The Sibyl (3 page)

“You’re right, Elliot. She’s fantastic.”
Connor stepped away from us and nodded. “Small. Blonde. Athletic.
She’ll do nicely.”

Before I could ask if he wanted to check my
teeth and measure my waist, one of the other guys in the room piped
up.

“Elliot, Eva. Would you like some water?
Coffee?” The man waved from behind Connor. “We might be here for
awhile.”

“No, I’m good, Joey.” Elliot visibly relaxed.
“So are we ready to get this started?”

“Indeed we are.” Connor ushered us all over
to the conference table. They all took seats across from us, and I
started to feel outnumbered. Once we were seated, Connor took the
liberty of introducing me to the other two men at the table.

“Ms. McRayne, it is truly a pleasure to meet
you.” He cleared his throat. “I want to introduce you to Joey
Lawson and Bryan Trotter. Joey will be your cameraman. Bryan is a
member of the Theia Productions’ legal team. He’s here to go over
the contracts with you.”

I nodded my hellos as Connor took out two
separate folders. He placed one in front of me and the other in
front of Elliot.

“Your father’s lawyers have already looked
these over.” Connor leaned back in his chair. “All you need to do
is sign.”

“Wait a minute.” I opened the folder to find
a document that could rival a small manuscript. “I want to know
what’s in this before I commit anything.”

“Very well.” Connor sighed and came forward
again. “You may read the legalese if you wish, but this contract is
good for one season of twenty-two episodes. We’ll readdress any
further seasons if the show takes off. All this just states that we
will pay you ten thousand dollars an episode, plus the cost of your
travel and living arrangements. There is a bonus percentage clause
written in to encourage you to do all you can to boost the ratings.
In return, you agree to go to the locations we send you to or
attend any promotional events we deem appropriate.”

“That’s it?” I tried to keep my demeanor
professional. As if I negotiated contracts worth thousands of
dollars every day. I think I succeeded on the outside. On the
inside? I was squealing as I calculated up the amount of money I’d
make. It was more than I could ever hope for at an office in
Georgia. “What about any protections we might need?”

“I’m sorry?” The little man looked confused
as he folded his hands together on the table. “If you’re asking
about the health insurance, I’m sure one of our human resources
personal will be glad to answer any questions you may have
regarding the benefits.”

“No.” I shook my head. “That’s not what I
mean. I’m assuming the locations you are going to be sending us to
are going to be dilapidated. I’m also assuming we are going to be
filming at night. What happens if one of us gets hurt? What
protections are you going to put in place to make sure that doesn’t
happen?”

Elliot nodded and I could tell he was pleased
with my question. Connor paused as if he were considering his
response as he began tapping his fingers on the table.

“Unfortunately, Ms. McRayne, there’s not much
we can do about the conditions of the locations other than to chose
ones that won’t pose a serious hazard to Elliot’s team. In the
unlikely event that something does happen, your medical expenses
will be completely covered.”

“How can you be so sure?” I gestured down at
the manifesto they called a contract. “Is it listed in here?’

“I’m sure it is.” Connor waved his hand. “But
remember, please. We must do all we can to make this show a
success, even if that means sending you into some horrible places..
Otherwise, the time you spend with us will be a complete
waste.”

“Ms. McRayne, if I may,” Bryan spoke up.
“I’ll be more than happy to go over these documents with you line
by line if it will ease your mind.”

“Alright.” I thumbed through the pages where
the print seemed to grow smaller and smaller. “I’m ready when you
are.”

The lawyer opened his own folder and began to
dictate which passage he was explaining. Elliot followed along like
a chap. Me? Even though it was my idea for Bryan Trotter to go
through everything we needed to know, my eyes started to glaze over
after the third page. Elliot even nudged me a few times to make
sure I was still following along, but after only twenty minutes, I
was ready to sign my life away if it meant the lawyer would stop
talking.

I knew there were perks. I knew I needed the
money. And I had a vague idea of what I was getting into. I mean,
who hasn’t tuned into a ghost hunting episode or two? But my
decision wasn’t based solely on the benefits. As Bryan went on and
on, I tried to envision not seeing Elliot every day. I tried to
imagine what it would be like to hear him only through phone calls
which would fade over time as he lived his life and I lived
mine.

I couldn’t do it.

So when the lawyer across from us looked up
to signal he was finished, I reached into my purse.

“Very well.” I took out a pen and uncapped
it. “The only amendment I would like to see to this contract is for
us to be able to choose where we go.”

“Is that your only condition?” Connor glanced
up from the wood grain of the table. “The ability to choose your
location?”

“Yes.” I tapped the pen against the arm of my
chair. “I’m sure you have a team of professionals to do the
promotional stuff. I just want a choice in which lion’s den you
plan on throwing us into.”

“That seems very,” The producer was at a loss
of words for a moment but his slick smile was back as he responded.
“Very reasonable. Bryan, if you will.”

The lawyer who had bored me into a stupor
jumped up and retrieved the folders before us. He was gone before I
realized it.

Connor broke the silence which had fallen
over the room. “Do you have any other questions? Elliot, you’ve
been very quiet.”

“I’ve got nothing to say.” My companion
shrugged. “I’ve seen the paperwork before. I’m here only to make
sure Eva is happy with the arrangements we’ve agreed upon.”

“I do, actually.” I leaned back in my chair,
confident after getting my way with the amendment Bryan was no
doubt rushing to add to our contracts. “As you both know, I have no
experience in television. Where in the world do we start?”

“Ah, yes. The beginning is always the most
tedious part.” Connor stood and began to pace his side of the
table. “For you, my dear, it will be an immersion into the world of
the paranormal. You and Elliot will have two weeks to get settled
in. Then you will be flying out to New York to attend this year’s
International Paranormal Convention. I want the two of you to learn
all you can about the latest theories and techniques. All things
ghost hunting. If you are not an expert, I want you to be able to
sound as if you are.”

The little man rubbed his hands together as
he continued. “You will need to do anything you are capable of to
make this show go above and beyond. The field’s getting crowded.
You two have got to find a way to stand out.”

“I’m sure you’ve got plans on that
already.”

“We’re working on it.” Connor nodded to Bryan
who had returned to the room. “Those are details for another time.
For now, I need your signatures. Fill out all the forms and if you
have any questions, feel free to ask Bryan here.”

“You’re staying?” Elliot looked up from the
papers before him.

“I’m a witness.” Connor collapsed in his
chair as if there were nowhere else he needed to be. “Joey and
Bryan, too.”

“Alright.” I came to the first form with a
signature line at the bottom and gave them my word to be an
employee of Theia Productions, LLC for the span of twenty-two
episodes. There would be even more if this ridiculous idea took
off.

I should have been excited. Anyone else would
have been if they were in my place. Instead, I felt the knot in my
stomach tighten as if it were the Devil in front of me instead of a
well-versed Hollywood producer; asking for my soul in exchange for
more time with Elliot.

I signed my name as fast as I could.



Elliot’s phone rang the moment we stepped
into the hallway, so I didn’t get the chance to ask him how he felt
the meeting went. I couldn’t make out much from his side of his
conversation, but he didn’t seem happy. In fact, he didn’t seem
much like Elliot at all. When we reached the car, he pressed a
button on his phone and fished the keys out of his pocket.

“You alright?”

Elliot nodded in my direction. I slid into
the car with my own phone in hand. My mom had sent me no less than
twenty-five texts while I was in the meeting. I knew she was dying
to hear how everything went. I ran my thumb over the screen to
unlock it and reply back to her when Elliot’s voice broke through
the silence between us.

“That was my dad. He’s going to meet us at
the condo.”

“Really?” I dropped the phone in my purse, my
mother temporarily forgotten. “I didn’t think I’d be meeting
him.”

“Yeah.” Elliot fiddled with the keys for a
minute before he put them in the ignition. “He wants us to check
out our new place then take us out to lunch to celebrate.”

“That’s very sweet of him.” I shifted in my
seat. “But do we have to do it today? One massive meeting is enough
for one day. I don’t know if I can handle another one.”

“Yeah.” Elliot shrugged as he turned out of
the parking garage and back out into the street. “He’s already
there waiting on us.”

“Great.” I tried to sound enthusiastic, but I
couldn’t muster up the strength. This was my first trip to
California and I was exhausted. I wanted nothing more than to crawl
into the massive bed waiting back at the hotel. But I couldn’t turn
down this invitation. “So, details. What should I expect?”

“From my dad? Or the apartment?” Elliot was
concentrating on traffic. At least, I hope he was. The little
convertible we were in was flying down the freeway.

“Let’s go with your dad.” I shrugged. “You
don’t really talk about him.”

“I don’t have a reason to.” Elliot sighed,
letting his foot off the gas and switching lanes. “Look, Eva, I
don’t like to talk about him.”

“I know.” I felt my purse vibrate against the
side of my leg but I ignored it. “I’m not asking you to divulge any
juicy family drama. Just give me an idea.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Elliot began
tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. “He’s conservative
and strict. This is exactly why he’s managed to make Theia as
successful as it is.”

“That’s it?” I frowned. “Conservative and
strict? Eli, every dad can be described as ‘conservative and
strict’.”

“Like I said, I don’t know how to describe
him. He wasn’t around much when I was a kid. I fled to Georgia as
soon as I could.”

“Why Georgia?”

I’d asked him this same question plenty of
times over the past few years but Elliot had deflected me every
time. Now, he was stuck in L.A. traffic in a very small car. He
wasn’t going to get away so easily.

“Why not?” Elliot threw me a small smile. “I
got to meet you, didn’t I?”

“Flattering, but that’s not the answer I was
looking for. Come on,” I huffed in frustration. “I’ve known you for
four years and just flew out to California to be with you.
Sometimes, I feel like I don’t know you at all.”

“Did you really?” Elliot tilted his head
towards me. “Did you come out here just to be with me?”

“No.” I felt the blush rising in my cheeks.
“I needed a job, remember?”

“A boring one, if I recall. Yet here you are
in L.A., signed up to do a television show.” Elliot chuckled. “You
missed the mark, doll. ‘Boring’ was not in the job
description.”

“You’re deflecting me again.” I crossed my
arms and looked out the window. After a few minutes of tense
silence, Elliot started talking.

“Fine. I decided on UGA because my mom’s
family is from Atlanta.” Elliot shrugged. “I thought I could get to
know them if I came here.”

“Did you?” I tilted my head, wondering just
how much I actually knew about my best friend. “Get to know them,
that is.”

“No. They all died a long time ago.”

“Aunts or uncles?”

“No.” He shook his head. “She was the only
child.”

“But you stayed at UGA anyway.”

“Yeah.” Elliot pulled into another garage.
“That’s in the past, Eva. It doesn’t matter. We’re here about our
future. Aren’t you the least bit curious about your new place?”

I dropped the subject in a heartbeat, looking
around the parking garage he’d pulled into as if I’d never seen one
before.

“This is it?”

Elliot laughed. “Yeah. We’re on the tenth
floor, so you’re going to be glad when Connor is arranging a moving
company for us. I couldn’t imagine trying to carry your stuff all
the way up there.”

“Oh, please.” I grabbed my purse and hopped
out of the car. “I know you. You would have hired movers
anyway.”

“True. Hey, Eva,” Elliot grabbed my hand to
keep me from going too far ahead of him. “You sure you’re ok with
all this? I mean, this really is a huge change for you.”

“I’ve already signed the contract. I don’t
think I have too much of a choice now.” I squeezed his hand. “I may
not act like it, but I am grateful to you for this
opportunity.”

“I know you are.” Elliot looked at the
elevator ahead of us. “Come on. Let’s go meet my old man and get
this over with.”



I was speechless when Elliot opened the door
labeled 1013 and our new place was exposed. This wasn’t like my
little one bedroom place back in Georgia. The foyer was small, but
it opened up to a great room with floor-to-ceiling windows. The
furniture was modern; a mixture of greens and blues that worked
well to make the space seem inviting. I looked to Elliot who
grinned as he gestured for me to go explore my new
surroundings.