“20 Years Ago…”
— Late Night Show Set —
Host Rocky interviews the young actress, Natasha.
Natasha leans back gently on the couch and enjoys its comfort.
Natasha: This chair feels great. I wanna sit on this all day.
Rocky: I wish I were that chair.
Natasha blushes and giggles.
The energetic studio audience goes wild, cheering and applauding for Rocky’s remark.
Rocky: Before we talk about your new movie, I have to talk about you.
Natasha: Oh, this is important.
Rocky: Well, you have a new person in your life. Is that right?
Natasha: Yes. I have a man in my life.
Rocky: Yes. You have a man in your life. And I want to know all about him…
Rocky takes a photograph from his desk and shows it to the crowd. The audience let out an “aww” at the sight of the cute puppy in the picture.
Rocky: He is adorable. What’s his name?
Natasha chuckles before answering his question.
Natasha: His name is “Slutty”.
Rocky: What?
The audience chuckles at the name of the puppy.
Natasha: Yes, and I didn’t pick his name. He picked it. It’s just ridiculous.
Rocky: Really? His name is “Slutty”?
Natasha: Yes.
Rocky: How did he pick his name?
Natasha turns at the audience.
Natasha: Well, he’s a rescue.
The audience is in awe and applauds Natasha’s heartfelt gesture of adopting a puppy.
Natasha turns back at Rocky.
Natasha: When I first got him, he was introverted, and my best friend was the reason why he was named “Slutty,”
Rocky: What do you mean?
Natasha: Sometimes my best friend calls me “Slutty”. You know how friends talk.
The audience laughs along with Natasha and Rocky.
Natasha: And he looked up. And then my best friend said it again, and I still didn’t believe it. From there, he just only responded to “Slutty.” I tried many names, but nothing worked.
Rocky: Did you try Rocky?
Natasha laughs.
Rocky laughs.
The audience laughs.
“Present Day…”
— Green Room — Night
The room is buzzing with anticipation. A vanity mirror lined with bright bulbs illuminates the space.
Natasha sits in front of the mirror, scrolling through her phone. She is in her mid-forties.
Her assistant, Joy, scurries around, organizing costumes.
Joy: I’m not confident about today. It may have worked 20 years ago, but times have changed.”
Natasha: That episode was a total hit! It got super high ratings and was one of the best episodes in all the seasons of Rocky’s show so far. So?
Joy: I don’t disagree.
Natasha: That’s “I agree,” honey. “I don’t disagree” isn’t correct.
Joy: Sorry, ma’am. I agree with everything you said, but that’s not the case now.
Natasha: Then?
Joy: I’m afraid if I say it as it is. I may get fired.
Natasha: Spit it out.
Joy: You are not the same person as 20 years ago. You were young, and the audience will not perceive you as they did 20 years ago. They won’t respond to you like they react to a young, attractive woman. You better not approach this interview with the same template. It’s not going to work.
Natasha finds it offensive to take feedback from Joy.
Natasha: …And you buy your clothes in a mall.
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