The ballroom was half-full at eight in the evening.
Early for a press event. Most of the reporters looked like they'd rather be in bed. Franz didn't blame them. He'd rather be anywhere else.
The backdrop behind the table read "The Second Cut — Season 2" in white letters on a blue wall. Three producers sat to his left. The showrunner sat to his right. Franz was in the middle. That was intentional. He was the reason anyone showed up.
Daryll had wanted to reschedule.
"You don't have to do this today," he said backstage, pacing in front of the craft services table. "We can blame weather. Blame scheduling. Blame anything."
Franz stood in front of the mirror. The makeup artist had already left. His face was clean. His jacket was black. He looked at his own reflection. The shadows under his eyes were deeper than usual. He hadn't been sleeping.
"I want this done," he said.
Daryll stopped pacing. "They're going to ask about Miranda. About the rumors. About the woman in the photos."
