CHAPTER THREE
A thousand bulbs pop and flash, thundering diamonds making a piece of history eternal. Viggo Hayes’s garage door opens, and his pitch black car backs out. The tires roll with predatory grace. The paparazzi drones hover, making room for the car to drive away. From inside, both brothers with bruised, swollen faces stare ahead. The silence is deafening. The silence is safer. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbMqxE1ehV
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgG8YEfs1h
They get on the parkway and travel into deep traffic. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jvu2NwmQO
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzn6PlwJmw
“Great,” Viggo taps the wheel. Kirby checks the speedometer. They’re going 70. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC3ozHgdIn
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVvitHWRzJ
They pass a car that had been ahead of them, a loser who had been texting. Kirby tightens his seatbelt. Has Viggo used a blinker? His brother places his cellphone on a mantle just as it vibrates, pinging a new notification. They see a text from Harold his lawyer: We have a Kirby situation. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkqIkhk1KN
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVtyLeJacf
Viggo and Kirby share a glance, immediately suspicious of each other. They ask the same of each other: What is this Kirby situation? They pass another car. Kirby’s pretty sure this time that Viggo hasn’t used a blinker. What is this irrational fear? 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMhOnjxmbH
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9LoDi2zuY
Viggo calls up his lawyer, “What is it?” Kirby could lipread that much. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKYKBAnFzj
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueN7UaSE2g
The lawyer says something startling. Kirby notices how Viggo flushes pink. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCP2YU0F2f
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteKsPJCohO
They brake to a horrid screech, almost hitting a car. As they enter a low-lit tunnel, Viggo puts on his seatbelt and ends the call quietly. Strokes across the screen bring up the news app and several articles. Lo and behold, Kirby Hayes is trending up there with the Taylor bombing.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz7JAJyubE
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0fMc5La22
Photos of last night, when Viggo had brought him a change of clothes at the airport, show Kirby unbuckling his jeans, stripping down to shamrock boxers. He has a hardened Spartan body with a happy trail down his flat stomach while Viggo hands him a highfalutin jacket. Planet Earth and the plane that blew are juxtaposed directly behind them. It looks planned, like a fashion magazine shoot. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqK1EUsZu0
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwUVbfqiTg
“STRIP SHOW SCANDAL.” Yeah right, Kirby thinks, snorting by the next headline. “BROTHERLY LOVE.” Either way, it doesn’t come off as a bad situation. Maybe? They both seem to look good. Kirby smiles, wondering what Chance secretly thinks. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQXhXwOzgG
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEkhJEK8aZ
Viggo, on the other hand, shoots him a hateful glare. He turns the volume to the max, shattering the silence with grating rock. Yikes. It unnerves Kirby to look the other way. Once he sees a driver wearing a wooden mask, he frowns. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrD6AVlds2
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvLseDc3pc
A horrible woeful face looks back at him behind glass, two stained rivers of black that stream down from the eyes. The cars are right next to each other. Viggo doesn’t notice. The Spook decides to wave with a gloved hand. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9DOewBbGa
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUV18oPfuu
What the hell’s that? Kirby peeks back. That car backs out of sight, slowing down behind a sea of weaving vehicles. Skyden has weirdos too, I guess. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtKafzHgdg
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjffvtphF0
Kirby faces straight ahead at the road. He starts to worry. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZfgp3WA3y
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jp3fDY246
The traffic starts to lessen, so they speed up to 80. The music starts cutting. Viggo’s knuckles go white. When the road makes a curve, the car shifts. They rattle in their seats, leaning left. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48pGDJPlNQ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN76G7hb1vi
The speed radar sign flashes and tells them that they’re over limit. Kirby demands him to slow down. He’s ignored. Oh my god. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgjUYPzk9r
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg7RN4xQcP
They go 90 and traffic is back. More cars flood as much space as they can, taking their sweet time. Viggo swerves in between two lanes. Kirby starts yelling at the top of his lungs but then stops. It does no good. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wk00TqZ1N
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHhmTpFaej
He realizes with his eyes that Viggo’s already trying. He’s really trying to stop. His feet are already slamming down on the brakes. Nothing. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6prZ94Brn1
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlOXR9FHlQ
That’s when Kirby palms the window and thinks: We’re going to die. A semi truck with all its weight looms ahead. He begins hyperventilating, wondering what is the safest position to lock into before that smash. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bHpXdMwfj
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzOmyJZrRn
His brother slaps the wheel and steers ever so slightly to avoid such a swerve. The car jerks. They hurtle ahead many honking cars, cutting across several lanes, but they make it. Some cars spin to a halt. Oh god, oh god.557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Szphthf4A
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VG1aGzDNg
Viggo squeezes at the car key, trying to yank it out. It doesn’t budge, and the gears don’t either. Kirby winces, peeking at the speedometer. They’re going past 100! 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVfZmnpk7i
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWqQjUNTu7
Sirens wail behind them, red and blue thundering diamonds. The police. Three police cars and a helicopter gain on them. They see more police cars parked ahead. Viggo and Kirby share a doomed glance, their faces bruised and beaten. Viggo’s eyes start to lower, downcast and defeated. His brother struggles to say something final, something witty. Kirby’s eyes start to well up. This is it. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKOLdo59EQ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rOiAw7JTB
But something changes in his brother’s face. Another idea sparks. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt7HPXSsDf
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83mS4EMZlJ
Viggo tears a net of wires from under the steering wheel. He gives some to Kirby who understands what they must do. More! Viggo fumbles with the wires, rooting through bundles for some taut lines. Together they roar and yank them out, flayed apart. That kills the engine dead. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4552Zi6Je
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZPdBwpOJo
His brother slams at the brakes, but it’s still no good. The police orders him to stop. They don’t. Kirby holds his breath. The black car charges past the razor line with too much momentum. Rip. Pop. The tires are ruined but unstoppable. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXprXhOf6u
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5gld6eH0K
Officers scramble away from the rampage. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qM0KXeKnZ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgOREy2ZRp
They crash through the parked cars, significantly slowed. But along comes the edge. Beyond that is a long quiet fall to the ground. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lRs2P5xYq
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9gUPOFluY
Viggo eyes the emergency brake handle. He grabs it with a trembling hand. For a moment, he looks at Kirby who gives him a nod. Do it. He pulls it. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmOW5tIfLc
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM7OPSOf9V
The car flips. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl38EjDhFO
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mOs95nCJw
The world tumbles in a savage spiral as Kirby’s head knocks the ceiling and Viggo’s arm shatters through the window. No time to scream. Like a rollercoaster, gravity pulls them in a twist. Hair, face, sneaker. The car flips twice more through the air before scraping along the asphalt, raining sparks. They grind against the road. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVMSZ8EBUS
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGMmgHrY04
Ouch, Kirby thinks numbly before blacking out. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpP3Y6XQjs
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWBs61vbnH
It seems like a dream when Viggo is taken away, handcuffed behind his back. He’s alive. He’s shouting that his little brother’s deaf. Have mercy. Fade to black. It seems almost as if Kirby’s body is floating in black water until a dozen hands snatch him back awake. It seems like a nightmare but is real. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o5B9YsqEs
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP9c731u4L
He’s on the parkway, lying in an ambulance. My neck… ack. The pain runs bone deep. This is Kirby’s first whiplash but he’s suffered only minor injuries. He recalls the Spook and that sympathetic wave. They were attacked in bright daylight and framed. Attempted manslaughter. What’s going to happen to Viggo? Or me? 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAaCJf6juE
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8chE1dn8WU
Kirby grips his neck, trying not to move so much. His entire body is so sore, he can’t help but squirm. It isn’t long before an officer gives him a ride to Pegasus Studios. It ends up an uneventful and brief ride, despite the alarms going off in his head. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHv65xoVXB
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5ifzMatN3
They arrive on a large campus where brick buildings and palm trees are lit up on display. They pass gigantic winged horses for statues and the crew on their sets. Unwilling to go any further, the officer drops him off at the curb and leaves. Kirby limps to the dorm alone, looking zombified. Everything about him is roughed up, like he had a fight with the road, and he lost. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36j2cAvcw0
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpeUwPxTdY
The dorm is a weird underground complex but small enough to navigate. It’s so early in the morning so the place seems dead, dreary lights, darkness, and all. He finds his room at the end of the white hall, marked with his name and his title, Pegasus Studios Intern. It’s a narrow room with bare walls, a window, and a double mattress. A prison bunk compared to the oversized bed he had last night. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktVGBirQ5q
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoWt2JVBrP
The room does have a zero gravity button. I’d take this over that house any day. I’d at least feel a little freer. But not safer, that thought comes by. Not even a lock on the door. I can’t sleep with one eye open. Tried that once. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy9MKCqGDI
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXA4Remdkz
He wastes no time starting a hot shower. That’s when he gets to thinking. They were targeted. It’s that sad weirdo, Kirby’s sure of it. Their car got hacked, remotely, on the road. Just like that. He had no time to tell anyone about it. He rubs his temples. Why target us? 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wH8F21Sqf
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPSCwt4D5P
Kirby remembers the car crash all over again. It pains him to remember the way his brother looked wanting to say something, faced with the reality that they’d might soon perish. Viggo has never looked that guilty before. Monstrous but contrite. Like it’s somehow his fault, and he’s had it long coming. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6Ue1dxw2a
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99S39D7Jdg
Kirby gets out of the shower and checks his phone, even though he knows there’s still no reply from Chance Gott. Out of habit. Must be busy, I guess. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGSxLFFRVM
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJRTn9eKSj
He dries off and checks the news. This time, Kirby Hayes is trending everywhere, especially right after a cop chase turned car wreck was captured on live television. He buries his face into his hands. And I just got here. Mom and Dad are going to freak when they see this. He combs through the cheap branded hoodies and jeans for the best matching pair. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvBdz0L8c4
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPxGps5UUE
Even worse, medical records are turning up from his past, dredged up from planet Earth. He moans. Someone’s found out about a failed suicide attempt that happened one year ago. Pill overdose. That was a dark time. It becomes hard to swallow and even harder to think straight. Viggo isn’t kidding. The paparazzi really are sharks. The headlines scream echoes in his head: “DANGER TO SOCIETY?” “WHICH HAYES BROTHER DROVE OFF THE ROAD?” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRt3pdetOk
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxvZ2BTZON
Ugh. Kirby does an eyeroll as he puts on his sneakers, savaged from the wreck. His reputation looks ruined already. But if he’s not careful, either one of them can end up demonized. They’re good-ish, for now. Right? 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhR1KImqnH
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vMjtDtQZu
Iris Frisk knocks on his open door for a while, a redhead all dressed in white. He doesn’t hear her, but once he notices, he freezes like a deer in headlights. Viggo’s ex. She may look like Emma Stone, but she moves like Jen Lawrence. She creeps in with a big darling smile, a dry erase board and a marker, taking a seat next to him. He clears his throat to feel better. She’s not even a star but he’s already starstruck. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdHnSAeZ8l
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArcdEVCDxG
She debates on it but shows him a barely legible scribble: I’m Iris. I know your brother. Heard what happened... Are you okay? Is there anything I can do? 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsMUg4zeqW
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA1oYKQdQ0
He shakes his head and gives her a small appreciative smile. She’s more shy than she shows to the public. However, Iris doesn’t look satisfied. Her bovine eyes fixate on a spot for a minute before she wipes the board clear. Her small hand scribbles furiously. How are you getting back at him then? 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvGVhMuDXq
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjo6z1v9Mj
Kirby recoils. He writes: Back at him? Why would I do that? 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOV3JYEFTF
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6IVZj6EuQ
It dawns on Iris’s face. “You don’t know…” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzZBWm3z1u
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXdowt4P03
She brings out her phone and directs him to a video of Viggo Hayes outside the police station an hour ago, rubbing his unchained wrists. This happened during the shower. An underlying headline shouts: “CHARGES AGAINST HAYES DROPPED.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShN8XaIEd2
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9nQyTxhnx
That’s quick. Harold his lawyer must’ve said some things right. His brother looks banged up, but he’s all right. Viggo’s talked a lot to the press, but Kirby has no idea what he’s said. It’s not captioned, despite it being the law. They’re talking about him but he doesn’t know what they’re saying. This is some hearing bullshit. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwLfQaC3qm
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8qjSMlG1T
Iris scribbles: He’s blaming it on the car, but since a reporter asked about your … past … and whether if you caused the crash, Viggo’s story changed. He’s not confirming but he’s not denying it either. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3K5nnWIJ3
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsbZPlLeHu
That’s why you don’t want me talking to the press. Kirby’s face grows hot. So you can demonize me first and demonize me so good until I’m kicked out of the sky. Iris notices how angrier he becomes. She sighs, pleased with his rage. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqFIBpgDMV
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ3MWTPR92
I was thinking, we should do an interview on my show. Let’s show them you’re sober and rehabilitated. Undo the damages that Viggo’s done. Let’s make him go INSANE, yeah? 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JRhUYCGX9
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnjiXkZzfp
Kirby does not hesitate. He nods eagerly and writes: I want respect. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo42m4OTO6m
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoYAuf0fPC
‘Yeah,” Iris Frisk says under bated breath. Her smile grows enormously. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRCKbbNGud
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE0oqzhalG
And oh they make it look amazing. Because of it, Kirby Hayes trends even higher than the Taylor bombing. He sits across Iris Frisk on her Iris and Bunny show, both grinning and beaming like children on everyone’s mobile, tablet, or laptop. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW4u64MZTb
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o3roBLMu8
“How are you feeling?” Iris asks out loud. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaRTuPPiKZ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFbsZnfXQR
Kirby shows a cue card to the audience: Like a car wreck! 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvGk46lvYZ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl43uNSjTV2
The people laugh, laugh, laugh. All about Kirby Hayes. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlopzTxchD
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO3sbyFhl8
“Speaking of which Kirby, in your words, the ones that the officers on scene never asked for by the way, what happened exactly?” Iris asks pointedly at the camera, as if to ask those responsible. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoDt24uY95
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3EnQRaO5L
Kirby shows them another cue card: My brother? Driving a Lexus? Enough said. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPIKcDpl0y
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYJk6ubWae
Iris giggles, “You don’t seem to have mental issues, like they imply. At all.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZvpX4eejy
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BiG0lZeeC
Kirby shrugs comically. Next cue card. I had no idea they were saying that. Maybe if I weren’t deaf, they’d talk differently. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos4plPoWe2
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmkwp9owEK
Iris agrees, “Ahem, I mean you were the passenger here.” She turns in her swivel chair and smiles at the camera. “Your thoughts?” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpLIKvL3tY
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOj5LnViKr
They end the show there. Shove it, Viggo. Chills run down Kirby’s back, the really good kind. They hug and perfect a high-five. He blushes, writing her: Thanks. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4KwlUk0hR
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgnBNx0ORl
“Oh nothing to it,” Iris says, urging him not to make a fuss. She writes back: Thank YOU. We should get going. Our first meeting starts in ten minutes. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKhj4vwacS
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FcfbiqYO9
They regroup with the other interns down the white hall. Kirby notices a blonde French woman bent for her five-year-old daughter, tying her little white shoes. It would have been picturesque except for her tired, frosty face. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfTLfr3J3U
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAFtFKQrQ8
“Hey Maddy!” Iris says. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8isY3ErYjh
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwekMJKHKqE
“Not now,” Madeline Desjardins snaps. “Iris! Pour me coffee, would you, darling?” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuImuS6HPcG
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIuF4YHpr6
“Sure thing,” she says and clicks her tongue, her hands firing at the five-year-old like a cowgirl’s. “See you Maddy, see you Ruthie!” Bang! Ruthie shoots back. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp1nTd4VHE
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu48LDSoX2
A cute Korean guy with pink spiked hair leaves his room, dressed in a pinstripe suit. He gives a dimpled smile directed at Iris then Kirby and leers from behind his rectangular shades. He initiates a handshake, and Kirby is relieved, glad to take it. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6pCZh46De
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVRfmmyzxT
“Maverick Clark,” he says and points to his name tag. “I’m a writer like you.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QAVJmizl2
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHCxnEPn9p
Kirby nods, weaseling out of the prolonged handshake. He writes: Nice to meet you. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmDZ5FtAd1
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V2MUZMk56
“Cool, cool, you too bro,” says Maverick. He puts in his pink earphones and tunes out. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6TBBKIc5Y
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdA6gPe8Ha
They travel down the hall until a tall dark skinned woman in a grey business skirt leaves her room. This time, Kirby sees a more familiar face and becomes starstruck once again. She purses her burgundy lips into a sharp smirk. Simone Chaput struts away, leading the pack, with skull painted fingernails and skull earrings. She plays the goth role in several dramas on tv, and she’s nearly brought him to tears often. Her acting’s that good. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj1vxZKeIw
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoLauLN6av
He’s always hoped to write her an amazing role in a movie one day but with Simone Chaput… in the same room, Kirby has to stifle his excitement. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXXj7BYS9T
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkUUW4X3nh
The pack leaves the dorm and travels across campus, a mixed motley of style and talent. The glaring sun rises, filling the atmosphere and pounding each structure with glorious light and shadow. Iris pounces Maverick by surprise and rides his back. They whoop, towering like a two-headed beast. Simone lingers behind when she sees Madeline come jogging with Ruthie and a heavy jangling bag of books and binders. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PHOMP1724
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46f3iiGUS0
Kirby checks his phone, dwelling on the private number. No reply. Chance has been really flirty, but Kirby hasn’t. He realizes that with growing regret. His eyes should be on the prize, and that’s his career. It’s his brass ring and he has to snatch that before Viggo does. His heart wounds a bit. Ah, whatever. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPxImfnP8E
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL5LEfARpW
They approach a bricked building named after Dr. Taylor and slowly enter. Madeline tells her daughter to stay close. Kirby takes the time to view around a rosewood study that’s carpeted like a library or a college classroom. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw4LveWFqX
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JvvM13uyj
Carved into the walls are sea captains overlooking their ship masts, dealing with krakens and angered stormy gods. His fingers run over them as he gawks up. The white golden dome is both a ceiling and a lavish compass. He and Maverick gawk at each other gawking before they look away, feeling like fools. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydcJQFN1y7
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEelGgmtPBe
Globes of all kinds are posted between classical Victorian street lamps. Simone dances with Ruthie, weaving around the lamps and globes like princesses at a ball. Madeline looks relieved, like she’s been given a break. Kirby looks back as the doors close. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOA8kvXPri
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDIbiB43wS
Madeline coaxes Ruthie to reach their seats as the interns look down to the center of the room where the skylight shines the brightest. An old woman with long white grandma hair leans over a large mahogany desk, scrying through scrolls, indexes, and almanacs. She pinches her spectacles and marks her place with a business card as her heavy lidded eyes dart down line by line. For a sleepy, trembly woman, she’s sharply dressed in a vest underneath a blazer with dress pants. She’s hopelessly distracted by the German Shepherd, muttering, “Please stop shedding.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlisFQTTHva
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XLw6VIFou
The lady notices everyone arriving and brightens, “Hey you!” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r9rtcaaXS
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wx3OPw03d
“Dr. July Fanfare!” Iris calls her name with pizzazz. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFybDtk8uN
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjli7Kdnhqi
Dr. Fanfare whips back her long white hair, using age as part of her charm. But she is still slow to react, as her mind seems somewhere else. She starts gathering her rare books and placing them carefully in glass boxes. “Sorry. Antiquarian habits.”
“Boy or girl?” Iris crouches next to it and checks. “Girl.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YPWdosxAz
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQKvLebmn1
“Boy,” corrects Dr. Fanfare. She makes a snip-snip gesture. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtY9kZdHjQ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2eASJvJHY
“Sorry, boy... What’s his name?” Iris rakes through its thick matted hair. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EAcfUfx5f
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOD7Zcmr4V
“It’s not mine, it’s Taylor’s,” Dr. Fanfare says. “There’s a collar, I believe.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkE0lMizYt
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3YtdA5153
Simone checks it, “Aha, his name is Ishmael.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesRUyCBvN1
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvYAI2RNp4
Dr. Fanfare chuckles. “He does love his books about the sea.” She sniffles and shakes her head to stop herself from tearing up. “I mean, Taylor had loved those kind of books. As you can see, he left things behind. His entire life, I suppose.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFhqKkAeZT
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB92GlJM5wZ
“Anyhoo,” says Dr. Fanfare, addressing everyone. “Congratulations to Iris Frisk, Kirby Hayes, Simone Chaput, Madeline Desjardins, and Maverick Clark. Welcome to your internship with … Pegasus Studios.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4giHCMNDy
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqroqmVHtAu
They clap and hoot. Kirby plays along and claps with them. He can figure out their commotion, though he’s surprised a sign language interpreter hasn’t shown up. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65G6t6Bjua
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Iei9hApiw
Madeline’s hand shoots up. “Are you the teacher?” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUzLkCEweQ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyZQFRiQeZ
Dr. Fanfare calms them down, “I’m just the assistant. But I can be the best darn cheerleader you’ll ever meet. As to who will be your supervisor, I don’t know who it is, I’m afraid. They’ll be coming by shortly. Until then, icebreaker. You.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDglwYN2W2a
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Clhed3q8o
She points a bony finger to Kirby Hayes as she turns on the projector. They look to the screen glowing on one wall. She reads it out loud for them, “What is your mission?” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga8EGHCouK
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj0deIQIZf
Kirby takes a second to think about it, but he already knows. He writes on the dry erase board and shows Dr. Fanfare. She quotes, “I want to make Pegasus Studios millions of dollars in revenue.” Scattered laughter. The old lady nods deliriously, struggling to keep her eyes open, “You’re going to be popular with the board, Kirby. Hehehe.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YloAF1QiM
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6W1v3lhfX
The doors open. “Oh,” says Dr. Fanfare. “Looks like your supervisor’s coming.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O1WzueWbC
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw3B6vK1q1
Everyone looks back and stares. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsigag57vHK
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw7mwM7IIK
Viggo Hayes struts down the aisle, passing globes and lamps, and greets them in both spoken English and American Sign Language, “Hello, interns. Let’s get you hired.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK3GoV0eu8
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjLvKk0xfQ
He stands next to Dr. Fanfare and Ishmael, patting her shoulder, with a perfected face. There is no sign of cuts or bruises. He doesn’t even look like he’s been in a fight or an accident or even a police station. He stands proudly in the limelight, a champ, in his best suit. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqGSblxhjG
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiQfeVJw6d
Viggo Hayes and Dr. Fanfare stand together as judges, arms crossed, before the five interns. His psycho orange eyes scan them before locking onto little brother Kirby and ex-girlfriend Iris. “Don’t assume that I’ll take it easy on you two.” 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BO1YVn6xx
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ7g1dfmFd
The pair remains unruffled the best they could. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZXE9LTD3c
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzIQLAAW11
Viggo nods their way with a growing monstrous smile. As if to say that’s right, I’m the gatekeeper. I’m the one who gets the final say of who stays, who goes. Who officially gets in Pegasus Studios, and who never ever will. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZA6iwzQ8j
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeSlJne6hI
Kirby deeply sighs. The war rages on. 557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX1HHqKGxR
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FlwBS88yi
THE SPOOK IS SAD557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO6j3dfuAj
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxamMR4zZB8
Jack Steele Adams557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWyLXg830a
ns18.223.172.41da2
