Never Meet Your Heroes

SCENE OPENS on Alexa (Sophia Burns), a political intern, arriving at a lofty home. She is a little nervous as she is led into the living room where she waits with bated breath as her political idol, Eleanore Cadwin (Rachael Cavalli), comes down the stairs and greets her with a warm smile. It is revealed that Alexa is a promising intern working for Eleanore’s political campaign. She has called Alexa to her home for a special meeting with her husband Mel (Seth Gamble).

Alexa gushes over Eleanore, praising her political mission as something she truly believes in. Alexa wants to do EVERYTHING in her power to help get Eleanore elected, stating that too many women go ignored in politics. It’s been a dream of hers since she first started studying political sciences to work on Eleanore’s campaign and help make a difference for every citizen in this country. Eleanore is apparently honored by Alexa’s commitment but soon gets down to business, elaborating that she has singled Alexa out for a VERY special project.

Mel and Eleanore explain that they would like to end their marriage of convenience – which hasn’t been as fruitful as they imagined – by setting up an affair between Mel and another woman. Eleanore would use this fabricated scandal for political gain, currying the favor of female voters across the country by turning Eleanore into a symbol of a ‘woman striving against adversity’. When Alexa wonders why they are telling her this, it is revealed that Eleanore and Mel want HER to be the scapegoat for the fabricated affair.

Alexa is disgusted, threatening to walk out. But she is stopped by Eleanore, who convinces her to stay and hear her out. Eleanore explains how this unorthodox plan could be the turning point for her campaign, slowly convincing Alexa that her participation in it will make more of a difference than her regular internship ever could. Nobody would ever know of Alexa’s sacrifice, since she’ll be painted as a villain, but in secret, she will become a hero for her country. After all, if Eleanore is put into office, she can actually put her political ideas to work and improve the lives of all. Convinced by Eleanore’s silver tongue, Alexa agrees to the plan. She has energetic, intense sex with Mel, all while Eleanore films it with her cellphone, manufacturing a video that will then ‘accidentally’ be leaked to the public.