Alex' POV - Present
Alas, time passes so swiftly...
... is something I couldn't say.
The past three months were HELL.
He was only good at acting, but sucked at social skills. He threw around unsolicited advice to other departments, was blunt in throwing feedback at people, got his role modified to what he likes, made five people quit the troop, and didn't let us hire temporary actors because they gave 'bad vibes.'
I still don't have the answer to the mystery as to why Margie is even tolerating him. Is he that powerful? Or is she that desperate? Or perhaps she has fallen in love with him at the first sight?
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"
I heard Margie scream loud.
Probably not.
Since today was my day to broom the floors, I was doing my work farther away from the stage. I walked a little towards the center row to see what the fuss is about. Something told me it was going to be interesting, so I stopped my work and tied my jacket on my waist, since the chore made me sweaty.
It was none other than him, yet again.
Oh Margie was furious today. She was dressed up in her sweats and was holding a roll of papers in her hand. She walked straight out the bed for this. It must be serious.
"Margie, let me expla-"
"Nothing is left to say, Ben. You went to our sponsor and told them to back off because you don't like your role?" She furrowed her eyebrows.
I gasped loudly, causing them to shoot a glance at me.
"No Margie, I didn't do anything like that." He was almost squeaking.
I leaned my head on the broom, wondering what goes on in his head. She was already dealing with me planning to quit as a writer in the troop and today he really messed up big time by involving the sponsor. I wonder why she even tolerates him.
He doesn't even look that scary. In fact today, he was dressed up in a fluffy butter yellow hoodie with black pants, looking like a small duckling fearing death. He was wearing black-rimmed glasses that sat on his little nose, which made him look like a wallflower.
Oh, he was looking pathetic.
"Ben, I'm afraid you'd have to qui-"
Right at that moment, her phone rang.
Ah yes the golden words, but was the call really necessary?
"Yes, yes... I understand. Alright, I'll pay heed next time." She said as hung up the phone.
She let out a massive sigh and looked at him in despair. I could tell she's done with him. The magic words were just about to come out.
"Alex..."
Me?
"You don't wish to work right? Meet me at my office in ten minutes."
My hand slipped from the broom, causing me to trip.
I couldn't believe it.
"As for Ben..." She sighed again. "Please don't repeat it next time."
What the f*ck? The troublemaker is right in front of her and yet she chose to let me go? Is this why people seek power? Because it gives people this level of protection? I literally wrote a million plays for her, his contribution amounts to zero, yet she chose him?
My heart sank. I gave around a year to this troop and they just decided to let me go without any discussion or giving a chance to solve the issues. Alas, this may have been human life in the past. Maybe it is quite common for them, but for us once you are instated, you fulfill the role for life.
I started brooming the floor again, brushing the carpet and my thoughts at once.
'He really must be powerful.'
'But if I leave what can I even do?'
'I think this system will give me immunity, right?'
'But what if it doesn't? Besides the theatre, I can access my dorm in the facility and that's where the world boundary ends.'
I began pacing back and forth in worry, as my feet faltered. I looked up at him and he had a very strange expression.
His eyes had widened as if he was staring at me, jaws clenched, his chest was heaving, lips slightly pursed open and tears welling up in his eyes.
It was a mix of anger, sadness and guilt? All rolled into one. I had never seen him this expressive, even on stage during the plays. I couldn't help but stare back at him. It was nothing short of a spectacle.
He didn't break eye contact as he walked out of the auditorium.
But I had no business with him either way starting today, so I went back to brooming the floor.
I picked up the trash and disposed it off, just in time for my meeting with Margie. I had become habituated to work along the clock for her and squeeze in things inside time slots. It was a skill I had polished over the years. Maybe after today I won't need it.
I began walking towards her office, located on the second floor of the next building. Along the way, I was hoping I could get some creative freedom in my next gig, maybe even good food as rewards, employee benefits and a friendly environment.
It then hit me.
It was my last day here today.
I was going to leave this place.
Strangely, a synthesised world with artificial people began to mean a little more to me.
I looked around the place, the heavy carpeted hallways, the oxidised chandeliers, the rustic doors, I was going to miss them all.
One of the doors looked open. I went closer to check what's happening.
Guess who it was? Yep. Right.
He was standing in the music room, leaning one of his hands on the piano, and the other holding his phone. I heard him laugh out loud.
I clung on to the door frame outside, peeking to see what he was up to.
"Thanks a lot for saving me today... I almost got fired by the chick." He said.
'Wait what?'
"Yeah, had you not acted as my father, I wouldn't have been saved. Thankfully I stored your number in emergency contacts."
'Is he serious?'
"But I feel bad for the writer. Poor lad got fired because of me."
By now, my rage had no heights. My heart was thumping hard as I felt smoke coming out of my ears, with an uneasy and urgent feeling sweeping over me.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" I barged right into the room, grabbing both corners of his hoodie resting on his shoulder.
He began to resist by pushing me away, grabbing both my wrists hard. I pushed him back onto the piano again, while he tried to make me lose my balance. Our encounter led to the most disharmonious noises emerging from the piano. Right then, our eyes met.
His eyes lacked the charm of that day, they were dulled and dead, almost like glass eyes of a doll, detailed but dead. They seemed to lack any feelings, yet the time seemed to have slowed down around us. The warm lights above flickered like my mood and I gradually began to cool down, relaxing my grip over him.
"Alex..." His darned soft deep voice again, almost sent me into a freeze mode.
A sharp note emerged from the piano, causing me to shiver back to reality.
This was no time for relaxing.
"Spit it. WHY?" I screamed, fighting back the urge.
I tightened my grip again.
"I was compelled." He said, while trying to free my hands. "Let me go I'll tell you I promi-"
I pushed him hard, leaving him to fall on the cardboard boxes on the floor.
"Tell me. Now." I said, looking down at him with my eyes turned red.
"My real dad didn't allow me to pursue acting." He said, wiping his hands and get back at his feet. "If he'd know I was here, he would shut this entire place down."
Those dead eyes again.
"And why did I get involved?" My gaze shifted upwards.
"It wasn't me. It was solely Margie. She mixed up the situations. I didn't involve you. You stood there in front of her."
"What if I don't trust you?"
"Also, take this!"
I landed a sharp punch on his cheek, causing him to fall down again.
He had an annoying smirk on his face. "What was this weak punch for?" His words seemed to be mockery.
"This is so you never refer to women as 'chicks'. Respect them."
He scoffed.
I was standing in my place, glancing at him as picked up my phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, yes Margie, I have something to tell you..."
He looked at me with his eyes widened.