Reel

As the cast and crew gather on their set for the Café Society, the first racially integrated nightclub, Neevah thinks about the history around the actual locale, including the ground-breaking performance of Billie Holiday singing “Strange Fruit.”

Takira shows Neevah the podcast with Camille, and Neevah feels sick, wondering if people will believe she hasn’t earned her place in the movie. Canon comes into the meeting and offers Neevah a ride home. She’s stunned that he would confirm their involvement in front of everyone but pleased that he thinks of them as a couple.

Canon is defensive when Verity calls, but she says she’s happy for him. He refers to Neevah as his girlfriend and thinks that, instead of restrictive, the term fits: “It feels the way she feels—tailor-made for me” (278). Neevah says she doesn’t care if people talk; she thinks that audiences will be moved by the story, and she’s proud to be part of the movie. She’s proud to be with Canon, too.

After they have sex, Canon stays for dinner. He apologizes that Camille’s stunt has outed them and that he couldn’t shield her. Neevah replies that she needs him to be beside her, not shielding her.