Post by Jaice Wilds on Oct 23, 2023 16:52:29 GMT -5
Backstage
Pasternak slams his phone down, sighing. He sits down in his chair, staring at the wall for a moment before he hears a knock at the door.
Alexander Pasternak
What the hell is it now…
The door squeaks open, Jaice Wilds popping his head in. He grins, looking at his old friend.
Jaice Wilds:
LEX!! How's it hanging, brother??
Alexander Pasternak:
Jaice? I appreciate you stopping by, but I've got a lot going on right now…
Jaice steps forward, extending his arms. Pasternak sighs, stepping forward to accept his old friend's embrace. He pulls away, heading back to his desk and pulling out a box.
Alexander Pasternak:
I'm sorry, man. It's just… this damn job never seems to get easier. Everyone wants bigger checks, title opportunities… I've got dad constantly breathing down my neck; hell, I blocked his number for a week and he blew up half my social media pages…
Jaice Wilds:
But I thought you didn't…
Alexander Pasternak:
I DON'T EVEN RUN MY OWN SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES. And he KNOWS this!!
Wilds shakes his head, Alex sighs. He looks up, his eyes squinting a bit.
Alexander Pasternak:
Thanks for letting me vent a little bit. Life just hit a weird spot, and sometimes I just don't…
Jaice stops him mid-sentence, for the first time taking notice of the office. It's essentially bare, save the desk, a couple of chairs and the remainder of his desk top. Wilds tilts his head, confused.
Jaice Wilds:
Hey, uh… Lex… your office is looking a little bare, man…
Pasternak takes a moment to look around, a nod. He turns back, a sigh as he speaks.
Alexander Pasternak:
Yeah. About that… I know this is probably more than a social call. But… well, I got the call earlier this week. I'm being… reassigned.
Jaice's eyes widen with excitement.
Jaice Wilds:
For real?! Pasta and Wilds! Back together on CRUISERCLA…
Pasternak stops him, somberly shaking his head.
Alexander Pasternak:
No. They… they want me higher up on the ladder. Effective immediately, I'm… I'm working from Nevada.
Jaice sits, shocked.
Jaice Wilds:
Corporate. Fuck. I mean, that's great for you, right? Salary bump, slightly better 401k, couple extras in the benefits package…
It's Alex's turn to grin, albeit rather sheepishly. He lays a hand on his friend's shoulder, nodding.
Alexander Pasternak:
Hey, man. You ever get some free time, wanna visit- just call me first- I'll get you cleared to check it out, man.
Wilds chuckles, starting to stand.
Jaice Wilds:
Yeah, right. Like I'd ever be caught canoodling with some corporate douchebag.
Jaice lands a light punch to Pasternak's arm, the two share a laugh. Alex turns, packing up the rest of his desk.
Alexander Pasternak:
So what was it that you came here for, anyways? I can hook you up with the new GM and get you sorted out…
Wilds starts to the opposite side of the desk, grabbing a few boxes.
Jaice Wilds:
Nah, it's cool. Just looking to smack the taste out of someone's big mouth. I can handle that later. For now, why don't I help you get some of these to your limo?
Pasternak waves him off, nonchalant.
Alexander Pasternak:
Don't worry about that; corporate sent people for this bullshit.
Jaice shrugs, then checks that the door is closed.
Jaice Wilds:
Fair enough. But, uh… did they send anyone to help with…
Jaice pulls a flask from his inner jacket pocket, as well as a small bag of something the camera can't see.
Jaice Wilds:
...this?
Pasternak perks up, a grin. He runs over to the door, checking the passersby in the halls before closing and locking the door, pushing a floor mat up underneath and opening a nearby window.
Alexander Pasternak:
Nope, looks like that's all us, brother!!
Fade To Static
Pasternak slams his phone down, sighing. He sits down in his chair, staring at the wall for a moment before he hears a knock at the door.
Alexander Pasternak
What the hell is it now…
The door squeaks open, Jaice Wilds popping his head in. He grins, looking at his old friend.
Jaice Wilds:
LEX!! How's it hanging, brother??
Alexander Pasternak:
Jaice? I appreciate you stopping by, but I've got a lot going on right now…
Jaice steps forward, extending his arms. Pasternak sighs, stepping forward to accept his old friend's embrace. He pulls away, heading back to his desk and pulling out a box.
Alexander Pasternak:
I'm sorry, man. It's just… this damn job never seems to get easier. Everyone wants bigger checks, title opportunities… I've got dad constantly breathing down my neck; hell, I blocked his number for a week and he blew up half my social media pages…
Jaice Wilds:
But I thought you didn't…
Alexander Pasternak:
I DON'T EVEN RUN MY OWN SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES. And he KNOWS this!!
Wilds shakes his head, Alex sighs. He looks up, his eyes squinting a bit.
Alexander Pasternak:
Thanks for letting me vent a little bit. Life just hit a weird spot, and sometimes I just don't…
Jaice stops him mid-sentence, for the first time taking notice of the office. It's essentially bare, save the desk, a couple of chairs and the remainder of his desk top. Wilds tilts his head, confused.
Jaice Wilds:
Hey, uh… Lex… your office is looking a little bare, man…
Pasternak takes a moment to look around, a nod. He turns back, a sigh as he speaks.
Alexander Pasternak:
Yeah. About that… I know this is probably more than a social call. But… well, I got the call earlier this week. I'm being… reassigned.
Jaice's eyes widen with excitement.
Jaice Wilds:
For real?! Pasta and Wilds! Back together on CRUISERCLA…
Pasternak stops him, somberly shaking his head.
Alexander Pasternak:
No. They… they want me higher up on the ladder. Effective immediately, I'm… I'm working from Nevada.
Jaice sits, shocked.
Jaice Wilds:
Corporate. Fuck. I mean, that's great for you, right? Salary bump, slightly better 401k, couple extras in the benefits package…
It's Alex's turn to grin, albeit rather sheepishly. He lays a hand on his friend's shoulder, nodding.
Alexander Pasternak:
Hey, man. You ever get some free time, wanna visit- just call me first- I'll get you cleared to check it out, man.
Wilds chuckles, starting to stand.
Jaice Wilds:
Yeah, right. Like I'd ever be caught canoodling with some corporate douchebag.
Jaice lands a light punch to Pasternak's arm, the two share a laugh. Alex turns, packing up the rest of his desk.
Alexander Pasternak:
So what was it that you came here for, anyways? I can hook you up with the new GM and get you sorted out…
Wilds starts to the opposite side of the desk, grabbing a few boxes.
Jaice Wilds:
Nah, it's cool. Just looking to smack the taste out of someone's big mouth. I can handle that later. For now, why don't I help you get some of these to your limo?
Pasternak waves him off, nonchalant.
Alexander Pasternak:
Don't worry about that; corporate sent people for this bullshit.
Jaice shrugs, then checks that the door is closed.
Jaice Wilds:
Fair enough. But, uh… did they send anyone to help with…
Jaice pulls a flask from his inner jacket pocket, as well as a small bag of something the camera can't see.
Jaice Wilds:
...this?
Pasternak perks up, a grin. He runs over to the door, checking the passersby in the halls before closing and locking the door, pushing a floor mat up underneath and opening a nearby window.
Alexander Pasternak:
Nope, looks like that's all us, brother!!
Fade To Static