Disclaimer: You know the drill. Unless you don't. And in that case, the opening line is from RENT's "Finale B" by Jonathan Larson. And now you know the drill. Learn it. Know it. Love it.
Thank you all so much for still reading! :) I'm still working on it, but school's making it hard. I'd tell you all about how you don't need to tell me about the flow problems because I already know about them and how it'll make sense when I update and fix some things - but if you're reading this that means you didn't listen to me at the beginning of Chapter 2 so… :Þ I'd still love to know what you all think of it. Reviews are my favorite thing in the world. :)
Before I…
by Ex Astra
No other path, no other way, no day but today… NO DAY BUT TODAY!
Mark put down his pen and sighed contentedly. He picked up the script and took a look at it. Amazing. Granted, the writing was a little sloppy, especially toward the end… But he was proud of it! He marveled for a moment at how he could turn a pack of blank, worthless papers into something so passionate, so poignant, so...
Perfect.
His script.
The thing that would finally bring him everything he wanted, finally make people give him the credit he deserved!
The thing that would finally make his life matter.
Mark looked at his watch.
Whoa! How long have I been here? That many hours? Man, I gotta get back home.
He scooped up all of his papers and picked up his camera, taking in the complete feeling of pride knowing that he finally had a real chance for success.
He managed to make it out the door all right, even with his arms full. He even made it up the stairs. He wasn't so lucky when he got to the door to the loft.
He groaned.
Keys.
It took him a good five minutes before he could figure out how to get the keys out of his pocket, unlock the door, turn the doorknob, and still manage to balance his script and camera.
Geez, I'm already a filmmaker and screenwriter, why not throw in a balancing act? That way, if the film doesn't work out, I can always be a one-man freak show.
He laughed bitterly as he went inside. Mimi was sitting at the end of the table with her back to the door. Mark put his stuff down on the closer end. "Hey Mimi."
Mimi didn't say anything.
Mark paused.
Uh oh. They must have had another fight.
He walked across the room until he finally saw her face. She looked up at him, with eyes red and swollen from crying. Her eyes lacked that special gleam they always held; the shine they would always get whenever she looked at Roger.
This isn't like her. She almost looks… Haunted…God, what happened?
"Mimi, what's wrong? Where's Roger?"
Mimi's eyes widened at the mention of Roger's name.
Oh no. No, it… It couldn't be…
"Did… Did something happen to Roger?"
Mimi still said nothing.
"Oh my God." Mark ran into Roger's room and saw him lying on his bed. He looked at him questioningly. "Roger?"
No answer.
He spoke to him again, a little quieter, "Roger? You asleep?" Mark approached the bed and sat down next to him. "Roger, wake up." He moved to shake his arm.
"Roger…"
Why is his arm so cold?
"Roger, this isn't funny."
He should have put on another blanket. He could have asked for mine. I would've given it to him.
Mark shook him harder. He tried to speak with more force, but his voice faltered with desperation, "C'mon Rog. Wake up. Roger, wake up. Wake up! WAKE UP!"
Roger never even flinched.
Mark's eyes widened. He clenched his jaw; closed his mouth tightly. He pulled his hand away from Roger's arm slowly, his fingertips brushing it lightly before falling. He looked at Roger's expressionless face for a long time before turning his gaze slowly around the room. His eyes landed on the phone. He got up, feeling a lot heavier than normal, and walked over to it.
He picked up the phone. It was heavy, too. He stared at the number pad, trying to remember how a phone worked. After hearing the dial tone drone on for a couple minutes, he hit Speed 1.
"Hello?"
Mark swallowed. "Collins."
"Yeah? Who is this?"
He tried to pronounce each word carefully and clearly. "You need to come."
"What? Who is… Mark? Come where? Where are you?"
"Home."
"The loft? Mark, why do you need me to come? Is everything okay?"
"Come now."
"Mark, wait, what happ…"
Click.