Never Let Them Define You

DOING SOMETHING RIGHT

As she arrives at work, she sees Albert yet again.

"Morning, Cassandra!"

"Why are you only here sometimes?"

"Well, during other sometimes, I'm in lock-up."

She chuckles. "A true patriot."

"Is that supposed to be an insult?"

"I think if it was, then that would be missing the point of America."

"Yeah, you're right." Before she walks into the building, he shouts, "Wait! Hold on."

She hesitates at the door, then turns, and tilts her head. "What is it? Something important?"

"I hear you're working on something; that you're almost done with something, actually. Is that true?"

"Yes, it, um-" She clears her throat, laughs, and utters, "it is."

"Why'd you hesitate? Not good?"

"No, no! It's great, don't worry, it's just a little hard to believe the whole thing's actually gone alright so far. Thought the suits would be up my ass a bit more, or that maybe I'd lose inspiration, or something else very tragic, but no, all good." She forces a smile and raises her brow.

"Something wrong?"

"What?" Her face narrows to a look of concern.

"That face you made...looked like you wanted me to think you're happy."

She chuckles. "I'm glad you saw the fakeness of that; the people in there eat up happy looks, real or not. It's quite concerning, actually."

He laughs and scratches his head. "So, what's the show about?"

"Hard to explain...critical and emotional analysis of capitalism, fame, and the dissociation that comes from being seen as a product with value rather than a living being with feelings."

"Wow, that, uh, was a good explanation."

"Well, I've thought about how I want to sell it; it is a product, after all."

He laughs. "Sounds like you know what you're making."

She lets out a real smile. "Thanks, that means a lot...even coming from an idiot protester."

"Oh, so harsh."

"What can I say? I'm back to business mode; it's not done yet."

"Don't fuck it up!"

She flips him off as she struts towards the building, then fake smiles as a group of suits walk round the revolving door, and frowns as they step past her.

"That guy's so annoying, right?" asks David.

"What?"

"The strike guy, I saw you talking to him; was he bothering you?"

"Oh, no, he's actually quite pleasant once you get to know him."

He laughs riotously and gives her a quick hug. "Well, I just wanted to welcome you, and make sure everything's alright."

"It is, thank you." They part ways and she makes her way towards the elevator. Just gotta work on a few songs, guide some dancers, and do group rehearsals. It's kind of cool making a show that's mostly your own vision; stressful too, but what isn't? It really is unbelievable how much ludicrous stuff I've managed to get into the show, I had no idea they'd ACTUALLY let me go with the pig mask idea. I guess they're interested in pushing boundaries if it makes them money, so that's a win for me, but I just gotta make sure it does.