Wayward Sisters

As I follow Kathryn into her suite, I'm immediately struck by the familiarity of the space—my recreation in the domaine wasn't far off. But it's the familiar faces of Kathryn's co-stars that truly shock me. Kim Rhodes, Briana Buckmaster, Yadira Guevara-Prip, Katherine Ramdeen and Clark Backo, all alumni of "Supernatural," stand before me. Erik Kripke, the original series creator, steps forward first, offering his hand in greeting.

"Joe, it's a pleasure to meet you," Erik says, his grip firm and confident. "Kathryn has told us so much about you. We're glad you could make it."

I shake his hand, still somewhat in disbelief. "Likewise, Mr. Kripke. I'm a huge fan of your work. This is... this is incredible," I say, glancing around the room, taking in the presence of these legendary actors and the creator himself.

Erik smiles, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "Please, call me Erik. We're all friends here."

The others chime in, greeting me warmly, their smiles genuine and inviting. Kim gives me a friendly hug, while Briana playfully nudges me, saying, "Kathryn wasn't kidding when she said you were a fan. We saw that you put 'Baby' in a lot of your photoshoots."

I laugh, feeling a mix of embarrassment and excitement. The tight-knit group’s warm demeanor calms my nerves. Katherine, Yadira and Clark shake my hand, their grips firm and reassuring. I can't help but feel honored to be in their presence, to be considered a part of their world, even if just for a moment.

"Joe, we have something we'd like to discuss with you," Kathryn says, her voice serious but excited.

Erik takes the lead, his expression eager. "HBO Max is finally producing an exclusive film spin-off of 'Wayward Sisters,'" he explains. "We know you're a fan, and we were hoping you could help us with an ad campaign for the next 'Supernatural' convention. Your creativity could really bring something special to the table."

I'm taken aback, honored that they would even consider me for such a task. "I... I don't know what to say," I stammer, genuinely touched.

Kathryn smiles, squeezing my arm gently. "Say you'll do it, Joe. You’re someone who understands the fandom, someone who can generate excitement and buzz. You're the perfect person for the job. Your ideas are fresh, and you're not afraid to think outside the box."

Erik nods in agreement. "Exactly. Who better to let our fans know about the new project than a fan himself? Someone who can speak their language, who respects their passion and dedication."

They present me with a leather-bound, signed screenplay for the upcoming film, the pages crisp and new, the ink still fresh. The cover is embossed with the title “Supernatural Legacy: Wayward Sisters” and signed by the cast, including Jensen and Jared. “You’d be the only person outside of the production to read this," Erik says, handing it to me with a sense of ceremony. "We trust you with this, Joe. We trust you to help us bring this to life."

I take the screenplay, running my fingers over the embossed title, feeling the weight of the responsibility they're placing in my hands. The leather is soft and cool to the touch, the gold lettering shimmering slightly in the light. I open it, flipping through the pages, my heart pounding with excitement and nerves. This is a huge honor, a huge responsibility, and I'm determined not to let them down.

Erik continues, “It was Kathryn’s idea to give you a replica of The 'Colt', the ride in ‘Baby’. She wanted to roll out the red carpet for you, to entice you to accept the job. She knows how much this fandom means to you, and she wanted to make sure you felt appreciated and valued."

I look at Kathryn, a mix of emotions swirling within me—gratitude, awe, and a touch of embarrassment. "Kathryn, this is... this is too much," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble."

She shrugs, a playful smile on her lips. "What can I say? I'm a big fan of your work too, Joe. And I knew you'd be perfect for this. Your passion for the show, your creativity, your enthusiasm—it's infectious. We need that for this campaign."

I'm overwhelmed, my mind racing with the implications of their offer. I need a moment to process, to let the reality of the situation sink in. "Can I get some air?" I ask, my voice hoarse with emotion. "I just need a minute to take this all in. This is a lot to process."

Kathryn nods understandingly, and I step out to the balcony. The cool air hits my face, a stark contrast to the warmth of the suite, and I take a deep, shuddering breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. As I breathe in the unique scent of the city, I feel Kathryn’s hand touch mine.

She’s standing beside me, her presence a comforting constant. “Joe, I'm sorry about what happened earlier,” she says, her voice soft and sincere. "I just wanted to make this special for you, to show you how much we appreciate your fandom and your talent. I never meant to make you uncomfortable or to mislead you."

I turn to her, taking her hands in mine. “Look, Kathryn, I'm sorry for misreading the situation. I should have trusted your professionalism. You went above and beyond, and I'm truly grateful. This is a dream come true, and I won't let you down."

Her eyes light up. “Does this mean you’ll take the job?” She squeals, I nod and we share a friendly hug, the tension between us dissipating, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. I can feel the excitement and anticipation building within me, the wheels in my mind already turning with ideas and possibilities.

I pull back, looking into her eyes, seeing the reflection of the city lights twinkling behind me. "I have an idea for a 'teaser/reveal'," I say, a smirk playing on my lips. "Something that will really get the fans excited and engaged. Let's go inside, and I'll pitch it to everyone."

With a newfound sense of purpose and excitement, I turn to walk back into the suite, ready to accept the job and create something incredible with these amazing people. The screenplay clutched in my hand, I feel a sense of destiny, of being exactly where I'm meant to be. This is my chance to give back to the fandom that has given me so much, to help bring a new chapter of “Supernatural” to life, and I'm not about to let that opportunity slip through my fingers.