Archer

August 13, 2029 3:23 PM

"Archer," exclaimed Richard as his boss packed his bags. "Just slow down! I don't understand what's…"

"We're due to dock in Miami in 20 minutes," Archer broke in. "The CEO's going to want an explanation, and I'm going to give it to him."

"Archer," his assistant said again almost as if he was begging. "We lost this one. Our careers are over. Why can't you just admit it?"

Archer threw his briefcase down onto his bed hard, and turned to look at Richard right in the eyes. John was still angry with his assistant for what had happened the other day, but it had to suffice. Archer hated to admit it, but he needed Richard. The other man was the only person Archer could slightly trust in this matter, and the boss was not about to accept defeat.

"Listen," Archer whispered with anger. "We still have a chance. Apparently this Godzilla creature is the hot topic of the nation right now. Kong being lose would give us a chance to capture the frenzy of giant monsters: cash in if you will."

Richard still looked confused.

"Just accept it, John," he stated in a low tone. "We lost."

"No," Archer shouted to the top of his lungs. "I will not do that! John Archer never had lost in his life!"

Richard stood at the end of the cabin quietly.

"We will get out of this, Richard."

40 minutes later

The docks were full of reporters and other pedestrians as they looked at the destruction caused by Kong. It surprised Archer that the devastation was so little. Other than a few crushed cars, and one small building crumbled, there was nothing significant. It also made everything easier on the ambitious man that none was hurt. It would have led to even more paper work to be filled out than he already had piled up on his desk back at the NRUN Office.

Right when both him and Richard stepped onto the stairway leading to dry land, the reports came. They stormed the area, taking thousands of pictures and video of the two.

"Where is Kong now," one reporter.

"No comment," Archer replied as he pushed the reporter away.

"Why did you bring him here," another asked.

"No comment!"

After several minutes of battling the crowds, they reached the safety of the taxi the CEO had dispatched the grab them. The car ride was completely silent, neither of the two men laying an eye on each other. Archer did not mind it. The silence was well needed after what just happened on the docks.

"You know," the taxi driver broke in. "I have no say in the matter, but I think people are overacting about all this. Not with Godzilla, but Kong."

Archer looked over at him through the rear view window.

"Kong didn't do much damage, unlike Godzilla who destroyed anything he could get his hands on. In fact, I was at the airport picking up my niece. Kong didn't look mad, but more," the driver paused for several seconds. "He looked confused more than anything, maybe even scared. Of course, I'm no expert, Mr. Archer."

Archer did not reply, but listened to the words. They could be useful later one.

As the cab pulled into the HQ, Archer exited the vehicle as fast as he could. He knew the CEO would not be pleased with the wild goose chase, but if there is anything Archer knew how to do, it was to turn a desperate situation into one that would win.

Richard followed closely, still not saying anything as they made their way to the building. Once inside, people moved back and forth waving papers, reports and other information to be on the broadcast for tonight's show. It was a normal day as far as Archer was concerned. Everyone stayed out of his way until he reached the CEO's office room.

The words were imprinted in large, capital letters on the window. For Archer, it was the only intimidating thing in the world. His door did not even have that kind of weight, or magnitude.

He placed his index finger on the red summoning button, and it let out a low beep.

"Enter," came a booming voice from within the room.

Archer gave Richard a small glare before moving into the room. His assistant still was not even giving him even a side glance before Archer closed the door behind him.

The lighting of the room was extremely ominous, only a single streak shined from the window to the desk where a black mass sat. Archer shut the door behind him and stood nearly at attention. He awaited the CEO to speak and tear him apart. This was not going to be pretty.

"Well," the CEO finally broke.

"We had an accident coming here," Archer replied. He did not want to show how frightened he was at that moment.

"You made NRUN lose over $10,000,000.00," the CEO threw a packet of papers down onto the floor directly in front of Archer. "People are lined up expecting an explanation about that gorilla-thing that's still out there; you're damned lucky that no one was killed!"

Without missing a beat, Archer said, "You're right, no one was killed."

"We agreed to let you cover that island, fine, that didn't work out. We then agreed for you to cover Kong, that didn't work! It didn't work, John. It. Didn't. Work."

"We," Archer paused. "We still have a chance of salvaging that money."

"You're wrong! Have you no idea what is making its way towards Massachusetts right now," the CEO asked. "A god damned, radioactive lizard! God, Archer, this time you really fucked up. I mean, really fucked up! You always had a flare for theatrics, and going over budget, and do oyu know why I always backed it?"

"I always pulled through," answered Archer not making eye contact with the dark figure sitting at the table.

"You did," exclaimed the CEO. "You always made us the most watched network on television. But this? This just had gone too far, John."

"We still have a chance."

"What chance," asked the CEO as he slammed his fists against the table. " You blew all my money out the window?"

Now, Archer decided it was time to make eye contact with the figure. He took several steps forward and leaned onto the CEO's desk.

"Listen," he said. "Godzilla is a giant monster. That Japanese would call it a kaiju. Kong too is a giant monster. Look at it! Two giant monsters here in the United States! While someone covers Godzilla up north, myself and Richard could cover Kong! We would be the most watched network in the business! We won't just cover one or the other; people would tune in to see both monsters alive! Sir, by god, we have a chance to still come out on top!" Archer was proud at how he said 'we' instead of 'I'. He knew it would all be because of him and only him.

There was a long period of silence. The CEO was clearly pondering Archer's proposal.

"We can still come out on top!"

"Damn you, Archer," shouted the figure as he pushed himself away from the desk. His face then hit the light revealing one of confusion. "You're a son-of-a-bitch you know that?"

"One that puts a lot of money into your pocket," Archer replied. He knew he had just won yet another victory.

"Alright! Get a new camera and get that footage!" The CEO then backed out of the light and sat back down. "Follow Kong, and please, for the love of God, don't let me down!"

Archer gave a small nod and smiled. He then turned to make his way out of the room. The ambitious man had just won again, he never lost once.

Outside, Richard sat with both hands in his lap on a small bench. He looked up at Archer for several seconds, and they locked eyes.

"We're good," Archer said as people walked in between the two 'friends'. Get your stuff from the ship! We're moving out immediately!"

Richard stood and followed Archer as they moved down the main hallway.

"Wait," he said. "How did you…"

"I'm John Archer," replied the man of ambition. "I never lose."

"Listen," Richard broke in without stopping. "I'm sorry about what I did to you. It's just that…"

"Richard," Archer interrupted. "I'll forget about it, but at the same time, I'd always forgive you. Now, come on! I'll get a taxi!" Archer began to shake with excitement. "We're out of the woods! It's smooth sailing from here!" He began to laugh hysterically. "God damn, I told you it would be fine!"

Richard smiled slightly and said nothing as they moved outside to hail a taxi. Soon after, it came, and they swiftly made their way back to the docks. By now, the reporters had dissipated, and everything had calmed down.

Sailors moved about, each moving crates back and forth while they unloaded what was in them. None of them paid attention to Richard and Archer as they boarded one last time. This made John happy. He would never have to step foot on this thing ever again.

Just before entering the door that lead to their cabin, a sailor tapped Archer on the shoulder. He turned to see who it was.

"Mr. Archer," the sailor stated. "Captain Sweet wishes to speak to you at once."

"Tell him he can wait," Archer said as he began to walk into the hallway.

"He said at once, Archer," the sailor insisted.

Archer and Richard gave each other quick, confused look, then agreed to follow the sailor to Sweet's cabin far above by the bridge.

The way there was painful for Archer. It seemed to take ages just to climb the stairs and into the bridge itself. Once inside, three sailors sat at a table. Each smoked a cigarette, and had a bottle of bear by their side.

The sailor knocked on Sweet's door and was greeted by the man. Sweet then looked directly at Archer and motioned them to come in. Richard was the last one to enter, and Sweet shut the door behind him.

"If you're going to sue me, than I'm afraid," Archer began just a Sweet sat down in his chair.

"Mr. Archer," he said. "Spare me all the theatrics. You killed my men, you bankrupted my ship, you single handedly destroyed everything I worked for." Sweet then shook his head and took a small drink of water from the glass on his desk. "You see, I unfortunately have this strange feeling of devotion to something I have committed to. Kong, I have," he paused and stood back up. He moved back over to the dirty window at the far side of the cabin. "I have devoted myself to this. It's my fault I let you bring him hear, and I know you plan on following the gorilla anywhere he goes."

Archer shook his head and placed his hands in his pockets. What Sweet was trying to say was not coming across to him. He had no idea what to expect from the Captain.

"I wish to go with you, Archer," Sweet finally stated after a long period of silence. "I feel like it's my duty to."

"Well," Archer laughed, unable to hold it in. "I didn't expect that."

"Shut up you son-of-a-bitch," Sweet hollered and he spun around. He and Archer locked eyes for several seconds, both full of a slight rage. "If I have to go alone, I will."

"Well," Archer began as he looked at Richard. "We always needed an extra hand with the equipment." Richard then shook his head in agreement.

"I'm not your bitch, Archer," Sweet shouted. "But, I have to do this."

Archer turned to give Sweet another look. He straightened his back and crossed his arms in the process.

"Out of duty," he asked.

Sweet shook his head and sat down at his desk. Taking another drink of water, he began to write something down.

"We leave in a few hours, Captain," Archer stated. "NRUN will send a car to pick us up, and we'll move from there."