I look up surprised, and study his expression trying to figure out what’s going on. Before I follow him down the hall, I crack open my bottom drawer to slip my drawing inside. Have I done something wrong? I know this isn’t about my Wonder Woman drawing since he came to get me before he’d seen it.
His office is smaller than Brooke’s but it’s still cool. There are storyboards everywhere, and a complete set of maquette sculptures from the show. Joel somehow convinced the budgeting drone to pay to have sculptures made of each character, so the animators could study how the figures looked dimensionally from every angle.
He indicates for me to sit in one of the chairs near the storyboards, and he joins me.
“So what’s up?”
“I want to show you something. It’s a new idea I’m getting ready to pitch, and I’d like you to be involved.”
He hands me a drawing of a young kid. Other than the fact that he’s holding a skateboard and looks kind of cool, he’s unremarkable. I notice though, that physically he looks a lot like I did when I was young: long and lanky and messy brown hair.
“Who’s this?” I ask, studying the character’s features carefully.
“He’s my main character. His name is Robbie.”
I hand the drawing back, baffled as how he expects to center a show around such a normal looking kid.
“Does his skateboard have rockets on it or something? I mean what’s unique about him?”
“No, that’s the point,” says Joel, grinning. “He’s a regular kid.” Joel leans back and smiles before dramatically reaching over for another drawing.
I appreciate the build…Joel is a master at pitching, and I always learn something watching him.
“And here’s his family. The show is aptly called, Robbie from Romania.”
The elaborately gothic drawing is a cross between Nightmare Before Christmas and that show from the late Sixties, the Addams Family. When I study the drawing carefully, I notice all the characters have fangs.
“Romania? Oh I get it. It’s a family of…”
“Vampires,” Joel says excitedly. “Exactly! And he’s like the daughter Marilyn from that old classic show The Munsters. Robbie seems like a regular kid, leading what looks like a normal life…until he gets home to his family, a house full of eccentric vampires.”
“Did you get lost in T.V. land again?” I tease him, smiling. “And you’re so trendy with the vampire stuff, Joel.”
“Okay, I admit it,” he says with a sour face. “Management has been pushing me to do a vampire show, everyone wants fucking vampires. But I really like this. Think of all the stuff we could do.”
We? It sounds like I’m leaving the Beaver Patrol. “What do you mean, we?”
“I really think you’re ready for a bigger challenge, Nathan. I’d like you to help me produce the show.”
“Produce?” I ask, flabbergasted.
“Yeah, you’d be more involved in the story and character development, possibly even direct a couple of episodes. You’d get your own office and more money. How does that sound?”
Office? With a locking door? I’m liking that idea. Wow!
Of course, my Dad’s words about “how I’m going to manage everything” ring in my head. Why is life always like this? Nothing, nothing, nothing…and then everything happens at once. I pause another moment considering what I should say.
“That’s such a cool offer, Joel. But I need to let you know that my comic got picked up by Sharper Edge and that’s going to keep me really busy in my off hours. I just worry that I may not be able to manage everything.”
“Yeah, I heard about your books. Congratulations by the way. It’s great and all, but seriously dude, I still think you need to remember that comic books are dying a slow death. I really wouldn’t put all my eggs in that basket. I mean, look at Comic Con…there are only a few aisles left of comic book vendors. People just don’t read anymore.”
But I still read comics…
Joel easily stirs up the apprehension I’ve had all along and he knows it. I nod my head. “I know. I’m not expecting too much from it.”
“That’s smart, then no matter what happens you’ll be happy,” he says patting me on the shoulder. “And you still love working in animation, right?”
“Absolutely,” I say deciding on my strategy. “I’d like to work on this idea with you.”
“Great, I’ll have Anna set up a meeting next week to start planning, and I’ll let HR know too so they can work out all the gory details.”
On my way out I notice a framed picture of the girl he brought to the party, between the stacks of books all over his desk. “Hey, how’s it going with…was it Laurie?”
“Actually, Laura.” He grins happily. “It’s going great. I’m crazy about her.” He studies me for a moment. “You know we’ve got to find you a girl, Evans. It’s been far too long.”
My eye starts to twitch, and I nod nervously and shrug my shoulders, figuring it’s safest not to say anything. As I silently head back to my cube, I feel great frustration not to be able to tell others about my relationship with Brooke yet. I want the whole world to know that she’s my girl.
• • •
Kevin offers to drive a group of us to Sharkey’s for lunch. As we approach the open elevator to head down, I see Brooke’s already in the elevator having an intense conversation with a man I’ve never seen before. As soon as she sees our group, she turns towards us. When our eyes meet, she smiles sweetly.
“Hey guys,” she says. “This is the creator of Danny Deletes. I’d like you to meet Lazlo.”
Lazlo turns to face us with a wary look. He looks rugged, like he lumbers timber wherever the hell he lives, when he isn’t drawing a little boy computer genius, that is. He reacts by stepping closer to Brooke, and I don’t like it…not one bit. He turns back to her and whispers something in her ear before any of us can introduce ourselves.
The ass is whispering to my woman. I grit my teeth so hard I’m surprised they don’t crumble in my mouth. Kevin looks at me and rolls his eyes before taking another sideways glance at them.
Brooke takes a step away from Lazlo and addresses us again. “So where are you guys headed to?” She asks brightly.
“Sharkeys,” Andy replies happily. Of course the rotund man-boy is blissfully happy. As long as he’s eating fast food or playing with his life size doll, he’s perfectly content.
“Do you want to join us?” I ask my girl, looking directly into her eyes. Of course, I mean just Brooke, but I know I can’t really clarify that at this moment.
The mute lumberjack is shaking his head vehemently.
“No, we’re meeting the producers at Prosecco’s,” Brooke quickly responds. “But you guys have a great time.”
I clench my hands into fists as I imagine him at a fancy lunch with Brooke. He probably takes a handful of toothpicks to chew on when he leaves the restaurant.
When we get to the lobby, we part ways. But right before we pass through the door Brooke looks back at me and winks. Of course the man-boy, Andy, notices and almost squeals as he turns to me.
“Dude, did you see that? She winked at you! I’d tap that hard if I were you.”
“Shut up, Andy,” I growl.
But despite his gross outburst, I must admit Brooke’s wink did me a world of good. I know she did it to reassure me, not caring who else would see. I carry that wink with me well into the afternoon.
Just after four I call her office directly to tell her that I’ll be late getting coffee since I was finishing up a scene on deadline.
“Are you done with Mr. Personality yet?” I ask, immediately second guessing the wisdom of my nasty tone.
There’s a long pause.
“Mr. Personality? What exactly are you alluding to, Mr. Evans? You weren’t impressed with Lazlo?”
“Not exactly,” I admit.
“Aww, he’s not so bad. I actually really like Lazlo, except that he eats with his mouth open, and he’s a breather.”