The Second Assistant Read Online Free PDF Page B

business and realized that she might be furious with me if Jake did turn out to be an actor, there was no getting out of it. They were hooked.
    “You were?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Whose place?”
    “Oh, some guy.”
    “Really? Who?”
    “His name was Jake.”
    “Jake what?”
    “You know, I don’t really remember.”
    “You don’t remember?”
    “No.”
    “What did he drive?”
    “Some little Porsche sport thing.”
    “What did his last name begin with? Think about it.”
    “I don’t know. He didn’t say.”
    “Weintraub? Thompson?”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Was he cute?”
    “Really cute.”
    “Cute like how? Like cheesy actor cute or rich and sexy cute?”
    “Um, handsome. But smart.”
    “What does he do?”
    “Well, I’m not entirely sure. But he was just so nice.”
    “You don’t know what he does?”
    “I didn’t ask.”
    “What was his house like?”
    “Nice. Cozy.”
    “Small?”
    “Well, not huge but—”
    “Where, exactly?”
    “Carbon Beach, I think.”
    “On the beach? Or across the PCH?”
    “Right on the beach.”
    “Wow.”
    Unfortunately, our stimulating chat was interrupted. The previously scarce Daniel Rosen, El Presidente, chose that moment to appear in the office doorway. Actually, he didn’t arrive completely unannounced. He was preceded a few moments before by Aaron, a young assistant from across the hall, who walked by our desks and whispered loudly, “Daniel’s coming down.” At which point a hush fell over the room, feet were removed from desktops, and disdainful looks were replaced by Stepford-esque smiles. Seconds later Daniel appeared in the doorway, looking surprisingly imposing for a small man with a balding head.
    “I want to know who is responsible,” he boomed aggressively.
    The battery farm of assistants looked up at him with unbridled fear etched across their faces. Even Victoria came out of her office and blinked in the light.
    “Well . . . I’m waiting.”
    “Daniel. Is there a problem?” Victoria asked shakily.
    “Some idiot put a call from Todd Lyons through to the mailroom on Friday afternoon.”
    “They did not.”
    “Yeah, Victoria, they did. And I want to know who is responsible.”
    “Was he okay?” Victoria looked more ashen than ever. “I mean, did you get him back from the mailroom?”
    “He had to hang up. His assistant called me this morning and told me.”
    “Oh, my God, that’s terrible!” Victoria shook her head gravely. I nearly threw up my breakfast.
    Todd Lyons was the president of Universal, and I had been responsible for his having to speak to someone in the mailroom. To confess or not to confess? Daniel clearly didn’t remember me at all from our encounter in Washington. In fact, he didn’t so much as look in my direction. And just as I decided that I ought to tell the truth in case there were some way that the FBI could trace the lost Todd Lyons phone call back to me, Scott’s office door opened and out he stepped.
    “Hey, Daniel.”
    “Scottie, how’s it hangin’?”
    “Good man, yeah, good.” Scott was furiously wiping his nose. “Hey, you hear about the deal we got for George last week? Fucking awesome, man.”
    “Yeah, I heard.” Daniel made his way toward Scott, and after a bit of backslapping and knuckle punching, the door closed behind them and the color returned to my cheeks. And the assistant pool relaxed with an audible sigh of relief.
    “Assholes,” Victoria spit, and slammed her door.
    Half an hour later, Daniel reappeared, followed closely by Scott.
    “Lara?” Scott yelled without looking in Lara’s direction.
    “Yes?” She stood up, clearly on best behavior for Daniel.
    “We’re having a party.”
    “We abso-fucking-lutely are.” Daniel nodded at Scott.
    “Okay.” Lara smiled politely.
    “And I want you and . . .” Scott looked blank and clicked his fingers impatiently. “What’s his name?”
    “Ryan,” offered Daniel.
    “Thanks.” He continued, “I want