Glamorous Work: Tales of a Boss and his peculiar four animalistic entertainers (plus semi-insane night guard girl) 2 - (FNAF!AU, Security Breach-ish)
It was morning, it was also a special day. To someone like 'Glamrock Freddy', this was both a good and bad thing.
Born the last runt of a big family, Edward Brown was initially planning to join the local church and become a priest. It hadn't been a path forced by his family, but he found love in the music preached by the choir and the churchly band.
Music was his driving force from his youth to nowadays. It was what shaped him to then take a sudden turn towards the 'showbiz world'. Where he once found the churchly tones of religious music enough to soothe his aspirations, he was given a touch of something else when he was in highschool.
He had stumbled on some old music discs his family had kept around and, as he played those, he was mesmerized by the similar-looking bear that was singing and rocking with his band. Freddy Fazbear became Edward's idol.
It felt like a spark, as if destiny was calling upon him. And, surprisingly enough, he ended up joining the revived band when it was announced a few years ago. Not just joining, but also become one of its founders. When the brand was 'resurrected', they just wanted 'Freddy' and 'Bonnie'. Edward was chosen for Freddy, while Bonnie was someone that was actually akin to him in personality.
Bernard was a nice guy, quite clean, nothing to lament in his life beyond his tendency to overthink things but... he was a good guy. It was a pity when he left, but Edward upheld the promise of keeping the band alive. Chica III, Roxanne and Monty proved to be valid additions that shaped the new generation of the Fazbear Family as the brand returned back on top of the world of entertainment.
Things have been even fine when Mr. Fitzgerald had taken over, his grumpy personality hidden by a mask of dazzling benevolence that carried through the public face of the company. He was unapproachable in most occasions, so it felt unusual for him to be asking an emergency meeting before it was time to open.
Everyone was excited... in their own ways. Chica was leaning on a wall... by her forehead, trying to ignore the smells and imagery demanding for her to fill her belly up; Monty was checking his shades, trying his hardest to appear 'cool', but also showing quite a lot of discomfort. Finally there was Roxanne- poor Roxanne was a special case on normal cases.
She was quite brilliant and she had an intense sway on fans compared to her fellow 'new entry', but she was terribly insecure of what this meant. Edward had once heard this was something called 'Impostor Syndrome', but he never broached into the topic out of fear of retaliation.
Roxanne was a fragile gal, and yet one that was known for her explosive temper when sore bits were ever so grazed in a conversation. In that particular scene, the wolf was busy checking her hair, talking to herself about this being 'nothing to be concerned about' and staring at the clock above her seat, glaring at it as if she could threaten time to move faster.
Luckily for her (and the clock), the meeting was now upon them.
Vanessa had been the one rallying them up and then pretty much pushed them in the room. She didn't stay behind for long, lost in her thoughts as if someone had told her that her life was at risk or something. But surely Mr. Fitzgerald wouldn't do such a thing...
Right?
The atmosphere was tense from the very beginning. Mr. Fitzgerald had a rather interesting expression on his face- not because it was good, but because it fit neither 'switches' he would have for his common personality, it wasn't grumpy and it wasn't a faux jolly one- he appeared unnerved. Tired and very unnerved. And now also haunting as he glanced at them.
"Thank you for making it here punctually. Please, take a seat."
Four chairs stood in front of the large desk. Paperwork made by documents of all sort littered its surface, but the font was so small that it was tedious to see what it was all about. A mass of paper that threatened to swallow the human's desk from the looks of it.
"Mr. Fitzgerald, if it's not asking too much... why was this meeting called?" Edward didn't lose the chance to skip to business, and the old man, always appreciative of a direct tone, nodded in agreement at his question.
"You may and, to be honest, it's a lot. We have a lot to talk about. Some stuff about this group, the Pizzaplex, the brand, and a few clauses of brand's privacy that will be invoked to explain a rather important situation above all else."
And now 'Freddy' was confused. Rather than ask for more details, the owner was the one that pressed on the words as he readied some files.
"Let's start with you four. I believe that it is your most pressing interest on the matter, so it's best to deal with it first," Nodding, Mr. Fitzgerald turned to glance right at Edward. "Mr. Brown, I hardly have much to lament about you. Your work ethic is impressive, you handle the needs of the role flawlessly, but I have to ask you to be less protective of your band if there's a need for corrections."
"...Sir, we are a family-"
"If so, you can easily say that a family has to be built on honesty, not expectations that 'rolling with issues' will make those disappear."
The sharp rebuttal caught Edward off-guard. He flinched and hesitated from speaking back, even more as the man turned then to Chica.
"Speaking of issues, Ms. Chicorita, you are considered a pillar of good behavior, but I have to ask what is your current progress with your therapist."
Chica tensed up. Out of all members, her family was actually part of the brand. Chica I was the first Chica in the Fazbear's band, Chica II was a brief worker in the 80s and she was the mother of his coworker. In fact, it was through Chica II's distant friendship with Mr. Fitzgerald that Chica III got this job.
Originally far worse than a gluttonous avian, she had worked hard to make it out of the deep hole she had been stuck for years. The issue of bad food was her only problem nowadays but... it's been a long time, and progress had been sluggish. At best.
"T-Things are going well."
"If that's the case, when was the last time you took the pills you were prescribed to handle your current struggle?"
...
"Ms. Chicorita-"
"T-They are bad. Sir, I swear I can hold back from being- being a bother-"
"It's less about pushing yourself against the issue on your own and more about letting others help you, Ms. Chicorita," Mr. Fitzgerald spared her no mercy. "The pills 'hurt' because your body is hurting and trying to fight back the cure. You may not like it, but you are far from the best shape you would hope for."
Chica let out a tiny sob, hugging herself as she tried to shut away the demands from their boss. The man was rigid on the topic, shaking his head and then scribbling something. "I suggest that you take this matter quite seriously or there will be a chance that, no matter your importance, you will be dropped from the franchise."
"S-Sir, that's extreme," Edward argued, but he was stunned by the reprisal harnessed by the boss.
"Is it? Chica here is not only a performer, but a role model. I am quite sure she is also an adult and that you are not her guardian to push back on the matter- the truth is that Chica's self-harming by not treating this problem will hurt those fans that may end up discovering it since this is not a completely private matter, isn't it?"
At that point, no one had the guts to rebuke it. The matter at hand was that Chica's worst trait was a common sight after shows, and some reporters had taken notice of this, writing sharp remarks that were heavily suppressed by the brand the best way possible, but some still... persisted.
Chica looked miserable, but luck was on her side as their boss didn't put more pressure on her by turning his gaze to Monty.
Now, Montgomery was one of those 'good kid trying to appeal to others'. Not because he lacked fans or wasn't popular, but the alligator was quite obsessed over Bonnie. He had been his idol, and the reason he joined the band. In a way, he wanted to channel that sort of energy himself but... he would always come off as 'too much' at times.
And their boss was quite aware of this as Edward was soon to learn.
"Montgomery A. Flacks. You are... you need to tune down the 'coolio energy' as some kids say nowadays."
Do they?
"Sir, but that's the way they see me," Monty argued, appearing understanding but also opposed to this idea. "I am this strong and amazing alligator-"
"That goes around almost begging parents to bring the kids to your attraction?" Mr. Fitzgerald's barbed tone came through once more, silencing Monty. "The thing is that it's less something you should be handling and we should as a brand. Which is why we will give a look on how we can improve your sector to be more appealing. But for you, one of the stars, to just go around and expect to do this alone is... it may not sounds like it, but it creates a rather negative perception by those adults trying to find reliable entertainer."
"But I-"
"You are fine, Monty," Mr. Fitzgerald stopped the tall 'gator on the spot, the younger guy mellowing at the intense serious look he was given. "But you need to let us do our job while you focus on yours. You will shine as much as you want, especially now that we are on a phase of fixing whatever mess needs to be fixed."
That seemed enough to make the chill dude calm down, but now it was time to-
"Yes, Ms. Wolf?"
Roxanne Wolf was... it was her name. She was glamorous, she was bombastic and it attracted fans from kids to... young adults. The young lady was aware of what the internet saw in her. The super tough, arrogant and yet 'soft' wolf girl that was unbreakable.
Unaware that she was constantly checking online to flame any fan trying to poop on her parade.
Roxanne had an issue with her attitude with others, Edward couldn't deny or defend it, and he was half-expecting this to be the roughest aspect of that meeting.
"Sir, I have to apologize a-about the internet thing."
The owner nodded, but everyone else was shocked by that confession. Roxanne was, after all, not the kind of woman that would ever bow her head to any flaws. But as they all turned to stare at Roxanne, they saw that the usually confident wolf now hesitant and quite nervous.
Edward realized it was the build-up that had eroded Roxanne's bravado. She may push herself to appear tough, but the woman was scared of being confronted by someone that was not planning to take any excuse for any mistakes.
Capitulation was a sweeter deal than resistance in that case.
"If that's the case, you are aware that regulations will be enforced as part of your contract. Your official work phone shall be monitored, you will be unable to access any of your profiles unless the messages you seek to post are reviewed and moderated, and you are no longer allowed to use any of the computer at the plex- this extends to security-only terminals as I have told Vanessa that she will be limited herself from accessing that sort of stuff if she gives up the new password."
A tiny whine came from Roxanne as she knew that fighting back was useless. The man had came prepared to wage war with her if she so decided to push back on the new rules. And so she was nodding at the new restrictions.
After this intense and deadly skirmish, it was time to face what changes the pizzaplex would face in these months. Some of the fast food areas were to be replaced with healthier alternatives, plans to expand the website were being prepared to make it more appealing for kids to visit the pizzaplex, and then it was time for the biggest decision yet.
"The construction mess that leads to the 'basement' as some workers call it shall be sealed off from any visitors and then properly closed off."
"Did they patch up the plumbing damage?" Edward asked, remembering that it was the cause of that bizarre move from the brand- in an effort to prevent any potential 'accidents akin to what unfolded in past locations'.
"...There was no plumbing issue, Mr. Brown."
This response alarmed the entire crew.
"But Vanessa said that-" Monty tried to say and Mr. Fitzgerald interrupted him.
"There was no plumbing issue, Mr. Flacks," The owner repeated. "In fact, this order has been rescinded until an investigation is conducted on who had issued it and for what reason."
"What does that mean?" Roxanne inquired.
"It means that there is someone that is invested in digging what was the last location of the brand before the Pizzaplace was created," Mr. Fitzgerald explained with a grave tone. "And if they are looking for... something there, then I have to ask a huge favor to all of you. Which is the reason why I mentioned this meeting has some 'top secret' request: I want you to be on alert in regard to anyone trying to enter the pizzaplex unauthorized after the work shifts. If they don't have the right pass, I suggest you alert the security guard and me."
"That sounds ominous," Chica quietly remarked.
"What I can only ask from you is to not approach those individuals and to let security handle it. Especially if those individuals try to enter the pizzaplex with old security uniforms, badges and... and if they try to enter as a 'cosplayer' of the old Bonnie mascot costume. That in particular you need to report at once."
"...I think we are all missing something, sir," Edward added dryly.
"I can't say much, only that there's pending criminal charges on some individuals that were once involved with the franchise and, as of recently, they may be trying to make a 'comeback' with it. So, keep your eyes open and do not trust anyone that lacks an appropriate security clearance within the pizzaplex. Got it?"
...No.
"Yes sir."
The meeting ended shortly after, but while most of the group was fine with what came out of it, Edward couldn't help but feel like there was more about it.
That last warning, it felt the most intense thing out of that meeting and... somehow, it unnerved him the most.
-d-d-d-d-
AN
Next time, it's Jeremy time! And Vanessa sticks around to drop more on what's different over this timeline.