Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.
Vinnie is so confused by what's going on. Nothing makes sense? Audition? Is she for real? See what's going on in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
Troy moved quickly, blocking either woman from
getting into his rental car. He gave her an apologetic glance, even as she
began to pout.
“We want to ride with you, Troy. Where you going?
Back to Hicksville? Never mind, doesn’t matter.” She sidled up to Troy, giving
him what was probably meant to be a winsome and oh so charming smile, even as
she lightly pressed her fingertips on his shoulders, as if to anchor herself to
him.
“You know what? I have the most scathing idea,” she
continued, completely oblivious to everyone around her, too focused on Troy to
care, obviously. “Let’s drive back to Hollywood and surprise everyone. Won’t
that be fun? I’ll get you an audition too, with my director. Just think of it!
The hottest actress and actor back together again! The fans will love it, don’t
you know?”
I started to move toward the delusional actress, but
Ethan lightly restrained me, as if to say let’s let Troy handle this, see where
it goes. I responded with a reluctant nod, and the other agents followed our
lead. I supposed not interacting with her would be for the best. At least,
until it was necessary.
Troy never missed a beat, never appeared flustered
in any way, as he kept her attention focused on him. “That would be lovely,
Carrie,” he agreed. “I bet we could break some box office records, you and me.”
“Absolutely!” She seemed to visibly relax, although
her friend Helen seemed a little nervous, but she didn’t say anything, just
clung to her side. At least they weren’t still attempting to get inside the
car, although nothing said they wouldn’t try that stunt again.
By now, the other vehicles were on their way. We
just had to deal with this situation, and we could be too. But it had to be
handled delicately, for obvious reasons—no telling if that gun Little Miss Crazypants
was carrying was for show or for real.
“Who’s the director?” Troy continued. “Anyone I’ve
worked with before? What kind of film will it be?”
St. Clair furrowed her brow in thought. “I don’t
really know,” she admitted at last. “Something about a serial killer, I believe
he said. Maybe a kidnapping or something? But he’s very famous. I just can’t
tell you his name right now.” She released a high-pitched giggle.
My blood ran cold at the mention of serial killer
and kidnapping. Could someone possibly be thinking of filming a movie about the
Mangler? If so, would that include
myself and Ethan? That was a most disturbing thought.
Troy ran an exasperated hand through his blond hair,
but he never lost his cool with her. Like Ethan, he has the patience of a
saint. I don’t know how they do it. I just wanted to yell at her until she
spilled the beans. Forewarned is forearmed, after all.
“You can tell me, Carrie,” he coaxed. “It’s me,
Troy. Your best friend. Don’t I deserve to know who I’m going to audition for?
I should prepare, don’t you think?”
She appeared to consider his argument, before
shaking her head vehemently. “Not yet. He said it would spoil the surprise.”
She cocked her head and looked up at him coyly. “Maybe if you buy me an ice
cream, I’ll tell you what you want to know. I’m in the mood for chocolate mint
chip, and lots of it.”
So much for that idea.
“Maybe later, Carrie.” Troy sighed in defeat and
motioned to us. Ethan, in turn, gestured toward Carlos and his partner. They
carefully approached the actress from behind.
“You have the right to remain silent,” Carlos
intoned, as both St. Clair and her friend Helen were cuffed and led away.
The actress tried to squirm out of the cuffs, with
no luck. She twisted and turned toward where we still stood. “Troy, help me!”
she begged, a note of hysteria rising in her voice.
“I am,” he said softly, although I knew she couldn’t
hear him now. He appeared to be
devastated, but at the same time somewhat resigned. What a sad end for someone
who once had such potential.
Brendan pulled Troy into a warm embrace, and we all
stood there until Carlos’s car was out of sight. The other agents remained. I
knew they intended to follow us to the tire store.
“Guess we’ll catch up with you up the road a bit,”
Troy said.
“Be careful,” Ethan said. Once they’d pulled away,
he turned to his uncle, who of course had remained with us. “Ready?”
Benny nodded, and we piled into our rental, ready
for this trip to be over, somehow knowing it wouldn’t be that easy.
to be continued
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