The Candy House(85)

Respectfully, Eric Platt

3rd Assistant to Jazz Attenborough





5


Lulu Kisarian→Jazz Attenborough

Dear Mr. Attenborough,

Lulu Kisarian, here, your new 3rd Assistant. I look forward to performing whatever tasks you need me to perform—and of course, meeting you in person when you return from Belize. Many thanks for the honor of working for you.

Respectfully, Lulu Kisarian


Jazz→Lulu

You are hired on a trial basis. I trust you have a thorough knowledge of my work?


Lulu→Jazz

I’ve seen all of your movies.


Jazz→Lulu

Attaching three scripts for you to read and cover as a test. Please convey results to me, rather than 1st or 2nd assistants, so I can personally evaluate your work.


Dolly Peale→Arc

Dear Arc,

I wonder if this will ever reach you—I think it’s been ten years since we were last in touch! All is well here; more people are moving upstate, and they seem to love cheese. I have a specific question for you, but asking now, when we haven’t communicated in so long, feels too transactional even for me. Thinking of the aftermath of our mad escapade for General B, I am overwhelmed with fondness, sweet memories, and curiosity about your life. Send news if by a miracle you see this!

Affectionately, Dolly Peale


Arc→Dolly Peale

Ah, Dolly, what a singular pleasure to hear from you. Memories indeed.

I am blessed to report that my family and I are well. My daughters have both married and I am a grandfather thrice over. The recent political changes in our country, while generally salutary, have not benefitted me personally. I am too closely associated with the general’s misdeeds, and am no longer permitted to travel abroad, which is largely why I have not been in touch. While I miss being in government, my manufacturing business remains sound, and the prolonged peace and economic stability of our nation are of course good for all.

How is Lulu? And… your question?

Sending very fondest thoughts, Arc


Dolly→Arc

Dear Arc,

How wonderful to hear from you! Lulu is well, and I’m the grandmother of beautiful 8-month-old twins, Omar and Festa.

I think you have more or less answered my question, but here goes: there is interest in a documentary about Kitty Jackson’s “relationship” with General B. The idea is to give Kitty’s career a boost (she’s 51, to save you the math) by portraying her as a hero in X’s turn to democracy. You and I would be the villains, though; our plan to rehabilitate the general’s image with their phony liaison would have to come out, along with the purely accidental nature of General B’s political “awakening.” As you can imagine, I dread all of this. It would also require that you travel to the USA. What is your gut reaction?

Affectionately, Dolly


Arc→Dolly

Dearest Dolly,

“Gut reaction” is such a very American phrase: grotesque, yet somehow apt. Mine includes a recollection of the deep and dark silence beside the lake where you live, and the pointed fir trees surrounding it. Their pine scent was both sweeter and saltier than any I have smelled before, or since.

All of which is to say that I would return to the USA immediately—would in fact already have returned—were I not fettered as I am. Alas, I cannot. Were the filmmakers permitted to come here to X (highly unlikely), I would gladly participate.

With the utmost respect, Dolly, I must gently correct your account of our shared motives for bringing together General B and Kitty Jackson in 2008. Did we not engineer an appearance of romantic involvement between them as a “Trojan horse” to compel an end to the general’s depredations? That was my plan, certainly—and yours, too, as I recall you saying quite explicitly. If you will probe the recesses of your memory (perhaps you have externalized it, like so many?), I am confident that these laudable details will return to you.

Widespread recognition of our unorthodox and successful scheme to bring democracy to my country would improve my standing with the current regime, and I would relish the chance to speak of it “on the record.”

Sending very fondest thoughts, Arc


Dolly Peale→Ashleigh Avila Dear Ashleigh,

I have made contact with the man who served as my liaison with General B’s regime in 2008. Though theoretically willing to participate, he is sadly out of favor with the current regime and unable to leave the country. He will begin the process of requesting a travel visa, but it may be slow. Stay tuned.

All the best, Dolly


Ashleigh→Dolly

Dear Dolly,

INCREDIBLE that you’ve found this person and he is willing!!! And don’t lose hope: I have a close friend who emigrated from X as a kid and has family in the current regime! Will ask her to query about permission to shoot INSIDE of X, which would be a thousand times better for original locations and atmosphere. Not sure I’ve mentioned that I’m trained as a documentary filmmaker (MFA/NYU)? I have experience with permissions logistics and enough interested funders that overseas travel might work.

With hope and expectation, Ash


FWD: Dolly Peale→Joseph Kisarian

Jojo, HELP! See below: I have made a horrific blunder by admitting that Arc is alive and willing. I’m terrified of making a wrong move and thwarting Lu, but this “documentary” must be shut down before further steps are taken! Please advise!