The Unfinished Script

Four years after Lana walked away from Caleb Thorne, she sits at the far end of a business dinner, a small-time author waiting for the CEO of Zenith Capital to greenlight the film deal for her novel. Caleb, cold and untouchable at the head of the table, orders her to drink three shots of whiskey before he will consider signing. The room goes silent; her editor Sarah tries to shield her, but Caleb insists on the proper attitude from someone begging for something.

Humiliation burns as Lana forces down the whiskey, coughing violently, until Caleb snatches the third glass away. Later, in the restroom, she overhears production assistants mocking her, and Caleb fires them on the spot. Outside, he corners her, reminding her that he now controls the investment and that begging is never pleasant. Lana refuses to grovel, telling him to sign or burn the contract.

Evan drives her home, recalling Caleb as her college ex, while messages arrive: the deal will be signed, and Lana is to join the shoot as on-set screenwriter. That night she dreams of the debate stage where she and Caleb first met.