Page 19 of The Charm Offensive
“Which is…what, exactly?”
Jules points to Charlie and Megan. “Somehow, that fine-ass man sitting over there becomes an anxiety-ridden mess every time he’s in a high-pressure social setting. It’s as if the concept of dating triggers all his neuroses. And what do you do to treat an anxiety disorder?”
“I think he’s already on meds.” Jules raises an eyebrow. “What?I maybe went through his things in the bathroom. I’m his handler.”
“You’re unscrupulous is what you are. And no. I mean, I’m sure the meds help, but that’s not all.”
“I’m a therapy dropout. Just tell me the answer.”
Jules adopts a condescending tone. “You gradually expose the patient to the source of the anxiety to desensitize them. Charlie needs to go on dateswithoutthe stress of the cameras. He needs to be exposed to non-stressful dating scenarios.”
“Okay, I am not sure any of this is psychiatrically sound, but also, it’s kind of genius.”
She shrugs. “I know.”
“We have him go on practice dates,” he says, excited now, becauseyes, this could work. Charlie can’t date the contestants without the cameras, but they get time off after each CrowningCeremony. “Jules, you could take him out on a date Sunday, just the two of you. Help him get more comfortable. Teach him how to relax.”
“Oh, I can’t be his practice girlfriend.” Jules pointedly adjusts her nonexistent breasts inside her crop top. “I’m too hot.”
“Not sure how that’s relevant.”
“It would be a Kate Hudson rom-com situation,” she says with a straight face. “He’d fall in love with me while we’re fake-dating. The season would be destroyed, and we’d both get sued. Is that what you want, Dev?”
He laughs, but when they look over at Charlie again, he makes eye contact with Jules and blushes, ducking his head toward his plate. So maybe she’s not entirely wrong.
“Shit,” is all Dev says. Because itisa good idea. And because Dev is the one who’s supposed to charm him.
Story notes for editors:
Season 37, Episode 2
Story producer:
Ryan Parker
Air date:
Monday, September 20, 2021
Executive producer:
Maureen Scott
Scene:Week-one Crowning Ceremony
Location:Ever Aftercastle
Mark Davenport:[Medium shot of M.D. approaching from the left.] Maidens, there is only one tiara remaining. If your name is not called, that means your quest has ended.
Charles Winshaw:[Close-up of his hands picking up the last remaining tiara; cut to footage of Megan, Sarah, and Amy, the only remaining women without tiaras; cut back to Charles; hold the moment for five seconds.] Megan. [Cut to shot of Megan stepping down off the risers.] Megan, are you interested in becoming my princess?
Megan:Of course.
[Cut to confessionals after the C.C.]
Megan:I wasn’t really worried he wouldn’t pick me. We have insane chemistry. These other women just don’t have that kind of connection with Charles.
Amy:I can’t believe I’m going home at the end of week one. I feel like Charles didn’t give us a proper chance. I know we’d be perfect together. We have so much in common.
