
Back in the buying offices one week after the New York trip. Susie, Candy, and David are on their phones. Sean is inputting orders on his computer.
Lucy walks in. She looks upset.
LUCY
(Putting his call on hold immediately) Lucy, already back from your doctor appointment? Sean’s got your orders under control. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off? After your successful week in New York, you probably need to relax.
LUCY
(To herself) Leave early, coming out of David’s mouth? This whole thing is getting scary. (To David) Thanks, David. I just have to take care of few things. After that, maybe I’ll leave early.
CANDY
(Looking over the partition.) Hi, Lucy! That sweater you’re wearing is fabulous! Did you get it in New York?
LUCY
(Listlessly) It’s a sample they gave me at Hot Jeans.
SUSIE
Hot Jeans giving away their samples? That’s a first. You’ve excellent taste! I didn’t see that style when I was there. Can I write down the style number and call Anna about it?
LUCY
(With a sigh) Sure, Susie. (She goes over to Susie’s cubicle, and Susie looks inside her back neckline.)
Then Lucy sits down in her cubicle. She looks overwhelmed. Slowly she turns on her computer and takes a few papers out of a tray on her desk.
SEAN
(Looking up from his computer, he sees her distress, and turns his chair toward her) What happened?
LUCY
(Trying not to cry) Sean, I don’t know what I’m going to do. How could this be happening now- right when my life is finally going great!
SEAN
(Goes over and gives her a hug) You were fine yesterday- what happened at your doctor appointment?
LUCY
I was just feeling tired. I thought all the attention I was getting was wearing me down, and I caught a bug or something.
SEAN
A lot of attention! You’re the new superstar! Ever since your last New York trip, you and David have been working together nonstop. For a whole week, everyone in the office is following you around like you’re the Queen of England. There is something different about you. What is this all about?
LUCY
It’s so strange that it doesn’t affect you. You’re still my best friend. It’s funny. When they started fawning all over me in the office, I was embarrassed to tell you the reason why. But now it’s too late, too late even for shame.
SEAN
Lucy, what do you mean about “too late?” Tell me what happened in New York. You know you can tell me anything.
LUCY
I knew I shouldn’t have trusted him. Something about him was creepy, but he was so polite, and somehow knew a lot about me. This is really Mr. Green’s fault.
SEAN
(Suspiciously) Mr. Green- what did he look like?
LUCY
It’s funny- I’m usually so good with faces, but I can’t remember. I know he had a black hat, and wore a dark green wool coat. He saw me at O’Connell’s. He called me over to his table, and told me he could get me noticed by everyone. Even David. I never told anyone my feelings for David.
SEAN
Oh no. Lucy, tell me you didn’t make a deal with this rascal!
LUCY
He seemed like he really cared about my situation. He didn’t even want my money.
SEAN
(Disgusted) Of course he didn’t want your money.
LUCY
How did you know? Do you know this Mr. Green?
SEAN
I know enough to know that “Green” is not his true name! Always meddling with mortals. Can’t mind his own business. Running around stirring up mischief.
LUCY
Sean- what are you talking about?
SEAN
Lucy, I’ve worked by your side for four years. I came here to have a normal life. I would never hurt you. But making deals with our kind is highly dangerous. Tell me you didn’t promise him anything.
LUCY
(Standing up and moving away from him) What “kind” Sean? I don’t understand.
SEAN
(Sighs) Well, we’re not supposed to talk about it. We walk around in the human world every day, blending in. But there are other kinds of beings than just humans, Lucy. My kind, my kindred, humans call them faeries.
LUCY
Seriously? I’ve unknowingly worked next to a faery for years without noticing it? If this is a prank, Sean, I am not amused.
SEAN
Please, Lucy, let it be our secret. I just wanted you to know that I understand what you’re dealing with. It sounds like he sold you a glamour. I smelled magic, but there’s always residual magic in New York, so I just thought it rubbed off on you when you were there.
(He takes Lucy by the shoulders and looks into her eyes) What did you promise Mr. Green?
LUCY
(Dazed and fighting back tears) That’s the problem, Sean. I promised him one year of my life in exchange for glamour. I thought at the time, “What’s one year out of my whole life?”
(She sits back down in her chair and starts to chuckle to herself) It’s a joke really, a horrible terrible joke.
(She looks up at Sean) When I went to the doctor this morning, they ran some tests, and then the doctor pulled me immediately into his private office. I’ve got some rare blood disease, so rare there’s not even a name for it yet.
SEAN
(Reaches over to hug her) Lucy, I’m so sorry. This is what I dread the most about having human friends.
LUCY
The doctor thinks I only have one year left at the most. There is no treatment for it. Will Mr. Green really take away the last year I have?
SEAN
There are certain rules in my world, and they’re never broken. Mr. Green will collect on your debt to him.
(David walks by Lucy’s cubicle)
DAVID
Lucy, are you still here? Please go home. You look exhausted.
LUCY
(Wiping her face quickly) I’m leaving in a few minutes. Thanks for the time, David.
(Lucy’s cell phone rings. She answers it.)
LUCY
Hello. (She listens.) Mr. Green, how did you get this number? (She listens) I see. But things have changed. You need to take your glamour back. (She listens.) You didn’t say anything about “no returns.” I’ve had some horrible news. (She listens.) How did you know? Well, I don’t even want to know the answer to that. (She listens.) I’m not giving you my last year, do you hear me? It’s my last year- it belongs to me! (She hangs up and starts crying.)
SEAN
(Looking serious and determined) Lucy, calm down. I want you to listen to me. You don’t deserve this. I’ll fix this. Trust me, okay?
LUCY
What can you do? He said the deal was unbreakable.
SEAN
He doesn’t know you have a faery friend. Our rules may be unbreakable, but there is always a way for a faery to bend them backwards.
(Fade to black)