Chapter Text
“Hey. Kira. You hear about my new idea?”
Nerdi faced the wall, continuously bouncing a rubber ball against it. “It’s great, isn’t it?”
”I’ve heard, sir,” his secretary sighed, her pen whittling away at some important documents… well, probably some important documents. “You won’t shut up about it.”
”Well, that’s a little mean,” he said, stopping his little game. He turned around in his chair, his purple suit shining under the lamplight. “Even Bee said he liked it.”
”Hm. And, it’s hardly even an idea. You’ve had me doing paperwork in preparation for weeks,” she griped.
”Tch. Whatever. It’s not real until it happens.” His eyes darted around the room, looking for nothing in particular.
”Sure.”
”But anyways, you still haven’t told me. What do you think?”
”It’s… interesting,” she said, looking up at him and pausing for just a moment. “Could be a big hit. Maybe.”
”Just a maybe?”
”…”
She knew it would be. She worked on the logistics, after all, and anything she did was foolproof. But she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.
”Look, Kira,” he said, relaxing in his soft plush chair (which was also royal purple—his color, and only his color), “You’re gonna help make it happen. We need to make sure people know what they’re signing up for, so I don’t get in any legal trouble.”
”I know, sir,” she muttered. “Have you considered making a show that doesn’t involve people dying?”
”Well, where’s the fun in that?”
”It gives me more work,” she said with a hint of irritation.
”Well, you work for me,” he snapped, his steely gaze cutting through her. “You do what I say.”
”…I know.”
”Good.”
”I do this for the pay, you know,” she said, only half-sarcastically.
Nerdi cackled. “That’s great. That’s why I keep you around, you know that?”
He sighed. “Ah, you’re a good secretary, or advisor, or whatever the fuck your position name is.”
He left his throne, positioning himself directly in front of her. He sneered down at her as she continued writing. A bead of sweat formed on her brow as he observed her, encroaching on her personal space.
”You know why I think that?”
She didn’t dare look up at him.
”Because you’re in it for the money,” he said breathily. “That’s what I’m in it for too.”
”You can gallivant all you want about being moral, or whatever stupid shit you try to say to justify it. But inside, you’re just a cold-hearted, cutthroat businessman like me. And you know it.”
Kira didn’t know how to respond, so she didn’t. Eventually, Nerdi got bored—and was also receiving a phone call—so he left her alone.
“Time’s ticking,” he said as he left the room. “Don’t be late.”
She hated, absolutely hated, how he right he was about every last bit.
Oh, how she despised him. But she had no other choice. Maybe one day she’ll gain a spine and quit.
“What’s up, doc?” Nerdi said into his cellphone, looking out from his balcony at the cityscape below.
“Nerdi, I must say that… I am not the biggest fan of your new show.”
”Why not?” he said, pursing his lips. “I think it’s a great idea.”
”I am afraid of… the consequences. Of having a godlike figure in this world.”
He scoffed. “Are you kidding? There’s no way the impostor wins it all. And we have that kill switch if it goes too far.”
”I just wanted to voice my concerns to you before it is too late.”
”Ah, Winston,” he said, his smile audible in his voice, “I appreciate it, really. But I’ve got everything planned out. And you cannot stop it, either. Ball’s already rolling.”
”I see. And who are your participants? Who will risk their lives for this?”
He chuckled. “Oh, they’re perfect. They’re all either egomaniacs or they desperately need the money.” He paced around the balcony, wind running through his vibrant blond hair. “I know these people,” he said, his tone becoming more serious. “They’ll do anything for that win. For those powers. And they’re volunteers, so I’m not responsible for their deaths.”
“…I see.”
“Besides, I funded you, so I have some right to your research. Remember the contract?”
“Of course. But I am not asking you as your… investment. I am asking you as your friend.”
Nerdi just sighed. “Well, I guess I appreciate your concern,” he said, only half-meaning it. “But… y’know, there’s a lot in it for you, too. This’ll cement as you as one of the greats. What better way to gain publicity than through a show like this, huh?”
“I am not in it for the publicity. And I am already famous enough, thank you very much.”
He scoffed. “Yeah, right. Everyone loves having some time in the spotlight. You’ll always crave more.”
”I just wish to do research. Is that not what you funded me for?”
”Uh-huh, whatever,” he muttered. “I do care about your research. But I’m begging you, doc. This is the best idea I’ve had in years. So… as a friend, yeah?”
“…as your friend… I will support you. But please be careful.”
”Thanks. I will.”
After some silence, Nerdi spoke again, curiosity on his mind. ”What are you so scared of, anyway? Didn’t you make this technology?”
”I did. But I have the concern that this power can be used for evil.”
The businessman just rolled his eyes. “It won’t be the end of the world. If the guy goes crazy, we just kill him. Case closed.”
”…alright,” the doctor said, sounding tired. “It seems that I cannot change your mind regardless.”
”Great. I’ll see you there,” Nerdi said, his smile re-forming. “Should be just a couple more days now.”
“Of course. Goodbye.”
He hung up the call. With that over with, Nerdi leaned over the railing of the balcony, not caring for his safety. He knew he wouldn’t fall.
Cars moved slowly across the roads like ants in a line. For a moment, he was brought back to a childhood memory of playing with toy cars.
It was childish, so he stopped thinking about it. His thoughts turned to the city itself—the very city he was sure to own within the next few years. With this new game, he would make sure of it.
He always had lofty goals, high hopes. But that was befitting of a man of his caliber. Now that he had money, power, and was quickly gaining in fame, all he really wanted in the moment was to be entertained. And what better way of entertainment than playing with human lives?
The drama, the emotions, the tension, it was all perfect. He thrived on these moments, on the weaving together of a story from start to finish. An explosive intro. Scene after scene of jaw-dropping, heartstring-tugging action. And finally, a tense finale with high-riding emotional decisions, betrayals, and levels of suspense so high that they were hardly even on this planet.
He could see it all already.
He just had to make it happen.