Interview with Maude's former "boyfriend"

I, the ever-curious Lexie Staz have just been hired by Hollywood Buzz and my first assignment is to write a special feature on Maude Laurent. I have to interview all her family and friends. Most of them refuse to speak to me after a couple of misunderstandings (see A French Star in New York and A French Princess in Versailles).

But Thomas Bradfield, Maude’s former "boyfriend," jumped on the chance. He called me as soon as he heard about my feature, asked if I could interview him and allow him to give his side of the story.

Lexie Staz: Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.

Thomas: You're welcome! I’m very happy to be here. I'm more than willing to answer any question you might have.

Lexie Staz: I’m going to ask you a little question that I like to ask to Maude's former and current love interests.What do you like most about Maude?

Thomas: Her voice. It’s amazing.

Lexie Staz: What do you like least about Maude?

Thomas: Matt.

Lexie Staz (laughs): Pretty straightforward answer. I like that! What would you do differently? To make sure Maude fell in love with you.

Thomas: I’d make sure she didn’t hear my version of “Paris versus New York City” on our first date.

Lexie Staz: Would you still declare your feelings in front of everybody she knows?

Thomas: That might have been a little over-the-top. I don't think I'd do that again.

Lexie Staz: I heard you'd initially been looking to sign with Soulville Records? Why do you think James Baldwin refused to sign you to his record label?

Thomas: I've puzzled over this question for a long time. I now have the answer.

Lexie Staz: What is it?

Thomas: He felt threatened by my charisma. He knew he couldn’t manipulate me like his other artists. I would never have agreed to be his little puppy like Matt. He just does anything James tells him to do.

Lexie Staz: Okay, okay, I get that you hate Matt. But let’s focus on you a little longer. Why did pretend to be in a relationship with Maude?

Thomas: To me, it wasn’t really fake. It was great. I got to spend more time with her, Matt was jealous and pissed all the time. I was on top of the world. Matt’s like—

Lexie Staz: Moving on from Matt. Didn’t you ever feel any remorse over all that lying?

Thomas: Once I got caught, yeah, I was full of remorse.

Lexie Staz: Not before?

Thomas (squirms): A little? I just never thought I’d get caught.

Lexie Staz: What do you do when you’re not practicing or recording?

Thomas: I hang out with friends. Most of them are musicians, but I do like to party. I avoid parties Matt attends. Can’t stand the guy.

Lexie Staz: Right. How has your career been doing since your first album?

Thomas: Not like I wish, but still… I’m fine.

Lexie Staz: None of your songs topped "Paris versus New York City"? What’s so special about that song? James says, and I quote: the song “wasn’t him and he’d never have come up with a hit like that on his own.” What did James mean by that?

Thomas: Urm, I don’t know why… he’d say that. Everybody knows I wrote the song because of my strong attachment to both cities.

Lexie Staz: Your song makes it seem like you know everything about Paris? Do you often travel to Paris?

Thomas (drinks a glass of water) : Yeah, I mean, you can get a pretty good knowledge of the city after you’ve visited it a couple of times. Or seen it on TV, you know? Next question!

Lexie Staz: About “Paris versus New York City”…

Thomas (rises from chair) : I just remembered I have another interview I absolutely have to go to. Right now! It was nice talking to you. Bye! Hope you got all the info you needed. (leaves).

Lexie Staz: I’m starting to think I don’t have all the info I need.