Friends of Fame

S1E1: Pilot

JUNE
*Beauty. Grace. Elegance. She has them all. Brunette, tall, flashy smile, Nancy Rose was her name. Nancy wore a mini skirt with black boots that clicked the ground every step she took. She had big sunglasses on, partly because she liked them but also because they masked her face from other people. She walked in the plaza carrying two armfuls of shopping bags. The plaza was a downtown outdoor shopping center in the midst of Los Angelas, California. The plaza had bars, clothing stores, coffee shops, a grocery store, and outdoor seating that was always available. Nancy practically lived at the plaza. Everyone around here did. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana played as she walked along the sidewalk, turning every head that passed her. But, she didn't seem to mind. She stopped at the window of a store, eyeing a scarf and a sweater. She went inside. Seconds later, she popped back out with two new shopping bags. Click, click, click. Her heels were loud, but the ringer on her phone was louder. It was her boyfriend, Noah, an actor. She managed to pick up, even with her hands so full.*

Nancy: Hello?

Noah: I'm not going to be able to make it to dinner tonight.

Nancy: What?

Noah: I'm sorry, baby. I have a uh... it's a work thing. Mandatory.

Nancy: It's okay, I understand. I'll just... put everything in the fridge for you.

Noah: That's great, thanks. I gotta go.

Nancy: Bye.

*Noah hung up. He didn't say bye or anything, but then again, he never did. Nancy walked into another store.*

That Night
[Nancy's apartment]
*Nancy lived in a cute, but small apartment. It was a two bedroom, but she lived alone. She was sitting on the floor in the living room with her guitar and a notepad. She strummed a few times, but she was too anxious to work. She tried calling Noah, but he didn't answer. Something felt off. She didn't have a good reason, but she trusted her gut. After a few calls, she finally got desperate enough to call Noah's manager, Macy. The phone rung as she waited for answer.*

Macy: Nancy?

Nancy: Macy! Hi. Sorry to bother you. Could you- would you mind just telling Noah to give me a call when he gets the chance? I'm sure he's slammed right now, I just-

Macy: I'm not with him right now.

Nancy: You're not? He told me he had a work thing tonight, so I just figured-

*Macy flipped through her calendar at her desk.*

Macy: Noah had the night off tonight.

Nancy: ...Are you sure?

Macy: I'm looking at his calendar right now. Is everything okay?

*No, everything was not okay. But she couldn't admit that.*

Nancy: Yeah! Everything's totally fine. Thanks. Sorry.

*Nancy hung up, and stared at the wall while her leg anxiously bounced up and down. She dialed another number, but this time, it was her best friend, Steven.*

Steven: Hey what's up?

Nancy: Um well I really really think he's with Adrienne right now. I know he said he's working but I- just don't buy it.