Open Case File [COMPLETED]

An Odd Encounter

Too late, not crying at a character's death. Isn't that a standard for readers? Mason shook his head and sipped his now lukewarm coffee but didn't notice the temperature.

"You in the back," Joy said.

"So I'm right in assuming that when you write heart wrenching scenes you rub your hands together and laugh?"

"No," Joy said. "I need my hands to type. Duh. Next?"

Mason felt his mouth tug strangely at the corner and quickly fixed the weird reaction.

"Hi!"

"Hello."

"I have three questions, is that okay?"

"Yup, just ask them quickly."

"What's the name of a book you would love to gift your loved ones? Someone you're romantically connected with I mean. Do you think you a person can trust another person completely with everything in real life without fear of getting hurt? What's more valuable to you, years of friendship or honesty?"

Mason stared baffled at the reader. Not questions he would have expected to be asked but curious how this bizarre author would answer. That was, he wasn't curious curious, he simply wasn't leaving because the chair was comfortable and he still had his muffin to eat.

"Good questions," Joy said. "First, The Scarlett Pimpernel because it's a beautiful book. Though I don't have a romantic person at this time and my standards have been destroyed, not by fictional male characters but BTS because they are real and so I have no hope. But that's a topic for a different day.

"Second question, no I don't. Unless that person is extremely naive and never faced anything hard ever in their life. People fear and people specifically fear over love and trust. It's the way of life."

Mason nodded, oddly agreeing with this strange person.

"As for the last question, honesty. Friendship will mean jack squat if that friend isn't being truthful with you. Okay, let's move on since I feel like I've destroyed the happy, joyful mood of the room. And yes I was being punny, I like a good name pun okay? Now! You, what's your question?"

Heads turned as towards the reader and Mason saw a girl beaming with excitement.

"Please the fact that you're going to answer my question makes me want to jump up and down," she said.

Joy waved to her. "By all means, don't let me stop your need to jump. I'm a huge supporter of jumpers. But only those not on a ledge. Too dark? Sorry. Quick, ask your question."

"I feel like I forgot all my questions."

"How about jumping once and seeing if that jogs your memory?"

Who said things like that? Whatever, it seemed to mean something because he watched as the girl bounced a little and her face lit up.

"If you didn't become a writer, what would you be?" she asked.

"Depends on what year I decided not to be a writer," Joy said. "If early on, then an actress. Specifically a musical theater actress. If a bit later then a singer songwriter. Further on, a CEO of my family's business. But I'm a writer and that suits me best. Next, though if anyone else feels like jumping up and down maybe we should all do it together. No? Okay, moving on."

Mason sipped his coffee again, hating the fact that he was curious about what had changed within each time frame to go from actress to singer-songwriter to CEO. He shook his head, need to get rid of that curiosity. He really should leave. After the next question.