Our inside sources tell us that the perpetrators have not been caught yet, but the entire staff is being interrogated. Meanwhile, the company president is now being investigated for his practices.
Curtis hoots loudly in the background.
We will keep you updated as we uncover further news from this Toon Town mutiny.
“Damn, Curtis!” I gasp after putting the TV on mute.
“Crazy…right? Did you know about all of this?”
“I knew some of it, but not the twitter and billboard parts. My friends masterminded it.”
“Well, those are some damn clever friends,” Curtis acknowledges. “Boy, I sure wouldn’t want them as my enemy.”
“Nor I,” I laugh. “Wow…that made my day. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Sure, bro. If that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will.”
Right after we hang up, I think about my Brooke cup and almost call Curtis back, but then I realize who I want to tell my big news to first. I pick up my phone.
“Hey Dad,” I say casually, as if today is just another day.
“Did Curtis catch you in time?” Dad asks. “It’s remarkable that your story has made the local news. Your personal experience of being abused by management is developing into a social issue and could impact the future for other artists. What do you think about that?”
“It’s unreal…I’ll be happy if something good actually comes out of this nightmare.”
“I agree.”
“And Dad, there’s something else, too.”
“What’s that?”
I can’t help grinning as I say the words. “I’m seeing Brooke today. She finally contacted me.”
I hear him breathe a big sigh of relief. “That’s great, Son. When did you hear from her?”
“She got a message to me last night to meet her at four today.”
“Really…she sent you a message? That sounds mysterious and ripe with potential.”
“I also know from Morgan that she has a big meeting with Arnold today.”
“As I suspected, she didn’t want to see you until she had some type of resolution for your predicament. Well, perhaps there will be a plethora of good news today.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Will you call us?” He asks.
“Yes… yes, I promise.”
As I do some stretches for my run I let my mind wander. I try to imagine what it will be like to see Brooke again. Will she want to kiss me, or even hug? She says she wants to talk…what if there are other issues I don’t even know about yet? I start to worry, but then force myself to think about other things.
In reality, I’m not even sure what to say to her. Do I tell her how mad and disappointed I’ve been with her for not contacting me earlier? Do I tell her how low I sank, and the battle I’ve had to keep my spirits up? Or instead do I try to keep it light?
More determined than ever, I finally head outside and hit a fast pace on my run. My mind spins with thoughts of Brooke, B-Girl, the news report, the Arnold meeting…it’s stunning to realize for the first time in my life, I not only don’t know what tomorrow holds, I don’t even know what this afternoon has in store for me. Whatever Brooke says today could potentially determine how the rest of my life will unfold.
• • •
An hour later, my phone rings.
“Have you forgotten who your leader is in this revolt, Nathan?” Dani whispers into the phone.
“Dani?” I ask. “Why are you whispering?”
“I’m at work. Wait a sec. I’m almost outside. I won’t have to whisper in a minute.”
I wait patiently until she speaks up again.
“I didn’t even get consulted before you called in the media,” she huffs. “I saw the news clip online.”
“It’s online already too?” I ask bewildered.
“Yeah, on the ABC News website. Haven’t you seen it yet?”
“No. And for your information, I didn’t call the media about all of this. I’m just as surprised as you are.”
“I know that, silly man. I called them,” she informs me. “But I am surprised all the news sites got it up so fast. My brother saw it and alerted me. I forwarded it to Morgan and every one of the troops. Morgan then got it to Alana, who got it to Arnauld right before Brooke showed up with her lawyer. Take that mother fucking Monkey Man!”
Despite Dani’s glee, a surge of panic rises through me. Brooke’s there with Arnold. I know everything that matters to me rides on how their meeting goes.
“It’s viral in the building, and from what I hear, at every animation studio in town. Soon, dear Pinky, we will take over the world!” she says happily, in a voice imitating The Brain.
“Dani…”
“I know, I know…how can you ever thank me. Well, consider us even, since you helped me get my man back. Believe me, Nathan, I’m having the time of my life.”
For the next few hours, I try to stay calm and not obsess about how the meeting is going. I listen to Wayne and try deep breathing techniques. All that does is get me worked up since the last time I took breaths like that Brooke’s mouth was on me. This isn’t calming me at all—just the opposite, as images of Brooke in various states of undress flash through my mind.
Damn, I’m such a guy. Brooke could be in peril, fighting for me in Arnold’s office. How can I be thinking about sex at a time like this?
I need to distract myself so I end up resorting to my tried and true…a viewing of the Golden Collection DVDs of classic Looney Tunes. The first DVD starts with Duck Amuck, where Chuck Jones has Bugs Bunny at a drafting table animating Daffy Duck in every humiliating way possible. I grin because it reminds me of my Monkey Man drawing and how much it’s presence has undoubtedly tormented Arnold.
Next up is Friz Freleng’s Bird’s Anonymous, where Sylvester goes into the twelve-step program to get over his obsession with Tweety Bird. I realize I’ll have to join a similar group for lovesick fools if Brooke doesn’t come back to me. Robert McKimson’s terrific Gorilla My Dreams distracts me with Bugs’ antics when he’s adopted by two gorillas in the jungle.
But my favorite on this DVD is Bob Clampett’s Porky in Wackyland, a black and white surreal cartoon from the thirties. Porky finds himself falling through a chute into an alternate reality while searching for the rare and illusive Dodo bird. As well-meaning Porky stumbles through the Dali-inspired landscapes, he comes across numerous strange creatures and becomes so exasperated trying to get what he wants most. At some point he’s just trying to survive his ordeal. I don’t think I’ve ever related to Porky Pig quite like I do today, because ever since Monday I’ve been tumbling through Wackyland too.
• • •
At three-forty, I fire up the Mini-Cooper and head to the Toluca Lake Starbucks, right at the edge of the studio side of Burbank. After scanning the place to make sure Brooke isn’t here yet, I order our drinks and find a quiet table outside. I don’t know when I’ve ever been so nervous. The entire time my stomach is fluttering and my right eye’s twitching.
I try to focus on Brooke’s macchiato, and luckily the idea for her illustration comes easily to me. Sometimes the most obvious solution is also the best one. I hold the cup and work carefully while I move my Sharpie over the curved surface. As I carefully finish the sketch, I sense someone settling into Brooke’s chair and I look up to warn them that the seat is taken. But it’s Brooke, and she’s watching me with her huge, somber eyes.
My Brooke.
She studies me carefully, and it’s almost more than I can take. As much as I want to jump up and grab her, I have to follow her cues. She chose to sit down quietly without even hugging me first. The realization makes me incredibly sad.
“Hey, Brooke,” I say softly.
“Hi.” She smiles a sad smile.
We just stare at each other for another moment, taking in everything. She looks tired, not good at all. This is a much different woman than the one I kissed goodbye Monday morning.