Treasure

Treasure - Part Five

2002
(Additional overlap to Railtracks and TW for mentions of mental health, bipolar, depressive episodes, self-harm, suicidal ideation, drugs)

By the end of 2001, things were moving along nicely for all of them. Richard eventually agreed to move in with Julian and Noel, to save money by them splitting rent and bills three ways. Both Noel and Julian had been in and out of work almost consistently, even though a lot of the roles were small, and Richard's work directing and writing were becoming noticed.

He'd finally been able to agree on a contract of release for Darkplace with Matthew for channel four, which caused huge celebration between them and to his family and he proudly told his other friends of his achievements, for once not shying away from speaking highly of himself. He had done a lot of writing for many producers, despite shows not being televised quite as quickly as he'd liked, the fact was, they would be shown and he was being paid for his work.

He'd lent his voice for Boosh radio and made a quick appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe for AutoBoosh back in 2000, as well as going back to the Fringe for Garth Marenghi's Fright Knight. In 2002, his sequel to Fright Knight, Garth Marenghi's Netherhead, won the Perrier Award.

He had to conceed that returning to the Fringe as it had been suggested after the funding was refused, had been a good idea indeed and now he kept getting calls from producers and directors wanting him to write for them.

Later that year the three of them found themselves having a minor lull of work, but they weren't ungrateful, in fact it was a nice break.

As Richard typed away on his laptop in the kitchen, Julian placed his bags on the table.

"Right, so it's only for the weekend, you can call me anytime, but if you want me to rearrange it, I can,"

Julian placed his papers on top of his bag and Richard looked up, pushing his glasses up slightly and shook his head.

"I'll be fine," he assured Julian.

The older man raised his eyebrows slightly shaking his head slightly. "Are you sure? You've not been around him when he's this bad, he can be... difficult."

Richard nodded again. "It's two days, I'll be okay. I've learnt a lot living with you and Noel and even more about bipolar," Richard assured him.

Julian nodded, reaching into the cupboard, handing Richard Noel's medication. "Make sure he takes this. Try and get him to eat, don't nag him, make him food leave it for him, don't push him. He's weird with his food as it is. Lots of water, he's good with water, I bought a case of sparkling, he likes that."

Richard licked his lips quickly as he stood and went to Julian nodding. "I know this is a bad episode he's having, I'm not undermining you or assuming it's not bad, but I have been around him when he was depressed before. I've helped you before. We both took care of him and it was alright."

Julian nodded, his jerky, jolty movements showed he was anxious about leaving Noel. He had always been with him when he was like this and it wasn't that he didn't trust Richard, he just knew how unpredictable Noel was.

"And drugs..." Julian sighed. "I don't know what he's doing. More than usual, not too much I don't think, but just be mindful of that. It's getting worse, I know that. I'm dealing with it."

Richard nodded, as much as he worried about Noel's drug use, he knew Julian would be the only one to get through to him for that.

"I won't even mention it, unless he's really bad with it, like he needs medical attention."

Julian nodded, finally handing Richard a small key. "Everything sharp, scissors, knives, razors, they're locked in a deposit box in my room. He's got one shitty, almost blunt razor for shaving and that's it, okay?" Richard nodded, taking the key and putting it in his pocket.