After We Collided

The entire world is a collection of memoranda

that she did exist, and that I have lost her.

Whatever our souls are made of,

hers and mine are the same.

A rather pretentious way to open our story...

but I've always had a flair for the dramatic.

You see, this isour story--

Tessa's and mine.

It's a story you've heard before,

passed down from the Greeks, through Shakespeare,

the Brontes, Jane Austen.

It's the story of a young girl exploring her independence,

free from the bonds of her oppressive parent...

and promised to a boy she clearly does not love.

She meets a dashingly handsome young man

who sweeps her off her feet...

even though he represents everything she detests.

She falls for him,

gives herself to him,

and is ultimately betrayed by him

and left shattered.

Only it is he who is destroyed by his deceit.

When it feels as though all is lost,

the two reunite and live happily ever after.

Like I've said, a story you've heard before.

Only difference is...

this isn't that story.

Hey. Can I ask you a question?

- Piss off. - I'm looking for someone.

Piss off!

Whoo! Sure don't seem like Christmas out here,

all this heat we've been havin'.

Ya know, I hate the heat.

Heat make people do some crazy things.

Hoo!

Thank-- Thank you!

Sorry.

Excuse me! Sir, can you hold that elevator, please!

Asswipe!

Thank you.

Did you call me an asswipe?

Excuse me?

You just called me an asswipe.

Um, no. I didn't.

Yeah, I guess I just imagined it.

Guess so.

Ya know, I wastryingto hold the elevator for you.

Sure you were.

Look, I'm sorry. It's my first day.

I'm just trying to make an impression.

Well, you certainly succeeded at that.

Asswipe.

No, no, no, no...

- You work here? - Surprise.

Tessa!

Welcome to Vance Publishing.

Hi. Kimberly, right?

Excellent memory.I'm impressed.

Yes, she makes quite the impression.

You two know each other?

Uh... we're old friends.

Now, if you ladies will excuse me?

Are you excited to get going?- Yeah.

Let's introduce youto the boss.

Shut the fuck up and listen to me!

This might not bethe best time for introductions.

Why don't I show you your office?

Trevor!

On it.

I apologize for the mess.

We've been shorton interns lately,

and we're a bitbacklogged.

That seems crazy to me.

People I know would kill for an internship here.

I know, it's just that Vance

has this small problem with

firing them after a day.

But that's not going to happen to you.

I have a good feelingabout this.

But like I said during the interview,

your job is to readfive manuscripts a week,

and if you like them,just forward them on to me.

- Okay. - The kitchen is right down the hall.

Feel free to place any order for lunch.

- Any questions? - Uh, no. I'm good.

You got this.

Mmm.

Mr. Vance!

Um... Um, I'm so sorry.

I must have dozed off.

-What time is it? -9:25.

9:25?

- Am I fired? - Sit down.

You mean to tell me you read three books

and did coverage on all of them last night,

and you think Carnival of Lightby Niko Tanaka is a great read?

Yeah, it is. It's, uh,

she has a really original voice,

it's a lot like an early Margaret Atwood,

The Edible Woman,

- Surfacing-- - I'm coming down now.

Grab your things. Come with me.

Oh, shit.

Morning, Mr. Vance.

- Morning, sir. - Mr. Vance, I was just--

I was wondering if we had timeto go back to--

Get in.

Because I have to get my phone charger in at--

Oh, we're closing the door!

Little work tip.

- Hmm? - It helps if you don't wear the same clothes every day.

That, and showering.

Um, where are we going?

There's a digital publishing conference,

and I need to secure some funding for my expansion.

Fuck off!

What part of "We're closed"don't--

- Hi. - You busy?

Kind of in the middleof something.

So, you know, why don't youcome back tomorrow?

Or just come in right now.

I'm good.

Come on, it'll ease the pain.

I like the pain.

Well, suit yourself,you fuckin' masochist.

Welcome back the Montgomery, Mr. Vance.

I have your rooms ready for you.

We had a printer deliveredto Mr. Trevor Matthews' room.

Unfortunately, Ms. Young's room wasn't ready,

so we had her upgradedto a suite with complimentsof the management.

Has Mr. Jiang checked in yet?

I do believe he's at the bar.

Of course he is.

So I get a printer and you get a suite.

You're enjoying this, aren't you?

Definitely.

Hon', do you mind taking Tessa shopping?

She needs something for tonight.

I trust you.

Let's go have some fun.

Are you sure that I can get in?

Because I've never been to a nightclub before.

But don't they check...?

Look, before we go outside,

I just wanted to tell you something.

Okay.

Vance and I are...

more than co-workers.

Oh.

It was strictly a work thing for years,

especially after his wife died,

then I started helping out with his son Smith,

and, well, love can really take you by surprise.

Yes, it can.

- That's him? - Mm-hmm.

- Aw. - He's the sweetest kid.

Ohh.

Can't wait for them to see you in this dress tonight.

Oh, shoot.

We forgot to buy you underwear.

But my clothes are at the laundry.

If I leave now, I can run back to the mall--

Oh, no, no, no. No. It's fine.

- Are you sure? - Yeah.

Okay, I guess we're goin' commando, then.

I can't believe I've been at Vance for only a day.

Well, Hardin said we'd be lucky to have you.

- You spoke to Hardin. - No, Vance did.

He didn't tell you?

Must have slipped his mind.

Yes, well, as long as we're at the conference by two--

Wow.

You clean up nicely.

Gee, Trevor, you sure knowhow to charm the ladies.

Tessa, you look stunning.

Thank you.

On the move.

So what books have you written?

Oh, this and that.

Feel like I'm sitting at the kids' table.

Thanks.

No, that's not what I meant. Sorry.

I hate nightclubs.

Probably because I suck at dancing.

I love Ohio football, but I hate nightclubs.

Why are we here?

Him.

Mr. Jiang.

His family owns a hedge fund worth 800 million

and it's considering investing in Vance's expansion.

You want me to get you a drink?

I'm gonna stick with water.

All my budget really allows these days.

I thought you were a paid intern.

You'd be surprised how much Uber charges can add up.

I mean, I'd be lucky to break even.

- I'll go. - What it is?

Sex on the Beach.

Quite a beach.

Grab a straw. On your mark, get set, go.