Episode 1: "Champagne Supernova"
Previously, at Planet Hollywood...
Matt Gruden stands at the front of the pre-shift meeting in the conference room that serves as the staff gathering place. He takes one look at the assembled group of about four dozen security people, bartenders, cocktail waitresses, and other staff.
"Today is the last day of life as you know it."
From where she's standing next to him, security supervisor Candy Bensinger narrows her eyes and gives him a flat look, unsure whether to be amused or not. "Drama queen," she says just loud enough to be heard.
[---]
In one of the backstage areas behind the casino's massive main pool, deputy security supervisor Rick Butler is having a conversation with security officer Chris Lancing.
"They can't keep everyone on," Rick says, leaning heavily against the wall. "There's like forty of us with expiring contracts, and there aren't enough positions. They're going to have to let somebody go."
"What do you think is going to happen?" Chris asks, looking worried. For his job, for his friends and their jobs, for the whole team. "You think something big is going to go down?"
"I have absolutely no idea."
[---]
Matt is called into the office of his boss, Tony Hamilton. "I have good news for you, Matt," Tony tells him. "You know that I'm retiring at the end of the year. Corporate has decided to appoint you the new General Manager."
[---]
That night, Candy is having dinner with Michael Stenholm, Planet Hollywood's AGM of Hotel Operations. It's clear on her face that she's worried. "I'm scared as hell," she tells him. "I'm pushing forty, I'm not married, I have very few friends...I gave a lot up for a career that might be ending tomorrow."
"It's going to be okay," Michael replies, taking her hand across the table. "Trust me."
That might have something to do with how she wakes up next to him.
[---]
Matt, Michael, Candy and Ross Burke are all called into Tony's office for a meeting with Brad Rowell, PHRC's corporate official.
"I'm here to help you through the transition period," Brad explains. "And to help appoint a new Assistant General Manager to take Matt's place. Corporate wants to make sure things work out as smoothly as possible."
[---]
Michael is showing Candy her new apartment at the PH Towers when he lets slip that Matt is appointing her acting Assistant General Manager.
"Was he on something?" she asks.
"He couldn't just respect you?"
"...well, yeah," she replies sheepishly.
[---]
Candy goes to confront Matt about her temporary promotion, when Rick pulls her aside in the hallway. His face shows a mixture of conflicting emotions. "I've been offered the security supervisor's job at the Venetian," he tells her.
[---]
Matt and Candy are in Brad's office.
"I can't balance what corporate wants and what my people need. I'm not letting down my people to make your people happy," Matt tells Brad. He's completely straight-faced as he says, "Really, they can all go screw themselves."
Brad takes this about as well as he can, and he looks at Candy after an awkward pause. "How exactly do you stand him?" he asks her.
"He hates people," she says, with a shrug. "I love him."
Tonight, at Planet Hollywood...
Matt is pacing a little. Dressed in a well-tailored navy Zegna suit with a light blue dress shirt underneath and no tie. He's still trying to arrange everything to his liking in the General Manager's office, perhaps still in disbelief that it's his office now. One gets the sense he's been doing this for awhile. He settles his hands on his hips and takes it all in.
This is the moment Candy chooses to walk in unannounced. In jeans and a nice white blouse, and with a mildly annoyed look on her face.
Candy: You moved my office.
Matt looks over his shoulder at her.
Matt: Your office is bigger.
Candy: I liked my office.
Matt: Rick needed an office. Are we really going to argue over this at... (A glance at the Omega on his wrist.) Nine-thirty in the morning?
She relents.
Candy: I just would like it if you tell me before you do things.
Matt: It'd ruin the element of surprise.
He shrugs out of his jacket, leaving it folded over the back of his chair. His sunglasses get tucked into his collar, the radio on his desk clipped to his belt in one fluid motion. Turning, he goes to meet her in the doorway.
Candy: Still hasn't sunk in yet?
Matt: No. Nothing around here is the same anymore, Candy. The sooner we all come to terms with that, the better.
He locks up his office and the two head down the hallway to the elevators. The executive level is a lot quieter and a lot nicer than the rest of the property. Neither of them seem particularly comfortable with their new, upscale surroundings.
Matt: How busy do you think we'll be today?
Candy: First day of the summer season? Steady at least. Why, you worried?
Matt: I'm not worried.
Candy: Just think of it as the first day of life as you know it.
He snorts in amusement, knowing full well she's throwing his own words back at him. As they walk, we hear the music come up - the opening theme, "Here It Goes Again" by OK Go, and smash cut to the main titles.
[---]
Everyone else is waiting for them at the pre-shift meeting. Rick is fidgeting with his jacket for the fifth or sixth time, much to Chris's amusement. Julie is sitting on one of the tables, playing with her iPhone. Everything stops when Matt and Candy enter and walk through to the head of the room. There's a pause, as everyone is waiting on one of them to start the meeting and neither of them know who is in charge of it.
Rick: Uh, anytime now.
Candy: (clearing her throat) Uh. Alright. Welcome to the first Friday of the summer season. Couple of things. We're expecting a pretty good crowd out in the pool area, so please stay alert out there. There's going to be a lot of people and probably a few of them are going to see what they can get away with. We probably also have a little rust to shake off. If you need help, please ask for it. That's what we're all here for. The bottom line, I need you all to do your jobs, but I also want you to enjoy yourselves.
Matt: For those of you just starting today - I'm Matt Gruden, the General Manager here at Planet Hollywood. This beautiful woman standing next to me (he ignores Candy's look) is Candy Bensinger, the Assistant General Manager for Nightlife. She's your boss, and I'm her boss. The half-awake guy over there is Rick Butler, head of security.
Rick: I haven't had my coffee yet.
Matt: Maybe you should. Are we done?
Candy: Yeah, I think we're done. Unless anyone else has anything. (Silence.) Alright, let's get to work. We're doors open in fifteen minutes.
Everyone gets up and begins to disperse. Matt has spent the last minute or so making coffee from the table behind him, and he hands the cup to Rick without saying anything.
Matt: You guys are all working the pool deck?
Rick: (sipping at the coffee) Yeah, where are you going to be?
Matt: Same place I am every morning, Pinky. Trying to take over the world.
Rick: You control an entire casino resort, that's a pretty damn good start.
Matt doesn't say anything to that, just slips out. Candy, Rick and Chris watch him leave for a second, before they get their stuff together and head out in their own direction. Walking past the huge line of people waiting to get into the pool, out the doors and into the pool area proper. As they do, we see it stripped down to nothing, the way it was when it was being renovated four years ago.
[---]
2006
Candy is standing out in what will become the pool area, watching renovations take place. With her is Tony Hamilton.
Tony: Just eight more months and we can reopen. We're shooting for April 2007.
Candy: So far everything is on schedule?
Tony: So far. You're one of the first people we hired. (He's watching her watch the construction.) You excited?
Candy: (She smiles.) I worked ten years at the Mirage for this job. Now I get to be the first chief of security this place will ever see. Yeah, I'm excited. (Shoving her hands in her pockets, she walks with him back into what is still the Aladdin.) I'll be more excited when I find my team.
Tony: That's up to you. You bring anyone in for interviews yet?
Candy: Still reading files. I'll probably start those later in the week.
Tony: Hire who you want and tell me later. I trust you. (He walks with her through the building, back toward the conference rooms.) There's someone I want to introduce you to. He's our Assistant General Manager for Nightlife, you'll be working closely with him.
This is Candy's introduction to Justin Blake, also known as "the guy who had Matt's job before Matt." He's dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt, and he's obviously been helping out around the property. He's not afraid to get his hands dirty.
Tony: This is Justin Blake. Justin, this is Candy Bensinger, our security supervisor.
They shake hands, exchange smiles.
Justin: Great to meet you. So I guess it's just you and me, huh?
Candy: Just you and me, champ. You up for it?
Justin: Hell yeah, I'm up for it.
This is the start of a beautiful friendship.
[---]
2010
Rick is walking the security rounds around the already very busy pool deck. He's not used to not having Candy by his side; they always do these things together. It's like missing an arm.
He's psuedo-saved when his radio crackles to life. It's Chris.
"Rick, I need you over by thirty-five, we've got somebody who's gotta be deep sixed."
He doesn't miss a beat. "I'm on my way," he says, and begins to manuever his way in that direction as quickly as he possibly can.
When he gets there, an inebriated guest is shoving a cocktail waitress, and Chris is putting himself between them despite the fact that the guest may be twice his size. He checks to make sure the waitress is okay while Rick takes charge of the situation with the authority of someone who’s done this hundreds of times before.
Rick: What’s going on here?
Waitress: We’ve had some complaints from other guests, he’s being loud, trashing stuff. I came over here to ask them to knock it off, and he grabbed me.
Rick just has to take one look around to see she’s right. The inebriated guest mutters things under his breath, clearly having had too many already. Rick turns to Chris.
Rick: Take her over to the bar, get him closed out.
Chris: Sure.
He walks with the waitress off toward the bar, and Rick turns back to the situation at hand. Unruffled by being alone with this guy.
Rick: Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. Dana is going to close out your bar tab and we’re going to ask you to leave today.
Inebriated Guest: Oh come on. This is B.S.
Rick: I saw you put your hands on her, and that’s absolutely unacceptable, okay? If you want to get technical, that’s assault.
Inebriated Guest: I barely touched her.
Rick is going to say something to this, but finds himself cut off when Matt, who seems to have appeared out of nowhere, interrupts. He’s angry and not afraid to show it.
Matt: The issue is simple, okay? You’re not allowed to touch her at all. You do not put your hands on her. Period. Are we clear?
Inebriated Guest: What are you, her boyfriend?
Matt: No, I’m her boss. And a man who has respect for women, and doesn’t need to push one around to feel important. I don’t see you trying to touch me.
Inebriated Guest: Man, I could snap you over my knee.
Matt is more amused than intimidated. This actually makes him smile, in a slightly unsettling way. Rick can tell by now he’s on edge, and decides to cut this fracas short.
Rick: You can try, but then you’d spend the weekend in Metro Jail. I used to be a correctional deputy, and I can tell you there are plenty of guys there that’d love to shove you around.
That statement hangs in the air as Chris and the waitress return. The waitress hands over the guest’s credit card and final bill.
Waitress: Do you guys--
Matt’s eyes never leave the guest as he speaks, giving him a challenging glare. Daring him to make a move.
Matt: No, you can go. Next time, call me and I’ll take care of it, okay?
The waitress picks up on Matt's crazy, decides she doesn't trust him and looks at Rick.
Rick: It's alright, Dana.
She nods and disappears. Rick takes a step forward toward the guest.
Rick: Come on. Get your stuff and we’re going to walk you out.
The inebriated guest mutters and pitches a fit, but decides not to fight. Rick, Chris and Matt together walk him from the pool to the parking lot and make sure he leaves.
Soon as he’s gone, Rick turns to Matt, more confused than angry.
Rick: Is it your time of the month or something?
Matt: I’m just looking out for my people.
Rick: By daring some big drunk guy to hit you? I have a hard time believing you ever worked security.
Matt: That was a long time ago.
Rick: Yeah, well, do your face a favor and let me do my job, alright?
He's not impressed. Matt's just stepped on his turf, and even if he means well, that's something Rick takes personally. He goes back to work without another word.
[---]
2006
Justin and Candy have become fast friends, helping Tony and the ownership team to construct the Planet Hollywood staff from the ground up. They're coming back from having breakfast together, ready to tackle another day of work.
Justin: I can't wait to meet these guys. I want to know who the hell I'm supposed to be working with.
Candy: Tony didn't tell you?
Justin: No. Why would he tell me? They're executives, they work with me, not under me. I'm not that cool.
Candy: (With a smile.) I think you are.
Justin: (Smiling back.) I'll have him ask you next time. Where are you going to be?
Candy: I have interviews for my deputy position. (She holds up the radio from her hip.) Call me.
Justin: Oh, you know I will.
He takes the stairs upstairs, while she moves through the building to make her way to her temporary office. When she gets there, Rick is in a suit and tie, already waiting for her. She's not sure whether to be impressed, amused or both.
Candy: You're twenty minutes early, Rick.
Rick: I had to navigate my way through a construction zone to get here. Thought I'd start early in case something fell on my head or trapped me in an elevator.
Candy: (amused) I was warned you're mouthy.
Rick: Some people find that endearing.
She laughs and is about to usher him into her office before she has a better idea. She pockets her keys.
Candy: Walk with me, Rick.
Rick: Am I going to like this?
Candy: That's for me to know, and you to find out. So tell me why you put in for this job. Why take a lateral transfer from the MGM?
Rick: Green is not my color.
Candy: I was being serious.
Rick: It's a little stuffier than I'd like, personally. And there is about zero chance of advancement. Those two things don't bode well for me.
Candy: As your potential boss, I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted that you're gunning for my job.
Rick: You've got to have ambition, right?
She doesn't say anything about that, just leads him upstairs, the same way that Justin went. Not that Rick knows that. She's testing him, wanting to see who he really is, not just what's on paper.
Candy: So tell me about you. Something I don't know.
Rick: I've got 20/15 vision, an eidetic memory and a weakness for various kinds of cheesecake. Oh, and I have hung out with Kelly Clarkson. (Off Candy's look.) What? I met her when she performed at MGM. She's a nice girl.
Candy: Look at you, you celebrity.
Rick: (scoffs) I wish. Surveillance cameras are not sexy.
Candy: But knowing how to operate them is.
He's amused by this. They reach the landing and she's still talking, keeping him distracted.
Candy: I need somebody here who knows what they're doing, Rick. Somebody who if I wake up sick one day, I know they can run this place without me. Someone who's got my back. I'm not going to leave you in the surveillance room all day. Your ass is going to be out on the line. Think you can handle that?
Rick: I think so. You have some reason why I can't?
She doesn't answer him, just opens the door and walks directly into where Justin is meeting Ross and Michael for the first time. All three of the execs turn and look at them.
Justin: Candy, I want you to meet Ross Burke and Michael Stenholm. The new AGMs of Casino Operations and Hotel Operations respectively. Ross comes from the Bellagio and Mike from the London in New York.
Rick looks mortified. Candy, Ross and Michael exchange greetings, and seem to get along well, but there's no mistaking the grin on Candy's face. She's pleased with herself.
Candy: Justin, meet Rick Butler. We just stole him from the MGM Grand.
This is news to Rick, but it's very good news indeed.
Justin: Welcome to the team, Rick.
Rick: Thank you.
Candy: I'm going to go get him set up. Just thought I'd introduce him to you.
She grabs Rick by the elbow, something she'll do many times after this day, and walks out with him. Michael watches her go, then looks at Justin.
Michael: Do you know if she's single? Because that is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
[---]
2010
Candy is walking from the pool deck to the hotel, and she steps into the hotel lobby. There's plenty of activity, but she's able to navigate effortlessly through it to the elevators, taking one up to the penthouse suites. Walking down the hall, she reaches one and knocks on the door.
After a moment, Michael answers the door, with a giant metal fish in the other hand.
Michael: Hey.
Candy: Hey. You know, we have people that do the room decorating for you.
Michael: That wouldn't be nearly as fun for me. C'mon in.
He steps back to let her in. She closes the door behind herself and looks around. Michael is in the middle of redecorating the suite and there are scattered boxes and bits on the bed and the couch.
Candy: So, listen. I just wanted to make sure you and I are still cool, that nothing's awkward between us or anything.
Michael: We slept together four months ago. If it was going to be awkward, it would've been awkward a lot earlier than now.
Candy: I didn't have a date before tonight.
That gets his attention. He stops and turns to her with a smile on his face.
Michael: Oh, who's the lucky guy?
Candy: I'm not telling! Everyone would be gossiping about it in fifteen minutes.
Michael: Because Rick put you up on eHarmony four months ago.
Candy: (rolls her eyes at that memory) I just don't want to ruin what we have because I'm going out with someone else and I didn't tell you.
Michael: You won't. I want you to be happy, Candy. (He pulls her into a hug and kisses the top of her head affectionately. He'll always love her, but he knows she won't ever be his.) That's all that matters, okay?
Candy: Okay.
Michael: Okay. (Beat.) So who is he?
Laughing, she pushes him away.
Candy: You're not getting it out of me!
Michael: It was worth a shot. (Laughing.) I'll see you later.
Candy: Of course.
She walks out, leaving Michael shaking his head in amusement.
[---]
Ross is consulting with one of his pit bosses on the floor when Candy walks toward him. He sees her and gets her attention.
Ross: Hey. I heard from Justin today.
[---]
2008
Justin comes into Candy's office, looking drained and defeated. She stops everything that she's doing. Everyone knows he's had a rough couple of days, but he looks horrible, almost on the verge of tears. She stands from her desk and crosses to give him a hug.
Candy: Justin, what's wrong?
He steps back so he can look her in the eye when he tells her this. His hands shaking in hers.
Justin: I wanted you to be the first to know. (A hard swallow.) My mom is getting worse. She's only got maybe a couple of months. I'm leaving in a few days to go back home. And I'm staying there. I'm resigning.
She's stunned, and it absolutely kills her to lose him. They're impossibly close, have been in this entire journey from the beginning. Yet she understands perfectly and she knows he's doing the right thing.
Justin: I'm sorry, Candy. But my family needs me.
Candy: Don't apologize, Justin. Just call me when you get there, okay? And keep in touch.
Justin: I will.
Candy: I'm proud of you. And I'm gonna miss you.
Justin: I'll miss you too.
She smiles and presses a soft, chaste kiss to his lips. A gesture of what might have been. Maybe in time things between them might have been different, but now they'll never know. And she's okay with that. They embrace and she walks out with him, going with him so he can tell Tony and he doesn't have to be alone in doing it.
[---]
2008
Candy is having one of her pre-shift morning meetings, when in the middle of it, Matt walks into the room and completely throws her off. No one has any idea who he is, so she turns and looks at him, entirely unimpressed.
Candy: Who are you, and why are you interrupting my briefing?
Matt: Matthew Gruden. I'm the new Assistant General Manager.
She's still not impressed for two reasons: her closeness to his predecessor Justin, and his tone, which is almost like "yes, that's right, I'm the boss and you can deal with it."
Candy: You're Justin's replacement.
Matt: If you want to look at it that way.
Candy: How is there another way to look at it?
Matt: That I have nothing to do with him.
As if to say that he doesn't want to be associated with Justin in even that small of a regard.
Candy: However you want to look at it, you don't ever interrupt me when I'm in the middle of a security briefing unless someone is dying. That was disrespectful, egotistical, and rude.
Matt: I've heard all those before.
Candy: Maybe it was for a good reason.
She starts to turn and walk away, but she can't make herself do it, because she knows she needs this guy and he needs her. They're going to have to learn to get along. She stops, turns on her heel and looks at him.
Candy: You can't fire me and I can't hit you. So. Where does that leave us, Matthew?
Matt: Someplace neither of us want to be?
Candy: May as well get used to it now, because it's not going to change. Are you coming or what?
She walks off, leaving him to follow.
[---]
2008
Candy's got the barrel of the gun screwed straight into her ear. They train for these sorts of things, but it's the first time this has actually happened to her. She's trying to remain calm on the outside, but on the inside, she's pretty scared and no one can blame her.
Everyone else around them might be frozen in terror, but Rick has ice water in his veins. He's got his gun in one hand aimed with absolute certainty, but he's going to talk this out before he pulls the trigger.
The guy finally puts his hands up and surrenders. The cops move in to arrest him instantly. Shaken up, Candy lets herself be pulled into Rick's arms, crying a little into the shoulder of his blazer as he comforts her.
A few hours later, the entire Planet Hollywood executive team is in a hospital waiting room while Candy is being tended to. Rick is still a little unnerved from almost having to shoot someone. Tony, Ross, Michael and Julie are all sitting there. Matt is the worst, however, pacing restlessly.
Ross: Matt, you should probably sit down.
Matt: (unnecessarily snappish) Don't tell me what I should do right now, Ross!
Everyone's taken aback by his tone. Obviously, this is getting to him more than anyone else, and more than anyone would have expected.
[---]
Sometime later, Candy is getting redressed, just fixing her collar. She's talking to Rick.
Rick: Matt's lost it. He was snapping at Ross earlier.
Candy: Yeah, like he's gonna give that much of a damn about me.
Rick opens his mouth to say something, but his point gets proven for him as Matt walks over to her hospital bed. She glances up, not having expected to see him there. Rick decides, smartly, to quietly excuse himself and get out of the way, leaving the two of them staring awkwardly at each other.
Matt: Hey.
Candy: Hey.
Matt: You alright?
Candy: Coupla bruises, I'll live. Rick getting there in time kept him from beating the crap out of me any further.
Matt: Rick's always had good timing. (awkwardly shoving his hands in his pockets) I just wanted to see if you needed anything.
Candy: No, no - I think I'm just going to go home, maybe soak in a hot bath and try to forget any of this ever happened. Rick said he might come by later with a pizza. (pause) You could join us if you wanted.
Matt: I wouldn't want to intrude. I'm just glad you're okay.
He reaches over and takes her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. It lingers for a moment, before he turns and walks away.
[---]
2010
Candy's waiting to see if her date is going to show. She's just about halfway through her first glass of wine when she glances up to see him there, taking the seat across from her.
It's Matt.
Matt: Sorry I'm late. I had to take some extra time to balance the books.
Candy: Don't worry about it.
He gives her a grateful smile, and reaches over to refill her wine glass. Yes, this is most definitely a date.
[END]
Episode 1: "Champagne Supernova"
Cast
Matthew Goode as Matthew "Matt" Gruden
Christa Miller as Candace "Candy" Bensinger
Paul Walker as Richard "Rick" Butler
Aldis Hodge as Chris Lancing
Joel Gretsch as Michael Stenholm
Linus Roache as Ross Burke
Guest Starring
Jonny Lee Miller as Justin Blake
Andre Braugher as Tony Hamilton
A.J. Cook as Julie "Jules" Harden
Ashley Scott as Dana
with
Joseph Fiennes as Brad Rowell
Featured Music
"Here It Goes Again" by OK Go
Matt Gruden stands at the front of the pre-shift meeting in the conference room that serves as the staff gathering place. He takes one look at the assembled group of about four dozen security people, bartenders, cocktail waitresses, and other staff.
"Today is the last day of life as you know it."
From where she's standing next to him, security supervisor Candy Bensinger narrows her eyes and gives him a flat look, unsure whether to be amused or not. "Drama queen," she says just loud enough to be heard.
[---]
In one of the backstage areas behind the casino's massive main pool, deputy security supervisor Rick Butler is having a conversation with security officer Chris Lancing.
"They can't keep everyone on," Rick says, leaning heavily against the wall. "There's like forty of us with expiring contracts, and there aren't enough positions. They're going to have to let somebody go."
"What do you think is going to happen?" Chris asks, looking worried. For his job, for his friends and their jobs, for the whole team. "You think something big is going to go down?"
"I have absolutely no idea."
[---]
Matt is called into the office of his boss, Tony Hamilton. "I have good news for you, Matt," Tony tells him. "You know that I'm retiring at the end of the year. Corporate has decided to appoint you the new General Manager."
[---]
That night, Candy is having dinner with Michael Stenholm, Planet Hollywood's AGM of Hotel Operations. It's clear on her face that she's worried. "I'm scared as hell," she tells him. "I'm pushing forty, I'm not married, I have very few friends...I gave a lot up for a career that might be ending tomorrow."
"It's going to be okay," Michael replies, taking her hand across the table. "Trust me."
That might have something to do with how she wakes up next to him.
[---]
Matt, Michael, Candy and Ross Burke are all called into Tony's office for a meeting with Brad Rowell, PHRC's corporate official.
"I'm here to help you through the transition period," Brad explains. "And to help appoint a new Assistant General Manager to take Matt's place. Corporate wants to make sure things work out as smoothly as possible."
[---]
Michael is showing Candy her new apartment at the PH Towers when he lets slip that Matt is appointing her acting Assistant General Manager.
"Was he on something?" she asks.
"He couldn't just respect you?"
"...well, yeah," she replies sheepishly.
[---]
Candy goes to confront Matt about her temporary promotion, when Rick pulls her aside in the hallway. His face shows a mixture of conflicting emotions. "I've been offered the security supervisor's job at the Venetian," he tells her.
[---]
Matt and Candy are in Brad's office.
"I can't balance what corporate wants and what my people need. I'm not letting down my people to make your people happy," Matt tells Brad. He's completely straight-faced as he says, "Really, they can all go screw themselves."
Brad takes this about as well as he can, and he looks at Candy after an awkward pause. "How exactly do you stand him?" he asks her.
"He hates people," she says, with a shrug. "I love him."
Tonight, at Planet Hollywood...
Matt is pacing a little. Dressed in a well-tailored navy Zegna suit with a light blue dress shirt underneath and no tie. He's still trying to arrange everything to his liking in the General Manager's office, perhaps still in disbelief that it's his office now. One gets the sense he's been doing this for awhile. He settles his hands on his hips and takes it all in.
This is the moment Candy chooses to walk in unannounced. In jeans and a nice white blouse, and with a mildly annoyed look on her face.
Candy: You moved my office.
Matt looks over his shoulder at her.
Matt: Your office is bigger.
Candy: I liked my office.
Matt: Rick needed an office. Are we really going to argue over this at... (A glance at the Omega on his wrist.) Nine-thirty in the morning?
She relents.
Candy: I just would like it if you tell me before you do things.
Matt: It'd ruin the element of surprise.
He shrugs out of his jacket, leaving it folded over the back of his chair. His sunglasses get tucked into his collar, the radio on his desk clipped to his belt in one fluid motion. Turning, he goes to meet her in the doorway.
Candy: Still hasn't sunk in yet?
Matt: No. Nothing around here is the same anymore, Candy. The sooner we all come to terms with that, the better.
He locks up his office and the two head down the hallway to the elevators. The executive level is a lot quieter and a lot nicer than the rest of the property. Neither of them seem particularly comfortable with their new, upscale surroundings.
Matt: How busy do you think we'll be today?
Candy: First day of the summer season? Steady at least. Why, you worried?
Matt: I'm not worried.
Candy: Just think of it as the first day of life as you know it.
He snorts in amusement, knowing full well she's throwing his own words back at him. As they walk, we hear the music come up - the opening theme, "Here It Goes Again" by OK Go, and smash cut to the main titles.
[---]
Everyone else is waiting for them at the pre-shift meeting. Rick is fidgeting with his jacket for the fifth or sixth time, much to Chris's amusement. Julie is sitting on one of the tables, playing with her iPhone. Everything stops when Matt and Candy enter and walk through to the head of the room. There's a pause, as everyone is waiting on one of them to start the meeting and neither of them know who is in charge of it.
Rick: Uh, anytime now.
Candy: (clearing her throat) Uh. Alright. Welcome to the first Friday of the summer season. Couple of things. We're expecting a pretty good crowd out in the pool area, so please stay alert out there. There's going to be a lot of people and probably a few of them are going to see what they can get away with. We probably also have a little rust to shake off. If you need help, please ask for it. That's what we're all here for. The bottom line, I need you all to do your jobs, but I also want you to enjoy yourselves.
Matt: For those of you just starting today - I'm Matt Gruden, the General Manager here at Planet Hollywood. This beautiful woman standing next to me (he ignores Candy's look) is Candy Bensinger, the Assistant General Manager for Nightlife. She's your boss, and I'm her boss. The half-awake guy over there is Rick Butler, head of security.
Rick: I haven't had my coffee yet.
Matt: Maybe you should. Are we done?
Candy: Yeah, I think we're done. Unless anyone else has anything. (Silence.) Alright, let's get to work. We're doors open in fifteen minutes.
Everyone gets up and begins to disperse. Matt has spent the last minute or so making coffee from the table behind him, and he hands the cup to Rick without saying anything.
Matt: You guys are all working the pool deck?
Rick: (sipping at the coffee) Yeah, where are you going to be?
Matt: Same place I am every morning, Pinky. Trying to take over the world.
Rick: You control an entire casino resort, that's a pretty damn good start.
Matt doesn't say anything to that, just slips out. Candy, Rick and Chris watch him leave for a second, before they get their stuff together and head out in their own direction. Walking past the huge line of people waiting to get into the pool, out the doors and into the pool area proper. As they do, we see it stripped down to nothing, the way it was when it was being renovated four years ago.
[---]
2006
Candy is standing out in what will become the pool area, watching renovations take place. With her is Tony Hamilton.
Tony: Just eight more months and we can reopen. We're shooting for April 2007.
Candy: So far everything is on schedule?
Tony: So far. You're one of the first people we hired. (He's watching her watch the construction.) You excited?
Candy: (She smiles.) I worked ten years at the Mirage for this job. Now I get to be the first chief of security this place will ever see. Yeah, I'm excited. (Shoving her hands in her pockets, she walks with him back into what is still the Aladdin.) I'll be more excited when I find my team.
Tony: That's up to you. You bring anyone in for interviews yet?
Candy: Still reading files. I'll probably start those later in the week.
Tony: Hire who you want and tell me later. I trust you. (He walks with her through the building, back toward the conference rooms.) There's someone I want to introduce you to. He's our Assistant General Manager for Nightlife, you'll be working closely with him.
This is Candy's introduction to Justin Blake, also known as "the guy who had Matt's job before Matt." He's dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt, and he's obviously been helping out around the property. He's not afraid to get his hands dirty.
Tony: This is Justin Blake. Justin, this is Candy Bensinger, our security supervisor.
They shake hands, exchange smiles.
Justin: Great to meet you. So I guess it's just you and me, huh?
Candy: Just you and me, champ. You up for it?
Justin: Hell yeah, I'm up for it.
This is the start of a beautiful friendship.
[---]
2010
Rick is walking the security rounds around the already very busy pool deck. He's not used to not having Candy by his side; they always do these things together. It's like missing an arm.
He's psuedo-saved when his radio crackles to life. It's Chris.
"Rick, I need you over by thirty-five, we've got somebody who's gotta be deep sixed."
He doesn't miss a beat. "I'm on my way," he says, and begins to manuever his way in that direction as quickly as he possibly can.
When he gets there, an inebriated guest is shoving a cocktail waitress, and Chris is putting himself between them despite the fact that the guest may be twice his size. He checks to make sure the waitress is okay while Rick takes charge of the situation with the authority of someone who’s done this hundreds of times before.
Rick: What’s going on here?
Waitress: We’ve had some complaints from other guests, he’s being loud, trashing stuff. I came over here to ask them to knock it off, and he grabbed me.
Rick just has to take one look around to see she’s right. The inebriated guest mutters things under his breath, clearly having had too many already. Rick turns to Chris.
Rick: Take her over to the bar, get him closed out.
Chris: Sure.
He walks with the waitress off toward the bar, and Rick turns back to the situation at hand. Unruffled by being alone with this guy.
Rick: Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. Dana is going to close out your bar tab and we’re going to ask you to leave today.
Inebriated Guest: Oh come on. This is B.S.
Rick: I saw you put your hands on her, and that’s absolutely unacceptable, okay? If you want to get technical, that’s assault.
Inebriated Guest: I barely touched her.
Rick is going to say something to this, but finds himself cut off when Matt, who seems to have appeared out of nowhere, interrupts. He’s angry and not afraid to show it.
Matt: The issue is simple, okay? You’re not allowed to touch her at all. You do not put your hands on her. Period. Are we clear?
Inebriated Guest: What are you, her boyfriend?
Matt: No, I’m her boss. And a man who has respect for women, and doesn’t need to push one around to feel important. I don’t see you trying to touch me.
Inebriated Guest: Man, I could snap you over my knee.
Matt is more amused than intimidated. This actually makes him smile, in a slightly unsettling way. Rick can tell by now he’s on edge, and decides to cut this fracas short.
Rick: You can try, but then you’d spend the weekend in Metro Jail. I used to be a correctional deputy, and I can tell you there are plenty of guys there that’d love to shove you around.
That statement hangs in the air as Chris and the waitress return. The waitress hands over the guest’s credit card and final bill.
Waitress: Do you guys--
Matt’s eyes never leave the guest as he speaks, giving him a challenging glare. Daring him to make a move.
Matt: No, you can go. Next time, call me and I’ll take care of it, okay?
The waitress picks up on Matt's crazy, decides she doesn't trust him and looks at Rick.
Rick: It's alright, Dana.
She nods and disappears. Rick takes a step forward toward the guest.
Rick: Come on. Get your stuff and we’re going to walk you out.
The inebriated guest mutters and pitches a fit, but decides not to fight. Rick, Chris and Matt together walk him from the pool to the parking lot and make sure he leaves.
Soon as he’s gone, Rick turns to Matt, more confused than angry.
Rick: Is it your time of the month or something?
Matt: I’m just looking out for my people.
Rick: By daring some big drunk guy to hit you? I have a hard time believing you ever worked security.
Matt: That was a long time ago.
Rick: Yeah, well, do your face a favor and let me do my job, alright?
He's not impressed. Matt's just stepped on his turf, and even if he means well, that's something Rick takes personally. He goes back to work without another word.
[---]
2006
Justin and Candy have become fast friends, helping Tony and the ownership team to construct the Planet Hollywood staff from the ground up. They're coming back from having breakfast together, ready to tackle another day of work.
Justin: I can't wait to meet these guys. I want to know who the hell I'm supposed to be working with.
Candy: Tony didn't tell you?
Justin: No. Why would he tell me? They're executives, they work with me, not under me. I'm not that cool.
Candy: (With a smile.) I think you are.
Justin: (Smiling back.) I'll have him ask you next time. Where are you going to be?
Candy: I have interviews for my deputy position. (She holds up the radio from her hip.) Call me.
Justin: Oh, you know I will.
He takes the stairs upstairs, while she moves through the building to make her way to her temporary office. When she gets there, Rick is in a suit and tie, already waiting for her. She's not sure whether to be impressed, amused or both.
Candy: You're twenty minutes early, Rick.
Rick: I had to navigate my way through a construction zone to get here. Thought I'd start early in case something fell on my head or trapped me in an elevator.
Candy: (amused) I was warned you're mouthy.
Rick: Some people find that endearing.
She laughs and is about to usher him into her office before she has a better idea. She pockets her keys.
Candy: Walk with me, Rick.
Rick: Am I going to like this?
Candy: That's for me to know, and you to find out. So tell me why you put in for this job. Why take a lateral transfer from the MGM?
Rick: Green is not my color.
Candy: I was being serious.
Rick: It's a little stuffier than I'd like, personally. And there is about zero chance of advancement. Those two things don't bode well for me.
Candy: As your potential boss, I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted that you're gunning for my job.
Rick: You've got to have ambition, right?
She doesn't say anything about that, just leads him upstairs, the same way that Justin went. Not that Rick knows that. She's testing him, wanting to see who he really is, not just what's on paper.
Candy: So tell me about you. Something I don't know.
Rick: I've got 20/15 vision, an eidetic memory and a weakness for various kinds of cheesecake. Oh, and I have hung out with Kelly Clarkson. (Off Candy's look.) What? I met her when she performed at MGM. She's a nice girl.
Candy: Look at you, you celebrity.
Rick: (scoffs) I wish. Surveillance cameras are not sexy.
Candy: But knowing how to operate them is.
He's amused by this. They reach the landing and she's still talking, keeping him distracted.
Candy: I need somebody here who knows what they're doing, Rick. Somebody who if I wake up sick one day, I know they can run this place without me. Someone who's got my back. I'm not going to leave you in the surveillance room all day. Your ass is going to be out on the line. Think you can handle that?
Rick: I think so. You have some reason why I can't?
She doesn't answer him, just opens the door and walks directly into where Justin is meeting Ross and Michael for the first time. All three of the execs turn and look at them.
Justin: Candy, I want you to meet Ross Burke and Michael Stenholm. The new AGMs of Casino Operations and Hotel Operations respectively. Ross comes from the Bellagio and Mike from the London in New York.
Rick looks mortified. Candy, Ross and Michael exchange greetings, and seem to get along well, but there's no mistaking the grin on Candy's face. She's pleased with herself.
Candy: Justin, meet Rick Butler. We just stole him from the MGM Grand.
This is news to Rick, but it's very good news indeed.
Justin: Welcome to the team, Rick.
Rick: Thank you.
Candy: I'm going to go get him set up. Just thought I'd introduce him to you.
She grabs Rick by the elbow, something she'll do many times after this day, and walks out with him. Michael watches her go, then looks at Justin.
Michael: Do you know if she's single? Because that is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
[---]
2010
Candy is walking from the pool deck to the hotel, and she steps into the hotel lobby. There's plenty of activity, but she's able to navigate effortlessly through it to the elevators, taking one up to the penthouse suites. Walking down the hall, she reaches one and knocks on the door.
After a moment, Michael answers the door, with a giant metal fish in the other hand.
Michael: Hey.
Candy: Hey. You know, we have people that do the room decorating for you.
Michael: That wouldn't be nearly as fun for me. C'mon in.
He steps back to let her in. She closes the door behind herself and looks around. Michael is in the middle of redecorating the suite and there are scattered boxes and bits on the bed and the couch.
Candy: So, listen. I just wanted to make sure you and I are still cool, that nothing's awkward between us or anything.
Michael: We slept together four months ago. If it was going to be awkward, it would've been awkward a lot earlier than now.
Candy: I didn't have a date before tonight.
That gets his attention. He stops and turns to her with a smile on his face.
Michael: Oh, who's the lucky guy?
Candy: I'm not telling! Everyone would be gossiping about it in fifteen minutes.
Michael: Because Rick put you up on eHarmony four months ago.
Candy: (rolls her eyes at that memory) I just don't want to ruin what we have because I'm going out with someone else and I didn't tell you.
Michael: You won't. I want you to be happy, Candy. (He pulls her into a hug and kisses the top of her head affectionately. He'll always love her, but he knows she won't ever be his.) That's all that matters, okay?
Candy: Okay.
Michael: Okay. (Beat.) So who is he?
Laughing, she pushes him away.
Candy: You're not getting it out of me!
Michael: It was worth a shot. (Laughing.) I'll see you later.
Candy: Of course.
She walks out, leaving Michael shaking his head in amusement.
[---]
Ross is consulting with one of his pit bosses on the floor when Candy walks toward him. He sees her and gets her attention.
Ross: Hey. I heard from Justin today.
[---]
2008
Justin comes into Candy's office, looking drained and defeated. She stops everything that she's doing. Everyone knows he's had a rough couple of days, but he looks horrible, almost on the verge of tears. She stands from her desk and crosses to give him a hug.
Candy: Justin, what's wrong?
He steps back so he can look her in the eye when he tells her this. His hands shaking in hers.
Justin: I wanted you to be the first to know. (A hard swallow.) My mom is getting worse. She's only got maybe a couple of months. I'm leaving in a few days to go back home. And I'm staying there. I'm resigning.
She's stunned, and it absolutely kills her to lose him. They're impossibly close, have been in this entire journey from the beginning. Yet she understands perfectly and she knows he's doing the right thing.
Justin: I'm sorry, Candy. But my family needs me.
Candy: Don't apologize, Justin. Just call me when you get there, okay? And keep in touch.
Justin: I will.
Candy: I'm proud of you. And I'm gonna miss you.
Justin: I'll miss you too.
She smiles and presses a soft, chaste kiss to his lips. A gesture of what might have been. Maybe in time things between them might have been different, but now they'll never know. And she's okay with that. They embrace and she walks out with him, going with him so he can tell Tony and he doesn't have to be alone in doing it.
[---]
2008
Candy is having one of her pre-shift morning meetings, when in the middle of it, Matt walks into the room and completely throws her off. No one has any idea who he is, so she turns and looks at him, entirely unimpressed.
Candy: Who are you, and why are you interrupting my briefing?
Matt: Matthew Gruden. I'm the new Assistant General Manager.
She's still not impressed for two reasons: her closeness to his predecessor Justin, and his tone, which is almost like "yes, that's right, I'm the boss and you can deal with it."
Candy: You're Justin's replacement.
Matt: If you want to look at it that way.
Candy: How is there another way to look at it?
Matt: That I have nothing to do with him.
As if to say that he doesn't want to be associated with Justin in even that small of a regard.
Candy: However you want to look at it, you don't ever interrupt me when I'm in the middle of a security briefing unless someone is dying. That was disrespectful, egotistical, and rude.
Matt: I've heard all those before.
Candy: Maybe it was for a good reason.
She starts to turn and walk away, but she can't make herself do it, because she knows she needs this guy and he needs her. They're going to have to learn to get along. She stops, turns on her heel and looks at him.
Candy: You can't fire me and I can't hit you. So. Where does that leave us, Matthew?
Matt: Someplace neither of us want to be?
Candy: May as well get used to it now, because it's not going to change. Are you coming or what?
She walks off, leaving him to follow.
[---]
2008
Candy's got the barrel of the gun screwed straight into her ear. They train for these sorts of things, but it's the first time this has actually happened to her. She's trying to remain calm on the outside, but on the inside, she's pretty scared and no one can blame her.
Everyone else around them might be frozen in terror, but Rick has ice water in his veins. He's got his gun in one hand aimed with absolute certainty, but he's going to talk this out before he pulls the trigger.
The guy finally puts his hands up and surrenders. The cops move in to arrest him instantly. Shaken up, Candy lets herself be pulled into Rick's arms, crying a little into the shoulder of his blazer as he comforts her.
A few hours later, the entire Planet Hollywood executive team is in a hospital waiting room while Candy is being tended to. Rick is still a little unnerved from almost having to shoot someone. Tony, Ross, Michael and Julie are all sitting there. Matt is the worst, however, pacing restlessly.
Ross: Matt, you should probably sit down.
Matt: (unnecessarily snappish) Don't tell me what I should do right now, Ross!
Everyone's taken aback by his tone. Obviously, this is getting to him more than anyone else, and more than anyone would have expected.
[---]
Sometime later, Candy is getting redressed, just fixing her collar. She's talking to Rick.
Rick: Matt's lost it. He was snapping at Ross earlier.
Candy: Yeah, like he's gonna give that much of a damn about me.
Rick opens his mouth to say something, but his point gets proven for him as Matt walks over to her hospital bed. She glances up, not having expected to see him there. Rick decides, smartly, to quietly excuse himself and get out of the way, leaving the two of them staring awkwardly at each other.
Matt: Hey.
Candy: Hey.
Matt: You alright?
Candy: Coupla bruises, I'll live. Rick getting there in time kept him from beating the crap out of me any further.
Matt: Rick's always had good timing. (awkwardly shoving his hands in his pockets) I just wanted to see if you needed anything.
Candy: No, no - I think I'm just going to go home, maybe soak in a hot bath and try to forget any of this ever happened. Rick said he might come by later with a pizza. (pause) You could join us if you wanted.
Matt: I wouldn't want to intrude. I'm just glad you're okay.
He reaches over and takes her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. It lingers for a moment, before he turns and walks away.
[---]
2010
Candy's waiting to see if her date is going to show. She's just about halfway through her first glass of wine when she glances up to see him there, taking the seat across from her.
It's Matt.
Matt: Sorry I'm late. I had to take some extra time to balance the books.
Candy: Don't worry about it.
He gives her a grateful smile, and reaches over to refill her wine glass. Yes, this is most definitely a date.
[END]
Episode 1: "Champagne Supernova"
Cast
Matthew Goode as Matthew "Matt" Gruden
Christa Miller as Candace "Candy" Bensinger
Paul Walker as Richard "Rick" Butler
Aldis Hodge as Chris Lancing
Joel Gretsch as Michael Stenholm
Linus Roache as Ross Burke
Guest Starring
Jonny Lee Miller as Justin Blake
Andre Braugher as Tony Hamilton
A.J. Cook as Julie "Jules" Harden
Ashley Scott as Dana
with
Joseph Fiennes as Brad Rowell
Featured Music
"Here It Goes Again" by OK Go