dead_hooker_2 | (no subject)

(no subject)

Trina didn't make it back to Neptune for the trial. She was way too busy in LA, and hey, that's the business, right?

And it's not like she can come home, after the verdict is announced. For one thing, her family doesn't actually have a home any more.

But she can call.

"Hello, Daddy. How's feel to be a free man?"

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Trina laughs.

"Well, we're in for some major but very welcome rewrites now, but . . . no, it's kind of a disaster, really. Don't suppose you want to play yourself? I'll give you script approval."

"No," he says, laughing as well. "I appreciate the offer, but I just don't think it's such a good idea. Besides, I was serious when I said I was done with Hollywood. Anything else you need, though, I'll be more than happy to provide."

"We're talking to Caruso, anyway," she says.

"And there's not a thing I need right now, Daddy. Except a chance to see you.

"So what is next for you?"

Caruso? That hack? Aaron would be annoyed, but he's vowed not to do that. Not after having been acquitted so recently.

"I'm not sure yet," he says thoughtfully. "I'll rebuild my house, I think. Maybe take a trip or find a cause. It seems to work pretty well for Brad and Angelina."

"Just so long as you don't start adopting third world babies," says Trina. "One little brother is more than enough."

Aaron laughs. "No, thanks, I've got my hands full with the two of you," he says. "And you're right about Logan. Sometimes I think he should have a whole passel of parents looking out for him, and then I realize even that wouldn't do any good."

Logan's just born to trouble as the sparks fly upward, really.

"He's a trainwreck," says Trina, far less biblically.

"You could write one of those counting your blessings books. Those sell well. Get it ghostwritten, throw your handsome mug on the back, give a fraction of the proceeds to some charity or another."

"Not a bad idea," Aaron says thoughtfully. "I'll think about it. A book definitely seems the way to go, no matter what. I hadn't thought of the blessings thing, but it might work. What a smart girl you are, sweetheart."

"Hey, I learned from the best, after all."

If there's one thing the Echolls family can do, it's publicize.

"Hell, it'll probably get you on Oprah."

Aaron snorts. "Sanctimonious snot," he says. "But the publicity would be worth her weight in gold, however fat or thin she is."

Pause.

"What about a father-daughter book? I know you're busy, but if we time its release with that of your movie, it would be worth a fortune for it."

"Scathingly brilliant idea there."

She pauses.

"We are having the damn thing ghost written, right?"

"Of course, of course. My agent will take care of all the details, don't worry. It'll just be your name and mine - and our pictures, of course - and a bunch of drivel written by some poor sap in North Dakota or something."

"Just so long as it's some poor sap who can write."

Trina laughs.

"I'll have my people call your people. You do still have people, don't you, Daddy?"

"I'd be lost without them," he says, laughing with her. "Sounds like a plan. And dinner next week, right?"

"Yes. Dinner next week, when you're in LA. And now I'm going to let you go, so you can talk to all those terribly apologetic people who are sending you fruit baskets. But I'll call you tomorrow?"

"Sounds great. Have fun, baby girl, and don't do anything too crazy."

Aaron hangs up the phone and stretches out the couch. Freedom suits him, doesn't it?

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