Tom Nookie

Lamentations

3rd person POV

"It-... It all happened a long time ago....I-..." Nook hesitates. You didn't let go of him, although his hands trembled slightly.

 In a shaky exhale, he begins... "When I was much younger I wished to become a business owner...

 I was very ambitious... but ever so selfish...

 When the time came, I left my home town to go into the city and start a market. I remember Sable warning me not to go... I never understood why she didn't want me to leave, I assumed it was because she didn't think I would achieve my goal. I was inspired to prove her wrong... But that egotistical delusion only led me to my downfall... 

I remember when I first arrived in the city. It was as if it ignited a spark inside of me. Oh, how determined I used to be... The bright blue lights, the skyscrapers, the streets packed in traffic! It was all a dream made a reality!..

...Until..." He stops, a painful silence pierces through the room.

"...I remet with an old friend... That would be his name I wish to forget, Redd... It was long since I had seen him... He was very different compared to when we were children... He wasn't the same...

 I should have known that before I agreed to work with him but I had no money, no support, no friends... So naturally, he asked if I would be his business partner, and being the naive fool that I was, I accepted. 

Redd worked in a run-down building that seemed to be his house. There he would paint extravagant paintings, wrap them in a white cloth, and hand them over to me to sell. I still recall those long hours I would stand in the street asking people if they would buy any. I was shoved and pushed around like I was nothing... The city was truly never a place for me...

People would sometimes buy the paintings but I was paid a third of what I earned... I was so blinded by the excitement of having a business partner to ever complain... I lived a lie... That fox lied to me!.. I was told I was paid enough!.. But oh how I suffered! Poverty is cruel in the city... Bridges were my only roof, and sleeping was my escape from the hunger... But I stayed determined through it all... 

Redd and I never spoke, unless it was for business of course. I was overworked... Underpaid... But still... I wanted to start that market... No matter how many days I went without eating... No matter how many times people would stomp over me... I refused to give up..." Nook pauses and looks at you with glossy eyes. 

"I- I'm sorry Ms. Y/n... This must be uncomfortable for you..." He turns away and rubbed his eyes a little. 

"No, it's not. Please continue."  You gesture.

"It was a rainy day..." he sighs.

Nook's POV (flashback)

The rain poured over me as I stood on the wet sidewalk of the busy city. 

"Could I interest you in a painting, sir?" I waved a painting in front of a man passing by, hoping he would see.

"No!" the stranger slaps it out of my hands. 

I hurried to pick it up. Oh, how dreadful it is to have to work... But it doesn't matter. I'll have my Market soon! I've saved up enough money to be able to get a rental space. I will just have to work harder! 

A woman walks past my merchant stand, "Ma'am? Could I interest you in-" 

"Agh! Keep away from me!" She elbowed me. 

"Oh my-... I-I'm sorry..."... I rubbed my arm as she left off. 

Suddenly feeling a paw over my shoulder, I flinch and turn over to see my sales partner, Redd.