Callahan Investments has been abuzz since the opening bells have rung at the Stock Market.
Rem sits at his desk, staring at the view from his 15th floor office.
His secretary comes in with a stack of papers in her arms.
Janet
Mr. Callahan, I need your signature.
Rem sighs, but turns dutifully and reaches for the papers.
He signs his full name with flourish.
Janet
I’ll be right outside if you need me, sir.
Suddenly, a beautiful woman in an expensive skirt-suit pushes into his office.
Her perfume trails perfume behind her — as does Janet, who’s right on her heels.
Janet
Sir, I tried to stop her, but—
Rem
It’s ok, Janet. I can handle this.
The secretary turns and leaves.
Rem fixes his eyes on the woman as she perches in the chair across from him.
Rem
Rachel! What’s wrong?
Rachel
I can’t stop thinking about you, Rem.
Rem tries to shake off a comment with a laugh. He lifts an eyebrow.
Rem
You have time to think about someone?
Rem
My VPs are usually too busy for that kind of behavior.
Rachel
I’m not just any VP and you know that, Remi.
Rem
No one calls me Remi.
Rem
It’s almost like you’re insinuating something happened between us…
Rem
And nothing did, Rachel. You know that.
Rem
Honestly, this is pretty inappropriate.
Rachel turns her mouth into a pretty pout.
Rachel
We could happen though—
Rachel
Think of how great we’d be together.
Rem
It’s against the rules for co-workers to date at Callahan Investments.
Rachel
Yes, but you make the rules—
Rachel
So you can break them.
Rachel
You know there’s something between us.
Rachel
Anyone can feel it. It’s in the air.
Rachel
It’s palpable. It’s—
Rem
I said it isn’t appropriate, Rachel.
Rem
You’re a beautiful woman, but I’m sorry.
Scowling, Rachel stands up, putting her nose in the air.
Rachel
I don’t take no lying down, Remi.
Rem
That’s why you the best on my negotiations team.
Rem
But this isn’t up for debate.
Rachel flashes him a smile, but it looks more like grimace.
Rachel
I’ve got a meeting in five minutes.
Rachel
I’ll be back afterward to change your mind. Like you said…
Rachel
I’m a great negotiator.
Rem sighs after she leaves, spinning around in his big leather chair.
He stares out at the horizon once again.
Rachel may be beautiful and smart, but she isn’t the woman he wants.
He picks up his phone and types a text.
Rem
Hey. How’s your day? 🙂
Leah
A student just threw up on my desk 🤢
Rem
Lord, there isn’t enough Lysol in the world for that.
Leah
What’s it like there? Do you have an office?
Leah
Like, a quiet one, with no kids eating crayons?
Rem
If fifth graders are eating crayons, I fear for our future 😄
Rem
But I do have an office. It’s a decent spot.
He glances at the mahogany opulence surrounding him.
He’d grown accustomed to it, but seeing it now…
It made him envision it through her eyes.
It was incredibly nice, especially since no one was vomiting on his desk.
Rem
Hey, I have a question — and I need some female wisdom for the answer.
Leah
All right — hit me with it.
Rem
What would you say is the best thing to do…
Rem
When an aggressive woman comes onto an uninterested man…
Rem
And won’t take no for an answer?
Leah freezes at her desk.
She instinctively runs her finger over her scar.
Rem
And she knows it. That’s why she’s aggressive.
Rem
But she’s an employee.
Leah
Would you be interested in her if she wasn’t?
Rem
Hmm. I don’t know. She’s a bit polished for my taste.
Rem
I guess most men wouldn’t throw her out of bed, though.
Leah
Are you trying to make me jealous, Rem?
Leah
Because I don’t appreciate it.
Rem
No, of course not. I was just being honest.
Leah
The first thing you should know about me is—
Leah puts her phone down and stands up to read a book aloud to her class.
With her phone on silent, she ignores everything he says.
After she finishes reading, she scans Rem’s messages.
Rem
Leah, please let’s talk about this.
Rem
Don’t be mad at me — I promise I didn’t mean anything with the Rachel thing.
And hour later, Leah texts him back.
Leah
I told you…I don’t like games.
Rem
Good, because I don’t play them.
Leah
Then why are you trying to make me jealous?
Rem
I’m not. I was trying to have an authentic conversation with you.
Rem
You asked me questions, I answered them honestly.
Rem
Now I need advice, so I thought you could help me.
Leah
Well it seemed like you were trying to mess with my head.
Rem
Whoa — how’d you come to that conclusion?
Rem
Look, I’m not sure who you’ve dated in the past…
Rem
But I’m not like that.
Rem
Yeah. I’m not going to let you lose your virginity to an ass, Leah.
She’s the one who said she didn’t want any strings, so she has no right to get mad anyway.
She ignores the feelings tugging at her heart and starts to type.
Leah
Ok. Fine. I’ll assume you’re being genuine.
Leah
Ok. If you’re turning down someone you’re really not into, you’ve got to be firm.
Leah
Yeah. You can’t try to flatter her to alleviate her feelings.
Leah
Or dodge her with a made-up excuse.
Leah
That will just lead her on and make her think she has a chance.
Leah
But don’t be an ass.
Leah
Exactly. Be firm and clear, without being an ass.
Leah
Now, tell me what you’re going to say.
Rem
Rachel, I can’t see you.
Rem
It’s against the rules, and while I value you as an employee and friend…
Rem
I’m not interested in anything further.
Rem
Although I already told her that. And it didn’t work.
Rem
OH! I know. I’ll tell her I’m seeing someone else.
Leah
You’re seeing someone?
Rem
Well, I haven’t seen you in person yet, but I still feel like this counts.
Leah’s heart pounds as she realizes he’s referring to her.
Rem
You think so too, right?
Rem
That we’re seeing each other?
Leah
That should totally work.
Rem
By the way, I’m firm whenever I think about you…
Leah
🙄 Good luck. Tell me about it later.
Rem puts his phone away and Janet comes back in.
Janet
Mr. Callahan, I need to confirm your dinner engagement at the Sterling’s on Friday.
Rem answers her absent-mindedly. After all, Leah just agreed that she was dating him.
Rem
Sure, yeah. I’ll be there.
Rem
And Janet? Call Rachel and tell her I need to see her after her meeting, please.
