Hello all my dearest friends and readers! Before I begin, I would like to give out a few shout-outs:

Reconzilla117: Thank you for being one of my best friends on here and by my side always. I still remember the first message you sent me And here we are two years later…still friends

Yours The Author: I want to thank you for all the advice you have given me through reviews and messages. They really inspire new ideas and how to improve future projects. Thanks a bunch friend!

AuzeriGirl: Thank you for all the support you have given me with the Bendy stories and good luck in the new future my friend!

All these authors have great stories so I really recommend that you check them out!

Now on with the show…

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Bendy And The Ink Machine…

The Butterfly Effect

Life working at Joey Drew Studios was always hectic and miserable. People were always running around and arguing with one another, some were stressed to the point where they cried. The studio's condition was always terrible and dangerous.

The infirmary could handle so many patients.

Employees often expected that their boss would make improvements so accidents could be avoided, but they didn't have such a boss.

Joey Drew would always use the cheapest material possible to use for repairs. If something broke, it was always a "patch it up" case.

Needless to say, it didn't take Thomas very long to realize that working for Joey Drew was one of the worst mistakes of his life.

Day after day, he would be working on different jobs: fixing the floors, patching up pipes, putting walls back together…everything. There were also times when Joey would keep Thomas working overnight and calling him in very early in the morning.

If the lack of sleep and constant pressure didn't put Thomas under enough stress, he also had to deal with a completely untrustworthy janitor that would constantly test his patience.

To make matters worse, Joey Drew had taken the blueprints and after making some changes, had Thomas build it in the near depths of the studio. When asked why this was being built, Joey would simply reply "It's for a very good reason."

But the more Thomas worked on what Joey Drew entitled "The Ink Machine", the more he believed that he was doing something wrong…even more when Joey Drew had him bring more GENT workers to the studio.

Thomas still had no idea what Joey Drew was planning with the Ink Machine, but he knew it wasn't good.

On a better note, Thomas had heard that the studio's voice actress, Susie Campbell was going to be replaced, which was a point in his favor because he never really liked her to begin with.

Susie was always telling everyone how much she loved her character or how Sammy Lawrence complimented her every day on her performance and appearance. She would get emotional and complain when something didn't go her way. It was this that made Thomas believe that Susie would actually kill someone (or want them dead) if she ever reached her breaking point, which he knew wasn't very far.

Thomas could only hope that the new voice actress will make things better at the studio.

. . .

While Thomas was having the hardest time fixing a busted pipe, a young woman had just followed Joey Drew into his office and after sitting in the respective chairs, Joey began to explain to the young woman her purpose for him calling her to his office.

"Now Miss Allison Pendle, the reason why I called you is because…"

Just as Joey started explaining, a gruff-sounding voice was heard and in Allison's opinion, it also sounded frustrated and stressed at the same time.

Of course, she didn't know who the voice belonged to, but she had to admit, her curiosity was peaked.

"Allison, it's quite rude to ignore someone when they are talking to you."

In her distraction with the voice, Allison failed to notice that Joey had finished explaining the purpose for being there.

"I'm very sorry Joey Drew, could you explain it again?" she nervously asked.

Joey Drew hated repeating himself, but he needed Allison to work for him.

"Fine, but pay attention this time. The voice actress we have is not working out, so I want you to replace her. By voice comparison, you would do a much better job with the part."

He then presented Allison with a contract and a pen.

"Joey Drew Studios is a big step for anyone's career. It's a great place to work and one you start; you'll never want to leave!" Joey said as Allison took the pen.

But Allison had one question…

"Does the voice actress know that she's being replaced?"

Joey Drew quickly nodded. "Yes of course. I informed Miss Campbell yesterday, so she is already aware."

Despite the shady tone, Allison was convinced that Joey was telling the truth.

So, she signed the contract unaware of what was going to happen in a short amount of time.

. . .

Since signing the contract, working at Joey Drew studios seemed to go pretty well for Allison. She was introduced to the other employees and was able to strike friendships with a few of them (Norman Polk, Wally Franks, and to some extent, Sammy Lawrence.) But the moment she met Susie Campbell an intense hatred was immediately created because it was Susie's reaction upon seeing her with Sammy did Allison learn that Joey Drew lied to her about Susie being notified ahead of time.

Allison wanted to confront Joey about lying to her, but Wally warned her that doing so would not be a very good idea because the last person that had confronted him about something ended up being on the receiving end of Joey's cane.

"Who was that employee?" Allison asked her friends one day at lunch.

"Thomas Connor…" Norman quickly said while rolling up his sleeves.

Allison was confused because she had never met anyone by that name. Wally explained to her that he usually worked with him in the depths of the studio. That made sense because she worked on the upper levels. He also told her that Thomas wasn't the friendliest person and was impossible to befriend him.

"Si if you see him, just say hello and walk away. He really isn't worth your time."

She found Wally's words quite rude, but given that she had yet to meet Thomas, Allison wasn't sure if she should defend him or not.

So, Allison decided that she would take a trip to the studio's depths…after work.

. . .

By the end of the final hour, every employee made a quick run for the exit before Joey had the chance to stop them.

With the exception of Allison.

The voice actress stayed in her dressing room and once she was sure that the coast was clear, slowly and carefully made her way to the hallway that would take her to the depths of the studio. Allison remembered hearing that Thomas always stayed after hours, so she knew that he would be there. But as she was in view of the staircase, Allison realized that she overlooked the fact that Joey Drew also stayed behind after hours due to him being the boss.

She did have some type of respect for Joey, but at the same time she didn't because he had lied to her and was pretty sure that she would be in a lot of trouble if she got caught.

Allison reached the staircase a few moments later. It looked very unstable and was set to break at any moment.

"If he goes up and down these steps, then they must be stable enough." Allison thought as she placed a hand on the rail.

After a few moments, she was about to take her first step, but froze when she felt someone grab her shoulder.

Allison turned around and she couldn't believe it.

I had this chapter planned out differently but as I was writing it, it felt better to leave it at a cliffhanger.

So, did Allison get caught by Thomas or Joey Drew?

Well, you will have to find out next time!

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