There's no business like show business. Pt 2 (489 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 2 on 9 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Timmah http://www.these-bloody-hands.tk (View user info) at 2005-02-13 17:49:52 EST
Winters.
The winters had once been a time that Andrew had enjoyed, the knowledge that the next year was coming and another year of parties, award ceremonies and general hob knobbery.
Now they spelled nothing but more misery. The soggy remains of another year wasted, spelled out in the autumnal colours of fallen leaves.
Andrew sat at his apartment window. Regarding the playful innocence of the neighbourhood kids with interest and sadness. He watched them roll the third and final snowball for their masterpiece. A six foot high snowman. They places the ball on top of the dirty white snowman and began constructing it's features with anything they could find. They gave him eyes of stone, a smile made from a bent stick and a nose from a craftily stolen carrot.
He stared at the snowman. It's sinister, twisted and crooked smile taunting him with the promise of nothing but more backs turned and more doors closed. A tear formed in his eye and he turned away from the window quickly.
He looked around his apartment. It was small and damp. A undersized, rented television sat in the corner. He remembered going to get it. The man in the shop had smiled at him at first. Then a look of recognition had spread across his face and he simply shoved the television into Andrew's dirty hands and turned away. Such was his life now. The television was accented by an old vcr that was no longer useful for anything accept standing the television on. He glanced over the coffee table he sat and picked up the old telephone sitting at one end.
He dialled a number and sat waiting for an answer.
"Hello? Yeh hey, I need to order a pizza." He said, rubbing his face in fatigue.
"Extra large, with everything."
"Yes you know the address." He put the phone down safe in the knowledge that, for at least a couple of days, he could dull the pain of the prospects of another Christmas alone.
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There were three distinct knocks on the door and Jason pulled his weight up from the couch, making his way slowly.
"Pizza delivery!" Said a small voice from behind the door.
As he pulled open the door, a shady looking figure squeezed between the door and the wall and Andrew shut the door behind him.
"Alright Andrew?" The man had his hood up and his head down. But Andrew need not see his face to tell who it was.
"I've been better, Billy"
"Ah that's too bad mate. Any luck on the auditions front?" He asked whilst bringing his hood down. Allowing his thin, sunken face to make itself apparent.
"None what so ever. I can't even get a role in a community theatre. The last place a I went to didn't even let me read my lines. They looked at me and told me I wasn't what the were looking for. Community theatre, Billy!"
"I'm sure you'll find your feet, mate. Although this stuff" He threw a medium sized zip bag filled with white powder onto the coffee table "isn't going to help you."
Andrew smirked "Thanks for your concern, Billy but I don't think it's any of your business. You're getting your money aren't you?" Billy, even though the main street supplier for the area, had a heart. And a soft spot for the tragic. He'd never met anyone quite as tragic as Andrew.
He picked up the bag, gesturing to Billy.
"You going to join me for one?"
"Sorry mate. Can't be doing that no more. Have to keep a straight head. A dealer should never use his own goods."
"I guess you're right." Andrew said dully. He poured a small amount of the white powder onto a large plate that he had on the coffee table, reached for the razor blade sitting next to the plate and began to cut into the white powder. "So how's business?" He asked between putting the razor blade down and reaching for a rolled up note.
"It's going well since old fish eye Graham was sent down." He said with a smug smile on his face.
"Graham hot busted?"
"Yep. Poor bastard only had five grams on him as well." Seven years for possession.
"Too bad, too bad." Andrew bent double over the coffee table, his tousled hair obscuring his view. He swept it back, placed the note just inside his left nostril, plugged his right one and did the white line in one. His head tilted back, his eyes bulged from his sockets and he let out a appreciative groan. He looked up at Billy with wide eyes.
"That's better." He said with a smile. Picking up his wallet he began counting out money for Billy.
"Oh while I'm here Andrew I've got a message to pass on."
"Yeh?"
"From Vince" Vince was Billy's supplier and fishing buddy. "He wants to know if you need a job" Jason stopped counting the money in his hand and looked up at Billy.
"Me?"
"Yup, says it's quite important. Don't know what's wrong with me. But he specifically asked for you." Billy shrugged.
"Did he say what it's about?"
Billy grinned.
To be continued.
User Reviews
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2005-02-21 21:17:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Very cool.
Sorry it took me too long to get to it.
I'm such a nob that I actually thought he was ordering pizza.
Submitted by Benny (user info) at 2005-02-14 17:57:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This was really good. I'll be looking forward to the third part.
Submitted by Timmah (user info) at 2005-02-13 21:31:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
79 hits WHOO!
Submitted by CookieLass (user info) at 2005-02-13 21:25:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
this needs more reads. And a proof-read =P
Submitted by MrRottenTreats (user info) at 2005-02-13 21:01:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff boy, I don't like waiting though so make the next one quick.
Submitted by Pentameter (user info) at 2005-02-13 20:42:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I like...I'm glad you're continuing.
Submitted by Timmah (user info) at 2005-02-13 20:07:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
someone read and rate for goodness sake heh
Submitted by DonkeyOnTheEdge (user info) at 2005-02-13 18:28:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Getting better.
Submitted by Timmah (user info) at 2005-02-13 17:51:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
finally took Snark and JMG's advice and included a bit more dialogue. Hope you enjoy.