EPISODE 1 – IMPERCEPTIBLEIn this romantic comedy, an obsessively infatuated single female seeks to attract the attention of a charismatic office worker who is beyond her grasp.
In this romantic comedy, an obsessively infatuated single female seeks to attract the attention of a charismatic office worker who is beyond her grasp.
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Swinging from the Rough
When Matthew isn’t working, he’s golfing to reduce his handicap and join a country club where executives make big business deals. Meanwhile, plain-looking Jane tries everything to capture his attention.
She wears five different outfits to work during the week, arriving early to greet him each morning with a hot cup of coffee, but goes unnoticed.
In a desperate attempt for recognition, she enlists the help of a curvaceous coworker. The plan is for them to hang out together around Matthew. After he goes for the bait, Heidi should proclaim her unavailability while directing attention to Jane.
“Try not to take offense if he doesn’t notice you. He’s somewhat self-absorbed,” Jane cautions.
On their first day together, the two wave at Matthew while mentioning where they’re heading for lunch. He enters the restaurant moments after they do, asking to join their table.
Caught up in his charm and blinded by his chiseled appearance, Jane’s eyes wax over with an enchanting gaze during Matthew’s conversation with Heidi.
As chairs abruptly scoot away from the table, Jane realizes she hasn’t eaten anything during the entire lunch break. But now she hears Matthew remark, “It was a pleasure meeting you, Heidi. I’ll phone you.”
When he exits the door, Jane turns to her backstabbing accomplice to chastise her. “What was that all about? He was supposed to be for me.”
“You had plenty of opportunities to chime into the conversation, but freaked him out with your blank stare.” Heidi defensively replies, “He’s going to give me golf lessons. If I find someone else for you, I’ll let you know.”
Losing out on his affection because a sport took precedence was bad. But losing it, by her own doing, to a more attractive woman is much worse. This severs her ties with Heidi and leaves Jane diluting cartons of ice cream with her tears.
Over the next few months, Jane endures the regrettable office romance unfolding before her eyes. Matthew frequently wraps his arms around Heidi to help her practice golf putting.
Stuck in a Bunker
In a twist of fate, an automobile accident maims Matthew, and Heidi abandons him. Now Jane must answer in her heart whether she can rise from the shadows with an enduring love despite his disability. At first, she sends words of consolation to his work email.
Weeks go by without him showing up, so she asks Heidi for his home address for a “Get well soon” card. “Give him my regards,” Heidi says.
Jane realizes that Matthew likely has no idea who she is, so she shows up on his doorstep to deliver the card in person. The two-story modern home casts a shadow on her frail stature, contrasting the one-bedroom apartment she’s accustomed to. After ringing the doorbell, she waits patiently in the eerily brisk wind.
Unaware of recovery progress, Jane prepares her mind for a physical therapist to answer the door while ringing the bell a second time. She imagines him possibly descending in an automated chair down a spiraling staircase with intricate carvings.
There’s audible movement inside, so she parks a pleasant smile on her face, licking her lips and tussling her hair. The appearance of him with facial lacerations in a wheelchair is not as surprising as his below-knee amputation.
With a grimace, he barks a comment. “I don’t usually answer on the first ring since it’s too much trouble to get to the door. Who are you?”
In a chipper voice concealing her surprise, Jane replies, “Oh. Hi, Matthew. It’s me, Jane, from the office.”
“I’m sorry. Does this have anything to do with my health benefits?”
“Oh, no. I brought you this card,” extending her hand in a jerky fashion. “We miss you at work.”
“Really? Who, exactly, misses me?”
“Well, Heidi sends her regards. I was actually with her when you met in the restaurant.”
“Oh, I thought you were deaf,” Matthew callously remarks.
“No. Here I am, actually talking and listening like an able-bodied person.” By now, the outdoor wind has ruined her hairdo.
“Okay. I’m sorry. Would you like to step in?”
“Um, sure. Thanks.”
“You can have a seat on the sofa. Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’m fine thanks. No need to put yourself out.”
“Well let me look at this card. It says, ‘Get well soon from all of us. —Jane.’ Hmm. That’s a short list.”
“Yeah, actually, it’s just from me. I didn’t have time to get other signatures.”
“I’m trying to wrap my head around a stranger delivering a card in person.”
“I’m no stranger. We work together, remember?” Trying to rest her bouncing leg, she asks, “Are you in much pain?”
“Well let me see. I’m missing a leg and taking opioid pain relievers every few hours. Do I need to answer that?”
“No, not really. Um, maybe a better question is, when do you plan to return to work?”
“The jury is still out on my encore performance. Hopefully, I’ll receive a nice insurance settlement for my injuries. I’m waiting for my stump to heal enough to get fitted for a prosthesis. Then I need to go through physical therapy….”
“I’m sorry,” interrupting himself. “This may sound crass, but in my mind, a deaf girl who says she’s from the office is interrogating me about the most traumatic event in my life. Is there another reason for your visit?”
The answer to this question may forever change Jane’s life, so she pauses to consider how ridiculous her presence must appear under the circumstances.
Continued…
Return twice weekly for miniseries. Any relation to actual persons or events is coincidental. Login provides the most immersive experience. About 3400 total words. Audio may include sound effects that alter reading time. Cinematic materials are available with ClinicalNovellas Cinematic membership.
