You're seated down at the small little table by the local sandwich joint across from your close friend. She called you in claiming she's got a hell of a pitch.
DOTTY: You order anything?
LEX: I'll do it after, I wanna hear you out first.
DOTTY: So, the parks are remodeling. They're going to open awful big and getting into the resort's going to be pretty high ticket up until next early winter.
LEX: Course.
DOTTY: Especially since they're doing complete revamps and restorations of most of it. Nostalgia’s a strong seller. People want to see it, especially tourists with too much money.
LEX: The prices are going to be jacked up.
DOTTY: Exactly. That much demand is going to make it dense with people. They're going to need a higher body count on their crew, including performers for rotation. Scripted duels with set pieces and costumes and characters, so that people can get that so called renaissance pirate experience. Best part is: your off rotation days get you park entrance and a happy wallet.
LEX: I mean…. that is a lot.
DOTTY: And if you've got a qualified second you're willing to vouch on, they don't mind picking you both up for a season as a package.
LEX: That's a lot to put your name on the line for.
DOTTY: It's not! I've seen you handle a public duel. You're pretty good at playing up trades for drama and you pick up things in a pinch. Makes everyone want to root for you. Plus, it's safe as long as you're following the script.
LEX: You've got a lot of confidence in me.
DOTTY: I have a bit of it for everyone, but I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't think you could.
LEX: It's your credibility on the line. Your name.
DOTTY: They're not going to just GIVE you the job you know, I'm just getting your foot through the door… plus, I'm a bit selfish.
LEX: How?
DOTTY: Because I wanna be your second for this.
LEX: I mean no shit, I figured we were both going together.
DOTTY: I need my fix of sweets and shrink wrapped popcorn. You understand.
You try not to smile too much but a little more than a grin manages to escape.
LEX: I mean if you need your fix, I can't say no.
DOTTY: Good. You were my first pick.
LEX: Really? Nobody else?
DOTTY: Nope, nobody came up in my head as fast as you.
LEX: Nobody in your circles?
DOTTY: They all make me feel weird, honestly.
LEX: Someone bothering you?
DOTTY: No, not on purpose. They remember more about me than I do and it… doesn't feel right. All these gaps in my head, to the point that it never feels like me when they talk about the good old days.
LEX: That's…. pretty extreme. Talk to me, please.
DOTTY: See, getting your mind wiped doesn't mean much because you got no precedent left of what you lost right? But when everyone talks to you and you got no clue, it… feels bad. You smile and pretend to follow along, or else they end up down because they lost someone.
LEX: But you're still mostly you right?
Dotty shakes her head.
DOTTY: Can't see their version of me as me at all. As far as I care, I don't know them anymore than people I've met since my brain just…
She makes a popping noise with her mouth.
DOTTY: With most of them it's like trying to fix a broken relationship. With you, it feels like I get to know someone.
LEX: I'm not really anyone exciting.
DOTTY: Sure you are.
LEX: All the cool people I spent growing up with moved out. I'm still here.
DOTTY: You still got… his name's Kurt right?
LEX: He's not cool!
DOTTY: He's trying.
LEX: He thinks he is, but that's not the same…. don't mind having him around to yell at though.
DOTTY: What about you? You still got you right? I don't bother with people who aren't cool.
LEX: I'm lukewarm, maybe polarizing on a good day.
DOTTY: I never call it wrong.
LEX: I'm just a good phony.
DOTTY: You can admit it you know, it's not bragging if it's true. Modesty is for cowards.
LEX: I've never seen you really brag.
DOTTY: Because everyone knows the truth.
You can't help but laugh a little. She gives you a smirk.
DOTTY: Right there? Proof that I'm right. You're cool, we're going to take a crack at that gig, and you have your half wrapped in the bag.
LEX: Maybe.
DOTTY: Now you're just fishing for compliments.
LEX: ….Yes. Give me more so I can feel superior.
Dotty gives you the ugliest snort.
LEX: You're not done this fast, right?
DOTTY: Course not, I'm just going to make you work for them now.
LEX: That's not fair.
DOTTY: Nope. You gonna order while you're here?
LEX: Yeah… If you're willing to stick around.
DOTTY: Of course.