Page 72 of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

“Pardon me?”

“Ididhave to do extensive rewrites.”

“They weren’tthatextensive,” David says.

Simone looks down at him. “Is that so.”

“I’ve been meaning to speak to you about that...I’ll be taking you to mediation.”

“I’m not afraid of the WGA.”54,55

“What’s she talking about?” I say to Allison. As an actress, I assume she knows more about these things than I do.

“Not sure.”

“A director doesn’t get credit for writing a script unless they contributed at least 50 percent,” David says.

“So,” I say to Simone, “you changed 50 percent of it?”

“I did.”

“She didnot.”

“Areyouthe one responsible for the terrible dialogue?”

“The dialogue isgood,” David says. “And all Simone did is a polish—”56

“So you’rebothresponsible is what I’m hearing?”

Emma gives me a tap on the small of my back and makes a small pleading sound.

I’m a terrible friend.

“I’m sorry, Em. Um, have any of you seen Fred?”

“Missing, is he?”

“Did you do something, Tyler?” Emma says.

A slow, satisfied smile breaks on his face. “So heismissing.”

“We’re looking for him,” I say. “What do you know?”

“I know he isn’t to be trusted. I’m sorry, Emma, but it’s true.If I thought bringing you together on this movie was going to lead to this...”

“But where’s Fred?” Emma says. “This isn’t funny, Tyler.”

“I amnotamused. You can becertainof that.”

“What’s all this about Fred?” Mrs. Winter says, arriving in a cloud of Chanel with Mr. Winter in tow. She’s wearing a bright yellow kaftan with a matching headpiece.

Which tracks.

I mean, what motherwouldn’twant to outshine her son at his wedding rehearsal?

“He was supposed to come to us for a drink beforethesedrinks, and he didn’t show up. Is that your fault, girl?” She glares at Emma, which I’m proud to say Emma doesn’t shrink under.

Emma always rises to every occasion, especially a challenge.

---