Chapter 2
Tommy arrives at the old bean productions office. Upon graduating acting school, he would quickly land an internship working his way up to Director. His portfolio of films have had limited success some have not been so much critically acclaimed due to no creative control over his own work only conforming to the ideas of his superiors.
Sitting at the other end of the meeting table a grotesque, portly man with a dark comb over barely covering his bald head… Martin Johnstone, the executive producer and his boss awaits with other suited executives in the meeting room lingering an unwelcome atmosphere.
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"Tommy take a seat" said Mr. Johnstone
Tommy refrains from ushering a single word as he pulls out his seat. He waits for him to explain what is going on.
"The last film you produced "The Moving" was an absolute box office flop of the highest order, the film to DVD sales are the lowest in the history of this company" said Mr. Johnstone
"Fair enough but many of the best directors have produced films that turned out to be flops, please give me another chance sir" begged Tommy
"We cannot afford mediocrity, even if its just a one off." said Mr. Johnstone harshly.
"I lost my wife too cancer not long ago... I'm still grieving… I have a young daughter to support and a mortgage on top of that" said Tommy
"Listen Tommy, we are sorry to hear what happened to your wife but this is the nature of show business" said Mr. Johnstone
"Please have a heart… I really need this job more than ever" said Tommy
Mr. Johnstone shows no sympathy a reflection of his cold and heartless demeanour as Tommy keeps pleading to keep his job.
"Here's your final wages to tie you over" said Mr. Johnstone
He throws a brown envelop to the other side of the table where Tommy is sitting, an undignified act done on purpose.
Tommy begrudgingly grabs the envelop, putting it in his inner pocket of his suit jacket.
"I put my heart and soul into that film" Tommy shouted
"It's simply not good enough we have very high standards" said Mr. Johnstone as he leans back on his chair and lights a cigar in his mouth.
Tommy would then burst in a justified rage shouts at Mr. Johnstone.
"You know what, screw the lot of you!" shouted Tommy
"That won't be necessary" said Mr. Johnston
"When I first started with this company, nobody knew about old bean productions…I built this up from brick and mortar" said Tommy
"Pickles you are a terrible director" said Mr. Johnstone
"Maybe we would have won a damn award by now if you let me do things my own way you fat control freak" said Tommy
The evil Mr. Johnstone starts to get pissed off at Tommy, he stubs his cigar out in anger.
"The next film I direct will win a Bafta award." shouted Tommy.
"Do not make me laugh Pickles… there is a more realistic chance of pigs flying over the River Thames, than you producing aBafta award winning film" said Jim
Antagonising Tommy, clearly seeing how unhinged he has become, reeling in the sick pleasure of further antagonising his now ex employee.
"We have more important matters to discuss, either you can your make own way out with whatever shred of dignity you have left or security can escort you out choice is yours" said Mr. Johstone
they give him a black bag full of his stuff to rub salt in the wounds.
Mr. Johnstone waves him off, sarcastically fluttering his hand in the air, gesturing Tommy to leave the meeting room.
"Save your breath, I'll see myself out" said Tommy, admitting defeat.
With the reality sinking in he is now unemployed, he makes his way to the lobby area. Not even saying good bye to the receptionist.
The rain still hasn't stopped since he picked up Tammy from school, feeling hungry since he had those sandwiches, he goes into the fish and chip shop across the street from where his car's parked.
The chip shop laid empty, the tiles looked like they have not been cleaned since the shop first opened. Windows smudged full of grease splashback from the chip fryer. Tommy had seen better establishments of a higher standard of cleanliness, he was drained and feeling hungry too even care.
"I will have a bag of chips to go please" asked Tommy
"Salt and vinegar on your chips?" asked the chip shop worker
"Yes" said Tommy
Tommy took the wooden fork to bite into his chip, not wanting to get his car dirty he went over to his car while eating one chip at a time.
As he got back to his car the chips had already been finished, he disposed the wrapping paper into the trash can next to him and drove back home, feeling demoralised and struggling to think of what to say to young Tammy.
Tommy returns home, he tries to hide the look of disappointment encase he sees Tammy. He walks in trying really hard to put on a brave face.
"Hello Tom, how was the meeting?" asked Maggie
"Terrible absolutely terrible!" said Tommy
"How so?" asked Maggie
"I've been given the sack" said Tommy
"That's disgusting,they don't deserve someone as talented as you" said Maggie
"What am I going to do… my life savings will only cover a few months of mortgage payments or I'm going to lose this house!" said Tommy in distress.
"Take a deep breath and try to relax" said Maggie
Tommy reluctantly follows her advice, recomposing himself he remembers to pay Maggie.
"I better pay you now" said Tommy
"You put your money away and you know I'll happily look after Tammy any day of the week, she's a good lass so she is" said Maggie
Maggie grabs her coat and gives Tommy a kiss on the cheek.
"Keep your head up son, things will get better… I promise..." said Maggie as she leaves the house.
Tommy hangs his jacket up and he heads upstairs to check in on Tammy. He opens the door slightly, just enough too see if she's sleeping, he quietly walks in gives her a kiss on the head and lightly strokes her hair as she is in a deep sleep cuddling into her teddy bear Gillian got her when she was a baby.
"Your Mother would be so proud of you, it's been a tough year but we will get through this together. I love you my pumpkin pie" said Tommy
He leaves her room and closes the door trying not to disturb her, making his way to the lounge area. Looking at a picture of a family photo, one of the last photos of them together before Gillian became very ill.
"Gillian, I could have not had a worst day even if I tried... I got fired and I don't know what to do next" said an emotional Tommy
As he stares into the photo, reminiscing of better days. A tear drop comes down from his eye and drops on to the glass of the photo-frame, sliding down like a water fall.
"I miss you so much Gillian… everyday it hurts not knowing you are…" said Tommy
He clutches the frame into his chest and delicately places it back on the mantel on top of the fireplace next to the many photographs on display.
Tommy pours himself a large double whisky from his liquor cabinet, sitting himself down on his favourite armchair. He makes a call to his best friend Kian.
"Hey Tommy what's up fam" said Kian
"Sorry for calling you so late Kian" said Tommy
"Don't be stupid, you obviously got something on your mind… what's up bruv?" asked Kian
"I got fired from my job, the royalties from my previous films won't even cover the mortgage payments" said Tommy
"That sucks, that man is a wanker and I can't believe he fired you while your still grieving..." said Kian
"I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place right now" said Tommy
"Get some sleep and come see me tomorrow" said Kian
"I would like that, I'll come over after I've dropped off Tammy at school" said Tommy
"Cool! I'll see you tomorrow" said Kian
"Your a great guy Kian, I'm proud of to call you my best friend" said Tommy.
"I've always got your back bruv" said Kian
"Likewise" said Tommy
"I'll let you go and you try and get some shut eye" said Kian
"I will, good night Kian" said Tommy
"Good night mate" said Kian.
Finishing his whisky really quickly, he pours himself another large one before deciding to retire to bed.
End of chapter 2