The Checkered Writer

Prologue

(2011, 5 years earlier...)

"Mitchell"

Mitchell Chase rolled his eyes and looked up, "What?"

"You didn't reply to our email. Mitchell, we believed it to be a fair enough offer."

Mitchell scoffed, "Mitch. Everyone calls me Mitch. And if this is about wanting to buy my mother's house, you can forget it."

The man in the suit laughed, "Forget it. Mitch, your family has barely any money to get by, let alone hold onto a house that is falling apart"

"I have a plan."

"Unless that plan is becoming famous, then you're screwed."

"That's what I'm going to do," Mitch smiled, "become famous, I mean."

The whole table of suits erupted into laughter, "what are the chance of that happening?"

Mitchell grinned a wide grin, "One in a million. But it'll happen and you will be answering to me."

"Look, kid. Your father was a great man, and I'm so sorry that he was taken from you so suddenly..." Mitch stared ahead and didn't meet their eyes, "But this isn't fair for your mother, son. Think of her."

"Can't you see that I am?" The room was silent for what felt like an eternity.  Mitch could feel his heart, slamming against his ribcage like a caged animal. "I just want to help her. Please. I think I could actually do this."

One of the suits, his father's oldest friend, broke the silence, "Okay then, how are you going to become famous?"

"I can sing."

"Sing?" A suit asked, "You've got to be kidding."

"No. I'm serious. They are currently holding auditions for BirtsStar. And I intend to win."

"BritsStar is not a solid way to make ends meet, Mr. Chase. If you went to school again and-"

"I'm 15 years old! I will take my life in my own hands and not be bullied by adults!"

"Mitch, calm down!"

"No! I won't. I'll show you. All of you. I will be the next BritsStar and I will be famous. Then, you will all work for me."

They laughed, "Oh what a dream, Mr. Chase. If only it were possible."