back at the Discourse are attempting to change the world while going viral. So, simply put, I’m not exactly impressed with myself. “Look, it’s not that we don’t love you, we do,” Frankie says. “We think you're destined for big things at Vivant, but I was hoping to put one of our more experienced, top hitters on this. And so I want to be up front with you when I say that we did not submit you as an idea to Evelyn’s team. We sent five big names, and they came back with this.” Frankie turns her computer screen toward me and shows me an email from someone named Thomas Welch, who I can only assume is Evelyn Hugo’s publicist. From: Thomas Welch To: Troupe, Frankie Cc: Stamey, Jason; Powers, Ryan It’s Monique Grant or Evelyn’s out. I look back up at Frankie, stunned. And to be honest, a little bit starstruck that Evelyn Hugo wants anything to do with me. “Do you know Evelyn Hugo? Is that what’s going on here?” Frankie asks me as she turns the computer back toward her side of the desk. “No,” I say, surprised even to be asked the question. “I’ve seen a few of her movies, but she’s a little before my time.” “You have no personal connection to her?” I shake my head. “Definitely not.” “Aren’t you from Los Angeles?” “Yeah, but the only way I’d have any connection to Evelyn Hugo, I suppose, is if my dad worked on one of her films back in the day. He was a still photographer for movie sets. I can ask my mom.” “Great. Thank you.” Frankie looks at me expectantly. “Did you want me to ask now?” “Could you?” I pull my phone out of my pocket and text my mother: Did Dad ever work on any Evelyn Hugo movies?