A Series of Unfortunate Events

A Play

(sort of)

The protagonist, Penelope, has been rolled over by a series of unfortunate events this week that felt a bit like a New York City bus, one of those super long ones with the odd accordion apparatus at its center.  If a person got caught up under that sort of bus, they're apt to get jumbled up quite a bit.  They might lose their bearings, not knowing what hit them.  They would most definitely get hurt.

Penelope decides to share the big 'bus slam' on her blog, Aberration Nation.  She changes the names of those involved to protect all innocent parties, potentially including thousands of Facebook users.  Call her a sneaky trouble maker but she believes it's a story worth sharing, regardless of names.  It's a valuable cautionary tale for our new cyber-driven Facebook world filled with fakers, jokesters, hakers, and real people who, in the end, show us that the true spirit of friendship lives on.

Cast of characters:

Penelope: Artist/Writer
Tom: A-list Actor / Celebrity
Josh: Tom's buddy
Dave: Los Angeles-based Screenwriter / Penelope's relative
Fran: East Coast based publicist
Beth: Tom's representative 1
Gwen: Tom's representative 2

Note:
Unless otherwise specified, the exchanges below are through personal Facebook emails.

Curtain Opens

Act 1

Day 1: 

Penelope to Dave: Okay, I have to ask ... do you really know all these famous creative folks who you are FB friends with? I am very curious ... and nosy. I admit it. I think it's a trait that was passed to me from some of my past, far removed relatives. (-:  What kind of writing do you do?

Dave to Penelope: I lived in Hollywood for years, so I know some people, the others are friends of friends.  I have rarely used my real name, I've had plays produced and have written screenplays and have done a lot of script doctoring but I always hate what I write so I don't want to be associated with it.

Penelope to Dave: Very cool! I just love knowing that there are other creative people in the "family," even if we are far removed. In my extended family, which includes xxx, there are quite a few. Knowing that always makes me feel that I know myself better ... I know what you mean about hating what you write .... I had a run in with a critic this week and wrote a blog post about it. Did you see that? Now, I feel like I hate my book. LOL

Day 3: 

Dave sends Penelope and six actors/celebrities FB friend suggestions to link up. Three of those send Penelope FB friend requests.  Penelope sends requests to the other three. 

They all connect. 

Penelope to Dave: Thanks for the friend suggestions ... (-:

Dave to Penelope: just a few people I thought you might enjoy

Penelope to Dave: Very cool ...

Dave to Penelope: and who I thought would appreciate your work, as I do xo

Penelope to Dave: That's so nice! Hopefully they will ... Josh liked a comment I put on one of his posts. (-:

Day 5:

Penelope to Tom: Hi Tom, I love what you wrote in your info about the xxx. I'm an artist and writer (friend/relative of Dave), and have a blog that focuses on creativity and life's aberrations called Aberration Nation. I've interviewed quite a few artists, writers, actors, musicians, screenwriters, directors, etc., including some high profile folks. I'd love to have you on. It's easy. I just send you questions via email. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out: http://www.aberrationnation.com/p/about-this-blog.html. There's a link at the top that will take you to a list of the folks I've interviewed. Best - Penelope

Tom to Penelope: email questions? i'll do that

Penelope to Tom: Great! I can send them via FB. If there's another email you prefer just let me know.

Tom to Penelope: xxx@xxx.com

Penelope to Dave: Tom just agreed to an interview on my blog! I told him that I loved what he wrote about the xxx on his FB info. Very cool! I just sent him the questions ... hopefully he'll follow through. Cool, cool, cool! Thanks to you ....

Dave to Penelope: wow! very cool, he's a great guy and I admire him a lot. let me know! xo
Penelope to Tom: Just sent ... (-:

Tom to Penelope: ill have them done by tonight

Penelope to Tom: Awesome!

Tom to Penelope: im going to send them back 1 at a time

Tom sends all interview answers, one at a time to Penelope via xxx@xxx.com.  They are all positive, insightful responses.  During the day Tom's nephew (per FB) uploads a picture of him on set using his phone.  The comment is, "Always on Facebook."

Penelope to Tom: Hi Tom, I was just reading over your answers. I'm assuming you meant that last long piece to come across the way it did ... maybe it's all true about you ... but it sounds like you were poking fun a bit. If so, that's fine. I just want to make sure we're on the same page; it may impact what I write. If you weren't meaning it to poke fun and you were just busy and found something close to home to send over to me ... I may just edit it a little. If I don't hear from you, I'll go with my gut. (-:  I was able to download the picture...

Tom to Penelope: Wasn't poking fun, it's just me

Penelope to Tom: Okay I do hope you aren't insulted that I asked. It's very well written. You know, it just sounded more like someone just starting out, but then again maybe you feel that way ... like there's so much ahead and that's a good thing. I understand. I feel like that also and I'm 45.

Tom to Penelope: I meant from when I was starting out

Penelope to Tom: Okay - thanks! I'm good. Makes sense. (-:

Tom to Penelope: You can Change it just don't get me in trouble with my publicist!

Penelope to Tom: Okay, I was thinking of just adding a sentence of two to explain that the last paragraph was written from the perspective of when you were starting out ... just so it might flow a little better... not much change. I think people will like it a lot.

Tom to Penelope: how many people read your blog?

Penelope to Tom: More in the hundreds / thousands range. Certainly not millions but I'm gaining a following. Do you want me to send you the interview before I post. I don't want you to worry. It should be fine.

Tom to Penelope: post it

Tom posts on Penelope's wall, asking her to post it that night and she agrees.

Penelope to Tom: Great! I'm sure people who are interested in your work will find and read it. I get quite a bit of traffic, and it grows with each interview. I've been writing blog since late 2007, and the following keep increasing. I guess it's sort of an underground INDIE endeavor. My creative vision. I like that. I think I should be able to post it by 10 or 11.

Tom to Penelope: yay! i have to be up at 3 am, so that makes me happier than before!

Penelope to Tom: It feels good to make you happy. Your work has certainly given me a lot of happy moments. (-: I'll try to work quickly (and smart) and let you know when it's up. Do you want me to just post it to your wall?

Tom to Penelope: post the link and ill put it on my status

Penelope to Tom: Hey ... do u think your nephew would mind if I use the pic he posted of u on facebook this afternoon? That would be so perfect. I'm not sue if I can download it unless i'm facebook friends with him. I'm on my cell now. Will be home in about an hour. Don't worry. I'll get it posted tonight and it will be good. It would be great to get the others on. We'll see. (-:..

Tom to Penelope: sure!

Penelope to Dave: Dave, Do you swear on our family heritage that I am talking to the real Tom? I am 99% sure but don't want to make an ass out of myself in the middle of some big joke. He wants me to post the interview tonight so I'm working on it now. He already sent me the answers. P

Dave to Penelope: Honey, I'm sure the occasional posers have snuck onto my site, and I delete them whenever I find out. To the best of my knowledge it's him, although it's not like I've spoken to him on the phone or anything. Mostly I go by mutual friends, and he and I have mutual friends who I know for a fact to be the real thing.

Penelope to Dave: Thanks -- sorry if I seem weird. (-: Working on his interview now. Thanks!!

Dave to Penelope: It's a natural concern. ask him to send you a naked picture while holding a copy of the LA Times with today's date on it. other than that, I don't know what to tell you.

Penelope to Dave: LOL - it's fine. Thanks!!

Penelope to Tom: Coming within 10 minutes ... brace yourself. (-: I usually spend more time on my interviews, but I'm happy with it. Hope you like it! I'll talk it up tomorrow as much as I possibly can in my circles, and do my part to get it moving.

Tom to Penelope: Alright!

Penelope to Tom: Just posted it!

Tom posts "likes" posts and adds comment, "I like it a lot.  You should get Josh and xxx on, too!"  If you ever want anyone, hit me up."

Tom posts on Josh's wall, "You should do an Aberration Nation interview."

Josh responds, "Josh is skyping now and then has a meeting."

Tom responds, "Well, when you have time."

Josh responds, "Maybe."

Tom "likes" all Penelope's posts regarding the interview and adds a few positive comments to her FB wall. 

Numerous FB friends of Tom's and Penelope's "like" the interview links and post highly positive reviews. 

79 people share the link on Facebook within two hours.

Act II

Fran to Penelope: Great interview with Tom, Penelope. Keep up the great work!

Penelope to Fran: Thanks so much! I just posted it and then had to run out to pick up my daughter from a friends, so it was great to come back to your message. Do you work with Tom?

Fran to Penelope: No. I friended him a while back and he has really gotten into the Facebook thing. He seemed real...and now I know how true that is after reading your blog. Did you approach him about interviewing for Aberration Nation? It's obvious to me now that Facebook has become a publicity tool for many top celebrities. Fb allows them to be so much more accessible to their public. I work for a web-based media production company, xxx, and I am heavily involved in the New England film industry. Thus, I am constantly connecting with industry people so that I may keep my finger on the pulse of things. Best wishes on future blogs and congratulations on such an informative and enlightening interview with Tom. Great job. Let's keep in touch because we seem to have many of the same interests : )

Fran to Penelope: You should definitely try and interview the rest of the xxx, and maybe even xxx! Your blog is a real positive and a good personal soap box for these Hollywood heavyweights. Best wishes on all your success, Penelope. Much peace, health and prosperity to us ALL. xoxo

Fran posts to Josh's FB wall:  You and xxx, xxx, and xxx should all do interviews on Aberration Nation. 

Josh responds, If xxx and xxx will do it, maybe I will.

Penelope to Fran: Sent him a note ... we'll see. I agree that it would be great ... and extremely cool!

Beth emails Penelope: Our client Tom did not complete this interview (please see below link). This is someone pretending to be him. Can we please have it removed from the site?

Penelope emails Beth: Thank you for contacting me!  Well, this is embarrassing on a devastating scale. Of course, but I just need a bit of time to figure out how best to handle it from my perspective. Very upsetting ... and will upset a lot of people who are thinking that Tom and his friends are interacting on FB. This obviously blows open a lot. I will follow up on this within a few hours.

Penelope to Fran:  Hi Fran, I just got an email from a xxx with xxx saying that the person that completed Tom's interview is not him and that it was someone pretending to me him. They are asking me take it down. Very embarrassing. Ugh! Just wondering if you could check this out for me or advise me. Thanks, she says through her tears ...

Fran to Penelope: Penelope, before you do ANYTHING, did this person from this xxx provide you with any credentials whatsoever to prove they are who they say they are? You need to send this information in a private note to Tom asking him what is the real deal here. I know (intuitively) that it is him here on Facebook. There is no way someone would have faked an interview like the one you got for Aberration Nation. It was is too REAL, and just too Tom! Above all, don't panic! You are not in any kind of trouble here. Stay strong and positive until it sorts itself out. I am here to help you in any way I can. Let me know what happens. xoxo

Penelope to Fran: I just have her email /signature information. I am very upset. I will send it to him but it it's not him, he's just going to say that she's not legit.

Fran to Penelope: You dealt directly with Tom. Continue to deal directly with him. Anyone can e-mail you and bullshit you into giving up all kinds of information. Don't do it unless, and until, you are physically provided with a legal document. Trust me on this. There is no need for you to be freaking out right now. If it turns out those weren't Tom''s own thoughts, which it can't, you are not in any kind of trouble. Seriously. Ignore this xxx person until she can provide you with PROOF she is who she says she is and that Tom, himself, has a problem with your interview.

Penelope to Fran: OK - do you think I should still email him? I also have a regular email that he sent me emails with. Thank you so much! Her name is not listed on the xxx team list (but she could be an admin). I googled her and came up with nothing ....

Fran to Penelope: That's what I'm saying here. You have no clue as to who this person really is. People are devious in this industry, believe me I'v been where you are now. Bullshit can go a long way on Facebook. Question: How did Tom send his interview responses to you; via Facebook or private e-mail, or an even more private avenue? This answer will give me a better indication of it's validity.

Penelope to Fran: All his answers came through this email: xxx@xxx.com.

Fran to Penelope: Tom, here on Facebook, is the one you approached about the interview first. Correct? He then provided you with the above e-mail, correct? And has the Tom here on Facebook contacted you to deny the interview and ask you to take it down?

Penelope to Fran: Yes, Yes, and no ...This is very weird ... should I email him or call the woman? I just really don't know what to do. I could also just do nothing, I guess, but if it's not him, I hate for the person (and other? doing this on FB ) to not be exposed. I have calmed down ... (-:  I just became friends with xxx, apparently an LA radio personality, who is also friends with Tom. Should I ask him about it?  Someone else has given me the advice to pull it until I confirm one way or the other.

Fran to Penelope: Well then, I would say there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about. Relax. Just see where this all goes before you do anything foolish like recant your interview, and don't delete your blog...YET! I could've contacted you and told you I represented Tom and that you were to take it down immediately. And then you know what happens? These people contact the celebrity and tell them how they just saved them from a bad career move and how he should pay them to represent him. It will all be clear to you shortly. Keep enjoying the great reviews your getting from the interview. You totally earned those. xoxo

Fran to Penelope: DON'T TALK ABOUT THIS TO XXX!! He's a radio personality and will jump on this immediately as material for his own show. Penelope, you don't know me and I don't physically know you, but I am an Intuitive. That's a someone with a special gift of insight when they know something to be fact, but they don't know HOW they know this. Have faith when I tell you your best course of action right now is NO ACTION. It will all become clear in time. You can leave your blog up. It contains no slander or false claims of any kind. Trust your instincts woman! That is your best guide right now.

Penelope to Fran: Ok .... do u still think I should let him know either via facebook and/or the email I have. Maybe I should and see what happens. I won't tell xxx.

Fran to Penelope: Send Tom a personal message via Facebook messaging and tell him what is going on. Don't give names, just that a xxx contacted you to say the interview was a fake and have told you to remove it from your blog. Then ask Tom to verify whether or not he has anything to do with this. Again, Penelope, you are under NO obligation to remove your interview from your blog. Period. Just let everything lay as it is for right now and enjoy the accolades you're receiving. Peace.

Penelope to Fran: OK. Thanks so much for your help! I know it's not like a NY Times scandal, but it's important to me. Also, I would just like the truth to win out, whatever that may be ... I'll let you know what happens. I haven't heard back from him yet about my other email related to interviewing the others. I see that he hasn't been on FB much today, so that would make sense. We can't find anything on the web about him being their client.

Gwen emails Penelope: This needs to be taken down immediately. I just went to the link and it is still up. Please remove ASAP.

Penelope to Fran: Just got this ... guess I need to take it down, but if I do I am telling everyone that he (on FB) is a fake. P

Fran to Penelope: Ya, and anybody can google xxx and get her name. Doesn't it seem a bit strange that you couldn't find the first womans name anywhere, and then another e-mail comes in with a more identifiable name? You call or e-mail "Gwen" and ask her for secure credentials and PROOF she represents Tom and has the right to ask you to do this. Don't let these people intimidate you, Penelope. They have no recourse if you leave the interview on your blog. Just don't re-post it anywhere else on Facebook...for now. Get to the truth about this. You have that right.

Penelope emails Gwen: Before un-posting my interview, I would like to request proof that your company represents Tom, and that this is a legitimate request on his behalf.  I have not yet honored the request to take down the interview because I am investigating the situation to determine who is being truthful. Of note, please be aware that the interview contains no negative content. If I determine that the person identifying himself as Tom on Facebook is not Tom, I intend to take down (of course), and also let everyone know what has occurred here.  If he is not Tom, than apparently there is an entire slew of folks pretending to be his friends and family on Facebook, which I find to be incredible. I have contacted him on Facebook, letting him know that an xxx contacted me regarding the validity of the interview. I am surprised that this has not yet been exposed by those supporting Tom as there are quite a few people / fans on Facebook who will feel like complete idiots once they realize the truth, including many industry professionals.  Of course, if this is the case, I do not blame the real Tom in any way.

Penelope to Fran:  Ugh - just sent a ballsy email ... feeling like I'm going to be in some kind of trouble. I copied you. If it's really them, I'm thinking they might call me. Interesting ... I think our Tom is gone from FB. Check on your end. Looks like I have to write another blog post .... (-:
 
Fran to Penelope: Absolutely! Did you give them your number? Just remember, it could still be a hoax. Just take it very slow. You need physical proof that "Gwen" has the right to ask you to remove your interview. Sounds like all is not as it seems. We'll get to the bottom of it. Now I'm really curious as to where this will end up. LOL

Penelope emails Gwen: As a quick follow up, I just checked Facebook and it appears that our "Tom" is gone, or has blocked me. I will likely take the blog post down and will certainly be writing a new post to share what has happened here. Thank you for your patience. I'm sure it's frustrating. It's upsetting to me.

Gwen emails Penelope: I represent Tom and I have cc’d his lawyer, agent and manager on this correspondences should you have any questions about the validity of my role. If you look on IMDB.com and/or Whorepresents.com you will see that I am Tom.s publicist. Facebook tends to have a lot of impostors of actors. We will be contacting Facebook directly to take down the impostor who you have been communicating with.  Your article needs to come down ASAP. Please respond.

Penelope emails Gwen: Thank you so much for including these folks and for providing more information. I will certainly take it down and will also do what I can to expose this situation. I apologize that I was fooled, and made this poser situation worse. As I said, it is VERY upsetting to me; it will reflect poorly on my credibility on several levels.  It has been an emotional couple of days.  I plan to retain all correspondence I have via FB and regular email with the fake "Tom." Please let me know if I can be of help in additional way.
 
Penelope to Fran: Ok - I think that either the faker blocked me because of the email I sent about the xxx firm, or Tom has blocked me. I bet it's a faker now. I'm going to take it down (it won't be deleted and then see what the xxx firm writes back). Do you agree?
 
Fran to Penelope: This is Tom's screw up, not yours Penelope! Please don't take it personally. Ok, take it down for now, but DON'T DELETE IT! Make sure you archive it and copy all conversations between you and Tom for your protection and benefit. This way you can get a handle on exactly what the fuck is going on (pardon my language). No need to be nervous about anything. You have done absolutely nothing wrong.

Penelope to Fran: It's down but not deleted. Oh well, seems like I still have an exciting story ... Now I start my own damage control. Here we go ...

Fran to Penelope: What damage is there, really? I don't believe you got duped. I believe Tom possibly went over someones head on this thing, and now he has to mop up his mistake. There is so much red tape when it comes to celebrities being real people and doing real-people things. Oye, you wouldn't believe. LOL

Penelope to Fran: Hey - and we met ... that's a positive! And yes, I think you could be right. Maybe we'll never know. They probably wouldn't want me to say that in my new article so I'll have to be careful.

Fran to Penelope: You have the upper hand here, ya' know. "They" can't do anything to discriminating to you. Stay strong. Stay positive. "We" are the good thing to come from all this. Right on, sistah-friend. ; } Tom has left the building!! SO WEIRD!! I'm stumped for sure. I tell ya, these celebrities come and go off facebook. They start a page, it gets outta hand, they delete their profile, they come back later, they delete that, they change the format...Holy Crap it gets confusing.

Fran to Penelope: Just wait and let the situation cool down a bit. Things look different after a day has gone by. Just sayin'.... Also, xxx@xxx.com is no longer a valid e-mail address. I still believe it was the real Tom who gave you the interview, and that he was told to recant it for professional integrity reasons. You are the innocent party in this three-ring circus. That's Life. xoxo

Act III

Fran to Penelope: OMG...Tom is back on Facebook. This shit is crazy, man. Aberration, for sure!!

Penelope to Fran: What do u mean, he's back? This makes me want to write about it all, but they won't want me to imply the clean up scenario. My husband thinks it's very suspicious that he pushed me so hard to post it that night. Probably a bunch of college kids in a room laughing ... who knows. I always wanted to solve a mystery.

Fran to Penelope: I intuitively believe it was THE Tom who gave you the interview, but he was told he should not have done it without consulting his people. So he had no choice but to do as he was told, with no explanation to you. I have read the interview over and over again, and it strikes me as very genuine. No slander, no profanity, real info with real feelings. Again, it's not your fault you got caught in the middle. Shit like this happens all the time! Get a good night's sleep and we'll talk more about it tomorrow. Ciao.

Penelope to Fran: Thanks, I will write a nice article just in case ....

Fran to Penelope: Tom stated on his page that he was "hacked"....that the last time he looked at his page he had, like, 47 friends! It's hard to know who to believe in a situation like this.

Penelope to Fran: WOW! This is quite the story! So his hacker blocked me ... I guess ...

Fran to Penelope: ??????????????????????????????????

Penelope emails Gwen: The story continues ... apparently "Tom" is back on FB now saying that he was hacked. The "hacker" blocked me before exiting the situation, but we have mutual FB friends. The mutual friends of Tom and myself are now asking about the interview. The reaction to the interview was quite positive actually although fake and people felt that it was very fresh and different, and that he had connected in a cool way. I think he's going to either have to ignore the questions or somehow respond. And some folks are wondering if he did answer the questions, but didn't check with xxx and now it's all being dealt with. I do not plan to suggest that at all ... just so you are aware. Is there any possibility that Tom would be willing to provide his real answers? Of course, your team could approve anything posted. I think it would be a positive outcome that people would find interesting in our world of Facebook intrigue. I like the idea that he would step up and answer the interview questions for me, but honestly I don't care either way. It's just a suggestion. Again, I'm just trying to figure out on my end how best to handle the situation so that I don't look like an idiot. (-: It's just all very upsetting to me. It should be down within 5 minutes.

Gwen to Penelope: Thank you so much for this information. PLEASE tell your mutual friends and anyone who is asking that the person in charge of that facebook profile is not Tom. Tom did not participate in an interview with your outlet – we have confirmed that with Tom.  On another note, we have contacted facebook and are expecting that profile will be taken down; however it may not happen immediately. In regards to an interview, unfortunately he is not available.

Gwen to Penelope: I should not be quoted in your piece as I am talking to you on background. You can of course reference that we contacted you to inform you that the person interviewed was not Tom. Please send us the copy so that we can make sure that we are comfortable with how you represent Tom in your new article. Additionally, please confirm that the current piece quoting the Tom impostor will be taken down immediately. We REALLY appreciate your attention to this matter. THANK YOU.

Penelope to Gwen: Just sent you another email ... then got this. Yes, I am taking it down in about 5 seconds. (-: I will definitely write a new article, and will not quote you. I'll appreciate having you all take a look at it. I will probably write it tomorrow as I want to quickly do my own damage control. If you can then take a quick look, I would greatly appreciate it. (-:

Post reviewed by Gwen goes up on Aberration Nation.

Penelope to Fran: It's down but not deleted. Oh well, seems like I still have an exciting story ... Now I start my own damage control. Here we go ...

Fran to Penelope: What damage is there, really? I don't believe you got duped. I believe Tom possibly went over someones head on this thing, and now he has to mop up his mistake. There is so much red tape when it comes to celebrities being real people and doing real-people things. Oye, you wouldn't believe. LOL

Penelope to Fran: Hey - and we met ... that's a positive! And yes, I think you could be right. Maybe we'll never know. They probably wouldn't want me to say that in my new article so I'll have to be careful.
Fran to Penelope: You have the upper hand here, ya' know. "They" can't do anything to discriminating to you. Stay strong. Stay positive. "We" are the good thing to come from all this. Right on, sistah-friend. ; }Tom has left the building!! SO WEIRD!! I'm stumped for sure. I tell ya, these celebrities come and go off facebook. They start a page, it gets outta hand, they delete their profile, they come back later, they delete that, they change the format...Holy Crap it gets confusing.

Fran to Penelope: Just wait and let the situation cool down a bit. Things look different after a day has gone by. Just sayin'.... Also, xxx@xxx.com is no longer a valid e-mail address. I still believe it was the real Tom who gave you the interview, and that he was told to recant it for professional integrity reasons. You are the innocent party in this three-ring circus. That's Life. xoxo

Fran to Penelope: OMG...Tom is back on Facebook. This shit is crazy, man. Aberration, for sure!!

Penelope to Fran: What do u mean, he's back? This make me want to write about it all but they won't want me to imply the clean up scenario. My husband thinks it's very suspicious that he pushed me so hard to post it that night. Probably a bunch of college kids in a room laughing ... who knows. I always wanted to solve a mystery.

Fran to Penelope: I intuitively believe it was THE Tom who gave you the interview, but he was told he should not have done it without consulting his PR people. So he had no choice but to do as he was told, with no explanation to you. I have read the interview over and over again, and it strikes me as very genuine. No slander, no profanity, real info with real feelings. Again, it's not your fault you got caught in the middle. Shit like this happens all the time! Get a good night's sleep and we'll talk more about it tomorrow. Ciao.

Penelope to Fran: Thanks, I will write a nice article just in case ....

Fran to Penelope: Tom stated on his page that he was "hacked"....that the last time he looked at his page he had, like, 47 friends! It's hard to know who to believe in a situation like this.

Penelope to Fran: WOW! This is quite the story! So his hacker blocked me ... I guess ...

Fran to Penelope: ??????????????????????????????????

Penelope to Tom: Hi Tom, A xxx contacted me an hour ago to say that the interview was a fake. They are asking me to remove it from the blog. Are you aware of this? Thanks, Penelope..

Tom Blocks Penelope

Penelope to Dave: Ok - I am preparing to slit my wrists ... no joke. Should have listened to my gut. Just got an email from Tom's rep, saying that he did not do the interview. It was someone pretending to be him and could i please take it down. I have to figure out damage control now ... Keep this to yourself ... I am checking it out.

Dave to Penelope: sorry! he seemed to have all the details down, school, history and everything

Penelope to Dave: we'll see .... it is very weird ...

Dave to Penelope: I am so sorry, I feel horrible about the confusion

Penelope to Dave: It's not your fault. I think that if it's true a lot of people will be upset. I'll keep you informed as I figure this out.

Penelope to Dave: Is "Tom" gone from your friend list now? Please let me know.

Dave to Penelope: he's still there, why? what's going on?

Penelope to Dave: Long story but it's either an impostor (99% chance) or the real Tom went over his "people's" heads, did the interview, they don't like it and are cleaning it up (1% chance). I took down the interview and I'm writing a new article tomorrow to explain the entire thing. hey, at least I still have an interesting story. (-: His people told me that there are a lot of people impersonating celebrities on FB and that they are talking with FB about it. i guess it's all a lesson learned. A lot of people are going to feel like idiots .... )-:

Dave to Penelope: so sorry, whoever it was knows a lot about Paul's life and was able to speak and write in a tone that would have fit him. I guess there's enough public information there that would allow a person to do that. there's also the question of mutual friends. If it's not him I think a lot of people are being fooled. I am so sorry for any inconvenience I might have caused you.

Penelope to Dave: check out his wall ... the hacker blocked me. Hummm ... I think all his friends should tell him the right thing to do is do a real interview with Penelope ... poor woman ......

Dave to Penelope: checking it out ...things look normal to me. my personal opinion is that it's him. way too many friends in common who would know better. don't write anything too drastic until you have more information.

Fran posts on Toms FB Wall: So you didn't answer interview questions for "Aberration Nation"? Your hacker had an email address with your full name and everything!

Tom to Fran: what happened with the interview?

Fran to Penelope: PENELOPE!! Tom sent me a personal note and asked me "what happened with the interview" after I asked if if was in fact a hacker who had given an interview for Aberration Nation!! OMG, I can't believe this craziness.

Penelope to Fran: Wow! I wonder if he even knows about it. Keep me posted.

Tom posts to his new xxx wall:  To everyone that i know, i made a new account. Sending out requests! To all my wonderful fans, i'll still update this account with important information! Tom

Fran posts to Penelope's wall: Send a friend request to this guy, xxx.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Penelope sends xxx a friend request. Request is accepted.

Penelope writer on xxx's wall: Hi all, it's me, "the interviewer."  I'm having trust issues. 

xxx hits "like"

xxx blocks Penelope 30 minutes later.

Penelope to Fran: Hey he accepted but I think I just got kicked back out ... LOL.  I've been beat up enough for one day. I don't need to be Tom's FB friend. I'm sure he's a great guy, but ....

Penelope posts on her wall:  I think I may be falling out of love with ... Facebook.

Penelope receives outpouring of support from friends. Despite knowing that she's been through significantly worse situations in life, she cries. She finally goes to bed at 3 am.

Day 6:

Fran to Tom under original account that was hacked: The interview by "you" for Aberration Nation is a wonderful piece. The collaboration of Penelope's insightful questions, and "your" inspiring responses, sincerely grabbed my attention. Thus, it really makes me doubt yesterday's startling revelation that you were falsely represented in this matter.

I am an "Intuitive" Tom. It's a special gift I possess which enables it's bearer to "know things that otherwise would not, could not, be known ordinarily". I am still "spreading my wings", as it were, when it comes to reading you Hollywood types, even though I've been in and around this "industry" for several years now and feel I've been privy to quite a variety of gifted personalities. And you are gifted, Tom. I believe you participated in Penelope's interview, either personally or through a "bud" and were later informed by your "people" that it was not in the best interests of your career. Well, that's ok. Shit does indeed happen. We all make mistakes...especially famous people!

But, as if the elaborate cover-up with the claim that you were hacked, along with your creation of an alternate, bizarre Facebook page weren't enough, you nor any of your xxx peeps have appropriately apologized to Penelope for all the stress, disappointment and embarrassment she suffered due to this extremely unfortunate situation...for her! I know it makes no difference in your daily existence, Tom, but this WAS a big deal to Penelope. ;*(

Maybe I've over-stepped by Facebook boundaries here a tad, Tom, but I still have faith in the meaning of honesty, integrity and respect for our fellow beings on this Earth. Not one of us are superior to any fellow human being, no matter how rich and famous we may become in the materialistic realm. I intuitively believe you never meant for things to turn out this way, Tom, but playing with people's reputations here on Facebook, or anywhere else in cyberspace, does not produce the positive energy this planet so desperately requires. I know you're a decent guy and I only hope that you would at least put forth an olive branch, of sorts, to Penelope for what she has suffered because of this extremely unfortunate chain of events.

Tom to Fran: it was through another person, we didn't have permission to do it. That's why they had her take it down, to them it was a "fake" because we have to pass everything we do over to them or we can't do it.

Tom adds Penelope back onto his xxx FB account.

Penelope makes her conclusions about what really happened.  Now the audience must decide.

Curtain Closes