2018 – PENELOPE AND RON 2018. A desk at The New York Times. A recording device on the table is turned off. Penelope looks on stoically as Ron reads from his notes. RON The details vary but the patterns are—patterns. All young, attractive female hires. PENELOPE I don’t know about all attractive. Ron looks up. RON Lots of after-work outings to bars. Paid for by the boss. Rounds of shots. Paid for by the boss. PENELOPE I can see how what you’re doing is easier if you call him “the boss.” He has a name. RON Otis Harrington. PENELOPE I brought a thank you note I saved from one of the foster kids we worked with. RON Great. PENELOPE Have you ever had a job where you get thank you notes from kids? RON No. He always tells a story, an ice-breaker, early on, about an ex-girlfriend or ex-wife that— involves— Sex and her body. The attractiveness of her body. The stories include her measurements. Her bra size. Her— (squinting at his handwriting) Athletic history. PENELOPE And I guess these stories were—titillating? Or—gross?
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