I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES. SHOUTOUT TO AVA NAVA FOR SUBMITTING THIS CHARACTER.
Bismarck. Province of Dakota. Announcement Day.
Theodore Madden twiddled his thumbs as he sat in his father's office. He had no desire to hear who was being chosen to take part in the selection. He was just hoping that it wasn't him. His father on the other hand, was praying for the exact opposite.
"This is it Teddy." Ellio said as his eyes were glued to the plasma screen TV. "In a few short minutes, I'll find out if that bribe paid off." His son groaned at the sound of his nickname.
"Come on dad, do you have to call me that?" Teddy asked as he was pro only shushed as the Illèan national anthem came on.
"Good afternoon, my fellow Illèans." Princess Melody announced with a smile. "After receiving one hundred of the best applicants and careful consideration, I am pleased to announce the 35 persons that have been selected."
"Come on, daddy needs a spot in the selection." Mr. Madden whispered as he motioned for his son to watch. They waited as the Princess rattled off a few names.
"From the province of Dakota...Mr. Theodore Madden!" Melody announced as Teddy's old man cheered with delight.
"Hell yes!" He exclaimed as Teddy silently cursed to himself.
"Come on!" He whined as his father turned to him.
"Teddy!" He exclaimed as he glared at his son. "Can't you see that this is a very good thing!"
"No dad, it isn't!" Teddy exclaimed in return as he stood up from his chair. "Now I have to go all the way to Angeles and pretend to be interested in this starry eyed little girl and put up with all of this royal shit!"
"Could you maybe stop being selfish for once in your damn life!" Old man Madden snapped.
"I'm being selfish?" Teddy asked in disbelief.
"Yes, this is a good opportunity for us and this company and it is one that we desperately need right now!"
"What in the Hell is that supposed to mean?" Ellio sighed as he look his son dead in the eye. Before he could speak, his wife and public relations agent for his company: Charlotte Madden stormed in.
"Did you hear Ellio? They picked Ted!" She exclaimed with a smile.
"Teddy...the truth is that we haven't been doing as well as we would like." Mr. Madden said with a sigh.
"What the Hell are you talking about?" Teddy asked as Charlotte stepped forward.
"You know that your father and I support King Maxon II and that we have raised you to always trust him...well, many people are turning against the King." She explained.
"Those damn liberals are convincing everyone that Maxon II is some tyrant that is going to destroy Illèa!" Teddy's father growled as he slammed his fist down on his desk. "As a result of this Liberal propaganda, people have been boycotting our tech products and it is killing us! My financiers have project that at best, we are going to pull a minus three for this quarter. Minus three! That can not happen!"
"Unless we do something and quick, we'll have to start cutting back, laying people off, and eventually...we might even have to declare bankruptcy." Mrs. Madden continued.
"How is me being in the selection Dave the business?" Teddy inquired.
"Think about it, if you married Melody and became a prince, you would have some serious clout." Ellio pointed out with excitement. "You could use your royal connections to save our business. You could tell the King how loyal we are and convince him to give us a bailout; like a subsidy or something."
"Besides, even if you don't win, the crown pays us a lump sum for every week you are there." Charlotte added. "We could use that money to keep the lights on u til we figure out another plan." Teddy was still incensed at being used for corporate interests.
"Selections can go on for days or months...even years. This could be a huge chunk of my life we're talking about and besides...Melody looks like a weakling." He argued as his parents were getting frustrated with their son.
"Come on...Melody is young, she's beautiful, and she's insanely wealthy; not to mention the future Queen of Illèa." His mother argued in return.
"What else do you want in a wife?" His father demanded. "Do right by your family Teddy...and if she doesn't please you...try to get some action on the side if you can get away with it."
"Ellio!" Charlotte exclaimed as she cuffed him on the back of the head.
"I'm saying only as a last resort, I just want the boy to not be a total failure for once." Those words hit Teddy hard. He had always wanted his parents approval, but he very rarely got it. It was one of his biggest insecurities.
"Fine...I'll do the stupid selection." He growled as Mr. and Mrs. Madden heaved a sigh of relief.
"You are making the right choice Ted, for your family and for the business." His mother insisted as Teddy looked on, trying to avoid the hollow feeling inside him.
WILL THEODORE GET OVER HIS RESERVATIONS? PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR OC'S AND AS ALWAYS REVIEWS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.