THE DESCENT

The Studio

He paced his room floor. Wooden and sharp it was, nails poked from the bottom of it. He wondered why he even still lived there, but his mother insisted, as her father built the very tetanus inducing floor he'd slept on his entire life. Mother was too poor for getting him much. He had a blanket and a pillow to sleep on, which was enough for him oddly. He stopped, noting a recorder on the floor. God, he hadn't used it in a while. He carefully sat down in front of it and spoke:

"Dearest mother,
I'm very glad to admit my talents of instruments have come with new purpose. I'm going to be working in the newest animation studio, that one owned by a Mr. Drew. My dear friend Henry works there, I believe it's a stable enough work environment for anyone my age. I-I realize I'm only 20, and I should've gone to college by now but um...b-believe me mother! This will pull in extra money...I-I promise...
Your son, Samuel,"

Sammy clicked the stop button on the recorder. All his mother would have to do is rewind it. He stood up. He smiled nervously, walking out of his room. His mother was out again, probably with her friends. His little brother was at school and his sister was probably at work.

He sighed, continuing to look at the ground so the nails wouldn't go through his black leather cap toe shoes he'd bought himself. He grabbed his small bag of clothes and headed out. He reached the door and looked up. "Well...this is goodbye ya turtle snapper!" He playfully punched the wall of the house. surprisingly it didn't budge. "See ya never," he grinned. He opened the door and ran out. "Oh Jesus Christ it's cold!" He laughed. He was used to it, but why not announce it.

Henry was outside in an automobile. Sammy ran to him. "Hey Sammy. Hop in, we're headed to the studio right away," Henry smiled. Sammy laughed excitedly, hopping in and throwing his suitcase into the unnecessary backseat. "Finally! Henry I'm so excited you can't comprehend it!" Sammy beamed. Henry chuckled. "Buckle up, its a long ride," Henry told him. Sammy buckled his seatbelt, shivering slightly.

"Here, take my coat." Henry gave him a spare coat. "Thank you...Sincerely, thanks for not letting me die today" Sammy smiled at Henry. "You're welcome." Henry grinned, starting the automobile with a clunk. "That did not sound ok" Sammy frowned. "Oh no, that's normal. It'll start sounding ok in 2 minutes" Henry reassured. Sammy nodded. "Let's go!" Henry yelled excitedly, driving off.

-

Henry pulled up to the studio. It had been a 6 hour drive, which was impressive according to Henry. It had a large logo on the front, three projector reels and letters that read "JOEY DREW STUDIOS" a man was on a ladder and doing finishing touches on the 'S'. He looked down to the two men in the car and smiled.

He climbed down, having finishing the 'S'. "Henry!" He beamed. "Hey Joey!" Henry grinned. They hi-fived each other. "This is Sammy Lawrence," Henry introduced the man. "Glad to have you on our team, Mr. Lawrence!" Joey shook Sammy's hand. "G-Glad to be out here, Mr. Drew," Sammy stammered. "No need, just call me Joey," Joey smiled. "Then just call me Sammy" Sammy chuckled nervously.

"Alright then. You're in the music department. Basement level." Joey smiled, helping Sammy out of the car. "Thank you," Sammy smiled. "Instruments need tuned, get there as fast as you can, ok? You gotta meet your co-workers first!" Joey clapped. Sammy nodded, heading inside followed by Henry then Joey.

Sammy looked to his right to find Jack Fain, the songwriter.

"Names Jack, you must be Samuel!" He beamed. Sammy painfully nodded, shaking his hand. "Sammy, please," he grimaced. Jack looked into Sammy's eyes. They were full of regret and anger. "Golly...ok" Jack responded.

Susie approached him. "Hi Sammy, I'm Susie" she smiled politely to him. "Hello Susie. Henry tells me you'll be Alice Angel. What a perfect role too" Sammy smiled. Susie giggled in response.

"Shawn Flynn. Merchandizing" "Pleasure," "Wally Franks, janitor" "nice to meet ya" "Norman Polk, projectionist" "cool!" "Thomas Connor, repairman...in case." "Nice!" "Grant Cohen, accountant" "swell!"

"Lacie Benton! Here to help until we get goin. Then Bertrum and I will work on an amusement park," she smiled

"I take it you're B-...Bertrum" Sammy's eyes widened. Bertrum was surprisingly attractive to him.

'OH GOD AM I GAY?!' He thought.

"Are you alright Sammy?" Bertrum asked. Sammy cleared his throat "yeah it's just you're a manager!" He lied. "It's alright, I won't be too hard on you," Bertrum reassured. "Where are you from?" Bertrum asked. "America," "Here? Ouch," "I know!" Sammy laughed nervously.

"You can guess where I'm from," Bertrum chuckled. "Pff Europe" Sammy smiled. "You feel better already don't ya?" Bertrum smiled back. "Yes I do. Wow. Okay thank you." Sammy responded. A slight blush crossed Sammy's face. "I-I have to go tune instruments," Sammy said politely. "We can talk after then," Bertrum responded. "Bye!" Sammy waved a little then ran.

"I think someone likes you, Bertie," Lacie whispered. Bertrum nodded in response. "I know...I'd like to know him better before anyone leaps into a 'fake girlfriend' arrangement," he whispered back.

Only Lacie, Bertrum, and Henry had caught on. Surprisingly enough the increased anxiety didn't give anyone else a hint, maybe they thought it was because of Jack earlier. Humans are oblivious as to what's happening around them if they're zoned in their own selves. That was Joey's problem.

END.