The Forgotten Dance Department | a Sammy Lawrence x Reader story

~Chapter 0 | Old Memories~

The Joey Drew Studios. A wonderful place where dreams come true!

Memory one, Wally Franks

'Where is he? He is supposed to be in the main Dance Room right now!' I kept walking through those damn hallways of this GODDAMN studio. My keys rattling against my leg as my legs moved quickly. The only thing I can think of Sammy being in his office like usual, but he wouldn't forget his friend ready to perform right now right?? "Lawrence!! For God's sake! She's going to perform man, where the hell are you?!!" I yell through the walls, but no respond at all. Everyone in the studio is on the Dance Department right now, except for Lawrence and...- "...FUCK!!"

I started running as fast as I could to the Recording Room. I saw the 'Recording' sign glowing red repeatedly. The door was locked as well. "LAWRENCE!! What the hell are you doing right now??! She's going to perform in 2 minutes! You never missed!!" I yell rattling the doorknob aggressively. I hear a female voice giggling and a male voice chuckle. "LAWRENCE!! ANY MOMENT NOW!!!" Still no respond. 'UGH! How stupid I am.. I have the keys from the whole Music Department!' I think as I take my keys, finding the one of the Recording Studio. I bust open the door and see Lawrence with... Miss Campbell making out in the Recording Booth. Lawrence looks in shock at me and Campbell is just a bit surprised. She then just smirks at me, like she knows what I'm about to do. "Franks! Please, I can explain!!-" Lawrence starts but I cut him off. "Really Lawrence? Promising HER never to leave her and now with Miss Campbell?" I ask with lots of bitterness in my voice. "That's low. Very low Lawrence. Let's see who gets to tell her first." And with that I walk away.

Memory two, Norman Polk

I didn't have my day today. The coffee was bad, the studio was cold and Mister Sammy Lawrence had a very short temper today. I'm up in my projection booth right now. Lawrence is in his office right now, so it's very quiet right now here. Still I'm feeling down and I don't think anyone or anything could change that. Or is there..? No, she's probably busy right now. But perhaps it's a good shot to take a look around the corner there. Who knows?

I walked down the stairs and heard the cheerful music already floating into my ears. "Alright ladies! Here we go again! And 1, 2, 3 and 4!!" I heard her voice echoing through the halls, followed by load clicking and banging on the rhythm of the music. 'What the hell could that be?' I thought as I carefully opened the door peeking inside. I saw her with her practicing dress, such like the other dancers, and weird shoes on. They make weird movement, but along with the music it looks so joyful! I get inside and she notices me and smiles and waves. I smile back and sit on a bench in the Dance Studio. I watch her and the others swing and jump while the music keeps playing. She keeps flipping out several 'That's right!' and 'Aaaaaand! Hop and hop and swirl and pause!'. It was so wonderful to see her dance, it made me feel warmer by the second. I didn't realize the song was already over. "Alright ladies, that was great! Remember to keep practicing that hard part, it gets better by the moment! That was it for today, good evening!" She said and the women applauded for her and themselves, I did the same. The women then started to take their stuff walking to the exit waving me goodbye.
She came walking up to me having that beautiful smile on her face. "Why did you decide to come her for the second time today?" She asked curiously. "The coffee up there wasn't very good. Is yours better?" I asked smiling. "If you have a small moment so I can change shoes, we'll get some good coffee." She chirps and I nod. With that she rushes off to the changing room.

The only thing I could remember was the sweet scent of actually GOOD coffee and laughter of men and women in the main room of the Animation Department. She and Henry were dancing the dance she was doing about 15 minutes ago. She explained to us it was clog dancing, a very famous dance in The Netherlands. It seemed Joey wanted to get more international with the cartoons, but we didn't mind it at all. As soon as she started dancing everyone was happy. Well, everyone except for Sammy Lawrence. Does he even care about her at all?

Memory three, Henry Stein

Work, work, work. That's all I could think of right now. I haven't seen Linda for days now. God, I miss her so much. It makes me so sad, not even drawing makes me feel better. Some of my co-workers must have noticed this because one of them sat beside me one day. It was Wally, the cleaner of the studio. "Ey, Stein! It seems to look like you're feeling off these days man. Wasda matter?" He asks me. "I indeed don't feel good Franks. I miss Linda, my dog and my mother. I haven't talked to them in so many days. It makes me wanna retire from this damn place! But I just don't want to rush things too fast." I explain trying to hold the tears in my eyes back. Wally nods and rubs my back, he really cares about others. "I totally understand that Stein.. Well, I don't have a wife myself, but I just miss my fish. But y'know Stein? If I were you, I should visit the Dance Department today and talk to HER! She is the sunshine of the studio and knows how to help people like you!" He gives my a slight slap on the shoulder and stands up. "Just think about it. But she's worth that stairs!" He says and walks away going on with his round. 'Heh!' I think. 'Maybe that silly man has a point. She does have a good reputation here for being indeed a sunshine.'

"So, you're asking me to choose for you wether you should retire or not!?" She asks in disbelieve. I now kinda feel bad for her giving her this much pressure, there must be a misunderstanding. "N-no, I just want an advise! You see, I miss my wife and dog so much. All I want from you is a small advise wether I should take a day off or not." I explain, she nods. "I understand now. You know, we only have 10 free days in a year right?" She asks and I nod with a sad face. "Have you used any of them already this year? It's nearly July and the 4th of July is a given free day off from the company." She asks. "No, I haven't used any of them yet." I respond. She thinks for a moment. "You've been putting so much pressure on yourself lately, everyone sees you falling down these days. I say; SCREW JOEY and go to your beloved wife and dog! They really miss you, y'know? Then what are you waiting for?" She says confidently. I smile and nod. "Yeah, you're right! I'm going home right away and go on a vacation with them!" I say as I stand up putting both my hands on my hips and smile like crazy. "Thanks a lot! You were just what I needed!" I say as I give her a hug, she hugs back. "Go get 'em, big guy!" She shouts and I walk away with so much confidence, you could hear it come from a mile away.

Memory four, Sammy Lawrence

(Y/n) (l/n)... What have I done...?

~1320 words~