Chapter 653: “-SKELETONS, A WHOLE BUNCH OF ‘EM.” (2/2)
”Sure,” the gloomy weather set the scene.
To the station, the rise in popularity from Kinless and Aceline was strong a week into the events. For the first time, an invitation to a talk show promoted and showcased their popularity. ”-Are you excited for this?”
”Not much.” The Paker's show, a local comical relief with a mild following, had few popular snippets on the Arcanum. In no way was the show popular, the viewership peaked at five thousand.
”Talk shows are hypocritical,” her face didn't inspire confidence. Once at the set, the staff watched in awe, '-the production is very nice…' Live-audience soon filled the seats. Aceline didn't show much interest, ”-hey there,” said a handsomely dressed man, ”-you must be Kinless and Aceline?”
”Yes, and you are?”
”Parker,” said he in a very smug manner, ”-the staff will take care of the makeup. We're going live in thirty minutes, tis the reboot of our show, try and relax.” A bitter taste forced a pout from Aceline. Cameras and nice lighting faded to a bright room of mirrors and makeup.
”I told you,” said Aceline, ”-this place is a shit show. They want us to boost their popularity.”
”Don't worry about it,” said Igna, ”-we're using them as well.” The arrangement was to promote the new single, 'Ghoul's Pain.'
Producers were adamant to the point of annoyance. Pressure stacked until the start, the show went live, the host began by casually addressing the crowd and making small talk. The humor and jokes were nicely written.
”You ought to sing,” he demanded, ”-I don't care, this is our reboot, we need viewers.”
”Hey, hey,” interjected Igna, ”-what's your problem?” hailed he. ”-I went to the toilet and this is how you treat my bandmate?”
”Listen,” glared the producer, ”-do as we say…”
”You listen to me,” fired Igna, ”-I don't care about this show. We came here to promote our song. Aceline's sick from overworking.”
”What's the deal here?” approached security, ”-producer, something the matter?”
”Yes,” he slipped in behind a taller man, ”-they're refusing to cooperate.”
”Don't worry,” said Aceline, ”-I'll perform if I have to.” A brief introduction followed behind, ”-let's welcome our guests, Kinless and Aceline!”
”Watch me,” said Igna, ”-Aceline, don't worry about singing.”
*Applause,* ”-welcome to Parker's show,” said the host.
”Good to be here,” said Igna, ”-I have to say, courtesy is a word not many people know around these parts.” The backdrop of the landscape view of a bridge gave a sense of relief.
”Why do you say that?” inquired the host, the crowd chuckled.
”Well, I'll leave it to the people's imagination.”
”Alright,” he quickly moved on, ”-about the displayed heroism, how did it feel?”
”Bad, pretty bad,” retorted Igna, ”-I won't lie, the publicity is great, I wish the heroes who helped would be given the same treatment.”
”What about you, Aceline?”
”I felt like I needed to do something,” said she, ”-pardon my voice, the constant shouting's pretty rough,” she implied an ulterior motive.
”Now excuse you,” the crowd laughed.
”What,” she paused, ”-did I say it was because of you?” she snickered, the audience loved it. In minutes, Parker's show became Igna and Aceline's. Producers hailed in the background, naught could be done. Jokes after jokes, the conversation altered as Parker interjected, they made fun of his face, outfit, and mannerism.
An earthquake rocked the town. A group of armed men lingered out of Fuda Mountain. ”-here we are,” said they, ”-the gate opened to the city.” Dragons flew and roared. ”-Come undead army, arise from thy eternal slumber!” skeletons descended.
”We're going to capture a great view,” said a jovial photographer.
”An earthquake,” said the assistant, ”-watch out for rock-slides.”
”It's safe,” he proclaimed, ”-look at the view,” they face the sea of buildings, ”-imagine, tis but a mere little town for showmanship. Alphia has more jaw-dropping sights in weight, I'm glad we saved for the vacation.”
”Yeah sure, a vacation at a cheap motel. I haven't slept a bit since.”
*Click,* ”-hey, isn't that bird strange?” the silhouette of a reptile flapped in the distance.
”WAIT, LOOK AT THE DUST!” cried the assistant, ”-SKELETONS, A WHOLE BUNCH OF 'EM.”
”Productions for certain movies are top-tier.”
”I don't think…” rotten breath landed with a roar,”-RUN!”