Chapter I: Introduction
It was the year 1946 at Joey Drew Studios, a few years have passed since the peak of popularity of the stellar cartoon Bendy, in addition to other details, such as the absence of co-creator Henry Stein, problems between workers, layoffs, rigorous dead ends, in short. The atmosphere, while not ideal, was average.
At the same time, rumors began to spread of a strange use for the fundamental object, the heart of the studio, the Ink Machine.
The creators had 3 essential cartoons, Bendy the little Devil Darlin', Boris the Wolf & Alice Angel, in the company of the butcher's gang and others less relevant. They were loved by everyone, especially Joey Drew. So much so that, secretly, a project was carried out in collaboration with the GENT Corporation and with what supposedly seems like magic the main toon trio was brought to life.
The idea was simple, make them known to everyone, in the end everyone would love them, especially children. Who doesn't love cartoons?. It could have happened if it weren't for a small detail... They weren't perfect, at least for him, at first he accused GENT of the mistake, but they washed their hands of it, since the machine gave him exactly what he wanted.
The toon trio thought it was due to lack of efficiency, they tried harder, following all the scripts 100% instead of improvising and being natural, however nothing they did met his expectations, they weren't able to fulfill his wishes.
He began to show his true colors after the talk with Tom Connor, who, again, reminded him the machine gave him exactly what he wanted. Creating a disagreement between them.
On this occasion they were recording a song, turns out that was more efficient to have the toons doing their things than have the actresses and animators working, Alice acted as the main vocalist along with her friends, they put a lot of effort and heart into it, the piece was beautiful, the music department was satisfied and the toons were happy. That's how it was almost all the time, as long as Joey wasn't around, the toons had a good time, giving their all.
But they didn't leave aside that problem with Joey, they knew that something was wrong because of the way he treated them, that change of mind after Tom Connor handed them over was strange, he began to highlight to them that they were imperfect.
Bendy didn't understand, was it perhaps due to his lack of understanding of human feelings?. No, anyone with the capacity for reasoning can deduce that a change of that magnitude is abnormal and hardly justifiable except of having a real reason involved. And in this case there was a reason, they just didn't know it, although they would, very soon.
Returning to the present, Bendy, Boris & Alice were dancing to later turning it into a cartoon, they were singing and laughing with the company of the music and storyboard department.
They continued with their performance when, suddenly one of the ink pipes collapsed, causing an accident as soon as the ground fell causing Bendy to crash into the ground, giving himself a hard blow. Alice and Boris suffered minor injuries, but stopped instantly and helped Bendy. Maybe it was a bad calculation, deficiency in materials or bad luck?. Joey wouldn't allow that...
Bendy got up suffering from his injuries, but he stayed strong, what really mattered to him was Joey's reaction as soon as he realized it, as if he had made a terrible mistake, a gloomy and cold expression, muttering to himself.
Alice: Come on, let's go to the infirmary... She said in a soft and worried tone
Boris and Alice also looked at Joey's face and noticed the expression, they decided to ignore him and focus on their friend. They apologized to the team and left, and Joey stopped them outside the apartment.
Joey: Leave Bendy and come back, the show must go on.
Boris: We need Bendy, we're not going to leave him just like that...
Alice: We can't continue like this...
Joey: Leave him in the infirmary and come back, there are no excuses, get to work!.
The toon trio left, the situation with Joey was getting worse.
[Inside the infirmary]
Alice: What is his problem?
Boris: Sighs deeply He doesn't care of us, he just wants results, the truth is to be expected...
Bendy: Someone sabotaged the stage, Joey wouldn't allow something with defects, especially for the recordings...
Boris: I certainly have a feeling that this is part of something worse... but I'm not sure.
Alice: Joey is very indifferent to us since Mr. Connor left us, yet I don't think he is capable of hurting his own creations. She said as she finished putting a bandage on Bendy's arm
Boris and Alice stayed with Bendy for a while until Joey called them over authoritatively. A nurse arrived and treated Bendy's wounds while he watched his toon friends leave. They promised to return as soon as they finished.
Bendy remained in healing for a short time, while he was resting he saw how Sammy Lawrence, his great admirer, approached him.
Sammy: My lord, oh, I'm sorry you were hurt, How can I help you heal? I can't allow myself to see you hurt. He said in a tone that made the toon uncomfortable
Bendy: Ugh... I'm fine, there's no need... and please don't call me lord…
Bendy felt uncomfortable, he knew that he was loved, that people adore him, even his friends do, but that man's level of adoration was very different. After a while and after taking care of him, Sammy had to leave to continue composing for him.
The toon demon stood up, ready to go back to his friends and continue with the work, he already felt a little better. With calm steps he continued on his way when something or someone hit him hard, collapsing unconscious on the ground.