monstrous-mouse

[monstrous-mouse]

Glenn is a total diva once he gets into drag!

[monstrous-mouse]

Hello Mr. Hines.

In a cold small office in the year 1957 sits one of the most famous men in the whole world, or at least in his mind. The fan spins slowly and lets out an occasional squeak, pushed by a small draft from the window; this is enough to cause a disturbance as the smoke from his cigarette flows into the air. Douglas sits in his chair with his feet up resting on his desk and getting his paperwork dirty with dried mud. His manager, Martin Campbell enters the room with a big cigar in his mouth- the smell quickly overpowering Douglas’ cigarette.

“Hines. As you know I’m retiring from business and you’re looking for a new manager.” He says and sits down in a chair that looks small compared to his large form, it makes a small creak that Douglas likes to imagine is a call for help.

He pushes Douglas’ feet down which causes the dirtied papers to scatter across the ground.

Douglas quickly turns to look at Martin with a swift glare. “Yeah? Are you rubbing it in my face?” He ashes his cigarette on an old fine china plate that had been collecting dust in his recently deceased father’s attic. He calls Martin a snake under his breath.

Martin lets out a snort and props himself up in the chair causing another painful squeak to come from it. “No, of course not! My son wants to take over my job- remember Roger? You met him on the set of ‘Mystery Etiquette’ when he was only seven I think.”

Douglas raises an eyebrow and leans back in his chair. “That kid? Yeah, he broke one of the cameras.” He takes a brief pause to think. “Do you think he’s fit to manage talent? It’ll be twice as difficult considering you drove us into the ground.”

“No, he isn’t fit but he wants to try. Roger’s always had a very…positive outlook on the world.”

“Okay? So when am I going to meet this kid?”

“Tomorrow. I just wanted to give you a heads up.” Martin stands up, making a grunting sound. He leans forward and rests his hands on the desk, “Considering you’re my favorite talent.” He lets out a scratchy chuckle and ruffles Douglas’ hair.

Douglas pulls his head away and stands from his own chair to fix his hair in the mirror propped up to his right just above a load of other crap from his dad.

Martin laughs loudly. “I’ll tell him to get here around 6:30 to meet you.��� He exits the office, leaving only the strong stench of his cigar.

The next morning, Douglas wakes up at 5:00 sharp and dresses in a white shirt and black dress pants. He slips into his black leather shoes and makes his way to the office at 6:00.

He enters at 6:17 and waits at the front door next to the secretary, Virginia. He glances at his silver watch every now and again, counting as the minutes slowly go by.

“He’s late. It’s 6:34.” Douglas looks at Virginia and puts his hands on his hips.

“It’s his first day, cut him some slack.” She smiles sweetly and looks back down at her paperwork, shuffling through it and picking up a pen.

The faint sound of “Walking in the Sunshine” playing in the background seems to get louder as Douglas glares at the door, his anger increasing.

“It’s his first day, that’s more the reason he should have been here.” Douglas goes to the door and looks around outside; only seeing the dirty streets and a small number of people walking to work. “Where is this kid? I swear this new generation has no morals!” He says through gritted teeth.

“I’ll call his home phone.” Virginia suggests and reaches for the phone.

Douglas leans over and puts his cold, rough hand on hers. “Don’t bother.” He snarls and pulls away.

“What does the kid look like?” Virginia asks while picking her pen back up.

“I don’t know…blond, I think? I didn’t look at him too much and it was in 1935, 22 years ago!” Douglas checks his watch again: 6:46.

“Oh there was a blond fellow who stopped in, I didn’t recognize him. He went back to the offices.”

“Virginia.” He looks up at her. “You didn’t tell me this?”

Virginia looks at him with slight shame and fear. “I’m sorry..really..I thought he was just new talent! I didn’t think you’d want to meet him!”

Douglas picks up the stapler and throws it at the wall, Virginia flinches at the loud bang, she starts crying and begging for Douglas’ forgiveness. He shuffles in his pocket for a cigarette, his hands shaking with anger as he lights it. He storms off to the back offices.

“Roger! Where are you, you little weasel?!” Douglas screams in the middle of the room and looks around.

All the other managers and talent cower down slightly in their cubicles and look away as to not get Douglas’ attention. Douglas goes to his room, he pushes the open and as it squeaks forward Douglas jolts back as he notices a blond man in his chair.

“Hello, Mr. Hines.” The man says. “You’re very late.”

Douglas flinches and inhales a bit too much smoke; he begins coughing and takes the cigarette from his mouth. He looks up and examines the man before him. A muscular build with short blond hair and pale skin, his eyes are a deep green almond shape.

“Roger?” Douglas enters the room and slams the door behind him, he goes up to the desk. “You little fucking slime! What are you doing in my office?! Why were you early?”

“You need to take a breath, Mr. Hines.” Roger looks very unfazed. He ashes his cigarette on the china plate.

Douglas shoves the plate onto the ground. He glares at Roger whose eyes are now on the shattered glass.

Roger stands up and walks around the desk, he steps over the glass and looks down at Douglas. “Sir. I’m here to help you.”

“Like hell you are.” Douglas stares up at him, refusing to back down. He’s gotten himself into many problems like this. Blinded by his own ego so much he’s almost gotten completely blacklisted.

“I have an idea, Mr Hines.” Roger puts out his cigarette on the desk. “To help you out of this..predicament.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“It’s your own show.”

Douglas pauses. He puts the butt of his now burnt cigarette on the ground and puts it out with his heel. Roger crosses his arms.

“Continue, Roger.”

“A talk show. You interview celebrities, you were considerably famous in the 40s so I could find a studio using that to ride off of.”

Douglas looks at him with softer eyes. “Yes. I agree. What do I do to get this?”

“Just sit back and relax.” Roger smiles and holds out his hand.

Douglas eagerly shakes.