[like-trees-in-november]

CHAPTER 1 - PREPARATIONS

Tony: You wanted to know if she had any criminal records. She doesn’t. No speeding tickets either. Actually, she doesn’t own a car. Disappointed?

Gil: Don’t tell me you hacked into the police database for this.

Tony: I wish I could brag about that. But it’s been a while since I was able to pull that off, and they’ve upgraded. I’m also less motivated these days to misbehave and poke the bear than I used to be. Someone might even say that I’ve become utterly and disgustingly tame and boring.

Gil: So how did you get the info?

Tony: I know a cop. He has a debt with me. One he’ll never be able to fully repay. I collect a few favors from him once in a while and I enjoy the sound of him grinding his teeth.

Gil: How does someone like you get a cop to owe him?

Tony: A reformed criminal like me you mean? It was quite simple. I gave him my dog.

THE BEGINNING | PREVIOUS | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Miss Eden de Witte and Mr. Gilbert Mastronardi attending tonight’s premiere of Apocalypse Rising directed by the famous @storiesbyjes2g 

[like-trees-in-november]

CHAPTER 1 - PREPARATIONS

Gil: Tony. Finally. What have you got for me? Should I be worried. Or should I be worried?

Tony: Exactly. You’re gonna keep worrying no matter what I tell you. Check your email. I’m sending you everything I dug up about the girl so far. I can keep digging even after the engagement if you wish.

Gil: I don’t think that’ll be necessary. If she’s bad news, there’ll be no engagement at all. I simply won’t allow it. Now talk me through what you found about her before I read the file myself. I want your opinion.

THE BEGINNING | PREVIOUS | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Chapter 1 - Preparations

Eden: Have a minute for me?

Gil: Always.

Eden: Correct me if I’m wrong, Gil, but I was under the impression that you enjoyed our last date.

Gil: I did.

Eden: So what is your excuse for not asking me on another yet?

Gil: I have no excuse apart from my obvious foolishness. What sort of punishment do you propose for this capital offense, Your Honor?

Eden: I think you should take me to Cirque du Soleil for the Vatore Twins.

Gil: Ah, you cruel woman. As much as I enjoy a good acrobatic show, I prefer more private performances. Please, not the Vatore twins.

Eden: We could also take your jet to Windenburg and go to see Lucas Munch and Cassandra Goth in Romeo and Juliet.

Gil: Lucas Munch you say? You want me to watch the actor with a face only a mother can love portray Romeo? Whoever cast him in the role created a tragedy within a tragedy. 

Eden: Gil, you’re impossible.

Gil: Correct me if I’m wrong, Eden, but I was under the impression that’s exactly why you like me so much.

Eden: You leave me no more options. I happen to still have two tickets for Akira’s concert in San Myshuno Music Hall next Wednesday. What do you think of Akira? Not much, I assume?

Gil: I adore Akira.

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Chapter 1 - Preparations

Gil: ...sales numbers are even better than we expected. You and your team did a great job on the campaign, Marco. Looks like the tag line really sells. 

Marco: Why, of course it does. And this is my ‘I told you so’ moment, Gil, and I’m enjoying it.

Tyrell: I’m not sure, if Gil enjoys all those suggestive questions he’s been asked, though, Marco. The joke gets old pretty quickly, I’d say.

Gil: (clears his throat) Thanks, Ty. Lee, Milano Unica is in two weeks. We’re counting on you to bring us something really unique to work with. No pressure or anything. 

Lee: Oh, I know I’ll get us something special. The list of exhibitors and products looks particularly interesting this year, and I can’t wait to learn more about this new technique of textile shimmer. We could design a special collection of luxe jackets. Something like Saint Laurent’s sequin tuxedo jacket but better. New. Ours.

Gil: I like the idea, Lee. A lot. Now, if no one else has anything we need to discuss, ladies and gentlemen, I call this meeting finished. Let’s grab some lunch. 

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Chapter 1 - Preparations

Brindleton Bay Park. Thursday morning. March 18th.

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Chapter 1 - Preparations

Neal: I almost did it, June. I almost told him tonight.

June: Uh-hm. Wanna hear what Ellie says?

Neal: What?

June: She says, ‘ALMOST doesn’t count, Neal’. And she’s right, you know. So what stopped you this time?

Neal: He started about me having my own kids one day and I couldn’t bring myself to ruin his dream about me continuing the legacy. I hate the thought of letting him down.

June: You can’t live by someone’s expectations. But if you really want to have kids, there’s always a solution. 

Neal: That’s the thing, June. I gave it a lot of thought and I don’t want them.

June: Well, if the legacy is so important to your dad, he had twenty years to get you a couple of siblings. Maybe if you tell him you’re gay, he’ll start trying harder? It’s not too late.

Ellie: The man should never procreate again. More of his spawn is the last thing this world needs.

Neal: What was it that Ellie just said?

June: Uh, she only said that things will eventually sort themselves out to everyone’s satisfaction, you’ll see.

Neal: I wish I had her confidence.

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Chapter 1 - Preparations

Neal: [frantic thoughts] He knows. He knows I’m gay. He knows my GPA is dropping. He knows. How did he find out?

Neal: Dad, I... I...

Gil: Good Watcher. Neal, you look like you’re about to have a cardiac arrest.

Gil: Come here. Breathe. [sigh] Listen, I know there’s something you don’t want to talk to me about. I won’t push you. But you will have to tell me eventually. Whatever it is, I won’t be mad at you, I promise.

Neal: Dad, I’m...

Gil: Nothing is more important to me than you, Neal. When you have your own kids you’ll worry about them constantly too.

Neal: Right...

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Chapter 1 - Preparations

Brindleton Bay. Wednesday Evening.  March 17th.

Neal: Dad? Is everything okay? Why are you standing there like that?

Gil: I’ve been waiting for you, because I want to ask you if there’s something you’d like to tell me, Neal.

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Chapter 1 - Preparations

Gil: I have a situation here. 

Tony: What kind of situation?

Gil: A bride situation. It’s a real emergency.

Tony: Don’t tell me you’re getting married. After all those years? Must be someone really special. Let me guess, you need a best man.

Gil: It’s not about me, but my son. He’s gonna propose this weekend and I found out only now. He kept it a secret. I don’t know if I should support it or take steps to prevent it. I know nothing about the girl. I need information and I need it yesterday. Her name’s June Gilbert. She’s a student at Britechester. That’s all I know.

Tony: I’ll see what I can dig out about her, but I’m not gonna lie, it won’t be much at such short notice.

Gil: I understand. Focus on her family, their financial situation, connections. I want to know everything about her ex-boyfriends, ex-girlfriends, any brushes with law. If she ever got a speeding ticket, I want to know. Call me tomorrow evening. I owe you, Tony.

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Chapter 1 - Preparations

Gil: Hello, Tony.

Tony: Gil! Can you believe it I was thinking about you just yesterday? I was telling myself: ‘Tony, you need to get yourself one of Gil’s new suits to stay on top of things like he always does’.

Gil: I’ll make sure you get one, Tony. A black one, no stripes, right? I didn’t catch you at a bad time, did I?

Tony: I had a bit of a rough night. Nothing that I couldn’t handle. But I’m sure you aren’t calling to ask about my night, so what can I do for you, Gil?

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Chapter 1 - Preparations

(phone ringing)

???: Yes?

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Prologue - The Ring

Gil: Let’s look at these.

 Oh. Something was under the papers.

 Where did it fall?

 Here you are.

 Well, this is most unexpected. What was the girl’s name? June Gilbert? So, miss Gilbert, you and I may have a serious problem. Depends on what your intentions are. My son’s intensions just became crystal clear.

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Prologue - The Ring

Neal: Dad... She’s not my girlfriend. Please, don’t make things awkward when she’s here. Or better, promise you’ll stay in your office the whole weekend.

Gil: And then the old man becomes a burden. Why not lock me in the wine cellar straight away?

Neal: Now that you mention it...

Gil: Neal, you’re always so secretive about your friends. You can’t blame me for being curious. All I want for you is to be happy.

Neal: I’m fine, dad.

Gil: So, does the not-girlfriend have a name? Is she pretty?

Neal: June. Her name’s June Gilbert. And that’s all you need to know.

Gil: I bet that June’s very pretty. You’re my son after all and have a great taste.

Neal: I gotta run.

Gil: Coward. Wait. Aaron emailed me yesterday that you’d show me the new designs you two have been working on.

Neal: Oh. Right. They are on my desk. See you at dinner.

The Beginning | Previous | Next

[like-trees-in-november]

Prologue - The Ring

Neal: Great show last night by the way.

Gil: Enjoyed watching your old man embarrass himself on national tv, didn’t you? (chuckles)

Neal: You were cool. Really funny. Awesome. Totally owned it.

Gil: You better cut down on those superlatives if you want me to believe you. How was your day? Everything going well at uni?

Neal: Yeah. Everything’s peachy. Oh and before I forget. I’ll be bringing a friend for the weekend. To work on a... uh... project.

Gil: A project, hm? Does this friend of yours happen be a she? It’s been a while since you brough home a girlfriend.

The Beginning | Previous | Next