Episode 3:
"Alright cut! That's a wrap!" said the director, and the sigh of relief across the set was immeasurable. The lights cut off, towels were thrown and Angel Dust stretched out after such a long session. He grabbed a shake mid-flight and slurped it up.
"Alright show's over," he said, caressing the straw. "You all did great. I am exhausted!
Get the hell outta my face. Brucie you can drop by this studio anytime." He blew the demon a kiss. "Carrie, where the fuck is my towel?" As soon as he said it the towel was on his face. "Awww yeah. This is the life."
Angel strolled his way through the XXX Porno Studios warehouse like he owned the place. There were several shots being done at the same time and a lot of talent was bustling about both on and off the stage. A series of kudos and fist bumps came Angel's way as he made his strut. When the star finished his drink he tossed it on the ground and some imp cleaned it up within seconds. Several actresses came up and slapped him right on the ass. "No drag play today hot stuff?"
"That's next week toots," Angel replied. His four arms got them back in kind. "Come on by and I'll get you in as well. It'll be magical." The girls found it hilarious. Angel always offered. They laughed it off and left him to their business. In the world of porn the spider lived like a king.
"Angie," another woman approached from behind. It was one of Valentino's secretaries, a dragon of a woman with a giant mouth and angry titties. "Valentino wants to speak with you. Come by his office in fifteen." She was about to walk out but swung her head back. "And put on some clothes too."
"Boots are clothes aren't they?" Angel grinned, but the secretary had as much humor as her boss. The life of a king was over. He redressed and went up to the boss's room with all haste.
The door was closed when he came up. Another meeting was in effect so he waited outside, fervently
texting on his phone.
"Looks like I ain't coming tonight," he texted. "Go on without me. Boss is about to pull some sort of shit on me."
"Well ain't that some shit," Cherri replied. "I'll head out without ya then."
"Don't party too hard without me." Angel locked his phone and put it away. Whoever was having a meeting with Val was freaking about something. That something turned out to be a gun when said employee was blasted out the door with a few new holes in him.
"Take him to the morgue," Valentino ordered, to which a trio of women complied. "He can get back to work after he's learned his lesson. Now, I know you're there Angie baby. Come inside."
Angel scooted one step in and stood far away from Valentino's desk. The man was a formidable sight, although it was his clothes that were doing the most of the talking. In truth he was an ant man, but his extravagant fur collared robe and heart shaped glasses distracted most from that fact. He kept two arms perched at his desk and two more underneath. Angel's seen the trick plenty of times so he kept his distance, but the amount of guards around him made the point moot.
"You, uh, wanted to see me boss?" he asked.
"Yeah, I do." the boss lit a pipe and took in a deep breath. "Got the raw footage from this afternoon. You've been slacking recently."
"I've been what?" Angel cocked an eyebrow. "Boss, I don't think I've been doing anything different."
"You always say that." He pulled his heart shaped glasses down and showed his red eyes. "You've been acting different since you disappeared a few weeks back. And my associates have told me you haven't been staying at your suite."
"Boss, I-."
Val pointed him down. "I don't like you staying at that shack down the street. That Princess is no good for you, and if you've been getting friendly with that Radio Demon I'm going to be very upset. You best stick to sleeping back here. I'm sure your little piggy has been very lonely."
Angel took a step closer. Several guards took notice. "Don't you dare pull Fat Nuggets into this you-."
"Don't start it." Valentino's grin curled into a malicious grimace. "That mouth of yours is what always gets you into trouble."
"This mouth is what makes you money."
"We'll see about that." Valentino rose from his chair. His goons readied themselves for a usual order.
Angel was ready to curse his stupid mouth but the Overlord made no order. "That'll be discussed later.
There's a man I want you to get for me."
"Okay what kind of man?"
"A big man, a lug of muscle with an iron windpipe and penchant for electronic music. His name is Bassmaster."
"Bass?" Angel asked. He almost laughed out of turn. "Not to make you sound retarded Val, but shouldn't it be bass, you know, like the instrument?"
"Not according to him," he replied with a helpful reminder to zip it. "I want you to bring him to me so
that I can incorporate him under my empire."
"His music is really that good?"
"Immensely. Hell's new arrivals seem to like him and his growing demonic power is just what I'm looking for."
"Alright, sounds easy enough." Angel frowned. "What's the catch?"
Valentino dropped the pipe and lit a fresh cigar in its place. "Let's just say the last time someone offered him a contract he didn't like the offer." Valentino handed Angel a wallet and gold pimp cane with a red jewel in it. "Go to the Cemetery and wake him up. You can show him a good time afterwards and see if he wants another deal."
Angel peeked inside the wallet and measured its thickness. The pimp cane was emitting a powerful aura as well. "Uh, you sure you want to let me handle all this? I mean I'm flattered but I've already got a few bad ideas swimming around."
"That's why I'm going too," said an electronic voice. From behind a black demon with golden spiked hair and neon eyes presented herself in all her glory. "How's it going web shitter?"
"Eugh, seriously you Synthia?" Angel sighed. "Boss, I can handle this on my own. I have some connections that'll-."
"I honestly don't care what you think." Valentino tsked. "Go find him, fuck him if you have to, and get him back here by tomorrow morning. After that, we'll re-discuss your living arrangements. Synthia make sure you do your best as well. Thanks baby girl. You're my favorite employee."
"Of course Daddy," she replied, the gap in her front teeth letting out a bit of static. The two were given their pats on the cheek and thrown the hell out. The second Angel was given breathing room he yanked out his phone and started texting.
As the skies over Pentagram City faded into a darker and darker shade of red, Charlie finally relented and crashed halfway up the stairs. Her body slowly slid down as she let out a long whine. Everything was in shambles, mentally at least. The hotel was fine, as a dozen suspect but ultimately harmless patients were allowed their free time for the evening. They refrained from the world of vice and sidestepped into the lounge, the library and even the ballroom where they could relax and find something productive to do with their time, all under Charlie's permission.
Alastor walked up to the exhausted lady and lifted her up bridal style. He had been supervising the struggles throughout the whole day and thoroughly enjoyed it. "My dear are you sure you don't need any assistance?"
"No, I'm the best," Charlie groaned with her eyes spinning in circles. "This is what I do best. I'm the-...I'm the best. Yeah…"
"I'm sure you are." From his hand a pair of tickets popped into existence. "That's why you deserve a relaxing evening. I have tickets tonight for The Wizard of Oz with thirty eight percent of the original cast, with real flying monkeys. It'll be a riot! What do you say?"
"You have tickets to Oz?" Charlie perked up. She rummaged through her pockets and pulled out two tickets as well. "I bought two the minute they came out." She gasped. "We have seats right next to each other. How amazing is that?"
"That is amazing!" He answered. "I knew you were a fan of the arts but I couldn't imagine."
"Yeah, well imagine," Vaggie said. She stood at the top of the stairs with a short black dress and her hair tied up into an elaborate ponytail. "So why do you have two tickets Alastor?"
Charlie hopped out of Alastor's arms and walked up the stairs. Alastor kept his grin on. "Unfortunately my original companion couldn't make it today, but no matter. The show must go on, so why don't we all go together?"
"Absolutely," Charlie smiled. "But first, it's time for me to dress in my finest as well." She patted Vaggie on the cheek and bolted up the stairs while her friends were left with a load of tension between them.
Alastor cracked his neck. "What have I said before dearie? You're never fully dressed without a smile."
"You lay another hand on Charlie," Vaggie took a step down, approaching Alastor's level. "Then you'll regret coming here tu culo con voz aspera."