I needed a break from working on my 2nd book so I opted to do this. Enjoy!
She was bored with him. She had to admit it. Derrick Storm has become the single most boring character I've created.
Her cash cow. Her hit series was as dull as a brick landing on a tin roof.
Actually that would be more interesting. She thought.
Her head hit the desk and she prepped herself for the questions that would follow the book release statement to be made outside in mere moments.
"Why kill of your main character? Why not retirement? Why not a happily ever after?"
Knockknock
Gene slid open the door.
"Kate?"
"What!?" Her face still buried to imply agony and disgust.
"Everyone is waiting."
"Is the scotch waiting too?"
"Just tell everyone the bad news, sign some books and wait to go bestseller."
It was all so routine.
She remembered starting the series. Derrick was just engaging. Like a new toy at Christmas. But like the toy it became played out. It was still fun to touch and manipulate but it had reached its limit. Like a video game. She got all the trophies and Gamerscore she could. Like a DIY project that had broken and you didn't want to fix.
Like a … like a… well … like a metaphor that had run out of steam.
She put on her sunglasses and business jacket (it matched her public persona of the girl at your office you'd like to have an affair with) and walked out to greet the mob of reporters and middleaged men.
She concealed her desire to roll her eyes at the fan base pining over the rumored "Last stand of Derrick Storm" and approached the podium. She read her prepared speech –
"The story of Derrick Storm has come to an end. He's given everything he has to give and in the last installment he receives his last mission to save the world. Storm falls delivers everything you could want and then some."
She stopped, raised her hands in celebration and was greeted with cheers.
A hand touched her shoulder. It was Paul. Her agent and he guided her towards the bar.
"New Yorker wants to question you and can you tell me why you decided to kill off your best selling series?"
She'd rehearsed this question. "Derrick was boring me. I needed to move on."
"Of course you decide to do this after signing a three book deal." His retort was unwelcome but expected.
"Relax I've got something I'm working on right now. Besides Black Pawn isn't going to sacrifice their Gold Calf."
"Golden Calf or not they will pull your advance if I don't get something by next week."
"Relax Paul I'll give it to you when it's ready."
Kate took up a stool at the bar as the agent stomped off.
"Mom I need to go I got a test in the morning."
It was Alex and the one thing that made her feel joy even in her darkest moments. She was blessed … yes blessed! … to have a son like him. Despite the abomination of a marriage she once had with Josh, the neurosurgeon, something so wonderful that had come as a result was nothing short of a miracle.
Miracle aside she didn't want her son to leave her with the wolves.
"C'mon 'Lex stay awhile! Keep your mom company and save me from these vultures." She said half kidding.
The clicking of heels grew louder behind her and a presence was felt. It was warm and comforting.
"Present company excluded." Joked Kate.
Then she felt abbreviated, warm back handed slap of her mother, Johanna, "Don't make me wash your mouth out."
Kate filled a glass with the whiskey behind the counter at the bar. Slammed it back like the heavy weight she thought she was and continued talking to Alex.
"You need to learn how to have some fun kiddo."
"No offense mom but all this hobnobbery isn't exactly my forte."
Kate smiled. "Who are you?"
"I'm your son mom."
"Forte? Hobnobbery? Who talks like that?"
"I do mom."
"I knew I shouldn't've read all those books to you as a kid. Now you're too smart for your own good."
"Whatever mom why don't you go schmooze or something?"
"Ugh! This is all so boring I'd like to hear somebody say something I haven't heard."
Johanna hugged her daughter "Case of writer's block, hun?"
"Mom, writer's block doesn't exist. Writers boredom however…"
"I'll leave you two to sort things out then. I'm off to busy myself and entertain if you will."
Johanna exited with a gentle grace approaching a small crowd leaving the mother and son to talk.
"Mom if you need (Kate hated the emphasis but appreciated the acknowledgment) the company I can stick around for a while longer."
"No it's okay I just want to go home myself. Just wish I could hear something new."
"Mrs. Beckett?" The voice was deep, warm and manly. A comfort to her discomfort. She turned to see who could have such unique properities. She assumed it was someone wanting an autograph.
"What do you need me to sign?"
And that's when she saw the best thing of the night. A tall man with a physique that suggested athletic or at least conscientious of the benefits of looking good.
"Detective Castle. NYPD. I have a few questions to ask you downtown."
Alex leaned into his mom, "Well that's certainly new."
I only plan on writing certain scenes in this role reversal format. I'm working on my 2nd book to my series 'The Chronicles of Valdez' and had too many story lines weaving in and out so I wanted to do something simple as a kind of reset. There's two more scenes in episode 1 and a few in episode 2. I plan on doing the same for episode 12, 36 and of course the Always episode. If anyone has a scene they want me to do or wants to write one for themselves I say go for it!
As always I appreciate your feedback, encourage/discouragement or what have you. (hey if you have time to post something negative it just means you read it and isn't what all this is for?)