.

LOU GRAVES

Welcome, everyone! It appears that our BlueFamily has grown this week, so why don't we go around and introduce ourselves again. I have been fortunate to get a second and third chance in life. The fact is that all of the people that work for BlueBalance have suffered through some type of abuse in their lives. I want to thank you all for putting that aside all of these years and making this company a place where we all can call home. Oh, and by the way, this beautiful woman to my left is my fiancée, Linda.

EVERYONE

Hello, Linda!

Linda smiles and waves.

Lou looked at Arthur Bradley, who was sitting on a built-in bench to his left. Arthur stood up and got a bit choked up before he could even talk. Patricia Bradley stood up and put her arm around her husband's back and rubbed it in support.

ARTHUR BRADLEY

I've been blessed twice in my life. First, Patricia came in and saved me, and then Lou opened my eyes to the bright side of being blue.

He smiled and wiped the tears from his eyes as everyone clapped and rejoiced.

Chef Michael was sitting in between Dalia and Natalie with a broad smile on his face.

LOU GRAVES

We all knew that Michael could cook, but I suppose we didn't realize that he also made a great sandwich.

CHEF MICHAEL

(Stands up and blushes) My name is Michael and these are my new roommates, Dalia and Natalie.

EVERYONE

Hello, Dalia and Natalie!

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) Jorge then reintroduced his wife Selena, which left only Zoe and I to complete the introductions. I slowly stood up. Wow! It's been quite a week. We have been holding some serious baggage for a long time, and I'm glad that we could help each other over the hump, so to speak. I want to congratulate Lou and Linda on finding each other..."

He gets emotional for a minute and then Lou came over and gave me a big hug.

LOU GRAVES

(Whispers in his ear) Stop stalling.

BRANDON SOUL

Congratulations are also in order to Mr. Arthur Bradley for winning the First Annual BlueWorld Dance Contest; Jorge Manza for always looking so cool and never sweating; Janet, Chrissie, and Jack Tripper for fooling Mr. Roper and Mr. Furley; and last, but not least, to the lovely Zoe Schiller. (He drops down on one knee) I guess this is as good a time as any to do this. (He reaches into his pocket and pulled out a velvet blue box) I thought about waiting for a special time and a special place, but I couldn't think of a more special place and a more special time.

Tears started flowing down Zoe's eyes and the eyes of everyone watching.

BRANDON SOUL

Zoe Cameron Schiller, will you be my loving wife? (Slips the ring on the tip of her finger)

ZOE SCHILLER

Yes! (Through tears of joy)

Michael and his girls quickly went inside and brought out champagne and glasses for everyone. After all of the glasses were full, Lou raised his glass and everyone followed.

LOU GRAVES

I want to propose a toast to life, love and the continued health of our entire BlueFamily.

BRANDON SOUL

(Narrates) It was definitely a memorable moment - the warmth of the sun and the way it glistened off of our glasses gave us a renewed sense of spirit - that level of unity would be difficult for most companies or families to match, but it was our goal to try to match that commitment every day, as one.

