Remember Me
Annabelle and Louise. The hilarious comedic duo that no one else in the nation could possibly compete with. With Annabelle's expertise and Louise's eagerness, it seemed that they were unstoppable. But even the greatest fall, it seems.
Annabelle remembers clearly when the descent began. It was the final stage of their fourth showcase. The audience was giving the two a standing ovation so loud that the walls trembled. Annabelle and Louise bowed together and Annabelle motioned to the younger woman to take the first bow, as was customary. The last bow was generally saved for the most important person in the show, which had been mutually decided to be Annabelle. But Louise simply shook her head at Annabelle's offer and instead stepped back, smiling strangely at Annabelle as she did so. Annabelle was mildly perplexed at this but shook it off as she hurriedly bowed for the audience. It wasn't until she heard the deafening cheers resulting from Louise's bow afterwards that Annabelle realized why she had bowed first. Louise had become the most important person in the show.
Annabelle and Louise still performed together after that, but it wasn't the same. The audience laughed loudly at all of Louise's quips, but Annabelle's jokes were met with only a few chuckles. The reviewers raved about Louise, but they barely touched on Annabelle's performances. Louise went to countless interviews, but Annabelle never once received an invitation for one.
Despite all of this, Annabelle was shocked when Louise said she wanted to disband. "I want to explore what I'm capable of," the girl explained. "And I'm sure you want a break from me. I promise we will perform together again in the future!" And with that, Louise went off to perform solo.
Annabelle felt used as she saw Louise get more and more recognition. I wrote those jokes! I taught her how to do that body gag! But Annabelle knew no one would care. Louise was the new big thing, and her momentum wasn't going to stop anytime soon.
Annabelle worked day and night writing new jokes, researching the art of comedy, and performing at countless theaters, but she didn't make one single headline. She hardly appeared in the newspaper at all anymore.
She was no one.
No one remembered who Louise was partners with for years before going solo.
No one cared.
Annabelle was reminiscing all of this as she stood on the roof of the Golden Key Theater. Louise was performing there tonight. But Annabelle was determined to outshine Louise for once, if only for a fleeting moment. She heard the audience clapping from inside the theater. She closed her eyes and imagined them clapping for her. She smiled as she stepped off the ledge.