Buzz, Buzzz, Buzzzzz!

Patting his pockets he quickly found what he was looking for he pulled out his phone and stared at the name displayed there before giving an audible sigh and answering it.

“Hey,” greeted Fred. “How are you doing today Mary?”

“Not well Fred. Not well at all. Do you want to know why I am not doing well?” asked Mary’s hoarse smoke damaged voice down the phone.

“Uh no not really.” replied Fred as he gave the sleeping cat a warning glare as he crossed the living room to the front door.

The cat paid him no attention, fawning sleep.

“I don’t have a new manuscript in my email. Nothing rushed over to me via courier early this morning. Not even a phone call to explain the delay or asking for more time. You know what that makes me Fred.”

“Uhhh noooo?”

“Very pissed Fred. Beyond angry and thoroughly, thoroughly irritated.”

“Ohhhh so sorry to hear that”. Said Fred as he tried to quietly slide the chain lock off the front door. His body tense as he tried to move without making too much noise.

“I just bet you are sorry to hear that Fred! If you aren’t you will be. If you don’t produce a new manuscript on my desk by the end of the month then they will want their advancement back Fred.”

“They won’t do that Mary I’m the best author they have besides I told you I am working on it and it isn’t even due yet.”

“Phfft what world are you living in Fred. This is a dog eat dog world. You produce or they find someone else that can.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Fred stiffened. “No one will be working on my stories except me Mary. It’s in the contract.”

“Contract, smalltract. You think these people care about your little rights. They will steamroll right over you.”

“Mary-”

“You gotta stay on top of the game and the only way to do that is to be ahead of the game”

“Mary!”

“You know I only push you because you work so well under pressure”

“Actually Mary”

“You are the best client I have and I just want you to keep succeeding to reach new heights.”

“Mary!!”

“You know when I first received your original manuscript I knew you would go far. You remember what I said to you in our first meeting”

Sighing Fred leaned his head against the door with a soft thud. Turning it to the side he stared at the now unlocked chain as it swung gently back and forth, back and forth. As he listened to Mary. His mind went back to the first time they had met.

He had been so surprised and pleased that such a well known agent such as Mary had chosen him. He could remember being fresh out of college still living at his parents place and so very excited and nervous that he was finally advancing forward. That his dream was about to become real. That he would be paid to do what he loved. This dream was quickly dashed by the cold bucket of water called reality that Mary dumped on him.

It was hard to take in that he might never make it. That she was only going to pitch one of his works and so he had to make a choice as to what and if it failed she would drop him as a client. It was devastating to learn that he would have to give up control and rights over his work. So soul destroying in fact that Fred refused to do it. Even then he knew just how important it was to maintain rights over one's work.

Yeah he remembered that first meeting all right. The pressure, the feeling of dread of watching as his dreams speed beyond his grasp of ever being able to be accomplished. Of going back home and silently crying under his blankets and ignoring his parents' worried knocking. Of his sister and brother finally getting him to see that all hope was in fact not lost and it just meant that he had to buckle down and work hard if he was to accomplish his goal.

Which he had and now look at him.