The Audition | A Tooth for a Tooth...
While love and friendship alike blossomed elsewhere on campus, young Jérémie Vincent was struggling with fear and worry. The next few moments would decide whether he would finally be able to achieve his dream of becoming a world-class singer, or if he’d simply waste his life as a mediocre mage. He was in the office of a very powerful man, and he knew it. One could practically see the influence resonating from him, like a bright golden mist. Which made the office itself seem all the more odd. The walls and flooring weren’t much more than just concrete. It seemed like little more than just a garage, all things considered. Yet, it still had extremely nice furniture, which made the clash even more jarring. There was the boss’ high-backed chair and desk, with a computer and an ashtray sitting on top. Two more chairs were in front of the desk for guests, presumably. And then there were a pair of couches facing each other off to one side, with a coffee table separating them. A water cooler stood defiantly by the couches, blissfully unaware of how cheap it looked in comparison.
“So...Jérémie Vincent is it?” A voice called out from the other side of the very beautiful, very
expensive-looking mahogany desk on the far side of the room.
”Ye-yes sir. That’d be me, Boss Glazkix. Thank you so much for agre-” the boy choked out. Jérémie started to approach the desk, to grab a chair to sit in, but he felt a hand clasp down on his shoulder. Hard. He turned to see one of the two brutes standing at the door looking at him with dead, intimidating eyes and shaking his head. Jérémie nodded and stopped. His heart was racing.
“My associate here, Hugo, tells me that ya fancy yaself a bit of a singer, eh?” the voice rang out again. From behind the desk, a high backed chair swiveled around and Jérémie laid his eyes on the Boss for the first time. He was...not exactly what he was expecting. He was short and scrawny. And rather than some expensive suit, he was wearing the same gray jumpsuit that the thugs at the door were wearing. The same gray jumpsuit that ALL of the maintenance people were wearing, come to think of it. And damn, if he wasn’t ugly.
And terrifying.
“He’s got him a real purdy voice, Boss.” another voice, presumably Hugo, called from behind him. Jérémie didn’t turn to look. Too risky.
“Heh, a real purdy voice, eh?” the goblin repeated with a small chuckle.
“That true, Jérémie? You got ya a real purdy voice?”The two behind Jérémie chuckled a bit at that, so he forced a smile despite his unease.
“I-I mean, I’m not too shabby, I guess. My mother likes it. She says tha-” he replied quickly, before catching himself. Horror slowly flooded him as it donned on him what he had just said.
A second passed. One, solidary, horrifying second.
Then the goblin burst out laughing. The two goons joined in after the boss.
“‘Not too shabby’, he says! You hear this guy? ‘My muddah likes it.’” The goblin repeated, still having a laughing fit. The goons also kicked up their laughter, though Jérémie wasn’t sure how genuine that was. Embarrassment hit him like a truck. It was over. He’d shot himself in the foot before he had even begun. He started to shake, but then the boss spoke up again.
“Ehhehe...well a muddah’s a precious thing, kid. I loves mine. She might be a fat, ugly, ol’ whore, but she’s my muddah and I loves her. How’s about you, Hugo?”“My mama’s a saint, boss.”“See, that’s how it should be. Always respect yer muddah, kid. If ya learn nothin’ else while yer here, learn that.” Boss Glazkix nodded at that before pulling open a drawer of the desk and removing a black case. He opened it and pulled out a large cigar, which he then looked over before bringing it to his nose and taking a large whiff. He sighed then held it out towards Jérémie.
“Smoke?” he offered, though when Jérémie shook his head no, he simply shrugged and stuck it in his own mouth. Hugo moved out from behind the young kid and crossed the room to Boss Glazkix’ desk, offering him a light. When he leaned down, Jérémie could have swore that it looked like the goon whispered something, but he couldn’t make out what it was. The goblin nodded and Hugo crossed the room, exiting out the door he had been guarding.
“Ahh...yer missing out, kid. Shit’ll ruin yer lungs, but I ain’t planning on livin’ forever. But ya didn’t come here ta talk about muddahs or smoke. Tell me, what’re ya singin’ fer me today?” When the boss spoke again, Jérémie startled slightly. He hesitated for a moment, considering.
“I-I was going to begin with ‘Ave Maria’. Then ‘Vesti La Giubba’, if you enjoyed that, Boss Glazkix.”The goblin chuckled.
“Eheheh...a little on the nose, dontcha think? But sure. Let’s hear that purdy voice that Muddah Vincent’s so proud of, eh? Paul, don’t be rude. Get the kid somethin’ to drink already. Jesus Christ, dontcha got no manners?” he barked out.
”Sorry, boss. Right away, boss.” The large man behind Jérémie mumbled before he moved across the room, off to the boy’s right. He filled up a small, plastic cup with cool water, then turned and offered it to Jérémie, who took it as an invitation to move from out in front of the door.
The boy took the drink and downed it greedily, eliciting another chuckle from the goblin. Hugo returned to his spot by the door, eyeing Jérémie the entire time. The boy prepped himself then looked at the boss. The goblin had leaned back in his chair and propped his legs up on the left side of the desk. He puffed on his cigar, then gave a nod.
Showtime.
“Ave Maria…”
It was such a beautiful song. Not that the kid was doing anything special, really. He was decent, but nothing to write home about. Hell, Kon could pick up ten people off the streets and half would sound just as good, if not better than this pipsqueak. No, sometimes the song simply outclassed the performer, and this just so happened to be one of those times.
Not that it really mattered. Kon couldn’t care less about this snot-nosed brat or his fucking ‘muddah’. Really, he was just a prop. He could do what he was about to do without the kid, but...well...Kon always did have a flair for the dramatic.
The meeting’s real purpose would be coming through the door any moment n-
The door to Kon’s office opened and a sobbing, squirming short, fat guy was kicked in. Hugo swaggered in after the little piggie, shutting the door behind him. He had a bit of the flair in him too, that Hugo. It was part of the reason why Kon kept him around as long as he did.
The kid startled and drew back. He stopped singing. Tsk tsk tsk...bad move. When he saw who the hogtied kid was, he yelped. Not a scream...just a yelp. Ugh...well, it’d have to do.
Kon looked from the newcomer back to the singer. He raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? I didn’t say stop.” he called over to the boy, who was practically shitting himself. The boy started to say something, but he only got the word brother out before Paul had a hand on his shoulder.
“Please...keep going. You can even start over, if ya want.” Kon purred with a grin. The kid sobbed, but complied, picking up the first words once more.
The piggie began sobbing louder. He was confused and scared, obviously. It was pretty much the universal response to being jumped in a bathroom, tied up and gagged, shoved into a trash cart, and hauled across campus. It was also a sound that Kon utterly detested. The goblin nodded to Hugo, who picked the kid up and placed him into one of the chairs in front of the desk. Piggie’s eyes nearly bugged out when he saw who he was speaking to. He might not have seen the boss before, but it didn’t take a genius to connect the dots. His sobs loudened. His squirming increased. Hugo’s grip on his shoulders tightened, though, and that kept him nice and still.
“Why, if it ain’t Baptiste Vincent! So nice of ya to join us, bub! Come to hear yer little bruddah sing, eh? Why don’tcha say hello?” Kon asked in his jolliest, friendliest voice. He nodded to Hugo again, who pulled out Baptiste’s gag.
“It wasn’t me! I didn’t do it, Boss Glazkix, sir! I-” he started to rapidly plea before getting slapped by Hugo.
“Boss didn’t say whine, bitch. You don’t wanna make him repeat himself.” The loyal henchman reminded. Obviously this knocked some into his fat head, because the boy immediately twisted around and tried to wave to his singing brother. All that came out was a sob though. Hugo moved to strike him again, but Kon raised a hand, so the larger man stopped and reinserted the gag. When he was finished, the goblin spoke.
“Now Baptiste, I gotta say, I’m just thrilled that ya decided ta stop by. I’ve been meanin’ ta talk ta ya fer some time now. See, I’ve been hearin’ some not-so-nice things about ya. Some real nasty rumors.” he paused to take a puff off the cigar.
Now, I know that they ain’t true. Yer a real stand-up guy. But my buddy Hugo here’s a little unsure. Ain’t that right, Hugo?”“That’s right, boss.”“And that? That’s gonna be a problem. I mean, I believe ya, bub, I really do...but Hugo’s family. And with family, ya gotta listen to ‘em. Ya gotta trust ‘em. So if he doubts ya, well...I’ll have ta doubt ya too. It ain’t nothin’ personal, ya just gotta stick by family. Ain’t that right, Hugo?“That’s right, boss.”“And ya don’t lie ta family. You never lie ta family. How ‘bout it, Hugo? You ever lie ta me?””Never, boss.”“Phew. That’s a relief. So...tell me, bub-no, Baptiste. Have ya ever lied ta me...?” he asked, pausing to take another puff. God it was good. He narrowed his eyes on the sweating Baptiste, who answered his question by shaking his head frantically.
“Hahaha! See, Hugo? I told ya he was a damn good man. Do ya-do ya know what he thought ya did? It’s so silly, but Hugo here says that he’s gotten some reports of ya sneakin’ inta places ya shouldn’t. Takin’ things that don’t belong ta ya. STEALIN’ from yer fellow students. And he tells me that ya were confronted on this...and that ya blamed one o’ our boys fer it!”The goblin broke into a hysterical laugh. After a moment, Hugo and Paul joined in. Even Baptiste added a muffled laugh when Hugo gave him a gentle reminder. The laugh dragged on for a bit, but eventually Kon calmed down. Then he spoke.
“That’s just ridiculous. I mean, then you’d be calling one o’ our boys a THIEF! And surely ya wouldn’t do that...would ya? Hugo, let ‘em speak.” The goon pulled out the gag again. Baptiste jumped straight into his lies.
“No-no! I would never steal anything! Please, Boss, I wouldn’t call your guys thieves! They’re good people! Kind people, just like you, boss! They’re just lies!” he whined, taking the bait.
“Oh? I don’t think I heard that correctly. What are lies?”“The rumors, boss! Just nasty lies, they are!”“Oh Baptiste...I wish I didn’t just hear that. Because that sounded an awful lot like ya accusin’ Hugo of lying to me. Is that what ya meant?”“W-wha...no. I mean…”Kon held up a hand and the blubbering fool shut up. A few moments passed where Kon simply enjoyed his cigar and the lad singing. But the singing soon ended. Kon waited for it to start again...but it didn’t happen. He shot his gaze past Baptiste and Hugo over towards the young dreamer.
“Keep. Singing. Don’t make me ask a third time.” He practically growled at the guy, who flinched, then started
Vesti La Giubba. He was a bit sloppy for Kon’s tastes, but it would serve the purpose.
“How’s ‘bout this, then: tell me the truth, God’s honest truth, and I’ll let you and yer brother here walk outta here, no questions asked. But look at me, Baptiste...I’ll find out the truth. You know this. Just keep in mind that I respect honest people. I forgive honest people. I promise.”Kon pulled his cigar away from his mouth and stared at it. He stared for a good while, just listening to the troubled singing once more. Then he looked at Baptiste.
“Well?”Another moment passed. Then the fat fuck broke.
“I’m sorry, Boss Glazwix. I did it. I took a couple o’ things, but...I mean, I didn’t think anybody would notice. And when I blamed your guy, I swear it wasn’t nothing! I just panicked! I was scared! I’m weak! But I swear, I won’t ever do it again!” he blubbered, actually crying now.
“...see? Now was that so hard? I forgive you, Baptiste.” Kon said kindly. He sat back upright and crushed his cigar in the ashtray before getting onto his feet and walking around the desk. He adjusted his jumpsuit before checking his pockets.
“Hugo, break his hand and jaw. He ordered, not looking at the fat fuck. He wanted to...but the game wasn’t over just yet.
“Yes, boss. Hugo answered. He grabbed Baptiste’s arm and pulled it straight up. He was going to enjoy this. Kon just knew it.
“WAAAIIIT! NO! PLEASE! BOSS, YOU PROMISED! YOU SAID YOU FORGAVE ME!“Kon began to leave the room but stopped at the door. He hesitated for a moment, considering the boy’s words, before turning back and answering the sniveling fool.
“Now, now... I promised ta forgive yer lie if ya told me the truth. And you did, so I have. But Baptiste, ya see, one o’ the guys ya stole from? He was family. And don’t forget, ya accused poor Hugo here of lying ta me. He’s also family. And if ya steal from my family, ya steal from me. If ya slander my family, ya slander me. That, I never promised ta forgive. ” Hugo tightened his grip, causing the thief to cry out.
“THIS ISN’T FAIR!“...hmm...yer right. It’s not. This is a family matter, so let’s let the family handle it, no? I count...two of yer family here and two of mine. So let’s split things up. Hugo will break yer hand while Paul breaks yer brother’s jaw.” he laughed out, chilling the Vincent brothers to the bone. The singer muttered some protests and tried to back off, but Paul grabbed him, causing him to shriek.
“Alright! Glad that’s settled. So let’s go over some ground rules before I leave. Do NOT get any blood, piss, or shit on my stuff. My boys have enough to clean up as is. Do NOT let me catch ya doing this shit again. I don’t like repeatin’ myself. Do NOT bother Headmistress Fiore with this, either. That sweet woman’s got enough on her plate as is. Last thing she needs is to have a couple o’ punks come whinin’ ‘cuz they got disciplined. Break any o’ those rules and...hoo boy, it ain’t gonna be pretty. Gentlemen, I trust that you’ll take ‘em to Nurse Hillard if needed?”The goons both grunted their affirmatives. The Vincent boys both begged, pleaded, and sobbed. Kon wasn’t sure if they were more terrified of him, or the nurse. Good on ‘em. Fear keeps a man from doing stupid shit like what got them there in the first place.
“Heheh...well then. I’ll leave you to it. Oh and uh...try not to hurt their legs too badly. I want them to walk out of here. I'm a man of my word, after all.” he muttered, dropping his ‘Boss Glazwix’ accent for just a moment. He left his office, closing the door behind him. As he crossed the maintenance crew’s breakroom, to the exit of the building that served as a combination office building/break room/outdoor supply closet, he could hear the commotion behind him, culminating in both brothers screaming.
Kon simply grinned before tuning it out and checking the note he had received earlier from one of the Headmistress’ spirits. His room assignment. It was the tower...of course. It’s where he had been every year since he started. Why would his last be any different? The roommates were different though. He didn’t recognize the names, but he had hopes that they’d end up being a couple of good fellas. He’d head over there right away.
Another round of screaming came from the office. It sounded like the boys were really getting enthusiastic about their work. The crewmen currently enjoying their breaks obviously heard it too, but nobody so much as looked up. Whatever it was, they didn’t need to know.
It was just the Boss cleaning up a mess.
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