Screen Wrecked || A Seth MacFarlane AU
Chapter One: Decisions & Diatribe Romantic Pairing: Seth x OFC Tags: Awkward flirting, power dynamics (nothing too intense for the first chapter) Summary: [Alternate Universe] She's a writer down on her luck looking for a big break. He's the powerful CEO of a giant production studio and he wants her as his very personal assistant. Notes: This is an RPF but also an alternate universe. It gives me more room to play around with the idea I had. Not much is different about this universe when it comes to Seth other than he's the owner and CEO of a powerful production company. Seems like a logical step for someone like him anyway. Disclaimer: Absolutely nothing in this story is meant to reflect Seth in real life. That's why it's an alternate-universe setting, of course. The main character is just an original character I created.
"I didn't actually think I would be hired to write for the show let alone become full time staff. I don't fit in here. Nothing about this is working." She sighed as she watched the bathroom door. The last thing she needed was for someone to walk in on her talking about this job in such a bad way.
"You wanted your foot in the door this is your foot in the door. Whatever it takes, remember?"
"I remember but when they figure out I'm kind of a fraud I'm going to be out of here anyway."
"Fake it as long as you can to find the right person to take you to the next level. You have the talent now you just need the opportunity."
"Fine. Fine. I just want it on record that I already said this was a bad idea." She ended the call and slipped her phone into her back pocket. As argumentative as she could be, she also knew that Clare was right. Maybe what she was doing now wasn't the most exciting job in the world but she was working for a TV studio on a huge lot. A lot that also made movies and saw various celebrities and producers coming in and out all the time.
Unfortunately she'd now wasted fifteen minutes of her lunch break which meant she only had fifteen minutes more. That left her with precious little time to hurry out of there to get to the cafeteria to hopefully grab a sandwich and a soda to make it back to her desk in time. She was supposed to have the latest draft for the newest episode complete by the end of the day and she didn't want to have to work late again.
Hurrying down the hall and towards the elevator she ignored the vibrations from her phone as they continued to go off since she figured they were probably just from Clare sending her messages of encouragement. By the time she'd gotten to the elevator and pushed the button the notifications had gotten annoying enough that she had to take the damn thing out of her pocket to at least put it on do not disturb.
There was a ding as the elevator arrived and she took a step forward not looking up from her phone as she did. Which turned out to be a big mistake because she ran right into *him*. This made his coffee spill from the cup he was holding and splash all over his white shirt. Some designer looking fashion that would have cost her a month of her salary if not more.
"Oh my god I am so sorry." She breathed wanting to attempt to make eye contact but also being afraid of it. She knew who this was. Everyone knew who this was. He owned the entire studio. No one could go anywhere around there without hearing about Seth MacFarlane .
"It's okay," he laughed, "I didn't really like this shirt anyway and the stain kind of looks like Elvis, well, maybe if he was melting." She blinked a few times trying to process what was going on. He wasn't mad? Why? Shouldn't he be calling for security to have her escorted off of the lot?
"Yeah I guess it does but still I um...let me make it up to you." She offered. The doors closed behind them and she turned to press the button to open them again. "Were you getting off here?"
"No I was going down." He nodded, "And you?"
"Yeah me too. Guess we'll be getting off together." She paused then laughed nervously realizing what she said and how it sounded. "I mean like on the same floor not uh...the other thing."
"Other thing?"
She couldn't tell if he honestly didn't know what she meant by that or was just trying to pull her leg and get her to stick her foot in her mouth even more. It was hard not to gaze at him in complete awe. Before he'd become the studio owner he'd also been a writer, actor, director, producer, pretty much everything she'd always wanted to be. The only difference was that he was stunningly gorgeous and she didn't feel like she'd ever been much to look at.
"Never mind." She whispered and pushed back some of the hair that had fallen out of the clip she'd used to put it up in the bathroom.
"Do you really want to make it up to me?" He asked, leaning against the wall to the elevator.
"Yes because I'm so sorry and it will never happen again. I swear." She sighed, "I'm just so...it's not your problem really so never mind all of that."
"You're having problems here?"
"No, I mean, yes but not with anyone specifically everyone has been super nice I just don't think I'm the right person for the job on the show that I've been writing for." She tried to explain without getting into all of the details. He kind of motioned in her direction and she blinked a few times trying to figure out what he was indicating. That was when she realized she hadn't even pushed the button for the ground floor. "Oh fuck sorry...I mean...not fuck..."
"It's okay." He laughed. "Deep breaths you're doing fine." With a nod she reached out and pressed the button for the ground floor. The elevator started to move then there was a rusty screeching sound. The lights above them flickered then shut off as the elevator came to a halt.
"Fu-n." She managed to correct herself at the last moment.
"Do you really think I don't know what you were going to say?" He chuckled again and seconds later the orange glow of the emergency lights flickered on. At least they weren't in pitch black anymore. He stepped forward and pressed the emergency call button, though it didn't seem to do anything either. "What was your name again?"
"Lisa." She said, "Lisa Brixton."
"Ah the new hire for Quantum Echoes." He nodded. She arched a brow, surprised that he'd know anything about that. She guessed it mad some kind of sense but her low level compared to his much higher level position denoted that he wouldn't be bothered with that. "I read the spec script."
"You did? No one told me-"
"It's one of my favorite projects on this lot. Those scripts go through me from time to time. Especially when we need a new writer. I liked it. What makes you think you're not a good fit?"
"Oh well I'm much more into horror than sci-fi, hence the plot of my spec script being relatively horrific. I feel like the sci-fi part was understated for the actual content of the show and I'm really not great at writing science fiction. I just love Siara and wanted to give her some special redemption episode."
"She's a great character. Probably my favorite other than Captain Miller." He nodded then took a sip of what happened to be left in the coffee cup she had spilled. "Horror huh? You have any other spec scripts?"
"No, just actual screenplays and pilots I'm trying to get out there."
"About what?"
For a moment she was rendered speechless since she didn't think she'd get this far in the conversation or that he'd be interested. Probably had they not been stuck in an elevator like this then he wouldn't have but what else were they supposed to do other than talk until help came?
"Oh one of them is kind of a dark comedy horror thing about demons and demon hunters. I have another one that's just a mafia crime drama but I guess there's plenty of dark humor in that as well. Big fan of dark humor." She nodded glad that the orange of the lights in there hid how much she had to be blushing as she forced herself to talk about this to the most powerful guy in the studio.
"You know if you really don't feel like you fit with Quantum Echoes I may have a better position for you. It just opened up."
"Mmm okay what would that be?"
"Personal assistant."
She clenched her jaw as she had kind of been hoping that maybe, just maybe, he was going to offer her something else. However, she also knew that she really couldn't expect an immediate movie deal from him based off of what she had said and her minimal experience there. Being his person assistant would be a step up. She'd get to know him a lot more intimately and it would certainly open up the doors she'd been trying to open for years. She'd never do that as just a staff writer for a show she enjoyed but shouldn't have been writing for in the first place.
"Yeah I mean I'd love too if you think that's a good idea."
"You have any experience with it?"
"Way more than being a staff writer for an actual TV show. It's how I started my career out here."
"Smart move." He chuckled and leaned passed her to press the emergency button again. "The position I'm considering you for will probably be different than what you were doing previously, though."
"Oh? Well I'm a fast learner and I can adapt like that." She snapped her fingers on the last word. "I can send you my resume and recommendations if-"
"That won't be necessary." He said. "Be in my office tomorrow morning at eight and we'll get you started."
"What about my-"
"Don't worry I'm sure I can find them another writer to replace you if things work out." She grinned. Just as he was about to press the emergency button again there was static on the intercom then a voice informing them that things should be up and running in five minutes or so.
"Thank you, sir. I promise that I won't let you down."
"Don't start making promises until you know the details of the position." He said looking her right in the eyes as he spoke. Then he took another sip of his coffee.
"Details..."
"Nothing to be discussed here. You'll have to sign an NDA first."
"What kind of..." before she could finish the lights came back on and the elevator shuddered back to life. It started to descend to the ground floor once again. She looked at him her mind swirling with thoughts about what he could possibly be talking about when it came to this position as his assistant. Her mind went to sex, of course, probably something perverted or kinky.
*Whatever it takes. *
The mantra echoed through her head. She knew what she was doing here and no doubt he knew what this was as well. It couldn't have been any more obvious with him bringing this up right after she explained to him what she really wanted to do with her writing career. Still, there were worse things she could be doing to climb her way to the top. Worse people too. The doors opened and he stepped out in front of her before pausing and turning.
"You were right about us getting off together you know." He laughed and without another word he headed for the men's room probably in an intent to clean up his shirt. She felt her face heat up like crazy as she flushed with arousal and embarrassment. She wasn't sure why he'd be so interested in her but it didn't really matter. If this was her way into the life that she always wanted to have, she was going to take it.
*******
She didn't know how she was supposed to dress for this meeting but she chose to go with a business professional look. Something that she'd modeled after the other personal assistants she had seen around. Even if she had this job before it hadn't been for anyone nearly as high profile as Seth. She guessed she would find out soon enough.
When she arrived there was a secretary in the waiting area. A very annoyed looking woman with overfilled lips and an obvious boob job. She was filing her nails and seemed put out by having to actually do her job and tell Seth that someone was there for an appointment. She took a seat to wait for him but he was fairly punctual. It was a good thing since she hadn't wanted to wait long enough for the panic to set in and convince her to leave.
"Come on in, Lisa." He said and motioned for her to join him in his office. She'd never been in there before but it was huge and luxurious. At the same time it was cozy and warm. Not sterile and cold like she somehow expected it to be. "Have a seat." She looked at the chairs across from his desk and sat down.
"Thank you for seeing me, sir."
"Don't be so humble I don't like that. Besides I asked you here so the pleasure is all mine." He smirked and then opened the top drawer of his desk with a key. He removed two stacks of paper from in there and set them on the desk facing her. He slid the one on the right forward first. "There are two contracts for you to look over."
"I'm not really the best at legal speak unless you want me to take a few hours to really comprehend what's in here." She laughed softly.
"You can certainly take all the time you want but I can summarize it. I guess it's up to you to believe it or not." He said. She nodded and picked up the papers that he'd slid towards her first.
The first page was standard stuff. Mostly about privacy and a non disclosure agreement for being his assistant. On the next few pages were details of what was expected from her in this position and then a general dress code. All of it was familiar to her and things she'd done before.
"You can summarize this if you want but it's like every other contract I've signed for this job so I don't think you're trying to screw me or anything." She laughed.
"Ah don't speak too soon." He smirked and looked her over. She blinked a few times wondering what that was supposed to mean. "The standard contract which you are free to accept will pay 150 thousand a year with car allowance and-"
"I'm sorry what?"
"That's pretty much the going rate for good personal assistants, isn't it?"
"Well 100k and um not a car allowance so..."
"Anyone ever tell you that you're too honest for your own good? Look if you want a decent place to live here and a car that works you need the salary. I also can't have my assistant driving...what is it you drive?"
"A 2016 Toyota." She said. It was old and had a lot of miles but still worked. Mostly. It probably wouldn't be that way for long.
"Yeah so that's not going to be reliable or flashy and I can't have people thinking someone who works for me has that car. No offense." He sighed. "Look I'm really not this narcissistic it's the business you know? Appearances and all that."
"I understand sir. Please continue." She said knowing that she was making half what he just offered as a staff writer and was living with roommates. The new salary would allow her to get her own place and in a better part of town.
"It also includes medical and dental and paid vacation time. Oh also a Christmas bonus depending on how well the studio does this year. Any questions?"
"Not about this." She looked up and motioned to the other stack of papers which was obviously another contract she just couldn't read it from where it was on the desk.
"This is another contract for a very personal assistant." He said. "Don't freak out. I'm offering, sure, but you can say no and still keep the regular job it won't come up again." He said. "No pressure."
"Very personal assistant?" She knew this had to be a sex thing but she was way more intrigue than repulsed. Also confused. Why her? "No offense sir but can't you have any woman on the planet?"
"Most of them yes but that's not what this is about." He chuckled. "This is about a power dynamic."
"I see." She said and sat up a bit more to try to get a glimpse of what the contract said but he put his hand over it quickly.
"Interested?"
"I can't say I'm not but I also can't say yes or no at this time. Can I at least think about it first?"
"Alright you have one week then the offer is off the table and I find someone else. For that job. As I said you can keep the normal one." He said. She nodded looking down at his hand then back up to his eyes. This wasn't going to be an easy decision.
"But if I'm your special personal assistant wouldn't that mean another person would-"
"No. You'd still be my personal assistant just with more benefits." He said. "And that's all you get to know...for now."
"How am I supposed to know if I want to agree to this if I don't know what else is in the contract."
"Life is about risks. The greater the risk the greater the reward. Up to you to decide. Not me." He said. "So if you are starting today there's a whole list of things I need you to get to by day's end." He grabbed a planner from his desk and held it out to her along with a pen. She took it and signed the first contract quickly not wanting that to be taken off the table for a second.
"I'll get right on it, sir and you'll have my answer within the week. Maybe less."
"Good to know." He said and turned to look at his computer. She watched him for a moment before heading out of there to start taking care of her list. The first task was a Starbucks run. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. A new car. A new place to live and a job she was better suited for, even if it wasn't exactly the dream option. Yet try as she might, she couldn't get the idea of the second contract out of her head. She was positive it would torment her the rest of the day too.