Stave Two.
Kevin's come back.
It was now Monday morning. The sun was shining brightly over the windows of the apartment. The birds were chirping constantly like in every Christmas day and the snow ceased on falling for a little bit. Outside, a limo was waiting for Grant to take him to the interview. It was 6:50am and Grant was still sleeping. The covers of the bed were all disorganized and Grant's hair was bushier than ever. He forgot to set the clock to 6:30, which was the time he was supposed to wake up to get ready. Around 7, a man wearing black suites knocked in Grant's apartment's door and called:
"Sir?"
"What?" he mumbled while moving in the bed. The man knocked once
again. "WHAT?" he yelled as he put the pillow over his head.
"Sir, you were supposed to be ready by now. You have an important interview today. You don't wanna be late?" said the man from outside. Grant opened his eyes widely.
"Right! The interview. Damn it!"
He stood up as quickly as he could and open the door to let the man in.
"Nicolas come on, help me here... you see those clothes over there? Bring 'em to me. I have to get dressed quick!" he said while heading to the bathroom.
"But sir, aren't you gonna take a bath first and... a shave?"
"There's no time."
"Actually there is for a bath and a shave. It's just 7:04am."
"7:04? I.. I guess that'll be enough time. Ok go away then."
"Here." Nicolas said while giving him the clothes.
"Yeah, yeah thanks, now go. No time to lose."
After the man left, Grant took a bath and had the shave of his life. While shaving he heard a whisper that sounded familiar.
"Rayburn..." whispered a rare voice. "Grant Rayburn..." whispered once more. Grant didn't know where to look. He was afraid though, so he opened the door of the bathroom to feel secure.
"I'm driving myself to madness." he said to himself while he finished shaving.
When he was done, he got dressed and put on some cologne. He brushed his brown hair, took the keys of the apartment and left. When he was about to close the door he forgot his coat and went back in to look for it.
"My coat, the coat, where did I leave you?" He said while looking all over the place. "Oh here you are. I don't know how you got there but whatever." With that he left the apartment and closed the door hard. He went downstairs and started hearing the things he hated.
"Good morning sir." said the administrator of the building.
"Merry Christmas sir!" said a man at the door. Grant looked displeased and ignored him.
He went outside and before getting in the limo, he looked at two children laughing and playing with the snow. There were also many people stretching hands with each other and saying 'Merry Christmas' cheerfully to one another.
"I don't know what's the big deal about Christmas." he said to himself while getting in the limo.
Two more men and a woman got in it too. They were heading to California for the interview. Grant didn't like being interviewed but it was the only way to hide his memories and real personality. In the limo he had a television and wine.
"Where's the remote control Nicolas?" asked Grant.
"It's right beside you sir." he answered.
"Oh, right."
He turn on the tv and started changing the channels until the television started changing for itself. It stopped on channel 193.
"Channel 193? Since when do we have channel 193?" he asked loudly. But no one seemed to have listened. "Hey you idiots!? HELLO?"
Everyone was paralyzed. But that was not the thing that Grant cared about anymore. Someone in the television was talking to him. Someone he knew.
"You, Grant Rayburn. Yes... you..." Said the voice from the television.
"Who the hell are you?" Grant said desperately.
"Ahhhh you know me well Grant. It's been so long..."
"Kevin?" He asked with his eyes wide open.
"Bingo!" Kevin laughed.
"Something's not right. I must be sleeping."
"Oh but you're not."
"Aren't you dead? And what are you doing in there? How...?"
"Shhh. Speak no more. I'll explain later. For now please don't be scared."
"I'm not scared." Said Grant pushing the buttons of the remote control.
"Well, don't worry. Very soon you will be."
In that instant, the channel appeared back to where it was. Nicolas and the rest stared at him.
"Are you ok sir?" Asked Monica, his second assistant.
"Of course I'm ok. Did we arrived?"
"Yes, we've been here for a while now. We were just waiting for you to stop talking alone to..."
"What...? But we just left from Nevada." He said confused.
"It's been almost an hour since we left." Said Monica.
"What..? Let's get this over with." he sighed.
After he got out from the limo, he walked into this big building where 'Teen Magazine' was going to interview him.
"Sir you forgot your coat!!" yelled Monica.
"Keep it!" Grant yelled back.
"What's up with him today?" Monica asked Nicolas.
"I have no idea." he replied.
Once inside, many people with cameras and microphones started asking him questions about his career. It seemed that everyone knew he was going to be there.
"Not now!" he said to everyone and entered the elevator.
He went to floor #12. When he got there, he walked through a lot of halls until he reached the door of Mrs. Sullivan. There were many figurines and paintings hanging on the walls. He knocked on the door three times while he told his make-up artist to brush him once more just in case.
"Ok, that's enough... stop it!" he told her.
"Sorry." she whispered.
The door opened and Mrs. Sullivan greeted Grant with a smile and a shake of hands. Mrs. Sullivan was a 43 years old woman. She was a reporter as well as the producer of the magazine. She was a brunette and had a lot of make-up on. She looked like one of those very delicate and refine woman.
"Welcome Mr. Rayburn. It's a pleasure to have you here. Come on in." She said as she closed the door in the face of Grant's make-up artist.
After being there an hour, Grant came out of the room shaking once again Mrs. Sullivan's hands.
"The pleasure was mine Mrs. Sullivan."
"Thanks again and by the way, Merry Christmas!"
"Yeah... sure." said Grant seriously and putting his sunglasses.
Outside...
"Here." Said Monica giving Grant his coat.
"Give me that. Let's go." he said quickly.
It was now 2:00pm and Grant noticed that being in California wasn't that different from being in Nevada. You could see many people buying stuff from the markets and decoring trees around the field. Kids laughing like always and people singing happily. Grant was looking over the window of the limo when he noticed that two eyes from the mirror were looking at him. He gasped in amazement and turned his head to Nicolas.
"What are you looking at?" he said angrily.
They were now heading to a radio station. Grant was going to give another interview there. This one was longer, it ended almost at 7:00pm. There he talked about his new film and how his life had change since he became an actor. After the interview, he did not wanted to be bothered. He was now thinking about Kevin. How could he be alive? Then after an hour, he got back to his apartment in Nevada.
"Don't let anyone in." Said Grant to Nicolas while getting out of the limo.
"I won't." replied Nicolas.
He entered Brighthills, the hotel. He took the elevator, went to the 3rd floor and headed to room #122. When he turned on the lights, there he was. Just like he expected. Grant rolled his eyes and said:
"The answer is NO and how did you got here?" yelled Grant while throwing his coat on the bed.
"They let me in. I said you gave me permission." Matthew, Grant's nephew was standing in front of him giving him a half-smile. "They gave me the keys and told me to sign a form. I hope it doesn't bother you. I didn't steal anything. I swear." Matthew had brown hair and green eyes. He was tall like his uncle and had the energy of a child.
"That is not how it works here. They can't let you in just like that. They didn't have proof..."
"I wrote a letter..."
"You WHAT?"
"I needed to talk to you, I wanted to..."
"Matthew, you KNOW I don't like you coming over every Christmas to ask the same thing. You know my answer." he interrupted him.
"Oh come on uncle! You always say no. It's only one night."
"Don't waste your time Matthew."
"You're still angry aren't you?"
"It's non of your business." he said taking off his sun glasses.
"It is."
"WHY? Why is it? Who do you think you are?" Grant said furiously.
There was a silence of 5 seconds.
"Me? I'm the only family you have. Too bad you don't appreciate it."
"I don't wanna hear it. Just go. Welcome back!!" Said Grant opening the door for his nephew. Matthew walked slowly, he handed the keys to his uncle and said:
"Merry Christmas uncle. Good Night."
Grant closed the door without saying a word. The clock hit 8:30pm. He went to the bathroom, switch the light on and stood in front of the mirror. He could not believe the behavior of his nephew. Neither his own. Matthew was right about something. He had no family besides him.
"Who said I needed him anyways." he said to himself. In that moment, the bell rang loudly. "WHAT'S UP WITH THE TIME?" he yelled. "It was 8:30 just now!"
"Time has come to play..." whispered the voice again...
"Hello?" said Grant looking all over the bathroom. He then went out of it. "Hello?" he said again.
"Behind you." Grant turned back.
"Ahhhhh!!!!!"
"Scared ya'?" Said Kevin who came out of nowhere.
"You!!??? But you're dead!!! How is it possible?" Grant was now very scared and was breathing heavely.
"Ahh, don't give me attitude now. Yes I am, what's the big deeeal? So ... what was the last thing we did together?" Kevin snaped his finger. "I remember now."
Kevin's ghost was walking and talking like if nothing strange was happening. He was wearing chains on his neck and arms.
"You're alive?" asked Grant walking away from him.
"Technically yes, but no."
"So, we were in this car, driving from Acapulco to Mexico City and BAM!! We crashed!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Now who was driving? Was it you? I think yes."
"Kevin..."
"We were drunk, like you were yesterday."
"Drunk... and now you're mad."
"Maybe I am, but I'm here to help you."
"Help me not to get drunk?"
"No, to save you silly." he smiled.
"Save me from what? What are you talking about?"
"Save you from your future."
"Why?" said Grant confused.
"Aghrrr come on. Sit."
"I don't wanna sit. I'm perfectly fine here."
"But I want you to sit." A huge bright light shone, it made Grant close his eyes. When he opened them, he was sitted in a chair that has his name on the back, just like the one he was used to use when he was filming a movie.
"That's better."
"How did you do that?"
"I don't know... ok, so we were talking..."
"Wait a minute..." said Grant standing up. "Kevin, you're dead. I can't believe I'm actually talking to a ghost. Now, you're here, talking and talking about things I don't get. You're talking about MY future? What did I do? Or what is it that I'm gonna do?"
"You've been doing it over the years."
"What?"
"Grant, you know what I'm talking about." Kevin was making himself comfortable in the bed. "Do you remember all of the people that are in need out there? For God's sakes Grant, you have a lot of money, and it's not about the money. It's you! You know... it's not your fault that people are the way they are." he said reffering to Grant's father. "Not all people are the same. Some people are good."
"I don't wanna hear it."
"That's your problem. You never wanna hear it. Grant, I don't want you to suffer what I'm suffering now. Why do you think I'm wearing chains?"
"That's the new style up there?"
"No, to remind me of my mistakes. Grant, up there, you have to make- up for your mistakes."
"Now you're talking me seriously huh?"
"Fine. It's no use."
"Good thinking."
"You better get ready."
"For what?"
"Three ghosts are going to visit you later tonight." said Kevin standing up from the bed. Grant turned his back trying to ignore him.
"More ghosts? Who is it gonna be this time? Ryuichi?" he laughed. "You wish..."
Grant lowered his head.
"Tonight's not good."
"Well, that ain't my problem. The first one will arrive at 1o'clock. The second one an hour later and the last one..."
"Who are these ghosts?" Insisted Grant.
"You'll see my dear friend. For now, I recommend you to sleep. You only have like 3 hours to rest."
"Shut up, would ya'?"
"Oh I will. I'm leaving now."
"WAIT!"
When Grant turned back Kevin had disappeared. It was now a matter of time for the ghosts to arrive. Grant wasn't sure of what happened. But something told him that it was all real.
Kevin's come back.
It was now Monday morning. The sun was shining brightly over the windows of the apartment. The birds were chirping constantly like in every Christmas day and the snow ceased on falling for a little bit. Outside, a limo was waiting for Grant to take him to the interview. It was 6:50am and Grant was still sleeping. The covers of the bed were all disorganized and Grant's hair was bushier than ever. He forgot to set the clock to 6:30, which was the time he was supposed to wake up to get ready. Around 7, a man wearing black suites knocked in Grant's apartment's door and called:
"Sir?"
"What?" he mumbled while moving in the bed. The man knocked once
again. "WHAT?" he yelled as he put the pillow over his head.
"Sir, you were supposed to be ready by now. You have an important interview today. You don't wanna be late?" said the man from outside. Grant opened his eyes widely.
"Right! The interview. Damn it!"
He stood up as quickly as he could and open the door to let the man in.
"Nicolas come on, help me here... you see those clothes over there? Bring 'em to me. I have to get dressed quick!" he said while heading to the bathroom.
"But sir, aren't you gonna take a bath first and... a shave?"
"There's no time."
"Actually there is for a bath and a shave. It's just 7:04am."
"7:04? I.. I guess that'll be enough time. Ok go away then."
"Here." Nicolas said while giving him the clothes.
"Yeah, yeah thanks, now go. No time to lose."
After the man left, Grant took a bath and had the shave of his life. While shaving he heard a whisper that sounded familiar.
"Rayburn..." whispered a rare voice. "Grant Rayburn..." whispered once more. Grant didn't know where to look. He was afraid though, so he opened the door of the bathroom to feel secure.
"I'm driving myself to madness." he said to himself while he finished shaving.
When he was done, he got dressed and put on some cologne. He brushed his brown hair, took the keys of the apartment and left. When he was about to close the door he forgot his coat and went back in to look for it.
"My coat, the coat, where did I leave you?" He said while looking all over the place. "Oh here you are. I don't know how you got there but whatever." With that he left the apartment and closed the door hard. He went downstairs and started hearing the things he hated.
"Good morning sir." said the administrator of the building.
"Merry Christmas sir!" said a man at the door. Grant looked displeased and ignored him.
He went outside and before getting in the limo, he looked at two children laughing and playing with the snow. There were also many people stretching hands with each other and saying 'Merry Christmas' cheerfully to one another.
"I don't know what's the big deal about Christmas." he said to himself while getting in the limo.
Two more men and a woman got in it too. They were heading to California for the interview. Grant didn't like being interviewed but it was the only way to hide his memories and real personality. In the limo he had a television and wine.
"Where's the remote control Nicolas?" asked Grant.
"It's right beside you sir." he answered.
"Oh, right."
He turn on the tv and started changing the channels until the television started changing for itself. It stopped on channel 193.
"Channel 193? Since when do we have channel 193?" he asked loudly. But no one seemed to have listened. "Hey you idiots!? HELLO?"
Everyone was paralyzed. But that was not the thing that Grant cared about anymore. Someone in the television was talking to him. Someone he knew.
"You, Grant Rayburn. Yes... you..." Said the voice from the television.
"Who the hell are you?" Grant said desperately.
"Ahhhh you know me well Grant. It's been so long..."
"Kevin?" He asked with his eyes wide open.
"Bingo!" Kevin laughed.
"Something's not right. I must be sleeping."
"Oh but you're not."
"Aren't you dead? And what are you doing in there? How...?"
"Shhh. Speak no more. I'll explain later. For now please don't be scared."
"I'm not scared." Said Grant pushing the buttons of the remote control.
"Well, don't worry. Very soon you will be."
In that instant, the channel appeared back to where it was. Nicolas and the rest stared at him.
"Are you ok sir?" Asked Monica, his second assistant.
"Of course I'm ok. Did we arrived?"
"Yes, we've been here for a while now. We were just waiting for you to stop talking alone to..."
"What...? But we just left from Nevada." He said confused.
"It's been almost an hour since we left." Said Monica.
"What..? Let's get this over with." he sighed.
After he got out from the limo, he walked into this big building where 'Teen Magazine' was going to interview him.
"Sir you forgot your coat!!" yelled Monica.
"Keep it!" Grant yelled back.
"What's up with him today?" Monica asked Nicolas.
"I have no idea." he replied.
Once inside, many people with cameras and microphones started asking him questions about his career. It seemed that everyone knew he was going to be there.
"Not now!" he said to everyone and entered the elevator.
He went to floor #12. When he got there, he walked through a lot of halls until he reached the door of Mrs. Sullivan. There were many figurines and paintings hanging on the walls. He knocked on the door three times while he told his make-up artist to brush him once more just in case.
"Ok, that's enough... stop it!" he told her.
"Sorry." she whispered.
The door opened and Mrs. Sullivan greeted Grant with a smile and a shake of hands. Mrs. Sullivan was a 43 years old woman. She was a reporter as well as the producer of the magazine. She was a brunette and had a lot of make-up on. She looked like one of those very delicate and refine woman.
"Welcome Mr. Rayburn. It's a pleasure to have you here. Come on in." She said as she closed the door in the face of Grant's make-up artist.
After being there an hour, Grant came out of the room shaking once again Mrs. Sullivan's hands.
"The pleasure was mine Mrs. Sullivan."
"Thanks again and by the way, Merry Christmas!"
"Yeah... sure." said Grant seriously and putting his sunglasses.
Outside...
"Here." Said Monica giving Grant his coat.
"Give me that. Let's go." he said quickly.
It was now 2:00pm and Grant noticed that being in California wasn't that different from being in Nevada. You could see many people buying stuff from the markets and decoring trees around the field. Kids laughing like always and people singing happily. Grant was looking over the window of the limo when he noticed that two eyes from the mirror were looking at him. He gasped in amazement and turned his head to Nicolas.
"What are you looking at?" he said angrily.
They were now heading to a radio station. Grant was going to give another interview there. This one was longer, it ended almost at 7:00pm. There he talked about his new film and how his life had change since he became an actor. After the interview, he did not wanted to be bothered. He was now thinking about Kevin. How could he be alive? Then after an hour, he got back to his apartment in Nevada.
"Don't let anyone in." Said Grant to Nicolas while getting out of the limo.
"I won't." replied Nicolas.
He entered Brighthills, the hotel. He took the elevator, went to the 3rd floor and headed to room #122. When he turned on the lights, there he was. Just like he expected. Grant rolled his eyes and said:
"The answer is NO and how did you got here?" yelled Grant while throwing his coat on the bed.
"They let me in. I said you gave me permission." Matthew, Grant's nephew was standing in front of him giving him a half-smile. "They gave me the keys and told me to sign a form. I hope it doesn't bother you. I didn't steal anything. I swear." Matthew had brown hair and green eyes. He was tall like his uncle and had the energy of a child.
"That is not how it works here. They can't let you in just like that. They didn't have proof..."
"I wrote a letter..."
"You WHAT?"
"I needed to talk to you, I wanted to..."
"Matthew, you KNOW I don't like you coming over every Christmas to ask the same thing. You know my answer." he interrupted him.
"Oh come on uncle! You always say no. It's only one night."
"Don't waste your time Matthew."
"You're still angry aren't you?"
"It's non of your business." he said taking off his sun glasses.
"It is."
"WHY? Why is it? Who do you think you are?" Grant said furiously.
There was a silence of 5 seconds.
"Me? I'm the only family you have. Too bad you don't appreciate it."
"I don't wanna hear it. Just go. Welcome back!!" Said Grant opening the door for his nephew. Matthew walked slowly, he handed the keys to his uncle and said:
"Merry Christmas uncle. Good Night."
Grant closed the door without saying a word. The clock hit 8:30pm. He went to the bathroom, switch the light on and stood in front of the mirror. He could not believe the behavior of his nephew. Neither his own. Matthew was right about something. He had no family besides him.
"Who said I needed him anyways." he said to himself. In that moment, the bell rang loudly. "WHAT'S UP WITH THE TIME?" he yelled. "It was 8:30 just now!"
"Time has come to play..." whispered the voice again...
"Hello?" said Grant looking all over the bathroom. He then went out of it. "Hello?" he said again.
"Behind you." Grant turned back.
"Ahhhhh!!!!!"
"Scared ya'?" Said Kevin who came out of nowhere.
"You!!??? But you're dead!!! How is it possible?" Grant was now very scared and was breathing heavely.
"Ahh, don't give me attitude now. Yes I am, what's the big deeeal? So ... what was the last thing we did together?" Kevin snaped his finger. "I remember now."
Kevin's ghost was walking and talking like if nothing strange was happening. He was wearing chains on his neck and arms.
"You're alive?" asked Grant walking away from him.
"Technically yes, but no."
"So, we were in this car, driving from Acapulco to Mexico City and BAM!! We crashed!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Now who was driving? Was it you? I think yes."
"Kevin..."
"We were drunk, like you were yesterday."
"Drunk... and now you're mad."
"Maybe I am, but I'm here to help you."
"Help me not to get drunk?"
"No, to save you silly." he smiled.
"Save me from what? What are you talking about?"
"Save you from your future."
"Why?" said Grant confused.
"Aghrrr come on. Sit."
"I don't wanna sit. I'm perfectly fine here."
"But I want you to sit." A huge bright light shone, it made Grant close his eyes. When he opened them, he was sitted in a chair that has his name on the back, just like the one he was used to use when he was filming a movie.
"That's better."
"How did you do that?"
"I don't know... ok, so we were talking..."
"Wait a minute..." said Grant standing up. "Kevin, you're dead. I can't believe I'm actually talking to a ghost. Now, you're here, talking and talking about things I don't get. You're talking about MY future? What did I do? Or what is it that I'm gonna do?"
"You've been doing it over the years."
"What?"
"Grant, you know what I'm talking about." Kevin was making himself comfortable in the bed. "Do you remember all of the people that are in need out there? For God's sakes Grant, you have a lot of money, and it's not about the money. It's you! You know... it's not your fault that people are the way they are." he said reffering to Grant's father. "Not all people are the same. Some people are good."
"I don't wanna hear it."
"That's your problem. You never wanna hear it. Grant, I don't want you to suffer what I'm suffering now. Why do you think I'm wearing chains?"
"That's the new style up there?"
"No, to remind me of my mistakes. Grant, up there, you have to make- up for your mistakes."
"Now you're talking me seriously huh?"
"Fine. It's no use."
"Good thinking."
"You better get ready."
"For what?"
"Three ghosts are going to visit you later tonight." said Kevin standing up from the bed. Grant turned his back trying to ignore him.
"More ghosts? Who is it gonna be this time? Ryuichi?" he laughed. "You wish..."
Grant lowered his head.
"Tonight's not good."
"Well, that ain't my problem. The first one will arrive at 1o'clock. The second one an hour later and the last one..."
"Who are these ghosts?" Insisted Grant.
"You'll see my dear friend. For now, I recommend you to sleep. You only have like 3 hours to rest."
"Shut up, would ya'?"
"Oh I will. I'm leaving now."
"WAIT!"
When Grant turned back Kevin had disappeared. It was now a matter of time for the ghosts to arrive. Grant wasn't sure of what happened. But something told him that it was all real.