Friend to Foe

Chapter fourteen: March of the Hookers

ON AIR

      "... I think the people you surround yourself is often all people see. You can be a stand up, marvelous person, but if the general public associates you with people who aren't, suddenly that means nothing. I believe that's one of the most common mistakes in building an image. To succeed you need to master not only controlling yourself, but those around you..."

Vox, Valentino, and Velvette were all listening in to Alastor's broadcast.
"That has to be about you!" Velvette spoke as she threw her arms, "he wants you to control us? The fuck did I do to him?" Vox couldn't help but listen more to what Alastor was saying than Velvette.

"Either you're the strongest or you allow them room to walk over you."

Vox remembered Alastor's words. What had made Alastor think Vox failed to do that? Was this all really about him? Was Alastor concerned out of respect or did he hate him? He thought everything with Alastor was going so well. Is it possible he was wrong the entire time? Vox clearly began to spiral. Electricity bolted around his head. This alerted Valentino before the still raging Velvette. Val placed a hand on Vox's shoulder, bringing him only slightly out of his thoughts.

"I do have a song I feel fits the occasion. I figured I'd give some backstory into the meaning, especially since I know someone is listening." Vox's blood ran cold upon hearing Alastor's words. Of course the one time Velvette and Valentino are listening they're directly being offended.

An opening piano line began to play. Velvette threw herself back in her chair while muttering a small "ridiculous" under her breath. Vox looked over to the oddly silent Valentino who was zoned in on the radio. That was until he turned to meet Vox's concerned gaze.

"Dance, baby, dance.
They're gonna give you all the cash in advance.
And from your hips you got a price tag selling romance.
Right away, you're a natural baby."

Vox turned back to the radio. Valentino's hand was still on him but Vox had forgotten. Was Vox the natural the song spoke about?

"Lined up for you,
All down the street, around the corner, in the queue.
And past the pub with all the vagrants and the booze.
As I'll be sitting playing blues here on the piano for the drunk and the few."

This was referencing the people who line up outside of Vox's headquarters. The 'pub' had to be Alastor's bar. These lines confused Vox as it was inferring that Vox was more successful than Alastor.

       Alastor meant for it to hint at how Vox should never forget who is getting him to where he is. Vox would have no support from fellow overlords if it weren't for that one night at Alastor's bar. Numbers can perish, but self preservation never will.

"Singing our favorite tune, they made a hooker out of you."

This line immediately made Vox turn to Valentino. Their eyes met. There was no way this wasn't reflecting him. Valentino's wide eyes shifted into a malicious gaze towards the radio.

"They're watching your fantasy,"

Vox's fantasy was success. All he wants is a powerful business. Alastor is aware of that.

"Fade away into a broken dream."

Vox's leg began to bounce as that lyric sunk in. He turned away from Valentino and moved his shoulder so Valentino's hand would drop. Val watched as Vox ran his hands over his screen out of stress. Him and Velvette both saw the TV's nerves rising as a static became audible from him.