Pearl In Paradise (Pearl in Paradise)

Okay ladies, this is the spot.

Thanks, Charlie.

This is so exciting.

I can't believe I'm actually doing this.

Like a 400 year old shipwreck.

A 400 year old Spanish shipwreck

that's never been seen and never been photographed.

Do you think there's gold down there

or is that just an old legend?

Please tell me I didn't forget my extra battery.

Hey Alex, what do you think dad would say

if he knew I finally got my dive certification?

I think he'd be really happy.

- Hey Charlie? - Yo.

What is the visibility?

At least 80 feet.

Aha, that's what I like to hear.

These photos are going to be perfect.

Oh, this is so exciting, my first big dive.

I know and I'm glad we're doing this together.

Oh yeah, it makes me way less nervous.

Don't be nervous, you just stick with me, okay?

You're gonna do great.

You're gonna love it down there.

Okay girls, here we go.

You ready?

These are gorgeous, Alex.

The composition, perfect.

Thank you.

The sense of detail, exquisite.

Thank you.

The lighting's like a painting.

I don't know what else to say, Sharon.

It is some of my best work.

But they're two days late.

I know, but I just wanted the photos to be perfect.

I had to use Ben's Swiss orchard shots.

- What? - And you know I didn't want

to use Ben's Swiss orchard shots.

Do you know what your problem is?

No, but I'm sure you're gonna tell me.

You're too much of a perfectionist.

I happen to think that perfectionism

is an admirable quality.

What did I say last week?

You said that this shoot could be my ticket

to the Creative Director position.

That's right.

You have a lot of great ideas

about the types of stories we should do.

And I know you're dying for more creative control.

But how can I trust you to put an issue together

when you miss your own deadlines?

Do you know what this is?

A list of all the deadlines I've missed?

Funny.

It's Ben Watson's resume.

He wants to be Creative Director, too.

Ben Watson?

Oh come on, Sharon, you even told me

I had a better eye than Ben.

And plus, most of his photos

don't even make it to the magazine.

Except for those apple tree shots.

Do you know what he has, that you don't?

Organization and discipline.

Sharon, the meeting's starting.

I'll be right there.

Now if you'll excuse me.

The cover story for our 30th anniversary issue

fell through and I have to figure something out fast.

I'm thinking 30 of the best scenic views

or something like that.

I don't know, it'll come to me.

There, look how organized I am.

Huh, pearls.

Legend of the Blue Polynesian Pearl.

Hey Alex.

Ben, hey.

Congratulations on your shots making the cover.

Thanks.

Yeah, it was great.

Can I help you?

Just like I'm busy here.

Did Sharon tell you the idea I pitched

for the anniversary issue?

Nope.

Chan Dan Ya.

What's that?

It's a cliff in China that spits out a stone egg

once every 30 years.

Perfect for the 30th anniversary, don't you think?

Ah... (clears throat)

Hello?

That's my sister.

Yeah, how are you?

Renee, I...

Tourists began flocking to Fiji

to find the pearl after the release

of the bestselling book Pearl in Paradise.

Although it has never been found,

locals believe the rare pearl is buried

somewhere in the rainforests of Viti Levu.

Huh?

When's the next book coming out, Colin?

If you don't mind me asking.

Why thank you, Molly.

You know I just turned in the final draft

to the editor, so with editor notes and all that,

mid, probably February.

Did you decide on a title?

I did.

Treasures in Taipei, but shh, don't tell anybody.

Blake Montoya goes to Asia, huh?

Cool.

You've probably been there a million times anyway.

Usual raspberry scone and jam?

Yeah, you know what, I'm gonna wait though

until my agent gets here.

She should be here any minute.

Thank you, Molly.

Colin Page, nice to meet you.

Who are you?

Rita didn't tell you?

I'm Derek Foster and I'm gonna be working closely

with you from now on.

Rita's been my agent for 10 years

and now I'm getting passed off to a junior agent?

No, she'll remained involved.

It'll just allow her to focus on a few clients

that need more attention right now.

Trust me, though, you're in good hands.

Sir, what can I get you?

What are you drinking?

It's an organic Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka.

He brings his own.

Just a regular coffee, two Splendas.

I'm not gonna lie to you, I'm a really big fan.

Really?

Yeah.

You've got a couple really remarkable successes.

Pearl in Paradise sold 23,000 copies in its first week.

It's impressive.

Impressive for eight years ago.

(gentle music)

Okay, eight years ago you were in high school.

I'm wise beyond my years.

Let's talk facts, you're last three books

have tapered off dramatically.

I wouldn't say dramatically.

The sales report, the last two barely sold enough

to stay on the shelves.

Online was even worse.

Diamonds in Dubai made 2,000 downloads.

What's going on C. P.?

Talk to me.

What are you my therapist now?

Look, I read your manuscript for Treasures in Taipei.

And I can see why the publisher's rejecting it.

What, they rejected it?

Editor thought it was a greatest hits

of all your old stuff.

Same ole, same ole.

She wants new.

She wants fresh and I agree with her.

You really, really played it safe.

I have never had a manuscript rejected from Rita.

Just rewrite it.

Get rid of Blake Montoya and create a new character

with higher stakes. No, I can't get rid of him.

Blake Montoya, the fans like Blake Montoya.

They love Blake, they're not just gonna spend pages

learning a new char... I'm calling Rita.

Now look, Rita brought me in

to help you find a new approach.

We have to reinvent you as an author.

If you trust me, I can help you make a comeback.

And if I don't?

The publisher is gonna drop you.

And Rita will, too.

Oh boy.

Sharon, check this out.

What is the traditional 30th wedding anniversary gift?

Is this a rhetorical question

or do you actually want me to guess?

Pearls.

Pearls, for the cover of the anniversary issue.

So there is this rare blue pearl

buried somewhere in Fiji and I'm gonna be the one to find it

and I'm gonna photograph the entire thing.

And how are you gonna do that?

Glad you asked.

So there's this guy named Colin Page

and he wrote a romance-adventure book

about eight years ago.

International best seller.

Pearl in Paradise.

- Yes. - I love that book.

Okay, so in the forward, he claims

to be the only person who knows where this pearl is.