Animate Me (37 page)

Good God, it’s like I’m making love to a drawing.

I’m so enchanted with her image I don’t even hear anyone approach.

“So when did Wonder Woman join the Beaver Patrol?”

I jerk up startled and put my hand over my drawing in a futile attempt to cover the evidence.

“Oh, h-hey Joel,” I stutter.
Shit!
“Sorry about that. I’ll get back to work. I was just taking a break. I blasted through my first scene this morning.”

“Interesting way to spend your breaks, Evans,” he says with a smirk. “But actually I came over here to get you. I wanted to talk for a minute.” He points down the hall. “Why don’t we head into my office?”

I look up surprised, and study his expression trying to figure out what’s going on. Before I follow him down the hall, I crack open my bottom drawer to slip my drawing inside.
Have I done something wrong?
I know this isn’t about my Wonder Woman drawing since he came to get me before he’d seen it.

His office is smaller than Brooke’s but it’s still cool. There are storyboards everywhere, and a complete set of maquette sculptures from the show. Joel somehow convinced the budgeting drone to pay to have sculptures made of each character, so the animators could study how the figures looked dimensionally from every angle.

He indicates for me to sit in one of the chairs near the storyboards, and he joins me.

“So what’s up?”

“I want to show you something. It’s a new idea I’m getting ready to pitch, and I’d like you to be involved.”

He hands me a drawing of a young kid. Other than the fact that he’s holding a skateboard and looks kind of cool, he’s unremarkable. I notice though, that physically he looks a lot like I did when I was young: long and lanky and messy brown hair.

“Who’s this?” I ask, studying the character’s features carefully.

“He’s my main character. His name is Robbie.”

I hand the drawing back, baffled as how he expects to center a show around such a normal looking kid.

“Does his skateboard have rockets on it or something? I mean what’s unique about him?”

“No, that’s the point,” says Joel, grinning. “He’s a regular kid.” Joel leans back and smiles before dramatically reaching over for another drawing.

I appreciate the build…Joel is a master at pitching, and I always learn something watching him.

“And here’s his family. The show is aptly called,
Robbie from Romania
.”

The elaborately gothic drawing is a cross between
Nightmare Before Christmas
and that show from the late Sixties,
the Addams Family
. When I study the drawing carefully, I notice all the characters have fangs.

“Romania? Oh I get it. It’s a family of…”

“Vampires,” Joel says excitedly. “Exactly! And he’s like the daughter Marilyn from that old classic show
The Munsters
. Robbie seems like a regular kid, leading what looks like a normal life…until he gets home to his family, a house full of eccentric vampires.”

“Did you get lost in T.V. land again?” I tease him, smiling. “And you’re so trendy with the vampire stuff, Joel.”

“Okay, I admit it,” he says with a sour face. “Management has been pushing me to do a vampire show, everyone wants fucking vampires. But I really like this. Think of all the stuff we could do.”

We?
It sounds like I’m leaving the Beaver Patrol. “What do you mean, we?”

“I really think you’re ready for a bigger challenge, Nathan. I’d like you to help me produce the show.”

“Produce?” I ask, flabbergasted.

“Yeah, you’d be more involved in the story and character development, possibly even direct a couple of episodes. You’d get your own office and more money. How does that sound?”

Office? With a locking door? I’m liking that idea. Wow!

Of course, my Dad’s words about “how I’m going to manage everything” ring in my head. Why is life always like this? Nothing, nothing, nothing…and then everything happens at once. I pause another moment considering what I should say.

“That’s such a cool offer, Joel. But I need to let you know that my comic got picked up by Sharper Edge and that’s going to keep me really busy in my off hours. I just worry that I may not be able to manage everything.”

“Yeah, I heard about your books. Congratulations by the way. It’s great and all, but seriously dude, I still think you need to remember that comic books are dying a slow death. I really wouldn’t put all my eggs in that basket. I mean, look at Comic Con…there are only a few aisles left of comic book vendors. People just don’t read anymore.”

But I still read comics…

Joel easily stirs up the apprehension I’ve had all along and he knows it. I nod my head. “I know. I’m not expecting too much from it.”

“That’s smart, then no matter what happens you’ll be happy,” he says patting me on the shoulder. “And you still love working in animation, right?”

“Absolutely,” I say deciding on my strategy. “I’d like to work on this idea with you.”

“Great, I’ll have Anna set up a meeting next week to start planning, and I’ll let HR know too so they can work out all the gory details.”

On my way out I notice a framed picture of the girl he brought to the party, between the stacks of books all over his desk. “Hey, how’s it going with…was it Laurie?”

“Actually, Laura.” He grins happily. “It’s going great. I’m crazy about her.” He studies me for a moment. “You know we’ve got to find you a girl, Evans. It’s been far too long.”

My eye starts to twitch, and I nod nervously and shrug my shoulders, figuring it’s safest not to say anything. As I silently head back to my cube, I feel great frustration not to be able to tell others about my relationship with Brooke yet. I want the whole world to know that she’s my girl.

• • •

Kevin offers to drive a group of us to Sharkey’s for lunch. As we approach the open elevator to head down, I see Brooke’s already in the elevator having an intense conversation with a man I’ve never seen before. As soon as she sees our group, she turns towards us. When our eyes meet, she smiles sweetly.

“Hey guys,” she says. “This is the creator of
Danny Deletes
. I’d like you to meet Lazlo.”

Lazlo turns to face us with a wary look. He looks rugged, like he lumbers timber wherever the hell he lives, when he isn’t drawing a little boy computer genius, that is. He reacts by stepping closer to Brooke, and I don’t like it…not one bit. He turns back to her and whispers something in her ear before any of us can introduce ourselves.

The ass is whispering to my woman.
I grit my teeth so hard I’m surprised they don’t crumble in my mouth. Kevin looks at me and rolls his eyes before taking another sideways glance at them.

Brooke takes a step away from Lazlo and addresses us again. “So where are you guys headed to?” She asks brightly.

“Sharkeys,” Andy replies happily. Of course the rotund man-boy is blissfully happy. As long as he’s eating fast food or playing with his life size doll, he’s perfectly content.

“Do you want to join us?” I ask my girl, looking directly into her eyes. Of course, I mean just Brooke, but I know I can’t really clarify that at this moment.

The mute lumberjack is shaking his head vehemently.

“No, we’re meeting the producers at Prosecco’s,” Brooke quickly responds. “But you guys have a great time.”

I clench my hands into fists as I imagine him at a fancy lunch with Brooke. He probably takes a handful of toothpicks to chew on when he leaves the restaurant.

When we get to the lobby, we part ways. But right before we pass through the door Brooke looks back at me and winks. Of course the man-boy, Andy, notices and almost squeals as he turns to me.

“Dude, did you see that? She winked at you! I’d tap that hard if I were you.”

“Shut up, Andy,” I growl.

But despite his gross outburst, I must admit Brooke’s wink did me a world of good. I know she did it to reassure me, not caring who else would see. I carry that wink with me well into the afternoon.

Just after four I call her office directly to tell her that I’ll be late getting coffee since I was finishing up a scene on deadline.

“Are you done with Mr. Personality yet?” I ask, immediately second guessing the wisdom of my nasty tone.

There’s a long pause.

“Mr. Personality? What exactly are you alluding to, Mr. Evans? You weren’t impressed with Lazlo?”

“Not exactly,” I admit.

“Aww, he’s not so bad. I actually really like Lazlo, except that he eats with his mouth open, and he’s a breather.”

“A breather?” I ask, getting more agitated by the moment. What the hell does that mean? Was he breathing on my Brooke?

“You know those pug dogs with the squishy faces? He wheezes like one of those.”

“Did he breathe on you,” I can’t help but ask.

“What?” she questions, sounding baffled. “What do you mean, did he breathe on me?”

“Never mind,” I huff, feeling very discouraged.

“Are we jealous? Is that what this is about? Because you can’t possibly be jealous of Lazlo?”

“Why can’t I? Isn’t being jealous and over-protective one of my jobs…being your boyfriend and all?”

There’s another pause.

“Boyfriend?”

“Yes,” I say boldly. “That only makes sense since you’re my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” she repeats.

I’m not sure if we’re getting anywhere here.

“And that also makes you mine, not the breather’s,” I clarify.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes,” I reply without hesitation.

“For the record, I think it’s sexy, Nathan, when you go all possessive and dominant on me like this.”

“Dominant?” I ask, my mind reeling with images. Maybe she’s trying to tell me something.
What does dominant mean to her?

She seems to sense my anxiety. “Don’t worry, I’m not talking about that kind of dominant, where you have to tie me up and throttle me. Sometimes it’s just about being direct and demanding what you want. You know, like Indiana Jones.”

“Oh, I see,” I say, even though I don’t really understand the practical applications of that yet.

“It’s like you pushing me down to my knees and telling me to take you in my mouth, because you need that from me.”

I pull the phone away from my ear and examine it like it’s faulty. Did she just say that on the work line?

“Geez, Brooke. I’m not sure I could do that. Push you to your knees? That sounds inappropriate, like something that I’d never do.”

“But could you say, ‘I want your mouth on me
,
’ if you desired that?”

I know I’m turning bright red, if anyone walks by my cube now they’ll think I’ve got a sunburn.

“Well, I always desire that, but honestly, I’d be too embarrassed to ask you like that.”

“I see. But don’t you think it’s okay if your woman wants you to say it? If she wants to do that for you?”

“Is that what you want?” I ask, nervously.

“Yes, definitely it’s what I want, and what I need. Actually, I want it now. I’m all flustered and hot just thinking of being on my knees for you.”

“Oh, good God, Brooke…”

“I know…I’m naughty. See, it reminds me of when you were Indy and how commanding you were.”

“But we’re leaving in an hour?” I say quite unconvincingly, more like a question.

“Oh, that will be more than enough time. Say it Nathan; I want to hear you ask for it.”

“Really? Now?”

“Yes, now. Come on…I know you can do it,” she encourages.

I stand up and look over the top of my cube. Andy has his ear buds in and appears to be rocking out to one of his metal bands as he works. I sit back down in my chair, and cup my hand over the speaker part of the phone. I take a deep breath and speak in a low, firm voice.

“I want your mouth on me, Brooke.” My heart’s pounding. This is crazy shit…but I’m definitely getting off on it.

There is a long pause where all I can hear is her breathing, and I imagine I see the wheels turning in her head. She sounds breathy when she replies. “Listen, take the elevator up to the nineteenth floor. When you get off make a right and walk to the end of the hallway where you’ll find a conference room. I’ll meet you there in five minutes.”

Just then, Kevin steps into my cube and firmly motions that he has to talk to me.

“Ugh, hold on,” I say to Brooke.

“What’s up?” I ask Kevin, relieved that he doesn’t seem to notice how flustered I am.

He looks irritated. “You’re late for the production calendar meeting.” He points to the production room down the hall.

“Do we have a meeting scheduled? I didn’t hear about it.”

He nods.

Shit, I must be losing it
…now I’m forgetting meetings.

I hear Brooke sigh into the phone.

But I know my priorities. “Hey Kevin, can you take notes for me. I have an important issue with…” My mind reels. “…with my insurance and HR needs to talk to me right now.”

“Yes, it’s a very important issue” Brooke echoes in the phone. “….a critical meeting. Don’t be late, Mr. Evans.”

Kevin nods, and walks off.

“I’m on my way,” I assure her.

My pulse speeds up as I wander down the abandoned hallway. I think these offices were used recently when we had two other shows in production. Although our posters still hang on the walls, now this place is a ghost town.

But when I peek my head in the last room, I see Brooke standing in front of the big picture window, looking out over the view. “Brooke,” I call out just loud enough for her to hear. It’s weird to be in this huge conference room, especially since I know what kind of meeting this is going to be. I’m fully aroused in anticipation.

She turns and points to the chair at the head of the table. “Why don’t you have a seat?”

I step closer, watching her eyes as they move over me. At this point, my excitement’s quite evident, and although she doesn’t say anything, her eyes do widen at the sight of me.

As I approach the chair, she slowly passes me and closes the door, then turns the lock. The clicking sound when the lock settles makes my heart skip. I settle into the chair and wait. Every hair on my body is standing on end.