Morty deserves a chapter, just saying. After all, he did play a good role in Luigi's Last Resort Stay. Enjoy!
A man sighed with annoyance as he could hear his next door neighbors screaming at each other. All he ever wanted was a silent night for once.
In the clutches of an innocent apartment, two daters were arguing about the fact that one of them stood the other up.
What's the truth? Oh what is the truth?
"Oh Marco! What did I do to deserve this?" A woman sobbed and cried at her boyfriend. "I could be better, but you just can't see that!" She threw her wine glass on the floor dramatically. Then her boyfriend grabbed her by the arm.
"Anne, you know I would never purposely stand you up! I promise, traffic got the better of our plans! I promise my dear!" Marco pleaded. "I swear, what makes you think I lied?"
Anne whipped a camera out of her purse, and shoved it into Marco's face. "I have video evidence that instead of going to the restaurant, you went the opposite direction!"
Marco let his irritation show. "I went to a gas station! My car was low and it needed some fuel!" The couple circled each other slowly with angered expressions. They shouted their thoughts at the exact same time.
"You distrust me way too much! We're done!"
"You are too dishonest for me! We're done!"
"...And cut!" Morty, the ghost movie director beamed at his two stars, who were beaming as well. Another scene finished for Morty's latest project: Drawing Opposites.
"The performance is too good for this world! Drama, rage, oh the passion you two out in this scene! Bravo, bravo!" The director congratulated and clapped his hands until they started to hurt.
"Hey man, I gotta give you credit for putting a movie in this good kind of order." The actor playing Marco commented. "Without you, the movie just doesn't work, you know?"
"Agreed." The actress playing Anne chimed in. Moviemaking is fun, just as long as you're in control."
The three laughed, showing everyone that hey were having a good time. Things were definitely in control.
As if on cue, a loud crash erupted from another set. The entire floor rumbled like there was an earthquake happening. Naturally, since everyone thought the rumbling was an earthquake, everyone dropped to the ground screaming.
"For the love of my megaphone, I DON'T WANT TO DIE AGAIN!!!" Morty shouted into the loud noises, and coincidentally enough, the earthquake was over in about five seconds.
Chattering and shouts was the only thing that became of the studio. Morty was panicking, but during his fearful frenzy, he realized-
Hey, why are people going into that room? Did something happen there?
Morty dashed to studio three, only to see a large crowd of humans and ghosts crowding around something, but he couldn't figure out what. The only thing that he could make out of the object was angry snarling. Wait, snarling?
Whatever snarling thing was in the crowd made a huge mess. Props were everywhere, papers were scattered across the floor, even an iced coffee was spilled onto a white rug, which made Morty angry. Angry, dangerous monster or whatever made this mess, was going to pay.
"Everyone, everyone! Get out of the way!" Morty shoved his employees out of his way to see what caused such a ruckus.
People reluctantly stepped back for their boss for his reaction. Luckily for the monster, Morty was kind enough to not punish it too severely.
He finally got to the center of the crowd to see a large hole in the floor? Anger flooded Morty and then he waited for the culprit to show itself.
It didn't wait too long to show up. Not expecting it at all, Morty was super surprised to see a Piranha Plant pop up from the floor, chomping at the people in the crowd, who had quickly backed away in fear.
"Hey, stop moving! I have a fake sword, and I'm not afraid to use it!" Morty jumped towards the plant and challenged it. "Go on, get!"
Unaffected by the threats, the Piranha Plant launched forward and to the director. He waited for the painful bite knowing that there wasn't anything else he could do because of the limited space.
By some miracle, Morty found himself hearing the sound of a man grunting? He opened his eyes and to his surprise, he saw Dr. Potter grabbing onto the plant's dirt pot.
"P-Potter!" Morty breathed a sigh of relief then changed his expression to angry mode. "MY STUDIO! WHY IN THE WORLD DID YOU KEEP A PIRANHA PLANT?!?"
Potter felt embarrassed as everyone in the room gave him the side eye. Not only that, but he was still trying to calm his plant down.
"Listen Morty," The botanist muttered awkwardly. "I uh, apologize for that mess over there. This little guy over here was getting pretty angry."
"You never answered my question," Morty asserted. "Why are you keeping a Piranha Plant?"
"You know Luigis brother, uh, Mario right?" Potter asked. Morty nodded with approval showing the botanist that he was right.
"Anyway, Mario went on a little mission again, and when he finished it, Piranha Plants and other minions of Bowser were captured and imprisoned. Mario thought that was a bit too cruel, so he called me to tame the plants so they would never cause trouble again."
Poor Potter slouched in shame as Morty and his crew stared at him with shock. Even with taming and training, a Piranha Plant could never go good. Maybe it could try to be pure, but the Piranha Plant's instincts will make it kill.
Morty backed away from the entire group and floated by himself, muttering his thoughts. By the time he realized that people were giving him perplexed stares, Morty returned to Potter with a big smile on his face.
"Potter, YOU ARE A GENIUS!!!" Morty shouted with excitement. Everyone in the room except the Piranha Plant gasped in shock. The little menace was still trying to attack anyone he saw, only to be held back by Potter.
"Think about it, you train the plants, they turn good correct?" Morty questioned Potter.
"Er, that's right. But doesn't that make me seem stubborn to keep such a mysterious creature? Even Jasmine looked intimidated by this fellow!"
"It can be trained to do tasks even if it doesn't like it." Morty brought out his notebook and scribbled a note to himself: make Piranha Plant star in a movie.
"Thanks for the compliment, I guess. But first of all, don't call a Piranha Plant an 'it'." Potter spoke a matter-of-factly. "Secondly, that seems cruel to make a plant do things against his will."
"Well, at least train the thing. It's that or plant poison." Morty teased. Unfortunately for him, Potter didn't take the joke lightly.
"Don't you joke about one's life Morty! The Piranha Plant needs a chance! Sorry about the mess, and good day!" Potter and his plant pet jumped down into the floor hole. The Piranha Plant wasn't done with his murder attempts and he still tried to bite at the crowd before silencing for a mouse.
"Alrighty then, where's the cleanup crew? Come people, chop chop!" Morty plastered on a fake smile that convinced everyone except one crew member. Just how could someone smile through the destruction of their personal paradise?
Keeping on the smile and gave thumbs up's to everyone around him, then he quickly grabbed his work binder, grumbled, and flew to his precious editing office. Unsurprisingly, the one person who noticed Morty's misery came in after him. Only to find his boss sulking on his director's chair.
"Boss! Something wrong?" The member asked, even though he knew that it was more of a rhetorical question. But Morty sighed anyway and turned his head around slowly.
"Ever since the hotel has been rebuilt, I just can't get my damn work done!" Morty thundered and his employee flinched. His boss has never shown such anger before.
"I really try to complete all of my tasks, but work has either been delayed or even canceled due to remedies, rages, pranks, and stupid ass shit that happens regularly around here! Oh my God, can you bring me some water?"
"I-uh, gladly boss." The member rushed to the vending machine for water, but he just felt so bad for Morty. He worked hours and hours a day just for things to get screwed up for him.
Maybe he could take a break. The crew member told himself, but he knew that Morty would never agree to that. He loved his job. People getting in the way would always be an annoyance, and nothing like that could ever be part of a perfect script
Hold up, that's it! The crew member thought a good idea for his boss. Wow, Morty'll love this idea!
He quickly got the water after that, and instead of a depressed look, he now had a joyful expression on his face. He rushed to Morty's office.
"Morty! Er- boss!" The crew member handed Morty his water and then he watched as he chugged. "I thought of something that you'd like! I'm sure you'd like it anyway."
"Alright, you gotta tell me." Morty brought a small smile to his face and he tossed the now empty water bottle into a tiny trash bin by his desk. "...And action!"
The crew member took a deep breath.
"You should make a home/hotel movie." The crew member slumped his shoulders in disappointment when he saw Morty's face turn confused.
"Hold up, why would making a movie about a home or hotel make my situation better? There's still everyone here to ruin a take."
"No, no," The crew member went on. "What I mean is that you take one of your cameras around the hotel and you make a little movie out of whatever footage you get. Even if something bad or crazy happens, don't worry because this movie is just like improv theater."
The crew member almost squealed when he saw his boss thinking about this new option. Morty would genuinely feel good about making a movie just about anything as long as there was no distractions.
"Okay, I'll make this movie and it'll be the most amazing movie ever! Can you hand me that sheet if paper?"
"Of course boss, I'll get it- wait a minute, what do you need the paper for?" The member asked. There really was no reason to bring paper for a home movie.
"I need to write down a script for my coworkers! What do you think Steward would like to say for this home movie? Should I bring some costumes for the people in the movie? Is it wise to bring down an animal for extra awesome footage?" Morty rushed to the next door room, only for his employee to chase after him.
"Boss! What are you doing? Alright, I think I need to explain the definition of a home movie again."
Morty stopped in his tracks, which wasn't easy for him since he was carrying tons of equipment, including cameras, lights, microphones, and his trusty megaphone.
"What am I doing wrong?" Morty entreated. "You said to make a movie by going around the hotel and recording stuff."
"The thing is is that you don't write scripts, carry set lights, and- hey what's that?" The member looked suspiciously at a medium sized cooler that was barely able to be held by Morty.
"Well my good employee, this cooler contains what every movie set should have." Morty proudly announced.
"Which is?" The member decided that based on his boss's personality, he did and didn't NOT want to know what 'every movie set should have'.
"Craft service. The cooler contains snacks I collected for this home movie's craft service." Morty beamed at himself thinking that he was such a genius for thinking of other ghosts's snack hunger.
"Sit down boss, you definitely need to know the definition of a home movie." The member sighed in disbelief that his boss-the Mighty Movie Maker- didn't ever heard of a home movie.
"A home movie requires no script, no lights, one camera, and depending on the setting, maybe action." The member looked at Morty hoping that he understood. There might be hope, for Morty was taking notes like an obedient schoolboy.
"So, basically I just record things in the hotel and it doesn't need to have a script or anything?"
"Yes! I'm actually surprised you never heard of the idea of home movies."
Morty flashed red in embarrassment, and then turned to his employee. "He he, not to brag or anything, but the only movies I have ever created are my successful ones."
"Here," The member handed a small camera to Morty. "The Paranormal Productions cameras are too big to carry around, so I got a smaller handheld camera for you. If something stupid happens, be sure to record it."
"Sure, will do." Morty was mesmerized by his new camera. He felt like the time when he saw his first movie as a child.
He might've had a point. Morty thought. Maybe I should've started with these home movies instead of my movie comfort zone.
Feeling excited and happy, he floated to the elevator to the Grand Lobby. He knew that with drama, gossip, pranks, and crazy remedies, the first floor was the first place he would go for footage. The place was like a active comedy show, and perfect for this home movie.
Getting off the elevator, Morty then made his way to the lounge area of the Grand Lobby where there was plenty of things going on. He could hear news of a celebrity that just passed away, Amadeus Wolfgiest destroyed his dressing room looking for his bow tie, and even Serpci built a tiny sand palace for her new pet snakes. But even with all the news, there was nothing worth recording for the home movie.
Maybe I should look around more. Morty thought to himself. I might be able to find amazing moments to video. Hey, I know what to do!
Morty dashed to a nearby boss ghost of the hotel: Johnny Deepend. The dude is so stupid that Morty knew that he would be the perfect person to fit the role of the comical home movie guy.
"Oh Johnnnnnnnnny!" Morty grinned at his friend, best friend. "Hey Johnny, do you want to be in a movie again?" He hit the record button on the camera.
Johnny looked up from his magazine: Muscle Mayhem, Does Drinking Vodka In The Morning Rain Really Strengthen Your Kneecaps?
"Dude! Is that really, like, a question at all?" Johnny remarked. "Who do I get to be? Indiana Bones? Luke Cloudwalker? What about Large Man Caprice?"
"None of those movie men at all!" Morty revealed. "Drumroll!" Johnny tried to make the commanded sound effect as best as he could.
"Johnny W. Deepend, you will star in my next movie as: you!"
"Huh?" Johnny stopped his drumroll. "I'm playing as me?"
"I did it!" Morty held up the camera to his face. "I amaze myself with my home movie skills! I got that moment on my little handheld camera!"
Johnny's face deflated as he watched his greatest friend hug and kiss the camera as if he was loving on a small child.
"Bro, Morty." Johnny began. "Why did you video me? I mean, are you making, like, a home movie or something? I guess that's kinda new coming from you."
"I wanted to try something different!" Morty giggled. "Almost everyone here was to do something to interrupt my normal moviemaking process, and I just wanted to try new techniques for movies! This exhilarates me!"
Johnny awkwardly stared at his friend as he continued to laugh with joy and dance. Seemed it a bit much for a funny recording, but then Morty finally realized something.
I haven't captured real funny moments for the movie.
Morty stopped dancing and checked the camera memory. It was mostly new and it was mainly full of footage of people talking in the Grand Lobby. It was absolutely nothing spectacular for the project.
Maybe I could try again tomorrow. Morty looked down at his ghostly tail. I guess today is just not the day for home movie recordings.
"WHO TOOK MY LIVRE DE RECETTES?!?!" A piercing screech overtook the Grand Lobby. Everyone halted and looked at the doors to floor two's main entrance.
A certain ghost cracked his knuckles that could be heard before he even exited the hallway and go to the Grand Lobby.
"I said, WHO ZEE HELL TOOK MY FAMOUS RECIPE BOOK?!?!" Chef Soufflé carried a shiny pan that looked like it was ready to bust open some heads.
Ohmigoddddddd. Morty's eyes widened and he brought out the camera and hit record. Actual funny footage!
"If someone confesses, I won't beat ze crap out of you." Soufflé threatened. "Well, ANY CONFESSIONS?!?"
"It was Clemace Cillion!" A familiar voice shouted. Morty turned around with his camera and saw a literal cop, Kruller point at Clem who just so happened to be in the crowd and sealed his fate.
"So it was you, eh?" Soufflé sharply turned to the hotel's mechanic and plumber, who was scrambling away from the mad chef.
"Ah swear, Ah just wanted tah make meals for mah duck floats, rubber ducks, an' a couple of my otha' buddies down in da Boilerworks!" Clem then jumped to the elevator and tried to hit the button, but it was too late for him.
"Oh please have at least some mercy! Soufflé please, I-" Soufflé hit him hard on the head with a frying pan. Clem groaned as he fell to the floor.
Now this is a home movie! Drama, passion, assault, it has everything a movie needs but in real life! Morty squealed. He made a mad dash for the elevator, where Clem still sat. Everyone stared at him, and Morty decided to end his movie with an almost unconscious ghost on the ground.
"And that's how I completed my first home movie!" Morty announced to his crew member. "You were absolutely right! I definitely got to do this way more often! Maybe on my days off, or on holidays, or what about-"
"Okay, okay boss." The member sighed. He hasn't seen the movie yet, but Morty had already spoiled a majority of the project. He wanted to see it already!
"Boss, show me the movie." The member calmly spoke up. "Can I see it?"
"Why of course!" Morty floated to a TV to put the movie on. "I'll just skip all of the talking with zero context." He fast forwarded the movie. But just as the duo finished the Johnny scene, they both noticed that for some reason, the movie was coming to an end.
"Hey, I recorded everything. What's going on?" Morty wondered. "Can you check the camera?"
The crew member got up to see the camera, but his response wasn't good at all.
"Hey boss, I think you ran out of memory."
Morty flinched and twitched as he heard the sentence. "NOOOOOOOO! MY HOME MOVIE!" His shouts could be heard from miles away and beyond.
I loved making this chapter! The next chapter will be the final one of A Resort's Reality!