All My Friends Are Heathens Don't You Know?

“I tried to follow that,” Bee blinked up at the man, “but I just kept thinking about how pretty you are.” They giggled.

With a chuckle, Will shook his hand and buried his face in his hands for a moment. “Really? I went on a tangent and that’s all I get? My eyes are up here. Focus, please.”

“Okay, I definitely need to know which tv show this is. Or at least the spin-off.”

“Game of Thrones, dude. Four Legit spin-offs. That’s nuts to me... My boss got an invite to a premiere and after party for this season but I don’t know if she’s in the mood for a flight to Hollywood just to see the episode before everyone else does. I’d love it if she did though; I’m a huge fan and I’d probably get to tag along and meet the cast, which would be awesome. Hey maybe if they do carry on with these spin-offs you can audition for a part. Think you can fake a good enough British accent?”

“ – Wait… What TV series are you talking about?”  Though Poppy was a bit lost, was trying her best to keep on track about William’s rant.

“Game of Thrones? The show I almost always talk about when I’m not taking about Walking Dead?” He clarified, looking to her with a brow cocked. “ You okay? Long night last night? Someone party a little too hard?”

Antonio looked at the other, ‘I’m sorry, I now literally have no idea what we are talking about. I thought we were talking about House of Cards, but now I have no idea.’ He frowned, his brow furrowed. ‘And you are way too passionate about this, whatever it is.’ 

“Honestly? Never watched House of Cards. Two things I could never get into were those Medical shows and the political ones. I mean I hear it’s great, but I never got around to it.” He admitted with a shrug. “Maybe I’m too much of a fantasy nerd and those things are too real. Kinda like when Ma gets all uptight about soap operas but it’s basically just like real life only more incest.”

“You sound like you’re talking about something specific here.”

“You don’t watch much TV, do you?”

“That was a hell of a lot to take in, but if I were to guess, I’d say you were talking about Law & Order? CSI?” he questioned, genuinely curious. “Honestly I’ve got better ways to spend my time but I’ve noticed the trend. So if your theory is correct, why do you suppose they even bother with all these multi verses to begin with?”

“Dude, no... Law & Order already has like fifty spin-offs already and the only good one is SVU anyway. If they made another it’d be like lighting a corpse on fire trying to kill it. Like those Chicago whatever shows... Chicago P.D. -- Chicago Fire... Next thing there’s gonna be a Chicago Medical, Chicago Random Business Corporation and Chicago Pizzeria on Fifth Avenue. The whole point I’m trying to make is that they don’t need that many spin-offs and shit. It’s not a comic book -- no multiple universes needed.”

“Oh, you wanna talk about Angie. Let’s. Tell me, would she rather see you caring about this company and helping me out if need be or not?” Their conversation or whatever it was they got themselves into was getting ridiculous. Even Layla, who was also a special kind of ridiculous noticed it. Especially when Ford mentioned his mother did her eyebrows shot up in surprise for she suddenly felt uncomfortable too. “Too much information, William. Too much information. –Doesn’t matter what I think of you, we’re not here to like each other.” She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose with her two fingers. She decided to stay quiet for another moment, once again listening to what he had to say for she couldn’t allow herself to disappoint Angie. “Oh don’t worry,” she said with a humorless laugh. “I’ll be sure to avoid you from now on. As much as I can– as much as Angie and running XS allows me.” It was a promise. “But could you, please, get over it? For the love of gods, I asked you to do one thing, a favor. And since I know it’s not in your job description, I wanted to check if you’ve done it. What is the problem? –Are you intimidated by independent women? Is that it? Awww, no one’s ever been afraid of me.”

“Do you wanna talk about Angie? Cause I’m starting to think you’re a little obsessed with her. Are you in love with her or something?” He asked, arms still folded across his chest as he stared her way. Honestly, he had no idea why Layla hated him so much, but he was  curious now if their boss had something to do with it. “You sound insane, you know that? Do I have to watch out for you? are you gonna go all show girls on Angelica when she’s not looking?Push her down some stairs and try to take over her company while she’s hospitalized because she trusts you?” Eyes narrowed, he groaned as voiced continued to elevate, his head beginning to tighten from the stress of arguing. “ You know what, whatever -- you do your job and I’ll do mine, so why don’t you head to the club and let me worry about Mr. Roger’s appointments like I’m supposed to? You don’t need to ask me to do a favor in doing my job or tell me how to dress. You might think I’m some inbred hillbilly, but I didn’t get hired by the same woman who hired your because I like to sit around and chew on straw.” Scoffing, William dropped to pick up his bag before heading to the back to start his work, pausing when he got next to Layla and turning to the side. “Have a great day, Ms. Margot.” 

“I’ve always thought the only appropriate time to do a spin-off, was when the core show ended. Like… Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, that’s a solid setup right there. Generally speaking, you don’t need four shows in one go to keep people invested in a story… unless it’s a crap story, then by all means toss ‘em out there and see what happens. What show – or shows are you talking about specifically, though? If any. The only thing I’ve watched this year is Rick and Morty. Over and over again, because I’m hooked.”

”Right? You can’t give the people too much else they’re gonna get sick of it. You ever eat an entire cake and the next day you want another cake? It’s a treat because they tease you with it. Who wanted to sit down and try to keep up with four different shows that intertwine and basically tell the same story over again. A prequel is supposed to build towards something. If they wanna keep the story goin’ they could just keep the damn show on air. Most of their viewers re adults with jobs who like to sit on the weekend with one show to catch up on, not four. Besides, you really think it’s easy to replace ten beloved characters who survived a war with sixty news ones each with their own story only to know that more than half of them are gonna die? You could make a drinking game watching those episodes back to back every time you see a a bare ass or somebody dies. Hell, with that much T-and-A on screen for free every week they’d put the porn industry right outta business. And did you really just compare Ricky and Morty to Breaking Bad or am I too deep in beers?”  

“So what would you have done differently from a marketing perspective if presented the opportunity?”

“I don’t really think I’d have done anything. I mean, they’re ending the show because the hype is dying down what with things like Stranger Things and The Walking Dead being top dog now --  if they didn’t than the two final seasons would have the standard ten episodes, right? Not thirteen ‘tween em both. They know they can’t stretch the story any longer without people gettin’ bored, so I wouldn’t done what they do with Supernatural -- do a bunch of panels, hype up the last seasons as much as they can and use ticket sales as their cash cow. I mean, HBO makes profit on merch sales only since they don’t run product ads like regular networks do , so push the merchandise. Make more of those Tell Tale games, get shirts, hoodies, figurines -- push as much of that shit as you can and then drop off the map. Make people miss you then come back with something outta nowhere and make people freak out that it’s starting again. Man, I remember how freaking excited I was when I heard about the Hobbit movies comin’ out. That shit blew my mind because I thought it was over. Hearing that it’s over but it’s only the beginning makes my head hurt ‘cause my eyes roll back so far.” 

“Well, I guess it’s working because more and more shows are doing that now, right?” George shrugged his shoulders as he got two beers out of the fridge. “I mean, I wouldn’t be surprised if Game of Thrones releases a sub-series, to be honest.”

“You don’t think it’s like beating a dead horse? I mean, only thing I’ve seen do that well for longer than ten years is Supernatural and Disney movies. As is with everything, trends die and he obsession goes with it. Tons of people write fantasy, there’s gon’ be a new trilogy in the Lord of the Rings universe and all those remakes of the classic Universal Monsters and there’s Stranger things now and that new Anne Rice thing... I know they wanna make more money off it while they can but it just seems like they’re gon’ pay eight million per episode to not make back half that when the hype dies down cause there’s no more Jon or Arya.”

“… Okay, what have I done to you exactly? Asked you to arrange a meeting! For this company! Not a personal meeting just so I could I incriminate your position or accomplish God knows what. I am sorry but I do get to tell you what to do if it’s good for business. That’s why we’re were. To do good, to perform miracles Vegas deserves.” Layla was passionate about her job, thus genuine enthusiasm in her voice. However her posture remained rigidly upright as she was determined: he wouldn’t get to her. “For years I’ve been a personal assistant to her, to that businesswoman– one of a kind! So I know what you can expect. If you were wise you would learn from me and, of course, mistakes I have made in the past.” Layla then kept staring at him with furrowed brows, listening calmly. His words made her wonder about his ulterior motives and ambition. If he already had the nerve to question her and her decisions, what else was he capable of? Was Angie in danger? When it was her time to speak, she lowered her voice, her tone calm. “I got promoted, I wasn’t replaced. Why do you think that happened? I obviously know what I’m doing. As for Angie, I’ll always watch her back. That might be unprofessional and a flaw of mine, I admit it–  and you may hate me for it. But I’m not sorry. If it’s that that’s bugging you, go complain.” She paused for a few moments before she licked her lips, making them damp. “I have earned the respect of this company and its employees a long time ago. I couldn’t care less,” she hissed. “about if you do like me or not but you will have to respect me.” Tilting her head to the side, she thought for a moment. “What about you? You see a pair of long legs and blond hair and go straight to thinking nothing I do makes sense?”

“We can start with talking down to me like I’m your assistant.” He bit back, trying to control the fact that he was getting annoyed. “ Ms. Rogers can tell me what she wants for herself, she didn’t hire an assistant’s assistant and if she did, that should say something about the way you do your job. Your job is to take care of her club, my job is to take care of her, and frankly, i don’t want your job, I like mine just fine. “ He understood why in the business world a woman would feel like she could easily be a pushover, but he never gave her any reason to think he was after her position. “Do you hear yourself? I have legs and blonde hair,  does that mean anything to you? When you look at me do you just see some pathetic redneck who didn’t come from money and go to a fancy like you did? Cause I couldn’t care less about your legs and blondes aren’t my type-- reminds me too much of my mother.” He snickered. “ Listen, you earned her respect and you earned some of mine because of it, but you didn’t earn me. I’m not a hive mind, I work for her and her alone, so if you want something from me, you gotta earn it just like everybody else, because the only person whose opinion on my work that matter’s to me is hers. Remember that next time you think you can bite my head off for no damn reason when you didn’t hire me and you can’t fire me. So long as she’s happy with my work, maybe you should focus on your own.”

      WHY was, indeed, a fair question. As far as the business owner was aware, with the click of her fingers she could have someone more suitable for the event, someone who actually wanted to go and enjoy the triviality of the event. Someone she had more in common with. The longer she thought about it, the duller it sounded. She had been having the same routine for events like this since she could recall and it was always boring. Will, on the other hand, didn’t see her as a prize or something to conquer, but as an equal, at least enough to carry a decent chat throughout the night. 

        “I mean it, William. You can say no if it doesn’t sound interesting to you. Believe me, if I could, I’d say no myself” she granted with a shrug. Alas, the Rogers name had to be represented and with his father ill, it was upon her to carry on the legacy. His doubt was unsettling, but she couldn’t help but sympathize with it. “I don’t have to bring a plus one, I just… figured it would be a nice way to unwind. Like I said, I know I am not easy to work with, I figured a night out could benefit us both but then again, this is a charity gala. Nothing truly exciting about it” the brunette reasoned, going through the papers on her desk. “You do know I have a driver, right?” she replied to his offer, raising a brow. “Layla would look wonderful in a tux, mind you” the businesswoman replied with a smirk before adding. “I just thought it would be nice. Free drinks, free food, charity. Get to know each-other and get you used to the events, but as I said, you don’t have to say yes.”

Chewing his lip, he didn’t need to think it over, but he let her talk anyway. Maybe it was because he always stayed silent and listened to her that she was now feeling comfortable with opening up even a tiny little bit.  He’d done the assistant gig before, went to partied, knew how to act and behave in spite of his look. From a business standpoint, he knew that these parties could open doors, introduce him to the right people and move him up the ladder, but his secret was that he didn’t want that.  Making a face as she talked herself down again, he sighed. “ I know I don’t have to, I’m saying yes because I want to.” He reassured her. “ I may be small town but I’m not stupid -- I know the kind of opportunities you’re giving me by letting me tag along and I don’t take it for granted. I’m sure that you could take some rich dude who can talk shop better than anyone, but you’re paving a path for me here and I see it.”

Angelica was one of the few people who saw him. He knew she didn’t regard him as a trophy assistant nor did she see his background as not good enough. He wasn’t fresh out of Yale or Harvard like other assistants who’d only hold their job for a year before moving on yet he was still a hard worker and she knew that. Deep down, he had a feeling that she could also see that he still had no idea what he really wanted, but never questioned him while he was trying to find it out.  Hell, she never even asked him to cut his hair. “It’d be an honor to be your date for the evening. “ He smiled, only to have it fall a few seconds later as he regretted the use of the word. “ I mean in the formal sense. For the gala. Not like I’m your actual date... Just...”

“Right, and you couldn’t make yourself noticeable before having me embarrass myself” the pseudo bartender pointed out with a laugh, shaking his head. “Hey, if it means it’ll make your day even a bit better, I can try a better one. I can try some Mamma Mia for you” he offered with a heartfelt laugh that only grew slightly at the other’s suggestion. “Come on man, this is a duet. You could be my Joanne.”

He chuckled and shook his head, not regretting missing that gem of a performance for the laughs. “ Sorry, but no. Like I said, long ass day, buddy. If I gotta laugh at your expense then I’ll do it.” Smirked, moving to sit at the bar before turning back with a look of mild disgust. “ No. I will not now nor will I ever be your Joanne. First of all, I can’t sing, second of all, I can’t tango, and third of all, hell no. Don’t make me turn around and walk right back outta here, man.” He chuckled, rolling his eyes at his friend before scratching his neck.” I really hope I don’t have to sing ABBA to get a beer.”