Let's Be Realistic

"Brilliant! The best thing you've ever done!"1

The fat man in the chair had obviously enjoyed himself and he waved his cigar enthusiastically as he beamed at Marcus,2

"I don't know how you did it and I'm not going to ask." he winked and tapped the side of his nose, "Tricks of the trade an' all that, but I can tell you, Mac, it'll be a big success and that means big profits, and big profits mean a satisfied backer - an' I don't have to tell you what that means!" 3

The fat lips wobbled and leaked saliva onto the top fold of his chin.4

Marcus had stopped listening. He chanced a quick look at the shadow in the corner. The silhouette languidly raised the floppy brimmed hat in his direction. and then turned away.5

"God it's so real! The close up scenes! Wow! The shipwreck, then the shark attack! You could feel the terror, smell the blood. Man could those extras act! Wounds that spouted blood, torn limbs, and the screaming! How'd you manage it? Nope! That's your secret I guess, but it's a million dollar secret. It'll make us rich - " Kohn Fischman babbled excitedly, stabbing floating smoke circles into the air.6

The voice went on and on, but Marcus was barely aware of it. Of course Fischman was right. It was what the public wanted, and who was he to deny them? He had finally hit the big time and intended to stay there, with the help of Harry, of course. (He never could bring himself to use Harry's real name, Ahriman. Ahriman Huitzilopochitli! God what a mouthful!) He again glanced at the corner, but it was empty.7

"Well?"8

Marcus jerked his mind back to the present,9

"Sorry Mr. Fischman, what was that?"10

"The sequel man! Have you any ideas on the sequel? What's the follow up to 'The Grey People'? We've got to milk this baby for all it's worth!"11

"Oh yes , we're already working on the sequel. All we need is the financial backing."12

"You've got it!"13

The voice came from the back of the room.14

"Hey Kramer! Good to see you. So you watched it then? Impressive eh?", the other man nodded and Fischman turned back to Marcus, "Let me introduce you. This is Kramer Schulz, a very wealthy man. You've got your money!"15

Marcus gave the two men a wide satisfied smile,16

"I'll get on with it then, and I promise, it'll be even better!"17

* * * * *18

The policeman wiped the rain from his face with the back of his hand and hunched his shoulders against the cold as he stood in the shelter of the shop doorway. It had been another long quiet night. At least when you were busy, the time went by more quickly, but since the clean-up campaign to clear the drunks and homeless from the streets had started, nearly eighteen months ago, he had found the night shifts almost unbearably lonely.19

There was the odd figure sleeping under the arches on the embankment, and others were starting to drift back in small numbers, but there were so few of them now that they rarely encroached on private property. All of them were new. He wondered what had happened to the others. Wandering some other city limits perhaps, or lucky enough to be somewhere warm and dry? He missed the familiar faces and the nightly banter.20

Blowing on his hands for warmth, he stepped back into the street. Rainwater hit his forehead and ran downwards to form a large droplet on the end of his nose. He sighed. Anywhere must be better than here on a night like this!21

* * * * *22

Marcus watched as Harry stood talking to the shirt-sleeved policeman. God it was hot! Harry and the policeman walked off through a side street and Marcus looked for somewhere to sit.23

There was a low wall nearby and he sank down gratefully, fanning himself with his hat. A dirty child crept up to him and touched his arm. It was hard to establish whether it was a girl or boy, but whatever it was, it certainly left him in no doubt as to what it wanted. He reached inside his trouser pocket, brought out a coin and thrust it into the outstretched hand. 24

It was a mistake. Within seconds he was surrounded by a babbling crowd of children, pushing, shoving and fighting. Where on earth had they all come from?25

He gesticulated at them to go away. They ignored him. He could feel the perspiration trickling inside his shirt. He decided he didn't like this place; didn't like the grubby hoards of children; didn't like the pictures inside his head. Damn this heat! He took out a handful of coins and threw them across the street. The children scrambled after them, gouging, biting, kicking.26

Suddenly, the children were gone. The street had emptied like a sinkful of water at the pull of the plug . Harry and the policeman were walking towards him. 27

The policeman nodded and Harry beckoned Marcus to come over to them,28

"It's all settled. As many as you want. First batch to arrive next week. Well I guess it's time to go home."29

* * * * *30

Marcus winced as Fischman put his arms around his shoulders, and breathed in his ear,31

"I like it! I like it!" he hissed, "Shadow Children! If it packs them in like 'The Grey People' - You know it's broken all records?" He didn't wait for an answer, "You say this'll be even better? but, let's be realistic, you've gotta stay well inside your budget. The bigger the profit, the more we'll get for the next one."32

Marcus smiled grimly, and tried to ignore Fischman's evil smelling breath,33

"Oh yes, much better. You'll really enjoy this one and don't worry, it'll be realistic in every way!"34