Office Desires

4. The manuscript

Lou had always prided herself on her ability to tackle even the most intricate manuscripts, but the one that landed on her desk that morning was unlike anything she had encountered before. Its complexity seemed to defy the very essence of storytelling, a maze of prose and ideas that left her feeling both intrigued and overwhelmed.

With the marked-up manuscript in hand, she headed to Debbie's office, her heart racing with apprehension. She knocked on the door and waited for Debbie's invitation to enter.

"Come in," Debbie's voice called from inside the office.

She entered, finding Debbie at her desk, engrossed in her work. She cleared her throat to get her attention.

Debbie looked up, her brow arching slightly in curiosity. "Lou, what brings you here?"

Lou hesitated for a moment before holding up the challenging manuscript. "I've come across something... rather unique, and I could use your insight and guidance. It's proving to be a real puzzle."

Debbie's eyes flickered with interest as she took in the manuscript in Lou's hands. She motioned for Lou to take a seat, and Lou complied.

"Let's have a look," Debbie said, extending her hand for the manuscript.

She handed it over, and Debbie began to leaf through the pages, her expression thoughtful as she absorbed the intricate prose and complex narrative.

The brunette continued to scan the challenging manuscript, her fingers tracing along the dense paragraphs. After a few moments, she looked up at Lou, her gaze piercing.

"Interesting choice for an edit," Debbie remarked, her voice even and measured.

Lou nodded, feeling the weight of the manuscript's complexity. "Yes, it's certainly unlike anything I've worked on before. The author has a unique style, but it's a bit... convoluted."

Debbie leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepled as she considered the text. "I can see that. The prose is intricate, almost labyrinthine. But there's a certain beauty in its complexity..."

She couldn't deny the allure of the manuscript, even as it challenged her editing skills. "Yes, there is. It's like peeling back layers of meaning with each read. But I'm afraid it might be a tough sell for the mainstream audience."

Debbie nodded, her gaze still locked on Lou's. "True, it won't be for everyone. But sometimes, it's the unconventional stories that leave the deepest impression." She then leaned forward, her voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone. "I trust your judgment, Lou. If you think this manuscript has potential, we'll work on it. But if you believe it's a lost cause, we can move on to something else."

Lou met Debbie's gaze, her heart racing at the close proximity. "I think there's something here, something worth exploring, I believe we can shape it into something remarkable."

Debbie's smile deepened, and her eyes sparkled with an intensity that sent a shiver down Lou's spine. "I'm glad you think so," she murmured.

Lou swallowed hard, she couldn't help but wonder if they were still talking about the manuscript..

"So, where should we begin? The manuscript is quite intricate, and I think it would benefit from a structural overhaul."

Debbie's fingers tapped thoughtfully on the manuscript as she considered Lou's suggestion. "You may be right. Let's start by identifying the core themes and character arcs. Once we have a clearer understanding of the author's intentions, we can work on streamlining the narrative."

As they began to delve into the manuscript's intricacies, their conversation flowed with a natural rhythm. They bounced ideas off each other, their words creating a synergy that was both intellectually stimulating and undeniably charged with chemistry.