A reporter offered a mic to Emily.
"Emma Stone, congratulations on [New Moon]. It is one of the biggest movies of the year, grossing nearly $800 million."
"Thank you," Emily nodded graciously.
"If you've been keeping up with the news, you'd know about the story that broke out regarding Harvey Weinstein, which has started a new conversation about workplace harassment in showbiz. Did you ever have to face any kind of harassment during your time in Hollywood?" the reporter asked.
Emily thought about it for a second before shaking her head. "I didn't. But that's because I was lucky enough to debut under producers who were also some of the best human beings."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but would that producer be Troy Armitage?"
Emily nodded. "Yeah. Troy is the best."
The woman leaned forward with interest. "How did Troy shield you? You've done other films with other producers as well."
"He didn't shield me, per se, but he showed me what a healthy film production environment looks like," Emily said seriously. "Most people see a toxic environment from the beginning, where everyone is plotting against everyone, and think it's normal. It's not. Since I signed a multi-picture deal with him, all my other projects have to be legally approved by him. He hasn't ever told me not to do a particular film, in fact, he encourages me to try out different stuff.
"And since he's a great friend that I've known for years, he gives me genuine advice about what kinds of roles or people I should avoid. I've been lucky so far not to face anyone on Harvey Weinstein's level, but if I did, Troy would be the first person I'd call, because I know he's the type of guy who would stand behind me, no questions asked."
"Wow." The reporter fanned her face dramatically. "I wish I had a friend like him in my life." Then she lowered her voice and asked conspiratorially, "So, have you two ever thought about taking your friendship to the next level?"
"Troy was my first kiss," Emily said honestly. "We made this movie called [Brick], where I had a very minor, blink-and-you-miss-it kind of role. I hadn't kissed a guy before, so I asked Troy to practice before we did it in front of tens of people. He was so sweet about it. My teenage self immediately fell in love with him. Though it never moved beyond a kiss because he was in a relationship with someone else at the time."
"You two have been my favorite on-screen couple ever since [Echoes of You]," the woman said with disappointment clear in her voice. "Your chemistry in that film was out of this world. Too bad he didn't see you beyond a friend."
"That's not true," Emily said before she could stop herself. "When we were shooting [Echoes of You], Troy actually asked me out. We were both single at the time."
"Then why did you say no!" the woman almost cried. "Any girl would kill to date Troy."
"I know," Emily agreed. "I still think about the 'what ifs' to this day. I didn't date him at the time because he's one of my best friends, and I didn't want to lose him if our relationship soured."
The woman nodded sagely. "But you also met Robert Pattinson on the set of [Echoes of You], so it wasn't all bad. I mean, that jawline, am I right?"
"Can't go wrong with a good jawline," Emily agreed before both women started laughing at the joke.
As the interview ended, Emily couldn't help but think about something that the reporter had said. It was true that so many people had talked about Troy and her chemistry in their two films together. That immediately sparked an idea in her head. But only if Troy were amenable to doing it.
(Break)
Judd Apatow: Watching that video of Rose McGowan about Harvey Weinstein made me sick to my stomach. Hats off to Rose for her unflinching bravery in calling out one of the worst predators in Hollywood. #WeStandWithRose #TimesUp
Ashley Judd: You are not alone, Rose. Harvey Weinstein is my monster as well. I just couldn't find the courage to speak about it until now. Thank you for inspiring me to come forward. #MeToo #TimesUp
Kevin Bacon: Every decent man in this business should be furious right now. Enough silence. Enough complicity. #WeStandWithRose #TimesUp
Kate Winslet: For years, women have been told to "keep quiet" to protect their careers. That ends now. When I was shooting [The Reader], Harvey Weinstein wanted to remain on set while we were filming the sex scenes. I put my foot down, and he had no choice but to leave. But if I hadn't been in the position I am today, I might have caved in and let him watch me "do it" for the cameras. So when Rose McGowan says he did those awful things to her, I believe her completely. #WeStandWithRose #TimesUp
Cate Blanchett: This video is a mirror held up to a toxic system. Thank you, Rose, for showing the world what it needed to see. #TimesUp
George Clooney: Harvey Weinstein should be arrested immediately and held accountable for all his crimes. Kudos to Rose for bringing this to light. Had I known about his behavior earlier, many of my career choices would have been very different. #TimesUp
Jennifer Lawrence: Reading all the horror stories of women who went through hell just to get a job makes me realize how lucky I am to have debuted with good people. Kudos to all the brave sisters out there raising their voices.
Anna Kendrick: Fun fact: Once, a producer made a pass at me during the casting process. I declined, and then he had the nerve to say I wasn't "fuckable" enough anyway. I'm not surprised that everyone is finally seeing his true face for what it is. I was lucky to work with some of the biggest names in the business without any behind-the-scenes transactions, but not everyone is. #TimesUp
Matt Damon: The behavior of people like Harvey Weinstein is deplorable, and I can't believe I was blind to it for so many years. I feel disgusted knowing I ever worked with him. I know it's not enough, but I'll be donating all royalties I receive from the movies I made with Miramax or The Weinstein Company to organizations that fight workplace harassment. #TimesUp
Ben Affleck: I worked with Harvey early in my career. I had no idea it was like this. I'm heartbroken and angry. #TimesUp
Rose McGowan: @BenAffleck Don't lie. You knew. You saw me crying, and I told you personally what he did to me, and you said, "Goddammit, I told him to stop doing that."
(Break)
AnonTeller: Blind Item: I have it on good authority that the Weinstein case has shaken Hollywood to its core. The open offer from Rose McGowan and her "secret benefactor" to buy out any NDAs that silence sexual harassment has sent multiple big names into damage control.
Filmgeek81: I totally believe this blind item. I work in PR in LA, and the past few weeks have been crazy. Big actors, directors, and even producers are rushing to release statements explaining their past bad behavior. There's an actor I won't name who actually groped his female co-star during a sex scene when the cameras weren't rolling, and now he's trying to justify it before she calls him out. Another actor popped an erection during one such scene, then followed it up by making a crude joke about her body when she was naked, and now he wants to publicly apologize to his co-star so she doesn't use #MeToo on him. It's a madhouse out there.
TrueTracy: I wanted to be an actress so badly all my life. I was always the first to participate in any school play. I've been taking vocal and acting lessons for years, and when it came time to choose colleges, I applied to the Tisch School of Drama. Today, I officially rescinded my application and instead applied for a biochemistry program. It broke my heart, but after hearing what's really happening behind the scenes, I realized acting isn't the profession for me.
DerekP14: I just saw an interview with Troy Armitage where he said this was an open secret for years, and even he knew. He mostly works out of Britain, in movies produced by him or his parents. Troy was also one of the first to call out Hollywood's worship of Weinstein during his Grammy speech. The man, who is just 20, gained my mad respect in that one interview. Like he said, I find it hard to believe that all these big shots like George Clooney and Ben Affleck had no knowledge of Weinstein's behavior. That's just not possible.
(Break)
Bob paced around the room with a deep frown etched across his face. He didn't know what else to do. In the last two weeks alone, he had lost so much weight that it had become the second question anyone asked him. The first was the obvious one: 'Did you know?'
"Bob, sit down."
He turned around furiously to glare at his brother. "Don't you dare tell me to sit down, Harvey. You've lost the right to tell me anything."
"Don't tell me you've grown a conscience all of a sudden?" Harvey retorted. "You knew all along what was happening, brother."
"That you were having consensual sex with prostitutes and actresses behind your wife's back? Sure. But that video on YouTube…" He shook his head in disgust. "I had no idea that was happening. Don't call me brother anymore. You can't be."
Harvey stood up from his seat and walked over to Bob. "Don't say that. You're all I have in this world that I can trust blindly. Remember, it's you and me against the world."
"Not anymore," Bob said firmly before picking up the contract from the table. "Sign this."
Harvey blinked in confusion before reading what was written on the first page.
"It is your resignation letter from the company," Bob explained. "Sign it right now if you want to talk to me at all. If you don't sign it, you will be removed from the company by force tomorrow morning at the board meeting. From now on, it's you against the world. As far as I know, I'm part of that world now."
Harvey looked at Bob in shock. Within moments, that shock turned into rage as he shouted, "How can you do this to me? We made this company together! How dare you!"
Harvey grabbed Bob tightly by the collar and raised his fist threateningly.
Bob knew all about Harvey's intimidation tactics. Ever since they were kids, Harvey had always been the dominant one. Whenever the two had differing opinions, Harvey would find a way to do what he wanted, whether through threats, bribery, or other means.
But not anymore.
Bob pulled his head back and slammed it into Harvey's nose. Not hard enough to break it, but with enough force to rattle him. Then Bob stepped forward and punched Harvey on the cheek, sending Harvey back in shock, more than the actual punch. Bob could have punched him so much harder if he wanted to, but he hadn't put his all into it.
"That was for tarnishing the Weinstein name," Bob enunciated carefully. "Now, will you sign that paper, or do you want to be forcefully removed?"
Harvey looked at him with betrayal in his eyes. "How can you do this to me?"
Bob didn't say anything else. He waited silently for Harvey to sign the paper. After an intense stare down, Harvey finally picked up the pen from the table and signed the documents.
"Thank you," Bob said softly. "Now would be the best time to tell you that a few federal officers are standing outside this room to arrest you. I know them personally, so they've shown me the courtesy of letting us talk first. As soon as I open the door, you'll be taken to a holding cell."
They all knew it was only a matter of time before Harvey was arrested. His legal team had begun working on the case before the video was even launched because they suspected something big was coming when all intimidation tactics against Rose McGowan failed.
"Fucking feds!" Harvey growled. "I'll sue them for defamation for a hundred million after I prove my innocence. Just wait and watch. I'm already in talks with the best lawyers in the US, and I'll come down on them hard."
Bob didn't believe for a second that Harvey could get out of this mess scot-free. The clips of the three sting operations that McGowan released on YouTube were damning enough on their own to sentence Harvey for the rest of his life. If not in the court of justice, then definitely in the court of public opinion.
"Do you know why I asked you to resign from the company?" Bob asked rhetorically. "Because no one wants to work with us anymore. All the reputed filmmakers who had their films in pre-production have backed out. All the major actors have refused to shoot their scenes as long as you are part of the company. Even our biggest long-time collaborator, Quentin, has asked me to sell the film distribution rights of [Inglourious Basterds] to another studio. It doesn't matter if you get out of jail or not. I, and most people in Hollywood, will not work with you again."
Harvey sat down on the chair behind him and rubbed his forehead tiredly. "Who are you selling [Inglourious Basterds] to?"
"I have received an offer from Phoenix to buy our entire company for $150 million," Bob replied.
"You are selling?" Harvey asked incredulously. "Our dream company? That too to that bastard who thinks he is above everyone else?"
"What other option do I have?" Bob asked. "You have tanked our name. No one will work with us, and if we don't deliver the films for which we've already received payments from our international partners, we'll be sued and forced into liquidation as early as next year. Our deal with Goldman Sachs to increase liquidity fell through because of you. No one on Wall Street even wants to touch us."
"But–"
"No buts," Bob cut in forcefully. "It's better if I sell right now so we can separate our finances. You take your share and waste it on your legal fees, because I want this over with. I don't want your deeds to drag me down any further than they already have. Not anymore. Phoenix was the only company that made a fair offer. No one else even wants to touch us with a ten-foot pole. I know you had your disagreement with Troy, but this is not personal. It's purely business."
Harvey thought about it in silence for a minute before his face suddenly lit up in realization.
"It's him," he said with certainty. "That bitch mentioned a benefactor in her video. Troy is that benefactor. He drove us to the verge of bankruptcy with his false allegations, and now he's buying us at dirt-cheap prices. Who else would have enough money to buy all the NDAs I've signed with girls over the years? Not to mention, a grudge against me. I'll kill him. I'll tell this to the court, to the media. I'll ruin his reputation."
Bob sighed in defeat. He suspected the same, long before Harvey did. But in the end, it didn't matter if Troy was the one who brought the truth to light. Harvey was the one to blame for what he had done, not Troy.
Even if Harvey exposed Troy as the person who financed the crusade against him, it would only make Troy a bigger hero in the public's eyes, something he desperately needed after the global financial crisis. That was how much people hated Harvey now.
Unfortunately, Harvey could not see the truth. He still believed the world owed him something.
"Is there anything else you have to say before…" Bob motioned with his head toward the door, unwilling to say it out loud.
"I…" Harvey hesitated for the first time in a long while. Then he shook his head.
Bob gave him a nod before opening the door to the office. In less than half a minute, a team of four federal officers entered the room and handcuffed Harvey.
"Harvey Weinstein, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to have an attorney present before and during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you for free. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?"
"I do," Harvey ground out with enough hate to melt steel, but it didn't matter to the officers, who took him away.
When he was alone in the office, only then did Bob collapse into his chair. He picked up his best bourbon from behind the desk and poured himself a large undiluted drink before gulping it down in a single swig. He could only hope the media and the industry wouldn't be as harsh on him as they were on Harvey.
________________________
AN: Before you ask how long this arc will go, let me assure you that this is the end of the Harvey Weinstein storyline. After it, I may include snippets about the outcomes of his trial and things like that, but no full-fledged chapters. Troy's next project will be revealed next chapter.